Chapter 21: The Price of Power
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Chapter 21: The Price of Power
Tian Mo stood atop his mansion, gazing over the city sprawled beneath him. The sun had long since set, and the city lights flickered below, each one a small reflection of the empire he was constructing, piece by piece. His enemies, the Hidden Circle, had been crushed. But the victory had come at a cost—one that still lingered in the depths of his mind.
Power was not easily obtained. Each step he took toward immortality required sacrifices. Some were physical, some mental, and some—well, some required a price paid in blood.
Lian Hua stood by his side, her expression unreadable as she too observed the city. She had proven herself, her loyalty no longer in question. Once a tool of the Hidden Circle, she had become an integral part of his empire, and in return, he had given her power beyond her wildest dreams.
"You've won, my lord," she said, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of something else—satisfaction? Or was it something darker? "But the game is far from over."
Tian Mo didn't answer immediately. His mind was already calculating his next move. The Hidden Circle had been a formidable opponent, but there were always more powerful factions lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. He needed to consolidate his rule, fortify his position, and make sure that there were no cracks in the foundation of his empire.
"Have you heard from Anna?" he asked, his voice low but commanding.
Lian Hua nodded. "She's still working on infiltrating the upper echelons of society. She's making progress, but it's slow. The women of power she's targeting are harder to sway than anticipated."
Tian Mo's lips curled into a cold smile. "No matter. Once she's finished, she will bring them to me—willingly or not."
He turned his gaze back to the horizon. His mind was focused on the future, on the next phase of his plan. The Hidden Circle was gone, but there were others who had taken notice of his rise. His ambitions stretched beyond Earth. Beyond Terra. The higher cultivation worlds were within his reach, and he would not stop until he stood at the pinnacle of power.
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The Women of Power
Anna's influence in the upper society was growing, though it was more challenging than she had expected. The women she had targeted were powerful, yes, but they were not easily manipulated. They had their own ambitions, their own desires, and their own secrets. Yet, that was exactly what Tian Mo needed.
One such woman was Elena Zhou, the CEO of Zhou Intercontinental Holdings, a woman of sharp intellect and even sharper ambition. She had lost her husband, a man who had been a leader in one of Earth's most powerful sects. Since his death, she had retreated into herself, becoming a shadow of the woman she once was. But underneath her cold exterior was a woman who had been starved for attention, power, and control. She was the perfect target.
Anna had made her move.
Dressed in the finest silks, she entered the grand mansion where Elena resided. The scent of exotic perfumes and expensive incense filled the air, but there was a certain coldness to the atmosphere. Elena sat at the head of a long dining table, surrounded by her closest confidantes, her eyes cold and distant.
"Ms. Zhou," Anna greeted, her voice dripping with honey. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
Elena's icy gaze flicked toward Anna, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "You are not," she replied, her voice sharp and controlled. "But I wonder what brings you to my home. We do not know each other."
Anna smiled, her expression as unreadable as the stone facade Elena wore. "Not yet, perhaps. But I've heard much about you. I admire your work, Ms. Zhou. Your intellect, your ambition. We share many similar goals."
Elena's lips twitched in amusement. "I doubt that. Few have ambitions that rival mine."
Anna stepped closer, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "I'm not talking about business, Ms. Zhou. I'm talking about something far more… personal."
Elena's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you want from me?"
Anna leaned in closer, her breath warm against Elena's ear. "I want to show you a new world. One where you don't have to hide behind the walls of your cold empire. A world where you can be everything you've ever dreamed of—powerful, untouchable."
Elena stiffened, her lips parting in surprise. "And what would I have to give in return?"
Anna smiled slyly. "Everything."
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The Price of Immortality
Back in the shadows, Tian Mo waited. The scene in his mind played out in perfect harmony with the plans he had laid. Elena Zhou would fall. Just as every other woman who had crossed his path would fall. It was only a matter of time.
But even as Anna worked to seduce the powerful women of Earth, Tian Mo knew that the path to true immortality would not be easy. His enemies were many, and they were not all external. There were forces within his own soul that threatened to consume him. He had already walked the path of darkness, embracing the Primordial Chaos that had become his essence. But there were still deeper levels of cultivation to reach, and each stage required more than just strength. It required sacrifices.
The Nascent Soul Realm had been just the beginning. Soon, he would move beyond. The Spirit Severing Realm was just ahead, but it would not be a simple transition. It would be a trial of endurance, of willpower. To reach the peak of this realm, he would need to sever all ties—friendships, emotions, even his humanity. Only then could he transcend into the Void Shattering Realm, where true power awaited him.
But the question remained: Would his sacrifices be worth the price?
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Status Update:
Tian Mo: Nascent Soul (Peak Stage) | Primordial Chaos Technique | Empire Consolidation in Progress
Lian Hua: Trusted Lieutenant | Strengthening her cultivation
Anna: Infiltrating the high society | Preparing to seduce Elena Zhou
Elena Zhou: Targeted for recruitment | CEO of Zhou Intercontinental Holdings
Yin Hua: Working on internal consolidation of power | Preparing for future expansion
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