Wind roared across the dark mountains as Jin Xuan stepped outside the obsidian palace.
Below him lay the Valley of Fallen Stars, a land sealed by fate itself.
According to the Calamity Ledger, this was where the hero Yuan Ling would discover his first divine treasure.
But not today.
Jin Xuan's eyes glowed faint silver as the Ledger opened again.
[Chance Forecast:]
Yuan Ling's Fate "Heavenfall Meteor Essence."
Effect: Grants the hero insane growth speed, divine affinity, and plot armor.
Status: Incoming… in 38 seconds.
"Perfect timing," Jin Xuan whispered.
He stepped forward, and the air rippled.
His Calamity Aura reacted to his desire, bending fate just enough to change his path. Black mist swirled under his feet as he vanished from the palace.
The Valley of Fallen Stars
The sky darkened as clouds spiraled into a vortex.
A massive streak of celestial fire tore through the heavens.
Yuan Ling rushed through the valley, panting with determination.
"This is it… my first step as Heaven's Chosen!" he shouted, reaching upward.
But Jin Xuan was already standing on a floating boulder, arms folded, expression calm and unhurried.
The meteor screamed downward.
Jin Xuan raised a single hand.
BOOM.
A shockwave blasted across the valley. Instead of falling into Yuan Ling's hands, the meteor froze midair… then slowly drifted toward Jin Xuan like an obedient beast.
The hero's eyes widened.
"H-Hey! That's my destined treasure!"
The Calamity Ledger chimed:
[Opportunity successfully intercepted.]
[Host gains: Heavenfall Meteor Essence (Corrupted Variant).]
[Hero Luck -210]
[Villain Luck 320]
Jin Xuan felt the power surge through him astral flames, cosmic metal, liquid starfire merging into his core.
A faint halo of dark starlight formed around him, far stronger than the original treasure was meant to be.
He exhaled.
"Not bad."
The hero finally found his voice.
"Y-You! Villain Emperor! Give that back! That was meant for me.
Jin Xuan instantly appeared in front of him.
The hero froze.
Jin Xuan didn't strike him. He didn't need to. His aura alone pressed down like a mountain.
"You think fate owes you everything. Jin Xuan asked softly.
"Grow stronger before you complain."
He tapped Yuan Ling lightly on the forehead.
A shockwave rippled out, sending the hero flying across the valley and crashing through several boulders. Not injured just defeated.
The Calamity Ledger flickered.
[Note: Hero will now develop a hatred-rivalry obsession toward you.]
[This increases his future chance value. Good for harvesting.]
Jin Xuan smirked.
"Good. Let him hate me. Heroes only grow strong so villains can take more from them later."
Behind him, the stolen meteor crumbled into pure energy, streaming into his body.
The air turned dark-purple. Stars twisted around his form.
New Ability Acquired:
Star Devouring Body (Incomplete)
Consumes fate-born opportunities and converts them into villainous power.
Jin Xuan clenched his fist, feeling cosmos swirl in his veins.
"This world thinks I'm its villain… but I'm simply claiming everything it refused to give me."
He stepped into the swirling shadows.
A new page appeared in the Ledger:
[Next Hero Detected. Chance Value: 5100.]
Jin Xuan smiled.
"On to the next."