Villain: I transmigrated with Mind Control Powers

Aric hesitated, weighing his options. "I can see the value in it," he admitted. "But there are still some preparations I need to make. Are there any other… notable disciples joining us?"

A shadow of amusement crossed her face. "Ah, yes. I'm sure you'll be interested to know that Xu Mevan and Xu Amber are both part of the team."

Aric's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Those two? I assumed the mission would be too dangerous for them. Xu Mevan and Xu Amber are talented, but their cultivation levels aren't quite…" He trailed off, catching Mei Xian's smirk.

"It's Elder Sharon's arrangement," she replied simply. "I'm not entirely certain of her reasoning, but I trust she has her own motives for including them."

Aric's mind spun with the possibilities. Xu Mevan, Xu Amber… two daughters of destiny and a protagonist all on the same mission? There was bound to be a high-stakes encounter, maybe even an opportunity to seize something valuable or further weaken Xu Mevan's hold as a protagonist. The potential rewards were too tempting to ignore.

He turned to Mei Xian, his eyes glinting with renewed determination. "You've convinced me, Senior Sister. It sounds like this mission is one I shouldn't miss."

Mei Xian smiled approvingly. "Good. It'll be beneficial to have someone of your skill on our team. Just make sure you're fully prepared—Edsmith Palace is a force to be reckoned with."

Aric bowed slightly, his voice steady. "Thank you for the encouragement, Senior Sister Mei Xian. I'll make sure I'm ready."

With that, he made his way back to Elder Sharon's hall. Entering the chamber, he saw her deep in thought, but she looked up as he approached.

"Elder Sharon," he began, bowing deeply. "After some consideration, I have decided to join the mission to rescue our captured disciples. I'll do my utmost to prove myself worthy of your trust."

Elder Sharon's face softened slightly as she regarded him. "You're certain, Aric? It's not too late to reconsider."

Aric met her gaze steadily. "Yes, Elder. I believe this mission is the right step for my growth—and I'll do everything in my power to support our sect."

She studied him for a moment, nodding approvingly. "Very well. I respect your resolve, Aric. This mission will be dangerous, but I trust you'll make the most of the experience."

He smiled, feeling the weight of her words. "Thank you, Elder Sharon. I won't let you down."

Elder Sharon gave a rare smile, albeit brief. "See that you don't."

When he finally arrived back in his room, he took a deep breath, settling onto a silken cushion and letting his thoughts wander over the details of the mission.

Xu Mevan, Xu Amber, and Mei Xian—all key players with significant influence in the sect and yet, none of them had the faintest idea of the plans he was weaving. The very thought brought a slight smirk to his lips.

"With Mevan and the others involved, there's no doubt some sort of twist awaits," he mused internally. "The heavens always set something in motion when a protagonist like Mevan is present. It's almost guaranteed that an opportunity or treasure will reveal itself."

A glint of ambition sparked in his eyes. "But I can't rely solely on the whims of fate. Strength is what makes a real difference, and I've already seen how this world rewards the powerful and punishes the weak."

Aric smirked to himself. "I have two days before we leave. Two days to enjoy myself, gather more strength"

Showing off too much was both tempting and strategic, but he knew he would have to be discreet. Even in a place as vast as the Holy Sect, rumors had a way of spreading. If he attracted too much attention, it could potentially backfire, drawing suspicion or unwanted enemies.

Aric had recieved a storage ring from Elder Sharon.

As Aric examined the contents of the storage ring Elder Sharon had given him, he found a variety of items that included 100 Holy Dan Pills, a movement technique called the "Gale Wind Step," several high-quality elixirs for healing and qi restoration, and a handful of spirit stones. There was even a small vial of a powerful antidote. He raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of appreciation and impatience.

"Good items, but nothing groundbreaking," he murmured to himself, sliding the items into his personal storage ring. The Gale Wind Step intrigued him slightly, but he had little need for it with his current techniques.

