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"Zhen Wei," Aric\'s voice was calm, yet there was an underlying current of authority that could not be ignored. "Report your location. And where is your sister?"

Zhen Wei\'s voice crackled through the talisman, laced with a mix of respect and nervousness. "Master Aric, we are in the northern quadrant of the ruins, near the Valley of Sorrow. Zhen Yu is with us, but she has been uneasy since we arrived."

Aric\'s eyes narrowed slightly as he absorbed the information. He knew that the fated plot involving Ye Chen\'s heroics was soon to unfold—the moment where Ye Chen would arrive just in time to save Zhen Yu from a perilous situation, thereby winning her favor. This was a crucial point in the story, one that Aric intended to exploit for his own gain.

"Good. Keep her there," Aric commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "We\'re on our way. Make sure she remains unaware of anything unusual. The rest of you… follow the plan."

The talisman dimmed as the connection severed, and Aric turned to his team, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "It\'s time to move. We\'re heading to the Valley of Sorrow. Stay sharp."

With calculated precision, Aric led his team through the winding corridors of the ruins, their footsteps echoing softly against the cold stone floor. The ruins were a maze of ancient traps and illusions, but Aric navigated them with ease, his knowledge of the place far exceeding that of any ordinary cultivator.

His team, loyal and efficient, moved with the same silent determination, fully aware of the stakes.

Meanwhile, in another part of the ruins, Ye Chen was making his way to the chamber where the Seraphic Lotus had once been. His journey had been a harrowing one, filled with near-misses and brushes with death as he navigated the deadly traps and formations that littered the path. Each step forward had been earned through sheer grit and determination, his body bearing the marks of his struggles.

Sweat dripped from his brow, and his breaths came in ragged gasps, but he pressed on, driven by the belief that something extraordinary awaited him at the end.

Finally, he arrived at the chamber, his heart pounding with anticipation. But the sight that greeted him was not what he had expected. The grand coffin, which should have housed the Seraphic Lotus, lay open and empty. The sense of triumph that had been building within him evaporated, replaced by a surge of disbelief and frustration.

"What is this?" Ye Chen muttered under his breath, his fists clenching at his sides. His voice echoed hollowly in the empty chamber. "After all that struggle, after risking my life countless times… there\'s nothing here? This can\'t be happening!"

His thoughts raced, anger bubbling up as he tried to make sense of the situation. He had fought so hard, overcome so much, and yet he had been too late. The prize that should have been his was gone, snatched away before he even had the chance to claim it. The feeling of loss gnawed at him, an unsettling sense of failure that he couldn\'t shake.

At the same time, Aric and his team reached the Valley of Sorrow, where Zhen Wei and the others awaited. The valley was shrouded in a thick mist, the eerie silence only broken by the distant sounds of shifting earth and the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. Zhen Wei stood with his sister Zhen Yu and the other members of the Zhen family, his demeanor calm but his eyes betraying a hint of unease.

Aric\'s presence was commanding as he approached, flanked by his own team. Among them was the Bai family, whose loyalty to Aric was now unwavering. Bai Ling stood at Aric\'s side, her expression one of serene devotion, the result of Aric\'s subtle manipulations.

"Master Aric," Zhen Wei greeted, bowing deeply. "We are ready."

Aric gave a curt nod, his gaze sweeping over the group. Unbeknownst to Zhen Yu, the rest of the Zhen family had already consumed the vial containing Aric\'s blood, ensuring their loyalty to him. The system had notified Aric of the successful manipulation, and he had taken care to implant memories that would keep them obedient and unaware of his true intentions.

"Excellent," Aric replied smoothly. "Let\'s make sure everything is in place."

"Alas! Only if I could control the mind of the protagonist." Aric sighed.

"I would have been enjoying a life of leisure.", Aric thought.

As Aric spoke, his eyes briefly met Zhen Yu\'s. She returned his gaze, her expression cautious yet curious. Aric smiled inwardly, knowing that the pieces were falling into place. Excluding Zhen Yu, everyone here was under his control, and soon, even she would be drawn into his web.

