Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate

Chapter 72: The Eerie Footprints’ Owner Appears

While Ye Fan was deeply immersed in learning the new cultivation methods he had acquired, Jiang Chen started to analyze what he had observed.

’It looks like Ye Fan’s secret weapon is tied to these cultivation methods,’ he thought to himself. ’This means, at this point in the plot, aside from some unique opportunities, the cultivation methods are one of his biggest strengths. Spiritual plants, pills, and weapons are all less important by comparison.’

’So, if I can take the cultivation methods that are supposed to be his, I’ll be able to reduce his Heavenly Fate Value even more,’ Jiang Chen considered, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he now had a clearer strategy to undermine Ye Fan.

Without wasting any time, while everyone else was busy sorting through their loot, he began to consume spiritual plants to boost his powers.

He started with a fire-element, Heavenly Origin-level spiritual plant called the Precious Flame Vermilion Fruit. Jiang Chen popped the fruit into his mouth, chewing it briefly. Instantly, juice burst out, trickling from the corners of his mouth, which he quickly reabsorbed.

As soon as the Precious Flame Vermilion Fruit reached his stomach, its powerful medicinal properties rapidly gathered in his Dantian and were absorbed by the Burning World Red Lotus.

Suddenly, the cracks in the Burning World Red Lotus began to heal at an incredible rate. By the time the medicinal effects of the Precious Flame Vermilion Fruit had fully worn off, many of the cracks on the Burning World Red Lotus had disappeared.

Next, Jiang Chen moved on to his second spiritual plant, the Dark Vined Fiery Flower, stuffing it into his mouth... then the third one, the fourth, and so on...

Before long, Jiang Chen had consumed all the spiritual plants he had gathered this time.

Thanks to the nourishment, the Burning World Red Lotus had significantly healed, with just a tiny crack left before it would be completely restored. However, its appearance of having been used extensively remained.

’Tsk, Lin Feng really overdid it with the Burning World Red Lotus,’ Jiang Chen reflected. ’To get it back to its prime, I’ll need to use even more resources!’

’Thankfully, nurturing the Burning World Red Lotus has paid off well. Not only am I much better at finding spiritual plants now, but more importantly, my aptitude and cultivation base have improved,’ he realized.

’Right now, I’m at the critical point between the Middle and Late stages of the Mysterious Platform realm, ready to make a breakthrough any moment!’ His eyes gleamed with excitement as he felt the immense Origin Power coursing through his body.

Immediately, Jiang Chen fully activated the concealment feature of his Moondust Ring. This top-grade Heavenly Origin-level artifact, a gift from the system, perfectly hid his aura. He was all set to start his breakthrough.

Instantly, the Mysterious Platform within Jiang Chen’s Dantian began spinning faster, generating forces that accelerated the flow of Origin Power within his body, pulling it towards his Dantian. In no time, a vortex of Origin Power, enriched by the medicinal properties of the Ten-Turn Harmonious Spirit Pill he had previously consumed, formed around the Mysterious Platform.

As every bit of Origin Power in Jiang Chen’s body gathered in his Dantian, the Mysterious Platform stopped its rapid rotation and started to pulsate, expanding and contracting like a heartbeat, drawing in the surrounding cyclone of Origin Power.

Once the absorption process was complete, Jiang Chen’s Dantian and meridians felt depleted, but the Mysterious Platform itself had undergone significant enhancement, emitting an even deeper and more powerful aura.

’Nice, I’ve made it to the Late stage of the Mysterious Platform realm!’ Jiang Chen thought, with a slight smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He quickly checked his attribute panel.

[Host: Jiang Chen

Aptitude: Top Grade

After a round of mutual encouragement, everyone’s attention shifted back to the notable palanquin at their center.

At that moment, Jiang Chen’s voice emerged from within the palanquin, commanding, "Keep moving forward!"

As the group of over one hundred cultivators resumed their march, Jiang Chen began to reveal his findings:

"To the northeast, about four thousand steps away, in a mountain stream, there’s a Heavenly Origin-level spiritual grass!"

"Towards the southeast, roughly three thousand steps away, inside a giant tree, you’ll find a Heavenly Origin-level spiritual plant, the Floral Rain Precious Vine!"

"..."

Jiang Chen’s revelations were met with widespread excitement, causing many to spring into action, the concern over the mysterious footprints quickly forgotten.

...

Meanwhile, at a particular spot, just as three disciples were joyously vying to collect a Heavenly Origin-level spiritual plant, an immensely frightening roar erupted, and faster than the sound itself was a red blur.

With a swift "Swish," the three Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators had no time to react before they were savagely slashed by razor-sharp claws!

Immediately, a series of heavy thuds followed as dismembered body parts hit the ground, and a strong, overpowering smell of blood suddenly permeated the air.

In that moment, the true identity of the red blur was revealed. It was a nearly ten-meter-tall giant humanoid monster, skinless, with its flesh exposed and a particularly ghastly, blood-soaked appearance.

This shocking turn of events immediately rattled everyone nearby who saw it, their faces painted with shock and horror.

"Dead... someone’s dead!" came a stunned cry.

"The creature behind those footprints has shown up! It just killed three Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm cultivators in a blink!" a disciple yelled in disbelief.

"This has to be a Mysterious Platform realm monster, damn it, what is this thing!" someone else exclaimed, their tone filled with horror.

"Quick, let’s get back and report this!" another voice called out urgently.

"..."

The seven or eight cultivators in the vicinity panicked and dashed back to their main group. In moments, they came within the sensory range of the five chief disciples’ divine senses.

Seeing their panic-stricken and terrified states, a heavy sense of dread filled the hearts of all the Mysterious Platform realm cultivators present.

The inevitable confrontation they had feared was now upon them!