Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Li Yuan
Aric leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as he gazed at the information provided by his spies. Long Tianyun was recuperating from the recent battle injuries, his pride wounded but his strength slowly returning. As powerful as Long Tianyun was, Aric knew that striking him now wouldn't deliver the satisfying, decisive blow he craved.
He wanted Long Tianyun stronger, brimming with potential, before he cut him down to size.
"Let him be for now," Aric murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with calculated malice. "There will be more to gain when he rises further."
With Long Tianyun temporarily off his radar, Aric's focus shifted to finding his next target—a new Son of Luck to exploit. He knew that luck and fate were dangerous adversaries, but if he could control and twist them to his advantage, it would only solidify his own power.
He activated the communication crystal on his desk, calling for Mia, his most trusted spy and informant. A soft, familiar chime echoed through the crystal as her voice responded, calm and efficient as ever.
"Husband," Mia's voice came through the crystal. Her voice filled with loyalty and affection. "I have new information for you."
Aric's lips curled into a sly grin. "Go on, Mia. What have you found?"
"There's a small sect in Qinglong City known as the Wentian Sect," she began. "It's not particularly well-known, and most of its disciples tend to transfer to larger sects once they reach the Core Formation Realm. However, a disciple there, by the name of Li Yuan, seems to have caught the attention of several factions."
Aric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Li Yuan?"
"Yes, Husband," Mia continued. "He's still in the Qi Refining Realm, but his talent is extraordinary. There have been several incidents where Li Yuan has narrowly avoided disaster and gained significant opportunities without any real effort on his part. The sect elders are considering sending him to a larger sect soon. If we don't act quickly, he might slip through our grasp."
Aric's interest sharpened. Another Son of Luck—this was exactly what he needed. "So, he's still in the Qi Refining Realm? That means he's not fully ripened yet."
"Indeed, Husband. The sect is too small to fully nurture someone of his potential, but I've heard rumors that Li Yuan has already caught the eye of stronger forces. He's not far from attracting serious attention."
Aric's fingers drummed rhythmically on the armrest as he contemplated his next move. "Good work, Mia. I'll handle this personally. Keep a close watch on Long Tianyun in the meantime, but for now, my focus is on this Li Yuan."
"As you wish, Husband."
Ending the call, Aric stood and stretched, already planning his next steps. Qinglong City and the Wentian Sect weren't far—mere days of travel. He decided it was time to use one of his Plot Tickets, a rare reward he had gained after killing Ye Chen. The Plot Ticket could reveal a protagonist's journey, granting Aric the advantage of foresight and knowledge of their upcoming opportunities.
Smiling, he held up the small glowing ticket in his hand. The Plot Ticket pulsed faintly, its magic ready to unfold. "Let's see what fate has planned for Li Yuan," Aric murmured.
[Ding! The Host is about to use the Plot Ticket. Proceed?]
"Yes," Aric confirmed.
In an instant, the world around Aric shifted. His vision blurred as scenes from Li Yuan's past flashed before him. Images of the boy's previous life as a lowly disciple in the Wentian Sect emerged. Li Yuan had been nothing special—bullied by his peers, overlooked by his masters, and given menial tasks that never amounted to much.
But his luck changed when he ventured into the Silvermoon Forest on a routine mission, where a horde of spirit beasts had attacked. Li Yuan should have died that day. Yet, in a twist of fate, his soul was drawn into a Rebirth Stone, a mysterious artifact that had been lying dormant in the forest for centuries.
The Rebirth Stone, infused with the essence of an ancient immortal, granted Li Yuan a second chance at life—reborn with untold potential, knowledge of ancient cultivation techniques, and a connection to the powerful artifact. Li Yuan had no memory of his previous life but had awakened with profound talent, causing his rise within the Wentian Sect.
[Ding! Li Yuan is a Son of Luck. His destiny is intertwined with an ancient inheritance hidden within the Silvermoon Forest, where he will unlock his true potential.]
Aric grinned darkly as the visions shifted to Li Yuan's future, showing the youth standing atop a mountain, wielding a divine sword, surrounded by powerful sect elders bowing before him. It was clear that without intervention, Li Yuan would rise as a force to be reckoned with, just as other protagonists had before him.
But there was something more—something that piqued Aric's interest. He saw a glimpse of a Celestial Dragon's Heart, an ancient artifact that would serve as the key to unlocking Li Yuan's greatest strength. This heart, once in Li Yuan's possession, would catapult him to the heights of cultivation and make him nearly unbeatable.
"This Celestial Dragon's Heart... it will be mine before he ever touches it," Aric whispered to himself, his grin widening. The visions faded, and he found himself back in his chamber, holding the now-dormant Plot Ticket.
Aric's eyes gleamed with malevolent glee. "It's time to pay this Li Yuan a visit."
Within hours, Aric was soaring toward Qinglong City in his flying boat. The wind howled around him, but his mind was clear, his path set. Qinglong City wasn't particularly large, but it was bustling with life. Merchants, cultivators, and wanderers filled the streets, and the air hummed with energy.
The Wentian Sect was located on the city's outskirts, nestled in the shadow of a mountain range. Its humble appearance belied the potential of the talents it harbored. Aric descended quietly, cloaking his presence as he always did when hunting for opportunities.
He slipped through the sect's protective arrays with ease, his movements fluid as a shadow. The disciples within the sect were mostly in the Qi Refining Realm, with a few in the Core Formation Realm—nothing threatening to Aric.
Aric's system flashed as he caught sight of Li Yuan.
[Ding! New target detected: Li Yuan—Son of Luck]
[Current Status: Qi Refining (8th Stage)]
[Fate Value: 85,000]
Aric's eyes gleamed as he watched the young man. Li Yuan appeared unremarkable at first glance, but the system's warning told Aric otherwise. Li Yuan was destined for greatness if left unchecked. Aric continued to observe, noting the reverence with which the other disciples treated him. Despite being in the same realm as them, Li Yuan had already begun to outshine them in talent and luck.
It didn't take long for Aric to gather more information. Li Yuan had been assigned a mission by one of the sect elders—a trip to the Silvermoon Forest to retrieve rare herbs that bloomed only once every decade during a celestial event. This was likely the event that would lead Li Yuan to his Celestial Dragon's Heart.
A smirk played on Aric's lips. "Not if I get there first."
Aric made sure to gather every detail he could about Li Yuan's planned trip. He wasn't going to simply steal the artifact; he wanted to rip the opportunity from the boy's hands, leaving him broken and demoralized.
The Silvermoon Forest was vast and filled with dangers—beasts, spirits, and ancient traps. But Aric moved swiftly, using his Celestial Veil Technique to cloak his presence and his Mystic Wind Movement Technique to navigate the treacherous terrain.
As Aric ventured deeper into the forest, he sensed the shift in energy. The celestial event was near, and the forest's atmosphere buzzed with power.
Soon enough, Aric found Li Yuan and his team of sect disciples, making their way toward the center of the forest. They had no idea what awaited them—or that Aric was watching their every move, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The inheritance would be his, and Li Yuan's destiny would crumble.
END OF THE CHAPTER .
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Author's Note:
Dear Readers,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following and supporting my novel. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and dedication mean the world to me, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to immerse yourselves in the world I've created.
Your continued support motivates me to push the boundaries of the story, and I'm grateful for every comment, review, and chapter read. It's because of amazing readers like you that I find the inspiration to keep going. I'm truly humbled by your encouragement and passion for this story.
Every chapter I write, I write for you—so thank you for being a part of this adventure. I couldn't have made it this far without you.
Stay tuned, and thank you once again for being part of this journey!
With gratitude,
DrakeFang
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