Chapter 286: The Black Lotus Soul Thunder, and a Dou Emperor Slave
Black-Corner Region, Mo City.
Ever since Yuan Mansion defeated the Di Yan Sect, they completely took over the city and relocated their headquarters there. As one of the most famous cities in the Black-Corner Region, Di Yan City's location and population were far superior to Stone Rock City. After the Di Yan Sect's defeat, Yuan Mansion naturally claimed the city and renamed it Mo City.
Having witnessed the intense battle between Yuan Mansion and the Di Yan Sect, the smaller factions in the city accepted the change in leadership without resistance. The tribute and taxes they had once paid to the Di Yan Sect were now being paid to Yuan Mansion without complaint.
No one dared provoke the new ruler, who had just defeated the Di Yan Sect, especially since Yuan Mansion's strength was far greater than that of the former ruler, sending shivers down their spines.
After taking control of Mo City, Yuan Mansion refrained from any major actions, allowing many factions to breathe a sigh of relief. However, beneath the calm surface, some sharp-eyed observers noticed that Yuan Mansion was slowly extending its influence across the city, tightening its grip.
This shift changed the perception that Yuan Mansion was a newly risen faction with no solid foundation. Some even began to speculate that Yuan Mansion might have support from Jia Nan Academy, which wasn't entirely wrong.
At that moment, within a grand meeting hall, Mo Yu sat calmly, facing an elderly man who exuded an extraordinary aura. This man was none other than Su Qian, the Grand Elder of the Inner Academy.
"You want to expand your influence in the Black-Corner Region?" Su Qian asked, slightly frowning as he listened to Mo Yu's plan.
"Grand Elder, I understand that the Black-Corner Region has always been a thorn in the academy's side. But due to the nature of this place, it's impossible to deal with the problems here using purely forceful measures. Instead of suppressing it, it might be better to guide it. If I can expand Yuan Mansion's power here, it could reduce the academy's troubles. We could also monitor hostile forces or even help fight against them," Mo Yu said with a smile, fully expecting Su Qian's reaction.
Su Qian's furrowed brow relaxed slightly. He wasn't a fool—he could quickly grasp whether something was advantageous or not.
"Moreover, Grand Elder, you know my background. My enmity with the Yun Lan Sect runs deep. To exact my revenge, I need a powerful force, and the Black-Corner Region is a good place to build one," Mo Yu added with a calm smile. "Even if my influence grows here, it won't pose a threat to the academy. Even if you don't trust me, you can trust my ambition. The Black-Corner Region is famous, but it's not my ultimate goal. I intend to make my way to Zhongzhou eventually."
Su Qian tapped his fingers lightly on the table for a long time before nodding. "You make some good points. The Black-Corner Region has always been a major problem for Jia Nan Academy. If a force friendly to the academy were to rise here, it could be quite beneficial. Plus, our failure to deal with Han Feng recently has damaged the academy's reputation. It seems you've helped restore our honor."
Su Qian sighed and added, "I've heard that Han Feng has already gathered several powerful forces in the Black-Corner Region to form the 'Black Alliance.' Having Yuan Mansion as an ally would indeed be helpful."
"So, Grand Elder, does that mean you agree?" Mo Yu's expression brightened as he asked with a smile.
"Haha, of course. You've done well, boy. Your men even managed to defeat the Di Yan Sect's leader. I must say, I'm impressed. Where did you find such powerful allies?" Su Qian asked, looking at Mo Yu with deep curiosity.
"Are you talking about Zi Huo? He's an old friend I met during my travels. We've known each other for a long time, and our bond is strong," Mo Yu replied, being somewhat vague. Zi Huo's origins lay with the Lion Tribe, a once powerful but now declining magical beast clan. Mo Yu knew it was best to be cautious when mentioning them.
"Haha, you're still as mysterious as ever, even to me," Su Qian said with a laugh, stroking his beard.
Su Qian had always held Mo Yu in high regard, not only for his talent and strength but also for the enigmatic aura surrounding him.
"Very well, go ahead with your plans. The Black-Corner Region is chaotic. If you can bring some order, it will benefit the academy as well. As for the inner academy students you need, I'll send them soon. Now that Yuan Mansion is well-established and your reputation is spreading, I'm sure many students will be eager to join you."
Su Qian chuckled and added, "Speaking of which, your fiancée recently volunteered to come and see you. I declined, given the uncertain situation at the time. But now that things have settled, I'll feel comfortable sending students your way."
"Thank you, Grand Elder!" Mo Yu stood and bowed in gratitude.
With the inner academy becoming a talent pool for Yuan Mansion, Mo Yu knew that within two years, his faction would be strong enough to dominate the entire Black-Corner Region.
"No need to thank me. You're a part of Jia Nan Academy, after all. Yuan Mansion and the academy are not so separate."
Su Qian then remembered something and smiled. "There's one more thing. Given your accomplishments and Yuan Mansion's remarkable performance, the inner academy elders have decided to reward you from the academy's treasury."
"Oh? What's the reward?" Mo Yu's curiosity piqued, his silver eyes gleaming.
For Su Qian to personally deliver the reward, it had to be something extraordinary.
