Chereads / Dragon's Call: A Cultivation Odyssey / Chapter 3 - chapter 3-System Mastery

Chapter 3 - chapter 3-System Mastery

A wicked grin tugged at Lin Feng's lips. His sister, always so reserved, now played the role of temptress, and he wasn't about to dismiss the game so easily."Advantages? Intriguing," he mused, deliberately trailing a finger along the delicate silk of her sleeve. The contact made her shiver, a small victory that brought him a surge of satisfaction. "But tell me, dear Yuexin, what advantages could you possess that surpass those I could seize for myself?"He watched her carefully. The glint in her eye suggested she was prepared for this challenge. It seemed his little sister was far more complex than he'd given her credit for. Perhaps this rebirth would be vastly more entertaining than he originally anticipated."Power, Lin Feng, comes in many forms," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Knowledge, influence, the kind of loyalty money cannot buy. I understand the workings of this clan, its petty jealousies and hidden alliances, far better than any outsider could."He tilted his head in mock consideration. She wasn't wrong. While his system granted him an uncanny ability to read intentions, the complex network of relationships within the Azure Dragon Clan was still a murky territory he'd barely begun to navigate."And what would you ask for in return, sister," he countered, deliberately lacing his tone with a hint of skepticism. "Surely, such valuable insight deserves a worthy price."Yuexin's smile was that of a predator cornering its prey. "Protection," she stated simply. "The elders, our esteemed uncles...they won't take your rise lightly. Their scorn will turn to fear, and fear breeds desperate acts. You'll need allies, eyes and ears amidst the vipers' nest."Her words struck a chord. Lin Feng was no fool. He knew his sudden display of power would paint a target on his back. But to rely on Yuexin, the sister he'd always considered fragile… it was a gamble. Yet, with the system at his side, and now the promise of an inside advantage, it was a gamble he was more than willing to take."Very well," he relented, extending a hand. "Let us seal this pact, dear sister. But know this – should you betray me, the consequences will be far worse than anything the elders could conjure."Yuexin placed her smaller hand within his, her grip surprisingly firm. "And should you fail to uphold your end of the bargain, dear brother, I have means to make you regret it... means you can't possibly imagine."The thrill coursing through him was intoxicating. This wasn't merely a sibling alliance; it was a dance of power, veiled threats, and the heady scent of a shared secret. Their gazes locked, and for a breathless moment, Lin Feng saw his own darkness reflected in the depths of her eyes."Now, tell me about these petty squabbles," Lin Feng said, breaking their gaze but keeping her hand clasped within his. "Let us plot your brother's rise, and perhaps... something more."He led her to a hidden alcove nestled behind a veil of wisteria vines. The secluded spot, once a childhood haven, now felt charged with a dangerous new energy. As they sat, their bodies almost but not quite touching, Yuexin began to speak, her voice low and filled with the intimate knowledge of clan politics.With each revelation, each name whispered and weakness exposed, Lin Feng felt the pieces of his grand scheme slide smoothly into place. His system hummed with approval, numbers shifting and recalculating as he integrated this newfound information.Yet, his focus wasn't solely on the strategies they devised. It was on the woman beside him, her scent of jasmine blossoms a subtle intoxication, the delicate curve of her neck revealed by an errant strand of hair. Each time their hands brushed, seemingly by accident, shivers raced down his spine, a mix of taboo excitement and a primal possessiveness he'd never experienced before.The air crackled between them, charged with unspoken desire. He found himself tracing the line of her jaw, his thumb ghosting over her lips. His gaze dropped to her parted mouth, a silent invitation that made his self-control waver.Yuexin leaned in, a soft gasp escaping her. Her eyes, usually the cool blue of a winter sky, burned with a hunger mirroring his own. "Brother," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "I..."Perhaps this pact with Yuexin would prove his most dangerous weapon of all.