BXBX NOVEL Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Groundwork has been done
Long Tianyun moved with a grace that was almost predatory, each step purposeful and measured. His gaze swept over the gathered disciples, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he acknowledged their adulation. His demeanor was calm and composed, yet it carried an undercurrent of barely restrained power, as if he could unleash devastating force at any moment.
The disciples\' reactions varied—some looked upon Long Tianyun with pure admiration, while others bowed deeply, their faces filled with reverence. A few, the more ambitious ones, wore expressions of envy mixed with awe, recognizing Long Tianyun as the pinnacle of what they could only dream to achieve.
As Long Tianyun walked past the crowd, a ripple of energy seemed to follow in his wake, a testament to his overwhelming cultivation. Aric, hidden among the crowd, watched intently, his eyes narrowing as he observed the young man\'s every move.
[Name: Long Tianyun]
[Age: 19]
[Cultivation Level: Nascent Soul (4th Stage)]
[Strength: 180]
[Agility: 160]
[Intelligence: 120]
[Charm: 95]
[Physique: Immortal Demon Physique]
[Bloodline: Ancestral Demon Bloodline]
[Cultivation Techniques: Celestial Demonic Codex]
[Skills: Abyssal Flame Fist, Void Step, Demonic Devouring Art, Nine Heavens Annihilation]
[Protagonist Halo: 85,000]
Aric studied the screen, his thoughts racing. Long Tianyun was indeed powerful, a force to be reckoned with. His stats were exceptional, and his bloodline and physique were among the rarest and most coveted in the cultivation world.
But instead of feeling intimidated, Aric felt a dark thrill. "Another protagonist," he mused. "This one is strong… but no one is invincible. He has a good stature and power. He is not following the cliche plot. It would be fun to break him."
"I wish system could have provided me this guy\'s plot." Aric sighed. "It would have been less trouble for me."
Aric\'s eyes narrowed as he watched Long Tianyun continue to walk through the crowd, his every movement exuding confidence and authority. The disciples around him buzzed with excitement, their conversations filled with praise for the First Descendant.
"Look at him! He\'s the perfect example of what the sect stands for—power, dominance, and absolute control!" one disciple exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration.
"I can\'t believe we\'re lucky enough to witness his rise. He\'s going to be the next patriarch, no doubt about it," another said, nodding in agreement.
Aric smirked inwardly, the pieces of his plan falling into place. "Let them fawn over him," he thought. "Soon enough, they\'ll be watching him fall."
With that, Aric silently withdrew from the scene. He had gathered all the information he needed, and now it was time to put his plan into action. The seeds of chaos were already being planted in the Heavenly Demonic Sect, and soon, they would bear fruit
The next morning, Aric awoke in his chamber, the events of the previous day still fresh in his mind. He immediately accessed his system, eager to see the results of his manipulations. As expected, several notifications greeted him:
[Ding! A new target detected for using mind control skill. Do you want to alter memories?]
[Ding! A new target detected for using mind control skill. Do you want to alter memories?]
[Ding! A new target detected for using mind control skill. Do you want to alter memories?]
...
Many such notification filled his mind and then he stared altering their memories in the similar way he manipulated Ren Shi\'s memories.
[Memory Alteration: Complete]
[Elder Han now believes his sole purpose is to serve you, even unto death.]
[Elder Qian is utterly devoted to you and will follow his every command without hesitation.]
[Elder Ling\'s loyalty to you is absolute]
He also gained intelligence stat as he manipulated them.
[Ding! Congratulations Host, You have gained +1 intelligence]
[Ding! Congratulations Host, You have gained +1 intelligence]
[Ding! Congratulations Host, You have gained +1 intelligence]
.....
Arics grin widened as he reviewed the notifications. His plan was working perfectly. Each of these elders had intelligence stats significantly lower than his own, making them easy prey for his mind control techniques. The general premise he used was simple yet effective—he had planted the belief that they were destined to serve him.
Their loyalty was now absolute, their memories twisted to align with his desires.
