Villain: I transmigrated with Mind Control Powers

The full moon hung high over the Holy Sect, bathing the grounds in a silvery glow. Aric stood alone in a secluded clearing, his gaze fixed on the ancient formation etched into the ground. The lines of the formation, illuminated by moonlight, shimmered with a strange energy—a remnant of old magic meant to connect realms. The wind carried a chill, rustling the leaves around him. He exhaled slowly, the cool night air filling his lungs as anticipation bubbled inside him.

"It's time," Aric muttered to himself, stepping into the center of the formation.

In his hand, he held the four key items needed to activate the portal—the Celestial Jade Stone, Dragon Essence Pearl, Phoenix Flame Lantern, and Voidstone Ingot. Each artifact shimmered, exuding an aura of untamed power. He knew the risks of what he was about to do. The lower world was dangerous, filled with potential threats, but Aric had unfinished business there—loose ends that needed tying up.

He kneeled, placing each item in its designated spot within the formation. The Celestial Jade Stone at the center, the Dragon Essence Pearl to the right, the Phoenix Flame Lantern to the left, and the Voidstone Ingot above them all. As he set the last piece in place, the air grew still, as if the entire world held its breath.

Aric closed his eyes, channeling his Qi into the formation. The symbols inscribed in the ground began to glow, slowly at first, then brighter, until they were blazing with radiant light. The hum of ancient magic filled the air, a sound that resonated deep in Aric's bones. He opened his eyes to see the portal begin to shimmer into existence—a swirling vortex of azure and gold that rippled with an energy that felt both inviting and ominous.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. Mei Xian emerged from the shadows, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. "You're really going, aren't you?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of concern and awe.

Aric turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "I have to. There are things in the lower world that I must deal with—before they grow into bigger problems."

Mei Xian stepped closer, her gaze locked onto his. "It's dangerous, Aric. What if something goes wrong? What if you end up somewhere unsafe?"

Aric smiled faintly. "Since when have I ever avoided danger? Besides, that is my home ground. He continued, "The portal has been crafted carefully. It will take me back to Eldoria—at least, that's the intent."

She frowned, the worry in her eyes not dissipating. "Just promise me you'll come back safe."

He nodded, reaching out to brush a strand of her hair away from her face. "I promise," he said, his voice gentler than usual. "I'll return. And when I do, we'll be stronger for it."

Mei Xian hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his chest. "I'll be waiting."

Aric took a step back, allowing her to leave the clearing. He returned his focus to the formation, the swirling energy now at its peak. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, feeling the pull of the portal. The energy wrapped around him, and the world blurred as he felt his body being pulled through space—a rush of wind and light engulfed him as the sensation of moving between realms became overwhelming.

The blinding light gradually dimmed, and the pressure surrounding Aric began to ease. He felt his feet touch solid ground once more, and the world around him started to come into focus. Trees—tall and ancient—stood in a thick, lush forest, their leaves rustling softly in the wind. He took a deep breath, recognizing the familiar scent of Eldoria—a mix of pine and fresh earth.

He glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he realized where he had arrived. "Eldoria," he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Back to where it all began."

He hadn't anticipated ending up exactly where he had left. The portal was supposed to send him to a random place in the lower world—somewhere far from where his enemies could track him. Instead, fate had brought him right back to Eldoria.

The quiet forest seemed almost peaceful, but Aric knew better than to let his guard down. Eldoria was filled with many secrets, and not all were friendly. His keen senses detected the faint presence of magical creatures in the distance—likely beasts drawn by the portal's energy.

Aric took a deep breath, allowing the cool forest air to fill his lungs. The scent of damp earth and rich vegetation brought back memories of his brief stay in Elara's village. He had planned for a swift return to the Holy Sect after tying up loose ends in the lower world, but something had shifted within him during his journey. A strange intuition tugged at him—a gut feeling that there was still much to discover in Eldoria, something crucial that he had missed.

"Time to get moving," Aric muttered, adjusting his robes. He activated the Mystic Wind Movement technique, his body moving with swift precision as he navigated through the dense forest, heading toward the direction of a nearby village—the same village where he had once manipulated the elves and seized their loyalty.

He decided, then and there, to go back to the village where Elara lived. She was a potential asset, a Daughter of Destiny, and Aric had learned not to ignore such opportunities. His ambitions required leverage—connections to key people and strategic allies who could be molded to serve his goals.

Aric made his way through the dense forest, guided by his sharp memory of the path that led to Elara's village. As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, he finally reached the outskirts of the elven village. The wooden houses carved into the trunks of ancient trees glowed with warm, inviting lights. The sight of the village, still untouched by the dangers of the outside world, brought a rare smile to Aric's lips. |le|mp|yr

He approached the entrance, where the familiar figures of the elven guards stood watch. The guards immediately recognized him, their eyes widening in surprise. One of them, Leiros, stepped forward, his gaze a mix of caution and curiosity.

"Aric? You have returned?" Leiros asked, his hand resting loosely on the hilt of his sword.

Aric nodded, a disarming smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, I have. I hope my presence here is still welcome. I wish to speak with Elara and perhaps stay for some time."

Leiros hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your actions saved Elara once, and the elders allowed you to stay before... But what brings you back?"

Aric's expression softened, his tone turning sincere. "I felt a calling, Leiros. There is something about this place, something about Eldoria, that I feel I must understand. Perhaps it's your people's connection to nature, or perhaps it's the mysteries that lie within this forest. I only ask for your hospitality for a short while."

Leiros studied him for a moment longer before finally nodding. "Very well, Aric. But remember, our trust must not be broken. Follow me. I will take you to Elara."

As they made their way through the village, Aric couldn't help but take in the serene beauty of the place. Lanterns hung from branches, casting a soft glow over the paths that wound between the trees. The gentle laughter of elves and the melodic tunes of flutes echoed through the village, painting a picture of tranquility that was rare in the world Aric knew.

Leiros led Aric to a modest hut at the edge of the village, partially hidden by thick vines and flowering plants. He knocked gently on the door, and moments later, it swung open to reveal Elara. Her silver hair shimmered in the moonlight, and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Aric standing there.

"Aric?" she gasped, her voice filled with both disbelief and curiosity. "You've returned?"

Aric offered a warm smile, inclining his head. "Yes, Elara. I hope my sudden arrival isn't too much of an inconvenience."

She blinked, her surprise slowly turning into a smile. "No, of course not. Please, come in."

Inside, the hut was cozy, filled with simple furniture carved from wood and decorated with delicate tapestries. A small hearth burned in the corner, filling the room with warmth. Elara gestured for Aric to sit, and she quickly brought over a pot of herbal tea, pouring him a cup.

"I didn't expect to see you again," she said, sitting across from him. "What brings you back to our village?"

Aric took a sip of the tea, savoring its earthy flavor before responding. "I suppose you could say it was intuition. I felt there was more for me to learn here—about this land, about your people... and perhaps even about myself. The upper world is vast, and I believe that understanding Eldoria might help me in my journey."

Elara's eyes softened, and she nodded slowly. "Eldoria is indeed a place filled with mysteries. Many travelers have come seeking answers, but few truly find what they are looking for. Perhaps you will be different."