Villain: I transmigrated with Mind Control Powers

As they approached the end of the tour, Mei Xian paused, gesturing toward a secluded path. "This leads to the Moonshadow Garden. It's a quiet place, used for deep meditation and introspection. Elder Sharon designed it specifically for core disciples to reconnect with their purpose."

Aric nodded, glancing down the path with a thoughtful expression. "I'd love to see it sometime."

She gave a small nod. "Then I'll take you there soon. It's… a personal favorite of mine. It helps clear one's mind, allowing for uninterrupted reflection."

Aric smiled, giving her a respectful nod. "Thank you, Senior Sister Mei Xian. Your guidance today has been invaluable."

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +2000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain Points for increasing your favorability in Daughter of Destiny, Mei XIan's heart.]

[Mei Xian's Favorability: 0 → 25]

After his conversation with Mei Xian, he decided to visit the Resource hall.

Aric made his way to the Resource Hall within the Holy Sect, which was adorned with banners of various disciples who had excelled in the past.

As he entered, he took note of the groups of disciples scattered around the hall, chatting in low tones or lining up to collect their monthly resources.

The hall bustled with activity as younger outer disciples eagerly awaited their small share of cultivation resources, while inner disciples wore a mix of pride and contentment, knowing they were on a slightly higher rung in the sect hierarchy.

Among the outer disciples, Aric overheard a conversation as they waited for their turn.

"Two Holy Dan Pills and 50 Spirit Stones... It barely lasts a week with my current cultivation pace," one outer disciple complained, his voice tinged with frustration.

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"Tell me about it," his friend replied, shaking his head. "I've started rationing my Spirit Stones, meditating with them only when I'm close to a breakthrough. Otherwise, I'd run out before the month's even halfway over."

"Just imagine the resources the Core Disciples get," a third disciple mused, his eyes gleaming with envy. "Fifty Holy Dan Pills and a thousand Spirit Stones! It's enough to push anyone into a new realm of power."

Aric smirked slightly, pleased that he had reached such a coveted position. He approached the counter with a calm stride, noting the subtle shift in the other disciples' attention as they recognized his Core Disciple insignia.

Some whispered to each other, and a few eyes widened as they realized who he was. The buzz in the hall quieted somewhat as he reached the counter.

Elder Jin, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, stood at the counter, overseeing the distribution of resources. His expression softened slightly as Aric approached, recognizing him from the talent trials.

"Ah, Adolf," Elder Jin greeted him with a nod. "I see you've come for your monthly resources. As a Core Disciple, you're entitled to fifty Holy Dan Pills and one thousand Spirit Stones."

Aric held up his Core Disciple token as he spoke, "Indeed, Elder Jin. Here's my token."

The elder took the token, examining it briefly before nodding in approval. He waved his hand, and a storage box floated over, filled with the resources Aric was entitled to.

Aric took the box and quietly placed its contents into his storage ring, noting the envious glances from some of the outer and inner disciples nearby.

Elder Jin returned the token with a slight smile. "You've settled in well, I assume?"

"Yes, Elder," Aric replied respectfully. "Qinlong Peak is truly impressive."

Satisfied, Elder Jin's expression turned serious. "Anything else I can help you with?"

Aric hesitated a moment before asking, "Actually, Elder, I've been meaning to visit the sect library—the Daedoseogwan. I'd like to broaden my understanding and see what cultivation resources are available there."

A few nearby disciples perked up, listening curiously. The Daedoseogwan was widely regarded as a treasure trove of knowledge, but access was strictly controlled. Only the most promising disciples could reach its higher floors.

Elder Jin's eyes sparkled with approval at Aric's interest. "The Daedoseogwan, yes. The library is located east of the main hall.

As a Core Disciple, you may enter up to the fifth floor. The first three floors contain foundational cultivation techniques, open to outer disciples, while the fourth floor is reserved for inner disciples.

The fifth floor—" he paused meaningfully, "—holds rare and ancient texts that only Core Disciples are permitted to access."

