[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-villain-is-too-self-destructive":3,"chapter-this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-169":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Villain Is Too Self-Destructive",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282536,4465,"Chapter 169: Signs of Abnormal Movement","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-169",169,"\u003Cp>The main hall of the Star-Fixing Palace was brightly lit, isolated from the outside by an array. Wei Gong stood with his hands behind his back before the massive Star Map of the Vast Sea, his brows locked in a frown, his gaze fixed intently on the southeast corner of the map—the coordinates marking the Return to Ruins Sea Eye region, which were currently flashing with a dark red warning light. True Person Beichen, Elder Lingshuang, Elder Hunyou, and several high-ranking Star Palace deacons responsible for monitoring the arrays all stood solemnly to the side, their expressions growing increasingly grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan’s figure appeared silently in the hall, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fellow Daoist Lin, you have come just in time.\" Wei Gong turned around, a rare trace of agitation on his aged face, and pointed to the star map. \"Just half an hour ago, the deep-layer monitoring array for the Return to Ruins Sea Eye transmitted an abnormal fluctuation. The intensity is not high, but... the nature of it is extremely peculiar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Star Palace deacon immediately stepped forward, holding a glowing recording crystal with flowing light and shadow inside, and said respectfully, \"Supporter Lin, this is the record of the energy ripples captured by the 'Deep Sea Listener Array'. There were three abnormal fluctuations, each lasting about three breaths, with irregular intervals. Their frequency and energy characteristics... have a similarity of over eighty percent to the 'resonance fluctuations' we previously recorded when the demonic seed within Young Master Zhao Yuan was active! And...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his voice sounding somewhat dry. \"And, these three fluctuations were not chaotic. According to the array’s retrospective deduction, their source does not seem fixed to any one spot in the Sea Eye, but is... moving! Although the range of movement is small and the speed is extremely slow, it is indeed... slowly shifting toward the deeper part of the Sea Eye, in the direction of the 'blind spot' where the 'energy veins' we previously marked are most dense!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving? Toward the deeper blind spot where the \"distortion core\" might be located?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan’s eyes narrowed. He took the recording crystal, and a faint light flickered in his Chaos Tribulation Pupils as he directly \"read\" the information within. The energy ripple landscape inside the crystal transformed in his eyes into a more intuitive map of \"existence\" and \"abnormality.\" Those three faint, dark purple ripples were like the tongue of a viper flashing through the night; though brief, they carried the same disgusting \"activity\" and \"purposefulness\" as the demonic seed in Zhao Yuan’s sea of consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the 'distortion core' actively 'summoning' or 'pulling' it?\" Elder Lingshuang’s voice was icy. \"Or... did the treatment process of the demonic seed within Zhao Yuan stimulate it, causing it to produce some kind of 'response' or 'vigilance'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hunyou stroked his beard, his expression gloomy. \"What is more troublesome is that it is moving... although slow, this means our judgment of its position may already be outdated. Furthermore, if it can truly move slowly, does it also mean... it possesses a certain 'mobility' or instinct to 'seek advantages and avoid harm'? Or even, is it... 'avoiding' our detection, or... 'searching' for a more suitable 'position'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This speculation sent a chill down everyone’s spine. A \"living pollution hub\" that possessed primitive will, was slowly growing, and could move slightly—its threat and uncontrollability would far exceed a stationary source of pollution!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan put down the crystal, was silent for a moment, and said slowly, \"During the final stage of the treatment, I sensed an extremely subtle cross-spatial palpitation coming from the depths of Zhao Yuan’s sea of consciousness, pointing toward the Sea Eye. Although it was isolated in time, it may have already been 'perceived' by the other party. The anomaly monitored this time roughly coincides with the end of the treatment, and it is very likely the 'reaction' of that 'distortion core' to the demonic seed being touched.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Wei Gong. \"It may view the purification process of the demonic seed within Zhao Yuan as a 'threat' or 'provocation.' This slight movement and the active emission of homologous fluctuations might be a probe, a warning, or perhaps... an attempt to re-establish or strengthen some kind of connection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gong took a deep breath. \"In other words, our action to purify the demonic seed not only concerns the safety of Zhao Yuan alone, but may also directly stimulate that greatest hidden danger deep within the Sea Eye?