Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Remember this favour
As the familiar chime of the system's notification echoed in Aric's mind, a wicked grin spread across his face.
The rush of joy hit him immediately. "The heavens really do have a twisted sense of humor," he thought, glancing at the dusty tome in his hands. "This technique was supposed to be Mevan's trump card, and now it's mine."
As he walked down the spiral staircase of the Daedoseogwan Library, he approached the elderly librarian, who watched over the place with a hawk's eye. She adjusted her glasses, eyeing the book in his hands.
"You're taking that one?" she asked with an inquisitive tilt to her head. Her voice was scratchy, but it held a note of respect, as if sensing the power in the volume he held.
"Yes, I'd like to check this out," Aric replied, keeping his tone respectful but composed.
She took the book, her gaze lingering over the cover. "This is no ordinary text. You'll have 30 days. Make sure you return it by then," she instructed, stamping the book with a seal that would bind it to his name until he brought it back.
"Understood," Aric nodded. "Thank you."
The librarian's expression softened slightly, giving him a curt nod as she handed the book back. "Remember, knowledge is power. Handle it well."
Leaving the library, he headed back to Qinlong Mansion with an excitement brewing inside him. "This really is a treasure," he mused to himself. "If the protagonist had used it, no wonder he'd have reached such heights. But now… it's my path to power."
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Back in his room, Aric settled down, glancing around his spacious quarters. The room was filled with luxury—mahogany shelves lined with scrolls, soft cushions in the corners, and a bed carved from deep jade wood. With a deep breath, he opened the book and began to read.
Yet, as his eyes skimmed the lines, he quickly realized that this wasn't going to be as easy as he thought. The text was dense, filled with intricate diagrams and esoteric symbols that required a high level of comprehension. He frowned, struggling to understand the complex cultivation patterns.
"Tch, it's like trying to decode an ancient language," he muttered, feeling the limitations of his comprehension abilities. He sighed, reluctantly summoning the system for help.
"System, assist me in comprehending this book."
[Ding! Comprehension assistance for The Divine Path of Yin-Yang will cost 50,000 Villain Points.]
Aric gritted his teeth. The amount was steep, but the value of the technique justified it. "Do it," he said without hesitation, and immediately, a flood of knowledge streamed into his mind.
The system embedded the knowledge directly, and within seconds, the mysteries of the Divine Path of Yin-Yang unraveled before him. Each word became clear, the intricate cultivation patterns vivid in his thoughts. His eyes gleamed as he understood the immense power of the technique.
"Extraordinary…" he whispered, almost awestruck. The book's teachings were far beyond ordinary dual cultivation techniques. This was designed not just for pleasure or modest growth, but for exponential power increases. By harmonizing Yin and Yang energies with a cultivation partner, each session would drastically enhance his power.
"The real genius behind this," he smirked, "is that I can control whether or not my partner benefits from it. If I so choose, only I'll grow stronger."
The implications set his mind racing. "This could change everything," he thought. "Any powerful woman I encounter could fuel my rise, and with my mind control skill, convincing them to cultivate with me will be child's play."
He laughed, a low, sinister sound echoing in his room. "This was Mevan's secret weapon, his way to conquer powerful allies and claim his place at the top. And now… it's mine."
The final piece of the puzzle made his excitement soar: if his partner's cultivation realm was higher, he could even accelerate his growth to catch up to them. His eyes darkened with ambition. "All I need to do is find the right targets, and I'll reach heights beyond anyone's imagination."
He could already envision it—courting the most influential women in the Holy Sect, those with the power he needed to absorb. One by one, he'd take them into his fold, using the Divine Path of Yin-Yang to rise above even the most gifted disciples.
"Ha… all this time, Mevan thought he'd inherit some grand destiny," he chuckled. "But fate had other plans, didn't it?"
A thrill ran through him at the thought of Xu Mevan's reaction if he found out. The boy would never know that his greatest weapon had been snatched away right under his nose.
"Ha ha ha… That's the beauty of it all!" Aric's laughter grew louder, spilling into the empty room. "Now, all the beauties, all the power… it's mine."
He glanced at his reflection in a nearby mirror, seeing his own smirk, one that held all the cold ruthlessness he intended to wield in his conquest. With this technique and his mind control skills, he'd not only control powerful women but control them completely.
