When Qin Hengyu heard the system notification, his eyes felt slightly itchy.
A moment later, his perspective changed.
Black, white, red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, gold.
As he lifted his gaze, the fate of everyone around him was clearly visible.
Damn!
Incredible!
Both Liu Ruyan and Ye Xingchen possessed golden fate, radiant like the blazing sun.
However—
When he slightly raised his head to look at his own fate color, he froze for a moment.
Black mist?
Qin Hengyu felt speechless. He was not some great demon king.
Two golden fates and one black fate.
This…
His fate was terrible to the extreme. No wonder he was only fit to serve as their stepping stone.
At the same time, a system panel visible only to him appeared before his eyes.
[System]: Enlightenment System
[Host]: Qin Hengyu
[Enlightenment Opportunities]: 1
[Realm]: Peak Qi Sea Realm
[Comprehension Ability]: Eye of Destiny
(Enlightenment usage method: Silently recite “Enlighten” three times in your heart, then imagine your desired outcome. You may gain corresponding comprehension and obtain the technique or ability needed.)
One enlightenment opportunity?
Considering his current identity, Qin Hengyu did not seem to lack much.
Since it was there, he might as well think about what he truly needed in his present situation.
Fate.
His fate problem had to be changed.
As Royal Prince, having such abysmal fate itself suggested something was wrong.
Enlighten! Enlighten! Enlighten!
Qin Hengyu recited three times in his heart, imagining a method to devour fate.
Soon, the system responded.
[Host has experienced the oppression of fate and comprehended the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art. Devour fate below, devour origin above. Nothing cannot be devoured!]
Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art?
Knowledge of the technique immediately flooded his mind.
Through the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, he could devour fate.
As long as he created obstacles for someone with strong fate or defeated them, he could use the technique to devour a portion of their fate.
He could also absorb the origin and constitution of corpses, as well as the fragmented fate remaining upon them.
One’s life, two’s fate.
After shattering an enemy’s fate and then devouring their life and origin, the technique was ruthless indeed.
However, he was already a villain in a novel. It made little difference.
As the saying went, calamities linger for a thousand years. Being a villain was far easier than being a good person.
After understanding the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, Qin Hengyu quickly formed a plan.
Originally, he had intended to sever the engagement tomorrow in one clean break. Now that he possessed the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, he would first test it and collect some interest.
He would suppress Liu Ruyan first and plunder her fate.
Then he would act against the Liu family.
He could also absorb Ye Xingchen’s fate.
There were opportunities to suppress them here and tomorrow during the engagement annulment. Since he had transmigrated into the novel, he remembered that Liu Ruyan currently possessed several fortunate encounters. If he seized them, perhaps they would also benefit the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art.
Qin Hengyu was eager to try.
However—
While he remained silent, Liu Ruyan misunderstood.
“Qin Hengyu, I hope you keep your word. Even if you hold a sacred artifact, violating a Heavenly Dao oath will not end well for you.”
“Let’s go!”
At that moment, seeing him standing still again, Liu Ruyan felt uneasy. Fearing he might regret it, she spoke once more in warning.
Then, seemingly to provoke him, she deliberately took Ye Xingchen’s hand and prepared to leave with him.
“Wait.”
Qin Hengyu raised his hand and stopped her.
“Since you have sworn that you owe me nothing, leave behind the Qingyuan Profound Ice Sword and your storage ring.”
“You may keep wearing the Ice Profound Snow Silkworm Robe for now. Return it to me tomorrow when the engagement is annulled.”
“These belong to the Great Qin Holy Land. They are not yours to take.”
Having comprehended the Eye of Destiny and the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, Qin Hengyu exerted pressure immediately.
At his words, Liu Ruyan stumbled. After turning around, disbelief filled her eyes.
“Qin Hengyu, what do you mean?”
She spoke while suppressing her disgust, her face twisting slightly, tinged with an unpleasant shade.
“So this is the Royal Prince of the Great Qin Holy Land? Taking back what he once gave?”
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
She had no intention of handing over the Qingyuan Profound Ice Sword at her waist or the storage ring on her finger.
A sacred artifact could serve as the foundation of a first-rate family.
Inside the storage ring were the cultivation resources she needed.
The Ice Profound Snow Silkworm Robe she wore was also a rare treasure, nourishing the body and enhancing beauty.
If she lost these, how could she maintain her competitiveness after leaving Qin Hengyu?
“These items were given to the Royal Consort. If you are no longer the Royal Consort, do you still expect to keep them?”
“Liu Ruyan, if you think that identity was forced upon you, then discard everything associated with it.”
“Or is it the same as before? Wanting everything?”
“You wish to avoid responsibility yet receive benefits without paying any price?”
Qin Hengyu could not help but sneer.
She cried oppression and demanded freedom, yet when faced with even slight adversity, she clung to the privileges as if they were her right.
Everything had come too easily for her.
