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

“How dare you, a small man, spy in the dark!”

The Great Sage Xuanwu roared, his voice shaking the entire fairy mountain. A wave of monstrous demonic energy erupted, surging toward a hidden spot in the void.

A hunched figure was forced out of hiding. The old man looked decrepit, as if nearing the end of his days. His sparse hair clung to his head like a few dying trees in a desert. His body exuded an overwhelming aura of decay and death.

Hovering in the void, the old man glanced at the Great Sage Xuanwu and smirked.

“Old turtle, how are you? After all these years, your temper hasn’t changed one bit!”

“The Heaven’s Remnant Daoist?”

The Great Sage Xuanwu narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. “So it’s you, old thing. Why aren’t you dead yet?”

“In truth, I am already dead,” The Heaven’s Remnant Daoist replied, his voice calm and emotionless. “But my great vengeance remains unfulfilled. I dare not step into the underworld to face my fallen clansmen. I can only linger as a lonely ghost, drifting in this world.”

He raised his tattered robe, revealing a deep, unhealed scar running across his chest. The wound had been inflicted by a powerful law, and it was so severe that his beating heart was visible through the tear.

“You haven’t avenged yourself yet. What does that have to do with me?” The Great Sage Xuanwu sneered. “You’re not trying to drag me into some trouble with Ji Daoxuan, are you?

“If that’s the case, let me advise you now—drop the idea immediately!

“I’m just an old turtle who has lived a little too long, and you’re a cripple barely clinging to life. You couldn’t beat Ji Daoxuan back then, and now, he could probably crush you with a single palm strike. Even if the two of us joined forces, it wouldn’t take more than a few moves for him to deal with us.”

The Great Sage Xuanwu shook his head. “Listen to me, Heaven’s Remnant. Forget revenge. Spend your remaining days burning incense and preparing for the next life.”

The Heaven’s Remnant Daoist chuckled coldly. “Do you think I don’t know that? But I didn’t come here without confidence.”

His voice deepened as his gaze swept the surroundings. “Fellow Daoists, why don’t you show yourselves?”

Boom!

Divine power erupted like an ancient beast awakening, shaking the void. Peerless saints, shrouded in blinding divine light, emerged one by one. Their presence was majestic and oppressive, with the air around them filled with chaotic visions of evolving universes and blooming flowers of the Dao.

Each saint emanated an overwhelming aura, their vitality burning like the furnaces of heaven and earth. Columns of energy shot skyward like massive dragons.

These were the supreme powerhouses of the world, beings capable of rewriting reality itself. Their every step caused the heavens and earth to tremble.

Their voices, cold and authoritative, rang out like divine decrees, majestic and unyielding:

“Old turtle, we’ve come together to seek your cooperation in eliminating Ji Daoxuan.”

“Ji Daoxuan has ruled the world for too long, oppressing countless immortals. His death is the only way to restore balance and peace.”

“Not only must Ji Daoxuan be destroyed, but so too must the younger generation he nurtures. That disciple of his is too monstrous. If he is allowed to grow unchecked, the entire Golden Age will become his stage. The geniuses and prodigies of all races will be overshadowed, unable to make a name for themselves.”

“That junior is even more domineering than Ji Daoxuan ever was. He kills Brother Turtle’s nephews at will. If he isn’t dealt with now, once he ascends to the Great Sage realm, this world will become his personal slaughterhouse.”

The Great Sage Xuanwu swept his gaze over the assembled saints, recognizing figures from both the human and demon races. Each of them had suffered at Ji Daoxuan’s hands, their past brilliance crushed by his overwhelming power.

Suddenly, his attention fixed on a figure cloaked in thick fog. The figure’s aura was not its true body, but it carried the distinct essence of the ancient races from the forbidden zones of life. Narrowing his eyes, the Great Sage Xuanwu spoke coldly:

“What’s this? The ancient races from the forbidden zones want to meddle in this matter too?”

No matter how much animosity existed between the human and demon races, they always stood united against the ancient races.

