Tai Tan, the Dog Slave

"Enough. Let's talk business." Lin Fan spoke helplessly. "I'm going to merge the Four Single-Attribute Clans. Once they pledge allegiance to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and gain Old Man Xue Ye's trust, they can secretly support you. Help you become emperor sooner."

Lin Fan had once tried to persuade Qian Renxue to return to Spirit Hall, but she had invested far too much in the Heaven Dou Empire.

So much that she could no longer bear to give it up. More than a decade of her youth had been poured into the Heaven Dou Empire plan.

"Oh? My bratty little brother knows how to consider things for me now." Qian Renxue raised a brow. "There was no such item in the original Soul Hunting Plan. If they betray us, I'll be in serious trouble."

In truth, Qian Renxue had long learned from Qian Daoliu that Lin Fan was not her biological younger brother. He had merely awakened the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul by accident.

But Qian Renxue was older than Lin Fan, so she had always played the role of his elder sister.

Lin Fan smiled, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes. "Betray us? They won't get the chance. The four clans are already firmly under my control. Once they enter the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, there will be no turning back. I'll plant Poison Pills in their bodies. The moment they harbor disloyal thoughts, they'll take effect immediately."

Qian Renxue paused slightly before sneering. "You really are ruthless. You won't even spare your own people."

"This isn't ruthlessness. It's caution," Lin Fan said calmly. "You want the throne, while I want a stable rear base. Once the four clans merge, they'll become forces directly under Spirit Hall, but Spirit Hall doesn't lack a few Soul Douluos..."

"But the Heaven Dou Empire does. Having them pledge allegiance to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will give you support. As long as you control the Heaven Dou Empire, the final steps of the Soul Hunting Operation can proceed smoothly."

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, I agree. But you have to guarantee their loyalty."

"Don't worry. I'll make them understand the enormous benefits, the bright future, and the painful price of betrayal." Lin Fan's tone was calm. "When I return, I'll have Teacher make an upgraded Poison Pill..."

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes. "Don't overdo it. If things get too big on the Strength Clan's side, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family might make a move."

"Remember to pick out suitable land for the new sect... Invest in it appropriately, so when they support you later, it'll be perfectly justified." Lin Fan finished the last bite of his apple and casually tossed the core into the trash. "Tonight, I'll make my move against the Strength Clan."

Qian Renxue lightly tapped the table with her fingertips, smiling faintly. "You really act fast. You won't even delay for a day."

"Delay?" Lin Fan snorted. "Spirit Hall doesn't have that much time to waste on them. Either submit or die. It's that simple."

Qian Renxue stared at him for two seconds before suddenly asking, "Aren't you afraid they'll fight back like desperate dogs?"

"Let them." Lin Fan stood up and brushed imaginary dust from his clothes. "If one jumps, I'll kill one. If two jump, I'll kill them both. I'll kill until they no longer dare to jump."

"Let them make a move." Lin Fan's tone remained flat. "Tonight, I'm only going to 'talk,' not slaughter their entire clan. If they know what's good for them, they'll come with me. If they don't... then they can't blame me for being unreasonable."

Qian Renxue looked at him and could not help laughing. "You brat, you're becoming more and more like Grandpa. You talk in such polished phrases, but you're more ruthless than anyone when it comes to action."

Lin Fan smiled. "If I'm not ruthless, how are you supposed to become emperor?"

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, I believe you. But if you really mess this up, I'm not bailing you out."

"Don't worry. When I handle something, you can rest assured." Lin Fan stood and patted his clothes. "I'm leaving first. I've got something big to do tonight."

Qian Renxue said nothing. She merely watched his departing back, a complicated glint flashing through her eyes.

The little brother who kept calling me sister is just gone like that~

Should I have that woman Bibi Dong give birth to another one?

Tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Late at night, Heaven Dou City, the Strength Clan residence.

In this era of Douluo Continent, there was not much nightlife. Once it got late, everyone went home to sleep, and few people wandered the streets.

The streets of Heaven Dou City were eerily silent.

"Young Master, are we just going straight in?" Gui Mei asked.

"Obviously. At a time like this, do you still want to knock?" Lin Fan rolled his eyes. "What, after they open the door, are you going to walk in and say, 'Sorry to disturb you, we've come to absorb your clan'?"

Gui Mei: "..."

"Enough nonsense. Kill our way in." With a wave of his hand, Lin Fan took the lead and charged inside.

Before the guards could react, Yue Guan and Gui Mei knocked them down without letting out even a sound.

"First Soul Skill, Evil God Space!"

As soon as the words fell, a strange black glow spread outward, and the entire courtyard was instantly shrouded in a cold, sinister aura.

One second ago, they had been dozing in their own courtyard. The next, they had been dragged into this hellish place. Six scarlet spider eyes stared down at them from above, while the ground beneath their feet was sticky, as though they had stepped into a spider nest.

"Holy shit! What the hell is this?!" A Strong Man leaped up, only for his foot to get stuck in the web, nearly making him fall flat on his face.

"What's going on? Where are we?"

"This place is too damn eerie. Everyone be careful—don't run around!"

Tai Tan furrowed his brows as he swept his gaze around, eventually fixing it on Lin Fan.

"Spirit Hall's dogs?" Tai Tan sneered. "Yue Guan, Gui Mei, Salas... Hah, even Dugu Bo has been pressed into serving Spirit Hall? Quite the lineup."

Tai Tan's voice echoed through the Evil God Space, carrying undisguised hostility. The Strength Clan members behind him quickly gathered as well, Soul Rings lighting up one after another as they warily stared at Lin Fan's group.

With both hands in his pockets, Lin Fan slowly stepped forward, a faint smile hanging at the corner of his lips. "Clan Head Tai Tan, it's the middle of the night. No need to be so angry."

"Cut the crap!" Tai Tan snorted coldly. "Spirit Hall barges into my residence in the middle of the night. Are you trying to start a war?"

"A war?" Lin Fan scoffed. "Are you worthy?"

Tai Tan's expression darkened, his fists cracking as he clenched them. "Kid, don't think you can act arrogant just because Spirit Hall backs you. The Strength Clan isn't some soft persimmon for anyone to squeeze!"

Lin Fan shrugged. "Fine, then I'll be direct—starting today, the Strength Clan will submit to Spirit Hall. Otherwise, your clan will be exterminated!"

"Bullshit!" Tai Tan laughed in fury. "I'd rather die than join Spirit Hall! You want me to betray Lord Tang Hao? Dream on!"

"Tai Tan, I know what you're thinking. You believe you're loyal to Tang Hao, but have you ever considered where Tang Hao is now? Where is the Clear Sky Sect?"

"Tang Hao..." Tai Tan gritted his teeth. "He was only forced by your Spirit Hall to hide temporarily. He will definitely return!"

"Ha ha!" Lin Fan burst into laughter. "You really are a joke. Tang Hao has been missing for over a decade, yet you still believe he'll return? Who do you think you are? Tang Hao's dog?"

In the original timeline, when Tang San appeared, Tai Tan had immediately knelt upon seeing the Clear Sky Hammer and even called himself an old slave. That showed just how deeply ingrained his servile nature was.