Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Bai Family is Under My Control
Aric approached Bai Chen with a new command, his voice smooth and commanding. "Bai Chen, I want you to take this vial," he handed over a small, ornate container filled with a shimmering liquid, "and mix its contents into the next round of tea. Offer it to everyone in our group, including your sister. It will fortify their spirits for the challenges ahead."
The vial contained a concoction that Aric had specially prepared—a mixture of his blood and a potent elixir known as Heaven's Tranquil Essence. This essence was famous for its calming effects, making those who drank it more susceptible to suggestion and easier to manipulate.
Aric's blood, infused with his mind control ability, would ensure that the memories of those who drank it would be altered, making them loyal to him without question.
Bai Chen nodded without hesitation, his mind fully under Aric's control. He moved swiftly to prepare the tea, carefully mixing in the contents of the vial as instructed. Once the tea was ready, he served it to the entire party, including his sister Bai Ling.
Aric watched as Bai Ling gracefully accepted the tea, her slender fingers wrapping around the cup as she brought it to her lips. She drank without suspicion, her trust in her brother unshaken. The others followed suit, drinking the tea that would seal their fate.
As the elixir took effect, Aric began to weave his web of false memories, starting with Bai Ling. He crafted a story in which she had always admired him from afar, her heart stirred by his strength and wisdom. In her new memories, Aric had saved her life during a vicious attack by a powerful demonic beast when she was just a child, shielding her from harm with his own body.
This act of bravery had left an indelible mark on her heart, and from that day forward, she had secretly harbored feelings for him, even as she rose in the ranks of the cultivation world.
In this new narrative, Bai Ling vividly remembered that fateful day. She had been lost in a dangerous forest, surrounded by demonic beasts when Aric had appeared like a guardian deity. He had fought off the beasts with unmatched skill, slicing through their ranks with ease. When the dust had settled, he had carried her back to safety, his arms strong and comforting.
She had looked up at him with wide, grateful eyes, her heart pounding not just from fear, but from a deep, blossoming admiration.
Aric had become her silent protector, watching over her as she grew into a formidable cultivator. In her new memories, they had shared countless moments of camaraderie and mutual respect, their bond growing stronger with each encounter. Now, as she looked at Aric, she felt that same admiration, now mixed with an overwhelming sense of love and loyalty.
She believed, with every fiber of her being, that Aric was not only her savior but also her destined master.
The rest of the Bai Family members and their guards were not spared. Aric wove similar tales of loyalty and indebtedness into their minds, each one believing that their success and survival in the cultivation world were due to Aric's hidden guidance and support.
They remembered his acts of kindness, his strategic advice, and the times he had saved them from certain death, all fabricated to bind them to him.
With each sip of the tea, the group's memories were reshaped, their wills bent to Aric's desires. Now, they all saw him as their rightful leader, the one they were meant to follow.
Bai Ling's transformation was the most profound. She now gazed at Aric with a mixture of adoration and reverence. "Master Aric," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion, "I am forever in your debt. I will follow you wherever you go, and I will do whatever it takes to fulfill your desires."
"When such a beauty is offering herself to you, why would I falter? I should always embrace beauties," Aric thought, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
Without a moment's hesitation, Aric reached out, his hand curling around Bai Ling's slender waist. The suddenness of the action caused her to blink in surprise, her cheeks flushing with a delicate shade of pink. She was taken aback, her mind momentarily clouded by the overwhelming emotions he had implanted in her.
The shy flutter in her chest only grew stronger as Aric's hand tightened slightly, pulling her closer.
Her lips parted, words failing her as she tried to process the situation. The warmth of Aric's touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she found herself leaning into him, her body responding to the deep-seated feelings of adoration and devotion that now consumed her. Before she could say anything, Aric leaned in and captured her lips with his.
The kiss was bold, commanding, and completely unexpected. Bai Ling's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before they fluttered shut, her body surrendering to the moment. The sensation of his lips against hers sent a wave of heat coursing through her, igniting a fire that she had never felt before.
Around them, the members of the Bai Family erupted in cheers, their manipulated minds perceiving the scene as one of triumph and celebration.
As the kiss deepened, Aric's hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her even closer. The taste of her lips was sweet, intoxicating, and he could feel the pulse of her heart quicken under his touch. When he finally broke the kiss, he could see the dazed, adoring look in her eyes.
Without a word, Aric bent down and scooped Bai Ling into his arms, lifting her effortlessly in a princess carry. She let out a soft gasp, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck for support. The world around them blurred as he carried her towards the tent prepared by the Bai Family, the cheers of the onlookers fading into the background.
As they entered, the silk curtains swayed gently, casting a warm, golden hue over the interior. Aric gently laid Bai Ling down on the plush bedding, his gaze never leaving hers.
Slowly, almost reverently, Aric began to undress her, his fingers brushing against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Bai Ling, with trembling hands, reciprocated, helping him remove his garments until they stood before each other, bared and vulnerable, yet unafraid.
Their lips met again, the kisses more passionate, more urgent. Aric's hands roamed over her body, caressing her with a tenderness that belied the fierce power he wielded. Bai Ling's soft gasps and quiet sighs filled the space as they explored each other, their connection deepening with every touch, every kiss.
The loud sounds of piston and moans could be heard outside the tent.
But Aric was not ready to stop. He kept on going for hours.
The tent's fabric rustling as they moved together in their rhythm. Hours passed in a blur of passion and intimacy, their connection solidified in the quiet moments shared under the soft glow of the lanterns.
Bai Ling lay in Aric's arms, her head resting against his chest. Her fingers traced idle patterns across his skin, her heart still racing from the intensity of their time together. Aric looked down at her, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he gently stroked her hair.
"We should get ready," Aric finally said, his voice a low murmur, breaking the comfortable silence. Bai Ling nodded, her eyes still half-lidded with the remnants of their shared warmth.
After their intimate encounter, Aric and Bai Ling rejoined their respective teams. With renewed vigor and determination, they led the combined forces of the Bai family and Aric's own followers towards the treasure's location, deep within the ruins.
The journey through the ancient corridors of the secret ruins was fraught with danger.
As they progressed, the formations and traps became more intricate. Hidden pressure plates triggered spikes from the walls, and illusory walls led into pits filled with corrosive mist. However, with his keen senses and the power of the Divine Transformation realm, Aric navigated these dangers with ease. His movements were swift and precise, each step calculated to avoid the deadly traps.
The Bai family's team, led by Bai Chen, struggled to keep up. Although they were skilled, they lacked Aric's power and experience. Bai Chen, now fully under Aric's influence, looked to him for guidance, his mind filled with the false memories that Aric had implanted. He believed that Aric was a divine figure, someone to be worshipped and followed without question.
Finally, they reached the innermost chamber—a grand hall where the tomb of an ancient warrior lay undisturbed for millennia. At the center of the hall, surrounded by a circle of glowing runes, was the object of their quest: the Heavenly Seraphic Lotus. Its petals glowed with a soft, divine light, exuding an aura of pure, untamed power.
But as Aric approached, the ground trembled, and a spectral figure materialized above the tomb. It was the spirit of the ancient warrior, a guardian bound to protect the lotus for eternity. The spirit's eyes blazed with anger as it recognized the intruders.
"Who dares to defile this sacred place?" the spirit roared, its voice echoing through the chamber like thunder. "Leave now, or face the wrath of my blade!"