The chill that permeated Kael wasn't just from the autumn air; it was a fundamental part of his existence. He moved through the bustling human city, a predator disguised in human skin. The clang of metal from forges, the rhythmic chanting of alchemists, and the subtle hum of nascent formations were music to his ears, a symphony of the society he was slowly manipulating. He wasn't like them. He didn't feel their fleeting joys or their crushing sorrows. He was a cold calculation, a being designed for a single purpose: the advancement of Xylos, his creator.

He had meticulously studied the human xianxia system, dissecting it like a captured insect. Trade, he understood, was the lifeblood. The constant exchange of resources, skills, and knowledge was the engine that drove their power. And within that engine, three pillars stood tall: formations, alchemy, and forging. He had invested heavily in all three, hiring masters whose talents he ruthlessly exploited. He had amassed a fortune, a mountain of wealth born from the very system he planned to dismantle.

His sprawling estate was a testament to his resources, housing workshops filled with the finest artisans. He had them crafting formation components, intricate pieces that, individually, seemed innocuous. He gleaned all the knowledge he could from them, their understanding of the flow of qi, the patterns of resonance, and the subtle geometries that bound the world. He didn't share his true aim, only feeding them the individual pieces, like a master craftsman directing his apprentices. They were all blind to the grand design.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He had poured over the advanced formation text, a rare find that had cost him a fortune, yet was worth more than all his other wealth. The book had revealed the foundational structure, the underlying principles that had once eluded him. While he lacked the inherent spark of true creation, the book had illuminated his path. He felt a flicker of something akin to satisfaction, the cold, calculating satisfaction of a plan taking shape.

Now, the city pulsed with an unseen energy. Kael's formation, a complex network of interconnected nodes, spanned thousands of kilometers. He had cleverly hidden the nodes, nestled within the foundations of buildings, carved into the bark of ancient trees, disguised as mundane objects. The humans moved about their daily lives, oblivious to the silent web tightening around them. They were like ants, each one unaware of the boot that was about to crush their hill.

This formation was unlike anything the humans had ever conceived. It wasn't meant for defense or attack. It performed a far more insidious function: subtly altering the flow of qi, redirecting the very energies of the world for a single purpose. To cripple their source. Where alchemy, forging, and formations flow from.

He wonders how these humans will counterattack, if at all. He is looking for forward to it.

For now, his formation is more of a test. He has bigger plans, and schemes. Not limited to this city. Whether the humans counter it, or burn with it, it will only hurt him a little.

He heads off, using his blood to search for Xylos. He hopes he will be rewarded.