He left his quarters, his mind racing with possibilities. Elder Sharon, with her formidable cultivation and network, was an obvious prize, but he knew she was out of his reach… for now. "Patience," he muttered to himself. "There's time to deal with her later. For now, Yun Luxi will be an ideal starting point."
Yun Luxi was strong, yes, but his recent growth put him in a position to control her without too much trouble. She was in the 7th stage of the Half-Immortal realm, but with his advantage in intelligence and cunning, she was within his grasp.
Aric made his way toward Lotus Willow Peak, where Yun Luxi trained under Elder Wen Gianna. The peak was alive with disciples practicing their forms and exchanging techniques. He noticed several disciples glance his way, some with curiosity, others with a hint of suspicion. The hostility in a few eyes was clear—an outsider core disciple on their peak was unusual.
A tall, wiry young man with sharp features stepped forward, blocking his path. He wore the robes of an inner disciple, and his expression was wary. "Why have you come here, Senior Brother?" he asked, his tone polite but laced with caution.
Aric gave him a steady look, unfazed. "I'm here to meet someone."
The inner disciple didn't move. "If it's Yun Luxi you seek, perhaps we can assist. Elder Wen doesn't allow outsiders to wander without a reason."
Aric chuckled lightly, noticing how a few other disciples had gathered around, casting him doubtful looks. "Relax," he said smoothly. "There's no need for suspicion. I know exactly where she is. Just a friendly visit from one disciple to another."
The inner disciple's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further. "As you wish, Senior Brother," he said, stepping aside reluctantly.
As Aric walked past, he caught snippets of their muttered conversations.
"Why is a core disciple from Qinlong Peak here?"
"Probably trying to impress someone or pull rank…"
Aric ignored the whispers, his focus unwavering. Yun Luxi would make an ideal test for the Divine Path of Yin-Yang. If his mind control combined with this technique as he suspected, he could refine his approach before aiming for more challenging targets.
He finally spotted Yun Luxi in a quiet clearing near the edge of the peak, her focus entirely on her cultivation. She was sitting cross-legged, her delicate hands held out as wisps of spiritual energy spiraled around her. Her presence was serene but powerful; her hair fell in dark waves over her shoulders, framing a striking face with sharp eyes and an aura of confidence.
Aric approached her slowly, giving her a moment to notice him. Her eyes opened, focusing sharply on him. She stood, offering a polite nod.
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"Senior Brother Adolf," she greeted, her voice cool and measured. "What brings you to Lotus Willow Peak?"
Aric offered her a warm smile, the kind of smile that seemed genuine yet held a flicker of something deeper. "I've been hearing about your remarkable progress, Yun Luxi. You're making quite the name for yourself under Elder Wen's guidance," he said, pausing to let his words linger. "I thought it only right to come and congratulate you in person. You've earned it."
Yun Luxi's gaze softened a little, though she still held her composure. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I am only doing my best. But," she tilted her head slightly, "it's rare for core disciples like you to concern themselves with inner disciples."
Aric chuckled softly, reaching into his storage ring. "While it's true that core disciples don't often interact with inner disciples, I believe that strength lies in forming strong alliances. We were all recently chosen, and there's so much potential here. Who's to say we can't help one another grow?"
From his hand, he revealed a small vial filled with twenty Holy Dan pills, their faint glow illuminating his fingers. "Consider these a token of goodwill," he said, offering them to her with a genuine expression. "Twenty Holy Dan pills. Take them."
Yun Luxi's eyes widened slightly, and she hesitated. "Twenty?" she echoed, surprised. "But that's a lot. Why would you offer me so much, Senior Brother?"
Aric kept his tone even, giving a thoughtful nod. "True, it might seem like a lot, but I see potential in you, Yun Luxi. Although my cultivation level is a little behind yours, I have no doubt you'll reach extraordinary heights. Perhaps one day, I'll be the one needing a helping hand from you. And it doesn't hurt to build some goodwill now, does it?"
Yun Luxi mulled over his words, finding them reasonable. "That… makes sense," she admitted, nodding slowly. She took the vial of pills from him, her fingers grazing his hand briefly. "Thank you, Senior Brother Adolf. I'll remember this favor."
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