Although, he was able to manipulate few elders but there number was sufficent for him to execute his next plan. With the elders under his control, Aric knew it was time to consolidate his power further. He decided to call a general meeting with all the elders who had consumed his blood. This would be the perfect opportunity to solidify his influence and outline the next phase of his plan.
Later that day, Aric summoned the elders to a secluded hall within the sect, a place where they could speak freely without fear of being overheard. As they gathered, Aric could see the subtle changes in their demeanor—where once they might have looked at him with suspicion or indifference, now their gazes were filled with respect and reverence.
"Thank you all for coming," Aric began, his voice calm and commanding. "Look, i know that you all support me and are willing to do anything for me. That\'s why i want you to organise an important meeting, where elders are also present. And you must support me."
"Yes,Master", They all spoke together.
In the evening , most of the elders of the sect gathered in the meeting hall.
Aric, still maintaining his illusion as Ye Chen, stood before them. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the elders expressions a blend of intrigue and skepticism.
Elder Mo Xuan, a formidable presence among them, was the first to speak. His voice, deep and resonant, cut through the tension like a blade. "So, you claim to have once been a disciple of the Starry Sky Sect, yet now you stand before us, seeking to betray them. What makes you think we should trust you?"
Aric, his posture humble but his eyes gleaming with calculated resolve, bowed respectfully before answering. "The Starry Sky Sect preaches righteousness, but in truth, they are no better than the demons they claim to oppose. My family, one of the fastest-growing in the Zhungong Dynasty, was targeted by them. We possessed treasures that threatened their dominance.
In their greed and fear, they conspired with our rivals and wiped us out."
He allowed his voice to tremble slightly, as though barely containing his fury. "They slaughtered my parents, burned my home to the ground, and left me for dead. But I survived, and from the ashes of my family\'s destruction, I vowed to take revenge."
Elder Feng Jiao, his gaze sharp and piercing, leaned forward. "Revenge alone is not enough to convince us. How can we be certain that you are not leading us into a trap?"
Aric met his gaze with unwavering determination. "Because I have nothing left to lose. The Starry Sky Sect took everything from me. I seek only to see them fall. And I bring with me information that will allow you to deliver a crippling blow."
The elders exchanged cautious glances, their wariness evident. Elder Mo Xuan narrowed his eyes. "What information could possibly be worth the risk of trusting you?"
Aric nodded, as if anticipating the question. "The Starry Sky Sect is soon to hold an inner disciple competition. During this event, all their most promising disciples will gather in one place. The sect\'s focus will be on protecting their core, leaving the competition grounds vulnerable.
I can provide you with the precise routes the disciples will take, the locations of their hidden caches of resources, and the weaknesses in their defensive formations."
He let the gravity of his words hang in the air for a moment before continuing, his voice steely. "With this knowledge, you can strike a devastating blow. And when you do, make sure it\'s known that it was Ye Chen who aided you. This will ensure that the Starry Sky Sect turns against him, making him their prime target."
Elder Yan Shu raised an eyebrow, suspicion still lingering in his gaze. "And what do you gain from this, Ye Chen? Is revenge truly your only motivation?"
"Revenge," Aric replied coldly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "The Starry Sky Sect destroyed my life. I will see them burn, and I will relish the sight of their downfall."
Silence fell over the room as the elders weighed his words. Finally, Elder Mo Xuan gave a slow nod. "Your story is compelling, and the information you offer could prove invaluable. But remember this—if you betray us, you will face consequences far worse than what the Starry Sky Sect did to you."
Aric bowed deeply, his expression one of solemn determination. "I understand, Elder. I will not fail. My life is already in your hands."
At the same time, many elders start discussing the information given by Aric among themselves. As many of those elders were his followers, they ensured that Aric\'s plan gets the adequate support and gets executed.
As the elders dispersed to prepare for the attack, Aric\'s mind churned with dark satisfaction. The stage was set—soon, the Starry Sky Sect would be thrown into chaos, and Ye Chen would find himself at the center of their wrath.
