"Your approach is evasion, Professor," Fang Senyan stated coldly. "You must understand, even a failed fusion is preferable to allowing history to unfold as it should! In the normal timeline, in less than a week, Jean will be severely wounded and subsequently consumed by her alternate personality… At that point, we will not only lose Jean and Scott, but we will gain the powerful Level Five mutant enemy, the Black Phoenix! If we follow my method, even in the worst-case scenario, Cyclops will survive, and we won't have to face the formidable Black Phoenix!"

Professor X was silent for a moment. "None of us can dictate the orders of others. If we maintain the status quo, and carefully protect Jean, the situation you describe may not necessarily occur. As long as the primary personality isn't critically damaged, my psychic prison can last for at least a hundred years."

Fang Senyan fell silent for a moment. "You are right, Scott, Jean. You decide your own fates."

Cyclops Scott exclaimed loudly, "Jean, I swear I will protect you well; do not take this risk!"

Jean, however, stood pale-faced, her head bowed, saying nothing. Suddenly, she raised her head, her expression resolute. "I choose fusion… Although the psychic prison exists, I can occasionally sense her loneliness, her pain. I didn't understand what that was like before, but now I realize that another me is suffering so greatly!"

Scott cried out in agony, "But, but!!!"

"….Trust me, Scott, I can succeed!" Jean said earnestly.

Jean's words were firm and sounded resolute, but there are many things in this world that cannot be easily accomplished merely through firmness or determination. Willpower might sometimes be a necessary factor for success, but it is absolutely not the decisive one.

The fusion of dual personalities is incredibly difficult, especially when Jean's primary personality is far weaker than the Black Phoenix alternate personality, particularly since the latter has been locked away in the mental cage for so many years. To put it more fashionably, the sheer intensity of its malice must be unimaginable! If Professor X were not assisting nearby, the chance of Jean being consumed upon their first encounter would exceed ninety-nine percent!

"Then… when do you estimate the personality fusion needs to happen?" Scott asked.

Professor X pondered. "As soon as possible, naturally."

Fang Senyan suddenly interjected, "To my knowledge, Jasper Hale, the vampire from the Bloodline, possesses similar abilities in this area; perhaps he could assist? There is one more thing, and I am unsure if I should mention it."

Professor X spoke in a level tone, "Speak. Up to this point, my success rate in helping Jean and her alternate personality merge has not exceeded 30%. Even if the Bloodline folk are willing to help, the most optimistic success rate would only reach 40%. You may bring up anything that could be of assistance in this matter."

Fang Senyan then beckoned for Old Charlie to approach. "In the brain of my servant, there is actually a demon parasitically residing. This demon…"

As Professor X and Scott listened to Fang Senyan's explanation, their astonishment deepened with every word. By the end, Professor X grasped the essence: "So, you mean we should first implant a fear of Freddy into people's minds, allowing his power to peak? And then, he can enter the scene of Jean and the Black Phoenix fusion to assist us?"

"Precisely," Fang Senyan replied calmly. "When Jean and the Black Phoenix fuse, she certainly won't remain fully conscious! Therefore, that moment will be Freddy's domain, and the help he offers you might be far greater than you imagine!"

"More importantly, in your original future, Freddy did not exist. Do not forget that you are attempting to change the future. If you introduce him as this X-factor, the probability of success will certainly increase."

Truthfully, Fang Senyan’s original plan was to cure Jean first and then use that as leverage to request her assistance. Now, however, it seemed like a surprising turn of events; regardless of whether Jean's fusion succeeded or failed, it would ultimately serve Freddy’s purpose!

Finally, Professor X spoke slowly, "Then, you are certain that I only need to implant a certain level of fear in the audience's minds? This fear will not harm humanity?"

Fang Senyan gave a wry smile. "Most women feel fear when they think of snakes, yet we have never heard that this particular fear causes harm."

Professor X nodded. "So, it is that level of fear. That should be quite simple. From a psychological perspective, it is merely a matter of simple substitution. Everyone has something they fear; perhaps some fear the dark, some despise flies and maggots, some fear reptiles as you mentioned, and some fear skeletons and ghosts—magnifying the existing fear in a large audience is difficult, but shifting their existing fear targets to the image of a terrifying Freddy is not too troublesome."

Fang Senyan tentatively inquired, "Then, Professor, does that mean… you agree?"

Professor X paused again before saying, "In ten minutes, I will give you a magnetic tape. You can then take it to the largest radio station in New York and broadcast it. Five minutes of airtime should suffice, and at least four executives at the station have the authority to allow this. Convince just one of them. You should delegate this task to the Bloodline members; their movements are swift, and their ability to escape is exceptional. As long as it’s not a premeditated attack, it should be fine."

