Inside the carriage, ensconced beneath the silver glow of a crescent moon that hung in the ink-black sky like a solitary pearl, Leo leaned back against the plush, cushioned seat, feeling the faint hum of the carriage as it glided smoothly down the uneven road.
His eyes, dull and unfocused, stared blankly at the intricately carved wooden ceiling of the cabin, the shadows wavering like ghosts as the moonlight flickered through the windows. He listened intently to the mechanical, yet oddly charismatic voice echoing in his mind, a voice that felt both foreign and intimately familiar, guiding him through the murky depths of his newly altered fate.
[System Notification: Host has requested cultivation stage information. Displaying the first ten major power realms and their respective sub-realms.]
The screen in his mind flickered to life, vibrant and alive, as knowledge poured into his consciousness like an inundation of divine insight cascading over parched earth, filling him with a sense of gravity. It was as if someone had opened a floodgate, allowing torrents of information to spill forth.
---
Each Realm contains 3 Sub-Realms:
Lesser
Greater
Peak
Example: "Lesser Emberborn", "Peak Starforged", etc.
---
1. Emberborn Realm (Foundation Stage)
A time of awakening, where mana or aura makes its first tentative appearance for the fortunate few.
Learning basic spells and techniques as a tree learns to grow, reaching ever upward into the light.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Emberborn → Greater Emberborn → Peak Emberborn
---
2. Spellroot Realm (Early Cultivation)
A threshold where one transcends the novice realm, capable of casting structured spells or martial techniques with precision and intent.
Mana or aura cores begin their metamorphosis, solidifying into the foundation of budding power.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Spellroot → Greater Spellroot → Peak Spellroot
---
3. Aetherpulse Realm (True Awakening)
The core stabilizes, allowing for the manipulation of external mana, as if one's very existence had synchronized with the universe itself.
Enhanced physical and mental attributes manifest, marking the journey toward true power.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Aetherpulse → Greater Aetherpulse → Peak Aetherpulse
---
4. Starforged Realm (Elite Tier)
As the body and soul undergo rigorous tempering, a storm of potential brews within.
Here, one can create minor domains, summon spirit beasts, or conjure weapons imbued with life and fury.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Starforged → Greater Starforged → Peak Starforged
---
5. Dominion Realm (Regional Powerhouses)
Once the pinnacle of the battlefield is within reach, players begin scripting their Arcane Authority, the very laws of magic that govern their existence.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Dominion → Greater Dominion → Peak Dominion
---
6. Calamity Realm (World-Level Fighters)
A name that echoes through nations, feared and revered, commanding respect and trembling fear in equal measure.
Magic or artifacts wielded here can alter the very fabric of weather, reality, or destiny itself.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Calamity → Greater Calamity → Peak Calamity
---
7. Archon Realm (Continental Forces)
Here, one can bend the fundamental laws of the world, slow time, or freeze the very essence of space.
Access to World Sigils—ancient runes that wield the power to reshape everything—becomes possible.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Archon → Greater Archon → Peak Archon
---
8. Eternal Realm (Immortal Legends)
Ageless and unfettered, bodies exist between matter and mana, unfurling in splendor.
One singular move can unleash devastation, annihilating entire cities and forging a new legacy.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Eternal → Greater Eternal → Peak Eternal
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9. Origin Realm (Heaven-Breakers)
Possessing Origin Marks — fragments of existence itself, deeply tied to the cosmos.
With this power, one can resist the gales of destiny, rewriting prophecies that bind the fates of lesser beings.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Origin → Greater Origin → Peak Origin
---
10. Primordial Realm (God-Tier. Unfathomable)
Not confined by time, space, or the arbitrary laws that govern reality.
Can create new realms, summon phantoms of extinct magic, or intertwine timelines in a dance of chaos.
> Sub-Realms: Lesser Primordial → Greater Primordial → Peak Primordial
---
As Leo absorbed this monumental detail, the order and structure began to crystallize around him, each stage vast and intricate—more than enough to determine one's status and standing in the complex and often brutal hierarchy of power that defined this world.
