"Meow, I want to tell you something."
"One day, a strange script appeared in my mind," she said solemnly, her slender figure poised in quiet determination.
"Through the dreams born from that script, I… I can glimpse what's yet to come."
Her voice, though sweet, carried a gravity that made the surrounding air seem to still.
"So in a moment, when I help you break through to Foundation Establishment using the Beast Taming Heart Method, you'll be startled by a bolt of heavenly lightning."
"But you mustn't be afraid, understand? I'll be right here, protecting you."
"Promise me, okay? Be a good little one and say yes!"
On a wide stone platform halfway up Shénluán Peak, the pale, delicate figure of Lu Yingying—no more than fifteen or sixteen years old—stood under the moonlight, speaking softly to the enormous beast before her.
She was the youngest disciple of the Qīnglán Sect, born with the rare Beast Taming Spirit Constitution, and the precious Fourth Junior Sister of Lin Xiao's line.
Before her loomed a majestic spirit beast—a Crimsonflame Lion-Eagle, with a lion's head, wings like burning embers, and an aura that rippled with primal fire.
"Awuu~~"
The lion-eagle gave a pleased chirp, bowing its massive head, indicating it understood.
"Good little meow."
Lu Yingying stroked its fur with affection, but her expression darkened as she lowered her voice.
"There's one more thing I need you to do for me…"
"Meow?"
The beast tilted its feline head, ears perked to listen.
Lu Yingying knelt, her tone grave.
"Three hours from now, just before dawn—you'll pretend to be frightened by the thunder and dash down the mountain."
"Atop the roof of the Yunlai Inn at the base of the sect, you'll see a young man dressed in black… wearing a strange ring on his hand."
"That man… is named Ye Chen."
"And you must attack him—with everything you have. Kill him."
As she spoke, flames of fury surged into her soft almond-shaped eyes, transforming their gentleness into something fierce, vengeful, and wild.
"Remember his name well. Ye Chen. He's the worst person in the world!"
"I've never met him. But in those prophetic dreams, I saw it clearly—it was him who destroyed our Senior Brother!"
"It was him who brought about the great catastrophe of the demonic invasion, causing countless of our fellow disciples, elders, and peak masters to die in agony!"
"So many lives… all wiped out. And the only thing he said was—'Sorry. I was too late.'"
"Then, after defeating the Demon Sect's old patriarch, he didn't wipe them out—no! He actually left for the Southern Domain of Zhongzhou to flirt with the Saintess of Nanzhao!"
"Because of this, the eight demonic sects were allowed to recover. And once again… they returned to attack us."
"This time, they slaughtered nearly everyone—only a few sisters survived. And only then… only then did he return."
Her voice broke. Her eyes reddened, glittering with tears as her emotions surged.
"Do you understand, Little Meow?"
"In that script… after he entered the sect, he fooled everyone—even our Master, even all our senior sisters."
"Only our Senior Brother Lin Xiao saw through him from the start."
"From the very first day, Senior Brother knew Ye Chen was a curse in human skin. Again and again, he tried to expose him… to drive him out."
"But no one believed him."
"Everyone stood by Ye Chen's side. Even me… even I, that foolish little idiot… turned my back on Senior Brother…"
Her voice cracked as sobs overtook her.
She wept.
But after a long silence, she raised her head, eyes cold and resolute.
"Thank the heavens… none of it has happened yet."
"Senior Brother, from now on, Yingying will always listen to you."
Tears flowed freely once more as she whispered his name, her lips trembling. Then, she wiped them away with a small, determined hand, and her soft features sharpened.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. After seeing that dream… I finally understand."
"This world is filled with blind fools and empty-headed sheep. So I've decided—"
"I'll cleanse it."
"I will create a world where only you exist."
In that moment, her clear, fragile gaze was consumed by a sickly brilliance—fanatical, twisted, obsessive.
A terrifying aura erupted from her petite frame, fusing into the darkness around her.
—
Far from Shénluán Peak, over a hundred li down the winding mountain road—
A horse-drawn carriage galloped through the misty trails.
"Elder Shi, you truly believe the Qīnglán Sect is the place of my destiny?" asked a young man in black, handsome in a sharp, angular way.
He turned the black ring on his finger absently, his expression unreadable.
"Of course," said the aged voice from within the ring, chuckling.
"This isn't just your fated place—this is where your love destiny begins! Hah! Boy, you're in for quite the romantic journey!"
"Love…?"
Ye Chen's brow twitched, a trace of excitement flashing in his eyes—but it quickly vanished.
