The forest air turned heavy.
Ye Feng stood at the treeline, his wooden sword trembling in his grip. His gaze was locked on the herb glowing faintly in Lin Tian's palm, his eyes burning with fury.
"That…" His voice cracked, low and venomous. "That was supposed to be mine."
Lin Tian smirked, slipping the herb into his sleeve. "Oh? Funny… because it looks like it belongs to me now."
Ye Feng's face twisted. He stepped forward, his aura flaring. "Lin Tian! Hand it over, or I'll—"
"Or you'll what?" Lin Tian cut him off, his voice mocking. "Bleed on me again? Cough up another mouthful of blood? Don't overestimate yourself, Ye Feng."
Gasps echoed from the shadows. Several disciples, who had followed Ye Feng in hopes of witnessing his destined opportunity, had arrived in time to hear everything.
Whispers spread rapidly.
"Did Lin Tian just… insult him again?"
"He stole Ye Feng's chance!"
"This… this isn't how it was supposed to happen!"
Ye Feng's knuckles whitened on his sword. "You dare steal my fate?!"
"Steal?" Lin Tian chuckled darkly, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming. "Listen carefully, Ye Feng. Fate isn't something given. It's something taken. If you can't protect your opportunities… then they were never yours to begin with."
The words struck Ye Feng like a blade. His aura flared violently, and with a furious roar, he lunged forward, wooden sword cutting through the air.
But Lin Tian didn't retreat. He welcomed the strike with a sneer.
Clang!
The sword smashed against his forearm. Blood splattered, skin split, but his hardened body endured. In that instant, Lin Tian lashed out with a savage kick, slamming into Ye Feng's ribs—the same hidden injury as before.
Thud!
Ye Feng crumpled to the ground, coughing blood once more.
Ding!
[ Host has humiliated Heaven's Chosen in front of witnesses. ]
[ Reward: +30 Destiny Points | Minor Reputation Shift: "Unpredictable Villain" ]
Lin Tian loomed over him, voice cold.
"Remember this well, Ye Feng. Destiny is no longer your ally. The next time you come for me… be prepared to lose more than your pride."
He turned sharply, robes swaying, and strode past the stunned disciples. Not one dared block his path.
Behind him, Ye Feng trembled on the ground, his eyes filled with hatred and humiliation.
"I'll kill you, Lin Tian…" he rasped, coughing blood into the dirt. "I swear it… I'll kill you!"
Lin Tian's smirk deepened as he vanished into the misty forest.
Let the protagonist rage. Let him struggle. The script was already broken.
And with every treasure stolen, with every humiliation reversed… the villain would rise.
---
Back in his secluded chamber, Lin Tian sat cross-legged once more. The Scarlet Flame Spirit Herb pulsed faintly in his hand, its fiery essence filling the air with heat.
Ding!
[ Scarlet Flame Spirit Herb – Consumable ]
Effect: Rapidly nourishes meridians, heals injuries, accelerates early-stage breakthroughs.
Warning: Extreme pain may result from fire essence entering an unprepared body.
Lin Tian smirked. "Pain again? Heh… I've already made pain my cultivation path."
Without hesitation, he swallowed the herb.
Instantly, fire erupted in his veins. His blood boiled, his skin flushed crimson, and steam hissed from his pores. His bones felt as if molten metal poured through them, reshaping from the inside out.
Arghhh!
His scream echoed in the chamber. His body convulsed violently, flames searing his flesh, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself into meditation.
[ Activating Iron Blood Tempering Art – Fusion with Scarlet Flame Essence ]
The art surged to life, channeling the fire into his bones, hardening his muscles, scorching away weakness. Cracks echoed inside him like breaking shackles.
Bang!
His aura flared outward, blasting dust from the chamber walls. A wave of pressure rippled across the courtyard, startling nearby disciples.
"What was that?"
"Such a strong aura… whose breakthrough is this?"
Within, Lin Tian's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly crimson. His breath steamed in the air, and his fists clenched, muscles surging with newfound strength.
Ding!
[ Breakthrough Achieved: Body Forging Realm – Second Layer ]
[ Iron Blood Tempering Art fused with Scarlet Flame Essence ]
[ Bonus Effect: Minor Fire Affinity unlocked ]
Lin Tian exhaled slowly, his entire body gleaming with faint light. His wounds had completely vanished, replaced with skin as tough as tempered steel. His movements felt lighter, sharper, deadlier.
He raised his fist, and heat shimmered faintly around it. With a single punch, the air cracked like thunder.
"So this is power…" he murmured, his lips curving into a cold smile.
But before his satisfaction could settle, the system chimed again.
Ding!
[ Fate Update: Due to plot interference, Heaven's Chosen has suffered severe setbacks. ]
[ Fate Compensation Triggered: Ye Feng has gained a hidden encounter to recover. ]
[ New Event: In three days, Ye Feng will awaken a mysterious sword inheritance. ]
Lin Tian's expression darkened. "So fate dares to compensate him? Hmph."
He leaned back, eyes glinting with ruthless determination.
"Then I'll just take that from him too."
---
The night sky stretched vast and endless, stars glittering faintly as Lin Tian stood on the balcony of his courtyard. His breakthrough still coursed through his body — his blood ran hotter, his breath steadier, his fists heavier than ever before.
But his gaze wasn't on himself. It was on the future.
Ding!
[ Fate Event: Three days from now, Ye Feng will awaken the "Ancient Sword Inheritance" hidden within Fallen Star Ravine. ]
[ Effect: Originally, this inheritance would mark the beginning of Ye Feng's meteoric rise, granting him a divine sword and swordsmanship talent beyond compare. ]
[ Suggested Action: Intercept or Plunder. Reward Multiplier: x5. ]
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed. "A divine sword, hm? That's no minor fortune. If Ye Feng obtains it, he'll soar above the rest. But if I claim it first…"
He clenched his hand, imagining the weight of the sword resting in his palm.
"Then the protagonist's wings will be clipped before they even sprout."
He turned, stepping into his chamber. On the floor lay several jade bottles and scrolls — spoils bought with his Destiny Points.
Ding!
[ Purchases Confirmed ]
– Mid-Grade Healing Pill (x2)
– Concealment Talisman (x1)
– Basic Sword Manual: Piercing Gale Sword Art
Lin Tian picked up the sword manual, flipping it open. Though he wasn't a natural swordsman, a cold smirk tugged at his lips.
"Why not? If fate wishes to grant Ye Feng a sword inheritance, I'll sharpen myself with the blade first."
He practiced into the night, his strikes clumsy at first, but soon steady and sharp. Each swing of his wooden sword hummed with growing intent. The crimson aura from his breakthrough mixed with his strikes, leaving faint scorch marks across the courtyard stones.
By dawn, sweat drenched his body, but his strikes were faster, cleaner.
Whsssh!
His wooden blade pierced through a hanging lantern, flames hissing out.
Ding!
[ Sword Proficiency: Beginner ]
Lin Tian exhaled deeply, lowering the sword. His lips curled in satisfaction.
"Not bad… It won't be long before I can truly handle what fate is about to hand me."
He sheathed the wooden sword at his side. His preparations weren't done — not yet. If he wanted to plunder an inheritance meant for a protagonist, he would need cunning as well as strength.
His gaze hardened.
"Ye Feng, I'll let you walk into the Ravine first. You'll bleed, you'll struggle, and when you're one step from victory…"
His smirk widened, cold and merciless.
"…I'll be there to take everything."