The moment Shen Mu opened his eyes, a coppery scent filled his nose—blood.
Warm, slick blood soaked the robes beneath his body. Pain radiated from his chest, but it was not unbearable. The body he now inhabited was stronger than a mortal's, yet the sensation of death still lingered faintly on his skin—as if he had narrowly escaped the abyss.
"…Where the hell am I?" he muttered, and yet the voice that escaped his lips wasn't his own.
It was smoother, deeper—calm, but laced with the haughty arrogance of one born noble.
A torrent of foreign memories surged through his mind like a breached dam. Names, techniques, rivalries, sword styles, sect customs. And at the center of it all—a name:
Gu Changge.
A genius of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the number one sword sect in the Lower Realm. The beloved son of an Elder, born with sword talent envied by many, once heralded as the next Sword Sovereign.
And yet… he had fallen.
Eclipsed by the rise of another—a youth named Lin Tian, a newly joined disciple with absurd luck and endless opportunity. He had even surpassed Gu Changge in the eyes of the Sect Master.
"Lin Tian…" Shen Mu—now Gu Changge—smirked. His new eyes glinted like blades. "So I've become the fallen genius cast aside by the heavens in favor of the 'chosen one'?"
Perfect.
On Earth, Shen Mu had been many things—corporate tyrant, ruthless strategist, charming killer. Morals were weights he'd cast off long ago. In this new world of cultivation, where strength ruled and fate was law, he would rise as a villain.
Suddenly, a mechanical chime echoed within his mind.
---
> DING!
Villain System Awakening…
Main Quest Received: Manipulate the downfall of Lin Tian. Kill the protagonist of destiny.
System Tip: Reduce Lin Tian's luck by stealing fortuitous encounters, eliminating harem members, and corrupting fate.
You are a Villain Cultivator. Fate, plot armor, and destiny protect the protagonist. To survive, you must destroy his story.
---
Gu Changge's pupils contracted—then relaxed.
A system. Like those from Earth novels.
And this one was perfect for him.
"Manipulate, seduce, kill… ah, this world is already better than Earth," he whispered.
---
> DING! New Villain Package Unlocked!
Starter Rewards:
4000 Villain Value
10% Unlock: Hidden Demonic Succubus Physique
[Bloodshade Abyssal Sword Scripture]
Description: A forbidden sword technique fusing charm, blood sacrifice, and killing intent. Harmonizes with demonic bloodlines and yin-oriented physiques.
Warning: Excessive use may corrupt soul if moral attachments remain.
---
A surge of hellish energy flooded his meridians.
Bloodshade Abyssal Sword Scripture.
His foundation trembled. Black mist coiled around his dantian, and the dormant, corrupted bloodline within him stirred—the Demonic Succubus Body, a hidden physique of seduction and chaos, now awakening.
He bit down a moan as icy fire raced through his limbs.
So… this was the power he'd been given.
With this, he wouldn't just survive—he'd turn the protagonist's divine script into a tragedy.
Another knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Senior Brother Gu, are you awake?" came a sweet, gentle voice—his junior sister, Gu Qingxue. The image of a shy, beautiful girl with pure admiration for her senior surfaced in his new memories. "Master Yue wants you in the Sword Hall."
Gu Changge rose, adjusting his inner robes—black silk embroidered with crimson thorns, the mark of his lineage.
"I'll be there shortly," he said, his voice low and elegant.
---
The Heavenly Sword Sect was more than a sect—it was an empire of swords built atop a spiritual mountain range. It stood at the pinnacle of the Five Great Sects of the Lower Realm:
Heavenly Sword Sect: Sword cultivation, martial supremacy.
Demonic Spirit Sect: Forbidden arts and demonic bloodlines.
Forging Thunder Pavilion: Weapon crafting and refinement.
Divine Flame Hall: Pill refinement, alchemy, and spiritual elixirs.
Thousand Blossom Palace: A sect of female cultivators, experts in charm, healing, and spirit arts.
