Why is My System Glitching-Chapter 85: Luca Dawnwick [R18]

Outer Sect, Ghost Shade Peak

An exquisite courtyard nestled against a shimmering pond, its surface dotted with purple and white water lilies and vibrant red-pink lotuses. Their petals glowed faintly, casting a soft rainbow sheen over the water, where exotic koi fishes glided beneath lotus leaves, lazy flashes of gold in the murk.

Lush grasses fringed the shore, blossoms bursting in fiery hues, and the air hummed with the delicate notes of a zither. What a stark contrast to the Abyss Pit Sect's true gloom.

Sun Elaine sat poised before the instrument, her fingers dancing across the strings with practiced grace. Her hair was swept into an elegant falling-horse bun, secured by a gleaming green jade hairpin, and her pale yellow lace dress draped over her like liquid gold.

Sun's slender fingers danced across the strings, coaxing out a melody that hung in the air—harmonious, tuneful. A dozen Outer Sect male cultivators circled her—some sprawled on stone benches, others leaning eagerly forward—their eyes glued to her, adoration naked in their stares.

The final note hung in the air, delicate and lingering.

Hugo Payne was the first to clap, his voice dripping with sycophantic praise. "Elaine-chan, your zither skill is unreal—pure mastery!"

Another male cultivator, unwilling to be outdone, chimed in, "Mastery? No—this is divine! Such music belongs in the heavens, not the mortal realm!"

The rest piled on, a chorus of fawning praise, each trying to outshine the last.

Sun Elaine's lips curved into a demure smile, her hand fluttering to cover it—charming, modest. Inside, she was rolling her eyes, boredom gnawing at her core. Behind the demure façade, her thoughts were razor-sharp, dissecting each admirer with cold precision.

"Fourth-layer Qi Refiner, fourth-layer. Another Fourth Layer Qi Refiner. And—ugh, another. Trash, all of them. Not one's worth my time." Her gaze flicked over them, cold and calculating. Then her gaze stopped lingering at the edge of the crowd. "What? A third layer Qi Refiner? Oh, right. This whelp—yeah, his uncle in the Inner Sect, bought me some cheap jewelry last month. Fine, I'll string him along, toss him a smile now and then."

Her eyes skimmed over another—a lean boy with worn-out boots, scuffed and patched. "Oh come on. Second layer Qi Refiner. Tch. Still wearing those rags? And he only gave me two entry-level Dao Fulus. Pathetic." Then, a flicker of consideration. "But they say his talent's decent. Might reach Foundation Stage someday. Worth keeping on the line, I suppose. I'll invite him for tea in a couple days—use that garbage spiritual tea Hugo gave me last New Year. Total junk, perfect for a cheap favor."

A grizzled Fifth Layer Qi Refiner caught her attention next. "Solid cultivation, not bad. But... but look at those wrinkles. Damn too old, too plain. Pass." She stifled a sigh, irritation flaring. "With my beauty, my talent, how could I I'm stuck with these losers? Where's my real catch—some prince with power, $tones, status?

She suppressed a sigh, plucking a single dissonant string in irritation.

"Useless. Every last one of them."

The groveling grated on her, their puppy-dog eyes and desperate flattery like flies buzzing too close. She plucked another stray string, the note sharp and distracted, her thoughts venomous. "And Hugo Payne—holy hell, what a brain-dead dud. Fumbles over himself to please me, crafting Fulus 'til he's half-dead, and still hasn't introduced me to Senior Brother Kinson Wexford? Hmph. Stupid fool. I should make him sweat harder for it."

Her fingers stilled, and she forced another sweet smile as the sycophants continued their chorus of praise.

Sun Elaine's fingers stilled over the zither strings as a cold realization settled in her chest.

"Even as a cultivator, my youth won't last forever. If I waste my prime chasing scraps, I'll miss my chance to climb higher. What if I'm still stuck in Qi Refinement Stage when my beauty fades? What then—married to some middling fool who can't even secure me a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Her gaze slid toward Hugo Payne, lingering with icy calculation. This guy was clapping loudest, his puppy-dog grin grating her nerves. "Enough delays. Time to tighten the leash—soft words, hard nudges. If this spineless worm won't introduce me to a worthy prospect willingly, I'll make him regret. Soft words haven't worked—time for sharper methods."

Sun Elaine straightened, plotting her next move, just then a male cultivator sidled close, his voice syrupy with flattery: "Elaine-chan, I spotted peach blossoms on Murder Pine Peak yesterday! Like painted clouds, radiant as your divine beauty! Perhaps we could—"

She opened her mouth, ready to dangle a maybe, when the courtyard's defense ward quaked—

BOOM! freeωebnovēl.c૦m

A sharp, humming jolt that rippled through the air. Sun Elaine's senses snapped taut, her role as courtyard mistress kicking in. She flicked her fingers, a spell crackling to life, and barked, voice sharp and commanding: "Who's silly enough to trespass here? Show yourself!"

