Villain: I transmigrated with Mind Control Powers
Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Shadowwind Fan

"Ugh, where am I?" Ye Chen groaned as he slowly sat up. His whole body felt like it had been trampled by a herd of spirit beasts. The air here was different—thick with spiritual energy that made his skin tingle. Taking a deep breath, he felt warmth spread through him, easing his aches bit by bit.

In the distance, a beast's roar echoed through the forest. Ye Chen's eyes snapped open, and he instinctively reached for his sword, only to grasp empty air. "Just great," he muttered. "Lost in a strange place with no weapon."

He looked around, trying to get his bearings. Towering trees stretched up to the sky, their leaves shimmering with a soft glow. The whole place felt alive, buzzing with energy. "Did the heavens drop me here for a reason?" he wondered aloud.

Meanwhile, the disciples of the Starry Sky Sect stepped through the portal into the Ancient Forbidden Grounds. The moment they arrived, they were awestruck. Massive trees as tall as mountains, strange plants they'd never seen before, and the air so rich with spiritual energy that it made their heads spin.

"Wow, this place is incredible!" one disciple exclaimed, eyes wide.

"I've never felt so energized," another said, clenching his fists. "Imagine the treasures we could replace here!"

Aric, disguised as Yu Haotian, surveyed the scene with a sly grin. "Just as I expected," he thought. The Ancient Forbidden Grounds were a treasure trove, and he knew exactly what he was looking for.

Beside him, Su Ling's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Senior Brother, this place is amazing!" she said, almost bouncing on her toes. "So many opportunities!"

"Indeed," Aric replied, nodding. "But remember, great opportunity comes with great danger. Stay alert."

She gave him a confident smile. "Don't worry about me! I'm ready for anything."

Aric handed her a small jade pendant. "Take this. If you run into trouble, crush it, and I'll come replace you."

Su Ling's cheeks flushed slightly as she accepted the pendant. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll keep it safe!"

"Good. Now, why don't you explore that area over there?" he suggested, pointing toward a cluster of luminous flowers.

She nodded eagerly. "See you later!" With that, she dashed off into the forest.

As Su Ling disappeared among the trees, Aric's grin widened. "Now, time to get down to business," he thought.

He wasn't here to wander aimlessly. Thanks to his knowledge of the plot, he knows about a hidden cave where one of Ye Chen's opportunities lies. It was a place where Ye Chen was supposed to replace a powerful treasure. But this time, Aric intended to claim it for himself.

"Sorry, Ye Chen," Aric chuckled. "But destiny's getting a rewrite."

He moved swiftly through the forest, his steps light and confident. The deeper he went, the thicker the spiritual energy became. After a while, he noticed the trees starting to change. Their leaves were shaped like stars, and they emitted a faint, silver glow.

"Almost there," he thought.

Soon, he arrived at a wall of dense vines. They seemed ordinary, but Aric knew better. He reached out and brushed his fingers against them. The vines shimmered and parted, revealing a narrow entrance to a hidden cave.

"Bingo," he whispered.

Without hesitation, he slipped inside. The cave was dark, but soft luminescent moss illuminated the path. As he ventured deeper, the air grew cooler, and a gentle hum filled his ears.

At the end of the tunnel, he found a spacious chamber. In the center stood a stone pedestal, and atop it rested a simple-looking black fan—the Shadowwind Fan.

Aric's eyes gleamed. "There you are."

He approached the pedestal cautiously. Although he knew about the fan, legends spoke of traps guarding such treasures. He circled the pedestal, scanning for any signs of danger.

"System, scan for traps," he commanded mentally.

[Ding! Host, it will consume 500 villain points.]

"Take it", Aric said.

[Ding! Deducting 500 villain points.]

[Scanning... No traps detected. The area is safe, Host.]

"Perfect."

He reached out and grasped the Shadowwind Fan. The moment his fingers closed around it, a surge of energy coursed through his body. Shadows in the chamber danced wildly, and a gust of wind swirled around him.

