The morning sun rose over the Nine Flames Heavenly Clan, but the usual serenity had vanished. The courtyards buzzed with tension. Xuanlong's victories over the clan's elite prodigies and the humiliation of Ye Tianxing had shifted the balance of power. Fear mingled with awe, and the whispers carried a singular, unsettling truth: Feng Xuanlong was no longer a prodigy. He was a sovereign of chaos.
Feng Xuanlong, however, walked as if nothing had changed. Black flames lingered around his robes, dancing with every step. Crimson eyes scanned the courtyard, noting the subtle shifts in posture, the trembling hands, the fleeting glances toward him. All threads of fear, loyalty, and curiosity were visible to him now—thanks to the Villain System.
[New Quest: Solidify internal power by binding the loyalty of five harem candidates. Reward: VP and Fate Fragments.]
Xuanlong smiled faintly. A feast of fate, and I am hungry.
The first target was Yan Ruyan, already partially loyal but still tethered by residual fate threads pointing to other prodigies and her own clan obligations. Xuanlong found her in the gardens, arranging spirit herbs with meticulous care, her robes fluttering like snow in the morning breeze.
He approached silently. "Ruyan."
She looked up, eyes wide. "Senior Brother… you… you are here again?"
"I am here to speak," he said, his voice smooth, his aura radiating a quiet but dangerous dominance. "Not as a prodigy, not as a villain… but as the one who controls fate itself."
Her lips parted, then closed. She had witnessed his battles, seen the way Heaven's Chosen faltered before him, felt the black fire that danced in his veins. A shiver ran down her spine.
The system prompted:
[Condition met: Strengthen loyalty through conversation and emotional bond. +100 VP.]
Xuanlong stepped closer. "Ruyan, do you fear me?"
She hesitated, caught between fascination and caution. "I… I do. But I… also trust you."
"Good," he murmured. Trust is a beginning. Loyalty will follow.
[Reward: Fate Fragment obtained. Loyalty strengthened.]
Next, Xuanlong moved to Liu Meiyu, a disciple famed for her intelligence and grace. Unlike Yan Ruyan, Meiyu had no prior attachment to him, but her aptitude and insight made her an invaluable addition to his inner circle.
He found her in the library, studying ancient cultivation scrolls. The black flames flared subtly at his approach, unnoticed by others.
"Senior Brother Xuanlong," she greeted politely, though her eyes betrayed curiosity and subtle unease.
"I have come to discuss your potential," he said, voice low, inviting yet commanding. "A person of your talent should not serve the ordinary. Join me, and your Dao comprehension will flourish beyond any mortal limits."
Her fingers froze on the scroll. "You… you offer this freely?"
"Not freely," he corrected. "I take. And in return, I give you opportunity, power… and protection. Your fate is mine to shape as much as yours is to follow."
The system chimed:
[Loyalty acquisition attempt: Successful. +150 VP, Fate Fragment obtained.]
Meiyu bowed slightly, eyes wide but determined. "I… accept, Senior Brother."
Xuanlong smiled faintly. One more thread of fate entwined with his own.
The final candidate for the morning was Jiang Qianyu, a fiery young woman with unrivaled sword technique and an independent spirit. She had resisted many attempts at persuasion, pride her primary weapon.
Xuanlong found her training near the cliff edge, sword flashing like silver lightning. He did not interrupt her. Instead, he allowed the Villain System to guide him.
[Suggested method: Demonstrate power and subtle mercy to inspire loyalty.]
He stepped forward suddenly, black flames erupting around him. Jiang Qianyu turned, sword raised instinctively. A clash seemed inevitable.
Instead, Xuanlong displayed his mastery. With a mere flick, black flames enveloped a boulder near her, crushing it without harming her. "Observe," he said, voice calm. "Power without cruelty is wasted. Power with cruelty is meaningless. Choose wisely where your loyalty lies."
Her breath caught. Pride warred with instinct, yet she recognized the truth in his words. With a subtle nod, she lowered her sword slightly.
[Loyalty acquisition: Partial. +120 VP, Fate Fragment obtained.]
Xuanlong smiled. Three candidates secured. Two remained. Soon, his inner circle—and his harem—would be complete.
As night fell, Xuanlong sat atop the clan's highest tower, gazing at the moon. The black flames of his cultivation danced in the cool night air.
The Villain System spoke:
[New Quest Available: Consolidate all five harem candidates, prepare for external threats from Celestial Star Sect. + VP and Fate Fragments for completion.][Warning: Heaven's Chosen Ye Tianxing remains a threat. Observation recommended.]
A faint smile touched Xuanlong's lips. "Good. Let the outside world notice. Let them fear. Let them come."
Far away, the Celestial Star Sect stirred. Ye Tianxing had returned to full strength, though he bore the subtle scars of his humiliation. Golden threads of fate shimmered above him, sensing the growing shadow of Xuanlong's power.
One of the elders murmured, "The Nine Flames prodigy… he has gained followers within his clan. He grows stronger with every passing moment. This is no ordinary rebellion against Heaven—it is a reshaping of fate itself."
Ye Tianxing's gaze hardened. "Feng Xuanlong… your time will come. Heaven's Chosen cannot be humiliated twice."
Back at the clan, Xuanlong exhaled slowly, crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight. Around him, three more threads of loyalty shimmered faintly, bound to him by will, fear, and fascination. His inner circle was taking shape, each candidate chosen not by destiny, but by his own design.
Above, the stars glittered faintly, almost whispering of the coming storm. Fate had shifted, and the Heaven-Devouring Villain stood at the center, waiting, patient, unstoppable.
Let Heaven, let mortals, let even Ye Tianxing come. I am ready. Fate itself shall bow—or break.