The dungeon of Purple Mist Sacred Land was built deep underground, its air damp with a chill that seeped into the bones. Chains clinked faintly, echoing between the stone walls whenever the guards shifted outside. Torches lined the corridor, but their flames barely dispelled the darkness.
Inside one of the cells, a young man sat cross-legged. His hair was unkempt, his robe torn, yet his eyes burnt with resentment that refused to fade. This was Ye Fan—once a promising outer disciple, now reduced to a prisoner for his reckless ambition.
Across from him stood Li Suxin, her jade-like face shadowed with sorrow. She had grown up with Ye Fan, trained alongside him, and even laughed at his awkward jokes in the early days. Yet now, that familiarity felt like a burden weighing down her chest.
"Ye Fan", she finally spoke, her voice soft but firm, "why did you do it? You know what you tried to steal was forbidden."
Ye Fan lifted his head slowly, eyes bloodshot from days of suppressed anger. "Suxin, that treasure… It is useless to you. But to me, it means everything."
Li Suxin frowned. She could hear the desperation trembling in his tone, but it only deepened her disappointment. "Even if it was useless, it wasn't yours to take. Do you realise what you've done? My father had no choice but to expel you from the sect. From today onwards, there is no connection between you and our sect."
Her words cut like a blade. Ye Fan's fists clenched until his nails dug into his palms.
"No connection?" He let out a bitter laugh that cracked into a roar. "I gave everything for this sect! I bled for it, trained until my bones broke, and all I get in return is exile?"
His voice grew hoarse, echoing harshly in the chamber.
"You only see him now, don't you?" Ye Fan's gaze sharpened, venom dripping from every syllable. "That damned man, that outsider prince! Since he appeared, none of us matter anymore. Xiao Tian—he's the one who ruined everything for me!"
Li Suxin's expression turned cold.
"Enough." Her lips tightened as she remembered Xiao Tian's calm figure, his steady eyes that carried both mischief and an untouchable aura. "His Highness has shown me sincerity and respect. He saved the entire sect from destruction, even giving away cultivation techniques and rare blood essences without hesitation. Whatever you think of him, I have seen it with my own eyes."
Ye Fan's chest heaved. "You're blind, Suxin! Don't you see? Northern State was built on the corpses of thousands. That so-called prince—he will devour everything, including you!"
"Shut your mouth!" Her voice cracked like a whip. For a moment, even the guards outside startled.
"If you dare slander him again, I won't forgive you. Whatever feelings we once shared as friends are over."
Her final words fell like frost.
Ye Fan's face drained of colour. His throat worked, but no sound came out at first. Then, like a dam breaking, he erupted.
"Li Suxin, you will regret this! I swear—you will regret it!" His roar echoed through the prison, wild and broken.
But she did not look back. Her steps were firm as she turned away, leaving only the lingering fragrance of her robes in the damp air.
Ye Fan staggered to his knees, his forehead pressed against the cold stone. His whole body trembled—not from weakness, but from fury.
Ye Fan's teeth ground together as his eyes turned scarlet.
"They think they can throw me away. But as long as I have Master Lingyu, I will rise again."
From between his brows, a faint golden light flickered. Within his spiritual sea, a shadowy figure stirred—the remnant soul of an ancient sword spirit, weakened but still dangerous.
"Master," Ye Fan whispered, madness in his tone. "When you recover, we'll show them. We'll make them kneel!"
The spirit's voice echoed faintly in his mind. Foolish child, you rush too quickly… But your hatred will serve me well.
Meanwhile, Li Suxin returned to her courtyard. Her heart felt heavy, but her expression remained composed. She had already chosen her side. Xiao Tian was not perfect—she knew he hid secrets—but compared to Ye Fan's descent into obsession, Xiao Tian's steady presence felt like sunlight after endless clouds.
Still, a trace of unease lingered. Ye Fan's roar still rang in her ears.
Would he truly fall so far… Or was this just the beginning of something worse?
....
[Ding! Ye Fan's fate has shifted. The host's influence has severed his bond with Li Suxin. Luck value -100. Villain value +2000.]
At this time, Xiao Tian received the system's notification.
"Oh? That guy again…" He smirked, shaking his head. "Looks like he's one step closer to losing his lucky hallow. It is true that trouble always finds its way back to the destiny-blessed people, doesn't it?"
"But I didn't even do anything; he dropped the axe on his own foot."
Li Suxin broke up completely, and the Purple Mist Sect expelled him; these reduced his luck by a great margin. However, he still has luck value.
Then the remaining luck should be concentrated on his sword spirit master.