> "The greatest trap is one that the prey walks into willingly."
The celebration banners fluttered in the night breeze, and a heavy scent of incense filled the Azure Heaven Sect. Disciples laughed, toasted their wine cups, and sang songs of triumph. The secret realm raid had been hailed as a resounding success.
In the center of all the praise stood Shen Tian, draped in silver and azure robes, his handsome face illuminated by flickering lanterns. Around him were elders and fellow disciples, offering congratulations with bright smiles.
Yet, seated alone in the dim corner of a courtyard pavilion, Lin Xian sipped cold tea and watched silently.
His gaze, sharp and calm like a blade hidden in velvet, lingered on Shen Tian's figure.
'I almost got rid of you in the Secret Realm... yet destiny stubbornly clings to you,' Lin Xian thought grimly.
He leaned back, recalling the events of the past few days.
---
Flashback: Secret Realm Incident
Inside the misty labyrinth of the ancient Secret Realm, Lin Xian had worn a simple, crude mask and suppressed his cultivation aura until he was no more threatening than a leaf in the wind.
He had found a hidden opportunity — a long-forgotten martial arts inheritance, recorded within a floating jade slip encased in black flames.
A supreme martial art that could allow a cultivator to dominate their peers within a single realm.
Yet Lin Xian had not greedily seized it.
No.
Instead, he crafted a fake inheritance — a cleverly carved fake jade slip, filled with dazzling but shallow techniques. With delicate care, he placed the fake where Shen Tian would find it, orchestrating the entire encounter.
And sure enough, Shen Tian arrived, his golden destiny aura glowing faintly, attracting disciples to his side. Believing he had found a great treasure, Shen Tian "graciously" shared the fake inheritance with others, boosting his popularity and reputation.
Meanwhile, Lin Xian, hidden by formations and stealth techniques, plucked away the true inheritance and fled into the mist.
---
[Villain Points +1500]
[Stealing Opportunity: Martial Emperor's Secret Manual]
[Relation: Shen Tian → -5 Favorability]
---
Yet destiny was not so easily cheated.
Shen Tian's fame soared after the secret realm raid, and even the elders were singing his praises. The sect's reputation, which had been slightly battered, now recovered beautifully.
Lin Xian tightened his fist under the table, feeling a faint bitterness.
'Small tricks won't topple a true Son of Destiny. I must think like a real villain, not a petty schemer.'
He glanced at his System Panel, a new notification blinking.
---
> [Update: Shen Tian's Family Background]
Origin: Upper Realm Clan (Name Hidden)
Current Status: Target for Retrieval (1 year remaining)
[Additional Target Identified: Shen Yue]
Status: Sister of Shen Tian.
Hidden Bloodline: Upper Realm Elite.
[Suggested Strategy: Undermine Shen Tian's core relations to weaken his Luck.]
[Potential Targets: Shen Yue (sister), Li Yueru (Holy Daughter)]
---
A plan slowly crystallized in Lin Xian's mind.
No more attacking directly.
He would rot Shen Tian's support from the inside out — quietly, steadily — until even destiny itself couldn't save him.
And the first step… was information.
Fortunately, the celebration provided the perfect chance.
---
Present Time: Celebration Night
Lin Xian rose quietly, slipping through the crowd like a ghost. He activated the basic ability given by the System:
[Relationship Scan Activated]
Small panels popped up over people's heads, visible only to Lin Xian.
He quickly found Shen Yue, standing near a lotus pond, aloof and cold. Her pale blue robes shimmered under moonlight. Her panel read:
---
> [Shen Yue]
Relation: Neutral (0)
Personality: playfull, often like to go outside the sect with Li Yuer as mortal ,Longing for a good older brother as shen Tian is proud and aggront.
Favorites: Rare Spirit Flowers, Ancient Formations, Sword Techniques.
---
'longing for a good brother? Interesting…'
Lin Xian smiled faintly.
Then he turned toward Li Yueru, who was chatting with some inner sect elders. Her panel appeared:
---
> [Li Yueru]
Relation: Neutral (0)
Personality: Dutiful, Obsessed with Cultivation, Has good relationship with Shen yue as the go go outside the sect as mortal,Loyal but Questions "Fated Relationships"
Favorites: Rare Manuals, Ancient Medical Techniques, Exotic Spiritual Herbs.
---
'Dutiful… but questions fate? Even more interesting.'
Lin Xian's mind spun rapidly.
He now understood:
Shen Yue Long for a good older brother feeling not appreciated by him.
Li Yueru appeared loyal, but deep inside, she was skeptical about blindly accepting destiny.
Seeds of doubt and rebellion already existed.
All he had to do… was gently water them.
---
As Lin Xian melted back into the crowd, his thoughts sharpened.
First, he needed to craft opportunities to interact naturally with both girls.
Winning them over wouldn't be quick — it would take subtlety, patience, and perfect timing.(He needs a break through and that is that they both travel outside the as mortal)
But Lin Xian didn't mind.
Villains didn't need to rush.
They just needed to endure longer than their prey.
And eventually... even the Son of Destiny would bleed.
---
[Villain Points: 2900]
[New Objective: Trigger Internal Conflict Within Shen Tian's Core Circle.]