Top-tier Unruly Master

Chapter 2234: Chapter 269: No Chance

At this moment, Zhong Zhiyong was feeling very conflicted. If he didn’t surrender, it would be a dead end. From what he had learned about Ding Fan during this period, Ding Fan would definitely not let him go. Even though Ding Fan was young, his methods were ruthless and decisive, and many had perished at his hands lately.

But if he surrendered, he would become a slave!

Moreover, it would be as a slave to a young man at the Third Level of the Divine Realm. How could he, the head of a Level Five family in the Shenwu Country, endure such a fate?

Reaching his current realm was no easy feat, and he had long stood at the Peak of the Northern Wastelands. Zhong Zhiyong was undoubtedly a dominant figure in the Northern Wastelands, with the dignity and pride of an expert.

To say nothing of others, Ding Fan had killed quite a few members of the Zhong family. Zhong Wugu died directly at his hands, and this battle was sparked by Ding Fan’s actions against the Zhong family. Just moments ago, among those experts of the Zhong family slain by the Crimson Flame, one was his cousin.

Yet, he was supposed to be a slave to this enemy? If word got out, how could he face anyone in the future?

However, if he refused to be a slave, the Zhong family would inevitably face destruction. The three Sixth Level experts under Ding Fan could annihilate the Zhong family with just a gesture, and it wouldn’t even take all three, just one would suffice.

Ding Fan watched as Zhong Zhiyong’s expressions changed rapidly, his eyes flickering with light, and his complexion shifting unpredictably, knowing that Zhiyong was deeply conflicted and undecided at that moment.

After thinking for a moment, he said to Zhong Zhiyong, "Zhong Zhiyong, you claim to be a dominator, yet you’re so hesitant. In life, a wise man knows when to adapt. Your strategist, Zhong Ziqi, is already in my service. You know better than I how smart he is. Let me tell you, following me won’t disgrace you. In fact, it will be greatly beneficial for your Zhong family. Your future achievements will only be greater than now, not smaller!"

Ding Fan was now full of persuasive words, turning into a talker. To be honest, the prospect of having a Sixth Level Divine Realm slave was very tempting to him. A Sixth Level Divine Realm! That’s not something you can easily find, like cabbage or radishes.

Moreover, Ding Fan had another thought in mind. If Zhong Jianqiang surrendered, his followers would include four Sixth Level experts of the Divine Realm, making them formidable even against the five top experts currently besieging Daozhen Villa.

At this moment, Zhong Jianqiang was still very conflicted, unable to make a decisive choice. After much thought, he gritted his teeth and said to Ding Fan, "Ding Fan, if you won’t reveal your true identity to me, then go ahead and kill me!"

If Ding Fan were just an ordinary cultivator, how could he possibly have three Sixth Level followers? It’s simply impossible with his Third Level strength in the Divine Realm.

He, Zhong Jianqiang, had the dignity and pride of an expert, so if the strength of Chiyan and Ye Li surpassed his own, how could they not have it? No expert would willingly follow someone much lower in realm than themselves. Although Ding Fan’s talent was indeed good, following someone with no background promised no future achievement.

Hearing Zhong Zhiyong’s words, Ding Fan hesitated a bit. He truly didn’t want to reveal his identity and frankly didn’t want to rely on the power of the Sirius Clan. Ultimately, the Sirius Clan was still very unfamiliar to him, and he had no emotional ties with them.

Since starting his cultivation, he’d always relied on himself. To use the Sirius claim as backing would make him feel like he’d become just another Xu Jianqiang or Zhong Wugu—something he didn’t want to see happen.

After pondering for a while, he finally made up his mind. He decided not to exploit the power of the Sirius Clan but could mention Sirius Elder. So he told Zhong Jianqiang, "It seems you’re not convinced without something tangible. Very well, I’ll tell you. My mentor has a cultivation of Seventh Level in the Divine Realm, and he can crush experts of the same realm. Master Daozhen almost got killed by a palm strike from him."

"You’re saying a Seventh Level expert in the Divine Realm almost killed Master Daozhen!"

Zhong Zhiyong’s expression changed, and a name popped into his mind—a name that once turned Tianmu Sea upside down, making the Daozhen Family live in fear. Despite the Herr Family’s attempts to block the news, many Level Five forces in the Northern Wastelands had heard about it.

"You’re talking about the Sirius Elder! Is he your mentor?" Zhong Zhiyong’s eyes flickered as he asked Ding Fan.

Ding Fan smiled and nodded. Zhong Zhiyong’s body shuddered, a bitter smile unconsciously forming at the corner of his mouth. In his heart, he cursed the deceased Zhong Wushang countless times.

Zhong Wushang, that bastard, dared to provoke the disciple of the Sirius Elder. Over a hundred years ago, Sirius Elder was already a Seventh Level expert in the Divine Realm. He nearly struck down the third-ranked War God in the Northern Wastelands, Master Daozhen, with a single palm. Now that Ding Fan turned out to be his disciple, it’s reasonable for three Sixth Level experts to follow him.

Zhong Zhiyong thought for a moment and said, "Since you’re his disciple, it’s indeed not disgraceful for me to follow you. But I need you to guarantee me something. I want you to assure the safety of the Zhong family and to promise that if the Zhong family encounters problems in the future, you must help."

If he became Ding Fan’s slave, Zhong Zhiyong would no longer be able to take care of the Zhong family. Without a Sixth Level expert of the Divine Realm, Zhong Family Fortress would soon fall prey to other powers or families.

