Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control

Peachwood Pavilion.

Situ Qingqing, dressed in a green gown, sat at her dressing table surrounded by a collection of bottles and jars.

“This should be useful…”

She picked up a jade bottle, her delicate fingers examining the small inscription on it. Her beautiful eyes blinked, and a faint blush spread across her jade-like cheeks.

“Qing’er, these bottles and jars of yours…”

A sudden voice startled Situ Qingqing, and her hands trembled. The jade bottle almost slipped to the ground, but Xu Yang reacted quickly, catching it with his vast divine consciousness. However, instead of returning it to Qing’er, he inspected it closely.

The contents were similar to the side effects of the True Dragon Dao Fruit.

Xu Yang’s gaze swept over the dressing table, noticing that all the bottles and jars were of a similar nature. His heart sank.

Qing’er, you’re not walking the righteous path—you’re on the verge of straying into demonic practices!

Medicinal remedies like these were inherently toxic. Occasional use might be harmless, but prolonged dependence could harm a cultivator’s soul, causing mental fatigue, depression, and an inability to focus on cultivation. The long-term effects were far too dangerous.

This couldn’t continue!

As her master, Xu Yang could not stand by and watch his disciple falter. With a wave of his consciousness, all the bottles and jars were confiscated.

He turned to Qing’er, his expression solemn.

“Qing’er, you must stop using these harmful things. If you truly feel like you can’t hold on, I won’t force you, but at most…”

He trailed off, his words hanging meaningfully in the air. Then he added firmly:

“Do you understand?”

Situ Qingqing blinked, her expression a mixture of guilt and embarrassment. She wanted to explain that the bottles and jars weren’t for her own use—they were to help Senior Sister Jinli—but it wasn’t easy to clarify. In the end, she nodded obediently.

“Got it, Master.”

Seeing her compliance, Xu Yang was satisfied. He softened his tone and said, “Come to Purple Cloud Hall.”

“Okay, Master. I’ll head there right away!”

A flicker of excitement appeared in Situ Qingqing’s eyes. She hesitated briefly but decided against informing Senior Sister Xue for now. She wanted to test her strength first. If it proved sufficient, Senior Sister Xue wouldn’t need to intervene.

Phoenix Harmony Building.

Qin Kewan, dressed in a flowing red gown, sat at her desk with a paintbrush in hand, carefully sketching something on white paper. Her focus was so intense that Xu Yang couldn’t help but compare it to Little Five’s expression whenever she encountered her favorite dish.

Curiosity piqued, Xu Yang didn’t interrupt. Instead, he used his divine consciousness to sneak a closer look at the drawing.

After a moment of observation, he asked, “Little Five, what are you drawing?”

“Master?!”

Startled, Qin Kewan let out a small cry. She scrambled to cover the white paper on the desk, her cheeks flushing a deep red. She stammered, “D-Disciple didn’t… didn’t draw anything!”

Xu Yang chuckled. “You don’t have to tell me. I can guess—you were drawing some kind of spiritual fruit, weren’t you?”

The pattern on the paper was a large circle with five black lines extending outward. Though the drawing was rather abstract, Xu Yang deduced its subject easily. With Qin Kewan’s well-known appetite, it could only be a depiction of a spiritual fruit.

Qin Kewan’s thoughts spun.

Wait… Master figured it out?! Is he hinting at himself?

Her voice softened to the faintest whisper, as shy as a mosquito’s buzz. “Y-Yes… it’s a spiritual fruit.”

Xu Yang couldn’t suppress a laugh. “Hiding your spirit fruit, are you? I know you’re a foodie. How about this—come to Purple Cloud Hall. I’ve got plenty there. You can eat to your heart’s content!”

Qin Kewan’s mind raced.

Plenty? Does Master mean there’s more than just food…?

The thought of a mountain of spiritual fruits made her feel like one had just dropped on her head, leaving her dizzy. Wiping away a strand of drool, she eagerly replied:

“Master, I’m coming right away!”

Tingfeng Pavilion.

“Master has broken through to the Void Shattering realm!”

“As his disciple, I must work harder. I cannot tarnish the reputation of being taught by Purple Cloud Peak!”

