Sion felt cold sweat trickle down his back as he saw the golden light radiating from Chen Feng's eyes. The system that was supposed to help him suddenly shut down, leaving him in a terrifying darkness of information.
This is bad. This is really bad, Sion swallowed hard. My system went down just as the protagonist was about to show his hidden strength!
But before Chen Feng could unleash his terrifying technique, the loud sound of a gong suddenly echoed throughout the Training Ground.
"All outer sect disciples! Gather in the Main Hall for the special sect entrance exam!"
Chen Feng stopped his movements, the golden light in his eyes slowly fading. He looked at Sion with an unreadable smile.
"It seems like our demonstration will have to be postponed, Senior Brother," Chen Feng said in a tone that sounded casual, but Sion could sense the hidden threat behind it.
Saved by the gong, Sion nearly fainted in relief. But this is just a delay. I have to complete the mission before he truly shows his strength.
[SYSTEM RESTART SUCCESSFUL]
[WARNING: System downtime caused by unexpected protagonist energy]
[MISSION STILL ONGOING: 1 day 18 hours left]
Finally back! Sion breathed a sigh of relief. But why did my system go down just because Chen Feng wanted to show off his strength?
"Senior Brother Sion," Lin Wei tugged at his sleeve in panic. "We have to go. That special sect entrance exam is rare!"
Sion nodded and looked at Chen Feng once more. "We'll continue later, Chen Feng. Don't think you can get away with it."
Chen Feng smiled faintly. "Of course, Senior Brother. I've been waiting patiently."
Why did he look happy? Sion felt uneasy. He should be the one who was nervous, not me!
The Main Hall was filled with hundreds of outer sect disciples gathered with tense faces. On the stage, several elders sat with oppressive auras. Elder Zhang stood in the middle with a scroll in his hand.
"Students," Elder Zhang's voice echoed throughout the room. "Today, we will be holding a special sect entrance exam. The top ten disciples will be directly promoted to the inner sect."
Excited murmurs began to sound among the crowd. Sion stood at the back with Lin Wei, his eyes searching for Chen Feng in the crowd.
This is it, Sion felt a familiar dread. This is the scene where I have to provoke the protagonist in public according to the original plot.
[PLOT DETECTION SYSTEM ACTIVE]
[SCENE DETECTED: Public Provocation in Entrance Exam]
[HOST ROLE: Villain who belittles the protagonist]
[REWARD: +15 Villain Points if successful in creating conflict]
Fifteen points? That's quite a lot, Sion gulped. But the risk is also high. If I'm too provocative, Chen Feng could finish me off on the spot.
"The first test is the spiritual root test," Elder Zhang continued. "You will place your hands on the Crystal of Measurement. The brighter the light, the higher the quality of your spiritual root."
Sion saw Chen Feng standing calmly at the front. Even from a distance, he could feel the aura of confidence emanating from the protagonist.
According to the plot, Chen Feng would show his extraordinary spiritual roots and shock everyone, Sion recalled the original novel. And I, as the villain, should underestimate him first.
"Lin Wei," Sion whispered. "We should go down to the front."
"Why, Senior Brother?" Lin Wei looked confused. "We are inner sect disciples. There is no need to take the test."
"Not taking the exam," Sion forced a smile. "We will... give motivation to the juniors."
Motivation he said, Sion smirked in his heart. Even though I just wanted to show off before being embarrassed.
The two of them went down to the front area. Several outer sect disciples respectfully retreated when they saw their inner sect robes.
"First disciple, come forward!" Elder Zhang called.
One by one, the outer sect disciples placed their hands on the crystal. Most of them only gave off a dim light, some were quite bright, and some didn't even give off any light at all.
It was almost Chen Feng's turn, Sion felt his heart pounding. I have to start acting now.
"Heh," Sion said in a voice loud enough for the people around him to hear. "The quality of outer sect disciples these days is getting lower, huh."
Lin Wei nodded enthusiastically. "That's right, Senior Brother! Most of their spiritual roots are low grade."
Several outer sect disciples heard their comments and looked uncomfortable. But no one dared to protest to the inner sect disciples.
"Chen Feng!" Elder Zhang called out the name that Sion had been waiting for.
