A gentle knock on the door roused Jiang Li from his meditation. He opened his eyes, a faint smile gracing his lips. The Qi within his meridians flowed smoothly, a testament to his newfound diligence. His "D" grade talent, while not exceptional, was a significant improvement over the previous "F."
The door creaked open, revealing Celina, his personal maid. Celina, with her delicate features, flowing raven hair, and eyes as deep as the night sky, was a vision of ethereal beauty.
Jiang Li, despite his focus on cultivation and his newfound ambition, couldn't help but be captivated. He had always found Celina attractive, but now, with the Villain Family System providing him with an edge, he saw her in a new light.
The system, he discovered, had a unique feature: it could analyze the status of individuals within a certain range. He could see their loyalty, their luck, even their cultivation potential, and most importantly, their physique.
* F-Grade Physique: The most common type, offering minimal potential for cultivation.
* D-Grade Physique: Slightly better than average, allowing for moderate progress with dedicated effort.
* C-Grade Physique: A solid foundation, enabling cultivators to achieve respectable levels of strength.
* B-Grade Physique: A significant advantage, allowing for rapid progress and greater potential.
* A-Grade Physique: Considered exceptional, offering a strong foundation for peak cultivation.
* S-Grade Physique: A rare and coveted physique, capable of reaching extraordinary heights.
* Divine Physique: A legendary physique, possessing immense potential and often associated with divine blessings.
* Celestial Physique: An almost mythical existence, capable of reaching unimaginable heights of power, touching the very fabric of reality.
* Immortal Physique: A legendary physique, said to be born from the heavens, with the potential to transcend the mortal realm.
And Celina… Celina possessed a Divine Physique.
Jiang Li felt a jolt of excitement, quickly followed by a pang of disbelief. A Divine Physique? That was unheard of! It was the stuff of legends, possessed only by the most extraordinary individuals.
And yet, there she stood, his personal maid, completely unaware of the extraordinary potential hidden within her.
A chilling thought struck him.
Celina, with her Divine Physique, was a hidden gem, a future powerhouse. And, given the nature of his existence as a minor villain, he would inevitably cross paths with her, likely antagonizing her in some way.
He envisioned a future where he, the arrogant young master, would belittle Celina, scoffing at her cultivation attempts, only to watch in horror as she blossomed into a peerless cultivator, becoming a formidable opponent, perhaps even an ally of the Invincible Young Master, Lin Xuan.
The thought sent shivers down his spine. He couldn't allow that to happen.
He needed to cultivate diligently, to become stronger, to ensure that he wouldn't become a mere obstacle in Celina's path. He needed to find a way to utilize her talents, to turn her into an asset, a powerful ally in his own pursuit of power.
"Good morning, Young Master," Celina greeted him softly, her voice melodic. She placed a tray of steaming tea on the bedside table, her eyes downcast, as if avoiding his gaze.
Jiang Li, his mind racing, forced himself to focus. "Good morning, Celina," he replied, his voice calm. "Thank you."
He took a sip of tea, the warmth spreading through his body. He needed a plan. How could he cultivate a relationship with Celina, a relationship built on mutual respect and trust?
He couldn't simply order her around, treat her like a servant. He needed to earn her respect, to demonstrate his own worth.
He decided to start small.
He began to observe Celina more closely, paying attention to her daily routine, her preferences, her interests. He learned that she enjoyed reading, that she had a passion for herbal medicine, and that she possessed a gentle, compassionate nature.
He began to cultivate her trust, sharing his own thoughts and feelings with her, albeit cautiously. He confided in him about his frustrations with his cultivation, his anxieties about the future, and his desire to prove himself.
Celina, in turn, opened up to him, sharing her own aspirations, her dreams of becoming a renowned healer. She confided in him about her struggles with her own life, her desire for independence, and her longing for a better future.
As their interactions deepened, a genuine bond began to form between them.
Jiang Li realized that cultivating a relationship with Celina was not just about manipulating her, it was about building a genuine connection, about earning her respect and trust.
He knew that this was just the beginning of a long and challenging journey. He had a long way to go before he could truly call himself a formidable villain.
But he was no longer alone.
He had Celina.
And with Celina by his side, he felt a newfound sense of confidence.
He looked at Celina, her eyes reflecting the morning light, and a bold idea began to form in his mind.
"Celina," he said, his voice serious, "would you… would you be willing to cultivate with me?"
Celina's eyes widened in surprise. "Cultivate, Young Master? But…"
"I know I'm not talented," Jiang Li admitted, "but I'm determined to improve. And I believe, with your guidance, we can both achieve great things."
Celina stared at him, her eyes searching his face. After a long moment of silence, she nodded slowly. "I… I would be honored, Young Master."
A smile spread across Jiang Li's face. This was just the beginning.
The game had just begun, and Jiang Li, the minor villain, was ready to play.
He would rise, not just for himself, but for Celina as well.
He would create a future where they could stand side-by-side, two forces to be reckoned with, defying expectations and shattering the limitations placed upon them.
The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Jiang Li, with Celina by his side, was ready to face any challenge.
The following days were a whirlwind of activity. Jiang Li, fueled by a newfound sense of purpose, immersed himself in cultivation with renewed vigor. He spent hours practicing the Qi Gathering Technique, his movements becoming more fluid, his control over his Qi gradually improving.
Celina, initially hesitant, surprised herself with her aptitude for teaching. Despite her own inability to cultivate, she possessed an innate understanding of the human body, honed by years of studying traditional medicine. She observed Jiang Li's posture, his breathing, and offered insightful suggestions, her voice calm and reassuring.
"Relax your shoulders, Young Master," she would instruct, her voice gentle. "Let the Qi flow naturally, without forcing it."
"Inhale deeply, expanding your diaphragm. Feel the Qi entering your body, nourishing every cell."
Under Celina's guidance, Jiang Li's progress accelerated. He felt a deeper connection with the Qi, a more profound understanding of its flow within his meridians.
One evening, as they were practicing in the garden, a sudden gust of wind blew through the trees, scattering a pile of fallen leaves. Jiang Li, startled, lost his focus, and the smooth flow of Qi within his meridians was disrupted.
Celina, noticing his distress, gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, Young Master," she said softly. "Cultivation is a journey, not a race. There will be setbacks, but we will overcome them together."
Her words were a balm to his troubled mind. He looked at her, truly seeing her for the first time – not just as his maid, but as a partner, an equal.
He realized that cultivating with Celina was more than just improving his own strength. It was about helping her unlock her own potential, about guiding her on a path she never thought possible.
He began to research ancient cultivation techniques, seeking methods that might help Celina awaken her dormant cultivation talent. He spent hours in the library, poring over dusty tomes, searching for clues, for any mention of individuals with exceptional physiques but suppressed talents.
He discovered ancient legends of "suppressed meridians," a rare condition where the pathways for Qi flow were inexplicably blocked. He wondered if this could be the reason for Celina's inability to cultivate.
He shared his findings with Celina, his voice filled with excitement. "Perhaps," he suggested, "there's a way to unblock your meridians. We can find a master, a renowned healer, someone who can diagnose your condition."
Celina's eyes widened. "But… but what if it's too late?"
Jiang Li placed a hand over hers, his gaze steady. "We won't give up," he said firmly. "We will find a solution. Together."
Celina looked at him, her eyes filled with a newfound hope.
Their journey had just begun, a journey of discovery, of growth, and of mutual support. They faced an uncertain future, filled with challenges and unknown dangers.
But together, they would face it all.
The game had just begun