"So I'm currently in… the second realm of the Mortal Path?" he inquired, the question hanging in the air like a wisp of smoke.
[Correct. Specifically: Mortal Path – Strengthening Realm.]
"Hmm," Leo rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the weight of strategy resting heavily on his shoulders. There was much to consider, and the gravity of his choices pressed against him like the weight of a mountain. "System, now tell me about your reward structure."
[Acknowledged.]
System Rewards Overview:
- System Points: Earned when the Host alters key events, seizes opportunities from the original protagonist, or makes significant changes to major plotlines.
- System Points: The currency with which the Host can trade in the Villain Mall. Accumulated through deviation from fate and certain achievements attained through cunning and strategy.
- Hidden Events: Some plot twists and turns can be triggered for lofty rewards, offering unforeseen opportunities that could reshape the narrative landscape.
- Villain Titles: Unlock new features and abilities when certain conditions are met, bestowing power unto those who embrace their dark potential.
- System Evolution: As the Host earns more points and cultivates their strength, new modules and systems beyond comprehension will unlock, unveiling paths of power previously hidden.
Leo's eyes lit up with a flicker of excitement, a spark igniting like wildfire within the depths of his soul. "What about my hidden bloodline?" he inquired eagerly, his heart racing with the possibility of unlocking immense power.
The System paused for a moment, its virtual gears grinding as it computed the inquiry, finally responding with dispassionate clarity.
[Hidden Bloodline: Currently locked. Can be revealed either through major plot events… or by consuming 150,000 System Points.]
Leo's heart sank, a leaden weight settling in the pit of his stomach. "One hundred and fifty thousand?!"
He took a long, steadying breath, attempting to maintain his composure in the face of such overwhelming odds. The thought of amassing that much in such a tumultuous world felt utterly absurd.
"That's ridiculous…" he muttered under his breath, irritation flaring within him, casting shadows over his enthusiasm.
[However, Host must be aware: unlocking this bloodline will fundamentally reshape your strength. It will greatly enhance your body, energy, and future cultivation paths.]
"I figured…" Leo whispered, acknowledging the potential without daring to dream of its ease, the gravity of his quest suddenly feeling all the more real.
Still, the cost was monumental—an insurmountable challenge lying ahead, a mountain yet to be climbed.
"And my Immortal Body? Can I unlock that yet?" he pressed, his tone filled with cautious hope.
[Negative. Current System Level is insufficient. Future updates and upgrades required.]
"Figures. I'm still early in the game, after all," he sighed, resignation creeping into his demeanor, a reminder that even the most ambitious of destinies must traverse the long and winding road of preparation.
As the carriage rolled down the moonlit road, its gentle motion lulling him into a contemplative state, Leo's eyes slowly closed, thoughts drifting like clouds across the azure sky.
He had already altered the story's foundation with just a single decision, but this was merely the beginning of his grand design, a masterstroke yet to be realized.
---
Meanwhile…
Back at the now-deserted trial hall, long since emptied of the nobility and guards who once held sway, Selena remained where she stood earlier, imprisoned by emotions that spiraled and churned like a tempest.
Her personal maid knelt beside her, concern etched onto her features as she worriedly whispered, "Miss Selena, please. It's cold out here… You should come inside."
But she didn't move. The world around her faded into oblivion, the chill of the night air wrapping around her like a shroud, offering no comfort, only the persistent reminder of her regrets.
Tears clung to her lashes, sparkling like dew upon fragile petals as they threatened to spill—a testament to the chaos brewing within her heart.
He really said it—the words reverberated through her mind like a haunting lullaby...
"Break off the engagement… return all the benefits…"
She remembered vividly the first time Leo confessed to her, that moment forever crystallized in her memory. His confidence radiated like sunbeams breaking through storm clouds, his smile infectious, a beacon of hope as he said, "You're the only one I see, Selena."
She had resisted for weeks, convincing herself that he was arrogant—a noble with too much pride, too enamored with his own reflection.
But he persisted, relentless like the tides, bringing her flowers that spoke of love and eventide, rescuing her family from the depths of financial ruin when her father was wrongfully framed, and even shielding her when assassins came after her family during a border conflict, his fierce determination a shield that had once felt like destiny itself.
