Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 578 Ancient Phoenix Clan

A tremor of shock reverberated through the Eastern Cosmos. News of the Star Lords' predicament in the desolate asteroid belt spread like wildfire. The formidable beings, once invincible in their celestial might, were now facing a desperate struggle, their divine connection severed.

The large human sects, confident in their newfound advantage, were plunged into a state of disbelief. How could the devil tribes, seemingly on the brink of annihilation, possess such an ingenious countermeasure? Whispers of new devilish formations and talismans capable of severing the Star Lords' power echoed through the ranks of the human forces.

Panic began to set in. If the devil tribes could possess such technology, what was to stop them from unleashing it against the entire Eastern Cosmos? The once-confident human sects found themselves back on edge, the specter of demonic dominance looming large.

Meanwhile, in the Western Cosmos, the news was met with a different kind of shock. The Star Lords, their supposed representatives in the Eastern conflict, were now crippled and vulnerable. This wasn't just a blow to their pride, it was a potential threat to their very power base.

Across the Western Cosmos, more Star Lords, fueled by a mix of anger and fear, mobilized towards the Eastern border. They wouldn't stand idly by while their brethren were weakened. Destroying the devilish source of this new weapon and eradicating the devils who dared to challenge their authority became their paramount objective.

They saw this not just as a rescue mission, but as an opportunity to solidify their control. If they could crush the devil tribes and contain the dissemination of these array formations, their dominance over the Eastern Cosmos would be absolute.

The Star Lords who joined the fray were not just motivated by altruism. They understood the implications of the devils possessing this technology. If the Eastern cultivators could somehow acquire this power, the Star Lords' influence would diminish significantly. The days of ruling the Eastern Cosmos through sheer force would be over.

Ironically, the Star Lords were completely oblivious to the mastermind behind the array formations. They believed they were facing a devilish innovation, completely unaware that these formations were crafted not by demonic hands, but by the cunning mind of Wang Jian within the Heavenly Jade Pavilion.

While the Star Lords and the large human sects were locked in an increasingly desperate war against the devil tribes, Wang Jian, ensconced in his opulent palace, orchestrated a different kind of battle. He had become a shadowy arms dealer, peddling the array formations and talismans through a network of hidden channels.

His target audience? The marginalized races and small sects of the Eastern Cosmos – the elves, the beastmen, the dwarves – all who had been subjugated or humiliated by the Star Lords over the years. These races harbored a deep-seated resentment towards the Western powerhouses, and Wang Jian offered them a weapon of defiance.

He posed as a representative of the devil tribes, discreetly approaching these groups with a proposition. "Help us fight the Star Lords and the large sects," he'd whisper, a sly grin playing on his lips. "In return, you'll receive these devices."

The proposal was met with eager acceptance. For these marginalized groups, the chance to stand toe-to-toe with the Star Lords was an opportunity they couldn't refuse. They saw this as a fight for their very survival, a chance to break free from the oppressive yoke of the Western powerhouses.

Hidden alliances were formed, resources exchanged. Small pockets of resistance began to emerge across the Eastern Cosmos, armed with the knowledge of how to sever the Star Lords' connection to their core stars.

The war in the East, once a clash between two large factions, had become a complex tapestry of alliances and betrayals. The once-powerful Star Lords found themselves embroiled in a multi-front war, their dominance steadily eroding.

The heavens themselves seemed to rumble with the chaos. Battles erupted on multiple fronts, human versus devil, cultivators versus Star Lords, and a growing rebellion of the marginalized races against the Western hegemony.

Wang Jian, nestled in the heart of this maelstrom, watched with detached amusement.

The Eastern Cosmos burned, not just with the flames of war, but with the fire of revolution. And in the heart of this inferno, Wang Jian, the enigmatic leader of the Heavenly Jade Pavilion, waited patiently, ready to exploit the chaos and emerge as the true power behind the throne.

Amidst the escalating chaos of the Eastern Cosmos, Wang Jian orchestrated his next move. With the communication talismans humming to life, he reached out to two of his most prized possessions – Lin Xingya and Shui Xueying, the respective heirs of the Lin Ancient Family and the Shui Ancient Family.

The message was simple: "War has ignited, and opportunities abound. Expand your territories. Target the star clusters of those foolish enough to side with the devils."

