Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 464 Coming Across A Protagonist In Upper Realm

In the bustling streets of the Crimson Star Settlement, Wang Jian's eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as he and Yu Qing strolled through the vibrant market. It was a cacophony of colors, sounds, and divine energies, a true feast for the senses. His gaze was that of a child in a wonderland, absorbing every detail of this new and fascinating world.

Suddenly, the serene atmosphere was shattered by the sounds of a fierce battle erupting outside an auction house.

Wang Jian's keen senses picked up the commotion instantly. 'A fight? Here? Interesting!' he thought, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

As he and Yu Qing approached, they saw a scene that was almost too classic to be real.

A group of Divine Spirit Realm experts, their robes billowing with the power of their cultivation, were relentlessly attacking a lone figure. This person, dressed in tattered clothes that lacked any hint of divine energy, stood defiantly, an unlikely warrior amidst the chaos. Wang Jian's eyes narrowed, a spark of recognition igniting within him. 'This energy... it's familiar. High providence... and he's winning!'

The individual, despite his apparent disadvantage, was skillfully holding his own against the higher realm cultivators. Wang Jian's lips curved into a devilish smile, 'What a fortunate encounter... my first target in this realm.'

Yu Qing, standing beside him, watched the scene unfold with a detached interest. 'He's probably fascinated by the fighting styles of the Upper Realm,' she thought, not realizing Wang Jian's deeper interest in the battle.

Amidst the chaos, the attackers cursed their opponent, repeatedly yelling his name. "You'll pay for this, Lin Fei!" they shouted. 'Lin Fei, huh?' Wang Jian stored the name in his memory.

The battle concluded with Lin Fei emerging victorious, leaving the Divine Spirit Realm experts bruised and beaten on the ground. As Lin Fei disappeared into the crowd, Wang Jian seized the opportunity. "Let's go talk to them," he suggested to Yu Qing, a curious twinkle in his eye.

Approaching the injured experts, Wang Jian requested Yu Qing's assistance. "Could you help them with their injuries?" he asked casually.

With a nod, Yu Qing channeled her Divine Ascension Realm powers, swiftly sealing the injuries and alleviating the pain of the experts. Her display of prowess left the surrounding crowd and the healed experts in awe. Whispers of her unfathomable strength circulated rapidly.

The experts, now indebted and in awe of Yu Qing's abilities, agreed to accompany Wang Jian to a nearby physician, answering his barrage of questions along the way.

Wang Jian's inquiry was straightforward, "What was that fight about? Why were you attacking that youth Lin Fei?"

Yu Qing's aura intensified, a subtle warning to the experts. "Speak the truth," she warned, her voice gentle yet commanding. The experts swallowed nervously, acutely aware of the immense power they were dealing with.

As Wang Jian and Yu Qing, accompanied by the group of humbled experts, made their way through the bustling streets of the Crimson Star Settlement towards a physician, the one leading the explanation was a young man with an air of arrogance dimmed by recent events.

The young lord, who introduced himself as Shen Wei, the son of the Third Elder of the Great Starry Sky Institution, seemed particularly bitter as he recounted the recent events involving Lin Fei. "That Lin Fei, he's nothing but a thorn in our side. Six months ago, nobody knew him. He was just another face in the crowd at the Sanguine Star Academy, near the Crimson Star Settlement."

Shen Wei's face contorted with a mix of anger and envy as he continued. "But then, something changed. His cultivation skyrocketed, and he started showing combat prowess that defied all expectations. Before we knew it, he was not just at the Divine Convergence Realm, but also defeating Divine Spirit Realm experts like us!"

Wang Jian nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest. 'High providence indeed. Lin Fei's story sounds more like a classic tale of an underdog rising to prominence. Fascinating.'

Shen Wei's tone grew more heated as he delved into the more recent events. "Just today, at the auction, he had the audacity to outbid me for the Starlight Crystal. That crystal was supposed to be mine! The Great Starry Sky Institution had plans for it. But no, Lin Fei just waltzed in and snatched it away, without any respect for our institution or my status!"

Yu Qing, who had been silently observing, finally spoke, her voice laced with curiosity. "So, you attacked him because he won an auction fair and square? That seems rather petty, doesn't it?"

