Silence crushed the Grand Hall like a tomb. The only sound was the drip… drip… drip of blood running from Zhao Feng's lifeless body onto the engraved stone runes beneath him.
Dozens of disciples stood frozen, faces pale. Some looked away; others stared at Li Tian as if seeing a ghost. Even the clan elders, draped in their flowing robes and empty authority, seemed carved from stone — mouths half-open but speechless.
Li Tian let the silence stretch. He wanted them to feel it — the weight of what he'd done. What he could do.
Above the shocked hush, the System's voice purred like a blade drawn slow.
[Ding! Mission complete.]
[Zhao Feng: Dead. Humiliation index: 87%.]
[Reward: +1 Cultivation Stage. Villain Points +1000.]
[System tip: Congratulations, Host. You are now officially the villain they feared.]
Power surged through Li Tian's veins — hot, sharp, electric. He could feel it: his dantian spinning, the spiritual energy in the air racing toward him like iron filings to a magnet. His entire body hummed. Stronger. Sharper. Hungrier.
He opened his eyes. The world looked clearer somehow — the flicker of the oil lamps, the sweat on the disciples' brows, the tiny tremor in Elder Wu's gnarled hand as he gripped his staff too tightly.
So this is what power feels like, Li Tian thought. No wonder no one wants to give it up.
A ragged cry broke the silence.
"You… you… you dare!?" A Zhao elder in green silk stepped forward, eyes bulging. "Li Tian! You killed my clan's heir — in front of the entire sect!"
Li Tian's gaze slid lazily toward him. "I did."
"You—" The elder's face twisted red, veins bulging at his temples. He swung a hand out, spiritual energy crackling at his fingertips. "I'll tear you apart!"
But before he could strike, the Grand Elder's staff slammed against the stone floor with a thunderous crack that echoed through every beam of the hall.
"Enough!" The old man's voice, hoarse yet commanding, cut through the brewing chaos. "Li Tian won by duel. The heavens witnessed it. This was settled under our sect's rules — break that law now, and you stain your Zhao Clan's honour more than this boy ever could."
The Zhao elder spat at Li Tian's feet — the blood still pooling there. His eyes burned with hate, but he forced his clenched fists behind his back. "This is not over, Li Tian. Not by far."
Li Tian tilted his head slightly, a ghost of amusement in his cold eyes. "I'm counting on it."
A ripple of fearful murmurs passed through the crowd. Some disciples stepped back, as if even standing near him might bring bad luck. Others stared in awe — this was no longer the useless heir they'd mocked in the shadows. This was something new. Something dangerous.
The System's voice whispered sweet poison in his mind.
[Villain Points unlocked: Use them to purchase abilities, resources, or items from the Villain Store.]
[Next mission incoming soon. Rest well, Young Villain.]
Li Tian's lip curled. Rest? In this place? Surrounded by traitors, cowards, and those already plotting to bury me before dawn?
He stepped off the dueling stage. Zhao Feng's corpse lay there, eyes wide, mouth open — a grim reminder to everyone watching.
A few feet away, Elder Wu dared step forward, bowing stiffly. "Young Master… shall I have someone clean this up?"
Li Tian's eyes flicked over the old man, lingering on the tremor in his voice.
"Leave it," he said coldly. "Let the blood dry on the stone. Let everyone remember what happens when you test the Li Clan's villain."
His voice carried, echoing off the tall pillars and carved dragons above.
He didn't wait for a reply. He turned his back on them all — the elders, the disciples, the corpse — and walked through the stunned silence toward the heavy doors.
Behind him, the thunder began again, rolling over the mountains like a war drum.
Outside, the morning sun glowed warm and bright — but Li Tian felt only the cold thrill of what he'd done, what he'd become, and what he would do next.
The villain's path had begun — and there was no turning back now.
Arrggggggg...........