---
Three days after Lin Yue accepted her place under him, Li Zhen descended from his hidden valley with purpose.
His face was as cold and unreadable as ever.
A major event was unfolding in the nearby region—the Crimson Auction, hosted once every decade by a Top Level sect called Scarlet Vein Pavilion. It was known for trading rare techniques, secret relics, and occasionally, living beings.
Exactly the kind of chaos he needed.
He didn't reveal himself publicly. Instead, he allowed Ayara to travel in his name, cloaked under the alias "Zhen Lord." She wore a black and red veil, her cultivation sealed to appear only at the late Foundation Establishment realm.
Meanwhile, he monitored everything through a soul-mark tethered to her.
---
Inside the Crimson Auction Grounds
Ayara stood at the edge of the auction chamber, her presence mysterious. Cultivators of various levels had gathered. Some from Middle Level sects. A few from Top Level forces. And one disguised Nascent Soul expert sitting at the back under formation shielding.
Among the items being auctioned:
A Soul-Forged Cauldron said to be able to purify karmic residue.
A half-damaged jade talisman from the Ancient Ice Phoenix Sect.
And, most importantly—a captured Heaven-Chosen woman from the Lower God Realms who had fallen into the mortal realm after being wounded.
That last item would attract enemies, allies, and greedy beasts alike.
Exactly what he wanted.
---
Meanwhile – Lin Yue's Test
Back in the valley, Li Zhen had not left Lin Yue idle.
He had designed an emotional test: placing her in a simulated illusion array where she believed he was under attack. Her actions would reveal her future path.
She chose to protect "him"—rushing into danger and displaying both fear and obsession.
> [System Notification: Lin Yue Loyalty: 60% | Affection: 52%]
[Condition Met: Emotional Web Tier 2 Activated]
– Minor passive stat gain from linked subjects
– Targets now generate karmic threads when interacting with others
Her emotional web expanded.
Yet Li Zhen remained emotionless as he watched the results.
"I will use you until nothing remains," he murmured beneath his breath. "And you will thank me for it."
---
Back at the Auction
Ayara successfully bid for a small black scroll that Li Zhen had sensed contained a minor Law Fragment—one related to spiritual memory devouring.
He would study it later.
When the final item was revealed—the wounded Heaven-Chosen woman—chaos erupted.
Several high-level cultivators stood, arguing, bidding, posturing.
Ayara stepped forward slowly and spoke three words:
> "He owns her."
No one recognized the voice, but the presence behind her—deliberately projected by Li Zhen—was terrifying. A phantom of karmic fire and shadow enveloped her, masking itself as the will of a Saint Level cultivator.
Everyone backed down.
The woman was handed over.
Wounded, unconscious, her meridians shattered—but her beauty score instantly registered with the system.
> [Target: Unknown (Memory Blocked)]
[Beauty Score: 97 | Talent: Unknown]
[Affection: 0% | Loyalty: 0%]
[Warning: Possible God Realm remnant soul detected]
Li Zhen narrowed his eyes as he examined the system output.
This one would be dangerous.
And valuable.
He would not touch her yet. First, he would shatter her pride, her defenses, and then bind her to his strings like the rest.
For now, she was placed in stasis.
---
System Update
> [New Target Added: "Unnamed Heaven-Chosen"]
[Emotional Pathway Blocked – Requires either:
– Triggering lost memory event
– Karmic chain bonding through soul healing]
[Unlocking this target may increase talent permanently]
Li Zhen's cold gaze deepened.
"Then I'll heal her slowly. And make her forget she was ever free."
---
Later That Night
Back in the valley, Ayara returned. Her obedience earned her quiet praise—and a cultivation pill that pushed her from the peak of Foundation Establishment to the initial Core Formation realm.
She knelt wordlessly before him, eyes lowered.
"You've done well," he said.
"I live to serve, master."
Li Zhen stepped past her, eyes resting on the stasis crystal where the Heaven-Chosen girl lay, her divine aura suppressed.
His power was growing—slowly, methodically.
He didn't rush. He cultivated steadily. Only one level at a time.
He had no need to burn fast.
Because everything… was already under his co