Aron had survived the first threat, but he understood that victory was only the beginning. A single successful maneuver could inspire respect—or ignite fury. He needed more than survival; he needed leverage.
Using his growing network of allies within the Vale Clan, Aron began orchestrating subtle manipulations. He placed loyal disciples in key positions, guided decisions that favored his influence, and quietly spread doubt among the conspirators. Every action was invisible, every result amplified by the arrogance of his enemies.
The senior faction, blind in their overconfidence, did not notice the patterns. They believed chaos to be coincidence, mistakes to be chance. But Aron had mapped every tendency, predicted every reaction, and learned to exploit their assumptions.
The first tangible success came during the clan's annual talent evaluation. Normally, it was a display of raw energy and cultivation prowess, designed to reinforce the hierarchy. This time, Aron subtly influenced outcomes:
A rival disciple's energy flow was misaligned by minor, unnoticed interventions.
Another's overconfidence led to a critical mistake during the demonstration.
Allies were positioned strategically to counter any attempts by the conspirators to regain control.
By the end of the evaluation, Aron's influence was undeniable. Talentless though he remained, he had orchestrated the collapse of the conspirators' plan without ever directly confronting them. Whispers spread, growing louder with each passing hour: "The boy…he is dangerous."
Yet Aron knew better than to celebrate. This was only the first wave. The real challenge lay in consolidating influence and preparing for retaliation.