A New Beginning (2)

The scroll had mentioned that she could absorb strong emotions to boost her abilities and cultivation. It was a unique and potent ability that she was eager to explore.

With renewed determination, Seraphina set off towards the nearby village. The village was bustling with activity, and its inhabitants looked ordinary and extraordinary. Seraphina noticed people dressed in various cultivation robes, each representing different levels of proficiency and strength. The current development here equaled modern times because most equipment and facilities work with seals. Be it the lighting in houses or the water filtration process.

Everything worked around seals. Seals are essentially encoded with pathways where Qi would flow to generate energy. This energy is universal and can be applied to everything this world can offer. Since the usage of seals has only been around for 200 years, the rest of the world has not caught up to it in terms of development. It was the reason for the village's late medieval look.

This was the vast world of Aetheria, a mystical world brimming with diverse orders, powerful societies, and profound cultivation techniques.

The world was split into multiple island groups, three continents, and one tower reaching into the sky above and beyond. Cultivators from all continents and island groups go to the tower to test their strength against The Celestial Spire.

It is said that the Spire was built by cultivators beyond transcendence to give the next generation a fighting chance against the impending doom of Aetheria. The main character of this world, Kael Vesta, will come along with the Inheritance of the Heavenly Tiger he stumbled upon after being cast away for having no cultivation talent in his family.

"Classic setting. Then, sets off to build a giant harem. The Epilogue didn't even mention most of the girls, just some from the later stages of the novel. Those poor girls." Seraphina thought as she reviewed her memories for information about this world.

Seraphina went to the local restaurant to find critical information and plan around it. After checking for her outfit to fit in this world without suspicion, She stepped gracefully into "The Golden Dragon Inn," a renowned chain restaurant that catered to cultivators and travelers from all corners of Aetheria.

As she went through the bustling crowd, she noticed cultivators from different sects and clans, each adorned with distinctive robes and emblems. Seraphina's eyes darted around, her keen observation skills honed from her previous life as a villainess. She knew that every conversation, every whisper, could hold valuable information.

She deftly navigated through the crowd, her dark, amethyst eyes scanning her surroundings for any signs of valuable information.

As she discreetly eavesdropped on various conversations, a group of cultivators seated at a nearby table caught her attention. They spoke in hushed tones, discussing recent events in the cultivation world.

"... and then the Grand Sect Tournament is just a few months away. I heard that the renowned Heavenly Sword Sect plans to send their most talented disciples this year."

"Ah, yes, the tournament is always a spectacle to behold. I wonder who will come out on top this time."

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the date. It seemed she had arrived in Aetheria just in time for the Grand Sect Tournament, a crucial event that could offer her valuable opportunities to showcase her abilities and gain recognition.

"... and then the Celestial Phoenix Sect is sending their most talented disciples this year to participate in the Grand Sect Tournament."

"Ah, yes, the tournament is always a spectacle to behold. I wonder if the Lunar Wolf Clan will send their best cultivators."

"Did you hear about the incident at the Mystic Oak Brotherhood? I heard they had a fierce battle with the Thunderbolt Knights over a disputed cultivation resource."

The mention of the Mystic Oak Brotherhood and the Thunderbolt Knights also caught her attention. It seemed there was tension and conflict between the two factions over a precious cultivation resource. She knew where this resource was located and made plans to visit that place.

She listened attentively, picking up snippets of information about various sects, clans, and influential cultivators. The conversation also touched on recent natural phenomena, such as the appearance of rare spiritual beasts in some regions and the celestial alignment that was said to enhance cultivation during auspicious periods.

As the night wore on, Seraphina discreetly withdrew from her eavesdropping mission, her mind buzzing with the information she had gleaned. She knows about the current year, and the upcoming Grand Sect Tournament is a part of the beginning to mid stages of the plot.

That means she has much to catch up to survive what could only be described as a calamity at the end of the story.

The villainess knew she had some secret mission given to her just like last time, and she suspects she was still being watched by the unknown entity that made her come to this world.

"I'm sure he or whatever that thing is called is still here. If it was up to me, I would shove that system interface up his ass. God damn, I wanted to swear so bad. Sadly, the last world didn't allow me to do so without being eloquent around it."

"Well, whatever. For now, I need to join a sect. Preferably a female-only one. I don't want to see those young masters so soon. I just got scammed by some unknown god, and my patience is limited."

While Seraphina has learned to be deceptive and manipulative, she still likes to swear inside her head. This helps her cope with all the stress she has been having since her first death.

With newfound knowledge and a clearer understanding of the world she now resides in, Seraphina was determined to seize every opportunity to thrive and flourish in this mystical realm. She was now on Solara, one of the mainlands, and the main protagonist was from one of the unknown island groups. They won't see each other anytime soon. This was good for her since now, she can grow using the resources she knew about here and maybe even deny Kael some of them.