The Black Lotus Forest stood at the edge of the empire like a wound in the world.
Twisted trees stretched like claws, their bark blackened and pulsing with demonic veins. A perpetual fog blanketed the forest floor, glowing faintly with eerie purple light. Birds avoided it. Animals feared it. Cultivators who dared enter rarely returned—those who did were never the same.
And into this cursed forest walked a man draped in radiant white robes—Priyanshu Yadav, Crown Prince in name, shadow emperor in secret.
His lips curved into a smile as he crossed the threshold, feeling the air change immediately.
[System Alert: You have entered the Black Lotus Forbidden Zone]Environment Debuff: -50% Spiritual Sense Range, -30% Vision Clarity, +20% Curse Affliction Rate.Warning: Ancient Demonic Lotus Signature Detected.
He whistled. "Now we're talking."
To the world, this was a spiritual mission to cleanse evil. But for Priyanshu, this was an opportunity—one the Hidden Villain System had hinted would unlock a new tier of power.
He crouched, placing a palm on the forest floor.
[Tracking Technique: Shadow Pulse—Activated]
Waves of invisible energy rippled through the forest like sonar, revealing grotesque beasts hiding under roots, watching him with hungry eyes.
Two Infernal Root Serpents slithered forward, their scales dripping with black poison, fangs glistening.
[Enemies Detected: Twin Root Serpents – Late Nascent Soul]
But Priyanshu didn't move. Instead, he snapped his fingers casually.
[Plum Blooming Sword – Engaged]
In a blink, the air shimmered. A silver sword burst from his shadow and split both serpents clean in half. Black blood hissed on the leaves.
[Enemy slain. +20 Karma. Lotus Energy Absorbed.]
He raised an eyebrow. "Lotus Energy?"
Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly. A low growl echoed deeper within the forest.
The air grew thicker, denser. He walked forward.
An hour passed. He had slain seven demonic beasts and absorbed strange "Lotus Energy" from each one.
Finally, he found it.
A clearing.
In its center, a lotus pond—black water bubbling slowly. And above it, floating like a cursed jewel, was a gigantic obsidian lotus with petals spread wide. Strange tendrils curled around it, connecting to tree roots and skeletal remains.
[System Alert: Ancient Demonic Lotus Core Detected]Danger Level: Catastrophic. Recommended Action: Flee or Call Backup.Optional Quest Trigger: Absorb the Demonic Lotus Core. Requirements: Evil Intent > 60%.Reward: Demon Lotus Domain – Seed Stage. Hidden Pavilion Token Tier II.
He laughed softly.
Evil Intent > 60%, huh?
He focused. His Hidden Villain alignment slowly surged as his thoughts turned darker—of revenge, of domination, of a world beneath his feet.
[Evil Intent Level: 74%] – Threshold Reached.Demonic Lotus Absorption Possible. Proceed?
"Yes."
He walked toward the lotus, extending his hand.
As his palm touched the petal, a shockwave of demonic energy exploded outward—but Priyanshu didn't flinch. The aura curled around him, tasting him… recognizing its new master.
[Demonic Lotus Domain – Acquired]Stage: Seed (1%)Effect: Domain of Decay. Enemies within will rot. Allies will mutate. Master immune.]
He turned his back to the cursed pond, the black lotus slowly folding and sinking into the mist.
Now, not only did he hold the righteous admiration of the empire…
But a cursed power that would terrify even demon lords.
One step closer.
To becoming the true shadow behind everything.