The next day, in the Lan family estate.
Yuexin is on her knees, tears welling up in her eyes as her gaze drops down. Her tears slowly drip onto the cold floor, her body supported by her thin hands.
''Yuexin...''
Her mother hugs her from behind, doing her best to comfort Yuexin's pained heart.
''It's all my fault. H-he died because he helped me!''
Pushing herself out of her mother's grasp, she shouts back, her emotions out of control due to her grief-stricken heart.
''I-I thought he was the one...''
The tears flowing with renewed vigor, she rushes to her room. Without looking back, she closes the doors shut and hides herself under the sheets.
.
Back in the main hall, the Lan family's Patriarch feels just as regretful. Due to his injuries, he couldn't even thank the savior of his family. And now... the savior died, likely due to the conflict his daughter had started.
The Patriarch furrows his brows, his tone heavy, as he asks the guard once more,
''Repeat once more what has happened.''
The guard, still confused about the whole ordeal, repeats his version of the story.
''Someone attacked the carriage with extraordinary force. I've never seen anything like it.''
He looks down, his voice shaken as he recalls the intimidating figure.
''That boy, Han Ye, was at the epicenter of the attack. His body flew directly into the forest...''
The Patriarch shakes his head in disbelief. The best guards were organized to protect him. Yet, all of them died? Not only was this a slap in the face, but now they needed to explain themselves to the Han family.
''Was there really nothing you could have done? Have none of you seen the attack coming?''
The anger can be heard in the Patriarch's voice as he demands answers.
''My Lord, I-it was not possible... The enemy this time... it was a demonic cultivator.''
Gulp.
''A very powerful one at that. One of his attacks killed all of our men. I survived because I was buried under debris.''
Rubbing his temples, the Patriarch waves his hand, dismissing the guard from the hall.
''Go get medical attention and write a report later. I will personally visit the Han family.''
.
In a faraway city, a young man covered in a black cloak walks out of a tavern. The streets are bustling with life, various stalls are set up on the sidewalks and quite a few cultivators make their way throughout the city.
''Mingyue City... much different compared to the other two.''
The difference mainly comes from the surroundings. Qingyuan City is in the middle of nowhere. The only thing nearby are forests, with at most, some bandit outposts. But Mingyue City is different. Two sects are located quite close to it, making it a hotspot for cultivators.
These two sects are Tiger Peak Sect and Cloud Valley Sect. Both of them are located on the surrounding mountains, one on the west, and the other on the east.
As I walk down the street, I begin to mutter to myself.
''Based on the information I've gathered, the Sect leader of Tiger Peak Sect is an early Golden Core cultivator.''
Looking around, the cultivations I feel are mostly under Foundation, with a few exceptions. But there's no one at Qi Condensation stage. Perhaps because we are nowhere near the center of the country, but the standards here are low.
What if I bring the head of a Golden Core cultivator...? A sect leader at that.
If I can increase my cultivation to at least late stages... it's doable. But I will need to do something drastic to gather a lot of Fear... which might be a good thing.
''I've decided. I will give Tiger Peak Sect a visit soon.''
But before that...
'Status'
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 634]
[Trauma: +521/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]
Infamy? Could it be... someone is spreading stories about me? Considering that most of the victims come from the Xu family, it must be the traumatized guards sharing their side of the story.
''Isn't this interesting...''
What if I create various stories, legends, or myths about myself? Wouldn't I be able to farm Fear even more efficiently than through Trauma? I can raise both at the same time...
Best of all, Infamy would eventually grow by itself through word of mouth...
'Interesting. Perhaps my theatrical performances will come in handy.'
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 676]
[Trauma: +521/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]