Chapter 9 - Reaching the Nascent Realm

As Ulsa slowly woke up the next morning, she felt a mix of shyness and guilt, remembering the intense events of the previous night with Aric.

Hastily dressing herself, she made her way back to her villa, feeling the weight of Jarod's unspoken accusations hanging over her like a cloud. She could sense his disapproval, his disappointment, but she wasn't ready to face his questioning yet.

Jarod sat in the living room of their villa, tense and brooding. His mind replayed the scene from earlier that morning when he saw his mother emerge from Aric's mansion.

Her demeanor was different, her steps lighter yet burdened with a secret weight. Each detail, from the way she adjusted her clothes to the fleeting glance she cast at the horizon, fueled Jarod's growing suspicion and anger.

He had always admired his mother's beauty and grace, seeing her as a pillar of purity and love. Now, seeing her entangled with Aric shattered that image, leaving behind a jagged sense of betrayal. His fists clenched as he waited, staring at the door of Ulsa's room with a mix of determination and apprehension.

When Ulsa finally returned, Jarod's heart sank at the sight of her troubled expression. Her eyes avoided his, her movements hesitant.

It was clear to him that she was conflicted, torn between her loyalty to him as her son and the allure of Aric's manipulative charm.

"Why did you go to him, Mother?" Jarod's voice trembled with suppressed emotion as he stood to confront her.

Ulsa paused, her hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of her robe. "Jarod, please understand..." Her voice trailed off, unable to find the right words to explain her actions.

But Jarod was beyond understanding at that moment. His mother's silence spoke volumes, confirming his worst fears. He couldn't bear the thought of her being under Aric's influence, of her betraying their family bond for the sake of someone like Aric.

His mind raced with conflicting emotions—anger, hurt, and a deep sense of loss. "How could you, Mother?" His voice cracked with emotion, each word heavy with accusation.

Ulsa looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Jarod, I..." She faltered, her heart breaking at the sight of her son's anguish.

But Jarod turned away, unable to face her any longer. "I don't want to hear it," he muttered, his voice thick with pain.

Without another word, he stormed out of the room, leaving Ulsa standing there, shattered by the rift between them.

Meanwhile, Aric was deeply engrossed in the notifications from the system, his satisfaction growing with each message.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +500 Villain Halo and +5000 Villain Points for angering the protagonist]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +500 Villain Halo and +5000 Villain Points for affecting the mentality of the protagonist]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +1000 Villain Halo and +10000 Villain Points for making the protagonist heartbroken]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have gained +5000 Villain Halo and +50,000 Villain Points for breaking the relationship between Ulsa Lei and Jarod Lei.]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Your villain halo has crossed the mark of 10,000. Rewarding the host with Soul Devouring Technique ]

[This skill allows him to absorb and assimilate the spiritual energy, or even the souls, of defeated opponents]

His joy knew no bounds. He had now a new way to become stronger that is by devouring other people's souls. And he is aware that as his journey will move forward he will fight many people and devouring their souls is the best way to strengthen yourself.

Determined to further enhance his cultivation and consolidate his newfound power, Aric meticulously invested all his accumulated points into his advancement.

The surge of energy and insight that accompanied his efforts propelled him swiftly into the prestigious Nascent Realm 2nd Stage, a realm coveted by many but attained only by the most gifted and driven cultivators.

Standing at the precipice of this new realm of power, Aric felt an exhilarating rush of accomplishment.

The Nascent Realm was not just a mark of his prowess; it symbolized his ascent into the echelons of cultivator elite, distinguishing him as a formidable force in the martial world.

"Now," Aric muttered to himself, his gaze steely with determination as he pondered his next move. "It's time to meet Sylvia Song."