.
.
Three days passed after the Celestial Court's descent.
The Heavenly Dao Academy was still under repair.
Every disciple talked about the same two names.
Knox Void.
And...
The Celestial Court.
For the first time in history, an Upper Realm force had publicly appeared in the Eternal Divine Realm.
Everyone realized one thing.
A great war was coming.
Knox sat in the academy's private cultivation courtyard.
The morning sun shone through the ancient spirit trees.
He calmly drank tea while reading a map of the Eternal Divine Realm.
The System suddenly appeared.
[Ding!]
New Feature Unlocked: Villain Faction System
Knox raised an eyebrow.
"A new feature?"
The screen expanded.
A true villain does not conquer the world alone.
Recruit loyal subordinates, allies, and followers to build your own force.
Current Members:
Knox Void (Leader)
Current Rank: Faction Level 1
Benefits:
Shared cultivation formations.
Loyalty detection.
Exclusive faction missions.
Team rewards.
Knox smiled.
"So even the System thinks I need competent people."
At that moment, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You smile too much when you're looking at nothing."
Seraphina Luna walked into the courtyard.
She carried two cups of tea.
Without asking permission, she sat opposite Knox.
He looked at her.
"You've become comfortable here."
She took a sip.
"No one stopped me."
"They're afraid of you."
"They're afraid of your mother."
Knox nodded.
"...Fair point."
Before they could continue—
Someone knocked on the courtyard gate.
A young disciple bowed respectfully.
"Young Master Knox."
"The Headmaster requests your presence."
Inside the grand hall stood the Headmaster and several elders.
Also present were three familiar faces.
Alexander Draven.
Adrian Vale.
Prince Leon Solaris.
The atmosphere was tense.
The Headmaster spoke.
"An ancient secret realm has appeared."
"The Dragon King's Ruins."
Immediately, the room became silent.
Even Alexander's expression changed.
The Headmaster continued.
"It opens once every thousand years."
"It contains treasures capable of creating Emperors."
"But..."
His expression darkened.
"No one above the Nascent Soul Realm can enter."
Knox immediately understood.
This was another protagonist opportunity.
[Ding!]
Major Destiny Event Detected!
Dragon King's Ruins
Primary Beneficiary (Original Timeline): Adrian Vale
Mission Options Available
Option A: Kill Adrian inside the ruins.
Reward: 100,000 Villain Points.
Option B: Steal the Dragon King's inheritance.
Reward: Mythic Dragon Bloodline.
Option C: Recruit powerful allies, seize the inheritance, and establish your first Villain Faction.
Reward:
Villain Faction Level Up.
Ancient Dragon Guardian Egg.
Supreme Lottery Ticket.
Knox selected Option C without hesitation.
The Headmaster looked around.
"The academy will send five representatives."
"My choices are..."
"Knox Void."
"Alexander Draven."
"Seraphina Luna."
"Adrian Vale."
"And..."
"Prince Leon Solaris."
Leon immediately frowned.
"I refuse to cooperate with him."
He pointed at Knox.
Knox smiled.
"Good."
"I wasn't planning to cooperate with you either."
Alexander sighed.
"This mission will be exhausting."
After the meeting ended, Alexander stopped Knox outside.
"I have a question."
Knox nodded.
"Ask."
Alexander looked directly into his eyes.
"Why didn't you finish me during our duel?"
Knox answered honestly.
"Because you'd make a better ally than a corpse."
Alexander remained silent.
Then...
He smiled.
"You really are different."
That night...
Knox stood alone beneath the stars.
The System appeared once more.
[Hidden Mission Activated]
Recruit Your First Core Member
Requirements:
Absolute Loyalty.
Exceptional Talent.
Willing to oppose destiny.
Reward:
Faction Level 2.
Hidden Skill.
Knox looked toward the academy dormitories.
He already had someone in mind.
Not Adrian.
Not Leon.
Not even Seraphina.
His target...
Was Alexander Draven.
A sword genius.
A future Emperor.
And someone who believed strength mattered more than fate.
Knox smiled faintly.
"Let's see..."
"If destiny can lose one of its greatest swords."
Far away, Alexander stood on a lonely cliff, staring at the moon.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
He had the feeling that his life was about to change forever.
And somewhere beyond the stars...
The Celestial Court watched silently.
The countdown had begun.
Three years until war.
End of Chapter 16