Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 437 Bewitched!!!

(Danger!)

A thunderous alert burst through Bai Zihan's consciousness like a sudden storm.

Everything felt off.

As soon as their eyes locked, Bai Zihan sensed it-that subtle pull lingering at the borders of his awareness.

An odd heat bloomed in the spot where logic ought to reign. It didn't push hard. It didn't intrude harshly.

Instead, it seemed utterly seamless, as if it were meant to happen all along.

(My thoughts are fading.)

This resembled madness creeping in, but he could detect the gentle shift unfolding deep inside.

Though aware that Qin Lingxiao was a perilous Heaven Chosen capable of ending his life, he strangely didn't care.

Even knowing it was a charm skill aimed straight at him, no fury or dread stirred within.

That's precisely why it posed such a threat.

He sensed himself tumbling into a web that he oddly welcomed.

Without realizing, his feet drew him nearer.

(Halt!)

He ordered his own will.

His pulse remained even-kept serene where alarm should pulse, curious where caution belonged.

(Should this go on...)

He left the idea unfinished.

For an instant, his sight grew hazy.

Soon, such doubts would vanish entirely.

(Worthless?)

The notion arose effortlessly.

Alertness. Doubt. Watchfulness.

Suddenly, all seemed... pointless.

They weren't pointless-yet Bai Zihan started convincing himself otherwise.

At the same time, the emotions rising for Qin Lingxiao appeared vital. Significant. Deserving of defense.

Maybe he had already succumbed to her method.

And right then-

[WARNING!!!]

The term blasted across his awareness.

A voice-icy, robotic, completely foreign-echoed straight into his spirit.

*************************

[SYSTEM ALERT]

The host's mental state is being compromised.

Bewitchment level: CRITICAL.

Estimated time to complete enslavement: 7 seconds.

*************************

Bai Zihan's eyes contracted sharply.

System?

The panel-which had always waited for his summons-had appeared unbidden.

This was unprecedented since its initial emergence at his birth.

Yet that detail paled now.

Total loss of self loomed just ahead.

*************************

[Immediate Danger Detected]

Source: Saint-Level Mind Seduction Technique

Host resistance: FAILING

Suggested Countermeasure:

Purchase Saint-Grade Mind-Protecting Artifact

Cost: 60,000 Points

Confirm purchase?

YES/NO!

Bai Zihan's mind dragged even slower.

The cozy glow intensified.

(No reason... She won't hurt me...)

The idea almost locked in place.

His stare wandered to Qin Lingxiao.

Her form hazed over-then focused-then blurred anew.

He nearly dismissed the alert.

The system. The caution. The peril.

All struck him as overblown.

Superfluous.

Then-

A spark of raw instinct howled.

Not from thought.

Not from sense.

Sheer will to live.

Visions raced across his thoughts.

Him on his knees.

Grinning.

Surrendering all he held-his skills, his destiny, his existence-without pause.

Not under duress.

But out of desire.

Because devotion to her would ring true.

Terror welled up-frail, faint, yet genuine.

Using his final thread of resolve-

(YES!)

The command struck hard.

[RECEIVED CONFIRMATION!]

Saint-Grade Artifact Activated.

Crack!

The cozy haze broke apart.

The unseen draw tore sharply, akin to delicate strands severed by a sharp edge.

Icy sharpness flooded back into Bai Zihan's psyche.

He drew in a sharp breath.

Air surged into his chest like he'd been drowning.

His gaze stretched wide with sheer dread.

Mentally, he reeled-not in body, but in spirit-grasping how near he'd come to utter ruin.

Not mere demise.

A fate infinitely graver.

He regarded Qin Lingxiao once more.

This time, he truly observed.

Her grin.

Her stare.

Her poise.

(She barely exerted herself.)

That truth chilled him to the core.

No Qi flowed from her. This implied the skill emerged as a passive aura from endless cultivation.

And still-

Without any effort, she'd almost bent him into an eager servant.

He'd nearly become a mere instrument.

No.

A plaything.

Even more dire-

Absent the system's aid, he recognized the grim reality.

He'd have yielded all to her.

Surrendered utterly.

And welcomed it without question.

Bai Zihan's chest thundered fiercely.

She surpassed mere threat. Should she commit fully, she could ensnare multitudes, or so he suspected.

Unclear were the conditions, if any, for deploying her arts. But witnessing its potency on him-with his robust mind-he grasped her potential for devastation.

His expression toughened.

Fury burned toward himself and the figure ahead, yet acting against her presently meant certain doom.