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You have gained 2000 Villain halo and 20,000 Villain points for stealing the opportunity of the protagonist, Ye Chen]

"Whoa!" Aric steadied himself, excitement bubbling up inside. "This power... it's incredible!"

The Shadowwind Fan was no ordinary item. It granted its wielder control over shadows and wind, allowing them to move swiftly and strike silently. With it, Aric could blend into the darkness, manipulate wind currents, and even create illusions.

"Let's give this a try," he grinned.

He flicked the fan gently. A breeze stirred, and his silhouette began to fade until he was almost invisible. Flicking it again, he reappeared. "Nice!"

Aric then focused on a boulder at the side of the chamber. With a more forceful swing of the fan, a blade of wind shot forward, slicing cleanly through the rock. The boulder split in two.

"Impressive," he mused. "This will come in handy."

He could already imagine the possibilities. Sneaking past guards, ambushing enemies, escaping tight situations—the fan amplified his abilities significantly.

"With this, staying ahead of Ye Chen and the other so-called protagonists will be a breeze," he thought, amused by his own pun.

Back outside, Ye Chen was still trying to figure out where he was. He stumbled upon a clear pond surrounded by glowing lilies. Kneeling beside it, he cupped the water in his hands and took a sip. A soothing energy spread through him, and his injuries healed instantly.

"Wow, this water is magical!" he exclaimed.

Feeling rejuvenated, he stood up and stretched. "Maybe this place isn't so bad after all."

Meanwhile, Su Ling was exploring the forest, the air filled with the fragrance of rare herbs she carefully collected. The Ancient Forbidden Grounds were a treasure trove, and she felt invigorated by the adventure.

As she reached a serene clearing, a sudden rustling noise caught her attention. Her senses sharpened—a benefit of her Pure Heart Physique—and she halted, scanning her surroundings.

From behind the dense foliage, a massive boar-like beast burst forth. Its eyes glowed a menacing red, and its tusks were long and razor-sharp.

"An Ironhide Boar at the Nascent Soul Third Stage," Su Ling murmured, recognizing the formidable creature.

The beast snorted aggressively, pawing the ground. Without warning, it charged straight at her, the earth trembling under its weight.

"Alright then," she said softly, her eyes narrowing. "Let's dance!"

Su Ling leaped gracefully to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's deadly charge. Drawing her slender sword, she began channeling her Serene Moonlight Art. A soft, silvery glow enveloped her, enhancing her presence.

"Moonlit Grace!"

She moved like a flowing stream, each step deliberate and fluid. As the beast charged again, she sidestepped effortlessly, delivering a swift slash across its flank. Sparks flew as her blade met its tough hide, but the cut was superficial.

"Its defense is incredible," she noted. "I'll need more power."

The boar roared, swinging its massive head toward her. She flipped backward, evading the attack.

Time to up the ante.

Activating her Crane's Grace Scripture, she felt the energy of her Moonlight Crane Bloodline surge within her. Ethereal feathers shimmered around her.

"Crane's Wing Slash!"

She lunged forward with blinding speed, her sword slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. The blade cut deeper this time, drawing blood.

The beast bellowed in pain, its eyes flashing with fury. It stomped the ground, causing a shockwave that rippled toward her.

Su Ling crossed her arms, summoning her defensive skill.

"Lunar Reflection Barrier!"

A shimmering barrier of moonlight formed just in time. The shockwave hit the barrier, causing it to crack but ultimately deflecting the attack.

She winced. "This beast is stronger than I thought."

The boar wasn't finished. It charged again, faster and more ferocious. Su Ling's Strength of 85 allowed her to hold her ground, but she knew she couldn't keep this up indefinitely.

As the beast closed in, she decided to combine her techniques.

"Merging Moonlit Grace and Crane's Wing Slash!"

Her blade glowed brighter, infused with both techniques. She darted forward, meeting the boar head-on. They clashed, the force of their encounter sending shockwaves through the forest.

This time, her sword pierced through the beast's thick hide, causing a grievous wound.

The Ironhide Boar staggered, blood seeping from its side.

"Now's my chance!"

She concentrated her energy for one final attack.