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mutual cause and effect.\" Lin Xuan nodded. \"If the demonic seed is not removed, Zhao Yuan is in danger, and as a 'sub-body' or 'beacon,' he could be used by the core at any time to trigger a greater catastrophe. But purifying the demonic seed may alert the core, accelerating its abnormal movement or catalyzing unknown changes. A dilemma.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell into silence. An invisible pressure, like the water of the deep sea, weighed heavily on everyone’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be... that we must temporarily stop the treatment of Zhao Yuan?\" a Star Palace deacon couldn't help but say in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible.\" True Person Beichen immediately vetoed it. \"The demonic seed within Young Master Zhao Yuan is already deeply entangled with his Nascent Soul. If we delay, the erosion will only go deeper, making it even harder to handle then, and the risk of it spontaneously triggering the core will also grow greater. Furthermore, if we shrink back for fear of alerting the core, wouldn't we be playing right into the hands of the Demon Abyss? They planted this demonic seed, likely calculating that we would be afraid to act!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Beichen’s words are very true.\" Elder Lingshuang said coldly. \"The Demon Abyss excels at schemes and tricks; if we retreat step by step, we will only let them advance further. The urgent priority is to strengthen the monitoring and response preparations for the Sea Eye’s anomalies while continuing to treat Zhao Yuan. Since that thing might move, we must have the means to 'keep our eyes locked' on it, or even 'restrict' its movement when necessary!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fierce look flashed in Wei Gong’s eyes. \"Elder Lingshuang is right! Issue the order: First, increase the power of all monitoring arrays to the maximum, focusing on monitoring changes in the deep energy veins of the Sea Eye and any abnormal movement trajectories, regardless of spirit stone consumption! Second, mobilize the best array masters from the Star Palace and the Imperial Ministry of Works to study the feasibility of deploying 'spatial anchoring' or 'energy retardation' arrays at known 'energy vein' nodes; we do not seek to trap it, only to retard its movement and buy us reaction time! Third, accelerate the research into the purification power of the 'Chen Cui' fragments to find a more efficient purification plan that causes less damage to Zhao Yuan, and at the same time... prepare a backup plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Lin Xuan and said in a deep voice, \"Fellow Daoist Lin, the treatment of Zhao Yuan cannot stop, but the strategy needs to be adjusted. Can the progress be accelerated? Or, while purifying the peripheral tentacles, can you attempt to use Chaos Tribulation power to set up more subtle 'information isolation' or 'perception deception' restrictions to minimize the stimulation of the core during the treatment process?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan pondered. \"If we accelerate the progress, the pain and risk Zhao Yuan bears will increase greatly; it depends on his own will and recovery. As for isolation and deception... it can be attempted. The connection between the demonic seed and the core is based on homologous resonance and some residual 'contract.' I may be able to use Chaos Tribulation power to simulate some distorted, chaotic 'noise' to interfere with the purity of its information transmission. But this requires extremely precise control, and the effect is unknown.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In any case, it must be tried!\" Wei Gong decided. \"Fellow Daoist Lin, I entrust Zhao Yuan entirely to you. If you need any resources or manpower, just speak. My old self, along with Beichen and Lingshuang, will be responsible for the Sea Eye monitoring and counter-deployment. Fellow Daoist Hunyou, please continue to study the characteristics of the demonic seed and the way of purification.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone received their orders and left in a hurry, the air filled with the tension of an impending great battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lin Xuan returned to the side hall, Zhao Yuan was still asleep, but his aura was much steadier than before, and the flickering frequency of the dark purple mark between his brows had also decreased somewhat. The pain and consumption of the first treatment were immense, but they were also like tempering in a raging fire, allowing his body and soul to consolidate slightly after reaching their limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xuan did not wake him immediately but sat cross-legged by the couch, closing his eyes to deduce once more. In his mind, various pieces of information regarding the demonic seed, the core, Chaos Tribulation power, and Star Purification power flowed