Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Tyler Tsei
Aric smiled, watching Su Ling rest beside him, her breathing soft and content. The warmth of their intimacy still lingered in the air, and as he lay there, he couldn't help but feel the satisfaction of having taken control of another key figure in the grand game he was playing.
Moments ago, a series of notifications from the system had appeared in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations Host! The favorability of the heroine Su Ling has increased from 50 (Close Friends) -> 80 (Deep Love)]
[Ding! Congratulations Host! You have gained +3,000 Villain Halo and +30,000 Villain Points.]
[Ding! Congratulations Host! The Daughter of Destiny, Su Ling's status has been changed to Villainess.]
[Ding! Congratulations Host! You have gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points for successfully capturing the heroine Su Ling.]
"Good," Aric murmured to himself, satisfaction evident in his eyes. "That's how things should be."
He gently reached for a vial from his storage ring, containing a few drops of his blood. With practiced ease, he tilted the vial above her lips and let the blood flow into her mouth. Su Ling stirred slightly but remained in a peaceful slumber, unaware of the changes about to be made.
Aric's hand hovered over her forehead, his fingers twitching slightly as he began altering her memories. He entered deep into her subconscious, weaving false tales, embedding emotions, and restructuring the very fabric of her thoughts. He made her believe that her sole purpose was to serve him, to love and worship him as the only man she had ever truly known.
Her past love for Yu Haotian, her ambitions as an inner disciple, her pride--all of it was slowly erased and replaced with a singular devotion to Aric. Now, she was his.
The sun rose, casting a soft light into the room. The trip had been more than successful, and now it was time to return to the sect.
Back at the Starry Sky Sect, Aric and Su Ling's return went largely unnoticed.
Upon their arrival at the sect, they were greeted with respectful nods and curious glances. Word of their successful trip had already spread.
Aric, disguised as Yu Haotian, mingled with ease, his movements calculated, his demeanor calm. But Su Ling's gaze never strayed far from him--her devotion palpable, though she masked it well before others.
Soon after their return, Aric found himself at the quarters of the sect leader, Ru Shenshen.
That evening, in Ru Shenshen's private quarters, the air was thick with anticipation. Su Ling and Ru Shenshen sat close together, exchanging knowing glances. They were both deeply in love with Aric, each having surrendered themselves to him fully. Aric smiled as he entered the room, taking in the sight of the two beautiful women before him, both of whom now saw him as the center of their world.
"You've returned, husband," Ru Shenshen said softly, her voice filled with warmth as she approached him. Her eyes sparkled with desire, her soft robes swaying as she moved gracefully.
Su Ling also joined the fray.
Aric smirked, enjoying the devotion from both women. He moved toward them, pulling them both into his arms as they melted into his embrace. Su Ling and Ru Shenshen looked up at him, their eyes full of admiration and love, completely captivated by his presence.
Ru Shenshen leaned in first, pressing her lips gently against his.Her arms wrapping around his neck. Her kiss was slow, passionate, as if savoring every moment she was with him.
Su Ling watched, her heart racing with anticipation.
"We're yours, always, husband," Su Ling whispered, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
The night grew more intimate. They moved together in sync, sharing their love for Aric. The room was filled with whispers, soft gasps, and the sound of kisses, as they indulged in the passion that flowed between them.
Su Ling's eyes shone with happiness, her hands gripping his shoulders as she leaned in closer, kissing him deeply, while Ru Shenshen mirrored her movements, her heart full of love for the man she had once seen as a disciple but now saw as her equal.
"We love you, husband," Su Ling whispered, her voice breathless as she lay beside him, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
"Always," Ru Shenshen added, smiling softly as she nestled against him on the other side.
Aric smiled as he held them both close, basking in their love and devotion.
The next morning, Aric prepared to leave the sect, satisfied with how thoroughly he had tied both Ru Shenshen and Su Ling to him.
"Husband, please come back soon," Su Ling said softly, her hand resting on his arm. Her love for him was unwavering, and she couldn't bear the thought of him leaving for too long.
"You're always welcome here, my love," Ru Shenshen added, stepping closer to kiss him one last time before he departed. Her lips lingered on his, as if reluctant to let him go.
"I'll return soon," Aric promised, kissing them both before stepping away.
When Aric arrived at the Lei Estate, Mia Lei was already waiting for him. Her sharp eyes caught his every movement, and her lips curled into a smile as he approached.
"Honey, welcome back," she greeted him.
Aric hugged her and entered his study.
Aric sat comfortably in his study at the Lei estate, the soft glow of lanterns casting a warm light over the room. Mia stood beside him, a stack of dossiers in her hands. She had meticulously gathered information on several individuals based on Aric's earlier instructions.
