BXBX NOVEL Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Setting up the bait
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points for significantly changing the plot and making the protagonist Ye Chen the enemy of the Starry Sky Sect.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +1000 Villain Halo and +10,000 Villain Points for angering the protagonist Ye Chen.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +1000 Villain Halo and +10,000 Villain Points for affecting the mentality of the protagonist Ye Chen.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +2000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain Points for spreading rumors about the protagonist Ye Chen.]
Aric was reaping the benefits of the intricate plans he had set in motion over the past few days. His thorough understanding of the plot—gained from both his own experiences and the insights provided by his system—gave him an almost omniscient perspective on the events unfolding around him.
He knew that in any typical narrative, the protagonist would inevitably be shielded by some form of divine intervention or heavenly protection. It was a common trope: no matter how dire the circumstances, the hero would miraculously escape, grow stronger, and eventually triumph over all obstacles.
However, Aric wasn\'t disheartened by this seemingly insurmountable advantage. In fact, he had anticipated it and used it to his advantage. Despite knowing that the protagonist, Ye Chen, would ultimately be safeguarded by fate, Aric had still managed to carve out significant gains for himself in the process.
His manipulation of the events surrounding Ye Chen\'s journey had yielded substantial profits, both in terms of resources and in his overall standing within the world.
The most satisfying part of all this was that the plot had not deviated in any major way from its original trajectory—at least, not yet. Aric had made sure that the narrative remained largely under his control, with only a few key events happening earlier than originally intended. This was a calculated move on his part.
For instance, the old man who had intervened to save Ye Chen was supposed to meet him much later, during a climactic battle against demonic cultivators. But because of Aric\'s interference, this encounter had occurred prematurely, shifting the dynamics of the story in subtle yet significant ways.
Aric couldn\'t help but chuckle at the irony. "Even when fate tries to resist, I will still come out on top," he mused.
Aric\'s laughter filled the chamber as he reveled in his triumph. "Thank you, my dear protagonist, for making me rich and for delivering your women to me. You truly are the best employer one could ask for—giving away everything you have to your loyal employees!"
With a grin still on his face, Aric casually called out, "System, show me the stats of Ye Chen."
[Name – Ye Chen]
[Age – 19]
[Cultivation Level – Core Formation (8th Stage)]
[Strength – 59]
[Agility – 53]
[Intelligence – 52]
[Charm – 42]
[Physique – Heavenly Dragon Physique]
[Bloodline – Heavenly Dragon Bloodline]
[Cultivation Techniques – Heavenly Dragon Ascension Art, Azure Flame Sword Art, Dragon\'s Wrath Fist, Wind Shadow Steps, Soul-Soothing Melody]
[Skills – Swordsmanship (Advanced), Alchemy (Intermediate), Formation Arrays (Basic), Beast Taming (Intermediate)]
[Protagonist Halo – 67,000]
Aric examined Ye Chen\'s status panel closely, a wicked smile curling on his lips as he murmured to himself. "Look at that. I\'ve managed to cut down his protagonist halo by nearly one-third. Not bad, not bad at all—a promising start, indeed."
"He\'s getting stronger, no doubt about that. But with the plot information at my fingertips, how can I ever fall behind? I will outmaneuver him at every turn."
A glint of ambition flashed in Aric\'s eyes as he leaned back, pondering his next steps. "I wonder… what would happen if I could obtain the physique and bloodline of all the so-called protagonists? Wouldn\'t I become truly invincible? The world would bow before me."
Aric let out a low, sinister chuckle, savoring the thought of such absolute power.
"But power alone isn\'t enough. I\'ve been alone for far too long. It\'s time to indulge in the finer things this world has to offer. My excess energy is going to waste—ha ha ha!"
Aric had not indulged in carnal pleasure since he went to the Heavenly Demonic Sect. And now he is thirsty.
His thoughts drifted to his next targets, particularly Su Ling and Ru Shenshen. "Only Su Ling and Ru Shenshen can truly satisfy my current needs. Yes… it\'s time to take action."
He stood up, determination burning in his eyes. "Let\'s start working!"