Urge to end her surged-perhaps regardless of her Heaven Chosen status.

Not solely from the risk she embodied-

But for presuming to manipulate his emotions.

(Not the moment!)

Still, he held back.

With a near-repulsed motion, he withdrew his hand from Qin Lingxiao.

"Princess, that would be improper and discourteous."

He realized this would heighten her suspicion-he'd proven her art ineffective-but options were slim.

While she donned Yu Feiyan's guise, she likely wouldn't expose her real self just yet.

Yet naturally-

Qin Lingxiao persisted.

She amplified her skill's intensity.

Bai Zihan detected it.

But resistance held firm.

His awareness stayed sharp, marking Qin Lingxiao as a foe destined for his blade.

The relic functioned perfectly.

Regardless, the sheer might of her charm arts shone clear.

Even Immortal Realm figures appeared swayed-though they clung to their senses.

But Bai Zihan stayed aloof and detached.

"With nothing more from the Princess, we'll depart now."

He seized Chu Ziyan's hand swiftly and moved to exit.

Danger saturated this spot.

And beyond reclaiming his role-

He now plotted a full withdrawal to the Bai Clan.

Bai Zihan had barely advanced two paces when-

"Hold on!"

The tone was gentle.

Yu Feiyan advanced, her robes swaying lightly as though stirred by a mild wind.

To onlookers, it seemed like worry.

Like hesitation.

Like a lady reluctant to end a profound moment.

But in her thoughts-

(Unbelievable!)

Qin Lingxiao's mind swirled in turmoil.

(How could he withstand it?)

She'd boosted her strength-still, Bai Zihan showed no effect.

Even Immortal Realm masters would sense it.

He'd teetered on the brink-

Then broke free.

Such a feat defied reason.

Her expression held steady, but underneath, a keen edge writhed fiercely.

She pressed onward with another stride.

"Young Master Bai," she murmured softly, "must you turn me away? I only sought a private word with you."

Before Bai Zihan responded-

A sharp chuckle sliced the atmosphere.

"How brazen!"

Chu Ziyan moved ahead, positioning herself just in front of Bai Zihan by half a pace.

Her clasp on his hand firmed-showing plainly her claim.

She met Yu Feiyan's eyes directly, her own gaze bright, unaffected, and crystal clear.

"A woman unable to handle refusal," Chu Ziyan stated evenly, "is unattractive."

Nearby cultivators tensed.

Yu Feiyan's pupils narrowed faintly.

Unattractive?

No soul had ever-

"What was that?" Yu Feiyan inquired, her voice still mild... yet chillier.

Chu Ziyan showed no pause.

"I said you're unlikeable," she went on steadily. "At minimum, show some grace and accept when a man turns you down."

Within Qin Lingxiao's psyche, wrath swelled like a surging wave.

A novice.

An insignificant speck.

She presumes to address me so?

For a brief instant-

Murderous aura almost escaped.

Then Qin Lingxiao clamped it down.

(Not here!)

She breathed in deeply, restoring her poise with eerie control.

"I only wanted a private talk with Young Master Bai," she stated coolly.

"What's the issue with that?"

Chu Ziyan snorted.

"Pursuing a betrothed man," she shot back pointedly, "and ignoring his no-Princess, know when to stop."

Chu Ziyan spoke bluntly.

Had Bai Zihan agreed, the scene might differ.

But he hadn't-

So she saw no need to restrain.

Maybe a hint of her inner grudges had slipped through.

Yu Feiyan's grin grew taut.

"Young Master Bai stands as this empire's savior," she noted. "One like him merits a partner who cherishes his true self, not just his lineage, his family, or strategic gains."

That's when Chu Ziyan chuckled.

"Whatever his status," Chu Ziyan declared firmly, "he's promised to me."

She tilted her head a touch-enough to flash Yu Feiyan her side view.

"So stay out of it, outsider."

The air grew frigid.

Yu Feiyan's stare honed to a point.

(Insolent child, you'll learn respect!)

Her mouth arched once more-but now, the curve lacked any warmth.

"Fine then," Yu Feiyan replied evenly.

"If talk fails..."

Her eyes fixed on Chu Ziyan.

"We'll resolve it through combat. Miss Chu, will you face my duel for Young Master Bai?"

After all, she appeared merely a Nascent Soul Realm figure, inferior to Chu Ziyan.

Qin Lingxiao anticipated Chu Ziyan's swift agreement, given the effortless victory.

And indeed, Chu Ziyan bit.

"Fine! If it'll convince you to leave Zihan alone!"