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

Back Hall of Purple Cloud Peak

At dusk.

Xu Yang sat on a meditation mat, deep in thought.

During this time, he had occasionally worried that Qing’er might barge in unannounced. He had even prepared to greet her with a line like, “Qing’er, you’re just in time,” to defuse any awkwardness.

But Qing’er didn’t come—not even a shadow of her.

He figured she was probably too scared to try. She was likely either practicing a new martial technique or working on strengthening her defenses. With that thought, his gaze shifted to his eldest disciple resting on the nearby bed.

Pulling his attention back to his cultivation, Xu Yang checked his inner state. Due to the resonance of his shared essence with Kouxuan, his cultivation level had advanced from the eighth level of Core Formation to the ninth!

Just one step away from the Nascent Soul realm!

“Seems like I really do have an unmatched talent for reaping benefits from others,” Xu Yang mused shamelessly.

Of course, relying on his disciples alone to steadily boost his cultivation would be nothing more than wishful thinking. After all, he only had so many disciples. Unless…

He recalled a particularly intriguing figure from the novel—the Qingming Sect’s Sect Master, Ji Hongluan, a peerless beauty with the Yin Shura Physique and one of only two Void Shattering cultivators in the sect.

Her Yin Shura Physique complemented his Supreme Yang Physique, an alignment with the Dao of Yin and Yang. If they could cultivate together regularly, his realm would advance steadily, and his path to becoming a revered cultivator would be smooth.

However, as he recalled remnants of his predecessor’s memories, he knew that his previous self had managed to deeply offend this Sect Master.

When Ji Hongluan had first noticed his talent and attempted to take him on as a disciple, his former self had rebuffed her, claiming, “You don’t even match my talent. How could you possibly be my teacher?” She had been thoroughly insulted.

Eventually, without a master’s guidance, his predecessor became the youngest True Lord of the Divine Transformation stage in the Northern Province. He founded Purple Cloud Peak and became its master, a feat that had compelled even Ji Hongluan to take notice.

In private, she had once hinted to him that if he was willing, she would put aside past grievances and consider grooming him as the next sect leader, without requiring him to become her disciple.

But his previous self had been oblivious to her hints and often found petty ways to oppose her leadership, simply because he couldn’t accept that a woman held the top position in the sect.

In summary, he had been a truly incorrigible fool with no sense of self-preservation.

“In the original novel, Ji Hongluan’s first appearance is after the opening of the Primordial Cavern,” Xu Yang recalled. “The conflict there escalates due to disciples fighting over a fortunate encounter, which eventually involves the sect leaders. It started with a minor squabble and escalated to a battle between sect masters—each side sending stronger reinforcements.”

The situation ended with Ji Hongluan overpowering several sect leaders, including one from a top-tier sect in the Eastern Wastelands. This earned her the revered title of Fairy Hongluan, which resounded throughout the land.

Xu Yang reflected on the novel’s events, noting that the conflict’s catalyst was none other than the protagonist, Xiao Ye.

In the Primordial Cavern, Xiao Ye relied on the cave’s suppression of cultivation, capping it at the Foundation Establishment stage. Equipped with the jade pendant’s spirit guide and a special spirit pet, he claimed everything of value as his, uttering, “This belongs to me,” with each acquisition.

However, he soon met his match—a prominent disciple from a top-tier sect in the Eastern Wastelands, who was on a training mission in the Northern Province. Xiao Ye was defeated, humiliated, and forced to retreat.

Unwilling to accept the loss, Xiao Ye lied to a Qingming Sect senior, claiming his fortune had been stolen and that he’d been badly beaten. Enraged, the Qingming disciple rallied his peers, determined to exact revenge on the Eastern Wasteland prodigy.

In response, the Eastern prodigy rallied non-Qingming sect disciples in the Primordial Cavern. Although Qingming disciples were typically stronger, the others far outnumbered them, especially with the Eastern Wasteland prodigy on their side. A fierce standoff ensued.

Then, the pivotal figure—Xu Yang’s second disciple, Ruan Yuer—entered the scene.

Having been influenced by Xu Yang’s predecessor, Ruan Yuer placed the sect’s interests above all else. Without hesitation, she single-handedly challenged the Eastern prodigy, defeating him and shattering the alliance against the Qingming Sect.