With the items stored, Aric shifted his focus to stabilizing his cultivation. He understood the importance of consolidating his recent gains; strength gained without stability was like a fire blazing without control—it might consume everything around it, but it would burn out fast. "No use in jumping up in power if I can't maintain it," he mused.

"Like taking on too many orders with no means to fulfill them. My foundation needs to hold the weight of future growth."

The next two days passed quickly. Although he hadn't broken into a new realm, he felt grounded, his cultivation solidified, his body ready. When the call for the mission finally came, he left his chambers with a quiet confidence.

The team had gathered in a secluded area near the sect's main gate, surrounded by towering trees that provided a natural barrier from prying eyes. He noted that the assembly of disciples numbered twenty, just as Elder Sharon had said.

The leader of the team, Peng Falcon, stood at the front with an air of authority. Peng was a core disciple from Myriad Mountain Peak, a peak-stage disciple in the Immortal Ascension Realm, known for his mastery of wind techniques. His presence radiated the strength and discipline he'd gained through rigorous training.

His vice leader, Jia Lin, stood beside him—a calm and strategic woman with deep knowledge of formations and tactics, also at the Immortal Ascension Realm, though in the mid-stage.

Peng gave the gathered disciples a nod, acknowledging their presence. "Alright, everyone, listen up. I'm Peng Falcon, and I'll be leading this mission. This is Jia Lin, my vice leader," he gestured to Jia, who acknowledged the group with a slight bow. "We're here to rescue captured disciples of our sect held by the Edsmith Palace."

Aric observed Jia Lin with interest; she seemed sharp and calculated, a good balance to Peng's straightforward demeanor.

Peng continued, "Before we begin, let's make introductions. It's important we know who's on our team."

A disciple with a sturdy build stepped forward, grinning confidently. "I'm Luo Zhen, from Stormcloud Peak. I'm in the Half Immortal Realm, 8th Stage. Specialize in body strengthening techniques."

Another spoke up, a young woman with a gentle voice. "I'm Xiao Lan, from Lotus Willow Peak. Half Immortal Realm, 7th Stage. My specialty is in defensive techniques."

Aric waited his turn, watching as others introduced themselves. He recognized a few familiar faces, including Mei Xian and, to his slight irritation, Xu Mevan and Xu Amber. Each introduction offered a glimpse into the strengths they'd bring to the mission.

Finally, it was Aric's turn. "Adolf Lei," he said, offering a polite nod. "Core disciple from Qinlong Peak. My specialty… is versatile combat." He kept it vague, drawing a few raised eyebrows but also respect.

Xu Mevan scoffed softly, just loud enough for Aric to hear. Aric caught his gaze and smirked slightly, enjoying the flicker of frustration that crossed Mevan's face.

When introductions were over, Peng cleared his throat. "Alright, now that we're acquainted, let's get into the mission details." He held up a map, marking a point with a light tap. "Our information points to the Dremar Region, deep in Edsmith Palace's territory. It's a cold, icy region. Prepare for harsh conditions."

Jia Lin spoke up, her tone sharp and clear. "The mission will have three phases. First, we'll scout the area. Our objective here is to gather intelligence. We'll need details on the enemy's formations, guards, and any traps. The more information we get, the better prepared we'll be."

A disciple raised his hand. "How do we avoid detection during scouting?"

Jia nodded approvingly. "Good question. We'll go in small groups, and each group will use concealment techniques. Avoid engagement at all costs. If you're detected, retreat immediately."

Peng took over. "Phase two is the rescue. This will be the most critical part of our mission. We'll extract our captured members, but this part will require absolute precision. A single mistake could mean the death of our comrades—or us."

Another disciple, seeming uneasy, spoke up. "And what about escape? If we're seen…"

Peng nodded grimly. "Which brings us to phase three. After the rescue, we'll extract ourselves quickly. It's likely Edsmith Palace will notice our actions, so we'll need to move fast. Jia will handle formations to create distractions or barriers if needed."

Aric leaned forward, taking in every detail. This mission was shaping up to be far more dangerous than he'd initially thought.

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End of the Chapter

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