"Moonlight Crane Descent!"

Leaping high into the air, she harnessed her Agility and the power of her Bloodline. Descending swiftly, she aimed her blade at the beast's exposed back.

The sword struck true, and with a thunderous impact, the boar collapsed to the ground.

Breathing heavily, Su Ling stepped back. "That was intense," she said, wiping sweat from her brow.

But before she could relax, a low growl echoed behind her. Turning, she saw a Shadow Panther emerge from the darkness, its eyes gleaming with predatory intent.

"A Shadow Panther? Here?" she exclaimed. Fatigue was beginning to set in.

The panther moved swiftly, disappearing and reappearing from the shadows, a common trait of creatures adept in shadow techniques.

Su Ling steadied herself. "I can't let my guard down."

The panther lunged, claws extended. She barely had time to react, raising her sword to block. The force pushed her back, her feet skidding on the forest floor.

She activated Lunar Reflection Barrier once more, but the repeated use was draining her energy.

"I might need help," she admitted reluctantly.

Her hand moved to the jade pendant Aric had given her. But before she could activate it, a gust of wind swept through the clearing.

"Need some assistance?" a familiar voice called out.

Aric stepped into view, the Shadowwind Fan in his hand. His eyes met hers with a confident smile.

"Senior Brother!" Su Ling exclaimed, relief washing over her.

The Shadow Panther hissed, shifting its focus to the new arrival. It leaped toward Aric, moving faster than the eye could follow.

Aric remained unfazed. With a swift motion, he flicked the fan.

"Phantom Strike!"

Multiple shadowy blades of wind shot forth, striking the panther mid-air. The beast yowled in pain, landing awkwardly.

"Impressive speed," Aric remarked. "But not enough."

The panther snarled, melting into the shadows. It reappeared behind him, aiming for his blind spot.

"Look out!" Su Ling shouted.

Aric smirked. "I see you."

He activated Eclipsing Shadow Blade, his movements becoming a blur. Turning swiftly, he met the panther's attack head-on, his Heavenly Jade Sword clashing with the beast's claws.

The impact created a shockwave, rustling the surrounding trees. The panther was thrown back, landing heavily.

"Let's finish this," Aric declared.

"Chaos Tempest!"

A swirling vortex of wind and shadows enveloped the panther, lifting it off the ground. The beast was helpless within the storm, unable to escape.

With a final gesture, Aric closed his fan, and the tempest collapsed inward, obliterating the panther.

Silence returned to the forest.

Su Ling approached him, awe evident in her eyes. "That was incredible! I've never seen such a technique."

Aric shrugged modestly. "Just something I've been working on."

She smiled warmly. "Thank you. I don't think I could've handled both beasts on my own."

He looked at her seriously. "You did well against the Ironhide Boar. Your skills have improved."

She blushed slightly. "Still, I have a long way to go."

He handed her a small elixir. "Here, this will help restore your energy."

She accepted it gratefully. "You're always prepared, aren't you?"

He chuckled. "It's good to be ready for anything."

As they continued their journey, Su Ling felt a renewed sense of confidence, bolstered by Aric's support.

"Maybe we should stick together from now on," she suggested.

He nodded. "Agreed. It's safer, and we can watch each other's backs."

They walked side by side, the forest path leading them to new discoveries.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the trees, they stumbled upon an ancient ruin. Pillars adorned with mystical runes stood tall, and an old altar sat at the center.

"This place feels... significant," Su Ling whispered.

Aric surveyed the area. "There might be treasures hidden here."

They approached cautiously. Su Ling's keen eyes spotted a glint under some rubble.

"Over here!" she called, kneeling to uncover a small, ornate box.

Opening it carefully, she revealed a luminous blue gemstone.

"A Spirit Essence Crystal," Aric identified. "It can enhance your cultivation."

Her face lit up. "This could help me advance!"

"Go ahead and absorb it. I'll keep watch."

She sat in a meditative pose, cradling the crystal. As she focused, a soft glow enveloped her, the energy flowing into her core.

Aric stood guard, his senses alert. But his mind was already planning his next moves.