Chapter 108: Chapter 108: The Goldfinger is gone
Tyler stormed back into his room, the heavy wooden door slamming shut with a resounding thud. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, and his breaths came in sharp, uneven bursts.
The shame of the afternoon's humiliation weighed heavily on him, but beneath the anger and embarrassment, a flicker of determination burned bright. He paced the room, trying to shake off the lingering sting of Aric's cold threats.
Meanwhile, in the expansive courtyard of the Tsei estate, a different scene unfolded. Amanda and Aric engaged in a seemingly sweet conversation, their words flowing effortlessly as they strolled along the meticulously manicured gardens. Kirk hovered nearby, attempting to flatter Aric and maintain the fragile peace that had been brokered.
"Young Master Aric," Kirk began, offering a respectful bow. "Your presence has truly elevated our gathering today. Please, accept this as a token of our gratitude."
Aric gracefully accepted the gift--a Silk Handkerchief adorned with intricate celestial patterns that shimmered subtly in the light. The handkerchief was not only a symbol of respect but also imbued with minor protective enchantments.
Amanda saw that handkerchief with bright eyes. Seeing that, Aric gifted that handkerchief to Amanda.
Amanda's eyes sparkled with pleasant surprise. "Oh, it's beautiful. Thank you, Young Master Aric."
With a warm smile, Aric replied, "Consider it a small gesture of goodwill. May it serve you well on your journey."
As Amanda carefully unfolded the delicate silk, Elder Shawn approached her discreetly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Amanda, remember to be courteous and accommodating to Young Master Aric. His influence can open doors to opportunities far beyond the Taochi Holy Temple."
Amanda nodded subtly, a hint of resolve in her eyes. "Understood, Uncle. I'll do my best."
Unbeknownst to Amanda, Aric's charm had already begun to weave its subtle magic. His composed demeanor and sincere gestures made him appear both approachable and enigmatic, capturing Amanda's attention and admiration.
"Since I've arrived in this region, I find myself in need of companionship for my upcoming travels," Aric continued smoothly. "Would you honor me with your company on a visit to the nearby mountains? Your insights would be invaluable."
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Amanda hesitated for a moment, recalling Elder Shawn's advice, and then nodded confidently. "I'd be delighted, Young Master Aric. It would be a privilege to accompany you."
Kirk, ever the host, chimed in with a chuckle, "Ah, Lady Amanda, always so eager to assist. Your dedication is commendable."
Aric laughed softly, the sound resonating warmly in the evening air. "Indeed. A keen mind and a willing spirit make for excellent companions."
As the sun began to set, Aric and Amanda left the Tsei family and went to a nearby inn.
But Aric's plan were far from over.
In the night, Aric activated his Celestial Veil, a powerful concealment technique that rendered him invisible to the naked eye.
He moved silently through the corridors of the Tsei estate, his steps as light as a whisper.
Reaching Tyler's room, he glanced through a window to observe the young heir practicing his cultivation.
There, illuminated by the soft glow of lantern light, was Tyler, his movements precise and focused. Around his neck hung the Jade Pendant, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly light. Nearby lay a Jade Bottle, its contents swirling with a mysterious, luminescent liquid.
Aric's eyes narrowed as he recognized the significance of these artifacts. The pendant and the bottle were undoubtedly Tyler's gold fingers.
"Such a potent treasure for someone who claims to be a waste," Aric thought. "How did I miss its presence during the day? Perhaps the heavens intended to give them to Tyler after the engagement event."
With calculated precision, Aric approached the room, his presence still concealed by the Celestial Veil.
He extended his hand, channelling a subtle yet powerful aura that suppressed Tyler's energy, leaving him unable to move and soon, with a more powerful push, made Tyler faint on the spot.
Aric's thought. "You leave me no choice, Tyler. How can you keep such powerful items? I wouldn't let my goldmine go away from me."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +20,000 Villain Halo and +200,000 Villain Points for stealing the Jade Pendant and Bottle from the protagonist, Tyler Tsei.]