With that Aric left the Heavenly Demonic Sect and made his way forward to the Starry Sky Sect.
....
Meanwhile, Ye Chen had been practicing relentlessly over the past few days. Every moment was spent either cultivating or refining his techniques, pushing himself to the limits of his endurance. Sweat poured down his face, and his muscles screamed in protest, but he didn\'t stop. His focus was unwavering, his desire to improve unquenchable.
"Just a little more," Ye Chen muttered to himself as he meditated in his small courtyard. The night sky above him was dotted with stars, their light casting a serene glow over his determined figure. His breathing was steady, and his eyes were closed, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
"If I can reach the Core Formation 8th Stage before the competition, I\'ll have a real chance to become an inner disciple," he thought, clenching his fists. "Senior Sister Su Ling will be there... If I can impress her, maybe she\'ll finally notice me."
He had always admired Su Ling from afar. She was not only beautiful but also incredibly talented, a true prodigy within the Starry Sky Sect. Ye Chen\'s heart ached with longing whenever he thought of her, but he knew that his current status as an outer disciple was far beneath her. If he wanted to stand by her side, he needed to prove himself.
With this thought in mind, Ye Chen doubled his efforts. He spent hours each day practicing his sword techniques, his body moving with fluid grace as he slashed through imaginary enemies. When he wasn\'t training physically, he was meditating, drawing the spiritual energy of the world into his body and refining it within his dantian.
Days passed in a blur of training and cultivation. Ye Chen barely slept, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, but it was all worth it when he finally felt the breakthrough he had been striving for. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and he opened his eyes with a triumphant smile.
"I did it," he whispered, feeling the power of the Core Formation 8th Stage flowing through his veins. "I\'ve finally reached it."
He stood up, his body light and strong, filled with a sense of accomplishment. "Now, I can face the competition with confidence. Senior Sister Su Ling, I\'ll stand beside you soon."
The day of the annual competition arrived, and the Starry Sky Sect was alive with excitement. The sect grounds were buzzing with activity as disciples, elders, and even some spectators from outside the sect gathered to witness the event. The air was thick with anticipation, and the usually serene sect was filled with the sound of chatter and laughter.
The sect had spared no effort in preparing for the competition. Colorful banners adorned the buildings, each one bearing the emblem of the Starry Sky Sect. The competition grounds had been meticulously arranged, with elevated platforms for duels and large open fields where the first part of the competition would take place.
Disciples could be seen talking excitedly among themselves, their faces filled with determination. "I\'ve been practicing my techniques all year for this," one disciple said to his friend, clenching his fists in anticipation. "This is my chance to finally make it to the inner sect!"
Meanwhile, Ye Chen stood at the edge of the competition grounds, taking in the scene. His heart was pounding with excitement, but he kept his expression calm, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Su Ling. The sight of the competition grounds filled him with determination. This was his chance to prove himself, to show everyone that he was more than just an ordinary outer disciple.
The first competition was a test of strength and skill, where the disciples were tasked with hunting demonic beasts in a specially prepared forest. The forest was vast and teeming with dangerous creatures, each one more ferocious than the last. The goal was simple: kill as many demonic beasts as possible within the allotted time.
Points were awarded based on the strength and rarity of the beasts, and the top ten scorers would be promoted to inner disciples. The disciple who claimed the first place would be honored with the prestigious title of a true disciple.
The second competition was a test of combat prowess, where the disciples would face each other in one-on-one duels. The rules were simple but brutal: outer disciples could challenge inner disciples, and if they won, they would take their place. However, if they lost, they would be demoted to the rank of handyman disciples, forced to do menial tasks around the sect.
For the inner disciples, the stakes were just as high. A loss would mean demotion to the outer sect, a fate worse than death for many.
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Dear readers,
We have reached an incredible milestone—100,000 words in our story! As a newbie author, I never imagined we could achieve such a big goal. Your support has made this journey enjoyable and possible.
Thank you so much for being a part of this adventure with me!