Chapter 4: Meeting My Stepmother

The Lei household was incredibly vast, akin to a self-contained city.

Just as universities have different departments, the Lei household was divided into various sections.

However, instead of academic departments, these were the individual mansions of the household members.

Each person resided in their own separate villa, accompanied by a retinue of servants.

The sprawling estate boasted numerous lavish villas, each reflecting the power and status of its inhabitant.

The sheer scale of the household underscored the immense wealth and influence of the Lei family.

Aric was dumbfounded by the scene, but he did not let it reflect on his face.

Soon he arrived at the villa of his stepmother, Ulsa Lei.

Ulsa was in her late thirties, but her appearance was more like that of a woman in her mid-twenties. 

Ulsa was only a mortal and she never practiced as her aptitude was not good. But her beauty was one of the major reasons why she became a concubine. 

Aric was welcomed by the servants of the villa. They informed the mistress about his arrival.

Soon, the beauty arrived at the hall where Aric was sitting comfortably.

"Aric, what brings you here today?" Ulsa asked, her voice smooth and inviting, but there was a hint of wariness in her eyes.

Aric stood up, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "Stepmother, it's been a while since we've spent time together. I thought we could share some tea and catch up."

Ulsa's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "That sounds lovely. I'll have the servants prepare the tea."

Aric asked the system to show Ulsa's details.

[Name - Ulsa Lei ]

[Age - 39]

[ Cultivation Level - None]

[ Strength - 4]

[ Agility - 3]

[ Intelligence - 4]

[ Charm - 8]

[ Physique - None]

[ Bloodline - None]

[ Cultivation Techniques - None]

Aric smiled after finding that she can be easily manipulated.

Aric watched her closely as she called for the servants. His mind was already plotting. He needed her to ingest his blood, and he had just the plan for it.

As they waited for the tea, Aric made small talk, his demeanor charming yet subtly authoritative. He knew he had to project confidence to make his plan work.

However, he could sense Ulsa's underlying tension. She had never been particularly supportive of him, especially given the conflicts between him and her son, Jarod Lei.

When the tea arrived, Aric took the initiative. "Allow me to serve you, stepmother," he said, pouring the tea into two delicate cups.

Ulsa watched him with a hint of surprise but nodded graciously. "Thank you, Aric."

Aric took a needle from his pocket, pricking his finger and letting a few drops of his blood mix into one of the tea cups. He swirled the cup gently, ensuring the blood blended seamlessly with the tea.

He handed the tainted cup to Ulsa, his smile never wavering. "Here you go, stepmother. I hope you enjoy it."

Ulsa took the cup, unaware of the alteration. "Thank you, Aric," she said, taking a sip. "The tea is delightful."

Aric watched her closely, a sense of triumph building inside him. "I'm glad you like it. There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about, stepmother."

Ulsa looked up, intrigued but cautious. "Oh? What is it?"

Aric leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "I've been thinking a lot about family and loyalty. I believe it's important for us to be united, don't you agree?"

Ulsa nodded, sipping her tea again. "Of course, Aric. Family unity is very important."

Aric's smile widened, a glint of malice in his eyes. "Good. Because I think there are certain... traditions we should uphold. Ways to ensure our bond is unbreakable."

Ulsa continued to drink the tainted tea, but her expression grew more guarded. "I hope you don't intend to bring any harm to Jarod. He is, after all, a member of Lei Family."

Aric's eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his composure. "Of course not, stepmother. My intentions are purely for the good of our family."

As Ulsa continued to drink the tainted tea, Aric felt a surge of power. The mind control skill was beginning to take effect. He knew it was only a matter of time before she would be completely under his influence.

"Let's drink to that," Aric said, raising his own cup in a mock toast. "To family and unbreakable bonds."

Ulsa smiled, unaware of the sinister undertones in his words. "To family," she echoed, finishing her tea.

Aric watched her, satisfaction coursing through him. Soon, Ulsa Lei would be his to command, another pawn in his quest for power. Despite her previous resistance and loyalty to Jarod, she would be unable to defy him. His villainous path was just beginning, and he relished the thought of what was to come.

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Note: This is my first novel, it may have some grammatical errors. Please bear with it, I will fix it as soon as possible. You will receive one chapter/day. I will try to increase the frequency with time.