With the artifacts in his possession, Aric retreated silently, the Celestial Veil still masking his departure. The room remained empty, Tyler left unconscious and vulnerable.
The next morning, Tyler awoke with a pounding headache, his mind foggy from the night before. He sat up abruptly, confusion clouding his thoughts as he tried to piece together the events that led to his unconsciousness.
"Maybe I was too hard on myself after yesterday's events," he muttered, rubbing his temples. The memory of Aric's mocking words still stung, but a new surge of determination began to replace his lingering shame.
"But now that I have my pendant and bottle, I will surely rise to the top and will defeat the bitch Amanda and that bastard Aric. Ha ha ha. Just wait for me," Tyler laughed bitterly, trying to shake off the humiliation. His pride couldn't let him accept his vulnerability.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and rose, turning around to search for the Jade Pendant and Jade Bottle. To his dismay, they were nowhere to be found.
"Where is it?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the empty room.
"Where could it have gone?" he pondered aloud, pacing the floor in frustration.
Just then, a soft knock echoed through the room. Tyler frowned, getting up to answer it. "Who could that be? More of Aric's bullshit?" He opened the door to find his loyal servant, Mei, standing nervously.
"Lord Tyler, are you alright? I heard some noises last night when you were training," Mei asked cautiously.
"Mei, have you seen my pendant and bottle? I can't cultivate without them, and now they're gone!" Tyler exclaimed, trying to mask his frustration with bravado.
The pendant and bottle were something he had bought recently from an old man. Initially, he thought that they were fake, but his heart said that they must be something valuable, that's why he had bought them. And yesterday, he only found out that they can actually help him cultivate, but now they were gone.
But deep down, I feel that this must be Aric's trick.
Meanwhile, Aric was back in his own quarters, casually fiddling with the Jade Pendant and Jade Bottle. "These are even better than I expected. With the system by my side, I don't need to put any effort into cultivation." He smirked, admiring the artifacts' power.
"Everything I want I can get from the system. Why should I practice hard?"
"It's totally a waste of time. I should focus on these protagonists."
"Let's give these jade items to Daniela", Aric thought.
Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Demonic Sect, inside the grand halls of the First Descendant Mansion, Long Tianyun was diligently practicing his cultivation.
Despite his dedication, Tianyun's body bore the scars of his previous battle with Ye Chen, each injury a reminder of the fierce confrontation that had left him battered and bruised.
He developed a deep vengeance for Ye Chen, not only due to the act Ye Chen committed against his sister but also because of the way, Ye Chen managed to escape in their battle. The humiliation of being defeated without proper closure gnawed at Tianyun's pride.
Adding to his turmoil, his sister, Long Daniela, had ceased all communication with him. Their once-close bond had been shattered by Daniela's vow to only speak to him once Ye Chen was dead.
Unbeknownst to Tianyun, this decision was not entirely her own but was heavily influenced by Aric.
"Why can't she just talk to me like a normal sister?", Tianyun thought bitterly as he continued his cultivation, his mind clouded with frustration. "This whole situation is a mess, and I'm the one left to clean it up."
Unbeknownst to Tianyun, Daniela had been instructed by Aric to harbor a deep resentment towards him. Daniela, now aligned with Aric, viewed eliminating Long Tianyun as a necessary step to solidify her bond with her husband.
Long Daniela sat cross-legged in her mansion, in the Iron Lotus City, her eyes closed in deep concentration. The room was filled with the soft hum of energy as she cultivated her Veiled Empress Physique, allowing her to progress at an astonishing rate. Within just one month, she had reached the Core Formation Realm (2nd Stage), a feat that left many in awe.
"Soon, I will be back with my husband," Daniela said softly, her voice filled with unwavering determination as she opened her eyes after the cultivation session. The pendant given by Aric glinted around her neck, a testament to her rapid advancement.
During the past month, Aric has continuously tried to develop his relationship with the Daughter of Destiny, Amanda Hanoi. The Favourability of the heroine has increased from a mere 20->58 . Now, Aric only needs a slight push, and he will dominate the girl.