The warm light of dawn filtered through the paper windows, and Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes. His cultivation had gone smoothly through the night, and a small smile played on his lips. Foundation Realm Level 3—just the beginning, but enough to shake the sect.
As he walked through the outer sect grounds, something was different.
"Senior Brother Lin!"
"Did you see how handsome he is?"
"Ahh~ If only he would talk to me just once!"
Lin Xuan glanced sideways. The very same female disciples who once called him trash were now looking at him with admiration, even desire. Just a month ago, they had treated him like a joke, a useless disciple clinging to his master's mercy. Now? Now they whispered "genius" behind his back.
Heh, he thought, how quickly people change their tunes.
But his steps faltered as he saw two familiar figures blocking his path.
The 6th Sister, Han Yuyan, stood there with her arms crossed, an angry look on her face. Beside her was the 7th Sister, Tang Xiaoran, her expression cold and silent.
"You!" Han Yuyan pointed at him. "You hurt our 7th Sister and didn't even apologize! And you never came to see me after that either! Kneel down and apologize right now, or don't ever expect me to talk to you again!"
Lin Xuan's gaze turned distant.
Seven years ago, the original owner of this body had saved her when she collapsed from hunger on the roadside. A beggar then. And now? She's threatening the same person who gave her everything.
A crowd of outer disciples began to gather, attracted by the commotion.
Lin Xuan's lips curled into a smirk. "And who are you to demand an apology from me?"
Gasps spread through the watching disciples.
Han Yuyan froze. "Trash! How dare you speak to me like that?! I'll teach you your place!"
In a flash, she attacked. Han Yuyan had reached the early Foundation Stage a year ago, and her confidence overflowed.
But Lin Xuan moved faster.
He casually caught her wrist mid-air.
"W-What?!" Han Yuyan stammered. "How dare you touch me?!"
Tang Xiaoran stepped forward. "Apologize, or neither of us will talk to you again!"
Lin Xuan stared blankly. "Are these two insane?" he muttered to himself.
With a cold snort, he slapped both of them across the face.
Pa! Pa!
Both their cheeks swelled red.
"You… you broke through?!" Han Yuyan was stunned. "How is that possible?! You were supposed to be trash!"
Lin Xuan didn't bother answering. He turned and walked away.
But Han Yuyan, unwilling to accept defeat, shot an attack from behind.
"You dare ignore me?!"
Lin Xuan turned, his eyes glowing with fury, and punched her straight in the chest. She stumbled back, injured and shocked.
"You… hit me…? I'm never talking to you again!"
"Good," Lin Xuan replied coldly, walking off without a backward glance.
Tang Xiaoran rushed to help her.
"Sister Yuyan, are you okay?"
"That bastard! What happened to him? He used to follow us around like a dog, giving us all his resources, smiling like a fool. Now he dares hit us?"
Tang Xiaoran lowered her voice. "He's… changed. Something's different about him."
Han Yuyan gritted her teeth. "Don't talk to him anymore. Let's see how long he can keep up this arrogance."
A short while later, Lin Xuan arrived at his master's residence.
He knelt down respectfully. "Disciple greets Master."
Lan Yuerong, seated by the window, turned around. "Oh? You've reached Foundation Level 3 already?" She raised an eyebrow, a rare smile on her lips. "Not bad. Unexpected, even."
"It's all thanks to you, Master," Lin Xuan said with a faint smile. "With a master like you, anyone can become a genius."
"Hmph! Shameless disciple," she rolled her eyes. "Do you think I don't know you? You've been my disciple for ten years. And only now you break through?"
She stood and walked closer. "Fine. Since today is a special day, I'll allow you one request."
Lin Xuan's gaze turned serious. "Master, I have only one request. Please don't accept any disciple during the upcoming outer disciple recruitment."
Lan Yuerong blinked. "That's… it? Not a pill, not a treasure?" She was surprised. "Why such a request?"
But before Lin Xuan could respond, she raised her hand. "Never mind. This is your first request—I won't ask the reason. I won't accept any disciple this time."
Ding!
[System Notification: Plunder Target Locked — Son of Destiny.
Plundering begins. +100 Villain Points.]
Lin Xuan's eyes sparkled as he glanced at the system panel. A grin crept over his face.
Heh… Just the beginning.
Lan Yuerong noticed his gaze. Her eyes narrowed.
"Why are you staring at my body like that…?"
"I-I wasn't!"
"You shameless brat!" she yelled, her face flushing red. She suddenly attacked with a palm strike.
Boom!
Lin Xuan flew out the room, coughing blood.
"Master! Wait! You misunderstood—!"
"Get out!!"
Clutching his chest and wiping the blood from his mouth, Lin Xuan fled the residence, cursing under his breath.
"Damn that system! Now Master thinks I'm a pervert!"
The disciples outside rushed over.
"Senior Brother Lin! You're injured?!"
"Please take care of yourself!"
"Your health is more important than anything!"
Lin Xuan ignored their concern and dragged himself to a quiet cultivation area.
He closed his eyes and began healing.
The path of the villain has begun. Let's see who dares stand in my way now.