EVIL RISING AGAIN!-Chapter 3: First Target

Chapter 3: First Target

The morning sun filtered through my window as I stretched lazily, feeling the pleasant ache in my muscles from last night's cultivation session. Three days had passed since my reincarnation into Tian Mo's body, and I was already settling into a routine—morning meditation, classes at the university, social manipulation, and evening cultivation. It was a busy schedule, but hey, immortality doesn't come cheap.

I sat cross-legged on the floor of my bedroom, activating the Primordial Chaos Divine Sins Emperor Technique. The dark energy swirled within me, filling my meridians with intoxicating power. I was still in the early stages of the Body Refining Realm, focusing on opening my first few meridians. In a world as spiritually barren as Earth, progress was painfully slow.

"Patience," I reminded myself with a smirk. "Even the author can't rush character development."

The technique was unique—an Immortal Grade cultivation method that relied on manipulating the Seven Primordial Sins. So far, I'd only awakened Pride, which gave me an aura of confidence and dominance that subtly influenced those around me. The next sin would be Greed, but that would take time and more spiritual energy than I currently had access to.

After finishing my morning meditation, I showered and dressed for university. My adopted aunt Maya had already left for work, leaving a note reminding me about dinner. I smiled, thinking about how easy it had been to manipulate her into transferring money to my account. The $1,000 was already being put to good use—I'd invested half in stocks I knew would rise (thanks, future knowledge) and saved the rest for buying lottery tickets which will be absolutely win for mega prize lottery which have large prize pool of at least millions dollars when the time comes.

The university campus was bustling with activity when I arrived. Students hurried between buildings, professors strode purposefully across the quad, and the air was filled with chatter and laughter. To them, I was just another student—quiet, intelligent, perhaps a bit mysterious. If only they knew what lurked beneath the surface.

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I spotted Emily sitting alone on a bench, her nose buried in a psychology textbook. Perfect. She was my first target—smart, perceptive, and with a natural talent for reading people. In my original story, she would have become a renowned psychologist, using her skills to help people. But in this version? She would be the first member of my secret force.

What can I do that I made Tian mo good natured for his first life which caused him his life due to his first love which he married and I also didn't made him a harem guy who wants to have a harem in his first life.

Otherwise, which idiot will leave a good girlfriend just as friend! Right? Absolutely not me.

Emily was beautiful in a subtle way—dark hair framing a heart-shaped face, intelligent eyes that missed nothing, and a smile that could disarm even the most guarded person. She was also incredibly empathetic, which made her both valuable and vulnerable.

"Morning, Em," I said, sliding onto the bench beside her. "Studying early?"

She looked up, her eyes brightening when she saw me. "Tian Mo! Yeah, Professor Wilson assigned this monster of a reading. What's your excuse for being here so early?"

I shrugged, flashing her a smile that was calculated to be both charming and slightly mysterious. "Couldn't sleep. Too many thoughts."

"Want to talk about it?" she offered, closing her book. That was Emily—always ready to listen, to analyze, to help.

"Actually," I said, leaning closer, "I've been thinking about you."

Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Me? What about me?"

"Your ability to read people," I said, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "It's remarkable. You see things others miss."

Emily laughed, but I could tell she was pleased. "It's just training. Psychology is all about observation and pattern recognition."

"No," I insisted, "it's more than that. You have a gift." I activated a tiny bit of my Pride sin influence, subtly enhancing her feelings of self-worth. "I've always admired that about you."

She studied me, her trained eyes trying to decipher my intentions. That was the fascinating thing about Emily—she could read most people like open books, but I was different. My author knowledge and cultivation technique made me an enigma to her, and humans are naturally drawn to mysteries.

We spent the next hour talking, with me subtly steering the conversation toward her ambitions, her insecurities, her desires. Emily wanted recognition for her abilities, validation that her insights were valuable. She also harbored a secret fear of being manipulated—ironic, considering my plans for her.

