Chapter 41: Imprisoned Destiny (Part 1)

Lei Ting received the order and, without hesitation, activated the flame System within his prosthetic body.

The surrounding air seemed to ignite, and flames instantly shot up, rising around the members of the Black Obsidian Organization.

"Wait, wait a minute! We've told you everything we know, you can't do this!"

"Yes, we've already said everything we know, you can't kill us!"

Lin Fan just gave a cold laugh, his gaze revealing a hint of sarcasm.

"Oh? Is it really true that you've told me everything you know? Besides, it's all worthless stuff. When it comes to worthless things, naturally, they must be burned to avoid wasting food."

His tone was relaxed, as if he were talking about the most ordinary thing.

A trace of despair flashed in the eyes of the Black Obsidian Organization members. They had originally hoped to exchange all the information they had for a chance at survival, but now they realized that Lin Fan didn't care at all whether they confessed or repented.

He had already decided the fate of this group long ago.

The flames spread rapidly. Expressions of pain gradually appeared on the faces of several members. They screamed, but these sounds were instantly swallowed by the fire.

Lin Fan's gaze calmly watched all of this. He remained unmoved, as if he had made the most ordinary decision, yet the chill in his eyes grew even more intense.

The flames gradually subsided, leaving only black ash and broken equipment on the ground.

Lin Fan turned around, looked at Princess Hu Qinlan and Princess Jin Xuan standing to the side, and said expressionlessly:

"Some people are just not worth keeping alive. They waste time and resources. Since they've already confessed everything they could say, they have no value."

Princess Hu Qinlan and Princess Jin Xuan didn't speak, looking at Lin Fan with complex expressions.

This cold method of disposal made them feel it was cruel, but they understood better that Lin Fan's reason for doing so wasn't purely for cruelty, but to establish authority.

First it was Nightingale's troops, then the Black Obsidian Organization. If they didn't show them some color, this Star-Moon Manor would really become an amusement park in the eyes of those people, where they could come and go as they pleased.

Lin Fan slowly withdrew his gaze and scanned the surroundings. His cold, clear voice carried an irresistible majesty.

"Spread the word: this is Star-Moon Manor, not a dumping ground. Whoever dares to trespass again, not only will they meet the same fate as these people, but we will hunt them down to their lairs and root everything out."

Lei Ting nodded in acknowledgement, his metallic voice firm and powerful: "Understood."

Princess Hu Qinlan stepped forward, slightly pursing her lips, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation:

"Should we contact the Ningguta Authorities? After all, this isn't an isolated island; fighting alone is ultimately not a long-term strategy."

Lin Fan shook his head, a cold glint in his eyes:

"The Ningguta Authorities seem to be protecting the campus, but in reality? Haven't you noticed? The knowledge taught in the school is all from a Level 2 civilization. Look at the fate of those who learn the best—Zhang Ming and Zhang Tie, aren't they the best examples?"

Princess Hu Qinlan was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but lower her eyes.

Zhang Ming and Zhang Tie were once the pride of the academy, but because they were too excellent, they ended up barely scraping by, scavenging for old parts in a scrapyard for abandoned vehicles. This result is clearly about stifling talent, not cultivating it.

Karl suddenly seemed to realize something, his eyes revealing a sense of understanding:

"I get it! It's precisely because of this reason that no one in the entire vast campus studies cutting-edge knowledge, and even the most basic passion for scientific research has been suppressed."

He paused, his tone becoming more firm: "For example, Jiang Xingyu, she can only study basic subjects like classical mechanics and doesn't dare to touch high-end Domains at all. This isn't a problem with her ability, but a problem with the entire System."

Princess Jin Xuan gave a cold laugh, crossing her arms, her tone filled with a hint of disdain:

"Heh, maintaining order on the surface, but actually, they are preventing these students from growing to a point where they could threaten a Level 4 civilization. Viewed this way, so-called protection is just disguised surveillance and suppression."

Xiao Du's voice suddenly rang in Lin Fan's ears, carrying a hint of mechanical coldness and sarcasm:

"Congratulations, Master, the completion rate of the arranged destiny has reached 100%. Everyone's destiny has already been thoroughly planned by the Ningguta Authorities."

Lin Fan was slightly taken aback, then a cold light flashed in his eyes.

He had originally only been speculating, but now, after Xiao Du's prompt, everything was set in stone.

The Ningguta Authorities not only controlled every aspect of the academy, but even the students' lives were precisely arranged. The seemingly free ivory tower had long since become an invisible prison.

Princess Hu Qinlan's voice was as soft as a mosquito's:

"Lin Fan, should we… move away and hide?"

"Hide where? There are cameras everywhere, and all the surveillance has been locked onto us for a long time. From their perspective, we are already a potential threat. Even if we hide to the ends of the earth, they will still find us."

Princess Hu Qinlan bit her lip, her eyes filled with a hint of unease:

"But there are only a few of us… how can we be enemies with the whole world?"

Princess Jin Xuan gave a cold snort, her tone carrying a hint of disdain and impatience:

"Since they've forced us to this point, hiding is completely useless. Either we fight, or we wait to be eliminated one by one."

Lin Fan smiled slightly and raised his hand to signal them not to worry, his tone steady but full of power:

"No need to panic. Let's stabilize the situation first; we don't need to rush into confronting all of Ningguta. The key now is to improve our strength."

He paused and continued: "Awakening our cultivation is the first step. As long as we can achieve a Breakthrough of these shackles, they won't be able to manipulate our destiny at will anymore."

Lei Ting stood to the side, his metallic voice calm and composed:

"Lin Fan is right. Our enemy is the entire System, but the System's power stems from suppressing us. If we are strong enough, we can reverse the situation."

Karl raised an eyebrow, revealing a playful smile: "Interesting. So what should we do next? We must have a plan."

Lin Fan's gaze was deep as he slowly said: "From today on, Star-Moon Manor is our starting point. Since they gave us this academy, we will use this experimental field to, in turn, test their bottom line."

Princess Hu Qinlan hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded gently: "I understand. Then we'll do as you say."

Princess Jin Xuan clapped her hands and said heartily: "In that case, what are we waiting for? Let's start immediately!"

A faint smile curled on the corner of Lin Fan's mouth, his gaze firm: "Yes, let's start our Awakening first, then help Karl and the others replace their System."

Princess Jin Xuan was stunned, then immediately realized and asked with raised eyebrows: "Replace the System? Do you mean their prosthetic control System?"

"That's right." Lin Fan nodded, his tone carrying a hint of deep meaning,

"Karl and the others' current prosthetic control System has long been set with countless backdoors by the Ningguta Authorities. No matter how strong we are, as long as the System is controlled, we will ultimately be at the mercy of others."