Chapter 5: The Seeds of Envy
Raiyen stood in the cold, silent courtyard of the Black Vein Sect, his gaze fixed on the towering walls that had once imprisoned him. The memories of his betrayal were still fresh in his mind, but now, with the Sinbound System awakening inside him, those memories no longer held the sting of helplessness. They were fuel, the fire that would drive his revenge.
The Sect had cast him aside, and now, Raiyen would return the favor—one manipulation at a time.
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The New Reality
The first few days of Raiyen's new life in the Black Vein Sect were a series of small, humiliating tasks. He was nothing more than a lowly servant, sweeping floors and running errands for his former disciples, now his juniors. His cultivation had yet to rise, and his appearance was far from the image of a once-proud leader. Yet in his heart, the Sinbound System thrummed, urging him forward.
He had no intentions of remaining a servant for long. This was only the beginning. As the days passed, his power grew, subtly but surely. The System whispered to him, offering guidance, unlocking new abilities as his Sin Points accumulated.
And today, he would make his first true move.
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The Meeting with Qin Fei
It was not by chance that Raiyen encountered Qin Fei that evening. She, too, was a disciple of high status in the sect—praised for her beauty and her cultivation, with an aura of elegance that rivaled even Lian Yu's. But it wasn't her spiritual talent that Raiyen sought to manipulate. It was her envy.
Qin Fei had always been in the shadow of others—first Lian Yu, and now the mysterious servant, Raiyen. And that, Raiyen knew, was a weakness he could exploit.
That evening, as he wandered the courtyard, he saw her standing by the ice garden, her posture straight and poised. The moonlight cast a gentle glow on her, but there was a coldness in her eyes that betrayed her true feelings. She was perfect, but the world had not yet recognized her for it.
Raiyen approached her silently, his steps soft against the marble floor. The icy air around her rippled, like a mirror of her inner thoughts—cold, distant, but yearning for more.
"Qin Fei," Raiyen greeted, his voice smooth and calm, though his presence was overpowering. "I see you're enjoying the night air. It suits you."
She turned, her icy gaze sharp, but her lips curved into a polite smile. "Raiyen, the servant. How... quaint to see you here."
He didn't flinch at the insult, his smile remaining unperturbed. "I'm not just a servant anymore, Qin Fei. I'm something more."
Her brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing, choosing to wait for him to continue.
"You've always been second to Lian Yu, haven't you?" Raiyen asked, his voice low, probing. "In everything. Talent. Beauty. Status."
Qin Fei stiffened, but she didn't respond.
He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I know how you feel. You've worked so hard, but no one notices. Lian Yu is always the center of attention. She is admired, respected, loved." He let the words hang in the air, his voice tinged with a subtle bitterness.
Her hands tightened slightly on her fan, and for a brief moment, Raiyen saw the crack in her carefully composed mask. The envy. The hunger for something more.
"I'm nothing like her," she said quietly. "I don't seek their admiration. I'm content with my cultivation."
Raiyen chuckled softly. "Are you truly content, Qin Fei? Or are you simply lying to yourself?"
Her gaze flickered, but she said nothing.
"I can help you," Raiyen continued, his voice like silk. "I see your potential. Your ambition. And I see that you're tired of playing second fiddle. But you're too proud to admit it, aren't you?"
Qin Fei's eyes narrowed. "What are you proposing?"
"I can help you surpass Lian Yu," Raiyen said simply. "But it will take more than just hard work. It will take influence. Power."
She hesitated, her lips parted as if weighing his words. "And what do you want in return?"
Raiyen's smile was slow, calculated. "Your loyalty. Your trust. And your willingness to do whatever it takes to become the best."
Her gaze hardened, but Raiyen could see the flicker of temptation in her eyes. She wasn't as cold as she appeared. Not by a long shot.
> [Sin Sown: Envy – Moderate]
+50 Sin Points Acquired
The seed had been planted.
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The Influence Grows
Over the following weeks, Raiyen continued to subtly manipulate Qin Fei, feeding her doubts about her place in the sect, planting the idea that she would always be overshadowed by Lian Yu if she remained on her current path. Each conversation was a carefully crafted step toward his goal—her envy growing with each passing day.
In the meantime, Raiyen's own cultivation quietly advanced, thanks to the Sinbound System. His power was still not visible to the others, but the changes inside him were undeniable. He could feel his strength growing, his abilities expanding. Soon, the first Forbidden Technique would be his, and with it, the ability to reshape the world around him.
But for now, he needed to focus on his immediate goal—gaining the loyalty of Qin Fei and manipulating her emotions to serve his larger purpose. With her help, he could begin to push the sect into chaos, sowing the seeds of conflict that would allow him to climb once more.
He had once been a leader, a man of power and influence. Now, he would use the very sins of others to remake the world in his image.
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The First Duel
It wasn't long before Qin Fei's jealousy reached a boiling point. She had been growing more and more distant from Lian Yu, her resentment building, and Raiyen knew it was time to push her further.
He arranged for a duel between Qin Fei and Lian Yu, secretly feeding her false information about Lian Yu's weaknesses. He whispered doubts into her ears, encouraging her to believe that this was her chance to finally surpass her rival. The duel would take place in two days.
But Raiyen was no fool. He knew the outcome of this duel was already decided—no matter who won, Qin Fei's envy would grow stronger, and with it, her desire for power would reach new heights.
> [Sin Sown: Envy – High]
+75 Sin Points Acquired
Raiyen smiled to himself as he left the chamber, his thoughts already turning to his next move. He could feel it now—the darkness, the power, the inevitable rise of his influence. This was just the beginning.