Chen Feng stepped forward calmly. Sion watched his every move, ready to make a belittling comment befitting his role.
Okay, this is the time, Sion took a deep breath. I have to be an annoying villain but not too over the top.
"Oh, he's the one who was interested in spiritual techniques yesterday," Sion said in a tone that was faked arrogant. "Let's see if he's really talented or just arrogant."
Chen Feng heard the comment and glanced at Sion for a moment. Their eyes met, and Sion felt something that made him shudder.
He... smiled? Sion felt bad vibes. Why does he look happy when I mock him?
Chen Feng placed his hand on the crystal. For a few seconds, nothing happened.
"Huh!" Sion immediately seized the opportunity. "Look! Even the crystal isn't reacting! Is this what you call talented?"
Several outer sect disciples began to whisper. Some looked concerned, some began to doubt Chen Feng.
But Elder Zhang frowned. "Wait..."
Suddenly, the crystal began to emit light. Not ordinary light, but a light so bright that it dazzled the eyes.
Oh no, Sion felt the approaching doom. This is what I feared!
The light grew brighter, until the entire room was illuminated. Some disciples had to cover their eyes because of the glare.
"GRADE SSS!" Elder Zhang shouted in disbelief. "This is a spiritual root of Grade SSS! The first in the last 100 years!"
Total silence fell over the room. Everyone stared at Chen Feng with wide eyes.
Fuck, Sion felt his face turn red. Now I look like an idiot who just mocked a genius.
Chen Feng lifted his hand from the crystal and turned to face the crowd. His eyes were immediately fixed on Sion.
"Senior Brother," Chen Feng said with a smile that looked humble but Sion could feel the smugness behind it. "It seems like the crystal is reacting huh."
[MISSION COMPLETE: Public Provocation Successful]
[REWARD: +10 Villain Points]
[BONUS: +5 Villain Points for creating dramatic irony]
[CURRENT POINTS: 20/100,000]
Only 20 points, Sion almost cried. But at least I survived.
"T-that..." Sion stuttered, trying to find a way to save face. "Of course I knew from the start! That's why I'm interested in you!"
Bullshit level maximum, Sion grinned bitterly in his heart. But this was the only way to not look completely stupid.
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So Senior Brother already knew?"
"Of course!" Sion forced a confident smile. "The eyes of an inner sect disciple are not easily deceived!"
Lin Wei looked at Sion with a confused expression. Several outer sect disciples also looked unconvinced by Sion's statement.
They didn't believe it, Sion could feel the skeptical vibes from his surroundings. But at least I've given an excuse.
Elder Zhang clapped his hands. "Good! Chen Feng, you are directly accepted into the inner sect. No further tests are needed."
"Thank you, Elder," Chen Feng bowed respectfully. Then he looked at Sion again. "Senior Brother, it seems like we will soon become sect-brothers."
Sect-brothers he said, Sion felt a hidden threat. He must be planning revenge.
"Of course," Sion forced a smile. "I await your arrival in the inner sect."
Waiting to escape, he added in his heart.
The test continued, but everyone was still amazed by Chen Feng's performance. No one could match his SSS-grade spiritual root.
Sion and Lin Wei retreated to the back, feeling the atmosphere getting more and more uncomfortable.
"Senior Brother," Lin Wei whispered. "You really know about his spiritual root?"
"Of course," Sion lied with a poker face. "I told you he was special."
Special in the sense of 'can kill me at any time', Sion added sarcastically.
[THREAT DETECTION SYSTEM ACTIVE]
[WARNING: Protagonist shows abnormal interest in Host]
[POSSIBLE: Revenge plot is being prepared]
[SUGGESTION: Avoid direct contact in the next 24 hours]
Avoid contact? Sion almost laughed bitterly. He's going to be an inner sect disciple! How can I avoid him?
When the exam was over, Chen Feng walked towards Sion with confident steps. Several other outer sect disciples followed behind him, as if he had become their leader.
"Senior Brother Sion," Chen Feng stopped in front of Sion with a friendly smile. "Thank you for giving me... motivation earlier."
Motivation he said, Sion swallowed. He was definitely planning something.
"No problem," Sion answered carefully. "Cultivators should support each other."
