3 The Allure of the Clarity Awakening Pill

Just as Lin Feng was about to take his first step, Jiang Chen's expression changed drastically, becoming stern and severe. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "It seems Junior Brother Lin isn't respecting me by dismissing my good intentions."

"I, Jiang Chen, have never exerted so much effort to help someone. Your response is disappointing," he added, his voice now icy cold, like a chilling wind from an ice cave, causing involuntary shivers.

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng's body tensed up immediately.

Li Kai and Liu Qing, watching the unfolding scene, felt a heavy burden on their hearts.

Jiang Chen was a core disciple in the sect, known for his prowess in the Spiritual Awakening Realm. His formidable strength and high standing made him one of the sect's elites.

Previously, Lin Feng had enjoyed the protection of the sect's older generation.

But now, labeled as a cripple, he lacked powerful allies within the sect. There was no one left to defend him.

A worrying thought emerged: if Jiang Chen's anger intensified, could it lead to a grave situation, perhaps even bloodshed, right there on the spot?

Lin Feng took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of shame and anger within him. He spoke to Jiang Chen with a controlled voice. "Senior Brother Jiang, I appreciate your kindness. I realize I was mistaken just now, but..."

Just then, Jiang Chen received two system notifications in his sea of consciousness.

[Ding! Protagonist Lin Feng has publicly apologized to you. His mental state is now compromised, and his Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 100 points!]

[Ding! You have gained 200 points of Villain Value!]

Jiang Chen thought to himself with a sense of triumph, 'I've affected his mental state!' He pondered, 'That's right, what kind of protagonist would apologize publicly to a villainous character?'

'Unless the protagonist is plotting something... But Lin Feng isn't; he's merely being compelled to apologize!' he reflected, a shrewd look in his eyes. He realized that his actions hadn't been futile.

The Villain Value he had gathered opened up thrilling opportunities. It was the key to accessing the System Mall, home to countless remarkable treasures. The thought of what he could obtain there filled him with excitement.

However, despite the excitement within him, Jiang Chen skillfully concealed his joy, keeping his expression grave. He spoke with feigned indifference, "Junior Brother Lin, I'll give you one more opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng's heart was filled with restrained anger. His muscles tensed, poised for action. He swiftly looked at Li Kai and Liu Qing, his eyes conveying a silent, desperate plea for their help to ensure his safe departure from the sect.

"Hehe," Jiang Chen chuckled softly, amusement in his voice. "Do you really think Li Kai and Liu Qing will ensure your safe exit?"

"Li Kai and Liu Qing are my good friends," Lin Feng stated firmly, taking a deep breath. His face was set with determination, and he spoke each word with clear conviction.

Then, Li Kai stepped forward with a resolute expression, Liu Qing right beside him. "Senior Brother Jiang, Lin Feng has been good to us."

Their faces were serious, signaling their firm stance. Together, they stood in solidarity, committed to guaranteeing Lin Feng's safe descent from the mountain.

Seeing their unwavering support, Lin Feng was filled with gratitude. His tense expression softened, showing the relief that flooded through him.

Around them, other disciples exchanged looks and whispers rippled through the crowd. They murmured among themselves, casting skeptical glances, suggesting Li Kai and Liu Qing were perhaps naive in their choice, oblivious to the potential repercussions of their actions.

In that critical moment, Jiang Chen smoothly intervened, silencing Li Kai with a dismissive gesture. "There are things you shouldn't rush into," he said coolly and casually tossed two small green bottles their way.

"What are these?" Li Kai and Liu Qing caught the vials, their faces showing a mix of surprise and wariness.

The crowd's focus shifted to the green bottles, sparking a wave of curious glances.

Lin Feng's expression showed a momentary flash of worry, but he quickly regained his composure.

Knowing his deep connection with Li Kai and Liu Qing, Lin Feng was confident that no matter what Jiang Chen presented, even if it were a substantial bribe, they would remain steadfast in their loyalty.

Jiang Chen, observing the shock and suspicion on Li Kai and Liu Qing's faces, casually proposed, "Why not open them and find out?" His tone was indifferent, giving away none of the potential implications of the bottles.

Li Kai and Liu Qing exchanged a hesitant look before turning to Lin Feng, seeking his opinion.

"Go ahead and open them, Senior Brothers," Lin Feng encouraged, his eyes shining with a confident trust in their judgment.

Bolstered by Lin Feng's confidence, Li Kai and Liu Qing, who had initially thought of simply returning the bottles to Jiang Chen, now decided to proceed. They opened the vials quickly, and instantly, a pure, revitalizing medicinal fragrance wafted through the air, its refreshing nature undeniable.

"It's a Clarity Awakening Pill! And it's upper-grade!" Li Kai and Liu Qing both exclaimed, astonishment clear on their faces, which were now lit up with ecstasy. The surprise at this revelation was unmistakable.

The disciples around them also looked on in amazement.

