The next morning, the Azure Cloud Sect bustled with life. Disciples rushed about carrying wooden buckets of spirit water, sparring in the courtyards, or tending to medicinal fields. The mountain air smelled of pine and incense, but for Chen Xuan, the day carried a sharper taste—anticipation.
He was summoned to the training field again. Elder Zhang stood at the front, cane in hand, his gaze sweeping across the kneeling disciples.
When Chen Xuan arrived, Elder Zhang's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Trash. From today onward, you will clean the Beast Pens every morning. If you fail, you can forget about staying in this sect."
Laughter rippled through the disciples.
"Hahaha, Beast Pens? He'll be lucky not to get eaten alive!"
"Trash cleaning trash!"
Chen Xuan bowed respectfully, his face calm. "Yes, Elder Zhang."
But inside, his heart raced. Perfect. Just as I expected. This is my chance.
---
The Beast Pens were located on the eastern slope of the mountain. A row of tall wooden cages stood beneath a canopy of ironwood trees, each cage filled with snarling spiritual beasts—scaled wolves, horned boars, and spirit-venom serpents. Their glowing eyes followed Chen Xuan hungrily as he approached with a broom and bucket.
The stench of beast dung hit him like a wall, but Chen Xuan didn't frown. Instead, he smirked. For the first time since coming to this world, I'm exactly where I want to be.
As he shoveled filth, he activated the Desire Scanner on passing disciples who came to feed the beasts.
> [Target: Wei Jun]
[Hidden Desire: Secretly jealous of his senior brother's sword technique. Wants to cripple him.]
> [Target: Lan Mei]
[Hidden Desire: Dreams of sneaking into inner sect treasure vault to steal cultivation pills.]
Chen Xuan chuckled quietly. Hypocrites, every last one of them. Hiding their dirty thoughts while calling me trash. Just wait. I'll strip every mask from your faces.
---
Not long after, footsteps echoed. Elder Zhang himself appeared, hands behind his back, inspecting the pens. He frowned at Chen Xuan's sweat-stained robe. "Hmph. At least you know your place."
Chen Xuan lowered his head. "Disciple thanks Elder for the guidance."
But secretly, he activated the Scanner again.
> [Target: Elder Zhang]
[Hidden Desire: Secretly lusts after Sect Master's youngest daughter. Fears exposure.]
The system chimed.
> [Mission Progress: 0% → Waiting for Host's action.]
Chen Xuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, his mind racing. He's alone. This is the moment.
He took a shaky breath, then spoke in a hesitant voice, loud enough for Elder Zhang to hear. "Elder Zhang… I—I saw something strange yesterday near the Sect Master's courtyard."
Elder Zhang froze. His expression darkened instantly. "What did you say?"
Chen Xuan lowered his head further, his voice trembling. "I… I might be mistaken. I just thought I saw Elder… near the courtyard… looking inside."
Elder Zhang's eyes went wide. His cane slammed against the ground, cracking the stone tile. "Trash! Do you dare slander me?!"
But Chen Xuan saw it—the flicker of panic in his eyes. His lips curved in the faintest of smiles. Hook, line, and sinker.
The system chimed again.
> [Mission Progress: 50%. Target's hidden desire disturbed.]
Chen Xuan stammered, feigning fear. "N-no, Elder! I wouldn't dare! I… I just didn't know what I saw…"
Elder Zhang grabbed his collar, eyes bloodshot. "You saw nothing! Do you understand me?!"
Chen Xuan trembled dramatically, nodding quickly. "Yes, Elder! I swear I'll never speak of it."
But inside, his laughter roared. There it is—the fear of exposure. Show me more, old dog. Show me your dirty heart.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
> [Ding! Mission complete.]
[You have harvested: 10 Sin Points.]
A faint warmth surged through Chen Xuan's body, flowing into his meridians. His qi, once stagnant, stirred for the first time since he'd entered this body. His cultivation, stuck at the very bottom of the 2nd stage of Body Refinement, suddenly advanced half a step.
Chen Xuan lowered his head, hiding his ecstatic grin. My first harvest… success.
Elder Zhang released him, glaring coldly. "Remember this, boy. If you dare spread nonsense, I'll cripple you with my own hands."
Chen Xuan bowed deeply. "Disciple understands."
Elder Zhang harrumphed and left, his robes billowing behind him.
The moment he disappeared, Chen Xuan straightened slowly. His trembling stopped, replaced by calm arrogance. His eyes glowed faintly as he summoned the Forbidden Shop.
— Forbidden Shop —
Charm Dao (Beginner) – 10 Sin Points
Sin Flame (Minor) – 15 Sin Points
Desire Manipulation (Fragment) – 20 Sin Points
Balance: 10 Sin Points.
Chen Xuan didn't hesitate.
"System. Buy Charm Dao."
> [Purchase successful. Charm Dao (Beginner) acquired.]
A rush of energy flowed into him. His voice, his gaze, his very presence felt subtly enhanced, as though invisible threads of allure now wrapped around him.
Chen Xuan clenched his fists, his grin wicked. "Elder Zhang, you tried to bury me in beast shit… but instead, you just gave me my wings. From today, I'll turn every desire in this sect into my power."
The spirit beasts in their cages growled lowly, as if sensing the devil that had been born among them.