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

(Danger!)

Like a thunderclap, the alert burst forth in Bai Zihan's mind.

Something felt off.

Right when their eyes locked, Bai Zihan sensed it—a subtle pull lingering at the borders of his consciousness.

An odd heat flowed in the spot where logic ought to reside. It lacked aggression. It avoided intrusion.

Instead, it seemed organic, as if destined to occur.

(I'm losing clarity.)

This resembled madness creeping in, but he detected the gentle shift unfolding inside his head.

As though, despite recognizing Qin Lingxiao as a perilous Heaven Chosen capable of ending him, he simply didn't care.

Though aware it was a charm method aimed straight at him, no fury or dread rose up.

This very subtlety rendered it truly hazardous.

He sensed himself tumbling into a web he had no qualms about embracing.

Unwittingly, his feet drew him nearer.

(Stop!)

He ordered his own will.

His pulse remained even—serene amid expected strain, curiosity replacing rightful caution.

(If I let this continue...)

The idea trailed off unfinished.

For an instant, his sight grew hazy.

Soon, such reflections would cease entirely.

(Useless?)

The notion arose effortlessly.

Alertness. Doubt. Watchfulness.

Suddenly, all appeared... pointless.

They held value—yet Bai Zihan started convincing himself otherwise.

In contrast, the emotions budding for Qin Lingxiao seemed vital. Significant. Deserving of defense.

He might have already succumbed to her art.

And then—

[WARNING!!!]

The term blasted within his awareness.

A tone—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 pupils contracted sharply.

System?

The panel—which had always required his summons—emerged unbidden.

Never before had it acted this way, not since its initial emergence at his birth.

Yet that detail paled in urgency now.

Total loss of self loomed mere moments away.

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

[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 grew even sluggier.

The heat intensified.

(No need... She wouldn't harm me...)

This notion almost took firm root.

His eyes wandered to Qin Lingxiao.

Her form hazed, then focused, then blurred once more.

Rejection of the alert hovered on the brink.

The system. The alert. The threat.

Everything struck as overblown.

Superfluous.

Then—

A spark of raw instinct cried out.

Not intellect.

Not rationale.

Sheer instinct for survival.

Visions raced across his thoughts.

Him on his knees.

Grinning.

Surrendering all he held—his arts, his prospects, his very existence—without

a moment's pause.

Not under duress.

But from his own desire.

For devotion to her would ring true.

Terror welled up—faint, fragile, yet authentic.

Clutching his final thread of resolve—

(YES!)

The command struck hard.

[RECEIVED CONFIRMATION!]

Saint-Grade Artifact Activated.

Crack!

The heat fractured apart.

The unseen draw broke abruptly, akin to delicate strands severed by a sharp edge.

Sharp awareness flooded back into Bai Zihan's thoughts.

He inhaled sharply.

Breath surged into his chest like emerging from drowning.

His eyes bulged with sheer fright.

Mentally, he reeled—not bodily, but in spirit—grasping how near he had come to utter ruin.

Not mere demise.

A fate infinitely graver.

Once more, he regarded Qin Lingxiao.

This time, with genuine scrutiny.

Her smile.

Her eyes.

Her poise.

(She didn't even try.)

This truth chilled him to the core.

No Qi flowed from her at all. Thus, the method stemmed from innate emanation, honed over endless ages.

Still—

Without any effort, she had almost bent him into an eager thrall.

He had teetered on becoming a mere instrument.

No.

A plaything.

Most dire of all—

Absent the system's aid, he grasped the horror with chilling finality.

He would have yielded all to her.

Surrendered utterly.

And felt no regret whatsoever.

Bai Zihan's pulse thundered fiercely.

Her peril went beyond mere threat. Should she apply full force, she could ensnare multitudes, or so he surmised.

Unclear were any conditions for deploying her arts. Yet, witnessing its potency against him—bearer of robust mental fortitude—he realized her potential for greater devastation.

His stare turned steely.

Fury burned toward himself and the figure ahead, yet he understood any move against her spelled certain doom.

Desire to end her burned—regardless of her Heaven Chosen status.

Not solely for the peril she embodied—

But for presuming to manipulate his emotions.

(Not yet!)

