BXBX NOVEL Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Tongxiang Cultivation Exchange
As the boat descended, Aric turned to face them. "Welcome to the Lei Estate," he said with a smile that didn\'t quite reach his eyes. "This will be your new home."
Ava, standing at the front of her clan, nodded curtly. "We will hold you to your word, Aric. My people\'s safety is paramount."
"Of course," Aric replied smoothly, gesturing toward the estate. "Everything has been arranged for you. You\'ll be able to grow and flourish without interference."
As the boat touched down, Mia and Ulsa were waiting at the base of the landing platform. Both women, now fully devoted to Aric after his manipulations, bowed respectfully as he disembarked.
"Husband, everything has been prepared as you instructed," Mia said, her voice calm but reverent.
"The hideout has been fortified with the strongest arrays and formations," Ulsa added. "No one will be able to detect their presence unless you wish it."
Aric nodded, satisfied. "Good. Escort the Matriarch and her clan to the hideout." He glanced at Ava, his smile widening. "You\'ll find it quite suitable. No one will disturb you there."
Ava\'s gaze lingered on Aric for a moment, wary but resigned. "Very well. Lead the way."
Mia and Ulsa led the fox clan through the dense forested area that bordered the Lei Estate. It was a perfect hideaway, completely shielded from the outside world.
Once inside, the foxes were greeted with a serene, protected environment. A clear stream ran through the valley, lush vegetation surrounded them, and small dwellings had already been prepared. The air was thick with natural energy, a place where they could heal and strengthen their clan in peace.
"This... will do," Ava said slowly, her eyes scanning the area. She turned to Aric, who had followed them inside. "You\'ve kept your promise so far, Aric Lei. I hope you continue to do so."
Aric chuckled softly. "I always keep my promises, Matriarch. You\'ll see. Now, you can begin rebuilding your clan in peace." He stepped closer to her, his voice lowering slightly."I am waiting you to fulfill your end of the deal."
Ava Nightshade stood tall, her eyes narrowing slightly. Though she remained composed, Aric could see the unease swirling beneath her calm exterior. She was a powerful matriarch, but now she was bound by a bargain that left her clan\'s future in the hands of a human. For now, she nodded, her voice steady but cautious. "I\'ll honor our agreement, Aric Lei. For the sake of my clan."
"Good," Aric replied, flashing her a predatory smile before turning to leave. "You\'ll come to realize this was the best decision you ever made."
As Aric walked away from the valley, his mind churned with plans. "The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan is now under my control. Ava might not know it yet, but soon, her entire clan will be completely loyal to me, just like the others." His lips curled into a smirk as he thought about the blood vials he had distributed to the fox clan members under the guise of protection.
"Once they all drink from the vials, they\'ll be mine in mind and soul."
He cast one last glance at the hidden valley behind him before boarding his flying boat. The wind whipped through his hair as the boat ascended into the sky, heading back toward the Lei Estate. Aric leaned back against the railing, relishing the feeling of power coursing through his veins. "And soon, the location of the Eternal Spring Lake will be revealed. It\'s only a matter of time."
When Aric arrived back at the Lei Estate, the sight that greeted him was a tempting one. Inside his luxurious villa, Zhen Yu, Bai Ling, Mia, Ulsa, and Alicia were waiting for him. They stood in a line, dressed in alluring silk robes, their eyes gleaming with desire and devotion. Each one of them had long since fallen under Aric\'s influence, their minds and bodies entirely his to command.
"Looks like I\'m going to have a lot of fun tonight," Aric thought with a wicked grin. He strode into the room, pulling Zhen Yu into his arms, his fingers trailing down her waist before moving to Mia, then Ulsa. "My beauties, your master has returned."
The night passed in a blur of passion. Aric indulged himself with the women, relishing their affection, their loyalty, and their bodies. They were completely his, willing to fulfill his every whim. As the night deepened, the villa was filled with sounds of pleasure, a testament to Aric\'s dominance over them all.