"These are the profiles of people matching the descriptions you provided," Mia said, placing the documents on the table before him.
"Excellent work, Mia," Aric replied, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Let's see what we have."
He began to sort through the dossiers, each containing detailed information about individuals who, according to patterns he recognized, could be the protagonists.
The first dossier Leonard Feng, made him interested. He is from a declining noble family. Once affluent, the Feng family had lost much of its wealth due to mismanagement and external pressures.
"Leonard has the makings of a classic hero. But still he lacks some aspects.," Aric mused.
He set Leonard's dossier aside, marking it for future observation but not immediate action.
The next profile was of Isabella Yuan, a prodigious cultivator from a modest background. Orphaned at a young age, she had clawed her way up through sheer determination and talent. Rumors suggested she had a unique bloodline that granted her extraordinary abilities.
"Isabella's potential is significant," Aric noted. "She gives me the vibe of the Protagonist. I will need more information on her."
He considered approaching her but decided against it for now.
He continued through several more dossiers:
"All of them have stories that could develop into something more," he murmured. "But none stand out as immediate concerns."
Finally, he reached the dossier of Tyler Tsei. As he read through the details, Aric's interest heightened.
"Tyler Tsei," he said aloud. "A once-promising talent from the Tsei family."
Mia stepped forward. "Yes, Tyler was considered a prodigy in his youth. However, about a year ago, his cultivation regressed inexplicably. He's now struggling at the Qi Cultivation Realm."
Aric's eyes narrowed as he delved deeper into the dossier. Tyler's background was rife with potential triggers for a protagonist's rise.
Mia watched as Aric's eyes narrowed on Tyler Tsei's profile. "Recently, there's been talk that the Hanoi family is planning to break off their engagement with the Tsei family," she added, clearly knowing what would catch Aric's attention.
The Hanoi family, another second-rate family, had once seen potential in Tyler Tsei and arranged for their daughter, Amanda Hanoi, to marry him. But now, with Tyler's cultivation faltering, the Hanoi family wanted to end the engagement. Amanda, a talented cultivator herself, was a genius in her family and had far outpaced Tyler.
"This is intriguing," Aric remarked. "Tyler's circumstances align closely with those of a protagonist on the verge of awakening latent power."
"Such a typical plot," Aric smirked, the situation all too familiar to him. "A fallen genius, abandoned by his family and fiancee. It's like the start of every other protagonist's journey. I don't even have to guess what might happen next."
Mia nodded, sensing his growing interest in this Tyler Tsei. "There have been rumors that the Hanoi family will make the decision public soon," she added.
"Perfect," Aric said, already planning his next move. "Let's visit them. I want to see this 'fallen genius' for myself."
The following morning, Aric set out toward the region where the Tsei family resided. As he traveled, he contemplated the nuances of Tyler's situation.
Upon arriving in the Tsei family's territory, Aric observed the subtle signs of a household under strain. The servants moved with a subdued air, and the guards at the gates seemed weary.
Disguised to blend in with the locals, Aric made his way to a nearby tavern frequented by members of the Tsei household and other influential figures. Taking a seat in a quiet corner, he listened attentively to the conversations around him.
"I heard Tyler Tsei was seen training alone again," one patron murmured.
"What's the point?" another scoffed. "He's lost his talent. The engagement with the Hanoi family is as good as over."
"It's a shame," a third voice chimed in. "He was once the pride of the Tsei family."
"Some say he offended someone powerful," the second patron whispered conspiratorially. "Perhaps that's why his cultivation regressed."
Aric's eyes narrowed. "So there are rumors of foul play."
Leaving the tavern, he decided to observe Tyler directly. Following subtle hints from the conversations he'd overheard, Aric navigated to a secluded clearing on the outskirts of the Tsei estate.
There, Tyler was immersed in training. Despite his diminished cultivation, his form was disciplined, and his movements carried a hint of his former prowess. Sweat glistened on his brow, but his expression was one of determination, not defeat.
He asked system to show his status.
[Name: Tyler Tsei]
[Age: 20]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Realm (9th Stage)]
[Strength: 25]
[Agility: 20]
[Intelligence: 25]
[Charm: 15]
[Physique: Thunderstorm Physique]
[Bloodline: Heavenly River Bloodline]
[Cultivation Techniques: Thunderstorm Refinement, Falling Stream Fist]
[Skills: Swordsmanship (Intermediate), Talisman Crafting (Basic), Alchemy (Beginner)]
[Protagonist Halo: 120,000]
"He's so rich," Aric smirked silently. "With me here, you can only wait for death"
Soon, there was a commotion inside the Tsei family. Members of Hanoi family had arrived there.