abcnovels
Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Mental Suggestion
Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Mental Suggestion
The forest was eerily silent, shadows stretching as the last light of day faded. Ye Chen's lifeless body lay sprawled on the ground, his once-bright eyes now dull and empty. Aric stood over him, a mix of triumph and indifference playing across his features.
"Finally," Aric muttered, brushing a speck of dust from his sleeve. A surge of energy coursed through his veins—the direct result of absorbing Ye Chen's essence. He could feel the newfound power settling within him, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! You have gained +2,000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain Points for stealing the opportunity of the protagonist Ye Chen]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have killed the protagonist, Ye Chen.]
[Ding! You have gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points.]
[Ding! You have acquired the Heavenly Dragon Physique and Heavenly Dragon Bloodline.]
[Ding! You have obtained Dragon's Heart Essence.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received a Plot Ticket.]
Aric smirked, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Not a bad haul," he mused.
Curiosity piqued, he asked, "System, what's this Dragon's Heart Essence?"
[Ding! The Dragon's Heart Essence is a crystallized form of pure dragon energy. Consuming it will greatly enhance your cultivation and vitality.]
Another notification appeared.
[System Notice: The Host has the option to merge the Primal Chaos Physique and Ancient Asura Bloodline with the newly acquired Heavenly Dragon Physique and Bloodline. This fusion will create a superior physique and bloodline, unlocking unprecedented power.]
[Cost: 100,000 Villain Points.]
Aric raised an eyebrow. "A hundred thousand Villain Points? That's quite steep."
He considered the offer, the thought of merging these potent forces tantalizing. But the cost was significant.
"System," Aric began thoughtfully, "is there any way to get a discount on that fusion cost? After all, I've been a diligent host, haven't I?"
The system's voice remained emotionless.
[Ding! The fusion cost is fixed. However, the benefits of merging are substantial and may outweigh the expenditure.]
He sighed dramatically. "Come on, we've been through so much together. Can't you cut me some slack?"
[Ding! Negotiation protocols not found. The fusion cost remains 100,000 Villain Points.]
Aric chuckled, shaking his head. "Worth a shot. Fine, initiate the fusion."
[Ding! 100,000 Villain Points deducted. Fusion commencing.]
A radiant aura enveloped him, swirling shadows intermingling with golden light. Aric felt his body undergoing a profound transformation. Muscles tightened, senses sharpened, and it was as if his very soul expanded, touching the edges of the cosmos.
Pain and ecstasy intertwined, each pulse of energy rewriting his very being. He gritted his teeth, riding the wave of overwhelming sensation. Moments later, the light faded. He stood taller, his eyes gleaming with a newfound brilliance that seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality.
[Fusion complete. You have obtained the Celestial Shadow Physique and the Draconic Asura Bloodline.]
He flexed his fingers, feeling the immense power at his command. "Incredible," he whispered, marveling at the synergy of his new abilities.
Another notification chimed.
[New Abilities Unlocked:]
[Dragon's Dominion: Command over dragon energy, enhancing offensive capabilities.]
[Asura's Wrath: Amplifies combat prowess under extreme conditions.]
[Celestial Veil: Conceals true power from even the most discerning eyes.]
Aric felt a surge of confidence. With these enhancements, few could hope to stand against him.
Turning away from Ye Chen's body, he set his sights on the hidden library—a trove of knowledge that awaited his newfound power.
The entrance to the library was an imposing stone door, etched with intricate runes pulsing faintly with arcane energy. Vines clung to its surface, as if nature itself sought to guard the secrets within.
"Let's see what lies beyond," Aric murmured.
He pressed his palm against the cold stone. The merged energies within him resonated with the ancient magic, causing the runes to glow brighter. With a deep rumble, the door began to slide open, revealing a dimly lit corridor lined with torches that ignited spontaneously as he stepped inside.
The library was vast—a cavernous hall with towering bookshelves stretching into the shadows above. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and a subtle hum of lingering spells. Floating orbs of light drifted lazily, illuminating the endless rows of tomes and scrolls.
Aric walked among the aisles, his eyes scanning titles that whispered promises of forbidden knowledge. "So much power left untouched," he mused.
But he sought something specific.
At the heart of the library, on a pedestal bathed in ethereal light, rested a book unlike any other. Its cover was forged from obsidian scales, shimmering with an iridescence that seemed to shift colors as he approached. Golden clasps sealed it shut, engraved with symbols that rearranged themselves continuously, defying any attempt to read them.
"The Secrets of the Divine Path," Aric whispered, recognizing the legendary tome destined for Ye Chen.
As he reached out, a barrier of light flared up, blocking his hand. A disembodied voice echoed through the chamber. "Access restricted to the chosen one. Only the one destined may claim this knowledge."
Aric smirked. "Destiny is flexible."
He activated the Celestial Veil, masking his aura to mimic Ye Chen's Heavenly Dragon Physique. The barrier flickered, uncertain.
"Identity confirmation in progress," the voice intoned.
Aric felt a slight resistance, as if the barrier probed deeper, seeking to unveil his true nature. He focused, channeling the Draconic Asura Bloodline to reinforce the deception.
"Identity confirmed," the voice conceded reluctantly. "Access granted."
"Works every time," Aric chuckled, stepping forward.
He placed his hands on the golden clasps. They unlatched with a soft click, and the book opened, pages fluttering as if stirred by an unseen wind. A surge of information flooded his mind—visions of celestial battles, ancient deities wielding unimaginable power, and the very fabric of the universe unraveling and reforming.
He steadied himself, taking a deep breath. The text was written in an archaic script, complex and fluid. But with his enhanced intelligence and the fusion of physiques, he understood it effortlessly.
