Morning sunlight bled over the Nine Flames Heavenly Clan, casting the ancient halls in gold. But beneath the serene beauty, unrest festered. The disciples whispered in shadows, elders debated behind closed doors, and rumors of "the tribulation-devourer" spread like wildfire.
Feng Xuanlong sat cross-legged in his courtyard, surrounded by black fire. Each breath drew threads of qi into his dantian, where they twisted into abyssal flame. But cultivation alone was not enough.
The Villain System reminded him:
[Quest: Devour three elite geniuses of the clan.]
[Reward: Dao-Plundering Chains.]
His eyes opened, red as burning coals. "Three geniuses…" He murmured. "Who shall be the first to fall?"
The answer came swiftly.
[Target identified: Feng Jinhai.]
[Rank: Inner Disciple Elite. Flame Root, Fire-Eagle Physique. Destined to become a Core Elder in the future timeline.]
[Fate Value: Medium.]
A faint golden thread shimmered before Xuanlong's eyes, connecting Feng Jinhai to the clan's glory in the years to come.
He chuckled. "Perfect."
Later that day, the clan's martial arena thundered with shouts. Feng Jinhai, tall and broad-shouldered, sparred against a group of disciples, his crimson spear dancing like lightning. Flames erupted with each strike, and cheers rose from his supporters.
"Senior Brother Jinhai is unmatched!"
"His Fire-Eagle Spear art is unstoppable!"
When the match ended, Jinhai stood proud, chest heaving, sweat glistening on his skin. It was then that Feng Xuanlong stepped into the arena.
"Jinhai." His voice cut through the noise like a blade.
All eyes turned. Murmurs broke out.
"It's him…"
"The calamity…"
"Why is he here?"
Jinhai's confident grin faltered slightly. He turned, spear resting against his shoulder. "Cousin. What brings you here?"
Xuanlong's crimson gaze locked onto him. "I require your strength. Or rather…" His lips curved. "…your fate."
The arena fell silent.
Jinhai's face darkened. "You insult me before the clan?"
"I merely state truth." Xuanlong raised a hand, black flames coiling around his palm. "Fight me. If you win, I will kneel before you. If you lose…" His smile sharpened. "You will no longer need your destiny."
Gasps echoed.
"This… this is madness!"
"He challenges his own kin?"
But deep within, the disciples' blood burned. They wanted to see it—the clash of two prodigies.
Jinhai roared, qi erupting as fiery wings spread from his back. "Then so be it!"
The battle began.
Jinhai lunged forward, spear blazing, the image of a crimson eagle screaming behind him. His Fire-Eagle Physique surged, body overflowing with explosive might. Each strike cracked stone, scattering disciples.
But Xuanlong did not retreat.
The Heaven-Devouring Scripture awakened within him. Black fire erupted, twisting into serpents that lunged at Jinhai's spear. The flames clashed—red against black, heaven's fire against abyssal hunger.
For a moment, they seemed equal. Then Xuanlong whispered, "Devour."
The black fire surged, swallowing Jinhai's flames whole. The spear dimmed, its blaze extinguished, leaving only shock on Jinhai's face.
"What—impossible—!"
Before he could recover, Xuanlong closed the distance, striking with a palm wreathed in devouring qi. It slammed into Jinhai's chest, not breaking bone, but piercing deeper—into his fate.
A golden thread snapped. Jinhai coughed blood, collapsing to one knee as his qi dimmed, his wings withering.
The system chimed:
[Target Devoured: Feng Jinhai.]
[Reward: 1,000 VP. Partial Flame-Eagle Physique absorbed.]
Xuanlong exhaled, black flames flickering around him. Strength surged into his body, his veins humming with stolen power. Above, a fragment of Jinhai's destiny unraveled and coiled into his abyssal core.
The arena was silent, disciples frozen in fear.
Xuanlong looked down at his cousin, broken and pale. "You should be grateful, Jinhai. Your destiny will not go to waste—it will serve a greater throne."
He turned and left, black fire trailing in his wake.
Behind him, whispers erupted.
"He… he stole Senior Brother Jinhai's strength…"
"Monster…"
"No… not monster. Demon."
That night, the system spoke again.
[Progress: 1/3 geniuses devoured.]
[Partial unlock: Dao-Plundering Chains (Embryonic).]
Chains of black light shimmered faintly in his dantian, slithering like serpents eager for prey.
Xuanlong's smile deepened. "Good. Two more meals, and the clan will never bind me again."
But far away, under the shattered altar where Ye Tianxing lay broken, faint motes of golden light descended from the heavens. His body trembled, his soul wrapped in fate's embrace.
The heavens had not abandoned their Chosen.
And soon, he would rise again.