Chapter: The Grind for Power and the Demonic Sect
The Grind for Power
For the next two to three months, Lonas devoted himself entirely to cultivation. Day and night, he hunted powerful beasts deep within the jungle, using every battle to sharpen his combat instincts and strengthen his body.
His relentless training paid off. By the end of those months, he had reached the Peak of Level 3 – Martial Practice.
During this period, Lonas also gained a deeper understanding of the world's cultivation system. Every race—Humans, Beasts, and Demons—followed the same hierarchy of power.
The cultivation realms were:
Level 1: Body Training
Level 2: Body Refining
Level 3: Martial Practice
Level 4: Martial Master
Level 5: Martial Grandmaster
Level 6: Martial King
Level 7: Martial Emperor
Level 8: Martial Great Emperor
Level 9: Martial Supreme
Level 10: Martial Saint
Beyond the Mortal Realm existed the legendary realms that countless cultivators dreamed of reaching:
Martial Arts Realm
Immortal Realm
Divine Immortal Realm
These were powers capable of shaking the heavens themselves.
The Breakthrough
Although Lonas had reached the peak of Level 3, he knew that breaking into Level 4 – Martial Master required a powerful catalyst.
He entered a nearby city and purchased a Level 4 Breakthrough Elixir.
The price was enormous—5,000 Gold Coins.
To ordinary cultivators, such an amount represented years of savings.
Lonas didn't hesitate.
After buying the pill, he traveled to a hidden cave deep in the mountains where nobody could disturb his cultivation.
Normally, a cultivator would require nearly twenty minutes to absorb such a powerful elixir.
Lonas, however, was different.
As the world's greatest assassin in his previous life, his concentration and control over energy had reached an unbelievable level.
In only two minutes, every drop of medicinal energy had been completely refined.
A tremendous surge of spiritual power exploded from his body.
Boom!
His cultivation instantly broke through.
Level 4 – Martial Master.
The Villain System Awakens
The moment his breakthrough was complete, a cold mechanical voice echoed inside his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully reached Level 4."
"The Villain System has been successfully activated."
Lonas slowly opened his eyes before a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"A Villain System?"
He chuckled quietly.
"I was never a hero to begin with."
"In my previous life, I was the world's greatest assassin."
The System issued its very first mission.
"Mission: Enter the city and commit an act worthy of a true villain."
Lonas smiled even wider.
"Sounds interesting."
The Encounter
After returning to the city, fate placed someone directly in his path.
It was Shie, the younger brother of Lonas' former fiancée—the woman who had betrayed him.
The moment Shie saw Lonas, he burst into laughter.
"So you're still alive?"
"I thought trash like you would have died in the forest."
Lonas simply looked at him before revealing a terrifying smile.
"Oh..."
"It's my ex-fiancée's little lapdog."
Shie's face twisted with rage.
"How dare you insult my sister!"
Despite being only Peak Level 1, he recklessly charged toward Lonas.
Lonas didn't even bother drawing his weapon.
Slap!
One casual strike sent Shie flying across the street before crashing heavily into the ground.
Blood poured from his mouth.
The Six Guards
The six guards protecting Shie immediately surrounded Lonas.
Each of them was between Level 1 and Level 2.
Without saying a word, Lonas slowly unsheathed his sword.
A silver flash cut through the air.
Before anyone realized what had happened...
Six heads rolled across the ground.
The bodies remained standing for a brief moment before collapsing into pools of blood.
The entire street fell silent.
The System spoke once again.
"Ding!"
"Host has killed six Level 1–2 enemies."
"Reward: 300 Villain Coins."
Shie's End
Shie trembled with fear.
"You... you don't know who my sister is!"
"She'll kill you!"
Lonas walked toward him with calm footsteps.
"I know exactly who she is."
"That's why you're dying first."
Without hesitation, he executed Shie in an exceptionally cruel manner, ensuring his enemy suffered before death. The spectators watched in frozen silence, horrified by Lonas' complete lack of mercy.
The terrifying scene left everyone speechless.
Even the Villain System seemed surprised.
"Ding! Ding! Ding!"
"Host has committed an act of extreme villainy."
"Reward: 5,000 Villain Coins."
Standing amidst the blood-covered street, Lonas slowly wiped the blood from his face and smiled.
To the horrified crowd...
That smile looked more frightening than any monster.
The City Lord's Visit
Not long after everything ended, the City Lord arrived.
Surprisingly, he had no intention of fighting.
Instead, he calmly approached Lonas.
"Young man," the City Lord said, "I only wish to speak."
Lonas looked at him indifferently.
"What do you want?"
The City Lord asked,
"What are you planning to do now?"
"How do you intend to survive the Bai Family's revenge?"
Lonas answered without hesitation.
"It's simple."
"I'll kill every last one of them."
The City Lord narrowed his eyes.
"You speak with the confidence of a young master from the Wen Family."
Lonas shook his head.
"I am no Wen Family heir."
"I am a one-man army."
"I returned only for revenge."
"If you stand in my way..."
"I won't spare you either."
The City Lord quickly raised both hands.
"Relax."
"I have no intention of interfering."
A New Mission
The mechanical voice echoed again.
"Ding!"
"New Mission Received."
"Travel to the Demonic Sect and complete the assigned mission."
Lonas accepted immediately.
As he prepared to leave, the City Lord suddenly called after him.
"Wait."
"What is your name?"
Lonas didn't stop walking.
"My name..."
"...Gu Mang."
It was a false name.
He knew the City Lord had already investigated his true identity.
By using an alias, Lonas made one thing perfectly clear—
No one would manipulate him.
Without another word, he disappeared into the distance.
Two Months Later – The Demonic Sect
Two months passed.
Lonas finally arrived at the Demonic Sect, where the annual disciple recruitment had just begun.
Thousands of young cultivators stood in line, hoping to become disciples.
One after another, candidates stepped forward to be tested.
Finally...
It was Lonas' turn.
The moment the examination began, an overwhelming wave of Demonic Energy erupted from his body.
The entire testing ground shook.
Every Elder present widened their eyes in disbelief.
"Incredible..."
"I've never seen Demonic Energy this pure!"
One Elder exclaimed,
"His talent is monstrous!"
At that moment, the most powerful woman among all the Elders stepped forward.
She was the Great Elder.
Looking directly into Lonas' eyes, she said,
"Become my personal disciple."
The surrounding disciples gasped.
Countless geniuses dreamed of receiving such an invitation.
Lonas simply replied,
"No."
Silence filled the square.
Even the Great Elder was stunned.
She spoke again.
"Think carefully."
"I am the Great Elder of this sect."
Lonas smiled calmly.
"So what?"
"I choose my own path."
"I won't follow someone simply because they offered first."
For the first time in years, the Great Elder was left speechless.
Lonas walked past her toward the Outer Sect.
The remaining Elders called after him.
"You must choose a master eventually!"
Without turning around, Lonas answered,
"Perhaps."
"But not today."
"I'll decide when I find someone worthy."
With that, Lonas officially entered the Outer Sect of the Demonic Sect, taking his first step into one of the most dangerous powers on the continent.