The Lian Clan estate was cloaked in silence, broken only by the occasional call of night-crows perched along the black stone walls. In the heart of the compound, a dim chamber lay hidden beneath the Patriarch's hall—a chamber Zhen had claimed as his own. No one dared to disturb him now. Not after the duel. Not after he had proven that he was not just the Patriarch's son, but a rising force within the clan.
And yet, as Zhen sat cross-legged in the flickering torchlight, he knew the true reason behind his sudden growth: the System.
The blue screen shimmered before his eyes, patient and unwavering.
[Villain Archive: Poison Monarch of the Fallen East – Bond Strength: 1%]
[New Function Unlocked: Venomous Seed Cultivation]
Zhen's lips curved. "So the Monarch finally stirs."
The void within his System Space rippled. From one of the endless black doors emerged a figure—tall, skeletal, draped in rotting silks. The Poison Monarch's eyes gleamed with a dim green glow, his voice rasping like dry leaves.
"You amuse me, boy," the Monarch hissed. "You endured the flames of blood, and even dared summon shadow. But strength must be tempered. Power, without subtlety, is wasted. Do you understand?"
Zhen nodded. "Subtlety. Poison in the veins instead of a blade in the chest."
The Monarch's grin widened, baring yellowed teeth. "Good. Then you are ready."
The chamber warped around them. Zhen found himself inside the Monarch's memory—an ancient alchemy hall filled with cauldrons, shelves of withered herbs, and jars brimming with writhing creatures. The Monarch raised a hand, and spectral fumes coiled into the shape of a blooming flower—its petals glistening with venom.
"This is the Venomous Seed," the Monarch intoned. "It is no simple toxin. It is the essence of corruption itself. Cultivate it, nurture it, and it will serve you more loyally than any blade. Feed it with your enemies, and it will blossom into a tree whose roots will strangle nations."
Zhen's eyes narrowed. "And if I fail?"
The Monarch laughed. "Then the seed feeds on you instead."
Zhen's body convulsed as he returned to reality, cold sweat pouring down his brow. In his palm lay a faint speck of green light, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. The Venomous Seed.
The System confirmed it:
[Venomous Seed Acquired]
[Stage 1: Requires nourishment – Living Essence]
Zhen exhaled slowly, clutching the seed. A dangerous tool. One that would make him walk the line between cultivator and monster. Yet, wasn't that what he needed? Wasn't that what the clan needed? Subtlety. Fear. Power beyond the obvious.
He tucked the seed deep into his dantian, feeling its faint pulse merge with his soul. Already, it whispered to him—half promise, half hunger.
The next day, the Blackflame training grounds echoed with shouts. Young clan disciples sparred with wooden blades, flames and smoke rising as they competed under the eyes of stern instructors. Zhen walked among them silently, his presence now commanding the respect of even the boldest.
Whispers followed him.
"That's the Patriarch's son… the one who defeated Yao Fen."
"His aura… it's different. Colder."
"Did you hear? The Elders are watching him closely."
Zhen ignored them all. He had other plans. His gaze drifted toward the corner of the grounds where a small cage sat, holding a half-dead beast—a wolf with black fur and broken fangs. A training tool, discarded after serving its purpose.
The Venomous Seed pulsed within him.
Zhen's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Perfect."
When dusk fell, and the disciples dispersed, Zhen returned alone. He knelt by the cage, his fingers tracing the rusted bars. The wolf snarled weakly, baring its fangs.
"You fear me," Zhen murmured, "but tonight, you serve me."
He pressed his palm against the beast's fur. The Venomous Seed stirred, releasing a faint green mist that seeped into the creature's veins. The wolf convulsed, whining in agony, as its body twisted and black veins bulged beneath its skin.
Zhen's eyes gleamed. "Yes… devour. Grow."
The wolf's eyes glazed with madness, its body shrinking into a husk as the seed pulsed brighter within Zhen's core. He felt it—its roots extending, its hunger momentarily sated. The wolf collapsed, dead, its body no more than brittle ash.
[Venomous Seed Nourished: Stage 1 → 5%]
Zhen sat back, trembling with exhilaration. The power was intoxicating. Dangerous. But necessary.
A sudden voice echoed behind him.
"You…"
Zhen froze. Slowly, he turned. A figure stepped out from the shadows—it was Lian Mei, his younger cousin, her wide eyes fixed on the ashen remains of the wolf.
"You… what did you do?" she whispered, horror in her voice.
Zhen's heart pounded. He had two choices: silence her with fear, or… twist this into something useful.
He stood, his expression calm, almost gentle. "You saw nothing, Mei. What you see here is the foundation of something greater—for me, for the clan. But if you speak of it carelessly, the Elders will not understand. They will destroy what could one day protect us all."
Her lips trembled. "Protect… us?"
Zhen stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. His voice lowered, silky, persuasive. "Do you want the Lian Clan to be feared? To rise above all others? Then trust me. What I do here is not weakness. It is power. Our power."
Lian Mei's eyes flickered with doubt… but also with curiosity. She was young. Impressionable.
"I… I won't tell," she whispered at last.
Zhen's lips curved. "Good girl."
As she left, still shaken, Zhen returned to the ashes of the wolf. The Venomous Seed pulsed within him like a second heart.
Whispering.
Hunger never ends.
And neither will I.