"What?!" one of them blurted out, shocked. "An upper-grade Clarity Awakening Pill?!"

"An invaluable pill like this can surely help anyone in the Soul Refining realm break through to the Spiritual Awakening realm! It's way more valuable than typical Spiritual Awakening-level pills!"

"Senior Brother Jiang actually gave Clarity Awakening Pills to Li Kai and Liu Qing? This is simply unbelievable!"

The air was filled with their astonished whispers and exclamations, as they tried to grasp the significance of Jiang Chen's unexpected and lavish gesture.

Lin Feng was completely taken aback. His eyes widened in shock, resembling someone struck by lightning, his mouth agape, and his heart pounded with bewilderment. 'Why would he offer such a valuable pill just to get rid of me, someone who has lost all cultivation?'

'Has Jiang Chen lost his mind?' he wondered, baffled by the logic behind such an extravagant offer.

"Well?" Jiang Chen looked at Li Kai and Liu Qing, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He understood that ordinary gifts wouldn't sway the protagonist's close friends. He knew that anything less remarkable would probably be rejected, and might even lead to mockery.

Therefore, Jiang Chen, using the considerable savings accumulated by his predecessor, offered the most valuable treasure he had in his storage artifact, far surpassing everyone's expectations.

Normally, Jiang Chen would not even think of making such a move. The two Clarity Awakening Pills were, unquestionably, his prized possessions.

His bold action was intended not only to entice Li Kai and Liu Qing but also to penetrate their mental defenses, gaining influence over their decisions.

Even if this gamble didn't pay off, he could potentially reclaim the pills. In his mind, the worst outcome would be a temporary dent in his reputation, a risk he found acceptable. Fully embracing his role as a villain, Jiang Chen had prepared himself mentally for such scenarios.

"Ugh... many thanks, Senior Brother Jiang Chen!" Li Kai said, his voice shaking with an excitement that was evident to everyone around.

"But I still hope that Senior Brother Jiang will spare Lin Feng's life. After all, if word gets out, it could affect your reputation," he quickly added, then lowered his head, too embarrassed to look at Lin Feng.

Liu Qing, meanwhile, remained quiet, clutching the pill vial tightly, his body shaking slightly. His internal struggle was clear – he was torn between not wanting to yield to temptation and being tempted by what Jiang Chen had offered.

Overwhelmed by Lin Feng's gaze, filled with shock and profound sadness, Li Kai and Liu Qing each took the pills from Jiang Chen and quietly stepped back, maintaining their presence nearby. Whether it was their sense of guilt, internal conflict, or a faint hope from their last plea to Jiang Chen, they didn't leave entirely.

"Senior... Senior Brother Li! Senior Brother Liu!!!" Lin Feng's voice, heavy with emotion, rang out to his two close friends. They stood at a distance, unable to face him. The pain in his heart was intense, like countless needles piercing him relentlessly. The sense of betrayal from those he had counted as his closest allies in the sect was more agonizing than any physical injury.

In Jiang Chen's sea of consciousness, three system prompts appeared one after the other, each 'ding' resonating like a triumphant bell in his mind.

[Ding! You have successfully influenced Protagonist Lin Feng's close friends Li Kai and Liu Qing; Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 300 points!]

[Ding! You have successfully humiliated Protagonist Lin Feng and affected his mental state; Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 100 points!]

[Ding! You have earned 700 points of Villain Value!]

Jiang Chen reflected internally, tallying his recent gains. 'Now, I have 900 points of Villain Value. Just 100 points away from accessing the System Mall!'

'It's unfortunate that manipulating Li Kai and Liu Qing only reduced Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value by 300 points. Maybe it's because they're not very significant in his journey?'

'That makes sense. With Lin Feng leaving the Starry Abyss Sect, by the time he makes his comeback, Li Kai and Liu Qing will probably have faded into minor roles,' he pondered, his gaze briefly passing over Li Kai and Liu Qing in the distance, then settling on Lin Feng.

A cunning smile curled the corners of his mouth as he spoke with feigned earnestness, "Actually, I did initially want to help you."

"But since it's come to this, I won't make things too hard for you. I did promise Li Kai and Liu Qing I'd spare your life this time," Jiang Chen said, his voice laced with a sense of benevolence, as if he was making a grand concession. He then paused, his gaze piercing into Lin Feng's, "But there's one condition."

Hearing this, a brief spark of hope lit up in Lin Feng's eyes, contrasting his previously dispirited look.

However, this hint of hope quickly dimmed, replaced by a cautious awareness. Lin Feng knew Jiang Chen's 'mercy' would come at a significant cost. He braced himself for a condition that would likely be excessively harsh.

In Lin Feng's mind, and probably in the thoughts of many watching disciples, a realization hung in the air: sometimes, the price of survival could be more burdensome than death itself...

Their eyes, filled with empathy, rested on Lin Feng, silently acknowledging the tough choice he faced.