Around her, the male disciples bristled, their fawning swapped for fury in a heartbeat. Weapons flashed into hands, voices roaring in unison:

"Who dare insult Junior Sister Sun?!"

"Courting death!"

"Show yourself, criminal!"

They surged toward the gate like a pack of provoked hounds, their earlier adoration now twisted into fury—eager to prove their worth, to defend her honor.

Sun Elaine's admirers surged forward like a pack of eager hounds, weapons drawn, their faces twisted in righteous fury. She opened her mouth to stop them—"Hey, calm—"—but swallowed the words.

"Let them play hero," Sun thought dismissively. "Better they take the risk than me."

Sun Elaine had spent years cultivating her image—surrounded by devoted male disciples, basking in their adoration while carefully avoiding those she couldn't manipulate. No one had ever dared threaten her directly.

Until now.

Irritation flickered across her face as she deactivated the courtyard's ward, ready to scold the intruder. But the moment the barrier fell, her breath caught.

The stranger didn't flee.

He didn't even flinch.

Instead, his lips curled into a cold sneer.

Then—he moved.

His sword left its sheath with a whisper, and the air itself seemed to shudder. Dark energy coiled around the sword as he flicked his wrist—once, lazily—and suddenly, the courtyard was filled with the shrieking of phantom crows, their eyes burning crimson, their spectral wings blotting out the light.

The crowd barely had time to gasp before their bodies went rigid. Muscles locked, bones turned to lead—they crumpled where they stood, collapsing like puppets with severed strings.

Sun Elaine hit the ground hard, her jade hairpin snapping against the stone. Pain flared, but it was drowned by sheer, ice-cold shock.

"This power... He's at the peak of Qi Refinement Stage!" Her pulse hammered. "No—stronger. He's nearly half a step to ascend to Foundation Stage!"

Fear prickled down Sun Elaine's spine—but beneath it, something hotter, sharper.

Opportunity.

Sun Elaine scrambled up, smoothing her dress with practiced grace, fingers fluttering to tuck loose strands of hair behind her ear. When she spoke, her voice was a delicate tremor, sweet as honey wine.

"Senior Brother, surely there's some misunderstanding? I've never—"

The male cultivator sheathed his sword in one fluid motion, cutting her off with a dismissive wave. His gaze raked over her—lingering, deliberate—before settling on her busty chest with arrogant amusement.

"You're Elaine Sun?" His voice was a lazy drawl, dripping with condescension.

Sun Elaine's lips parted, feigning innocence, but inside, her mind raced.

"He's looking at me like I'm prey," Sun Elaine realized. "Good."

She dipped into a demure bow, letting her delicate lashes flutter. "To answer Senior Brother... yes, I am Sun Elaine. In my background, we place the family name first."

Out of Sun Elaine's expectation, after heard her reply words, the visitor just nodded, and then didn't look at her again.

The male cultivator's response sent a ripple of shock through the courtyard.

"Where is Hugo Payne? Is he here?"

Hearing this, everyone present, including Sun Elaine, couldn't help but be stunned.

Sun Elaine's breath caught. Why Hugo Payne? Her gaze subconsciously darted to Hugo, but saw that this fawner was also at a loss. Hugo Payne stood frozen like a startled rabbit before stepping forward with an awkward bow.

Hugo Payne saluted to the visitor respectfully, "Senior Brother, this humble one is Hugo Payne, may I ask what's your instruction for me?"

When Hugo Payne said this, his eyes flicked nervously toward his favorite Junior Sister Elaine-chan—and when he saw her wide-eyed stare, Hugo Payne's heart swelled with misplaced bravery.

"She's frightened", Hugo thought. "I must protect her."

Before Sun Eliane could react, Hugo Payne shuffled in front of her, puffing out his chest like a rooster defending its hen. "If Junior Sister Elaine-chan has offended you, please forgive her innocence! I—I will bear any punishment in her stead!"

Sun Elaine's nails dug into her palms. "..."

"You brainless, meddling worm!" She screamed inwardly. "Who asked you to play the hero?! If this Senior Brother thinks we're involved, I'll lose my chance!"

If not for the powerful stranger's presence, she would have seized Hugo Payne by the collar and slapped the idiocy out of him. Instead, she forced a tinkling laugh and shoved him aside with a delicate but firm hand.

"Senior Brother, please don't mind him," Sun Elaine immediately pushed Hugo Payne away, smiled sweetly at the visitor. Then she cooed, fluttering her lashes. "I'm not familiar with this guy. We're merely fellow comrades on Ghost Shade Peak—nothing more. I was simply being polite." She twirled a lock of hair around her finger, voice dropping to a whisper. "Senior Brother, but if you're looking for me... how may I serve you?"

