Chapter 26: Schemes in Motion

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A Shadow in the Light

Lucian stood at the highest balcony of Valcrest Manor, overlooking the grand city beneath him. Tonight, everything would change.

He had already shifted the rumors of the Devil's Body onto another Chosen One—but that was just the beginning.

If he truly wanted to control the Chosen Ones, he needed to do more than just deceive them.

He needed to manipulate fate itself.

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A Dangerous Plan

Lucian activated the Temporal Mirage Crystal, watching as a translucent image of a past event replayed in the air.

It was the moment Xian Mu left.

He focused on a single detail—the way Xian Mu hesitated before vanishing.

Lucian smirked. That hesitation would be his downfall.

He clenched his fist, activating the crystal's power.

[Rewriting Event… Adjusting Xian Mu's Mindset…]

A subtle change took place in the threads of fate.

Xian Mu would now have a lingering doubt in his heart—an uncertainty that would fester, making him second-guess himself in future battles.

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The System Rewards the Mastermind

[Mission Completed: Alter a Chosen One's Fate]

+600 Villain Points

Reward: Abyssal Dragon's Scale (Divine Artifact – Grants 30% Resistance to Heavenly Attacks)

Lucian's body shuddered as a powerful black-and-gold scale appeared in his hands.

This… was a treasure even immortals sought.

Now, the Chosen Ones could no longer harm him so easily.

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A Silent Agreement

As Lucian turned, a familiar voice spoke from the shadows.

"You're playing a very dangerous game, Lucian."

Selene stepped forward, her golden eyes sharp.

Lucian simply smiled.

"I never play games I don't intend to win."

Selene hesitated, then sighed. "If that's the case… then let's win together."

Lucian's eyes darkened with intrigue.

His righteous fiancée had just taken her first step into his world.

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