Su Qian smiled and waved his hand over his storage ring, pulling out a green stone.
"What's this?" Mo Yu asked, examining the stone. From afar, it looked like an ordinary rock. But upon closer inspection, he noticed strange patterns etched on it. The stone was semi-transparent, and if held up to the light, one could faintly see a viscous liquid inside.
Mo Yu carefully took the palm-sized green stone from Su Qian's hand. As soon as it touched his skin, he felt a cool sensation, and when he shook it, he could hear the faint sound of liquid sloshing inside.
"This is Tianma Jade Essence. The Headmaster found it during his travels but had no use for it, so it's been sitting in the academy's treasury," Su Qian explained.
"Tianma Jade Essence?" Mo Yu was surprised, his eyes widening.
"I see you recognize its value. This stone has special properties that can enhance a cultivator's soul power. Since your soul power is already quite strong, this should be very beneficial to you," Su Qian said with a smile.
Mo Yu nodded with a grin, recalling that in the future, Xiao Yan would owe part of his breakthrough to this very item. It was a rare treasure, and obtaining it from Jia Nan Academy was an unexpected stroke of luck.
With this, Mo Yu realized that a particular plan of his could now move forward.
"Take it. You might not need it right away, but it will certainly come in handy later," Su Qian said with a smile.
"Thank you, Grand Elder," Mo Yu replied, grateful.
After a bit more conversation, Su Qian took his leave, instructing Mo Yu on a few matters before departing. Left alone, Mo Yu examined the Tianma Jade Essence, his mind racing with ideas as he walked into a secret chamber.
In the corner of the chamber lay a disheveled man, bound by thick silver chains. Though his aura was weak, the occasional burst of energy that leaked from him made the room feel dark and menacing.
"Ha, Sect Master Yan, how are you enjoying your stay?" Mo Yu asked with a faint smile, looking at the man before him—the Di Yan Sect's leader, Yan, who had been captured by Zi Huo and was thought to be dead by the outside world.
"Humph! If you've got the guts, kill me! What's the point of torturing me like this?" Yan snarled, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage as he glared at Mo Yu. Had he not been chained, he would have torn Mo Yu apart.
"It seems you still have some spirit left," Mo Yu said coldly, his silver eyes narrowing as a bolt of red lightning shot from his hand, coursing through the chains and into Yan's body.
"Aaah!" Yan screamed in agony, his body convulsing as his energy drained further.
When the lightning finally subsided, Yan gasped for breath, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Mo Yu. "Mo… Mo Mansion Lord, I'll join you… I'll join Yuan Mansion… Just spare my life…"
"Is that so?" Mo Yu asked with a cold smile.
"Y-yes, it's true," Yan stammered, his hatred hidden deep in his heart as he begged for mercy.
But Mo Yu, sensing the insincerity in Yan's voice, smiled wider. "It's too late for that. I have a gift for you—one I'm sure you'll enjoy."
"A gift?" Yan asked, confused, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Without answering, Mo Yu raised his hand, and a strange black lightning, shaped like a sinister black lotus, appeared in his palm. Though it wasn't particularly powerful, the lightning radiated a terrifying, soul-shaking force.
"What… what is that?" Yan stuttered, feeling an ominous chill deep in his soul.
"This is the Black Lotus Soul Thunder, a type of dark lightning that can control the mind and soul. Soon, it will take over your soul and make you my servant," Mo Yu explained calmly.
As he spoke, Mo Yu took out the Tianma Jade Essence and placed it within the Black Lotus Soul Thunder. The black lightning devoured the jade essence hungrily, sending waves of energy coursing through it, and strengthening the dark lightning's power.
Witnessing this, Yan's forehead broke out in cold sweat. "You… you plan to control my soul?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear.
"Of course. Did you really think I'd believe you would willingly submit to me? I don't trust anyone from the Black-Corner Region," Mo Yu replied coldly. With a flick of his wrist, the black lightning expanded, forming an invisible net that shot toward Yan's soul.
Realizing the danger, Yan's soul instinctively tried to fight back.
"Hmph!" Mo Yu snorted, and with a twist of his hand, the lightning net tightened around Yan's soul, shrinking his spiritual form. Despite Yan's furious resistance, he couldn't break free from the lightning's grip.
Although the Black Lotus Soul Thunder had just awakened, its power amplified by the Tianma Jade Essence was more than enough to subdue Yan.
After a grueling day-long process, Mo Yu finally smiled. "It's over."
Yan's body lay still, black lightning crackling around him. After a few moments, a black lotus symbol appeared on his forehead, marking him as Mo Yu's servant.
When Yan opened his eyes, his face was blank, and his gaze unfocused. But when he looked at Mo Yu, his expression changed to one of conflict, struggling between submission and pride.
"Impressive. Even a Dou Emperor resists this much," Mo Yu muttered, stroking his chin. With a snap of his fingers, the black lotus on Yan's forehead glowed ominously.
At that moment, Yan's defiance crumbled. His soul overwhelmed, he knelt before Mo Yu.
"Yan greets his master!" he said obediently.
(End of Chapter)
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