At this point, Professor X paused and addressed Fang Senyan, "However, I have no dealings with Jasper Hale of the Bloodline. There is no compelling reason for him to assist…"

Fang Senyan knew this was where the corresponding exchange conditions came in, so he stated matter-of-factly, "I do have contact with the Cullen family. Leave this matter to me."

Professor X sighed. "Then, I will rest and gather my strength now. In three hours, Jean, we shall begin."

Three hours passed quickly.

Since Professor X had requested rest, Magneto took over the base's defense. Magneto’s method of defense was quite astonishing: he used a helicopter to spread metallic powder throughout the base, allowing him to sense every movement outside by observing the changes in the metal powder, even with his eyes closed. To him, metal was completely like an extension of his own limbs, eliciting widespread awe.

Jasper was the first to arrive. Surprisingly, Fang Senyan persuaded him with ease because this individual’s powers had reached a critical juncture. Moreover, the Cullen family lacked anyone capable of guiding him in this specific area. But honestly, who in the world could guide him in this regard other than Professor X? Thus, securing Jasper did not require much effort.

Old Charlie, however, was the one who arrived late. His complexion looked somewhat pale, and his demeanor was very weary; he was also wearing sunglasses.

Clearly, serving as the vessel for Freddy after his power surge was absolutely not an easy task, especially since Old Charlie was an ordinary man!

If he were to remove his sunglasses, one would see that his eyes were entirely filled with twisted, crimson blood vessels—black ones at that—and even his gaze faintly held a hint of Freddy’s madness. Even more bizarrely, his shadow had completely transformed into Freddy’s image: the fedora, the stooped posture, the metal claws, and a frame so emaciated it looked severely malnourished.

If he stood still, one could even hear Old Charlie’s heavy, turbid breathing, a sound akin to the deep, thirsty, greedy snarl coming from the throat of the three-headed dog guarding the deepest reaches of hell!

Fang Senyan looked at Old Charlie. "Are you alright?"

Old Charlie suddenly managed a rare, faint smile. "I am fine. Lately, I’ve been frequently recalling past events, which has caused me great torment. The degree of pain inflicted by little Freddy is just right for me; it helps distract me."

Fang Senyan paused briefly. "I can see that you are also a person with sorrows. Very well, if you cannot bear it, tell me immediately."

Old Charlie replied flatly, "What is there not to be able to bear about such a small matter."

With everyone gathered, they naturally proceeded to Professor X’s study. Surprisingly, the other major figure in the base, Prince Dracula of the Bloodline, was also present, looking solemn. Professor X’s unique and powerful brainwave amplifier had also been moved there. He sat down first and then spoke seriously to Jean, "You must be absolutely clear. Once the psychic prison is unsealed, there will be no possibility of ever sealing her away again. Furthermore, Jean Grey, if I detect that the fusion has failed and you are consumed, we will… unhesitatingly kill you."

Jean tightly pursed her lips, glanced at Cyclops outside, and nodded forcefully.

"Then," Professor X closed his eyes, and the brainwave amplifier began to activate, emitting continuous flashes! "Three, two, one! Begin!"

The next second, an indescribable, powerful force enveloped the area. This force was intangible yet its presence could be clearly sensed. One could feel this power gently enclosing Jean's head, presumably in the process of dismantling the psychic prison.

Jean immediately slumped gently to the floor, falling unconscious.

Suddenly, the temperature in the entire room soared. The left side of Jean Grey's face twisted violently, while only the right side remained calm. Her long hair behind her flared up, and faint, ashen-black flames seemed to burn fiercely upon it!

"I! The Black Phoenix Flame, am finally free! I shall fill this world with destruction and hatred! I shall make the wind carry the scent of sulfur and madness!… You, who are you? I recognize your aura; it was your psychic prison that sealed me for thirteen long years!"

But just then, a sinister, strange cackle erupted—it was Freddy’s hysterical laughter. Fang Senyan felt a crisp, piercing sound in his ears, as if a blade were scraping violently across glass, amplified a thousand times!

Immediately afterward, the Black Phoenix let out an incomparably shrill scream!!!!

Freddy, his power greatly enhanced, couldn't contain the boiling killing intent within him and struck out instantly. Even more terrifyingly, it appeared he had gravely wounded the Black Phoenix alternate personality right away!!

This evil King of Darkness, having finally acquired sufficient resources, revealed its sharp, terrifying fangs to the world!