After Murtaza was quietly absorbed into his growing web of influence, Priyanshu Yadav turned his eyes to the northern mountain ranges. Nestled within the jagged peaks lay an old, supposedly forgotten sect—the Sect of the Withered Root.
But the system had a different report:
[Warning: Detected hidden presence—The Sect of the Withered Root does exist.]
[Affiliation: Forbidden Magic—Abyssal Cultivation Path.]
[Threat Level: High. Caution advised.]
[Optional Quest: Investigate and eliminate the source of darkness.]
Priyanshu's eyes gleamed.
"A forbidden sect, hidden even from the Empire's eyes? Interesting…"
With a few steps, he opened a spatial rift using his newly gained [Shadow Step Formation]. He emerged in a storm-swept canyon. The clouds above were tinged with violet and crimson—unmistakable signs of abyssal energy leaking into the world.
Camouflaged by the [Cloak of Undetectable Sins], he infiltrated the sect's outer circle.
The disciples were not like those of other sects—they chanted in reverse tongues, offered their blood to twisted roots, and cultivated by absorbing the hatred of tortured beasts.
[New Bloodline Detected: Root of the Abyss – Ancient Evil Type.]
[System Authority: Blocking Soul Corruption.]
Inside a cavern, Priyanshu located an altar. On it lay a skeletal tree with black leaves and pulsing roots.
[World Fragment Detected.]
His eyes narrowed. World Fragments were shards of ancient dimensions—each one capable of evolving into a small realm of its own.
[Optional Quest Updated: Claim the World Fragment.]
[Unlock: Create Personalized Sub-Domain.]
But before he could move, a voice echoed behind him.
"I've been watching you," said a cloaked elder whose face was half-bark, half-human. "You're not one of us… but you smell of ancient shadows."
Priyanshu didn't reply. He simply flicked his wrist.
From the void, dark swords rained down like lightning. The elder screamed as the swords pierced through his false form. But before he died, he grinned and said, "You have seen it… now it will follow you."
[Rooted Curse Attempt Detected… Nullified by System.]
[World Fragment Acquired.]
The tree shattered into swirling black mist, which condensed into a glowing orb.
Back in his spatial domain, Priyanshu held the orb in his hand.
[Do you wish to form your Sub-Domain now?]
"Yes."
[Confirmed. Naming Protocol: Choose a Name.]
He smirked. "Let's call it: Silent Dominion."
As the fragment fused with his essence, a new space was born—outside the rules of the current world. A sanctuary. A fortress. A prison. A laboratory.
A kingdom for the true villain to prepare his rise.
And thus, in the shadows of forgotten history, the Hidden Villain took one step closer to controlling everything.