Chapter 454

Chapter 454: The Terrifying Thought Brand

Mu Lin’s arrogance wasn’t about looking down on everyone, but he firmly believed his Attribute Panel and past-life knowledge would eventually elevate him above all others.

He also held another conviction:

Fist represented power. With strength, he’d inevitably gain the right to rule everything.

Guided by this belief, Mu Lin ignited his Heart Lamp of Will, awakening his first trait—Domination.

Through sheer will, he could command all things.

Once lit, the heart lamp required fuel to burn.

Mu Lin’s endless battles and victories since beginning his cultivation became that fuel, causing the fire of pride to blaze fiercer with each triumph.

As the flames grew, so did his power of Domination.

In Moon Water City, he clashed with the world’s greatest talents—and crushed them all.

That victory earned him the title of "first among humans," recognized by most major factions.

This acknowledgment transformed his willing heart fire.

His dominating will crystallized into the domineering will essence.

Mu Lin soon realized planting this seed in others’ hearts granted him permanent control over them.

The vengeful spirit golden crow fell under his command this way.

Further study revealed more of the essence’s secrets.

If someone fought him and lost, or felt fear, the Seed of Domineering Will would take root in their sea of consciousness.

The seed worked in two ways. Left dormant, victims merely feared Mu Lin, too terrified to oppose or even scheme against him—a potent effect already.

But when activated, Domination took hold. It corroded souls from within, staining minds with Mu Lin’s influence until they bowed to him.

It functioned like a brand seared into thoughts.

Now, Mu Lin pushed his Will of Dominance against Kang Yan, demanding submission.

She refused, resisting with all her might.

Her struggle proved futile.

Mu Lin’s world-shattering fist strike burned in her memory, breeding true dread.

This fear fed the Seed, giving it strength—how could she resist?

The more she feared, the clearer his presence grew in her mind.

The clearer he loomed, the deeper her terror spiraled.

In this vicious cycle, Mu Lin’s image swelled until it nearly blotted out all else.

A sword cultivator with unshakable resolve, unafraid of Life and Death, might’ve shattered this mental shackles through desperate defiance—though the chance was slim.

But Kang Yan wasn’t a sword cultivator. She was a nightmare.

Her skills lay in ambush and cunning tricks, not life-or-death battles.

Therefore, finding herself unable to resist, her solution was… to seal and forget.

She attempted to completely seal Mu Lin’s image from her mind and erase all memory of him.

Using the Nightmare clan’s mystical arts and paying the price of soul fragmentation, she initially succeeded.

"Hah… what’s happening… I was just sealing forbidden knowledge and succeeded…"

Before she could finish, her heart suddenly clenched in alarm.

Mu Lin’s fading image reappeared vividly in her thoughts.

"Why? I clearly erased you."

Confused, she watched as Mu Lin smiled while gazing at Root Word "Fixing" and Root Word ‘∞’.

"Forget? With the powers of fixation and infinity, neither the wounds I inflict nor the fear I sow can ever be forgotten!"

…

As Mu Lin’s image grew sharper in her sea of consciousness, Kang Yan felt soul-deep exhaustion and utter despair.

No method could halt her gradual corruption.

The primal fear in her heart proved unstoppable.

Sealing and forgetting both failed.

Worse, the domineering will essence had rooted itself in her soul and True Spirit, making escape unthinkable.

Unable to resist, forget, or flee, Kang Yan teetered on surrendering completely in her desperation.

Mid-thought, she paused abruptly:

"Actually… serving Lord Mu Lin might not be terrible. My fate could be far worse."

"Lord Mu Lin’s unmatched talent makes him humanity’s first genius, surpassing Ye Huang by leagues. He’ll inevitably ascend as True Lord and True God."

"Being a mortal’s slave brings shame, but becoming a Deity’s favored is divine favor."

The more she reasoned, the more sense it made.

She even recalled scholars and warriors who served emperors as generals or ministers – glorified servants by another name.

"If court positions count as honors, aligning with a future god is supreme opportunity."

This mindset shift made her world seem brighter.

She stopped viewing this as betrayal toward the Nightmare clan.

"I’m saving my tribe."

"Opposing someone like Lord Mu Lin courts destruction."

"Supporting him is the only wise path."

"Yes… aligning with Lord Mu Lin is the righteous great way. Defying him is pure folly…"

"Aligning with Lord Mu Lin is the righteous great way…"

"Aligning with Lord Mu Lin…"

Repeating this mantra, her resolve hardened.

All hesitation vanished from her eyes, replaced by zealous conviction:

"Following Lord Mu Lin ensures my tribe’s survival and my own path to eternity."

"…I must prove my worth. Our past opposition surely angered him. Though magnanimous, Lord Mu Lin expects initiative…"

"Those villains don’t know I’ve turned. Perfect chance to gather intelligence for him…"

Eyes gleaming, Kang Yan envisioned her new purpose – this great way saved both herself and her tribe.

This… was corruption’s true face.

Mu Lin and other Deities didn’t conquer through force, but by warping minds until victims believed their choices were voluntary.

War deities’ followers embraced slaughter as ultimate solution. Delight cultists preached endless revelry.

Though less extreme, the will of dominance’s infection made followers view Mu Lin as supreme existence – obedience as wisdom, defiance as madness.

Even if her parents tried stopping her now,

Kang Yan would eliminate them, genuinely believing it merciful.

"Some sacrifices ensure the tribe’s continuation."