and collided rapidly. He was searching for a precise plan that could efficiently purify the periphery of the demonic seed while maximizing the \"shielding\" of the treatment fluctuations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About two hours later, Zhao Yuan slowly woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, there was much less confusion and pain in his eyes, and more of the calmness and sharpness that comes after enduring hardship. The feeling of physical weakness was still strong, and the cracks in his Nascent Soul and the heaviness in his sea of consciousness had not disappeared, but he could clearly feel that his control over the Silence Sword Intent and Star Power, as well as the clarity of his internal vision, had all improved by a notch compared to before the treatment. The \"parasitic feeling\" that was like a festering sore had also slightly lessened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you feel?\" Lin Xuan’s voice sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan struggled to sit up, though his movements were still slow and laborious, they were much better than before. \"Replying to Senior, I feel... much clearer, and the flow of power in my body is smoother, but I am still weak. That demonic seed... seems to have quieted down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The peripheral tentacles have been purified, and its activity is temporarily suppressed.\" Lin Xuan nodded. \"But the core has not moved, and the hidden danger remains. Furthermore...\" He briefly informed Zhao Yuan about the monitored anomalies in the Sea Eye and the situation that might be related to the treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Zhao Yuan’s expression changed slightly, but he did not show much panic, instead revealing a bitter smile. \"As expected... this junior is a source of trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is the Demon Abyss that turned you into a source of trouble.\" Lin Xuan corrected him. \"Now, we need to turn this trouble into an opportunity.\" He told Zhao Yuan the adjusted treatment plan—while continuing to purify the peripheral tentacles, he would attempt to use Chaos Tribulation power to set up interference to reduce stimulation to the Sea Eye core, but this also meant the treatment process would require higher mental control, and the risk might also increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you willing to try?\" Lin Xuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan did not hesitate in the slightest, his gaze firm. \"I am willing! This junior has already dragged down the alliance too much. If I can use this body as bait to find a flaw in that monster, even if my soul is scattered, I will have no regrets! Moreover, Senior is not sending this junior to his death, but seeking a glimmer of survival. This junior will certainly do his utmost to cooperate with Senior!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the unquestionable determination in Zhao Yuan’s eyes, Lin Xuan nodded slightly. \"Very well. Rest and adjust your state to the best. In one hour, we will begin the second treatment. This time, I will attempt to set up a layer of Chaos 'mist' around the demonic seed in your sea of consciousness, and I need you to cooperate with your sword intent to stabilize it. The process may be uncomfortable; you must endure it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan immediately closed his eyes and focused, beginning to adjust his breath with all his might. He knew that the next challenge would be even more difficult than the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour passed in tense waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second treatment began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Lin Xuan’s movements were more precise. The tip of his right index finger condensed a wisp of gray, misty airflow that was extremely thin yet contained complex, shifting Dao rhymes, which he slowly pointed toward the center of Zhao Yuan’s brows. At the same time, the purification power of the \"Chen Cui\" fragment in his left hand was injected simultaneously, but the rhythm and frequency were controlled more subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yuan held his breath and focused, guiding his own Silence Sword Intent and Star Power like the most loyal guards to protect the area around the Nascent Soul core and key memory regions, while simultaneously splitting a portion of his mind to actively \"welcome\" that wisp of Chaos airflow pointed at his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Chaos airflow touched the edge of his sea of consciousness, Zhao Yuan felt a strange \"dizziness\" and \"weightlessness,\" as if the boundaries of his sea of consciousness were briefly distorted and stretched. Immediately after, that wisp of Chaos airflow transformed into countless finer, smoke-like gray threads that spread silently. They did not attack the demonic seed, but like weaving a net, they covered the dark purple \"tentacles\" around the demonic seed that had not yet been purified, as well as the \"channels\" for external energy and information exchange, with a thin, constantly shifting and distorting \"film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This layer of \"Chaos Mist\" was not solid, and its function was not to isolate (complete isolation might trigger a fierce counterattack from the demonic seed), but to \"interfere\" and \"confuse.