"You know," I said as we walked to our first class, "we should collaborate on something. Your psychological insights combined with my... strategic thinking. We could be unstoppable."

Emily laughed, but I could see the idea taking root. "What did you have in mind?"

"Nothing specific yet," I replied. "But I've always believed in surrounding myself with exceptional people. You, Alex with his tech skills, Mike with his business acumen—together, we could achieve amazing things."

The seed was planted. Phase one of my plan was in motion.

Throughout the day, I continued my subtle manipulation, using my Pride influence to make Emily feel special, valued, and increasingly drawn to me. By lunchtime, she was seeking me out, eager to share her observations about our classmates.

"See that guy?" she whispered, nodding toward a student across the cafeteria. "He's displaying classic signs of anxiety. Tapping foot, avoiding eye contact, fidgeting with his sleeve. He's probably stressed about the upcoming exams."

I nodded appreciatively. "Impressive. What about her?" I pointed to a girl laughing loudly with friends.

Emily studied the girl for a moment. "Overcompensating. The laugh is too loud, too forced. She's insecure, trying to appear more confident and carefree than she feels."

"And me?" I asked, turning to face her fully. "What do you read in me, Emily?"

She hesitated, her eyes searching mine. "That's the thing, Tian Mo. You're... harder to read. There's depth to you, layers I can't quite penetrate. It's like you're wearing a mask, but I can't tell where the mask ends and the real you begins."

I smiled, genuinely amused. "Maybe that's because I'm still figuring it out myself."

Later that afternoon, I met up with Alex and Mike for our study group. Alex was already coding something on his laptop, his fingers flying over the keyboard with practiced ease. Mike was reviewing investment portfolios, always looking for the next big opportunity.

"Gentlemens," I greeted them, sliding into a chair. "Productive as always, I see."

"Some of us have ambitions," Mike replied with a grin. "Not all of us can coast by on good looks and charm."

I laughed. "Speaking of charm, I think Emily's warming up to me."

Alex looked up from his screen, eyebrows raised. "Emily? Our Emily? That human lie detector who sees through everyone's bullshit?"

"The very same," I confirmed. "Turns out, even psychologists have blind spots."

Mike whistled low. "Careful there, Tian Mo. Emily's not some random hookup. She's our friend."

I feigned innocence. "Who said anything about hookups? I genuinely admire her abilities. She's brilliant."

"And hot," Alex added helpfully.

"And that," I acknowledged with a smirk.

The truth was, I needed all three of them for my plans. Alex's technical skills could help me hack into systems, access restricted information, and create digital alibis. Mike's business acumen would be invaluable for building my financial empire. And Emily? Her psychological insights would help me manipulate others more effectively.

But Emily was special. Her natural empathy made her both my greatest challenge and my most valuable potential asset. If I could turn her—make her loyal to me despite her training to spot manipulation—the others would follow.

That evening, I returned to my apartment and resumed my cultivation. The Primordial Chaos Divine Sins Emperor Technique required consistent practice, especially in a spiritually barren environment like Earth. I focused on circulating the Chaos Evil Qi through my meridians, slowly strengthening my body and preparing for the eventual awakening of Greed.

As I meditated, I reflected on my progress. Emily was already showing signs of interest and admiration. A few more weeks of careful manipulation, and she would be completely under my influence. Then I could begin phase two—using her to help recruit others into my growing circle.

The path to immortality was long, but with my knowledge of the future, my unique physique, and my eventually growing harem of talented followers, I would succeed where others failed. I would break through the cultivation ceiling of this Low-Grade World, ascend to higher realms, and eventually achieve true immortality.

"Not bad for a few days' work," I murmured to myself as I finished my cultivation session. "The author is becoming the master of his own story."

I drifted off to sleep with a satisfied smile, dreaming of power, immortality, and a circle of beautiful, talented women completely devoted to me. Tomorrow would bring me one step closer to my goals, one manipulation at a time.

After all, in this game of cultivation and conquest, I held all the cards. And I intended to play them perfectly.