Having escaped from the pursuit of the Fang Guild, Ning Fan took Xu Ruolan to a safe place.
His bulging muscles slowly reshaped, gradually returning to their original form, but the strength of Ning Fan's muscles now differed vastly from before, and he could now be called a humanoid monster.
The potent effects of the Genetic Potion surprised Ning Fan himself, let alone Apollo, who was now fuming in the underground base. At this moment, everyone at the headquarters of the Fang Guild was mobilized just to find Ning Fan and Xu Ruolan.
Ning Fan's skin regained its original color, still covered in some steaming mist.
His moist hair dripped with sweat, and about half of the iron hook on his back had been forced out.
After being put down by Ning Fan, Xu Ruolan tightly embraced him, her eyes bright and beautiful like stardust, veiled with a layer of mist.
Ning Fan smiled faintly, a gentle smile hanging on his face as he stroked Xu Ruolan's back, her head buried in his broad chest.
"Why cry, I'm still standing right here in front of you, am I not?"
They had successfully escaped, and Ning Fan had safely led Xu Ruolan out of the lair of the Fang Guild.
The pursuers from the Fang Guild temporarily could not find them, and if they continued on without looking back, they could leave this place immediately.
But the quartet of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning were still detained in the underground base of the Fang Guild, and Ning Fan couldn't bear to leave them behind.
"...You're not going to leave, are you?" Xu Ruolan lifted her head, her gaze indescribable. The emotions therein were too complex for Ning Fan to define.
Perhaps Xu Ruolan was also starting to acknowledge her feelings for Ning Fan now...
Ning Fan glanced in the direction of the Fang Guild's headquarters. He now had two choices: one was to take Xu Ruolan and leave first, and then attack later to rescue the quartet and kill Apollo.
The second choice was to go back, to strike back now!
After considering for less than a minute, Ning Fan made his decision. He rubbed Xu Ruolan's hair, and a refreshing fragrance rushed into his nostrils.
Greedily inhaling the unique virgin scent of Xu Ruolan, Ning Fan felt reluctant but knew he had to return.
"Hide well here, I will come back!"
Xu Ruolan reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. There was no surprise in her gaze as if she had long anticipated what Ning Fan would do next.
From their prolonged companionship, at some point, their understanding of each other had deepened to the extent where words were no longer needed to grasp each other's intentions.
Ning Fan smiled, his resolute eyes slowly softening as he leaned down and whispered in Xu Ruolan's ear, "I'll come back, will you wait for me to marry you?"
The simple confession carried deep affection, heavily striking Xu Ruolan's heartstrings, causing tears to stream out uncontrollably, hanging on her beautiful cheeks.
Xu Ruolan nodded vigorously, and Ning Fan held her for a long time, seemingly wanting to forever remember this touch in his arms.
Finally, Ning Fan let her go and charged toward the headquarters of the Fang Guild. He didn't look back, fearing that one more glance would make him hesitate.
"Damn, damn, a bunch of useless idiots!"
Apollo furiously yelled, pointing at each of his subordinates. This was their Fang Guild headquarters, with so many people around; how could they let Ning Fan escape?
To have someone escape right on their doorstep, Apollo's pride couldn't bear it, especially since just half an hour ago, Ning Fan had been his prisoner.
That Genetic Potion, with its potent effects, was exactly what Apollo had long been coveting. If he could seize that much-desired power and cultivate a group of Super Warriors, wouldn't the world be at his fingertips?
But he should never have allowed Ning Fan to ingest that Genetic Potion. Apollo started regretting his decision. He shouldn't have doubted the authenticity of the Genetic Potion.
After Ning Fan drank the potion, he unleashed his mighty power and stormed out with Xu Ruolan, making Apollo feel like he'd been played—a complete loss of both troops and his wife.
Now that Ning Fan had fled with Xu Ruolan, his plans were completely disrupted. Asura hadn't died by his hand, and Xu Ruolan, the researcher of the Genetic Potion, wasn't in his custody anymore. What should he do now?!
"Mobilize everyone. If you can't find Asura and Xu Ruolan, prepare to die as your apology!"
"But, apart from you, Lord Apollo, do we really stand a chance against Asura?"
A trusted aide timidly spoke to Apollo. The fear Ning Fan had instilled hadn't fully dissipated, and those who had witnessed the bloody carnage at the base were terrified of Ning Fan.
They couldn't help but fear him, especially since Ning Fan, after drinking the Genetic Potion, had transformed into a fearsome humanoid monster.
"Asura's Pipa Bone is locked, and his Martial Prowess hasn't fully recovered yet. Why else do you think I'm rushing you to find him?!"
Apollo clenched his teeth in frustration. They had no choice now. If they waited until Ning Fan regained his full strength, plus the effects of the Genetic Potion, by then, it would likely be impossible to stop him.
If it came to that, the idea of conquering the world would be nothing but a pipe dream, and they would struggle to even save themselves.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and arrange for troops to go after him. Kill Asura and bring Xu Ruolan back!"
When mentioning Xu Ruolan, a longing flashed in Apollo's eyes, not because of Xu Ruolan herself, but because of the powerful effects of the Genetic Potion.
Although he admired Xu Ruolan, his ambition was far more critical than a woman, especially since Xu Ruolan could develop the Genetic Potion, making her far more valuable to Apollo than Ning Fan.
"L-Lord Apollo, something terrible has happened!"
Suddenly, a figure rushed in, shouting in panic.
Apollo turned his head, looking displeased, wondering what could make his subordinate this panicked at such a time.
"What kind of mess is this, what on earth happened?!"
Apollo barked angrily, his expression darkening.
"Asura… Asura has come back!"
"What?!" Apollo was startled and then burst into laughter, "Hahaha, this Asura, he dares to come back? Does he really think no one can handle him, that he's invincible?"
Apollo sneered, thinking to himself that Asura had plenty of places to go but chose death by coming back here. How dare he!