Abyss Summoner-Chapter 224 - 219: Seed of Corruption
Xu Hongzhuang widened her eyes. She had never imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that this stranger engulfed in flames would be Chen Feng!
She clearly remembered that when she first met him, he was just a Summoner, relying entirely on his Summoned Beasts to fight. But just now, what was up with the flames on his body?
Flame Demon's body.
Clearly, Chen Feng's Demon Transformation left Xu Hongzhuang somewhat astonished.
However, the one truly surprised was Chen Feng himself. He originally just wanted to test Xu Hongzhuang's strength, but even he hadn't expected her power to have grown to such an extent. If he hadn't dodged quickly enough, he might have been struck down by her.
Hero template.
Beings with such talent are indeed exceptional.
From a girl silently chased by an Earth Dragon, she had grown to the Silver Peak of today. Indeed, many changes had occurred in her.
Suffice it to say, just her combat talent alone was unmatched by ordinary people.
Genius.
Everything she exhibited now truly deserved that title.
Chen Feng's lips curled into a slight smile as he circled Xu Hongzhuang, as if scrutinizing her, or perhaps pondering something.
Contrary to Chen Feng's gaze, Xu Hongzhuang appeared uneasy, like sitting on pins and needles. She panted heavily, and the blade in her hand did not dissipate; instead, it seemed more ferocious, as if doused with hot oil.
A faint hint of murderous intent emanated from Xu Hongzhuang.
Where there is oppression, there is resistance.
Kill him!
Killing him would end everything!
At this moment, irrelevant thoughts emerged in Xu Hongzhuang's mind. The shadow Chen Feng cast over her was too vast, so vast that even as the revered Martial Goddess of East Bridge, when facing him, her heart was in turmoil.
"There's no one here. If I kill him, no one will notice."
"Act first, strike quickly; there's no way Chen Feng can resist."
"Act now. What are you waiting for? Do you wish for him to destroy your current life?"
Xu Hongzhuang panted heavily, her chest heaving violently, and her right foot involuntarily stepped forward.
Time ticked away, bit by bit.
"Do you want to kill me?"
Before long, Chen Feng suddenly spoke.
Xu Hongzhuang was startled and instantly halted, like a surprised partridge, quickly shaking her head to explain, "No... I never thought of that..."
"You can try; I won't be angry..." Chen Feng smiled at her, as if he could read her thoughts, completely unfazed by her murderous intent.
"The enemy's enemy is a friend. Currently, the conservatives and the main battle faction are like water and fire. You'd better be able to kill me one hundred percent, because if I escape, our grudges will escalate. At that time, don't blame me for joining forces with the conservatives to suppress the main battle faction." Chen Feng said ambiguously with a smile.
"No!" In a moment of agitation, Xu Hongzhuang hurriedly interrupted.
Upon hearing Chen Feng deciding on a stance, Xu Hongzhuang immediately deflated like a pricked balloon, the blade in her hand instantly dispersing and disappearing without a trace.
Besides, Xu Hongzhuang, initially overwhelmed by fear, had long overlooked Chen Feng's identity as a Summoner. Now, upon regaining clarity, she suddenly recalled the scene where he controlled the Dark Elf and Inferior Demon to confront the Earth Dragon.
All this time, whether he had gained stronger allies was unknown to Xu Hongzhuang. Chen Feng was right; if she failed, the consequences would be beyond her capacity to bear.
"Don't what? Don't deceive yourself, you clearly had this thought." Chen Feng spoke indifferently as if unperturbed by Xu Hongzhuang's earlier killing intent, saying softly, "But there's one point—you have to be fast, preferably killing me when I'm completely defenseless."
"I'm saying this for your good, to ensure no one discovers this event. The entire Order is under my control. You can compute my significance in the Economic Development Zone."
"Meaning, killing me alone isn't enough; you must also keep this secret. If discovered, when my subordinates come knocking, do you think, even with the title of Martial Goddess, you can withstand the wrath of a faction?"
Poor Xu Hongzhuang was now thoroughly panicked. Her earlier impulse, followed by Chen Feng's threats, left her bewildered. Her face was now painted with unease, wanting to explain to Chen Feng.
"I didn't think that way; please don't misunderstand." Xu Hongzhuang lifted her head, hastily thinking of explaining the situation to him.
Chen Feng shook his head, calmly moving closer to Xu Hongzhuang's warm, jade-like neck, softly inhaling the fragrance from her body, then blowing a breath near her ear, saying softly, "No need to explain. Want the truth? Compared to the past you, who didn't dare to resist in my hands, I prefer the somewhat ruthless and cunning you just now."
"In this world, people act selfishly for their own interests. Currently, you are the esteemed Martial Goddess of East Bridge. For you, I am merely a blemish in your life. Your desire to kill me is truly understandable."
"Gratitude under the shadow of benefits is worthless. Don't feel guilty; you are just an ordinary person with personal interests. The apocalypse is a massive dye vat; even what's white, living here long enough, will turn black. Really, I can understand your ingratitude, and I agree with your betrayal. I won't say anything; you're merely making a choice most would make." Chen Feng smiled gracefully at Xu Hongzhuang, his brows arching like a crescent moon, as if counseling her.
"It's not like that; how could I be that kind of person! I have never forgotten it was you who saved me. I wouldn't repay you with ingratitude, I..." Xu Hongzhuang erupted like a barrel of explosives.
Xu Hongzhuang immediately rebuked. The driving force supporting her till today was the revenge for her parents and all innocent victims. She always believed her motives were righteous and selfless, yet Chen Feng's words, seemingly counseling, twisted all her beliefs and labeled her an ungrateful, treacherous person!
All this felt to Xu Hongzhuang as if it disregarded all her efforts, demoting her from a noble Martial Goddess to a selfish, petty person!
Panic struck.
She was already panicking.
Now, Xu Hongzhuang had no intent of murder left. She panted heavily, her fair face flushed. She appeared like a rabbit caught in a trap, the sharp blade already piercing her body. She wanted to struggle free, but the more she flailed, the more blood flowed, staining her white fur red, unrecognizable from its original color.
Contrarily, behind Xu Hongzhuang, Chen Feng smiled with a look of triumphant conspiracy.
Hunters excel at setting traps.
To control Xu Hongzhuang's heart, he needed to crumble her internally, planting a seed of darkness in her heart, thereby eroding her beliefs, overturning her life path, making her doubt herself, creating vulnerabilities for him to exploit.
Previously, Chen Feng had no choice. Conservative or main battle factions in East Bridge were deeply rooted. Even if he allied with one, it was merely embellishing the lily, serving others, ultimately gaining mere leftovers.
Yet now, things were different...
The emergence of Xu Hongzhuang, however, revealed a brand new opportunity to Chen Feng.
He was an outsider, unable to break the deadlock in East Bridge, emerge from the old factions. But Xu Hongzhuang was different; she was the Martial Goddess, a newly promoted Major, and the leader of the Iron Demon Army.
Prestige, power, ability, rank; she's got it all!
Her potential far surpassed others.
Chen Feng's ambition was tremendous. The Economic Development Zone could no longer satisfy his desires, and East Bridge was his next target.
In the apocalypse, having power equates to having the authority to say no to everything.
Seduce Xu Hongzhuang.
Control Xu Hongzhuang.
Support Xu Hongzhuang.
For Chen Feng, at this time, he needed to plant a seed of darkness in her heart, to liberate her from worldly constraints, gradually leading her to fall. He intended to strike at the deepest core of Xu Hongzhuang's heart, thereby transforming her into a truly obedient subordinate.
