18: Acquire a slave

As the words fell, a strange energy permeated the air.

The Mutated Ones behind the woman gradually calmed down, though their eyes were somewhat vacant.

Not only that, but even the Li Family members' eyes began to glaze over.

Just then, the necklace on the neck of the Li Family's leader suddenly shattered, turning into a light that enveloped the Li Family members.

Under the cover of the light, the Li Family members instantly regained their senses.

"What the hell was that just now?"

"It was a Mental Control attack!"

Seeing that they had unknowingly fallen into the opponent's Dao, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

They tightened their grip on their weapons again, and retreated a few more steps.

"Oh! Not bad, a spirit gear for mental defense!"

"I just thought you had some special hobby, a big man wearing a women's necklace."

"So that's it, hehehe..."

As the tentacled woman's words fell, the Li Family members' eyes began to waver again.

"Young Miss Yao, please retract your Divine Ability!"

The Li Family's leader steadied himself and said with a wry smile.

This necklace was something he had obtained by chance, a one-time item.

He hadn't expected it to be used up here.

He would have to go back and ask the Family for reimbursement; it was their intelligence failure that led to his loss.

"Hmph, how boring!"

"Alright, let's start the transaction now!"

...Meanwhile, Lin Xingyu had already arrived nearby.

He hid behind a large tree, observing these people.

"Yao Lan"

"Rank: First-Order Nine-Star"

"spirit seed: None"

"Skills: Creates illusions, interferes with opponent's thoughts, temporarily controls opponent."

"Remarks: Mutated Ones, Barren Alliance member."

"Barren Alliance?"

"The Li Family is getting involved with the Barren Alliance?"

The Barren Alliance was designated a terrorist organization by the Federation.

These people were temperamental, often launching attacks on humans at the slightest provocation.

Moreover, their actions were extremely cruel, with instances of even cannibalism.

This Li Family truly wasn't good people, to be associated with the Barren Alliance.

"Their highest Rank is First-Order Nine-Star; with the World Power boost, I should be able to handle them."

"Even if I can't, I can still escape."

After a brief thought, Lin Xingyu decided to attack them.

With the World Power boost, his speed was incredibly fast.

In a flash, he charged into the crowd, unleashing the "Chaotic Cloak Sabre Art."

The first to suffer were the Li Family members, as they were closest to Lin Xingyu.

They had been fully on guard against the Barren Alliance in front of them, not expecting someone to suddenly appear from behind.

Faced with Lin Xingyu's surprise attack, the Li Family members immediately fell into chaos.

"Damn it, someone's ambushing us from behind!"

"Where are the sentries? Why didn't anyone sound the alarm?"

"Don't panic, surround him, he's just one person!"

"We can't surround him, why is he so fast?"

"Quick, use control skills to limit his movement!"

"Damn it, this is a monster, control skills have limited effect on him!"

Lin Xingyu didn't care about any specific combat style; he just slashed at anyone he could.

Relying on absolute strength and speed far exceeding others, in just one encounter, the Li Family lost three members.

As for those control-type skills, he simply overcame them with brute force.

And for offensive skills, that was even simpler.

He directly injected a large amount of spirit power into his armor; the armor glowed brightly, transforming into a transparent light shield that protected his entire body.

As his Inner World grew, the World Power's boost to him became stronger and stronger.

Lin Xingyu, facing these people alone, still maintained a crushing advantage... Meanwhile, the Barren Alliance members not only didn't help, but instead watched the spectacle with amusement.

"The Li Family members are truly useless; so many of them can't even take down one kid!"

"Tsk tsk, that fall, it looks painful even to me!"

"That one with the sword, he looks so tender and delicate, he must be delicious!"

"I prefer the one with the hammer; his meat looks very chewy!"

"Hey, hey, wipe your drool; the boss said we are noble Mutated Ones and must maintain elegance!"

They were also happy to see this scene unfold.

When both sides were severely weakened, they could then wipe them all out.

This way, they would not only get mutant beast essence blood for free but also a large amount of meat.

As for trust? Noble Mutated Ones didn't need such things!

...Lin Xingyu was highly efficient; in a short while, the Li Family had lost more than half of its members.

"Young Miss Yao!"

Cold sweat trickled down the Li Family leader's forehead, his voice filled with panic.

"Please help us; we are willing to offer mutant beast essence blood!"

Yao Lan twirled a strand of her hair, her red lips slightly parted:

"Brother Li, you jest. When you're all dead, won't that essence blood still be ours?"

She leaned lazily against a large tree, watching the slaughter with great interest.

The Barren Alliance and the Li Family were not allies; they merely had a transactional relationship, and she couldn't care less about the Li Family members' lives.

This young man's ability seemed to be physical enhancement.

Coupled with his young age, his experience was surely not high, making him easy to control with her illusions.

He posed no threat.

Upon hearing the Li Family's plea for help, Lin Xingyu immediately intensified his attack.

Seeing the situation turn dire, the Li Family members began to beg Lin Xingyu for mercy:

"Little brother, although we don't know how we offended you, we are willing to pay for our lives!"

"I still have a large amount of spirit crystals, and a beautiful daughter; all of these can be yours!"

...Hearing the Li Family members beg for mercy, Lin Xingyu was somewhat speechless.

You're so ugly, how could you possibly have a beautiful daughter?

Not wanting to listen to their chatter, he once again intensified his attack.

Before long, he had cut down all the Li Family members.

Having dealt with the Li Family members, Lin Xingyu didn't stop; he charged directly towards the Barren Alliance.

"Oh! Handsome little brother, we're not enemies!"

Seeing Lin Xingyu charge over, Yao Lan's eyes emitted a strange light.

"Bang--"

Suddenly, the [Mind Pendant] hanging around Lin Xingyu's neck shattered.

"Hmm? Mental Control?"

At the same time, the System's notification sound rang out.

"Ding! The System detected that the host is under Mental Control; defensive mechanism activated!"

In an instant, mysterious runes emerged from Lin Xingyu's eyes.

They transformed into a streak of light, directly merging into Yao Lan's forehead.

Yao Lan instantly froze as if struck by lightning, standing motionless.

"Ding! Counter-successful, congratulations to the host for acquiring a Slave!"

The System's series of operations completed instantly, leaving Lin Xingyu somewhat overwhelmed.

"What's going on?"

"She tried to control me, but ended up becoming my Slave instead?"

Without time to think further, Lin Xingyu charged at the enemies again.

These Mutated Ones were all terrorists; it was better to eradicate them!

He wouldn't discriminate against Mutated Ones; their flesh and blood were still flesh and blood, and could still generate evolution fruit.

He ignored the dazed Yao Lan, bypassing her to attack the Mutated Ones behind her.