"That's right," Chen Feng nodded. "By the way, Senior Brother must be curious about the technique I was going to show you earlier at the Training Ground, right?"
Oh no, he's bringing that up again, Sion felt panic mode activating.
"Ah, that..." Sion tried to find an excuse. "Maybe another time. I was—"
"It's okay," Chen Feng interrupted with an even wider smile. "We have plenty of time. Besides, as an inner sect disciple, Senior Brother must want to see his new junior's abilities, right?"
He's trapping me, Sion realized with horror. If I refuse, I'll look scared. But if I agree...
[EMERGENCY SYSTEM ACTIVE]
[DETECTIONS:]
[A. Accept the challenge → Chance of survival: 15%]
[B. Refuse with reason → Chance of losing face: 85%]
[C. Deflect with other means → Chance of unknown]
Unknown option? Sion felt desperate curiosity. What did he mean by deflect with other means?
Before Sion could answer, a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind.
"Chen Feng?"
Everyone turned their heads. A beautiful girl in an inner sect robe walked towards them with a surprised expression.
Who is she? Sion felt familiar with the girl's face, but couldn't remember where from.
Chen Feng looked surprised. "Mei Lin? You're... here?"
Mei Lin? Sion's eyes widened. Wait, that's... the female lead of this novel!
[CHARACTER DETECTION SYSTEM ACTIVE]
[IDENTIFICATION: LI MEI LIN - FEMALE LEAD]
[STATUS: INNER SECT DISCIPLE]
[RELATIONSHIP WITH PROTAGONIST: CHILDHOOD FRIEND]
[THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME]
The female lead has appeared? Sion felt the situation getting more complicated. This wasn't in the plot that I remembered!
Li Mei Lin stopped in front of Chen Feng with a complex expression. "I didn't expect you to come here too."
"This..." Chen Feng looked slightly uncomfortable for the first time. "What a coincidence."
Coincidentally my ass, Sion observed their interaction with keen interest. There must be history between them.
Li Mei Lin then noticed Sion and Lin Wei's presence. "Oh, Senior Brother Sion? What are you doing here?"
She knows me? Sion was surprised. But I've never met her before...
"I..." Sion started to answer, but suddenly felt a terrifying killing intent.
Chen Feng stared at him with his eyes turning cold. "Senior Brother is... getting to know his new junior."
Shit, Sion felt a cold sweat. He's jealous because the female lead is talking to me?
[EMERGENCY SYSTEM]
[WARNING: PROTAGONIST ENTERING POSSESSIVE MODE]
[THREAT LEVEL: CRITICAL]
[CHANCE OF SURVIVE IN 10 MINUTES: 5%]
Five percent?! Sion almost fainted. System, please give me a solution!
[EMERGENCY SOLUTION AVAILABLE]
[COST: 50 VILLAIN POINTS]
[EFFECT: TEMPORARY ESCAPE ROUTE]
[CONFIRM USAGE? Y/N]
Fifty points? But I only have 20! Sion panicked completely.
[ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION DETECTION SYSTEM]
[FOUND: PLOT TWIST INCOMING]
[ESTIMATED TIME: 30 SECONDS]
[SUGGESTION: SURVIVE UNTIL PLOT TWIST HAPPENS]
Plot twist? Sion was confused. What plot twist?
Suddenly, heavy footsteps were heard from the entrance of the Main Hall. Everyone turned their heads, and Sion saw a tall man in a black robe walking in.
The aura the man exuded was so terrifying that it made everyone instinctively step back.
Who is he? Sion felt a familiar feeling. Why does his aura feel like...
[EMERGENCY CHARACTER DETECTION SYSTEM]
[IDENTIFICATION: SION NIGHTSHADE - HOST'S BROTHER]
[STATUS: CORE DISCIPLE]
[CULTIVATION LEVEL: UNKNOWN]
[THREAT LEVEL: BEYOND MEASUREMENT]
BIDDEN BROTHER?! Sion's eyes nearly popped out. I have a brother in this world?!
The black-haired man stopped in the middle of the room, his eyes searching for something. When he saw Sion, he smiled—a smile that made the temperature in the room drop drastically.
"Little brother," he said in a low, threatening voice. "We need to talk."