The sun had barely risen over the Nine Flames Heavenly Clan when a ripple of golden threads appeared in the sky. Ye Tianxing, recovered from his previous defeat, had arrived personally, accompanied by two Heaven's Chosen from distant regions. Their combined aura radiated oppressive authority—yet Xuanlong's crimson eyes reflected only cold amusement.
He stood atop the tallest tower, black flames coiling along his robes like serpents alive. His five disciples remained behind him, each poised and ready, radiating unwavering loyalty.
[Alert: Heaven's Chosen confrontation imminent. Recommended strategy: Deploy inner circle for tactical advantage, utilize Fate-Eater's Wrath and Shadowed Dominion selectively. Reward: VP, Fate Fragments, cultivation insight.]
Xuanlong smiled faintly. The stronger the foe, the richer the feast. Let us see how Heaven's Chosen taste.
Ye Tianxing landed gracefully, golden aura blazing, his spear pointed directly at Xuanlong. "Feng Xuanlong! Your reign of shadow ends today. The world will not bow to a villain!"
Xuanlong's crimson eyes glimmered. "I do not ask for Heaven's permission. I seize it. Fight, if you dare."
The Villain System prompted:
[Optional Action: Activate Core Formation augmentation to multiply attack and defense efficiency. Recommended: Exploit inner circle synergy.]
With a subtle motion, black flames erupted across the courtyard, coiling outward, while Dao-Plundering Chains writhed in anticipation. Yan Ruyan and Meiyu flanked the Chosen, intercepting their disciples and controlling minor attackers. Qiao Ling and Meilin manipulated elemental and spatial attacks, while the final disciple cut off escape routes and weak points.
The duel erupted instantly. Ye Tianxing struck first, spear flashing with golden light, slicing through black flames with explosive force. The first Heaven's Chosen from the north unleashed a torrent of spiritual energy, attempting to bind Xuanlong in place. The second fired precision elemental strikes, aimed to overwhelm his perception.
Xuanlong moved with terrifying speed and precision. Every chain lash siphoned Dao threads, every flicker of black flame disrupted the flow of enemy energy. Fate-Eater's Wrath pulsed outward, draining elite attackers of partial cultivation while leaving Xuanlong almost untouched.
[VP gained: 1,500. Fate Fragments acquired: 4. Cultivation insight: Duel Mastery unlocked.]
Ye Tianxing's golden spear clashed directly with Xuanlong's black flames. Sparks erupted, illuminating the battlefield with streaks of crimson and gold.
"You have grown… powerful," Ye Tianxing admitted through gritted teeth. "But power alone will not let you bend destiny."
Xuanlong smirked. "Destiny bends to those who seize it. Power is merely the tool."
The first Heaven's Chosen attempted a joint attack with Ye Tianxing. Xuanlong's crimson eyes flickered as he activated Shadowed Dominion, temporarily controlling minor elite disciples to intercept the assault, allowing him to focus entirely on the Chosen themselves.
Chains coiled around the attacking leaders, siphoning cultivation while black flames consumed their elemental aura. Within moments, the first two Heaven's Chosen staggered, their Dao threads partially drained and weakened, while Xuanlong remained poised and unscathed.
The battle escalated. Ye Tianxing unleashed a golden aura surge, attempting to sever the chains and black flames, but Xuanlong anticipated every movement, countering with perfect timing. His inner circle worked flawlessly in tandem, each disciple executing their role to perfection, feeding Xuanlong both battlefield control and additional Dao threads.
[VP gained: 2,000. Fate Fragments acquired: 5. Inner circle combat synergy maximized.]
Xuanlong's crimson eyes glimmered. Stronger, faster, more precise… each move, each clash, feeds my cultivation. Heaven's Chosen only accelerate my rise.
Minutes turned into hours as the duel raged across the Nine Flames courtyard. Shockwaves tore through the terrain, elemental storms clashed with black flames, and Dao threads intertwined in a complex dance of predation. The Villain System prompted a final option:
[Optional: Activate Fate-Eater's Devastation—overwhelms enemy Heaven's Chosen, maximizes VP, grants semi-deity insight. Risk: extreme cultivation feedback.]
Xuanlong's lips curved. Risk is fuel. He raised his hands, black flames exploding outward, chains lashing in all directions. Fate threads of the Heaven's Chosen were forcibly pulled into his control, siphoned, analyzed, and converted into power.
The first Heaven's Chosen collapsed, drained of cultivation. The second staggered, retreating under psychic and Dao pressure. Ye Tianxing, golden aura flickering, realized the inevitable. He leapt back, retreating strategically to preserve his Dao.
[VP gained: 3,500. Fate Fragments acquired: 6. Cultivation surge: Semi-deity insights initiated.]
The battlefield fell silent. Xuanlong stood amidst black flames, crimson eyes scanning the horizon. His five disciples approached, bowing deeply, radiating awe and loyalty.
"The world bends," he murmured. "Even Heaven's Chosen cannot resist the shadow of the villain. Every strike, every thread of fate, every soul we bend… strengthens us further."
Above, faint golden threads of destiny trembled, recoiling subtly. The Nine Flames Heavenly Clan had survived the first direct confrontation with multiple Heaven's Chosen, emerging stronger, more cunning, and untouchable in strategy, combat, and manipulation.
Xuanlong's smirk was cold, confident, and eternal. "Let them prepare. The Shadowed Heavens arc has only just begun. And I am its storm."