At this moment, every cultivator of the Chen family froze in place. They watched Chen Xiao with hesitant awe, unsure of how to act.
Everyone knew the history: Chen Xiao and Xiao Yueqing had been childhood companions, growing up side by side. Their bond was deep, natural. In Aurora City, Chen Xiao was a devil unrestrained by rules or taboos—even Chen Junluo could not hold him back. Yet, there was one person he obeyed without question: Xiao Yueqing, his childhood sweetheart, though not related by blood.
Many had long speculated that Xiao Yueqing was a better match for Chen Xiao than even Liu Ruyan.
When Liu Yuanzun saw Xiao Yueqing step forward, his eyes shone with anticipation, expecting Chen Xiao to falter, to yield.
But Chen Xiao's spirit trembled ever so slightly.
There was a hazy green light in Xiao Yueqing's eyes, like an invisible flying sword, piercing Chen Xiao's mind in an instant. His thoughts wavered, his mind dazed.
Just as he felt himself about to lose control, a clap of thunder resounded within his body. The "Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture for Controlling Disasters" roared to life, surging through him. Chen Xiao's eyes regained their sharp clarity.
A half-smile curved on his lips. "So… you paid the ten million high-grade spirit stones on behalf of the Liu family?"
Relief washed over the Chen family cultivators. They had feared that, for the sake of a woman, their young master might abandon the Liu family entirely.
Xiao Yueqing's expression shifted, disbelief flashing across her face. She had never imagined that Chen Xiao could break free from her mental intrusion.
Before she could react further, Chen Xiao stepped forward, seizing her collar with a firm grip.
Xiao Yueqing struggled, only to realize her movements were restricted. Her true essence stagnated, her cultivation, though late Jindan stage, entirely sealed.
It was Chen Xiao's shadow demon incarnation at work. Just as he had subdued Nangong Qi, now the same method restrained Xiao Yueqing. The shadow demon, a Yuanying stage entity, acted with flawless precision.
"Xiao Yueqing," Chen Xiao's voice was calm, yet icy, "you are an orphan. The Chen family has treated you well all these years. Flying swords, magical weapons, elixirs, cultivation techniques—whatever you desired, we provided. Never unfairly, never partially. And yet… this is how you repay us?"
He stepped closer. "I never expected you to be so ungrateful. Don't think I don't know—you and Nangong Qi have colluded for a long time!"
Xiao Yueqing's face drained of color. The blue light in her eyes pulsed violently, almost screaming in defiance. Yet Chen Xiao's focus was unwavering. Around him, illusions flickered and twisted, designed to cloud perception.
Bang!
But the "Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture for Controlling Disasters" surged uncontrollably. Not a single illusion touched him. With a sudden motion, he slapped Xiao Yueqing across the face.
Her delicate features swelled immediately. Shocked, she faltered. And just like that, all illusions vanished.
Chen Xiao's gaze hardened, cold as steel, locking onto her still-shimmering green eyes. "You were born with spiritual pupils, correct?"
He waved toward his subordinates. "Take her back. Lock her in the family prison."
A collective gasp arose. The Chen family prison was reserved for traitors and dangerous cultivators. Chen Wenyuan, the fourth elder, had once been confined there. And now… Chen Xiao intended to imprison Xiao Yueqing?
Yet, as the Chen family cultivators moved decisively, none dared resist. They drew the soul-binding chains, restraining Xiao Yueqing.
Xiao Yueqing's panic was palpable. She had never imagined that, after a single night apart, Chen Xiao would seem transformed. Normally, without the use of her spiritual pupils, he would obey her in everything. With them, he had none of the usual resistance. Now, however… he was untouchable.
"Chen Xiao!" Her voice trembled. "You can't do this to me!"
The Chen family cultivators remained impassive, binding her fully.
And then, Chen Xiao spoke again. His words caused some among the onlookers to raise a brow in quiet satisfaction.
The young master, despite appearances, still could not part entirely from his childhood sweetheart. Xiao Yueqing, catching the subtle nuance, let out a sigh of relief, a trace of pride in her eyes.
Chen Xiao, however, waved his hand, expression neutral. "Her eyes… cover them. There's something strange."
Xiao Yueqing's hope vanished completely. At that moment, she realized her mistake—coming forward to aid Nangong Qi had been catastrophic. Too late now.
The Chen family cultivators decisively sealed her spiritual pupils and escorted her back to the Chen family.
Meanwhile, Liu Yuanzun and the rest of the Liu family watched in despair. Their household had been utterly emptied. Over three hundred cultivators, regardless of age, gender, or rank, had their cultivation sealed and were sent to the mines outside Aurora City. Others, who were not present, were actively pursued.
"Damn it! Why is this happening?!" Nangong Qi's roars of frustration echoed in an inconspicuous inn.
For the first time, as the destined villain, he had faced the protagonist. And yet… not only had he failed to suppress Chen Xiao, he had lost face. Worse, the villain system had expended massive energy protecting him, only to be bested.
Host, Chen Xiao is the Child of Destiny. He is not easily subdued, the system muttered. Also, we misjudged him previously.
Nangong Qi's fury cooled slightly, replaced by contemplation. Chen Xiao's actions today were more villainous than any scheme Nangong Qi had enacted himself.
Do not target the Child of Destiny yet. Continue to seize opportunities, the system reminded.
Nangong Qi's gaze sharpened. Sikong Zhao, originally Chen Xiao's subordinate, was now under his influence. The destined heroine, too, had been conquered. Every subordinate carried fragments of the fortune of Heaven.
Tomorrow's Xiantian Fanling Pill auction cannot be missed. The Daluo Sword Cauldron on Yuxia Mountain is another key opportunity. Seize it!
The system's words hardened Nangong Qi's resolve. He would not hesitate.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiao had arrived at the Chen family prison. Built by an immortal who had survived a heavenly tribulation, it held 180,000 prohibitions. Escape below the level of an immortal was impossible. Xiao Yueqing had been placed in a cell on the outskirts.
Chen Xiao stood before the cell door, silently observing her, communicating with Yun Ranran.
"Master, I want to extract Xiao Yueqing's spiritual pupils and transplant them to someone else. Is that possible?"
Yun Ranran hesitated, stunned. "If you remove her eyes… she will be crippled. Are you sure you can bear that?"
Xiao Yueqing had been the heroine, carefully chosen because she and Chen Xiao had naturally bonded.
Chen Xiao's expression darkened. "The Heavenly Dao Scroll shows that Xiao Yueqing played a major role in the downfall of my Chen family. If I spare her, she will strike back eventually."
He added calmly, "If I didn't want her eyes, she would already be dead."
His affection for her had always been faint. His engagement to Liu Ruyan, though brief, reflected that. He had once obeyed Xiao Yueqing completely, mostly under the influence of her spiritual eyes. Over the years, the Chen family had cultivated her lavishly, only to raise someone so ungrateful.
Yun Ranran's voice resonated once more. "Good. I feared you might be soft-hearted. Natural spiritual pupils are divine, condensed from the destiny of Heaven. To transplant them, you will need the Daluo Sword Cauldron."
Chen Xiao's eyes gleamed, anticipation and resolve mixing. Tomorrow, the next step would begin.