With a sly grin, Aric left his chambers, heading straight for the secluded courtyard of Ru Shenshen, his new master. He was well aware of the plot and knew of the secret torment his master endured—an poison known as the Soul Corroding Yin Venom. It was a rare and deadly poison. During one of her fights, she got poisoned by this dangerous poison.
Most importantly, it was undetectable in the first instance. But its effects can be seen slowly.
As years passed, Ru Shenshan tried to find a cure for this poison. But to no avail. She couldn\'t find any cure. She had been suppressing its effects for years. The venom had already begun to spread, leaving dark, sickly traces across her body, forcing her to conceal herself completely from others.
In the original plot, Ye Chen would eventually uncover the hidden plight of his master, who had been slowly sapping her strength. With a calculated move, Ye Chen chose the method of dual cultivation, using his Heavenly Dragon Physique to purge the venom from her system. While effective, the method was also intimate and strengthened their feelings towards each other.
But Ye Chen, though often depicted as righteous, did not have a good personality. When he first saw the face of Ru Shenshan, during the True Disciple ceremony, he fell in love with her and decided to make her, his woman. He knew there were other methods to cure the poison—methods that did not involve such closeness.
Yet, he chose the path of dual cultivation, fully aware that it would create a deep, emotional connection with Ru Shenshen. This bond would make her not just his master but also a woman whose heart belonged to him. Ye Chen, with his protagonist\'s halo, turned this situation to his advantage. He tried to develop trust, admiration, and, eventually, love in the heart of his master.
He smirked, thinking of Ye Chen\'s approach. "Ye Chen, you sly bastard. You knew exactly what you were doing when you chose dual cultivation."
Aric, however, had knowledge of this plot and saw it as a golden opportunity to seize control. But the question remained—would he follow Ye Chen\'s path, using the same intimate method to bind Ru Shenshen to him, or would he forge a new path?
As Aric walked through the moonlit courtyard towards Ru Shenshen\'s chamber, his mind raced with possibilities.
As he approached the courtyard, Aric opened his system interface and inquired, "System, do you have any cure for the Soul Corroding Yin Venom?"
The system responded with a list of options, each more expensive than the last.
[Ding! Available Cures for Soul Corroding Yin Venom:
1. Heavenly Seraphic Lotus Elixir – 200,000 Villain Points A rare elixir that can cleanse any venom from the body, restoring vitality.
2. Nine Suns Purifying Pill – 150,000 Villain Points A pill forged from the essence of nine suns, capable of burning away any poison.
3. Eternal Nightshade Remedy – 120,000 Villain Points A mystical remedy that absorbs and neutralizes yin-based poisons.
4. Venom Extraction Technique (One-Time Use) – 100,000 Villain Points A powerful technique to draw out venom and store it in a separate vessel.
5. Spirit Rejuvenating Dew – 50,000 Villain Points A temporary solution that slows the spread of the poison, buying time for a permanent cure.]
Aric\'s eyes scanned the list, his mind calculating. "These options… they\'re all ridiculously expensive. But there must be something I can use."
After carefully reviewing the choices, Aric\'s gaze settled on the Venom Extraction Technique. It wasn\'t a permanent solution, but it was affordable and allowed him to manipulate the situation further.
"If I were to follow Ye Chen\'s route, I could use the Venom Extraction Technique as a cover, then later propose dual cultivation as a way to \'fully cleanse\' the poison. It would certainly bind Ru Shenshen to me, making her my bitch and… something more."
"I need to gain her trust first, then propose dual cultivation when she\'s most vulnerable… It\'s risky, but if done correctly, I could have the best of both worlds."
"I am a villain. How can I be righteous?" Aric\'s lips curled into a smile as he considered the possibilities. "She is a beauty, after all, and possessing her would be a sweet victory over Ye Chen."
But as he pondered this, a thought nagged at him—Ru Shenshen was no ordinary woman. She was a powerful cultivator, wise and experienced. If she sensed any ulterior motives, the entire plan could backfire. He needed to tread carefully, ensuring that his intentions appeared pure, even noble.
He chuckled darkly, a plan already forming in his mind. "Shenshen, it\'s time for us to be together, baby. You have no idea how much I\'m going to enjoy this."
