Translator: CinderTL
The leader quickly deduced Feng Qi's ultimate goal.
Controlling the intelligence network meant eliminating potential threats within the city. From a strategic perspective, this could only mean one thing: Feng Qi wanted to maintain absolute control over Star City's situation.
"Exactly!" Feng Qi admitted without hesitation.
"Do you truly possess the strength to do this? The Star City Military Department isn't to be trifled with. If they discover your existence, they'll stop at nothing to eliminate you."
"What do you think?" A smile flickered across the mask that mimicked facial expressions.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps you could prove it to us," the lead man replied, refusing to yield outright and instead demanding proof from Feng Qi.
"Very well, I'll prove it to you."
As Feng Qi spoke, Mu Qing, who stood slightly behind and to his side, suddenly leaped into the air, her figure soaring upward.
Her qi momentum surged with each upward movement, a jade-colored mist enveloping her entire body.
The terrifying pressure resurfaced as she clenched her fist and abruptly punched toward the center of the lake.
The three domain creatures facing Feng Qi immediately turned to look in the direction of Mu Qing's punch.
Boom!
They couldn't see the fist's trajectory, only hearing a deafening explosion erupt at the lake's center. The lakebed began to sink and collapse, the terrifying force violently pushing the water outward, eventually exposing the muddy bottom.
At that moment, Mu Qing, still suspended in mid-air, abruptly retracted her fist.
The terrifying force vanished instantly, causing the water to surge back inward, sending a colossal spray dozens of meters high into the air.
Having completed her demonstration, Mu Qing gracefully descended back to her position behind Feng Qi.
"Is that enough?"
The three domain creatures were stunned by the display, their eyes fixed on Feng Qi with undisguised fear.
They couldn't fathom the extent of Feng Qi's power if he could command such a formidable warrior to pledge allegiance.
That single punch had shaken them to their core.
Realizing the intimidation had worked, Feng Qi's mask curved into a smile.
"I imagine you came to Star City seeking profit. Opposing me would only hinder your pursuit of gain, wouldn't it?"
Having wielded the stick, Feng Qi now offered the carrot.
"What do you mean?" the leader asked cautiously.
"Under my protection, your development will proceed more smoothly. If you pledge loyalty to me, I can guarantee you a fixed monthly allocation of spiritual resources as a reward."
Under this dual assault of intimidation and incentive, the leader—whose face bore fish-gill-like markings—had his defenses completely shattered.
"We pledge our loyalty to you," the leader said with a slight bow. "But how should we contact you in the future?"
"All intelligence and mission reports should be sent to the Tiger Soul Research Institute. On the first of each month, you can also collect your rewards from the institute. Whether you send those resources back to your clan or use them yourselves is none of my concern."
"The Tiger Soul Research Institute?" The leader's heart skipped a beat.
"Sir, if I may be so bold as to ask, is the Tiger Soul Research Institute... already under your control?"
Feng Qi didn't answer, but instead extended his right hand.
In his palm lay a transparent glass vial, through which a small black pill could be seen.
"Swallow it in front of me. Though you've already pledged your loyalty, now it's time for you to prove your sincerity."
The black pill in the vial was a special concoction developed by the director of the Scarlet Research Institute's spirit plant research department, formulated from a blend of over twenty spirit plants.
Upon ingestion, the body would develop an extreme dependency on its effects, requiring daily, regular doses.
This dependency wasn't purely psychological.
Withdrawal would disrupt the body's inner spiritual energy, leading to mental instability and even life-threatening conditions.
If withdrawal lasted a month or longer, the risk of sudden death would increase dramatically.
The pill had been tested on numerous domain creatures. With the exception of elemental domain creatures, every domain creature with a physical body had successfully become dependent.
Unless one possessed abilities like Mu Qing's, which allowed her to instantly digest substances into energy, completely neutralizing their effects, there was no escaping the pill's control.
Aside from its side effects, this pill was essentially a spiritual medicine.
Regular consumption not only placed no burden on the body but also nourished it.
In the previous timeline, the Lord of the Mist controlled these pills through the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice. In this timeline, however, he had no intention of promoting that method. This new approach was developed by the Scarlet Research Institute.
While the pill lacked the domineering power of the Flesh and Blood Sacrifice and proved ineffective against creatures with exceptionally strong constitutions, it effortlessly subdued the three domain creatures before them.
The leader of the domain creatures showed a moment of struggle on his face, but after a brief hesitation, he accepted the glass vial, poured out a pill, and swallowed it.
He then poured out two more pills and handed them to his younger brothers standing behind him.
The other two domain creatures swallowed their pills without hesitation.
At that moment, Mu Qing stepped forward and placed her hand on the leader's shoulder.
Jade-colored light flowed from her palm into his body, aiding in the pill's digestion.
She then turned to the other two domain creatures and assisted them in digesting their pills as well.
Having completed this, Mu Qing retreated to Feng Qi's side.
"They've digested the pills," she reported.
Feng Qi nodded and addressed the leader.
"Congratulations on making the right choice. I'm sure you'll come to appreciate this decision in the future."
"Now, let's return to our previous topic: whether I have taken control of the Tiger Soul Research Institute. The truth is exactly as you suspect—Tiger Soul now serves my purposes."
Upon hearing this, joy spread across the faces of the three domain creatures.
In their eyes, they were now on the same ship as this mysterious figure. The stronger his influence, the greater their own advantages. Perhaps, under the protection of this powerful being, they could even lead their clansmen to survive the impending crisis of the Great Tide's Descent.
Dreaming of a brighter future, smiles bloomed on their faces.
Seeing this, Feng Qi chuckled inwardly.
Promising the moon was indeed a crucial tactic for manipulating hearts. Just write the blank checks and let them dream.
Instilling fear and dread was the first step, primarily to intimidate them and secure the upper hand in negotiations.
The second step was offering incentives.
The warriors of the Domain Weakling Alliance were mostly desperate individuals, willing to risk their lives for profit. Promising them rewards would ensure their unwavering loyalty.
The third step involved control and promising the moon.
Control prevented potential betrayal, while promising the moon ensured their complete devotion, making them believe they were all in the same boat.
These were tactics Old Mist had perfected across countless timelines, and Feng Qi simply replicated them.
Old Mist never considered them his own people, merely tools to be used. Once their utility was exhausted, their existence became unnecessary.
Feng Qi shared this sentiment.
The Dawn Organization was still in its early stages of development, and there were tasks for them to perform.
But once their usefulness was depleted, he would erase them all without hesitation, showing no mercy.
"May we ask your esteemed name, so we may know how to address you in the future?" the domain leader inquired, bowing respectfully.
After a brief pause, Feng Qi smiled and replied, "My name is... Narrator!"
(End of the Chapter)
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