Chapter 3

• "It seems that..."
• "Tim is not showing me respect by rejecting my good intentions."
• "I, Bowen, have never put so much effort into helping someone, and your response has disappointed me!"
• Bowen's tone turned icy cold, like a chilling wind emanating from an ice cave, sending shivers down one's spine.
• Tim's body suddenly tensed up!
• Adron and Clement also felt their hearts sink.
• Bowen was a powerful Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivator, a core disciple of the sect, with extraordinary strength and a respected status.
• In the past, Tim had the protection of the older generation.
• But what was he now? As a cripple, there were no powerful figures in the sect willing to protect him!
• If Bowen were to become so angry, wouldn't there be a risk of bloodshed on the spot?
• "Elder Bowen."
• "Thank you for your kindness, I was wrong about what happened just now, but..."
• Tim took a deep breath, suppressing the shame and anger in his heart, and spoke.
• [Ding! Protagonist Bowen has publicly apologized to you, his mental state is affected and his Heavenly Fate Value has been lowered by 100 points!]
• [Ding! You have gained 200 points of Villain Value!]
• Two system prompts appeared in Bowen's mind, causing him to rejoice.
• 'I've hurt his mental state!!'
• 'That's right, what kind of protagonist offers a public apology to a villainous character?"
• "Unless the protagonist is scheming... But Tim clearly isn't; he's just being forced to apologize!''
• Bowen thought to himself, a glint in his eyes, this operation hadn't been a waste of effort.
• The Villain Value could be accumulated to open the System Mall!
• Countless incredible treasures must be waiting within!
• As expected.
• Although elated inside, Bowen concealed his joy.
• "Tim."
• "I'll give you one last chance."
• Bowen spoke with a somber expression and an indifferent tone.
• Upon hearing these words,
• Tim's heart seethed with anger, his body tensing up. He quickly turned his head to look at Adron and Clement, his gaze clearly conveying that he wanted the two of them to ensure his safe departure from the mountain.
• "What?"
• Bowen chuckled faintly, "Do you think Adron and Clement will guarantee your safe departure from the mountain?"
• "Adron and Clement are my close friends."
• Tim took a deep breath and stated with a stern expression, each word deliberate and clear.
• "Elder Chih-Ming."
• "Tim has been kind to us."
• Adron stepped forward, with Tim following closely behind.
• Their expressions were solemn, and at first glance, it was apparent that they wanted to make their stance clear, ensuring Tim's safe descent from the mountain.
• Seeing this,
• Tim's heart swelled with gratitude, and his tense face relaxed significantly.
• The other disciples frowned, murmuring to themselves that Adron and Clement didn't know what was best for them.
• Just at that moment,
• "There are certain matters you shouldn't hastily commit to."
• Bowen subtly interrupted Adron's words and tossed over two small green bottles.
• "What are these?"
• Adron and Clement caught the small green vials, their faces a mixture of surprise and suspicion.
• The rest of the onlookers' gazes fell on the small green bottles, exchanging incredulous glances.
• As for Tim, his expression shifted momentarily before returning to normal.
• Considering his bond with Adron and Clement, he was confident that even if Bowen offered a significant bribe, they would not accept it.
• "Why not open them and see?"
• Bowen observed the shocked and suspicious expressions on their faces and said indifferently.
• Adron and Clement exchanged glances before looking at Tim.
• "Feel free to open them, Elders," Tim encouraged, confidence shining in his eyes.
• Seeing this,
• Adron and Clement, who had originally intended to return the small green bottles directly to Bowen, hesitated no longer and opened them with a pop.
• Immediately,
• An incredibly pure, refreshing, and invigorating medicinal fragrance wafted out.
• "It's a Clarity Awakening Pill!"
• "And it's of Upper Grade quality!"
• Adron and Clement were astonished, their faces lighting up with ecstasy as they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise!
• "What?!"
• "An Upper Grade Clarity Awakening Pill?!"