Below them stretched countless kingdoms and noble clans, all bowing to the Five Sects for protection, opportunity, and guidance.
Gu Changge strode into the Sword Hall, where a woman of breathtaking grace awaited.
Sect Master Yue Qingya—his master.
With her long silver-black hair, slender figure, and phoenix eyes, she was the dream of countless cultivators. Her cultivation stood at the Peak Nascent Soul Realm, second only to the three Supreme Elders at Deity Transformation Realm.
"You've recovered," she said, gazing at him with narrowed eyes.
"I have, Master," he answered with a faint smile, concealing his schemes. "And I feel… sharper than ever."
She studied him, frowning faintly.
Something about him had changed.
But she said nothing. "Tomorrow, you'll attend the inner disciple trials. A new disciple named Lin Tian will be participating."
The name lingered in the air like a sword unsheathed.
Gu Changge's gaze sharpened.
Lin Tian—the so-called chosen one. Age 20. Peak Foundation Building Realm. Strong enough to defeat early Golden Core cultivators. Backed by destiny, protected by a Golden Immortal trapped in a mysterious ring—an old sect leader betrayed by his wife in the Upper Realm.
But Gu Changge only saw a fattened pig waiting for slaughter.
---
That night, in his secluded chamber, Gu Changge reviewed his enemies.
Lin Tian's harem:
1. Lin Rou – His widowed mother. Beautiful, gentle, middle Foundation Building Realm. Currently living in Emerald Cloud City with Lin Xian'er.
2. Lin Xian'er – Adopted sister. Yin Physique. Early Foundation Building Realm. Age 18.
3. Female Sect Elder – Lin Tian's beautiful and seductive master. Early Nascent Soul Realm.
4. Senior Sister – Cold and prideful. Middle Golden Core. Sword prodigy.
5. Auction House Girl – Merchant background. Peak Foundation Building. Secret alchemy talent.
Each was a target.
Each, an opportunity.
And he would seize them—one by one.
> DING! Sub-Quest Unlocked:
"First Encounter" — Trigger the protagonist's awareness. Begin altering fate threads.
Reward: +500 Villain Value, +1% Luck Drain.
System Tip: Villain aura may influence protagonist's perception. Choose words carefully.
---
The next morning, the courtyard was alive with movement. Elders, disciples, and sword cultivators lined the arena for the annual trials.
Gu Changge stood calmly, his aura like a sheathed blade. Beside him was Gu Qingxue, blushing slightly under his gaze.
Then—they arrived.
A procession of disciples escorting a youth in white.
Lin Tian.
Handsome, humble, and radiating protagonist energy. The female elder beside him looked proud. Several inner disciples, especially girls, followed with infatuated eyes.
Their gazes locked.
In that moment, fate paused.
And then:
Gu Changge stepped forward, his voice calm, yet oppressive.
"Welcome to the Heavenly Sword Sect, Lin Tian."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I hope your fortune serves you well… while it lasts."
DING! First Encounter Triggered!
Protagonist has marked you as a potential rival.
Relationship status: Cautious Distrust
Villain Points +500
Luck Drain: +1%
New Sub-Quest Unlocked: "First Duel, First Thread Severed"
Condition: Humiliate Lin Tian publicly to destabilize fate threads.
Reward: +1000 Villain Value, Luck Drain +3%, Sect Reputation +++
Bonus: Opens emotional vulnerability route in Lin Tian.
The tension in the courtyard thickened, a buzz of curiosity spreading among disciples. Lin Tian's gaze lingered on Gu Changge for a moment longer than necessary, brows knitting.
Then he turned and walked on, but something in his stride had shifted.
A seed of wariness had been planted.
Gu Changge's eyes narrowed.
"So, you felt it too," he whispered.
Behind him, Gu Qingxue tugged his sleeve. "Senior Brother… you provoked him."
He gave her a faint smile. "That's the point, Little Qingxue. The first cut is never made with a sword… but with doubt."
He turned, eyes gleaming like obsidian under the morning sun.
---