Chapter 9: Harvests Lust Sin
Raiyen stood on the moonlit balcony of the servants' quarters, shirt half-unbuttoned, his body still humming from the rush of Sin. It wasn't a sensation one could easily describe—like fire, like honey, like the pulse of a forbidden truth sliding under the skin.
Behind him, the room was dim. Lanterns cast soft, amber shadows across Lin Xue's bare back. Her breathing was even, her cheeks flushed, long silver hair tangled across his pillow.
It had been her choice. Or so she believed.
Raiyen had barely touched her, really.
Just words. Looks. Vulnerability. The illusion of kinship. Enough to draw her close, make her believe that she had taken control, that she was the one breaking rules, seducing a mere servant boy.
But the Sinbound System whispered otherwise.
> [Lust Sin Fully Harvested: +192 Sin Points]
[Captivation Level: 81% – Lin Xue now trusts you emotionally]
[Sinbound Trait Gained: Charm of the Unworthy – Acts weaker than you are. Hidden charisma multiplied against prideful targets.]
[Sin Level Up: Rank I → Rank II]
[Forbidden Skill Unlocked: Veil of Crimson Desire]
Raiyen's lips curled slowly. His cultivation base surged beneath his skin. Meridians that had once been blocked now blazed open. He could feel Qi swirling into him like a whirlpool.
From a mere servant's strength… to that of an early-stage Foundation Realm cultivator.
In a single night.
And none suspected a thing.
The secret cultivation with the System, the stolen power from Lin Xue's trust, and the rising web of sin he was weaving through Everdawn… it all spiraled upward.
Still staring into the dark, he clenched his fist.
So this is what it felt like—to devour, to corrupt, to rise through the sins of others.
A soft sigh from the bed.
Raiyen turned. Lin Xue stirred under the silken sheets. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed, her pupils slow to focus. "You're still here…"
He moved to her side, brushing her hair back gently. "Of course. Where else would I go?"
She hesitated. "If anyone knew… I could be stripped of rank. Demoted. Worse."
"Then they won't know," he said simply.
She studied him, her usual pride dulled by something else—attachment, or at least the beginnings of it. "You're not like others. You listen. You… see me."
His fingers paused.
That phrase again.
It was always the same with the lonely and the proud. What they craved most was not praise or power—but being truly seen.
And that was a weapon he wielded well.
"I do," he whispered.
Another kiss, another thread drawn into the web.
Later, when she slept again, Raiyen rose quietly and left through the back corridor. No one saw him slip into the night.
No one ever did.
By dawn, he was back in the servant quarters, blending seamlessly among the others. He swept paths, cleaned floors, and filled jugs like a dutiful nobody.
But within, his cultivation roared.
The Sinbound System updated again.
> [Sin Point Store Unlocked]
[Available: 231 Sin Points]
[Items & Skills Available for Purchase]
He browsed quickly in his mind. There were thousands of options—artifacts, techniques, bloodline upgrades, forbidden manuals—but he narrowed it to what he needed now.
He didn't want to just grow strong.
He wanted to stay invisible while becoming dangerous.
> Purchased: Veil Step Technique (Rank I) – movement skill that erases presence while walking
Purchased: Heart-Echo (Passive) – minor mind-reading of targets with high emotional connection
Remaining Sin Points: 49
Raiyen exhaled deeply.
Perfect.
He slipped away from the chores again before lunch, walking the edges of the disciple quarters, testing Veil Step in broad daylight. As he activated it, his steps turned soundless, his spiritual presence vanishing completely. Even patrolling outer disciples failed to glance his way.
For the first time in two lifetimes, he was invisible—and deadly.
He tested Heart-Echo next.
Moving past a pair of junior disciples gossiping near the stone bridge, he caught passing fragments from one girl's thoughts as she glanced at her companion:
> "Why does he always smile like that? I hate it—but… gods, he smells so good today…"
Raiyen smiled faintly. Yes. This skill would be useful.
Later that evening, Lin Xue sent a message via spirit bird.
She wanted to see him again.
He let the scroll burn in his fingers, expression unreadable.
Another night would deepen her bonds—cement her place as his puppet, or perhaps even something more if she proved useful.
But for now, he had work to do.
He returned to the training yards, where outer disciples sparred under the guidance of instructors. He remained near the edges, sweeping lazily, watching.
It didn't take long before the young master from days ago swaggered into the courtyard again.
Jin Rou.
The arrogant son of a powerful elder, who'd once tripped Raiyen into the mud and laughed as others joined in.
Raiyen didn't forget.
Jin Rou strutted past him again, pretending not to see him—but then paused.
"You. Servant. What's your name again?"
Raiyen straightened. "Yao, Young Master."
Jin Rou turned, smirking. "You've been sniffing around Lin Xue's courtyard, haven't you?"
Silence.
Jin Rou's smile widened. "You think someone like her would ever look twice at a servant? You think you're special?"
He stepped forward, voice loud enough to draw attention. "I challenge you to a duel. Just for sport, of course. You can't say no. Unless you're a coward."
Raiyen bowed low. "Of course not, Young Master. I accept."
A few nearby disciples laughed.
"Don't kill him, Jin Rou!"
"This will be quick."
Raiyen walked calmly to the dueling circle, his servant robes fluttering.
The courtyard gathered around. Jin Rou drew his golden saber with a flourish. "Try not to cry, little rat."
Raiyen gave a quiet smile.
The moment the duel began, Jin Rou surged forward, spiritual energy flaring.
But Raiyen sidestepped—no flash, no noise—just Veil Step.
Then, as Jin Rou's saber sliced air, Raiyen's fist connected with his gut.
It wasn't just strength.
It was perfectly timed, perfectly placed. A blow that struck not just flesh, but Qi flow.
Jin Rou gasped, knees buckling.
Another fist. Another strike.
The crowd went silent.
Seconds later, Jin Rou lay sprawled on the dueling stage, twitching, humiliated.
Raiyen bowed again, as if confused by his own win.
"I… apologize, Young Master. I don't know what came over me…"
Murmurs exploded around the courtyard.
"Did you see that?!"
"He beat him!"
"A servant—beat Jin Rou?!"
The System pulsed with glee.
> [Sin Harvested: Pride (Jin Rou), Envy (bystanders), Wrath (Lin Xue's rival)]
[Sin Points Gained: +92]
[Reputation Trait Gained: The Shadowed Flame – rumors begin to spread about your mysterious strength.]
Raiyen walked off the stage, head bowed, face humble.
But inside, the storm raged.
His revenge had begun.
And it tasted like sin.