Aric inclined his head. "Thank you for the guidance, Elder. I'll be sure to make good use of my time there."

Elder Jin's gaze softened, and he nodded. "Good. Remember, knowledge is as important as strength. Many prodigies have ascended by immersing themselves in those very texts."

With a respectful bow, Aric turned and left the Resource Hall, ignoring the hushed whispers and lingering glances from other disciples. He made his way to the Daedoseogwan, the library, with a slight smirk on his face.

His suspicions about this place were rooted in countless stories of protagonists discovering hidden treasures within sect libraries. Perhaps he would stumble upon a powerful technique, or perhaps he'd gain insight into his competition.

As he arrived at the Daedoseogwan, he was struck by the grandeur of the building. The seven-story library towered over the surrounding structures, built from dark stone, with intricate carvings that depicted ancient battles, mythical creatures, and legendary cultivators.

Rows of disciples milled about outside, discussing recent breakthroughs or debating the best techniques for their cultivation levels.

Inside, the first floor was filled with bustling outer disciples, eagerly combing through basic techniques and manuals. He overheard snippets of conversation as he passed.

"Did you find anything useful?" an outer disciple asked his friend, holding a scroll with reverent care.

"A few sword techniques that are decent," his friend replied, sounding slightly disappointed. "But the higher floors are where the real treasures are kept."

Ignoring the curious glances directed at him, Aric made his way up the staircase, bypassing the lower floors until he reached the fifth floor. Here, the atmosphere was markedly different.

The inner and core disciples studying there held themselves with an air of confidence and authority. Rows of bookshelves lined the floor, filled with advanced cultivation manuals, mystical arts, and scrolls containing obscure knowledge.

Aric wandered among the shelves of the fifth floor, letting his fingers drift across the spines of countless ancient texts. The core disciples around him kept a respectful distance, some glancing over curiously, others too engrossed in their own studies to pay him any mind.

The atmosphere here was thick with focus and silent determination, each disciple immersed in texts filled with the kind of wisdom that could elevate a cultivator's path.

In his mind, Aric could feel the clock ticking. One hour wasn't much, especially considering the vast array of shelves that filled this floor. He'd been informed by Elder Jin about the time restrictions, but he wasn't about to let that hinder him.

If the protagonist or some "Son of Destiny" had stumbled upon a hidden technique here in a traditional cultivation tale, then the trick was finding the one book that didn't belong—something old, forgotten, or inconspicuously placed.

Moving systematically, Aric scanned each row of books, not just for their titles but for any sign of wear, dust, or unusual placement. He carefully examined the shelves, trailing his fingers along the backs of the books. His gaze lingered on each shelf as he considered the ones that looked untouched, collecting dust in a way that implied neglect.

"Come on… there has to be something here. It's a library trope," he muttered to himself under his breath, scanning the shelves once more. Every so often, he'd pause to slide a book off the shelf just enough to peer behind it, only to be met with disappointment as he pushed it back.

As he continued, a flicker of irritation crossed his face, which he quickly suppressed. "One hour is ridiculous," he thought. "A real gem wouldn't be so easy to find… unless they purposely hid it somewhere no one would think to look."

A few minutes before his time was up, his patience finally paid off. Tucked behind two thick volumes on alchemical compounds, he spotted a small book, its cover obscured by a heavy layer of dust. Aric squinted, realizing it was nearly the same color as the wooden shelf itself, which explained why no one else seemed to have noticed it.

He gingerly pulled it out, brushing the dust off its cover to reveal the title.

"The Divine Path of Yin-Yang."

His eyes gleamed with intrigue as he examined the worn cover. There was a subtle aura emanating from the book, almost imperceptible, but to someone as experienced and attuned as him, it was unmistakable.

The book might look like an ordinary book at first glance. Looking at the book, he felt that nobody could have found it if he had not been deliberately looking for that.

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You have gained 10,000 Villain Halo and 100,000 Villain Points, for stealing the opportunity of the Protagonist, Xu Mevan ]