The echoes of the Bloodstone Trial still rang in Lian Zhen's bones. Even as the elders whispered among themselves in shock, he lowered his head, concealing the faint curve of his lips. Victory was his, but it was not the bloodline alone that saved him—it was the shadow of the Villains. The Elders believed he had merely awakened his heritage, but only he knew the truth: within him pulsed the power of a hundred thousand devils.
"Patriarch's son… worthy indeed," an Elder muttered. Another sneered, "Worthy? We shall see. A bloodline test proves nothing. Talent decides destiny."
Their skepticism didn't matter. In fact, Zhen preferred it. Suspicion was dangerous, but underestimation? That was a weapon.
As the Patriarch dismissed the gathering, Zhen was led away. The heavy doors of the Grand Hall closed behind them, but his father did not speak. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the sound of their footsteps.
At last, Patriarch Lian Xu halted. He turned, his gaze sharp enough to pierce Zhen's skin.
"You survived. Good. But survival is not enough. From now on, every eye in the clan will weigh your worth. If you falter, you will not only shame me—you will die."
Zhen bowed lightly, hiding the spark in his eyes. "Understood, Father."
The Patriarch grunted and walked away, his cloak sweeping like a shadow behind him. Left alone, Zhen clenched his fists.
Die? Perhaps. But if I die, I'll drag the entire clan into the abyss with me.
That night, Zhen returned to his chambers. His body ached from the trial, but his mind blazed with hunger. The moment his head touched the cold pillow, the void of the System Space unfolded once more before him.
[100,000 Villains System Active]
Villain Archive Access: 3 / 100,000
Quests Available: None
Current State: Stable
The black doors loomed around him again, each one humming with sinister life. The Poison Monarch's laughter echoed faintly, and Kongtu's halberd clanged against unseen stone. From the mist, the Shadow Maiden Yue appeared, her black veil fluttering in an invisible wind.
"You bore their flames well," she whispered, her voice brushing against his soul. "But fire is the weakest trial you will face. This clan… your so-called family… they will tear you apart before the year ends."
"I know," Zhen answered coldly. "That's why I must strike first. But strength—" he clenched his jaw "—strength alone isn't enough. I need knowledge. I need schemes."
From the distance, a deep rasping laugh shook the void. The Poison Monarch emerged, his robes dripping with black venom that corroded even the air.
"Schemes? Heh. Child, you carry the legacies of ten thousand schemers. But what use are schemes if you lack the venom to bite?" His glowing eyes narrowed. "Choose wisely which of us you draw upon. Power always carries a price."
Before Zhen could reply, the System chimed again.
[Host has endured the Trial of Bloodstone]
Reward Issued: +10 Villain Archives Unlocked
Villains Accessible: 13 / 100,000
Newly Unlocked:
Iron Witch of the West (Curses, Bone Rituals)
Lord of Silent Graves (Necromancy, Death Puppets)
Crimson Serpent Empress (Poison Qi, Seduction Arts)
Three-Eyed Strategist (Tactics, War Arrays)
Phantom Blade Xie (Assassination, Sword Arts)
And others…
Zhen's breath caught. Thirteen legacies. Thirteen voices. A small fraction of the whole, yet already overwhelming.
If I can just learn to control them… I won't need to fear anyone. Not the clan. Not even the heavens.
The Three-Eyed Strategist stepped forward, his third eye glowing faintly with cold wisdom. "System host, heed this: conceal your hand. Let your enemies believe you are weak. Only then will the strike be fatal."
Zhen smiled thinly. "That… I can do."
The following morning, Zhen awoke with renewed resolve. His body was still fragile, but his mind was sharp as a blade. As he stepped outside his chamber, whispers greeted him.
"That's the Patriarch's son, isn't it? Passed the Bloodstone Trial, they say."
"Barely. Rumor is he nearly failed. Tch. He won't last a month."
"Don't let the Patriarch hear you say that. Still… he looks weak. An easy target."
Zhen kept walking, his expression calm. Inside, he was sneering.
Weak? Yes. That's exactly what I want you to believe.
At the clan's training grounds, disciples sparred beneath the red dawn. Blades clashed, qi flared, and shouts echoed across the field. Zhen was expected to participate, though everyone anticipated his humiliation.
"Zhen," a mocking voice called. A tall youth with sharp eyes and a cruel smile stepped forward. "It seems even trash can crawl out of the mud. Care for a match?"
The surrounding disciples snickered. This was Lian Fei, a cousin infamous for bullying weaker members. He thrived on humiliation.
Zhen tilted his head. "If trash challenges trash, doesn't that make us the same?"
Gasps rose. Lian Fei's smile twisted. "Big words for someone who trembled on the Bloodstone. Don't worry—I'll be gentle."
Zhen's gaze hardened, though his lips remained calm. Inwardly, he whispered:
System. Villain Archive. Show me my options.
[Archive Display]
Shadow Maiden Yue: Assassination, Stealth, Illusions
Kongtu, Slayer of Heroes: Martial Domination
Phantom Blade Xie: Sword Arts
The System prompt flashed again.
[Temporary Skill Borrow Available: Choose 1 Legacy Skill (Duration: 10 minutes)]
Zhen's eyes glimmered. Perfect.
"I accept," he said aloud, stepping onto the sparring platform.
The duel began. Lian Fei charged, his blade sweeping down with raw force. The spectators roared, expecting Zhen to be cut down instantly.
But at the last second, Zhen whispered:
"Borrow: Phantom Blade Arts."
[Skill Borrow Activated: Phantom Blade Xie's Silent Cut]
Suddenly, his movements shifted. A strange fluidity entered his body, his steps vanishing into silence. When Lian Fei's strike descended, Zhen's figure blurred. The blade cut through empty air.
"What—?!" Lian Fei stumbled, but before he could recover, a cold edge kissed his throat. Zhen's practice blade pressed lightly against the skin, his stance relaxed, his eyes calm.
The crowd fell silent.
In an instant, the underdog had reversed the duel.
Zhen withdrew the blade with a faint smile. "Gentle enough for you?"
The disciples gasped. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Impossible… how did he move like that?"
"His qi was unstable yesterday. This isn't natural…"
Lian Fei's face burned with humiliation, but he forced a sneer. "A lucky trick. Next time, you won't escape."
Zhen ignored him. He had proven enough.
The System chimed softly in his mind:
[First Duel Completed]
Reward: Villain Points +10
Villain Points may be used to unlock or upgrade legacy skills.
That night, Zhen sat cross-legged in his chamber, the void of the System unfolding before him once more. The voices of the villains were louder now, each whisper dripping with temptation.
"Use my curses. Break their bones."
"Summon the dead. Let them bow to you."
"Spread poison in their veins. Make them beg."
So many paths. So much power.
But Zhen only smiled coldly.
"Power is meaningless without control. I won't be a puppet—not to the clan, not to you."
The Three-Eyed Strategist chuckled approvingly. "Cunning, restraint, patience. Good. You may yet be worthy of us."
As the voices faded, Zhen's eyes opened in the darkness of his chamber. A new fire burned within them.
He was no longer simply the Patriarch's son. He was the host of the 100,000 Villains System.
And soon, the clan would learn: every whisper, every sneer, every threat—they were merely kindling for the storm he would unleash.