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

A clash between kings?

Xu Yang’s heart skipped a beat. He sensed impending trouble.

Though he had mentally prepared for this, he hadn’t expected it to come so soon. Imagining the scene he was about to face made his head spin.

Well, instead of shrinking back…

He steeled himself. Was he really going to let something as trivial as a confrontation throw him off?

Xu Yang braced himself, but the situation he expected didn’t unfold.

Instead, Situ Qingqing merely opened the wardrobe, took out a black robe, and closed it without any expression of suspicion.

“Master, here you go!” Situ Qingqing said with a radiant smile.

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow, taking the robe with a sense of disbelief. Could it be that Kouxuan had already moved the things inside?

Meanwhile, Situ Qingqing kept her composure, though, internally, her frustration was reaching its peak.

…

…

Purple Cloud Hall.

Xu Yang sat in the seat of honor, dressed in a flowing black robe, exuding an air of elegance and ease. His calm demeanor and dignified posture displayed a natural charm, exuding an almost ethereal aura.

The four disciples in the hall watched their master with varied expressions.

Yuan Kouxuan’s eyelashes lowered, her gaze filled with adoration. ‘There isn’t a single man in the world who can compare to Master.’

Xue Jinli’s eyes glistened as she bit her lip slightly, her infatuation clear. ‘Master looks even more dashing today… I just want to reach out and touch him!’

Situ Qingqing puffed out her cheeks, biting her lip. ‘No one’s allowed to look! Master belongs to me!’

Liu Beifeng’s gaze was transfixed, her heart thumping with admiration. ‘Master’s brilliance… is there even a woman in this world worthy of him?’

“Disciples, greetings to Master!” the four said in unison, led by Yuan Kouxuan.

“There’s no need for formalities,” Xu Yang said with a gentle smile, gesturing for them to stand.

“The reason I had Kouxuan summon you all is that Yuer has discovered a secluded cave belonging to a respected master, one that no one else has yet stumbled upon. This master was none other than Qi Yuan, also known as the Master of Grave Robbers. You should be familiar with the name.”

“What?”

“Qi Yuan’s cave dwelling?”

The more energetic Xue Jinli let out a surprised exclamation.

“Who… who is Qi Yuan?” Liu Beifeng asked quietly, her presence almost unnoticed.

“Kouxuan, explain to your junior sister,” Xu Yang instructed with a smile.

Yuan Kouxuan nodded, her voice cool and measured as she explained, “Qi Yuan was a master cultivator who gained renown about five thousand years ago… For this, he earned the title of ‘Grave Robbing Master.’”

Within moments, Yuan Kouxuan provided a brief overview of Qi Yuan’s life.

After hearing her account, Liu Beifeng’s mouth dropped open in amazement. “He robbed so many tombs, and no one sought revenge?”

“This Qi Yuan mastered an extremely high-level escape technique. Those stronger than him couldn’t catch him, and those weaker than him didn’t dare to seek trouble. He roamed freely across the land, unrestrained. Even powerful sects who set up intricate defenses around their burial sites couldn’t prevent him from entering and leaving as he pleased,” Yuan Kouxuan continued, sharing some obscure knowledge. “But perhaps he defied the natural order one too many times, for he eventually encountered what is described as ‘misfortune.’ According to ancient texts, the last person who saw him reported, ‘I saw the Grave Robbing Master covered in red fur, with a shadowy figure behind him, gnawing away at his life force.’”

‘Misfortune?’ Liu Beifeng’s brow furrowed as her spiritual mark faintly pulsed, a feeling of dread washing over her.

Seeing her reaction, Xu Yang calmly reassured her. “Beifeng, misfortune is feared because those who encounter it rarely survive. Those who do are often reduced to mindless beings. Thus, most cultivators dread even the slightest contact with anything related to it. But I want you to know, misfortune is essentially a curse. And a curse is just an unusual manipulation of laws. As long as you have a firm grasp on your own path, there’s nothing to fear.”

“Besides, you still have me,” Xu Yang added, his voice soothing and steady, like a refreshing spring easing the heart.

“Junior Sister Liu, don’t be afraid. With your current level of cultivation, you’re far from likely to encounter anything of that nature. And even if you did, Master would never abandon you,” Xue Jinli said brashly, giving Liu Beifeng a comforting pat on the back.

Slap!

The sound rang out across the hall.

Liu Beifeng’s cheeks flushed red, though her expression showed a hint of embarrassment.

Xue Jinli glanced down at her hand with a somewhat bewildered look.

“Third Junior Sister, you’re being rather unruly in front of Master,” Yuan Kouxuan, as the eldest disciple, reprimanded with a severe tone.

“I’m sorry, Eldest Sister. I won’t act out in front of Master again,” Xue Jinli quickly apologized, but thought privately, ‘The feel was great, though. Next time, I’ll just do it when Master’s not watching…’

“Third Senior Sister, you always say that but then end up repeating your mistakes. If you ask me, Master should punish her by forbidding her from entering Qi Yuan’s cave!” Situ Qingqing suggested, turning to Xu Yang with a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

At this, Xue Jinli’s expression changed. She pleaded, “Master, please don’t listen to Qing’er! Punish me however you want, just don’t stop me from going to the cave!”

A lover of treasures, she could never resist the sight of valuable items. The moment she heard about the cave, she had wanted to volunteer herself. After all, Qi Yuan’s entire life had been spent raiding tombs; his lair would undoubtedly contain an array of artifacts, techniques, and rare manuals. Just the thought made her eager.

And so, Situ Qingqing’s suggestion struck right at her heart.

Truly, those who understand you best can hurt you the most.

…

Xue Jinli looked at Xu Yang pitifully, silently begging him not to make such a harsh decision.

Anything? Xu Yang’s gaze briefly swept over Xue Jinli before he continued, “Though Jinli’s actions were a bit rash, her intentions were good. So, I won’t punish her this time. However, if she misbehaves again, Kouxuan, I want you to discipline her here in the hall—spank her a hundred times, and if she cries out, then add another hundred.”

“Yes, Master,” Yuan Kouxuan replied with a serious nod.