• "That's an invaluable pill that will definitely enable someone in the Soul Refining Realm to break through to the Spiritual Awakening Realm! It's far more precious than an ordinary Spiritual Awakening Realm pill!"
• "Elder Bowen actually gifted Clarity Awakening Pills to Adron and Clement? This is simply unbelievable!"
• "..."
• The surrounding disciples gaped at the scene, letting out exclamations of disbelief.
• 'Why?!'
• 'Just to eliminate me, a man who has lost all his cultivation, he actually offered such a precious pill!'
• 'Has Bowen gone mad?!'
• Tim's eyes widened as if struck by lightning, his mouth agape, and his heart filled with disbelief.
• "Well?"
• Bowen looked at Adron and Clement, a faint smile playing on his lips.
• He knew very well that to sway the protagonist's close friends, ordinary offerings would not suffice.
• If he provided anything less, they would likely reject his gesture and ridicule him publicly.
• Therefore, Bowen delved into his hard-earned savings, presenting the most valuable treasure in his possession, one that far exceeded everyone's wildest expectations!
• Under normal circumstances,
• The typical Bowen would never have done such a thing, as these two pills were undoubtedly his most prized possessions!
• By doing this now, on one hand,
• He had a greater chance of breaking through Adron and Clement's psychological barriers, getting a step closer to influencing them.
• Even if this attempt failed,
• The pills could still be retrieved. The worst-case scenario would be that he would lose face.
• Having already become a villain, Bowen had long been mentally prepared for such a situation.
• "This ..."
• "Many thanks, Elder Bowen!"
• "But I still hope that you spares Tim's life. After all, if word gets out, it will have an impact on your reputation."
• Adron lowered his head, his face displaying a mixture of excitement and guilt.
• Tim remained silent, one hand clutching the pill vial tightly, trembling slightly.
• He didn't want to be like this, but what Bowen had offered was simply too tempting!
• Soon after,
• Under Tim's shocked and sorrowful gaze, Adron and Clement both accepted the pills from Bowen and silently retreated to a distance.
• Perhaps it was due to guilt, inner conflict,
• Or perhaps it was because of the hope that lingered from their last request that they hesitated and did not leave entirely.
• "Ch... Elder Bowen! Elder Clement!!!"
• Tim looked at his two close friends who couldn't bring themselves to meet his eyes from afar, and the anguish in his heart felt like ten thousand steel needles piercing him relentlessly.
• [Ding! You have successfully incited the protagonist Tim's close friends Adron and Clement; Tim's Heavenly Fate Value has been reduced by 300 points!]
• [Ding! You have successfully humiliated the protagonist Tim and hurt his state of mind; Tim's Heavenly Fate Value has been lowered by 100 points!]
• [Ding! You have gained 700 points of Villain Value!]
• Three system prompts appeared in succession.
• 'Now I have 900 points of Villain Value!'
• 'Still 100 points short of activating the System Mall!'
• "It's a pity that inciting Adron and Clement only lowered Tim's Heavenly Fate Value by 300 points."
• 'Perhaps it's because these two weren't very instrumental in his growth?'
• 'That's also true. Tim is leaving the Star Valley Sect; by the time he returns, Adron and Clement will have become minor characters long ago, right?'
• Bowen pondered in his mind, glanced at the distant duo of Clement and Adron, and then turned his attention to Tim.
• "Actually,"
• "At first, I genuinely wanted to help you out."
• "But now that things have come to this, I won't make it too difficult for you. I promised Adron and Clement that I'd spare your life this time."
• The corners of Bowen's mouth curled into a smile, "However, I have one condition."
• Upon hearing this statement,
• A glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of the previously disheartened Tim.
• However, this hint of joy soon dissipated.
• He knew instinctively that Bowen wouldn't let him off easily, and the condition would undoubtedly be extremely harsh.
• There were times when
• Staying alive could be worse than dying...
• The thoughts of most surrounding disciples mirrored Tim's, and their gazes, filled with pity, fell upon him.