The three Soul Nourishing Pills materialized in Su Chan's hand, emanating a gentle, soothing aroma that calmed the mind. Beside them, a small, intricately folded piece of parchment appeared – the blueprints for the Qi Condensation Array – along with a pouch that clinked softly with the weight of a hundred low-grade spirit stones.
"Excellent," Su Chan murmured, a spark of genuine satisfaction in his eyes. While not as earth-shattering as the Newbie Gift Pack, these were practical, immediately useful rewards. The Soul Nourishing Pills would bolster his currently weak spiritual sense, crucial for faster cultivation and detecting danger. The array, once set up, would accelerate his Qi gathering, and spirit stones were the universal currency and a vital resource for cultivation.
He popped one Soul Nourishing Pill into his mouth. A cool, refreshing energy spread through his sea of consciousness, clarifying his thoughts and subtly strengthening his nascent spiritual sense. He could already feel a slight improvement in his perception of the ambient spiritual Qi.
His attention then turned to the new "random theme" for his next diary entry. "Elaborate on Ye Fan's specific plans for the Tianshang Holy Land disciple recruitment and his immediate intentions, particularly concerning Fairy Peak."
Su Chan smirked. "System, you're almost too helpful. This is exactly what needs to be documented." He had no inkling that this "helpfulness" was guided by the anxious query of Ning Youxi. He settled back, the words already forming in his mind for his next entry, planning to write it before dawn. The more detail he provided about Ye Fan's insidious plans, the better the rewards might be.
Across the Tianshang Holy Land and Beyond – The Heroines' Reactions
The announcement of Su Chan's rewards, while not as stunning as the Chaos Divine Body, still caused a stir. Soul Nourishing Pills were valuable, especially for those in lower realms or looking to break through mental bottlenecks. A Qi Condensation Array, even a basic one, was a boon for any cultivator.
Fairy Peak – Ning Youxi's Room
Ning Youxi held her breath, her heart pounding like a drum. Her question, her theme, had been selected. And Su Chan had received it. A wave of relief mixed with trepidation washed over her. Would he answer it? Would his diary reveal the terrifying specifics she dreaded but desperately needed to know? The fate of Fairy Peak, her own fate, felt like it hung in the balance, tied to the words of her quiet, suddenly enigmatic Second Senior Brother.
Fairy Peak – Peak Master's Residence
Bai Lianxin noted Su Chan's new rewards. Practical. Useful. But her primary focus was on the theme. So, the system could guide his entries? Or was Su Chan subtly influencing the system to reveal what he wanted to reveal? The line between his foreknowledge and the system's mechanics was becoming increasingly blurred and fascinating. She, too, awaited his next entry with keen interest. If Ye Fan truly had designs on her Fairy Peak, she needed to know every detail.
Hundred Followers Holy Land
Aan Chinner felt a chill. "His immediate intentions, particularly concerning Fairy Peak…" She had escaped Ye Fan's direct clutches, but the thought of him infiltrating a prestigious Holy Land like Tianshang and targeting its female disciples filled her with renewed anger. She thought of the gentle Bai Lianxin, a figure revered even in other Holy Lands, and the innocent disciples under her care. Su Chan's diary was becoming an unexpected, crucial source of intelligence.
Tianshang Holy Lord's Palace
Lan Xianyi observed the unfolding events with a serene yet sharp gaze. The "theme selector" function was a clever way to guide the narrative, or rather, the flow of information from Su Chan. It added another layer to this mysterious system. Ye Fan's plans for the recruitment ceremony were now of paramount importance. The Tianshang Holy Land's reputation and the safety of its disciples were at stake.
Later that night, Su Chan began his second diary entry, oblivious to the silent audience hanging on his every (mental) word.
[Diary Entry – Day 1, Continued]
The system gave me a theme about Ye Fan's plans for tomorrow's disciple recruitment, especially concerning Fairy Peak. Coincidental, as I was about to elaborate on that anyway. This Ye Fan is a cunning bastard, let me tell you.
According to the novel, Ye Fan, despite his cultivation being crippled to Qi Refining 2nd level, still possesses the foundational knowledge and combat experience of his former 'genius' self. Tomorrow, during the talent assessment, he won't show off excessively. He'll aim for 'surprisingly good' for a supposed waste, demonstrating decent swordsmanship – probably some basic Ye Family sword art, executed with unusual precision for his current realm. This will catch the eye of some outer sect elders who appreciate 'grit' and 'potential for recovery.'
His goal isn't to immediately become an inner disciple. That would be too suspicious. He'll aim for the outer sect, specifically looking for a way to get closer to the inner sect peaks. Why Fairy Peak? Several reasons.
Firstly, pure, unadulterated lust. His ring grandpa, that lecherous old Saint King soul, has almost certainly told him about Ning Youxi, my Third Junior Sister. He knows she possesses a top-tier Furnace Body. In Ye Fan's depraved mind, she's not a person, but a cultivation tool, a stepping stone to boost his own power after he… well, you know. He'll see her as a ripe fruit ready for his plucking.
Secondly, strategic positioning. Fairy Peak, while not the most powerful in terms of overt combat strength among all peaks, is known for its beauty and the relatively 'gentle' disposition of its Peak Master, Bai Lianxin – or so the wider world thinks. Ye Fan likely believes Master Bai is an easier target to manipulate or impress later on compared to someone like the Ice Lotus Peak Master Shen Qingyu, or the male Peak Masters who are more focused on raw power. He'll see Master Bai as another ultimate prize for his collection. He wants to slowly infiltrate, gain trust, and then, when the time is right, reveal his 'true' talent and try to become Master Bai's disciple, or at least gain her favor. The gall of this man is astounding.
His immediate plan upon entering the outer sect will be to find tasks or excuses that allow him to get near Fairy Peak. Perhaps delivering items, running errands, or 'accidentally' encountering Fairy Peak disciples. He'll put on his most charming, pitiful, and determined act. He's a master manipulator, especially with women who are either naive or prone to sympathy.
He'll also be on the lookout for any low-level conflicts or opportunities within the outer sect to show off his 'hidden strength' and 'righteous character,' building up a false reputation. He needs to make himself seem like a diamond in the rough, a wronged genius fighting against adversity. It's all a carefully constructed facade.
The old Saint King in the ring will be guiding him every step of the way, pointing out minor opportunities, helping him analyze people, and feeding his already inflated ego and vicious desires. That ring isn't just a cultivation aid; it's an enabler for his worst tendencies.
I need to be prepared. Tomorrow, I'll observe him closely. Perhaps there's a way to subtly trip him up during the recruitment without revealing my own knowledge prematurely. Undermining his carefully crafted image from the very beginning would be a good start.
The Soul Nourishing Pills are good. My spiritual sense feels clearer. The Qi Condensation Array will be set up first thing in the morning.
Su Chan concluded the entry, feeling a grim sense of purpose. He had laid out Ye Fan's initial predatory moves. Unbeknownst to him, his words painted a vivid, terrifying picture for the women who were now privy to his thoughts, hardening their resolve and, for some, sparking the first embers of a plan.