“You… you…”
Liu Ruyan grew flustered, unable to form coherent words.
The cultivators nearby realized that the Royal Prince’s resolve seemed genuine this time.
His reasoning was sound.
As members of the Great Qin Holy Land, the most important thing was protecting the Holy Land’s interests.
They began speaking up in agreement.
“So Fairy Liu’s disdain for the Royal Consort identity was false after all!”
“If not for that identity, these items would never have been given to her. No merit, no exceptional talent.”
“Ridiculous. Our Royal Prince’s talent may not be extraordinary, but he never mistreated her. Because of her cultivation technique, he did not even touch her beyond that slap. His conduct was impeccable.”
“Let’s not say that. We should trust Fairy Liu. Pure and refined as she is, she would not be troubled by worldly possessions.”
“Right, right. Surely Fairy Liu is not calculating to the point of shattering her abacus beads?”
Hearing them, Qin Hengyu’s lips curved slightly.
These people were not bad at all.
They spoke well and had ability. Winning them over would be far more valuable than a Liu Ruyan.
However, seeing that Liu Ruyan still hesitated and seemed intent on stalling, his tone suddenly turned stern.
“Liu Ruyan, I am not negotiating with you.”
“Or do you no longer wish to retain even a shred of dignity?”
His words carried unmistakable threat.
“I… I…”
Liu Ruyan struggled internally. She wanted to maintain her image of someone indifferent to material gain, yet she did not want to surrender the resources in her possession.
She realized clearly that her influence within her family relied partly on her former identity and partly on the sacred artifact and resources.
Without them, she would lose authority in the Liu family.
“Royal Prince, if you wish to target me, I, Ye Xingchen, can endure it. But why must you target Senior Sister like this?”
“Previously, you never said these items were given specifically to the Royal Consort. You personally gave them to Senior Sister. How can you demand them back now?”
“You have never truly considered her position. Again and again, you forced her to yield to satisfy your own desires. That is hardly the behavior of a real man.”
Seeing Qin Hengyu press relentlessly, Ye Xingchen stepped forward to take the blow.
He knew Qin Hengyu could not withstand provocation and hoped to stabilize the situation.
Now he and Liu Ruyan were bound together. Naturally, he wanted her to gain the greatest benefit.
Without the Great Qin Holy Land, the Liu family would remain beyond his reach.
If he secured their support, his path of cultivation would be smoother.
“Xingchen!”
Liu Ruyan felt deeply moved, her eyes shining as she looked at him.
Only Ye Xingchen truly understood her. Unlike Qin Hengyu, who was insensitive.
Qin Hengyu glanced at Ye Xingchen, narrowing his eyes at their clasped hands.
Ye Xingchen had stepped forward?
Perfect.
Without Ye Xingchen present, demanding the sacred artifact back might have appeared as though a grown man were bullying a weak woman.
But with the protagonist meddling, it became entirely justified.
They could shamelessly entangle themselves together, yet he was not allowed to reclaim his sacred artifact?
Someone still bearing the Royal Consort title showing no boundaries whatsoever. Was that reasonable?
“Hmph.”
“So in your eyes, I am the outsider?”
“You dare interfere in my family affairs?”
“Three rites and six betrothal gifts were offered, yet the Royal Consort’s mark remains unseen. Sacred artifacts and spirit medicines were given, only to receive cold words in return. If a woman is truly as she claims, why smile and converse with another? When vows are cut, let them be severed cleanly. Why hide treasures to nourish a pretty boy?”
Qin Hengyu ignored Ye Xingchen entirely and instead recited a verse to Liu Ruyan.
Who was truly being hypocritical was obvious to all.
After hearing the poem, Liu Ruyan’s face turned iron green. She bit her lip tightly, fury reaching its peak.
She had only been caring for her junior brother. Yet Qin Hengyu insulted her honor.
Her junior brother had been beaten by his men. Was it not natural for her to support him?
What had she done wrong?
However, others were not blind.
Seeing Liu Ruyan and Ye Xingchen’s actions, and hearing the poem, they immediately empathized with Qin Hengyu.
“The Royal Prince’s sincerity was misplaced.”
“Even if Fairy Liu had no choice, there was no need to be this close to Ye Xingchen.”
“So that is why Ye Xingchen was jumping around so much. A pretty boy indeed.”
“Yes. A Royal Consort with the three betrothal documents and six rites… This makes the Great Qin Holy Land look disgraceful.”
“She makes a mistake and still wants to keep the gifts to support a pretty boy. How shameless.”
“Such a scandal within our Holy Land. In the end, the Liu family is just a small household. No wonder the Great Emperor once opposed this marriage. He must have foreseen it.”
“Fortunately, the Royal Prince has seen through his emotional entanglement. If he regains focus, his future will be limitless.”
“Question the Royal Prince, understand the Royal Prince, support the Royal Prince!”
“Is Fairy Liu afraid that without the sacred artifact and resources, the pretty boy will run away?”