Liu Beifeng’s gaze was resolute as she spoke to herself.

Having practiced martial arts for hours, her body was soaked in sweat, making her figure all the more striking. Her waist and abdomen were slender and taut, almost impossibly so. It was hard to imagine how such a delicate frame could harbor such strength.

“Xiao Beifeng, isolating yourself isn’t enough. The martial arts you’re practicing contain 18 errors in total. They are as follows…”

Xu Yang’s voice rang out in her mind as he pointed out her mistakes one by one through divine thought.

“Ah…”

Liu Beifeng was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t noticed her master’s presence but quickly realized what had happened. With a hint of surprise on her face, she responded:

“Master!”

“Practice again, correcting the mistakes I’ve just pointed out.”

“Understood, Master!”

Liu Beifeng immediately performed the martial arts techniques again, adjusting her movements according to Xu Yang’s guidance. She could feel the mana flowing more smoothly, and the power of her techniques had increased exponentially.

The entire chamber reverberated with the sound of qi surging through the air.

Xu Yang found his vision momentarily overwhelmed by the dazzling energy.

“Master, how was it?”

“Ahem… Very good!” Xu Yang cleared his throat, masking his slight embarrassment.

He had thought Xuan’er’s progress was impressive, but Xiao Beifeng had surpassed even her in raw ability. He realized it would be best to leave quickly, lest his composure falter.

“Come to Purple Cloud Hall. I have something to discuss with you.”

Liu Beifeng, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, nodded and replied:

“Yes, Master!”

She had practiced several times in succession, and her stamina was waning, but she forced herself onward.

Purple Cloud Hall.

Except for Xiao Jinli, who was still in seclusion, the rest of Xu Yang’s disciples gathered at the hall one after another.

When Yuan Kouxuan saw her master seated on the white jade throne, she immediately led the junior sisters in a respectful bow.

“Disciple greets the master and congratulates you on your attainment of the Dao!”

Xu Yang’s warm gaze swept over them.

Xuan’er stood tall and dignified, exuding a regal bearing befitting a queen.

Yuer, with her lowered gaze and demure demeanor, seemed like the epitome of grace and gentleness. Yet her full hips and mature charm added an undeniable allure.

As for Qing’er and Little Five, their reactions were markedly different.

Qing’er glanced at him shyly with eyes like peach blossoms, tinged with resentment. Little Five stammered and fidgeted as though struggling to suppress her emotions.

Finally, there was Liu Beifeng, who appeared much more straightforward. Her clear eyes reflected nothing but respect and admiration, devoid of any hidden thoughts or emotions.

“The reason I’ve called you all to Purple Cloud Hall as soon as I emerged from my retreat is to share my insights from overcoming the tribulation,” Xu Yang said, his tone steady yet commanding.

He never withheld knowledge from his disciples. With a wave of his hand, he sent five freshly engraved jade slips to them.

Yuan Kouxuan received her jade slip and immediately scanned it with her spiritual sense. It contained her master’s profound understanding of the sword. Emotion surged in her heart as she looked at Xu Yang with gratitude.

A man dies for his confidant, and a woman adorns herself for the one who admires her.

Her master treated her with such sincerity, yet she felt helpless in repaying him—except perhaps in detoxifying him…

The jade slips given to the other disciples were similarly tailored to their cultivation needs.

Ruan Yuer lowered her gaze, her cheeks tinged with shyness, as she stole a glance at her master.

Situ Qingqing’s eyelashes fluttered lightly like feathered fans, her cherry lips parting slightly as if hinting at something unspoken.

Qin Kewan, meanwhile, stared intently at Xu Yang, her gaze fiery and unrestrained, as if she were looking at a tantalizing spiritual fruit. Her expression was almost comical in its eagerness.

“Thank you, Master, for your teachings!”

“I will train diligently to protect Purple Cloud Peak!”

Amidst them, the quiet and unassuming Liu Beifeng clutched her jade slip tightly. Her gratitude was evident in her unwavering gaze as she kowtowed deeply.

“Thank you, Master,” she said sincerely, her voice filled with conviction.