Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 574 Expansion Of Heavenly Jade Pavilion Star Cluster

The oppressive aura of the Heavenly Tribulation finally dissipated, leaving behind a sense of awe and a faint tremor in the very fabric of reality. Wang Jian, battered but unbowed, stood tall, the power coursing through his veins a testament to his victory. Yet, in his eyes burned a flicker of caution. He had reached the absolute peak of the Divine Tribulation Realm, but the climb to the coveted Divine Harmony Realm was another beast entirely.

This ascent was not a matter of sheer brute force, but a delicate balance and refinement. It involved the harmonious merging of three crucial elements within a cultivator's being: the Qi within their Dantian, the Spiritual Energy nourishing their soul, and the nascent Divine Energy burgeoning within their Divine Soul. It was a process fraught with difficulty, one that demanded careful consolidation of his recent gains before attempting any further advancement.

Days turned into weeks as Wang Jian delved into the intricacies of this process. He meticulously adjusted his cultivation techniques, focusing on tempering his Qi and refining his Spiritual Energy. Meditation for him became second nature, his consciousness delving into the depths of his own being, seeking out the nascent spark of Divine Energy within his Divine Soul. It was a slow, laborious task, but one he undertook with unwavering patience.

Unlike his previous breakthroughs, where he had relied on the stolen Destiny Energy of unsuspecting protagonists, this time was different. True, the Destiny Energy stolen from Dong Aiguo through Feng Xiaoyu, Mu Xuanyin, and Yin Lian would still play a crucial role in tipping the scales in his favor. However, the Divine Harmony Realm demanded something more.

He needed rare materials – Celestial Jade Hearts, pulsating with pure celestial energy, to nourish the nascent Divine Energy. He required the Tears of the Void Serpent, imbued with the power of spatial manipulation, to strengthen the Divine Soul itself. And finally, he craved the Essence of the Nirvana Phoenix, a mythical creature said to hold the power of rebirth, to ensure a smooth transition into this new realm of existence.

These ingredients were not easily acquired. The Celestial Jade Hearts were rumored to exist only in the deepest chasms of the Empyrean Starry Expanse, guarded by formidable beasts and treacherous environments. The Tears of the Void Serpent required venturing into the Void itself, a place where reality frayed at the edges and danger lurked around every corner. And the Essence of the Nirvana Phoenix? That was a legend shrouded in mystery, with whispers suggesting it could only be found in the mythical Nirvana Fire Realm.

Undeterred, Wang Jian set his sights on these treasures. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but the potential reward – the Divine Harmony Realm – was an irresistible siren call.

Meanwhile, he wasn't one to sit idle during his cultivation seclusion. He summoned Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan, her beauty still captivating despite the passage of time. "Cui Lan," he addressed her, his voice holding a hint of authority, "the time has come for the Heavenly Jade Pavilion to spread its wings."

Cui Lan, ever the astute leader, raised an eyebrow. "Spread our wings, Master Wang Jian?" she inquired, her voice a silky purr.

"Indeed," Wang Jian affirmed. "Our sect has grown considerably in strength and knowledge. It's time we expand our influence beyond this secluded corner of the cosmos."

He outlined his vision – establishing trade routes with neighboring sects, offering our newfound cultivation techniques in exchange for exotic resources, and subtly influencing the political landscape of the region. The Heavenly Jade Pavilion, under his guidance, would become a force to be reckoned with.

Cui Lan, a woman who had witnessed the breadth of his ambition firsthand, smiled knowingly. "A bold plan, Master," she conceded, "But our rivals will not take kindly to a sudden rise in power."

Wang Jian chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "Let them," he declared, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. "We shall show them the true meaning of power."

With this ominous declaration, the wheels of fate began to turn. As Wang Jian delved deeper into his seclusion, meticulously preparing for his next breakthrough, the Heavenly Jade Pavilion, under the leadership of Cui Lan, embarked on a daring expansion plan.

A mischievous glint flickered in Wang Jian's eyes as he surveyed the holographic map of the Eastern Region projected before him. With a flick of his wrist, he pinpointed specific locations – outlying branches of prominent sects, strategically positioned for maximum impact. A sly grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Time to stir the pot a bit," he muttered, his voice laced with amusement.