Still, he held back.

With near revulsion, he withdrew his hand from Qin Lingxiao.

"Princess, that would be inappropriate and rude."

Aware this would heighten Qin Lingxiao's suspicion—proving her art failed—he saw no alternative.

While she donned Yu Feiyan's guise, her real self should stay concealed for now.

Yet naturally—

Qin Lingxiao persisted.

She amplified her method's intensity.

Bai Zihan perceived it.

Yet it failed still.

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

The relic held its power.

Regardless, its dreadfulness shone clear in her enticement skills.

Even Immortal Realm cultivators appeared swayed—though they clung to sense.

Bai Zihan, however, stayed aloof and detached.

"Since Princess has nothing else to say, we will take our leave."

He seized Chu Ziyan's hand swiftly, aiming to depart.

Danger permeated this spot.

Now, his mind shifted beyond resuming his post—

To fleeing back to the Bai Clan altogether.

Barely two paces from Bai Zihan—

"Wait!"

The sound came gently.

Yu Feiyan advanced, sleeves swaying softly like stirred by an innocent gust.

To observers, it appeared as worry.

As hesitation.

As a lady loath to release a cherished moment.

Yet within her psyche—

(Impossible!)

Turmoil churned in Qin Lingxiao's mind.

(How did he resist?)

Power boosted, but Bai Zihan stood untouched.

Immortal Realm masters would sense it.

He had almost yielded—

Only to break free.

Such escape defied possibility.

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

Another stride brought her closer.

"Young Master Bai," she uttered softly, "surely there is no need to reject me. I merely wished to speak with you privately."

Ere Bai Zihan replied—

A chill snort sliced the atmosphere.

"How shameless!"

Chu Ziyan moved ahead, positioning herself a half-step before

Bai Zihan on purpose.

Her hold on his fingers clenched—boldly claiming his allegiance.

Straight she faced Yu Feiyan, gaze pure, unaffected, completely immune.

"A woman who doesn't know how to accept rejection," Chu Ziyan stated bluntly, "is

ugly."

Nearby cultivators tensed.

Yu Feiyan's pupils narrowed—ever so faintly.

Ugly?

No soul had ever dared—

"What did you say?" Yu Feiyan inquired, voice still mild... yet icier.

Chu Ziyan showed no pause.

"I said you're dislikable," she pressed steadily. "At least have the dignity to

accept it when a man has already refused you."

Within Qin Lingxiao's thoughts, fury swelled like an advancing wave.

A novice.

An insignificant one.

She presumes to address me thus?

For a brief instant—

Murderous aura almost escaped.

Qin Lingxiao then quelled it by force.

(Not now!)

Breath drawn deep, she rebuilt her poise with eerie control.

"I merely wished to speak privately with Young Master Bai," she stated evenly.

"Why is that such a problem?"

Chu Ziyan sneered.

"Trying to approach a man who is already engaged," she shot back keenly, "and

refusing to take no for an answer—Princess, you should learn when to give up."

Chu Ziyan voiced it plainly.

Had Bai Zihan agreed, the situation might differ.

But as he refused—

She found no cause for restraint.

Maybe a hint of her inner grudge slipped through.

Yu Feiyan's grin at last faded slightly.

"Young Master Bai is the hero of this empire," she declared. "A man like him deserves

someone who loves him for who he is, not merely his background, his clan, or

political convenience."

At that, Chu Ziyan chuckled.

"No matter who he is," Chu Ziyan affirmed promptly, "he is engaged to me."

Her head tilted a touch—sufficient to display her silhouette to Yu Feiyan.

"So an outsider should butt out."

The air grew chill.

Yu Feiyan's look turned piercing.

(Little girl, I will teach you a lesson!)

Her mouth arched anew—but now, the curve lacked any warmth.

"Very well," Yu Feiyan replied steadily.

"If words are insufficient..."

Her stare fixed on Chu Ziyan.

"Then let us settle this with a battle. Miss Chu, do you dare accept my

challenge for Young Master Bai?"

After all, she passed as one merely in the Nascent Soul Realm

and inferior to Chu Ziyan.

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

Indeed, Chu Ziyan bit.

"Very well! If that will make you give up on Zihan!"