The scent of blood incense hung thick in the air, heavy with iron and ash. Demonic qi hummed faintly through the black-stone walls, a low, living rhythm that made the chamber feel almost alive.
When Xie Tian opened his eyes, his vision filled with dark sigils crawling across the ceiling. They pulsed faintly when he blinked.
"Morning, huh…" His voice came out hoarse, distant. "I've been feeling weak since I transmigrated. Feels like someone threw me into a meat grinder."
"You've been unconscious for three days," Rue replied, her tone syrupy with false sympathy. "The healers actually debated whether to burn your body or stuff it full of talismans."
"Did they at least vote?"
"Unanimous," Rue said cheerfully. "Burn."
"Touching. I've been reborn, and democracy still hates me." He let out a quiet chuckle, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Well, can't blame them. Who'd want a weak young master alive? If this body were even as strong as a guard, I'd be punching the Demon Lord by now."
"You do realize the Demon Lord is quite strong, right?"
"Exactly why I'd punch him later." He stood, brushing dust from the tattered black robe. "But first, let's get out of this incense pit before my soul rots."
His fingers flexed. Purple light traced along his veins, flickering beneath his skin like buried lightning.
"So this is my new vessel," he murmured.
"Technically recycled cannon-fodder material," Rue said. "A little dented, but charming. I like you in any form, young master."
"Then we'll reforge it until the world calls it divine. Premium-tier customization."
Rue hummed in agreement. "Now that sounds like my favorite patch update."
Outside, the Heavenly Demon Sect pulsed with life. Disciples trained across the crimson-bannering grounds; weapons clashed like thunder beneath a burning red sky.
As Xie Tian walked past, whispers followed him.
"That's the Demon Lord's failed son."
"He's still alive?"
"I heard the concubine ran after birthing him."
The words slid past him like wind. His expression stayed calm, steps steady. The black-violet mark beneath his sleeve glowed faintly.
[Fate Points +3 — 'Mockery of the Weak']
"You just gained points by being insulted," Rue said, impressed. "That's … poetic."
"Poetic?" His lips curved slightly. "It's efficient taxation. Maybe I should start begging for point farming."
"So you're a villain and an economist," Rue teased. "But isn't begging a bit too …"
"All great rulers were beggars once."
"Mm. If young master says so."
He smiled faintly. Every insult, every sneer, quietly funded his ascension.
Back in his quarters, silence returned. He sat cross-legged, folding his hands over his knees. "Let's try the cultivation method that girl Nelly made."
"You have hundreds of techniques to choose from," Rue warned. "Maybe pick one that doesn't explode your lungs this time?"
"I'll take my chances."
Qi began to circulate slowly. The air thickened; shadows quivered. Then a sharp pain lanced through his right arm.
He hissed and looked down. A black ethereal chain had appeared, coiling around his forearm like smoke made solid. Runes burned faintly along it.
"Oh~ shiny accessory!" Rue gasped. "I see bondage was in fashion this era."
"Rue," he said flatly. "Are you doing this knowingly, or are you just broken?"
"What? You can't say you don't like a little constraint."
"Focus before I uninstall you."
"I am your operating system!" she protested.
He exhaled through his nose. "Then act like one."
"Fine. Analyzing … Engraved by your father's soul imprint — well, the Demon Lord's. Suppression seal. Also a leash."
"Convenient."
"Break it and you'll release sealed potential," she continued. "But it's also … kind of alive."
He studied the glow, fascination flickering in his gaze. The chain pulsed with his heartbeat — a living curse, whispering control and rebellion in the same breath.
"Then we'll keep it," he said softly. "A reminder that even chains serve their master." A small grin tugged at his lips. "Besides, it looks cool. Like a mafia-boss accessory."
Hours later, the system screen flickered open.
[Main Quest: Break the Chains of Fate (0/7)]
Reward: Ability Unlock + 1000 Fate Points
Penalty: Repeat Death Event
"Seven chains, seven fates," he murmured. "Poetic symmetry. Am I some hidden child of the protagonist's father?"
"Or seven chances to die creatively!" Rue said brightly.
"You sound almost excited."
"I live for drama. You're the main character; I'm the emotional-support algorithm."
"Then support me silently. Your feelings are … oozing."
"Processing … sarcasm not recognized."
He tapped the interface. The chain glowed faintly, pulsing once in acknowledgment. Power stirred beneath his skin, hungry and raw.
Later that night, he stood at the edge of the sect's cliff, robes fluttering in the cold wind. The chain throbbed like a second heart as he practiced controlled qi flow.
Each breath pressed against the seal's resistance. Sparks of purple lightning crawled across his arm.
"Ooh. No pain this time. It's … flowing better."
"Body output increasing six percent," Rue reported. "At this rate, you'll be semi-useful by next year."
"If you had a body, Rue, I'd throw you off this cliff."
"Ah, love. So violent. But if it's from you, young master …"
"Haaah. So honest."
Pain teaches what peace hides, he thought. Chains teach what freedom forgets.
He pushed until the pressure subsided, until the night wind cooled his skin. He didn't notice the eyes watching him from afar.
On a distant rooftop crouched a woman dressed in black. Moonlight slid down her dagger like liquid silver.
Zhou Ran. Assassin of the Demonic Sect. Her mission was simple — kill the Fourth Young Master before dawn.
She had expected a fool. What she saw instead made her pause: a man surrounded by flickering lightning, standing calm beneath the storm.
"This guy's supposed to be weak?" she whispered.
"A visitor approaches," Rue said suddenly. "And she's radiating homicidal enthusiasm."
"Then it begins sooner than expected." Xie Tian's eyes glinted. "I haven't even met the so-called protagonist yet."
"Should I scream?"
"Do try. Let's see who hears you."
"I can scream in a way you'd like too ~"
"I worry about what kind of code wrote you."
Lightning flashed in the clouds above. The chain on his arm thrummed like a beast awakening.
[Chain Synchronization Progress: 12 %]
[Next Trigger: Attempted Assassination Detected]
[Potential Unlock: Regeneration]
Rue's voice lowered to a whisper. "Breaking fate starts with breaking your chains, young master.
"Then let's begin."
End