That night, Sion lay on the bed of the inner sect pavilion, staring at the wooden ceiling carved with dragon motifs. His mind kept spinning thinking about the mission that had to be done the next day.
So basically, I have to be a stepping stone for Chen Feng to show his strength, Sion thought as he let out a long sigh. In every xianxia novel, there is always a scene where the protagonist is provoked by a small villain, then he shows his hidden strength that shocks everyone.
[System detects Host's increasingly accurate understanding]
[Reward: +10 points]
[Current points: 5/100,000]
Huh, still a long way off, Sion rolled his eyes. But at least it's starting to go up.
[Analysis of Host's role in the plot:]
[- Sion Nightshade: Low-level villain who acts as a 'stepping stone' for the protagonist]
[- Main function: Makes the protagonist look strong and noble]
[- Final fate: Defeated, humiliated, then killed]
"Stepping stone..." Sion muttered softly. "So I'm just a stepping stone. But wait..."
He sat up straight on the bed, his eyes sparkling with an idea that had just occurred to him.
If I have to be a stepping stone, why not be a useful stepping stone? I can help Chen Feng show his strength without actually becoming a mortal enemy!
[System detects an interesting idea]
[Warning: Any deviation from the original character will be penalized]
[Suggestion: Maintain the villain persona while looking for a loophole to survive]
"Alright, system. I'll still be an arrogant and annoying villain. But I'll be a... smart villain," Sion smiled faintly. "A villain who knows when to retreat."
Morning arrived sooner than Sion had expected. He woke up with dark circles under his eyes from barely sleeping the night before. Lin Wei was already waiting outside the pavilion with eager spirits.
"Senior Brother Sion! I can't wait to see the expressions of those outer sect disciples when they see the difference in our strengths!" Lin Wei exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
Poor Lin Wei, Sion thought as he watched his junior's enthusiasm. He really didn't know that we would be the ones being humiliated.
"Lin Wei, we have to be… strategic today," Sion said as he walked towards the Training Ground.
"Remember, we are honorable inner sect disciples. We must not stoop to the same level as outer sect disciples."
Lin Wei nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Senior Brother! We must show our superiority in an elegant manner!"
Elegant… yes, that's it, Sion nodded inwardly. I will be an elegant and moderate villain. Hopefully that will be enough to survive.
[System detects Host's strategy]
[Approval: Interesting approach]
[Reminder: Mission must still be completed within 1 day and 20 hours]
The eastern part of the Training Ground was already quite crowded when they arrived. The outer sect disciples were training diligently, the sound of swords clanking and the shouts of clerics filled the morning air.
Sion easily found Chen Feng in a corner of the field. The protagonist was training alone with movements that looked simple but flowed like water. Even from a distance, Sion could feel the strong spiritual aura emanating from Chen Feng's body.
Oh my, he really is a protagonist, Sion thought in amazement. Even the way he trains is different from the others.
"Senior Brother, that's him!" Lin Wei pointed at Chen Feng with a finger. "He looks ordinary, but somehow I feel something is strange."
"Strange how?" asked Sion, even though he already knew the answer.
"His movements... are too smooth for a new outer sect disciple," Lin Wei frowned. "Usually new disciples are still stiff and nervous."
Lin Wei turned out to have sharp eyes, Sion was surprised. He could see Chen Feng's strangeness even though he didn't know his true identity.
"That's why we have to test him," said Sion as he stepped forward. "Let's go."
They approached Chen Feng who was still focused on training. Several other outer sect disciples began to notice the arrival of the two inner sect disciples, and the atmosphere slowly became tense.
"Chen Feng," called Sion in a tone that was faked to be arrogant.
Chen Feng stopped his movements and turned his head. When their eyes met, Sion felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure, as if he was facing a predator disguised as a sheep.
Damn, this is just a low-level protagonist. If he reaches a high level, he can definitely kill me with just a look, Sion swallowed.
"What's wrong, Senior Brother?" Chen Feng asked in a polite but cold tone.
Okay, this is the time. I have to provoke him without looking too mean.
"I heard you're a new disciple who's quite... eye-catching," Sion said with his arms crossed. "Elder Zhang asked me to test your abilities."