When she said the last sentence, she lowered her voice, glanced at the visitor, lowered her head, and rubbed her sash belt with her hands, acting like a shy maiden.

The visitor's gaze flicked between her and Hugo Payne, unimpressed. A cold smirk curled his lips.

The visitor looked at her and Hugo Payne, sneered, "Well, that's fine. If you're Sun Eliane and Hugo Payne."

Then his voice turned to ice. "The rest of you—get the fuck out. My words are for Sun Elaine alone."

Heard the words, the male cultivator fawners hesitated.

Especially Hugo Payne, who was about to protect Sun Elaine behind him again. He then staggered backward as Sun Elaine shoved him with surprising force, her delicate hands belying their strength. "Didn't you hear Senior Brother?" she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice dripping with anger. "Get out! All of you!" With a final push that sent Hugo Payne stumbling past the threshold.

Without waiting for Hugo Payne to say something, Sun Eliane directly activated the defense ward and evict all her male cultivator fawners out of the courtyard.

"Idiots!" Sun Elaine seethed internally, watching their shocked faces through the translucent barrier. "Nearly ruined everything with their pathetic heroics. Hugo especially—who does he think he is, claiming me like some common possession?"

Suddenly, she and the visitor were the only two left in the courtyard. Turning back to her visitor, Sun Elaine's expression transformed instantly, her painted lips curving into a demure smile as she lowered her lashes. She suppressed her desire to cling to this powerful male cultivator right now, instead she pretended to be shy and innocent, and said with soft voice:  "May I know your honored name, Senior Brother?" she asked, voice soft as silk. "How may this junior properly address you?"

The male cultivator's smirk widened, revealing perfect white teeth. "Luca Dawnwick of Raven Silk Peak," he announced, his tone rich with self-importance. "My Inner Sect clan brother Enzo Dawnwick holds position in the mighty Wraithbone Bloodline."

Sun Elaine's breath caught. Inner Sect connections! And the Wraithbone Bloodline at that! Her pulse quickened as she calculated the possibilities—resources, protection, advancement opportunities all within reach if she played this right.

Before she could craft her next carefully-worded reply, Luca moved with startling speed. His hand shot out, fingers closing around her wrist with bruising force as he yanked her against his chest.

"Yes!" Sun Elaine nearly trembled with triumph. "He wants me! All my patience is finally—"

Luca Dawnwick's eyes lingered—bold, ravenous—locking on her chest before flicking up.

Sun Eliane was overjoyed, but then she sensed this Senior Brother quickly put his hands into her clothes without hesitation.

Without a word, Luca Dawnwick's hand shot forward, slipping under her dress with a predator's ease, fingers grazing her skin, cold and deliberate. Elaine froze, thoughts splintering. No prelude, no charm—just straight to this? His touch wasn't seduction—it was a claim, aggressive and unyielding, as if she were spoils already won.

Her breath hitched as his other hand joined, bolder, shoving the lace aside to knead her breasts, a rough squeeze pinching her nipple hard enough to spark pain. "What the—?" she gasped, a startled "Hngh ♡!" escaping as her body jolted. "Too fast—way too fast. Opportunity clashed with instinct. He's a rare catch—high cultivation, Inner Sect clout. But this? It's... harassment, a power play." Her mind spun, gold-digger's calculus kicking in. "Men don't value what's easy—should I play shy, push back? Wring out promises—$tones, Fulus, anything—before he takes more?"

Her hands hovered on his arms, hesitant, nails grazing his sleeves. "But if I shove him off, will he turn cold? Lose interest?" Power like his didn't wait—she'd seen it in the sect's brutal games. Her pulse thundered, torn between risk and reward. Before she could decide, Luca moved—decisive, merciless. He sank into the guest hall's carved chair, yanking her onto the zither table with a grip that brooked no fight. The wood bit her knees as he tore her dress down, lace pooling at her waist, baring her to his gaze.

"Kneel," Luca Dawnwick growled, voice low and commanding, a smile curling with cruel amusement. Sun Elaine obeyed, thighs trembling, forced to arch her back—her curves exposed, vulnerable under his stare. His hands roamed, fondling her hips, her bare skin, a possessive sweep that savored her lack of resistance. The air thickened, lust and menace coiling tight, his touch a blade's edge between desire and dominance.

♡ Haa!

Hngh ♡...

Luca Dawnwick leaned close, breath hot against her ear, words slicing through her daze: "Find Hugo Payne's clan brother—Lordi Payne. Seduce him, bed him. And you must make sure Hugo knows this. Do you understand?"

"♡... ?!?! Wh... " Sun Elaine's eyes widened, shock punching through her greedy haze. "What?"