The Emperor of Cultivation Prediction

Chapter 5: The Outcast Princess & The Conspiracy

The shadows of the trees on the lower slopes of the Sky Sword Sect moved in sync with Dexa's incredible speed. Although his appearance still resembled that of a shabby outer disciple, every one of his leaps covered a distance of over ten meters with a deadly silence. In the corner of his eye, the System Simulator interface continued to flicker, providing real-time data.

"System, synchronize the simulation visuals with my real-world vision. I want to see the threads of fate tied to that Sacred Phoenix entourage right now."

[Beep! Activating Architect's Eye Mode. Cost: 5 Destiny Points per minute.] [Synchronization successful. Displaying probability projections...]

"Show me the details of the primary target. Leriana. Why was a princess from a faction that large sent to a small sect like ours?"

[Character Data: Leriana Phoenix. Status: Outcast Elite Princess. Reason: Internal throne struggle within the Sacred Phoenix Faction. She was sent under the guise of a diplomatic mission, but the true objective is political exile and subtle elimination.]

"Subtle elimination? Explain the variables."

[In 15 minutes, the carriage will stop at the Main Gate. Elder Shadow has prepared the 'Thousand Clouds Welcoming Tea.' It contains odorless 'Soul-Tracking Powder.' If she drinks it, her location will be permanently monitored by Sacred Phoenix faction assassins hiding outside the mountain.]

Dexa landed on the branch of a giant tree directly overlooking the main gate path. He concealed his presence entirely. "So, Elder Shadow has already sold this sect out to outsiders for personal gain? Classic. What is the probability of her realizing the trap herself?"

[Leriana's Intelligence Analysis: 88%. Probability of her suspecting the tea: 70%. However, the probability of her being forced to drink it to maintain diplomatic protocol: 95%.]

"She's smart, but bound by rules. That’s her weakness," Dexa muttered. "System, simulate what happens if I do not intervene."

[Starting Simulation...] [Year 0, Hour 1: Leriana drinks the tea. Soul-Tracking Powder enters her system.] [Year 0, Hour 24: During night meditation, three fifth-tier Qi Gathering assassins infiltrate her room. Leriana fights desperately but is outnumbered. She dies, and the Sky Sword Sect is blamed for the failure of diplomatic protection, triggering a war that destroys the sect.] [Result: Death of the target and total destruction of the sect.]

"A bad scenario for everyone, except for those traitors," Dexa narrowed his eyes. "But it's very good for me if I can become her sole savior. How many points do I need to create an 'antidote' or a distraction without being detected?"

[Suggestion: Use 'Hidden Qi Flick Technique.' Cost: 100 Destiny Points. You can drop a single dewdrop from the tree into her cup, neutralizing the poison without changing the tea's flavor.]

"Save it for now. I want to see her face first."

The sound of silver bells chimed from a distance. A magnificent carriage pulled by two silver-winged horses emerged from the mountain mist. The carriage was adorned with the emblem of a blazing phoenix, but upon closer inspection, the gold paint seemed slightly faded in some areas—a sign that its owner was no longer at the peak of power.

"Halt!" shouted a gatekeeper disciple. "Identify yourselves!"

An old guard in maroon armor dismounted from an escort horse, his face stiff and covered in scars. "We are from the Sacred Phoenix Faction. Princess Leriana has come to fulfill your Sect Master's diplomatic invitation. Move aside!"

"Ah, welcome, welcome!" Elder Shadow's raspy voice rang out as he walked out from the gate with several of his followers. "Forgive our disciple's ignorance. I, Elder Shadow, have been sent to welcome the noble Princess."

The carriage door opened slowly. A young woman stepped out. She wore a white silk gown with red thread embroidery resembling wings. Her hair was jet black, tied with a jade hairpin. Her face was beautiful, but her eyes radiated a cold serenity, as if she had seen too much betrayal for her young age.

"Thank you for the welcome, Elder Shadow," Leriana's voice sounded clear, yet devoid of emotion. "The Sky Sword Sect is indeed as cool as I’ve heard. Unfortunately, the journey was quite exhausting."

"Of course, of course. That is why we have prepared a small reception here," Elder Shadow signaled to a disciple carrying a tray with two jade teacups steaming with a fragrant aroma. "Thousand Clouds Tea, specifically picked from our highest peak to refresh the soul of our noble guest."

Leriana stared at the teacup for a few seconds. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Exquisite tea. The aroma... is very strong."

"Princess, is something wrong?" Elder Shadow asked with a hypocritical smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Nothing," Leriana replied softly. "It’s just that, in my family, we have a tradition of letting the tea cool for a moment so the aroma can truly blend with the air."