The ancient races claimed their bloodlines were the purest in existence and viewed both humans and demons as little more than fodder or slaves. In the distant past, they had sought to sacrifice the entirety of both races but ultimately failed.

“Great Sage Xuanwu, you don’t need to be so wary of me. Ji Daoxuan recently entered the forbidden zone of life and killed a holy spirit of my ancient clan. Thousands of years ago, he also raided the forbidden zone, indirectly causing the deaths of many of our ancestors. With new and old grudges combined, I must get involved in this matter!”

The figure hidden in the thick fog looked at the Great Sage Xuanwu, his tone cold.

“Rest assured, our ancient clan’s sole objective is to eliminate Ji Daoxuan. We have no other intentions.”

At this moment, the Heaven’s Remnant Daoist stepped in to mediate.

“Old turtle, you needn’t be overly cautious about this friend from the ancient clan. The demons in the forbidden zone of life are unable to leave, and the ancient clan can only lie dormant. They pose no threat to the Five Regions of the world.

“Now is the time for us to set aside racial differences, abandon our prejudices, unite in our hatred, and work together to eliminate Ji Daoxuan and Xu Yang!”

The Great Sage Xuanwu, reassured by The Heaven’s Remnant Daoist’s words, glanced at the figure from the ancient clan and asked:

“If your ancient clan intends to take part in this matter, you won’t just talk without contributing, will you?”

After all, the ancient clans were forced into the forbidden zone of life by the Heavenly Dao. The special rules within the forbidden zone shielded them, but as soon as they stepped out, they risked being detected by the Heavenly Dao and suffering destruction of both body and soul.

The figure shrouded in fog replied confidently:

“Don’t worry. When the time comes, my ancient clan will summon an ancestor to wield the Heaven-Covering Treasure Mirror, which will allow us to surround and kill Ji Daoxuan together!”

“The Heaven-Covering Treasure Mirror!”

The Great Sage Xuanwu’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This treasure can conceal the workings of the Heavenly Dao, preventing it from detecting any disturbances. It can last for several days.

“Not only does it conceal heavenly secrets, but it also enables spatial traversal. The ancient clan relied on this treasure to enter the forbidden zone of life safely back then!”

The other peerless saints present grew visibly excited.

“It’s certain now! With the participation of an ancient clan ancestor and the power of the Heaven-Covering Treasure Mirror, even if Ji Daoxuan had nine lives, it wouldn’t be enough to survive this!”

The saints were brimming with confidence, their excitement barely contained.

The Great Sage Xuanwu also believed that with so many peerless saints taking action—each possessing terrifying combat power—and with the Heaven-Covering Treasure Mirror in play, Ji Daoxuan’s defeat was inevitable. He asked directly:

“Then what do you need me to do?”

The Heaven’s Remnant Daoist answered:

“Old turtle, your role is simple. Spread the word that Xu Yang must hand over the soul of your nephew and commit suicide to atone for his actions. If he refuses, you’ll attack Qingming Sect in five days and slaughter everyone!”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all!”

“Very well. I’ll deliver the message today!”

The Great Sage Xuanwu nodded decisively.

In the void, the peerless saints exchanged glances. Their eyes glimmered with murderous intent so intense it seemed capable of piercing the heavens.

They had endured Ji Daoxuan’s oppression for too long. His dominance had forced them into hiding, leaving them without opportunities to act. But now, Xu Yang’s actions—capturing the Great Sage Xuanwu’s nephew and demanding ransom—had provided the perfect excuse.

If the Great Sage Xuanwu issued an ultimatum for Xu Yang to surrender or face annihilation, Ji Daoxuan, known for his overprotective nature, would undoubtedly intervene. Ji Daoxuan’s esteem for Xu Yang, coupled with his domineering temperament, would compel him to show up at Qingming Sect within five days.

This was the opening they had been waiting for!

Using the Great Sage Xuanwu as bait, they could finally lure Ji Daoxuan into their trap.

This time, no matter the cost, Ji Daoxuan must fall.