A smirk played on Wang Jian's lips. These small sects, blinded by the devil tribes' promise of power, had unwittingly made themselves prime targets for expansion. Both the Lin and Shui families, formidable forces in their own right, wouldn't hesitate to seize this opportunity.

However, Wang Jian knew conquering these numerous sects wouldn't be a walk in the park. Sheer numbers would be their biggest hurdle. These small sects, though individually weak, held the advantage in combined power.

Hence, his next move. A sultry voice filled the communication talisman as it connected with Pavilion Mistress Cui Lan. "My dear Cui Lan," Wang Jian purred, "gather our finest warriors. We shall lend our might to the Lin and Shui families. Let us carve a slice of this chaotic pie for ourselves."

Cui Lan, ever the devoted follower, wasted no time. The Heavenly Jade Pavilion, the strongest sect in the Eastern Cosmos, mobilized its forces. Alongside the Lin and Shui families, a formidable army marched towards the star clusters held by the rebellious sects.

The battles were swift and decisive. While the combined might of these factions was overwhelming, it wouldn't be entirely accurate to say it was a cakewalk. The sheer desperation of the small sects, fighting for their very survival, forced the attackers to pay a hefty price in terms of casualties.

Nonetheless, the tide turned quickly. Star clusters fell one after another. Within a month, the Lin, Shui, and Heavenly Jade Pavilion forces had carved out a vast expanse of territory. Entire galaxies, resource-rich star clusters, and countless smaller celestial bodies came under their control – a staggering one-tenth of the total territory previously held by the small sects and races.

Back in the Heavenly Jade Pavilion's Star Clusters, a celebration was in full swing. Wang Jian, basking in the success of his machinations, addressed his victorious army. "Magnificent work, everyone," he boomed, his voice filled with mock humility. "We've secured our future for generations to come!"

The cheers of the soldiers echoed through the opulent courtyards. Yet, even amidst the merriment, a dark undercurrent swirled within Wang Jian's mind. His conquests weren't solely about territory or resources. Power was his ultimate goal, but power without pleasure held little allure for him.

"Cui Lan," he murmured, his voice taking on a sinister edge, "I require your services…in my private chambers."

Cui Lan, ever attuned to his desires, raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Master Jian," she replied, her voice a husky purr.

She soon entered Wang Jian's personal quarters.

"My dear Cui Lan," he purred, his gaze sweeping across her alluring form, "The spoils of war are many. Among our prisoners, I sense a wealth of beauty waiting to be explored."

Cui Lan, ever attuned to his desires, smiled knowingly. "Indeed, Master Jian. We have captured countless women from the fallen sects. Shall I have them brought before you?"

"Excellent, my love," Wang Jian grinned, his voice dripping with a depraved anticipation. "Gather the most captivating ones, especially those who are wed. I have a distinct curiosity for the allure of forbidden fruit."

Cui Lan's smile tightened slightly, a flicker of concern flitting across her eyes. However, she understood her role. With a silent nod, she disappeared, returning shortly with a group of women, their faces etched with fear and defiance.

These women, once leaders of their families or respected cultivators within their sects, were now mere objects of Wang Jian's perverse desires. He took his time, relishing their humiliation and the forbidden thrill of his conquests.

Each one, regardless of her marital status, was subjected to his whimsy, his insatiable carnal hunger feeding off their despair.

Wang Jian reveled in the aftermath of his carnal conquests. The defeated women, stripped of their dignity and pride, were a source of perverse pleasure and a small, albeit potent, infusion of Destiny Energy.

However, the thrill of the forbidden pleasure wore off quickly. The meager amount of Destiny Energy gleaned from these women was akin to picking the meat off a mosquito – enough to acknowledge, but not enough to make a significant difference. Still, "a small fish is better than no fish at all."

He knew he'd incited a storm of hatred within them, a hatred that would fester and grow. Yet, his depraved desires knew no bounds, and he continued to exploit these women, pushing them to the brink of sanity with his relentless attentions.

Cui Lan, ever the dutiful mistress, watched it with a smile on her face.

She understood her role – to appease her leader, however unsettling his demands might be. In the meantime, the war outside raged on, its chaotic symphony a chilling counterpoint to the twisted pleasures unfolding within the Heavenly Jade Pavilion.