"The Princess is very meticulous," Elder Shadow laughed lowly. "But this tea is best enjoyed while still warm. To refuse it at the gate... wouldn't that be a bit disrespectful to our hospitality?"

The old guard beside Leriana placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Elder, our Princess is free to drink it whenever she pleases. Do not pressure us."

"Oh, don't misunderstand, Captain," Elder Shadow raised his hands. "I only want the Princess to have the best experience. If the Princess objects, of course, I cannot force her. However, the Sect Master is waiting, and wasting time here might delay our important agenda."

Leriana looked at Elder Shadow, then back at the tea. Dexa, from atop the tree, could see Leriana's fingers trembling slightly.

"System, she knows, doesn't she?"

[Micro-expression Analysis: Leriana detected an inconsistency in the tea's aroma. She knows something is wrong, but she also knows that an outright refusal here would give Elder Shadow an excuse to create a diplomatic incident that would damage her already weak position.]

"She's cornered," Dexa whispered. "She’d rather gamble with poison than give her enemies a reason to attack her openly. A stubborn woman."

"Very well, Elder," Leriana finally reached her hand toward the cup. "I will appreciate the hospitality of the Sky Sword Sect."

"Princess!" her old guard tried to warn.

"Quiet, Captain. We are guests here," Leriana took the cup. The hot steam touched her face.

Elder Shadow watched with eyes gleaming with triumph. "Please, Princess. Refresh yourself."

Just as Leriana's lips touched the rim of the cup, Dexa moved. Not by jumping down, but by manipulating the airflow around him.

"System, use 100 points. Hidden Qi Flick Technique. Target: Leriana’s cup. Drop a single dewdrop from the leaf of the 'Purifying Pine' above me."

[Beep! Command received. Executing precision intervention...]

Ting!

A tiny sound, almost inaudible, occurred as a drop of clear water fell right into the center of Leriana's tea. A small ripple appeared, and instantly the tea's aroma changed slightly, becoming fresher and losing a very faint fishy smell.

Leriana paused. Her eyes widened. She looked up toward the tree where Dexa was hiding, but Dexa had already used 'Shadow Step' to move to a darker branch.

"What is it, Princess?" Elder Shadow asked, slightly confused by Leriana's reaction.

Leriana did not answer. She drank the tea in one long gulp. Her face remained calm, but in her heart, she was shocked. The poison... was gone? No, it was neutralized instantly. Who? Who helped me?

"A very refreshing tea, Elder," Leriana placed the cup back on the tray. "It seems the Sky Sword Sect has many hidden secrets, even in the trees at its gates."

Elder Shadow smiled with satisfaction, unaware that his grand plan had just been thwarted. "I am glad you liked it. Come, please enter. Your room has been prepared in the Blue Phoenix Pavilion."

As the group began to walk through the gate, Leriana intentionally slowed her pace. She looked back once more toward the forest beside the gate.

"Captain," she whispered to her old guard.

"Yes, Princess?"

"Check that large pine tree to the left of the gate earlier. Quietly. Someone was there."

"Someone? An assassin?"

"No," Leriana narrowed her eyes, a spark of interest appearing on her cold face. "Someone who just saved my life without asking for anything in return. Find out which disciple is on duty in the outer area today."

In the distance, on a cliff overlooking the entrance path, Dexa stood tall with his arms folded.

"System, what is the status now?"

[Beep! Relationship with Leriana: Open. Target Curiosity Level: 65%. Soul-Tracking Powder has been completely neutralized.]

"Good. She noticed my presence. That’s part of the plan," Dexa smiled thinly. "If I only saved her secretly, I wouldn't gain any value in her eyes. I must become a mystery she wants to solve."

[Warning: Elder Shadow is heading to his communication room to report the 'success' of the poisoning to the outside party. Does the Host wish to sabotage the message?]

"No need. Let him think he won. The higher he flies in his illusion, the more painful it will be when I bring him down later," Dexa turned, his tattered robe fluttering in the wind. "Simulate the next step. I want to meet her 'by chance' in the library tonight."

[Starting Simulation...] [Year 0, 20:00: Leriana will sneak into the East Wing Library to search for the sect's secret maps. You will be there, reading the most difficult technique scroll.] [Result: A first meeting that will change the course of the Multiverse's history.]

"Perfect," Dexa jumped down from the cliff, disappearing into the darkness of the outer disciple dorms. "An outcast princess and a trash disciple... this alliance will make the entire world tremble."

The conspiracy had only just begun, but for Dexa, it was merely another chapter in a book he had already written the ending to. Under the emerging moonlight, the Architect of Fate was preparing the stage for a much larger performance.

"Leriana... don't disappoint me. You are the most beautiful pawn on my chessboard."