As Aric entered the courtyard, he called out in a respectful tone, "Disciple wishes to meet Master."
Ru Shenshen, hidden behind a veil of silk curtains, gave a soft command to one of her attendants. "Let him enter."
Aric stepped into the inner chamber, bowing deeply as he addressed her. "Greetings, Master. This humble disciple seeks guidance from you."
"Master," Aric began, his tone respectful yet laced with concern. He bowed deeply before her. "I\'ve successfully entered the Spirit Severing Stage. A few fortuitous encounters have allowed me to make significant progress."
Ru Shenshen\'s eyes flickered with a brief spark of pride as she regarded her disciple. "Congratulations, Haotian. You\'ve advanced far beyond what I expected. I\'m proud of you."
Seeing Haotian unhappy, she asked, "Is there something troubling you?"
Aric smiled humbly, but the concern in his eyes remained. "Thank you, Master. However, I couldn\'t help but notice that you\'ve been absent more often in recent years. You used to appear much more frequently. Is everything truly alright?"
Ru Shenshen hesitated, her gaze shifting slightly as she offered a vague smile. "I\'ve simply been focused on my cultivation, Haotian. There\'s nothing to worry about."
Aric took a step closer, his expression growing serious. "Master, I have noticed… that you have been concealing something"
Aric wasn\'t convinced. His expression earnest. "Master, please. I\'ve always been loyal to you, and I would give my life for you. If there\'s something wrong, I beg you to tell me. I only wish to help you in any way I can."
Ru Shenshen\'s resolve wavered under his pleading gaze. She could see the genuine concern in her disciple\'s eyes, and it tugged at her heart.
After a long pause, she finally sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Very well, Haotian. The truth is… I\'ve been afflicted with a powerful venom—Soul Corroding Yin Venom. It has spread throughout my body, and despite my best efforts, I haven\'t been able to find a cure."
Aric\'s heart tightened at her confession, though he kept his expression composed. "Master… I\'m so sorry. I had no idea."
Ru Shenshen smiled sadly. "There\'s no need for you to apologize. This is my burden to bear."
Aric shook his head, his voice firm. "No, Master. This is our burden. I\'ll find a way to help you. I\'ll return soon with the cure, I promise."
She looked at him with a mixture of hope and resignation. "Thank you, Haotian, but… I don\'t expect much. I\'ve searched far and wide, and there\'s nothing that can cure this venom. I fear my time is running out."
As Aric left her chamber, the system\'s notification rang in his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +2000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain Points for increasing your favorability in Daughter of Destiny, Ru Shenshen\'s heart.]
[Ru Shenshen\'s Favorability: 0 → 25]
The boost in favorability was a small but significant victory. It meant that his master had begun to trust him more, and that trust was a valuable asset.
Several days passed before Aric returned to Ru Shenshen\'s chamber. This time, he carried with him a scroll—the key to her salvation. As he entered, Ru Shenshen regarded him with mild surprise. "Haotian, you\'ve returned. Did you… find something?"
Aric nodded, unrolling the scroll before her. "Master, I\'ve found a technique—an ancient one—that can extract the venom from your body. But… it requires a great sacrifice."
Ru Shenshen\'s eyes widened as she read the contents of the scroll. The technique was indeed powerful, but it required the cultivator to give up a significant portion of their spiritual essence—something that could only be done once in a lifetime. It was a heavy price to pay.
"Haotian… this technique… it\'s too dangerous. I can\'t ask you to sacrifice so much for me," Ru Shenshen said, her voice trembling slightly.
Aric met her gaze with unwavering determination. "Master, I\'ve already made my decision. I\'ll do whatever it takes to save you, even if it means sacrificing everything. You\'ve been my guide, my mentor… I can\'t stand by and watch you suffer."
Ru Shenshen\'s heart ached at his words. She had always seen Yu Haotian as a loyal disciple, but this… this was beyond loyalty. It was devotion. After carefully reviewing the technique once more, she finally nodded, her voice soft. "Very well, Haotian. If you\'re truly willing… then let\'s proceed."