Ding Fan sunk into thought. The situation with Tianmu Sea would eventually resolve, and he intended to leave for the Central Plains. There were many Sixth Level experts in the Divine Realm there. The Ye Family couldn’t go to the Central Plains, but he planned to take Zhong Zhiyong and Crimson Flame along. With them, his safety would be assured. However, if Zhong Zhiyong followed him, he wouldn’t be able to help if something happened to the Zhong family.

His gaze subconsciously turned to Ye Li, who quickly understood Ding Fan’s thoughts and nodded slightly toward him.

Seeing Ye Li indicate that he could take care of the Zhong family, Ding Fan was reassured. Turning to Zhong Zhiyong, he said, "Alright, I can promise you that guarantee. If you’re still uneasy, I can swear it to heaven."

"There’s no need, I trust the lifetime reputation of Sirius Elder, his disciples wouldn’t deceive anyone," Zhong Zhiyong resolutely stated, then he bowed deeply to Ding Fan and said, "Zhong Zhiyong greets the young master."

"Call me young master!"

A slight bitter smile flashed across Ding Fan’s eyes, knowing that Zhong Zhiyong was not truly acknowledging him as master; he was submitting because of Sirius Elder’s influence.

Yet, Ding Fan soon came to terms with it. After all, Zhong Zhiyong was a formidable overlord; if he submitted to Sirius Elder, no one would find it laughable. Furthermore, Sirius Elder was unrivaled in his realm, and with no body found in the Sirius Ancient Tomb, if he truly wasn’t dead, he would have no adversary in the entire Northern Wastelands.

Ding Fan turned his gaze to Ye Li, who immediately produced two black pills and tossed them to Zhong Zhiyong, saying, "You need to consume these soul-binding pills. Your strength defies the heavens, and your soul is stronger than most, so you must take both."

Zhong Zhiyong received the pills with a bitter expression, his eyes filled with sorrow. He closed his eyes and exhaled heavily, appearing suddenly older by many years.

With slightly trembling hands, he tossed the pills into his mouth, and his face suddenly contorted, like a beast about to devour its prey.

The three great experts present could understand Zhong Zhiyong’s feelings. His pain didn’t stem from the implantation of the soul-binding pills, as he hadn’t lost his freedom, but from the loss of his dignity as the clan leader.

At this moment, a talisman appeared in Ye Li’s hand, and he infused it with True Yuan. The talisman began to glow, and the three experts simultaneously released their Divine Sense to probe the soul-binding pills within Zhong Zhiyong.

After about half an hour, the talisman in Ye Li’s hand ceased glowing, and Crimson Flame softly explained to Ding Fan, "Both soul-binding pills have entered his body, one residing in his soul and the other in his dantian. With Zhong Zhiyong’s strength and powerful soul, he cannot destroy the pills. Should he attempt to destroy one, the other will instantly take his life. The Ye Family’s soul-binding pills are extremely high-level, and it is now complete."

Ye Li flew over to Ding Fan and handed him the talisman.

Only by refining this talisman can Ding Fan form a connection with the soul-binding pills, making Zhong Zhineng his true servant, unable to harbor any hidden intentions against Ding Fan. As the master of the soul-binding pills within Zhong Zhiyong, any thought of harming Ding Fan or disobedience would result in both pills gnawing at his dantian and soul.

Ding Fan looked at the talisman in his hand, pouring his True Yuan into it, quickly refining it and establishing a conscious link with the soul-binding pills inside Zhong Zhiyong.

Ding Fan nodded to Zhong Zhiyong and said, "Zhong Zhiyong, let us close the Chapter with your Zhong Family. I will release Zhong Ziqi and allow him to return to the Zhong Family to manage affairs. I will keep my promises to you unchanged."

"Zhong Zhiyong thanks the young master."

Zhong Zhiyong bowed to Ding Fan in gratitude. In less than an hour, several strands of his hair had turned white, and he appeared noticeably older, clearly showing the immense impact this matter had on him.

"Good! Let’s return!"

Ding Fan waved his hand as he spoke, and at this moment, Crimson Flame, carrying him, swiftly rushed back onto the Zhong Family’s Super Airship. The remaining three followed closely behind. When they leapt back onto the airship and saw the floating corpses below, Zhong Zhiyong’s lips couldn’t help but twitch with pain and sorrow in his eyes.

"We’ll return first, and then I’ll have people bury these bodies so they aren’t left exposed to the sea."

With Zhong Zhiyong now his servant, Ding Fan no longer held the same hatred for the Zhong Family. With the dead now gone, he decided to help bury them, offering a shred of comfort to Zhong Zhiyong.

Under Ye Lian’s control, the Super Airship soared toward Yuexia City. The city wasn’t far, taking only about twenty minutes to reach its skies.

Ding Fan and four others jumped from the Super Airship into Yuexia City. As Pu Feng and others noticed the obedient Zhong Zhiyong standing behind Ding Fan, they were utterly astonished, their expressions indescribably dramatic.

Ignoring their reactions, Ding Fan led the four into the council hall. After taking a seat, he asked Zhong Zhiyong, "If I take a few and go to rescue Daozhen Villa, do we have any chance of winning?"

After listening to Ding Fan’s question, Zhong Zhiyong contemplated for a moment and then said, "If Zheng Tianxing doesn’t intervene, we have a fifty percent chance of winning. If he does, we don’t stand a chance."

"Zheng Tianxing of the Tianyuan Auction!"

Ding Fan and Crimson Flame exchanged a heavy glance, a serious undertone in their eyes. The two Ye Family members, having just arrived from another world, were clueless about the situation, evident in their expressions.

Ranked second on the Northern Wastelands War God Ranking, even above Master Daozhen, if Zheng Tianxing truly intervened, the four top experts under Ding Fan wouldn’t be his match.

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