As for Xiao Ye, he seized the opportunity to claim the Eastern prodigy’s treasures, including the prized earth-rank artifact, the Magnetic Core.

Unwilling to let the matter slide, the Eastern prodigy’s sect summoned their elder, escalating the conflict to an inter-sect level. Ji Hongluan responded by single-handedly defeating the top sect leaders, forcing them to retreat.

The Qingming Sect absorbed the enmity of other factions, while Xiao Ye reaped enormous rewards, advancing to the Core Formation stage shortly after.

In short, the Primordial Cavern event laid a solid foundation for Xiao Ye’s dominance in the upcoming Six Peaks Tournament.

…

Xu Yang finished reflecting, a plan forming in his mind.

“Only those up to the ninth level of Core Formation can enter the Primordial Cavern, where their cultivation is suppressed to Foundation Establishment. This fits perfectly with my current stage. Should I join the fray?”

The answer was an emphatic yes. After all, if it was an opportunity for the protagonist, it was equally an opportunity for him.

Xu Yang was set on going, and he would bring all his disciples along as well. There was a good chance that another ten-thousand-fold return could await him from one of his disciples.

So, yes—the Primordial Cavern was non-negotiable.

…

…

Several days later, atop Heavenly Thunder Peak.

A young man with an average appearance but a dark expression stood outside the cave residence of the 99th ranked inner disciple, Xiong Man, and announced loudly:

“Xiao Ye challenges you today!”

Boom!

His voice echoed like thunder, instantly resounding throughout Heavenly Thunder Peak.

“That madman—he’s already back to issuing challenges after resting for half a day!”

“Every disciple he’s challenged so far has either died or been severely injured. Can no one stop him?”

“Who would dare? The Peak Master has forbidden disciples from ganging up on him, using strength to oppress him, or rejecting his challenges. Anyone who defies this will face ten years in seclusion or be stripped of their position and expelled from Heavenly Thunder Peak.”

“I’d rather be expelled than risk my life!”

“You don’t understand—earning a spot as a Heavenly Thunder Peak disciple requires immense effort. Giving it up would mean abandoning years of hard work.”

“Even so, it’s outrageous that Xiao Ye can abuse those three rules to challenge whoever he wants without consequence!”

“Don’t worry—Xiong Man will surely put him in his place. Though ranked 99th, Xiong Man’s strength is in the top 30, with a cultivation level of the second level of Core Formation and a rare Ice-Rock Physique, which grants him combat power equivalent to the third level of Core Formation. Xiao Ye doesn’t stand a chance against that!”

“Let’s hope Xiong Man seriously injures him so he’ll be bedridden for months!”

The discussion included the higher-ranking disciples, especially those who knew they couldn’t stand up to Xiao Ye and wished for someone else to handle him.

Moments later, a towering, broad-shouldered man, as imposing as a small mountain, emerged from his cave.

With a grin, he eyed Xiao Ye. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that, Xiao Ye. You actually dared to challenge me.”

Xiao Ye sneered dismissively. “You’re nothing but a stepping stone.”

Having beaten the last eight disciples who ranked ahead of him, Xiao Ye’s confidence was soaring. He relished the return of his commanding aura, the feeling of being untouchable.

The brute’s expression turned cold, his gaze steely. “This arrogance will end here. Your streak ends today!”

“You think you’re any different?” Xiao Ye scoffed, forming a blazing lotus of fire in his hand and hurling it toward Xiong Man.

The lotus radiated intense heat, causing the surrounding temperature to spike instantly.

Spectators stumbled back, fearful of the power in Xiao Ye’s mysterious fire technique.

“Again with that blasted fire lotus!”

“Xiao Ye always uses that move, but it’s undeniably effective.”

“What kind of technique is that? Heavenly Thunder Peak doesn’t have anything like it!”

“Could he have come here already knowing these techniques?”

“Whatever it is, I hope Brother Xiong Man is prepared!”

Some disciples had underestimated the fire lotus in previous challenges, only to be severely burned. But today, confidence ran high.

“No need to worry—Brother Xiong Man’s Ice-Rock Physique should counter Xiao Ye’s fire lotus.”

One disciple, assured of Xiong Man’s success, nodded firmly.