\" It would make the resonance signals emitted by the demonic seed outward become blurry, distorted, and full of \"noise,\" while also causing any probing or pulling fluctuations transmitted from the outside (especially from the direction of the Sea Eye core) to undergo unpredictable deflection and attenuation when passing through this mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process of setting up the \"Chaos Mist\" was another kind of torment for Zhao Yuan. It was not direct pain, but a strange and uncomfortable feeling of his soul being repeatedly kneaded by invisible hands and his perception being forcibly distorted, as if he were drunk, or as if he were placed in a bizarre kaleidoscope, his mind extremely prone to scattering. He had to keep his sword heart guarded at all times, using the intent of silence to anchor his soul core and Star Power to maintain the benchmark coordinates of his perception, in order to barely remain clear-headed and cooperate with Lin Xuan to complete this extremely delicate \"surgery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed bit by bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine beads of sweat also appeared on Lin Xuan’s forehead, a rare sight. This level of Chaos power manipulation, precise to the microscopic level, was extremely taxing on the mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, when the last wisp of Chaos thread was in place, that layer of \"mist,\" thin as a cicada’s wing yet unpredictable, which shrouded the key areas around the demonic seed, was initially formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus your mind, hold fast! I am going to start purifying the next tentacle!\" Lin Xuan gave a low shout, and the purification light of the \"Chen Cui\" fragment in his left hand, like a precisely calculated stream of water, bypassed certain specific \"pores\" of the \"Chaos Mist\" and shot accurately toward a dark purple tentacle that was slightly further from the demonic seed’s core but relatively thick!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the buffer of the \"Chaos Mist,\" this time, the demonic seed’s backlash seemed to be half a beat slower, and its intensity was also reduced. Although the pain Zhao Yuan felt was still intense, the impact of the illusions and the erosion of evil thoughts became significantly more chaotic and dispersed, no longer as concentrated and sharp as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth, guiding the purification power and his own sword intent, and in coordination with Lin Xuan’s Chaos Tribulation power, began the slow and firm \"cutting\" and \"burning\" once again...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treatment continued to advance in a state that was relatively \"stable\" yet still difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the same time, in the endless dark abyss of the Return to Ruins Sea Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That mass of viscous \"fluid,\" flickering with dark gold and dark purple starlight, was slowly writhing in the \"void.\" That faint, cold primitive will seemed somewhat... \"confused\" because it had lost a certain expected \"clear signal\"? Its formless and quality-less \"perception\" swept over the dark red and dark purple veins that connected to it like a neural network.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resonance fluctuation from a certain \"sub-body\" above had become... blurry? Intermittent? As if separated by a layer of constantly rippling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It attempted to emit a wisp of faint pulling fluctuation again, but the information fed back was even more chaotic and difficult to parse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An instinctive sense of unease and... faint anger toward the \"loss of control\" and \"abnormality\" began to breed within this cold will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its massive, slowly \"flowing\" body seemed to move, even more clearly, toward a deeper blind spot that it instinctively identified as \"safer\" and more \"energy-rich,\" extremely slightly... \"shifting\" another bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the deepest part of its viscous \"fluid,\" something that looked like an embryo, wrapped in layers of filthy star-evil and blood-resentment, also seemed to palpitate extremely faintly because of the \"interference\" and \"unease\" from the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the monitoring array, the light point representing its position shifted again in a way that was difficult to detect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm was silently gathering in the deepest part of the seabed.\u003C\u002Fp>",2966,"2026-06-20T01:44:26.720Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","f64794f9ba4352b0ae1a567a872972ea491b96eec5b0fc5080618a832d378a26","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-170","this-villain-is-too-self-destructive-chapter-168",182,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-villain-is-too-self-destructive-cover.jpg"]