Chapter 3: Encounter with the Protagonist!
An hour later,
Ashen journeyed towards the Carp Village with 10 Guards accompanying him.
The ride was smooth, and the terrain was not too difficult to traverse.
The chariot finally arrived at the Carp Village, and Ashen stepped off the chariot.
*Yawn*"I am finally here" He yawned before signalling one of the guards to come near him.
The guard quickly arrived, ready to listen to whatever order Ashen had.
"Go and gather all the villagers at one place, I have something to announce" Ashen ordered.
The guard nodded before leaving for the village with half of the guards.
In half an hour, all the villagers were gathered at the center of the village, seated cross legged.
Ashen ascended to a high ground before beginning to address the crowd with a calm and collected demeanor :
"Villagers of the Carp Village, Listen!
I, Fang Ashen, 9th Prince of the empire, is here to present a life-changing opportunity to you all!"
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing:
"I have encountered a treasure that can help to remove your spirit and provide you a chance to awaken once again!"
"What?" The villager's eyes widened in disbelief in response to his announcement.
The Village Head Stood up as he stuttered, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard:
"Y-you can help us... to awaken once more?" he stammered, his voice shaking.
"Exactly." Ashen said with an assuring smile.
"Then, wouldn't we also have a chance to cultivate?"
"It is really a life-changing opportunity"
The villagers were all smiles as they discussed, happy about a second chance at cultivation.
All villagers here had awakened a 1-star spirit, having suffered due to having a low level spirit.
Without cultivation, Your lifespan will be smaller and will also have to suffer at the hands of the stronger cultivators.
A second chance to awaken was a wish they all had, but couldn't fulfill it.
However, Now, A chance appeared in front of their eyes on its own.
How could they resist jumping on it?
But the price they have to pay in return for this invaluable opportunity also must be very high.
Understanding this, the Village head decided to ask, His heart was racing with anxiety, and his palms were sweaty as he reluctantly asked, "Your Highness, W-What must we do in return for this life changing opportunity?"
Fang Ashen's lips curved into a gentle smile as he declared: "You just have to join my faction if you awaken a high level spirit, Isn't that simple?"
[Scanning the Protagonist's luck]
Han Yujin: 16000 luck points
Ashen's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the system notification.
He hadn't expected that his Villain points machine was present here.
He squinted his eyes to get a better view of the boy.
His jet-black hair was neatly combed, falling gracefully around his face, framing sharp and determined features. Yujin's eyes, a deep shade of brown, held a spark of intelligence and a hint of the challenges he had faced.
"Well well, Isn't this quite a surprise" Ashen murmured, a grin playing upon his lips.
"Alright, let me first remove your spirit. Afterward, I will call you in the castle for the awakening ceremony" Ashen Suggested politely, maintaining a warm smile.
A delightful smile appeared on everyone's face, the village head took the lead saying:
"Thank You, Your Highness! We will never forget your Grace"
Next, Ashen moved to a room where he called the villagers one by one.
The first villager entered, sitting in front of Ashen.
"Close your eyes and summon your spirit.
Remember, do not open your eyes if you don't want to get blind" Ashen Instructed gently, making the villager comfortable and feeling welcomed.
The villager did as Ashen had instructed. A sickle appeared on his palm, rotating in the air, as if, it was a showpiece placed in a museum.
Ashen summoned his spirit, the white snake before willing for it to devour the sickle.
The white snake did as instructed, opening its mouth large enough for a human to fit in before devouring the sickle.
Then, Ashen called his spirit back.
"You can open your eyes now" Ashen instructed with a calm voice.
The villager opened his eyes before attempting to feel his spirit, However, there was nothing, He yelled in delight: "It really worked, Thank you, Your Highness!"
The villager, now fully trusted Ashen as removing someone's spirit was unheard of and if Ashen was able to do that then why can't they awaken a new spirit now?
Afterward, Ashen repeated the process several times over with innumerable villagers but there was no change in his spirit.
It kept on devouring other spirits as if it was a black hole.
However, after what seemed like an eternity, Ashen's spirit started glowing with white light.
He hurriedly sent the villager who was in the room, outside.
The white snake's glow continued to increase as a new head grew on from the side of its previous head. This new head was a shade of blue in colour, It appeared ethereal before materializing fully.
The tail grew longer and its body grew in size, turning into the height of an Adult male.
[Ding! Host, Congratulations on the evolution of your spirit to 2-star, Twin-headed Sky flame Viper]
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(Thanks for reading. ^..^)