The next morning, Aric woke up with a satisfied smirk on his face. The soft sunlight filtered into the room, casting a warm glow on the women still asleep around him. Zhen Yu rested against his chest, Bai Ling lay curled by his side, while Mia, Ulsa, and Alicia were draped across the luxurious bed.
Stretching out lazily, Aric reached for the system notifications that had been waiting for him.
[Ding! Congratulations Host for successfully completing your first quest]
[Ding! Congratulation Host! You gained Nine Tails Illusion Art for completing your first quest]
[Ding! Congratulation Host! You gained Heavenly Fox Essence for completing your first quest]
[Ding! Congratulation Host! You gained +20,000 Villain Halo, +200,000 Villain Points for completing your first quest]
[Ding! Congratulation Host! You gained Favorability (100) of Daughter of Destiny Ava Nightshade for completing your first quest]
Aric\'s smirk deepened as he read through the notifications. "I love it. So many rewards for so little effort. Great returns this time." He chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "The Nine-Tails Illusion Art and Heavenly Fox Essence... Ava Nightshade is now mine."
"It\'s time to savor the prize," Aric mused, his eyes gleaming with desire.
His mind conjured images of her veiled beauty, her body, and her charm—things that no man could resist. "She\'s mine now," he thought with a wicked smile, the prospect of claiming her filling him with anticipation.
Just as he was reveling in his triumph, a glowing orb near the bed began to hum, signaling an incoming message. Aric lazily reached for the communication orb, his fingers trailing over Zhen Yu\'s hair as he activated it.
"Master, Tyler Tsei has left for the Tongxing Cultivation Exchange," a voice crackled through the orb.
Aric\'s eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "Tongxing Cultivation Exchange, you say? Excellent." He glanced at the women around him, thinking about how easily he had conquered them. "Looks like it\'s time to deal with Tyler once and for all."
Meanwhile, in another chamber of the Lei Estate, Ava Nightshade was seated gracefully, deep in meditation as she focused on her cultivation. She had initially been wary of Aric—his power, his motives—but over time, her thoughts had begun to shift.
It wasn\'t something she noticed right away. At first, it was subtle—a passing thought, a fleeting feeling. "He\'s strong," she had thought, "and he kept his word." The gratitude for his protection was there, of course, but something deeper had started to take root. A strange warmth began to fill her whenever she thought of him.
His presence, his touch, the way he commanded respect—everything about him seemed... perfect.
And then, like a door unlocking in her mind, her thoughts shifted entirely. "He is such a great man," she whispered to herself, her lips curling into a soft smile. "I... I belong to him."
What Ava didn\'t realize was that this shift in her feelings wasn\'t entirely natural. The system had quietly been at work, weaving its influence into her mind without her knowing.
On the other hand, Tyler was on his way to the Tongxing Cultivation Exchange. The past month had been nothing short of miserable for him.
Yet, there was something about this upcoming exchange that gave him hope. A feeling—almost like a call—beckoned him.
After several days of travel, Tyler finally arrived at Tongxing City.
The Tongxing Cultivation Exchange was held once every ten years, and for many, it was the highlight of their decade. Cultivators from all over the region, and even beyond, flocked to the city, eager to showcase their skills, trade rare cultivation techniques, and acquire precious resources.
The streets were filled with warriors clad in robes of every color, their auras shimmering as they moved through the city like a river of power.
For many young cultivators, it was the perfect opportunity to rise in the ranks and make a name for themselves.
As Tyler walked through the crowded streets of Tongxing City, he couldn\'t help but feel the weight of his inadequacy pressing down on him. He saw young geniuses from prominent sects flaunting their strength, their confident auras intimidating him. "If only..." he muttered under his breath, his fists clenched. "If only I hadn\'t lost everything."
Despite his struggles, Tyler could sense that something awaited him here. Something that could either make or break him. "This city... this exchange... maybe this is where my luck changes."