He reached out with his divine sense, piercing the veil of space to connect with two familiar presences – Lin Xingya, the gentle beauty from the Lin Ancient Family, and Shui Xueying, the stoic cultivator from the Shui Ancient Family. Both were members of his ever-expanding harem, their families two of the twelve most powerful entities in the Eastern Region.

The connection established, Wang Jian projected his image into their minds, his charismatic smile softening the sharpness of his words. "My beauties," he began, his voice dripping with charm, "I require your assistance with a... project of mine."

He then outlined his plan – a daring expansion of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion's influence through calculated conquests of strategically targeted outposts. He explained how this would inevitably create friction with neighboring sects, both large and small.

Lin Xingya, ever the diplomat, furrowed her brow. "But Master," she interjected, her voice laced with concern, "wouldn't this aggressive approach paint us as a common enemy, ostracized by everyone?"

Wang Jian chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Precisely," he declared, his eyes gleaming with a spark of audacity. "But danger breeds opportunity, wouldn't you agree?"

He explained how the ensuing chaos would create a booming market for weapons, talismans, armors, and other essential resources. While the Heavenly Jade Pavilion might face initial challenges, like sanctions and limited access to trade, it wouldn't be alone.

The projection of Shui Xueying, her icy beauty radiating a cold elegance, shimmered into existence beside Lin Xingya. "Master Wang Jian," she stated, her voice devoid of emotion, "What role does the Shui family play in this grand scheme of yours?"

Wang Jian flashed her a confident grin. "The Shui family, with its unmatched naval prowess, will spearhead the acquisition of coastal star systems. Your role is vital, Xueying."

Shui Xueying bowed curtly, her usual stoicism unwavering. "Consider it done, Master."

Lin Xingya raised an eyebrow. "Then who will be our allies in this conflict?"

A slow, predatory smile spread across Wang Jian's face. He leaned back, revealing a hint of his hidden plan. "Our allies, my dears, will come from a most unexpected source – the Ancient Devil Star Cluster."

His words sent a shiver down the spines of both women. Devils and humans had always been locked in a millennia-old struggle for dominance. Alliances with these demonic entities were unheard of, and the potential consequences were catastrophic.

"Don't worry, my beauties," Wang Jian soothed, his voice laced with a chilling confidence. "I have a puppet queen in my pocket – Queen Xiulan of the Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Tribe."

He explained his plan – how he would manipulate Queen Xiulan into leading her devil horde on a raid against the human sects, creating a domino effect within the entire Devil Star Cluster. Other devil tribes, lured by the promise of plunder and conquest, would inevitably join the fray, plunging the cosmos into a full-blown war between devils and humans.

"The human sects," Wang Jian continued, "will be consumed by fighting the devils. They'll be too preoccupied with survival to worry about a rising power like the Heavenly Jade Pavilion."

He paused for effect, letting the implications sink in. "By the time the dust settles," he declared, "both sides will be exhausted, their resources depleted. And who will be left standing, perfectly positioned to capitalize on the chaos?"

Shui Xueying, her eyes gleaming with icy calculation, nodded in agreement. "A brilliant plan, Master Wang Jian. We will do everything in our power to ensure its success."

Lin Xingya, ever the voice of reason, expressed a hint of concern. "But what about the potential casualties? Innocent lives will be lost in this war."

Wang Jian's smile turned cold. "Collateral damage is inevitable," he declared. "In the grand scheme of things, a few lives lost are a necessary sacrifice for a future where the Heavenly Jade Pavilion reigns supreme."

With a final nod, he severed the connection.

A flurry of activity pulsed through the Heavenly Jade Pavilion as Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan, her beauty radiating an aura of command, coordinated a delicate dance between their sect and the Lin and Shui Ancient Families. Lin Xingya and Shui Xueying used their familial connections to subtly nudge the neighboring powers into a state of unease. Rumors swirled like dust devils, whispers of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion's growing ambitions.

"The first phase is simple enough," Cui Lan declared, her voice a silken purr that belied the steel in her eyes. "We begin by targeting the weaker branches of the large sects bordering our territory. The Star Cloud Sect's Obsidian Branch, the Azure Gale Sect's Zephyr Branch..."

Lin Xingya, a picture of serene elegance, nodded in agreement. "Excellent choices. These branches are vulnerable but possess resources that will strengthen our position."

"Indeed," chimed in Shui Xueying, her icy demeanor masking a burning ambition. "But we must be swift and decisive. Any prolonged conflict will invite unwanted scrutiny."