The duel had ended, but its aftermath rippled like a stone dropped into still water.
In the vast and cold marble hall of the imperial palace, whispers buzzed like hornets. Ministers exchanged glances. Nobles argued in hushed voices. The air was heavy with uncertainty.
Only the Tyrant Monarch sat still, his sharp eyes narrowed, fingers tapping rhythmically on the dragon-carved armrest.
"How... did that third son defeat them?"
His generals and advisors stood around him, silent. Even the usual flatterers kept their mouths shut.
In all records, Priyanshu was barely considered a cultivator. Now, he had not only embarrassed the favored heirs but shown terrifying precision, power—and restraint.
The king's war-hardened instincts screamed something he didn't want to hear:
"He's been hiding."
Just then, a eunuch stepped in, bowing deeply.
"Sire, the Third Prince has arrived."
"Send him in."
The great doors opened. Priyanshu entered, dressed simply, no guards, no fear.
But his eyes—calm, unreadable—made many old ministers shift in discomfort.
"Greetings, Royal Father," Priyanshu said, bowing with elegance.
The king's voice was like thunder.
"You humiliated your brothers."
Priyanshu smiled. "No, Your Majesty. I merely fought as I was taught. Should I have lost to protect their pride?"
That sentence silenced the room.
The king leaned forward. "Who trained you?"
Priyanshu met his gaze. "The shadows, Father. The world is harsh. I adapted."
The king narrowed his eyes.
The hall's formation experts activated detection arrays, scanning for external help, hidden cultivation bursts, foreign qi. But…
Nothing.
Not even a ripple.
[System Skill Active: Cloak of False Humility – Realm masked to appear Nascent Soul (Early)]
The king stood slowly. He towered over Priyanshu, aura rising like a mountain of blades.
Yet Priyanshu didn't bow. He looked at his father without blinking.
Suddenly—
The king chuckled. A short, sharp laugh that left the room stunned.
"Fine," he said. "You've surprised me. But don't think a single win makes you a threat. This empire is bigger than an arena."
"I know," Priyanshu said. "That's why I won't fight for it… yet."
Everyone's expressions twisted.
"Yet?"
But the king laughed again. "Very well, Third Prince. You have my attention now. Enjoy the peace while it lasts."
[System Notification: Triggered Major Plot Divergence][Fate has begun twisting around you. Be prepared.]
As Priyanshu walked out of the throne room, a stream of courtiers tried to approach him. Some offered subtle praises, others tried to gather intelligence.
He ignored them all.
"They'll come crawling soon enough," he muttered.
Back in his courtyard, as the moon rose, Priyanshu sat cross-legged under a plum blossom tree.
"System, show current stats."
[Status Window Opened]
Name: Priyanshu Yadav
Cultivation: Mid Deity Transformation (Concealed)
Titles: Hidden Villain, Shadow Duelist
Techniques: Immortal Sutra of Demons and Saints (Divine), Taiji Sword of World Reversal
Skills: Cloak of False Humility, Mirror Mind, Shadow Step
Evil Karma: 220
Good Karma: 0
Quests: New Mainline Unlocked
[New Quest: Corrupt or Convert a Heaven's Chosen (0/1)]Reward: ???
Priyanshu chuckled. "Corrupt or convert… Let's begin hunting the stars."
He looked up at the sky.
From now on, every hero... every righteous prodigy... every genius...
Would be his pawn.