At that time, as the sun painted the sky in hues of gold, she had truly started falling for him, unwittingly entwining her fate with his.
But then… her father had arranged an alliance with the Hero's family—a decision that shattered the fragile glass of their dreams.
She felt betrayed, an insidious whisper creeping into her heart. She thought Leo was merely trying to own her—so she pushed him away without realizing the damage she was inflicting.
Now?
He was gone—a specter of what could have been, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand.
And even if she chased after him, his once vibrant eyes that had glimmered with warmth now reflected nothing but cold, sharp indifference.
Heart heavy with sorrow, she clutched her chest, a futile attempt to quell the echoes of her despair that resounded painfully within her.
"Why does it hurt… so much?" Her voice cracked like fragile glass, each syllable a testament to the emotions swirling within her—confusion, regret, despair, and something deeper, something that felt a lot like love twisted into anguish.
---
The carriage finally rolled to a stop in front of the Aetherwind Estate, a monumental edifice that loomed in the moonlight, proud yet shadowed by the bitterness of betrayal.
As Leo stepped out slowly, his expression remained calm and stoic, the serenity of his demeanor at odds with the storm raging within.
The wind whispered through the trees, its ethereal song swirling around him, a voice of the ancients guiding his path.
The stars above glimmered like ancient eyes, timeless and watchful, silently judging as he crossed the threshold into his family's domain.
Inside his mind, the System's voice rang out again, clear and commanding, imbued with an underlying tone that felt both ominous and promising:
[Reminder: Host has to deviate the plot threads. And plunder the Protagonist's opportunities. System Level 1 can progress to the next upgrade.]
Leo smirked, a flicker of excitement igniting within him, a fire that burned brightly against the encroaching shadows of his past.
"Let's see how far this villain can rise," he declared quietly, determination threading through his veins like steel, a promise to himself that he would not be shackled by the chains of destiny any longer.
As he moved toward the grand entrance of the estate, the air around him hummed with untapped potential, an electric charge that danced at his fingertips—a signal that change was nigh.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Leo Aetherwind
Age: 16
Family: Aetherwind Noble Lineage
Bloodline: Aetherwind Pureblood
Hidden Bloodline: ??? (Locked)
Special Trait: Immortal Body (Locked)
Realm: Mortal Path – Strengthening Realm
Cultivation Techniques:
- Shadow Wind Step
- Crimson Pulse Art
- Moonfall Blade
Combat Rank: Low-tier combatant
System Points: 2,500
Inventory:
- Villain's Cloak of Shadow (Equipped)
- Insight Pill (1/day weakness reveal)
- Skill: Phantom Mind (Charm, Illusion, and Manipulation Resistance)
---
As the status panel displayed before him, bright and unyielding, Leo felt a rush of adrenaline surge through him. Here, laid bare before him, was the framework of his nascent power, the stepping stones upon which he would ascend to defy the very foundation of this world—a world that had once sought to bind him to tragedy.
Each line of text pulsed with latent energy, offering glimpses of grandeur yet to come, and he knew in the depths of his heart that he stood on the precipice of greatness. All the choices he made from this point onward would ripple through the fabric of existence, shifting how he was seen and how others would react to him—a mere player now turned architect of his own destiny.
As he stared into the illuminated panel, the possibilities unfurled like petals of a dark flower blossoming in the moonlight, dazzling and intoxicating.
The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger, but Leo was no longer the timid shadow of his former self. He was now a creature of ambition and vengeance, taking each calculated step toward reclaiming his narrative with fierce determination.
A whisper of wind stirred the leaves surrounding the estate, seeming to carry with it the weight of anticipation and the ghostly echoes of past grievances.
Leo took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs, invigorating him with a sense of clarity and purpose. As the moon hung high above, illuminating his path, he set forth into the night, ready to carve out his future with the precision of a masterful artisan shaping intricately crafted blades.
---
And so, the next chapter of his journey began, with shadows trailing behind him, now his allies rather than foes.
---
To be continued…
(✧ω✧)
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