"I didn't come for romance. I only seek strength! I must return to the imperial capital… and tear that Empress apart, limb by limb!"
The old voice cackled.
"Hah! Don't lie to me, brat. I can hear every thought in your little head. No need to act righteous."
"You'll get your revenge, sure. But you'll also get the beauties. That's the real path to greatness, isn't it?"
Ye Chen snorted and spat out a blade of grass.
"Little Marten, go scout the road ahead. This journey must remain secret—we can't risk being spotted."
Boom—!
A violet blur tore through the night sky. A massive spirit beast with purple-black flames around its body—Ye Chen's companion, the Purple Flame Demon Marten—vanished into the darkness ahead.
—
At the base of Qīnglán Mountain, in Taoyuan Village, 50 li away—
Crowds had gathered outside the only inn, the Yunlai Inn, buzzing with fear and agitation.
"Where'd this damned monster come from? Daring to cause trouble here!"
"Ha! Think it can do what it likes? Our village is protected by the Qīnglán Sect! Just wait—one of their immortal elders will descend and fry it where it stands!"
"Yeah! Look at that beast! Ugh, so ugly. Let's kill it before it curses us!"
They formed a ring around the culprit—an enormous spirit beast with wings, drenched in purple fire, munching watermelon after watermelon without a care.
The fruit vendor was in tears.
"You little beast! You dare eat my stock?!"
He pulled out a rope imbued with spiritual energy. "This is a treasure bestowed by a Qīnglán elder—Demon Binding Cord! Let's see how you like this!"
"Folks! Who's with me?! Let's bring this thing down!"
"I'll help!"
"Count me in!"
"Taoyuan Village is blessed by immortals! We won't let some monster trample over us!"
Together, they rushed forward and, catching the beast off guard, bound it tight.
"Raaaargh!"
The Demon Marten howled, furious and panicked, but could not break free.
"Hah! Stupid beast! Eat my crops, will you?!"
The farmer raised a hoe high and—
CRACK!
A blinding sword light cleaved through the air. The hoe shattered into fine powder.
Everyone fell silent.
A black-robed youth stepped from the wind, eyes cold, aura terrifying.
"Sorry, Little Marten… I was late."
Ye Chen stroked his companion's head with remorse.
"You… you're this beast's master?"
The farmer trembled.
Ye Chen's gaze turned icy.
"I, Ye Chen, live freely, without fear or restraint. But there's one thing I will never tolerate—"
"Anyone who harms my friends or family… must die."
He gestured.
A flying sword split the air.
A second later, the farmer was nothing more than a pile of bloodied meat.
Horrified silence.
The villagers dropped to their knees.
"Please spare us, Immortal!"
"To us mortals, this youth was no different from a god of death."
"You need not fear," Ye Chen said coolly, flicking his cloak. "I do not kill the innocent. I repay kindness with kindness… and vengeance with fire."
"Tch tch… kid, your style's getting flashier."
"Come now. Let's head inside. Your fate is about to arrive," cackled the old man in the ring.
Ye Chen nodded and stepped into the inn, cloak billowing.
—
Atop a high precipice of Shénluán Peak, Lin Xiao sighed.
Through his Remote Vision Water Mirror, he had witnessed the entire scene in the village.
"That poor melon uncle. What a tragic fate."
"This Ye Chen… total hypocrite."
"Your beast can destroy a man's livelihood, but the man defending his field deserves to die?"
He scoffed.
Back when he first read this novel, he'd been too caught up in the thrill—the protagonist's dominance, the harem, the power fantasy. But now, as a bystander?
Ye Chen was just trash.
Take away the plot armor and cheat ring, and that little bastard wouldn't last a day in a sweatshop.
"Whatever. Just a stupid world anyway. I'll finish my part, collect my reward, and leave."
"Sickening. Absolutely sickening."
—
At that moment, a pale girl with ankle bells jingling softly, leading her lion-eagle spirit beast, arrived at the Yunlai Inn.
"I'm too late…"
She looked down at the bloodstained stones, lips pressed in anguish.
Of course she knew what had just happened. She'd seen it all in the dream.
Ye Chen's beast had caused trouble. Villagers panicked. One struck back—and Ye Chen murdered him without remorse.
And in the original plot?
She—Lu Yingying—had been touched by his affection for his pet. Her heart had softened. She fell for him.
"No. Not this time."
"Tonight, I end it."
She embraced her spirit beast, her voice low.
"Little Meow. Ye Chen is on the second floor."
"You know what to do."
The beast's pupils burned with killing intent, ready to obey.