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow. "Test?"
"Yes!" Lin Wei stepped forward excitedly. "We'll see if you're worthy of training in the same place as inner sect disciples!"
Lin Wei, your mouth! Sion grimaced inwardly. You're just making the atmosphere even more tense!
The outer sect disciples around them began to gather, forming a small circle. Whispers began to be heard everywhere.
"Inner sect disciples want to test new disciples?"
"Poor thing, he'll definitely be embarrassed."
"But why here? Usually, the test is held in an official place."
Chen Feng looked at Sion with an inscrutable gaze. "So Senior Brother wants to fight me?"
Fight? No, no, no! Sion panicked inwardly. I'll die if I fight him!
"Not fight," Sion cleared his throat. "Just... a simple demonstration. Show me the cultivation technique you've mastered."
[System detects modification to the original scenario]
[Warning: Deviations from the plot may reduce the effectiveness of the mission]
[Suggestion: Increase the intensity of the provocation]
Intensity? I'm already intense enough! Sion grumbled inwardly.
"Demonstration?" Chen Feng smiled faintly. "Alright. But how about we make it more interesting?"
Uh oh, he was getting interested, Sion had a bad feeling.
"Interesting how?" Lin Wei asked with sparkling eyes.
"How about we make a small bet?" Chen Feng stepped forward. "If I can show you a technique that satisfies Senior Brother, Senior Brother will have to admit that not all outer sect disciples are weak."
Bet? Sion almost fainted. This was not in the original scenario!
"And if it's not satisfactory?" Sion asked with a slightly trembling voice.
"I will accept whatever punishment Senior Brother gives," Chen Feng replied calmly.
The crowd of outer sect disciples began to whisper even louder. Some of them looked worried, while others were curious.
Lin Wei laughed. "Wow, this new disciple is really brave! Senior Brother, just accept the bet!"
Lin Wei, you really want to kill me! Sion stared at his junior with a look of horror.
[System detects favorable situation]
[Mission: Provocation successful!]
[Chen Feng began to show interest in showing off his strength]
[Proceed with caution]
Careful he said, Sion sighed. Alright, it's already done.
"Alright," Sion said while trying to appear confident. "But remember, the standards of inner sect disciples are quite high. Don't regret it if you can't meet expectations."
Chen Feng smiled broadly. "Of course, Senior Brother. I won't regret it."
Why did his smile look like the smile of a predator playing with its prey? Sion felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
"What technique do you want me to show you?" Chen Feng asked as he took a few steps back.
"Whatever," Sion replied quickly. "The important thing is that I can show you my true cultivation level."
Hopefully he didn't overdo it, Sion prayed in his heart. Hopefully he only showed a little bit of his power.
Chen Feng nodded and started to take a stance. The spiritual aura around him started to change, becoming denser and more terrifying.
Wait, Sion felt something strange. Why does his aura feel different from yesterday?
[System detects abnormal energy fluctuations]
[Warning: Protagonist accessing hidden power]
[Advice: Prepare for a surprise]
What surprise is it now?! Sion almost screamed.
Chen Feng raised his hand, and the air around him started to tremble. The falling leaves suddenly stopped in midair, as if time had slowed down.
"This…" one of the outer sect disciples whispered with wide eyes. "This isn't a low-level technique!"
Lin Wei, who had been smiling confidently, now started to look pale. "Senior Brother, it looks like we…"
"Shh," Sion interrupted in a low voice. "It's too late to retreat now."
Chen Feng smiled and his eyes started to glow with a faint golden light.
Golden light? That's a sign of awakening! Sion almost fainted. He's going to awaken his hidden system now?!
"Senior Brother," Chen Feng said in a voice that suddenly sounded resonant. "I hope you're prepared for what you're about to see."
[EMERGENCY SYSTEM ALERT!]
[Protagonist accessing [REDACTED] System!]
[Survival rate drops drastically!]
[Prepare for…]
The system panel suddenly flickered and disappeared, leaving Sion in a terrifying darkness of information.
My system is down?! Sion felt cold sweat running down his back. I'm completely blind now!
Chen Feng raised both hands, and…