Chapter 4: Arise... or Something Like That
"You bully!"
Han Cangming, the 'Chosen Hero,' couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward, his generic protagonist sword glowing with a righteous golden light. "Using your status to threaten a father and his daughter? Have you no shame, Xu Yanluo?"
Yanluo didn't even stand up straight. He simply flicked a single finger.
[Skill: Minor Spatial Pulse]
A ripple of invisible force slammed into the Hero's chest. It wasn't a killing blow—it was a "get away from me" slap. Cangming flew backward, sliding fifty feet across the marble floor before crashing into a decorative pillar.
"Quiet, little ant," Yanluo said, his voice bored. "The adults are talking."
He turned to the Fox Princess, Hu Ruyan. "Ruyan, sit."
The Fox Princess didn't hesitate. She sat cross-legged on the Sect Leader's high throne. Yanluo leaned back, resting his head comfortably in her lap. Ruyan let out a delighted purr, her fingers immediately diving into his white hair to comb it, while her nine crimson tails wrapped around him like a warm, furry blanket.
"Much better," Yanluo sighed. He looked at the trembling Sect Leader. "I want your 'Spirit-Devouring Marrow,' your 'Heavenly Silk,' and every medicinal herb in your vault. My consorts need new clothes and snacks."
Ruyan giggled, leaning down to plant a spicy, lingering kiss on Yanluo's cheek. "You're so demanding, my Prince. I love it." She hugged his head against her chest, her eyes flashing a look of pure triumph at the pouting Regent Consort and the green-haired Mu Qinglan.
Yanluo reached back and stroked one of Ruyan's tails. She let out a soft, embarrassed yelp. "Yanluo! Not in front of the commoners! You... you shameless man!" Despite her words, her tails wagged so hard they created a small breeze.
'Forget aura farming,' Yanluo thought, closing his eyes for a second. 'Being a villain is much more relaxing.'
He sat up, his red eyes suddenly glowing with an eerie, dark light. He looked at the Hero, who was struggling to stand.
[System Notification: "Ling"]
[Detection: The 'Hero' carries a Soul-Vessel. An Ancient Empress Spirit is hidden in his ring, acting as his Master. She is currently trying to hide her presence.]
Yanluo's smirk widened. He had a plan for that "Master" later.
"Hero," Yanluo called out. "I'll spare your life. In exchange, you will lead me to the Cursed Demonic Sword hidden in the Frozen Abyss. Fail, and I'll turn this Sect into a graveyard."
He then turned his attention to the Sect Leader's daughter, Lin Xinyue, who was kneeling nearby. He walked over and used two fingers to tilt her chin up. She was beautiful—fragile, like a flower in a storm.
"And as for you..." Yanluo's mana began to swirl around him, dark and oppressive, casting a massive shadow across the hall.
He leaned close to her ear, his voice dropping to a gravelly, "Shadow Monarch" tone. "Arise."
[System Notification]
[Warning: Host, you are now plagiarizing the 'Shadow Monarch' Sung Jin-Woo. Please pick a personality and stick to it. Your cringe levels are rising.]
'Shut up, Ling. It sounds cool,' Yanluo retorted.
He didn't actually summon shadows. Instead, he unleashed a single, flashy move to show his absolute authority. He pointed a hand at the sky.
[Ultimate Skill: Heaven-Sunderer]
A beam of pure, concentrated crimson energy shot from his palm. It didn't just hit the roof—it deleted it. The entire ceiling of the Great Hall vanished, leaving the stunned disciples staring up at the open sky in broad daylight.
"My hand slipped," Yanluo lied, not looking back as he walked toward the inner chambers, his harem following closely behind.
The Sect Leader was weeping. The Hero was trembling. The Daughter was captivated.