Lei Ying received the system notification: a heaven-favored child had successfully obtained the inheritance of a Demon God.
His eyes lit up with excitement. As the inheritor of the Ancient Godly Monarch, Lei Ying understood the significance of such a legacy. The inheritance of a legendary figure carried unimaginable power.
Though the Demon God was not as formidable as the Ancient Godly Monarch, it was said that his failure to ascend to the Upper Realm had sealed his fate. He had perished in battle before achieving his full potential.
Had the Demon God ascended, he might have claimed the title of the Ancient Godly Monarch himself. Lei Ying shuddered at the thought of what that could have meant.
Yet, as thrilling as it was to ponder such power, Lei Ying knew the dangers of his own inheritance. If anyone discovered that he bore the legacy of the Ancient Godly Monarch, chaos would erupt across the realms.
Powerful figures from all corners of existence would hunt him down without hesitation.
Even his influential family, formidable as they were, would struggle to shield him from such threats.
The Ancient Godly Monarch had not been evil. In his era, his dominion extended across the Upper Realm and countless star fields filled with lower realms.
His unparalleled might had forced even the greatest powers of his time into hiding. It was precisely this dominance that made his legacy so perilous.
No force wanted another Godly Monarch to rise, especially one who had inherited the full power of his predecessor.
Lei Ying couldn't help but reflect on the mystery surrounding his inheritance. He had no memory of how he came to possess the legacy of the Ancient Godly Monarch.
All he knew was that he had been born with it—a gift embedded in his very being. The inheritance contained countless secret arts and seals, each more powerful than the last.
For now, Lei Ying chose to keep his focus sharp. The world didn't need to know his secret, not yet. But with the Demon God's inheritance awakening in another, Lei Ying couldn't shake the sense that a storm was brewing on the horizon. A storm that might test the limits of his power—and his resolve.
"System, can I just kill this inheritor and take everything for myself? And why did you stop me from killing Yun Xiao?" Lei Ying asked, his tone sharp and impatient.
The system's response appeared before him in cold, unfeeling text:
"Killing protagonists will always have dire consequences for you. Due to their immense luck, they may evade death. Even if you manage to kill them, you will inevitably suffer a fatal misfortune. For example, you might choke on water and die, slip and fall to your death, or your soul could suddenly extinguish for no apparent reason."
Lei Ying's brows furrowed in surprise. He hadn't expected such a bizarre explanation. No wonder villains in novels always seemed doomed to fail whenever they plotted to kill the protagonist.
"So, how can I survive?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Destroy their luck, then kill them. I'm not your babysitter, so don't ask me how to destroy their luck." The system's blunt reply floated before him.
"Tsk," Lei Ying clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I'll figure it out myself," he muttered. Without another word, he strode toward the Heaven's Pavilion Sect, a trail of followers from the Azure Cloud Sect walking behind him. Among them was Xuě Lìng.
Xuě Lìng followed closely, her expression calm but her thoughts calculating.
Aligning herself with Lei Ying could bring significant benefits to her father's sect. Yet, she already knew Lei Ying would never harbor any romantic interest in her.
Over the past three months, she had observed his actions closely. One thing was clear: Lei Ying was not a good man.
That didn't mean he was entirely evil. Lei Ying operated in the shadows between morality and pragmatism, his actions dictated by ambition rather than conscience.
For Xuě Lìng, his lack of sentimentality was both a strength and a danger.
As they neared the gates of the Heaven's Pavilion Sect, Xuě Lìng's curiosity deepened. She had no idea why Lei Ying had decided to visit this particular sect so abruptly, but if her experiences with him had taught her anything, it was that trouble always followed in his wake, and someone out there would soon suffer from his poisonous hand.
The guards at the gate froze the moment their eyes fell on Lei Ying. Panic flared in their expressions as recognition dawned.
Rumors of a Lei family member visiting the Southern Desolate had circulated for weeks, though none had seen him in person. But the sight of Xuě Lìng walking obediently behind him confirmed their suspicions.
After all, with Xuě Lìng's prestigious status, there was no one else in the Southern Desolate who could compel her to act in such a subordinate manner.
"Wel—Welcome, Young Lord Lei!" one of the guards stammered, hastily bowing. The other quickly followed suit, their voices trembling with a mix of fear and respect.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted within the Heaven's Pavilion Sect. The sect leader soared into the air, his figure streaking toward the front gate with an urgency that startled everyone.
Behind him, a group of elders followed closely, their robes fluttering in the wind as they struggled to keep pace.
The disciples, caught off guard by the unusual display, exchanged bewildered glances. What could possibly compel the sect leader to leave so abruptly?
Curiosity quickly overtook confusion. Those capable of flight took to the skies, while others who had mastered movement arts darted across the ground, racing toward the front gate. None of them wanted to miss the unfolding spectacle.
The sect leader landed gracefully yet hurriedly in front of Lei Ying, his face glistening with sweat despite the cool breeze.
With a deep bow, he said, "Young Lord Lei, it is an honor for my sect to welcome you. Please, come in." He gestured respectfully toward the gates, his tone laced with reverence.
Lei Ying responded with a warm smile, his expression soothing and reassuring. The sect leader and elders couldn't help but feel their anxiety ease, as if the tension that gripped them had been swept away.
In that moment, Lei Ying appeared approachable, his demeanor a stark contrast to the arrogance often displayed by other prodigies.
His warmth seemed genuine, leaving the gathered elders with the impression that perhaps this young genius was different—more reasonable, more amicable.