Shen Wei's face flushed red, caught off guard by her blunt statement. "It's not just about the auction! He's been causing trouble, stealing precious herbs, and using underhanded methods to acquire artifacts. He's a menace!"

Wang Jian chuckled softly, finding the whole situation amusing. 'Stealing herbs and acquiring artifacts? Sounds like the typical accusations thrown at someone who's upsetting the status quo.'

He leaned forward, his gaze piercing as he asked, "And what evidence do you have of these thefts and underhanded methods? It's a serious accusation to make without proof."

Shen Wei stuttered, his confidence wavering under Wang Jian's intense scrutiny. "Well, there's no direct evidence per se, but it's obvious! How else could someone like him obtain such items and cultivation speed?"

Yu Qing exchanged a glance with Wang Jian, a silent communication passing between them. 'These accusations seem baseless. Driven more by jealousy and pride than fact,' she thought.

As Wang Jian listened to the young lord's account, his lips quirked into an amused smile. 'So, the higher the realm, the more things stay the same,' he mused inwardly. The dynamics of power, jealousy, and rivalry were evidently universal.

Wang Jian stood up, his interest in Shen Wei's narrative waning. "Thank you for your account, Shen Wei. It's been... enlightening." His tone was polite but distant, clearly indicating his skepticism towards the young lord's version of events.

As they walked away from Shen Wei and his cohort, Wang Jian whispered to Yu Qing, "What do you think? Does Lin Fei sound like a thief and a cheat to you?"

Yu Qing pondered for a moment before replying, "Not necessarily. His rapid rise and talents might have simply made him a target for those envious of his success. It's not uncommon."

Wang Jian nodded in agreement.

As the moon hung high over the Crimson Star Settlement, casting a serene glow on its ethereal structures, Wang Jian and Yu Qing settled into their shared room at the inn. The atmosphere was comfortable, yet charged with an unspoken tension.

Yu Qing, perched gracefully on a silken cushion, glanced over at Wang Jian. 'Why do I feel this way? It's like a moth drawn to a flame, and I can't help but be near him.' Her gaze lingered on Wang Jian, trying to decipher the enigma that he was.

Wang Jian, lounging on one of the beds, watched Yu Qing with an amused gaze. 'She's getting more attached. This is progressing better than I expected,' he thought with a hint of satisfaction.

"I think we should extend our stay here in this settlement," Wang Jian suggested casually, his eyes twinkling with hidden motives. "Lin Fei... there's something about him that piques my interest."

Yu Qing nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I agree. There's a peculiar aura about Lin Fei. It's subtle, yet profound. It suggests he may have a unique physique or perhaps a rare cultivation talent."

Wang Jian's smile widened, but his eyes held a cunning glint. 'Lin Fei, with your high providence and destined path, you're like a treasure trove waiting to be explored. And I intend to reap all the benefits, including any beauties that you like,' He concealed his predatory anticipation behind a facade of mild curiosity.

Over the next few days, Wang Jian and Yu Qing became familiar figures in the Crimson Star Settlement. They frequented the bustling markets, the lively taverns while always enjoying their time and occasionally even entering the grandiose auction houses, always keeping an ear out for any mention of Lin Fei.

One evening, while they were at a popular teahouse, an intriguing piece of gossip reached their ears. A local cultivator, eager to share his knowledge with the newcomers, leaned in and whispered, "Did you hear about Lin Fei's latest feat? He single-handedly defeated a band of rogue cultivators who were terrorizing a nearby village. The villagers are calling him a hero."

Wang Jian raised an eyebrow, a mix of interest and amusement in his expression. 'So, our Lin Fei is not only powerful but also playing the part of a hero. How perfectly cliché for someone with a protagonist's destiny.'

Yu Qing, however, seemed impressed. "That's quite a commendable act. It seems Lin Fei isn't just strong, but he also has a sense of justice."

Wang Jian nodded, his mind already weaving plans. 'A sense of justice, huh? That can be both a strength and a weakness. I'll have to see how I can use that to my advantage.'

Their investigation continued, with Wang Jian subtly manipulating events and encounters to learn more about Lin Fei and to place himself in positions where he could intercept the opportunities meant for the young cultivator.

As days turned into weeks, Wang Jian's understanding of Lin Fei deepened, and so did his plans. Yu Qing, ever loyal and perceptive, assisted him, though she remained unaware of the true extent of Wang Jian's scheming.