Morning sunlight spilled over the Azure Cloud Sect, painting the stone courtyards in gold. Disciples gathered in the training fields, sparring, gossiping, and boasting about their progress.
Chen Xuan stood among them, his plain, tattered robes making him look like a beggar compared to the shining silks of the inner sect hopefuls. Yet his expression was calm, almost serene.
No one noticed the faint glimmer in his eyes—the subtle trace of Charm Dao pulsing quietly.
---
Lan Mei was there again, practicing her sword form with determination. Each swing was precise, her brows furrowed in concentration. The other disciples admired her diligence, praising her as the "pride of the outer sect."
But Chen Xuan knew better. Diligent flower? Hah. You're nothing but a little thief in disguise.
He approached her once more, ignoring the sneers that followed.
"Back again?" one disciple muttered. "Didn't he embarrass himself enough yesterday?"
"Maybe he thinks pestering Lan Mei will earn him pity."
"He's hopeless."
Chen Xuan ignored them all. His steps were slow, deliberate, each movement infused with the faint aura of Charm Dao.
Lan Mei noticed him and frowned. "You again? Trash, haven't you learned your place?"
Chen Xuan gave a small, harmless smile. "I only came to apologize for yesterday, Junior Sister. My words were too forward. Please forgive me."
His tone was gentle, almost humble, but the hidden charm in his voice wove itself around her heart like silk threads.
Lan Mei stiffened, caught off guard again. She wanted to snap at him, but her tongue hesitated. For some reason, his voice no longer grated on her ears. Instead… it felt oddly pleasant.
"I… suppose you didn't mean harm," she muttered reluctantly.
The disciples nearby blinked in surprise. What? She didn't insult him?
Chen Xuan's smile widened slightly. He leaned closer, his words soft but sharp as a dagger.
"Junior Sister, I can see you train diligently, but…" His gaze flickered to her trembling arms. "No matter how hard you push yourself, your qi is unstable. Without proper pills, your foundation will always be flawed."
Lan Mei's grip on her sword tightened. Her eyes widened for an instant before she quickly masked her reaction. "W-What nonsense are you talking about?"
The system chimed:
> [Charm Dao activated.]
[Target's desire resonance: 35%. Hidden desire surfacing.]
[Harvest Progress: 2/10 Sin Points.]
Chen Xuan's grin turned wicked. So I was right. She desperately craves pills. Let's press deeper.
He lowered his voice, whispering just loud enough for her to hear.
"Junior Sister… I know where you can find what you need. Pills. Treasures. The very things you dream of at night."
Lan Mei froze, her breath catching in her throat. "Y-You…!"
Her face flushed red, half with anger, half with guilt. How could this trash know her secret?
Chen Xuan tilted his head, his smile full of mockery and charm. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. After all, even the purest flowers crave forbidden nectar. Isn't that so?"
The system rang again.
> [Target's desire resonance: 55%.]
[Harvest Progress: 5/10 Sin Points.]
Lan Mei's chest rose and fell rapidly. She turned away, glaring at him with trembling eyes. "You're… you're insane. Don't ever speak to me again!"
She stormed off, but her footsteps were uneven, her mind clearly shaken.
The other disciples burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! She's furious!"
"Trash got rejected again!"
"Pitiful!"
Chen Xuan ignored them all. His eyes followed Lan Mei's retreating back, his lips curling in a sinister grin.
Run all you like, little flower. The more you resist, the deeper your desires will take root. When the time comes, you'll beg me to water them.
The system chimed softly:
> [Mission update: Target Lan Mei's desire is 50% exposed. Final trigger required to harvest.]
Chen Xuan's heart raced with excitement. Almost there. Just one more push, and I'll claim my first harvest. Then the real game begins.
---
That night, under the moonlight, Chen Xuan sat cross-legged in his dorm. He closed his eyes, reviewing the Forbidden Shop once more.
— Forbidden Shop —
Charm Dao (Beginner) – Active
Sin Flame (Minor) – 15 Sin Points
Desire Manipulation (Fragment) – 20 Sin Points
Balance: 5 Sin Points (Lan Mei harvest pending completion).
Chen Xuan exhaled slowly, his smile sharp. Five points already… and soon, ten. Then I'll buy the Sin Flame. With fire that burns the soul, even elders won't be safe.
But his gaze flickered higher, beyond Lan Mei, beyond the petty disciples. He thought of Elder Zhang, with his filthy lust, and the Sect Master's youngest daughter, the untouchable fairy of the sect.
His eyes glowed in the darkness.
Lan Mei is only the beginning. Soon, I'll sink my claws into greater prey. And when the Sect Master's daughter finally falls into my grasp… even gods will tremble.
The room echoed once more with his low, wicked laughter.