Be My Slave

The ground!

The soil churned endlessly!

Within the boundless sands, countless insects writhed, hidden beneath the layers of earth!

"Ah!"

A martial artist stood in the shifting sands, too slow to dodge—a massive beetle clamped onto his neck and dragged him under. Blood soaked the soil.

Witnessing this, Xue Ruirui felt as if her heart had been seized, her breath stolen by terror. Fear—an indescribable horror—swept over her.

This was already the third martial artist she had seen die in the jaws of these underground creatures.

Without Xue Ming by her side, she felt death could claim her at any moment in this cursed place.

Her fear grew. So did her regret. She never should have come here!

"Get away!"

Xue Ruirui swung her longsword, slashing at the sudden tendrils bursting from the ground, her face pale as death.

No woman could remain unshaken by such horrors—especially when they were deadly.

Among the martial artists transported here by the heavenly lightning, one figure stood out.

Xing San, ranked 197th on the Heavenly Rankings—a master of heavy fists!

His strikes had honed the power of fist energy!

In an instant—

Countless fist shadows erupted!

The insects churning beneath the soil fell silent, lifeless where they lay.

Xue Ruirui gasped, her eyes shimmering with awe. "Incredible... Is this the power of a top Heavenly Rankings expert?"

On the other side stood a bespectacled young man.

Though youthful, he carried an air of seasoned composure. His glasses gleamed coldly as he repeatedly adjusted the black frames with his fingers.

His nose bridge might as well have sparked from the friction!

Despite his unassuming demeanor, no one dared underestimate him.

Ninth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings—Chen Bing, the Thousand Mechanisms!

The remaining three were skilled fighters, but compared to Chen Bing—let alone Xing San—they fell far short.

After all, Xing San was a top-200 Heavenly Rankings expert!

Then, a colossal beetle erupted from the soil!

Its obsidian carapace, jagged mandibles, and crimson eyes were the stuff of nightmares.

Dense clusters of antennae, root-like and writhing, could trigger even the steeliest nerves.

A martial artist failed to evade in time—the beetle’s jaws clamped onto his waist!

"Save me!"

His desperate cry was cut short as he was severed in half! Blood sprayed!

The monstrous beetle chewed through the corpse, then spewed white venom toward the group.

Where the liquid struck stone, it melted instantly.

"Damn it! I’ll carve you up!"

A warrior swung a massive sickle at the beetle-like abomination.

Clang!

Sparks flew!

Yet his ferocious strike left not even a scratch on its shell.

Enraged, the beetle turned—

A jet of white venom shot forth!

The man’s agonized scream echoed as his flesh dissolved into white mist, his face rotting away.

His head was gone in seconds.

Only his body remained, twitching reflexively before finally going still.

The sight paralyzed the survivors with terror.

Chen Bing adjusted his black-framed glasses, his expression unreadable—as if nothing could unsettle him.

The beetle now charged toward Xing San!

Xing San bolted in panic!

When the creature failed to catch him, it turned to another—this one far less fortunate.

The man raised his iron hammer in defense, only to be crushed and devoured alongside it! Blood gushed!

Xing San, drenched in sweat, legs trembling, noticed Xue Ruirui and frowned. "Little girl... how strange. These bugs won’t chase you?"

Xue Ruirui paled. "D-do they not?"

"Heh, let’s test that!"

With a cruel grin, Xing San darted behind her and hurled her toward the beetle.

Xue Ruirui barely registered the betrayal before she crashed beside the monster, her face drained of color.

True enough, the beetle recoiled—not attacking, but repulsed. It retreated a step, then spat venom at her!

Seizing the chance, Xing San grinned and fled.

Xue Ruirui closed her eyes, bracing for the venom to reduce her to sludge.

Chen Bing watched coldly.

He could save her—but wouldn’t.

A woman from the Five Poisons Sect was no saint.

And she was weak. Saving her would only bring trouble.

Then—a chain lashed out!

It coiled around Xue Ruirui’s neck and yanked her aside.

Sizzle!

The venom missed, eating into the rock instead.

Chen Bing’s gaze sharpened at the distant figure.

The chain’s wielder wore a hoodie, his sharp features half-hidden beneath the brim.

Zhang Fan.

This man was no simple foe.

Chen Bing had clashed with him on the train before—yet he’d escaped.

Gasping for air, Xue Ruirui clutched her throat and stared at Zhang Fan, emotions tangled. "Th-thank you... for saving me."

Zhang Fan’s grin stretched unnaturally wide.

He tugged the chain—Xue Ruirui’s throat constricted, her breaths turning ragged.

Crouching, he licked her cheek, his voice a sinister whisper. "No need for thanks. From now on, you’re my slave."

Her heart seemed to stop. Pupils shrinking, she stared at him.

"Good... very good. This scent—a bred poison servant, even your flesh is fragrant."

Another tug sent her sprawling facedown, trembling uncontrollably.

This man... was terrifying.

Yet, against her will, submission took root. The chain—its material unknown—seemed to pulse with dark allure.

Zhang Fan turned his smirk toward Chen Bing.

Their eyes locked, mutual killing intent flaring.

"Chen Bing, the Thousand Mechanisms. They say you’re a schemer. Let’s see how you escape this."

With a flick, yellow powder scattered over the soil.

The buried insects erupted in frenzy!

Twisting, thrashing—even the colossal beetle writhed under the influence!

And Chen Bing stood at the epicenter.

Zhang Fan sneered, leading Xue Ruirui away like a leashed dog.

Below—

Surrounded by the swarm, Chen Bing remained impassive.

Hiss!

The frenzied beetle struck first, mandibles snapping toward him.

Rip!

Its jaws split apart.

Between Chen Bing’s fingers gleamed nearly invisible threads.

His hands danced—

The massive beetle was diced into chunks!