The atmosphere was tense, charged with the anticipation of what was to come. Aric\'s team and the Zhen family prepared themselves, aware that the next phase of the plan was about to begin.

After completing their reconnaissance of the area, Aric turned to Bai Ling, who stood quietly beside him, her eyes filled with unwavering devotion. The eerie glow of the ruins cast a dim light over their surroundings, enhancing the atmosphere of ancient mystery that enveloped them. Aric\'s gaze was sharp and calculating as he considered his next move.

"Bai Ling," he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of command. "I need you to establish a closer relationship with Zhen Yu. Make her feel comfortable around you, and more importantly, improve her perception of me."

Bai Ling nodded, understanding the weight of the task. "Yes, Master Aric. I will do as you say."

Aric\'s eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, his tone calm but firm. "Zhen Yu must see me as someone she can trust, someone she can rely on. Use your charm and make her believe that I have her best interests at heart. She must not suspect anything."

Bai Ling offered a slight smile, a mixture of confidence and determination in her expression. "Consider it done."

Aric watched her for a moment, knowing that Bai Ling\'s skills in manipulation were second to none. With her talents, he had no doubt that Zhen Yu would soon be swayed. After all, every piece on the board needed to be carefully positioned for the game he was playing—a game where he held all the cards.

Some time later, after their reconnaissance mission had ended, a member of Aric\'s team approached him with a sense of urgency. The man\'s eyes were wide with excitement as he reported, "Master Aric, we\'ve found something valuable further ahead."

Aric\'s interest was piqued, though he maintained his composed demeanor. He nodded, motioning for the group to move forward. "Lead the way."

As they made their way through the ruins, Aric\'s thoughts turned to the plot he knew so well. He was aware that they were heading straight toward a mysterious formation—one that would soon play a crucial role in the unfolding events. According to the plot, this formation would scatter people to different places, isolating Zhen Yu in a dangerous situation where she would end up seriously injured.

The protagonist, Ye Chen, would then arrive, rescue her, and their bond would deepen as they developed affection for one another.

But Aric was determined to alter that course. He knew this moment was pivotal, and he had no intention of allowing Ye Chen to be the one who saved Zhen Yu. No, this time, it would be him—Aric—who would be there when she needed help. He would turn the plot in his favor and ensure that Zhen Yu\'s affections were directed at him instead of Ye Chen.

As they approached the location, the air grew thick with tension. The group was on high alert, aware that something was amiss. Aric raised his hand, signaling for them to stop.

"We\'re nearing the formation," he said, his voice steady but carrying an edge of warning. "This place is not what it seems. Everyone, be cautious. The formation here is ancient and powerful, created by a civilization far beyond our understanding. It\'s meant to disorient and trap us."

The group nodded in unison, their faces etched with seriousness as they began examining the area, trying to find a way to deactivate the formation. But the formation was far more complex than they had anticipated. Its power ran deep, woven into the very fabric of the ruins, and despite their best efforts, they found themselves unable to unravel its mysteries.

Suddenly, one of the members, in his frustration, made a mistake. His hand brushed against an unseen trigger, and the formation roared to life with a blinding flash of light. In that split second, Aric\'s instincts took over. He reached out and grabbed Zhen Yu\'s hand, pulling her close to him just as the world around them began to distort.

Zhen Yu gasped in surprise, her heart racing as the scene around her dissolved into chaos. She barely had time to react before everything went dark, her consciousness slipping away as the formation transported them to an unknown location.

When Aric opened his eyes, the disorienting effects of the formation slowly fading, he found himself in a vast wilderness. The sky above was a deep, foreboding shade of gray, and the air was thick with an unnatural stillness. Beside him, Zhen Yu lay unconscious, her form delicate and vulnerable against the harsh landscape.

Aric knelt beside her, his expression softening as he gently shook her shoulder. "Zhen Yu… wake up."

Slowly, Zhen Yu stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she regained consciousness. She looked around, confusion evident in her gaze, before her eyes finally settled on Aric. Relief washed over her as she recognized him, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. "Aric… where are we?"