The Secrets of the Divine Path detailed cultivation techniques that transcended mortal limitations. Methods to harness the Heavenly Dao, manipulate Fate Strings, and challenge the mandates of the heavens themselves. It was a manual for those who dared to defy the natural order.
One technique caught his eye: Heaven Defying Chronicle.
"This allows the cultivator to break free from the constraints of fate, to write their own destiny," Aric read aloud. "To stand against the heavens and emerge victorious."
He felt a thrill run through him. "With this, I can ascend beyond any protagonist, beyond any supposed chosen one."
Another notification appeared.
[Ding! You have acquired the Secrets of the Divine Path.]
[Ding! You have gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points.]
As he absorbed the profound knowledge, another prompt materialized.
[System Notice: The Host now has the option to upgrade the Ultimate Villain System to unlock Quest Mode. This feature allows the Host to undertake missions that can yield substantial rewards, accelerating growth. Quests may or may not be related to protagonists.]
[Upgrade Cost: 500,000 Villain Points.]
Aric paused, considering the offer. "Five hundred thousand Villain Points? That's half a million!"
He weighed his options. "System, that's a hefty price. Any chance of a trial period? You know, to test the waters?"
The system responded without a hint of humor.
[Ding! The upgrade cost is fixed. No trial periods are available. However, the potential rewards from Quest Mode could significantly surpass the initial investment.]
He sighed theatrically, throwing his hands up. "You really are relentless. Always after my hard-earned points."
A moment of silence passed before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "But I suppose fortune favors the bold. Fine, do it now."
[Ding! Deducting 500,000 Villain Points.]
A surge of energy pulsed through him as the system upgraded. He felt pathways opening in his mind, new interfaces and options becoming available.
[Upgrade Complete. Quest Mode Unlocked.]
[New Feature: Quest Mode—Accessible via system interface. New quests will be generated periodically, offering Villain Points, items, and other rewards upon completion.]
Aric opened his system interface to review his updated status.
[The Ultimate Villain System]
[Name - Aric Lei (Ethan)]
[Age - 20]
[Cultivation Level - Divine Transformation Realm (2nd Stage)]
[Strength - 84]
[Agility - 81]
[Intelligence - 230]
[Charm - 71]
[Physique - Primal Chaos Physique](update it )
[Bloodline - Ancient Asura Bloodline ](update it)
[Cultivation Techniques - Iron Body Technique, Void Soul Assimilation Technique, Celestial Harmony Dual Cultivation Technique, Primordial Chaos Scripture]
[Skills - Absolute Mind Control (Grand Master), Eclipsing Shadow Blade (Master, Subskills: Shadow Slice, Phantom Strike, Eclipse Barrage), Tengzhi Fusion Fist (Beginner), Mystic Wind Movement](add ny skills aric got in this chapter)
[Items - Heavenly Jade Sword, Shadowbane Amulet, Shadow Veil Cloak, Supreme Bone, The Heart of the Primordial Titan, ](add the book here )
[Villain Halo - 231,000]
[Villain Points - 104,500]
He reviewed the updated attributes, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "Now we're talking," Aric said to himself, closing the system interface.
"System, do you have any mind control skills?" he inquired, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
The system responded promptly.
[Ding! The Host currently possesses 'Absolute Mind Control,' which requires the target to consume the Host's blood. However, this ability is ineffective against individuals with protagonist-level destiny or strong fate protection.]
"I need something more effective," Aric mused. "Are there any skills available that can subtly influence the thoughts or emotions of others, even if they have strong destiny protection?"
[Ding! Available skills within the Host's current Villain Points balance are as follows:]
[Charm Enhancement: Amplifies the Host's natural charisma, making others more inclined to trust and follow the Host's suggestions. Limited influence on individuals with strong destiny; can slightly sway their perception.]
[Cost: 30,000 Villain Points.]
[Mental Suggestion : Allows the Host to implant subtle suggestions into the minds of others during conversation.It Cannot override free will or force actions; less effective on those with strong destiny.]
[Cost: 70,000 Villain Points.]
[Emotion Weaving :Enables the Host to sense and subtly influence the emotions of nearby individuals. It Can foster feelings of trust or unease; minor impact on those with strong destiny.]
[Cost: 80,000 Villain Points.]
Aric considered his options carefully. "I need a skill that allows for subtle influence without depleting all my Villain Points," he thought.
"System, provide more details on 'Mental Suggestion,'" he requested.
[Ding! 'Mental Suggestion' permits the Host to implant gentle suggestions into a target's mind during direct interaction. While it cannot compel actions, it can nudge the target toward a desired line of thought. Effectiveness decreases against individuals with strong destiny protection but may still have minor influence.]
He nodded thoughtfully. "That could be useful in steering conversations or decisions without drawing attention."
"System, what's my current Villain Points balance?" he asked.
[Ding! The Host currently has 104,500 Villain Points.]
"Very well. Purchase 'Mental Suggestion,'" Aric decided.
[Ding! 70,000 Villain Points deducted. Skill 'Mental Suggestion' has been acquired.]
A surge of knowledge flowed into his mind, outlining the nuances of subtly influencing thoughts through conversation.
"That leaves me with 34,500 Villain Points," he calculated. "Enough for now."
He closed the interface, feeling an unprecedented level of power and potential. The addition of Mental Suggestion to his arsenal would allow him to navigate social interactions more strategically, especially when dealing with those who might otherwise resist his influence.
"The Quest Mode will help me gather more Villain Points," he thought. "I need to plan my next moves carefully."
As he exited the library, the massive doors sealed behind him, the runes dimming to their dormant state. The night air was crisp, stars piercing the velvet sky like diamonds. The forest around him seemed to hum with newfound energy, each leaf and branch more vivid than before.
He took a deep breath, the cool air invigorating his senses. "Time to return," he said to himself, a confident stride carrying him forward.