The Black Altar pulsed slowly under Wu Tangge's command, like the heartbeat of a sleeping dragon. From its runes, dark energy seeped into the soil—tainting the surroundings ever so slightly, invisible to the naked eye. Yet for Tangge, every breath of that corrupted Qi was delicious.
He sat cross-legged atop the altar, veins faintly glowing beneath his skin as ruin power flowed through his meridians. His followers stood watch nearby, completely unaware they were guarding the birth of something monstrous.
> "System," Tangge murmured mentally. "Report progress."
---
Ding!
Ruin Assimilation: 89% Complete
Dark Domain Expansion: 12% of Secret Realm corrupted
Follower Influence: High
Reputation: Trusted Leader, Merciful Hero
Villain Reputation (Hidden): Masked Sovereign of the Crimson Serpent Faction – Stage I Unlocked
---
Tangge's smirk widened. The system had quietly converted a portion of his status into a hidden villain class—Masked Sovereign. It gave him unique skills:
Dark Edict Voice – Commands whispered with this skill would subconsciously influence weak-willed cultivators.
Veil of Virtue – Hides true actions and karma behind a mask of righteousness.
Seed of Obedience – Allows him to subtly mark loyal disciples; over time, they would unknowingly become puppets.
> "Soon," he whispered, "even the most loyal of them will obey me without ever realizing they lost their will."
---
Elsewhere in the Secret Realm — The Gathering of the Clans
The Yun Clan, Bei Clan, Yang Clan, and even sect disciples from the Sky Temple and Void Valley had all begun to converge toward the eastern inner zone.
The academy elders had sent word:
> "The Final Ruin has awakened. A battle for its core shall decide the inheritors of the realm's greatest legacy."
Everyone prepared for war.
Wu Tangge, meanwhile, prepared for domination.
---
That Night — Tangge's Secret Meeting
In a hidden grove lit by ghostfire, Tangge stood before five cloaked figures—his hand-picked elite from various clans who had pledged loyalty only to him.
"You're no longer disciples of your sects," he said, voice laced with Dark Edict Voice.
"You're now part of the Crimson Serpent. Our goal: reshape this realm, and then the entire cultivation world. From the shadows. From beneath their thrones."
The five kneeled as one.
"We follow the Sovereign."
Tangge raised a black serpent insignia in his hand—its eyes gleamed red with ruin Qi.
"Let the others bleed in the coming war. We will harvest their fate."
---
Morning — The March to the Final Ruin
Yun Ling'er walked beside Tangge. Though her heart remained conflicted, she couldn't deny the sense of security and awe he inspired.
"There's something about him…" she thought. "He's dangerous… but also my only light in this madness."
Tangge caught her staring.
"What is it?" he asked gently.
"Nothing…" she replied, quickly looking away. "Just… don't die."
He smiled. "I won't. I still have many roles to play."
---
Inside His Mind
"Once I gain the Core of the Final Ruin… I'll seed the entire academy with my influence."
"And if anyone discovers the truth—about the Evil God's eyes or the Masked Sovereign… I'll bury them in silence."
The skies above the Final Ruin boiled with ominous clouds, saturated with ruin Qi and chaotic energy. Cultivators from every major clan and sect gathered in formation, prepared for the ancient battlefield to open.
But deep beneath the illusion of unity, cracks had already formed—engineered by the ever-smiling villain hiding in plain sight: Wu Tangge.
---
One Day Earlier — In the Shadowed Cavern
Wu Tangge met with Yang Feiyu, the second young master of the Yang Clan—arrogant, prideful, but desperate to surpass his genius older brother, Yang Xuanyuan.
Feiyu clenched his fists. "Why should I trust you, Wu Tangge? You're Yun Ling'er's fiancé. Why help me take down my own clan?"
Tangge laughed softly, folding his arms behind his back. "Because you crave recognition. Power. Legacy. But your brother overshadows you. Your clan would never choose you. Yet… I can."
Feiyu hesitated. "And what would you want in return?"
Tangge's eyes gleamed. "Simple. During the Final Ruin battle, you create chaos from within. Cut off your clan's formation support. When the tide turns against them… I'll step in and save who survives. You'll become the hero of the Yang Clan's rebirth… under my banner."
Feiyu's breathing quickened. Tangge gently placed a black serpent insignia in his hand.
"Think of this as a seed," he whispered.
"Plant it in your heart—and let it grow into destiny."
Feiyu nodded slowly.
"Deal."
---
Present – The Battlefield Outside the Final Ruin
Dozens of formation banners fluttered in the chaotic wind. Elders from each clan and sect stood on floating platforms, overlooking the younger generation.
Elder Yun called out, "The Final Ruin opens! Enter in squads of five. Remember: spirit beasts are deadly. The treasures more so. And not everyone in there is your ally."
A thunderous rumble echoed as a massive gate of black jade opened into the realm.
Wu Tangge turned to his chosen team:
Yun Ling'er (Sword Saint in training, conflicted but loyal)
Bei Xiaoyun (Alchemist prodigy, grateful for Tangge's guidance)
Li Mu (A rogue cultivator Tangge once "saved")
Xiao Lan (Tangge's disguised puppet, marked with the Seed of Obedience)
He nodded. "Let's claim our fate."
They entered as one.
---
Inside the Final Ruin — An Hour Later
A scream tore through the mist.
The Yang Clan formation broke apart as Yang Feiyu, from the rear guard, accidentally triggered a forbidden trap that severed their energy circulation lines.
"No! The barrier!" shouted Yang Xuanyuan.
Monsters of corrupted Qi lunged from the shadows. Elders in the distance rushed to intervene—but were blocked by a mysterious fog. The Yang Clan, disoriented and fractured, fell like wheat under the scythe.
Tangge's group arrived moments later—calm and untouched.
"We'll save who we can," Tangge declared loudly, already gathering the survivors.
He led a perfect counterattack. Every move radiated authority. When he rescued Yang Xuanyuan with a well-timed Heavenly God's Palm, the older brother looked at him with awe.
Feiyu, acting panicked, whispered, "Thank you… you saved our clan…"
Tangge gave a modest smile.
"I only did what was right."
---
Ding!
Mission Complete: Corrupt a Major Clan From Within
Reward: Shadow King's Mantle – Enhances disguise, charisma, and manipulation skills
Villain Progress: Masked Sovereign – Stage II Unlocked
---
That night, as camps were formed in the ruin's inner zone, Tangge stood over a ridge, overlooking the battlefield bathed in crimson moonlight.
>"One clan weakened… three more to go."
He smirked, brushing a hand across the red-glowing serpent mask hidden beneath his robe.
>"Soon, they won't even know who commands them."