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

Punishment? She didn’t care about it at all…

Xue Jinli let out a relieved sigh, lifting her chin as she cast a sly glance at Situ Qingqing, her look clearly conveying, ‘Just you wait, I’ll get back at you later.’

But Situ Qingqing remained unfazed. Instead, she raised her voice again:

“Master, I think Third Sister might be a bit unreliable. Sending her alone to Qi Yuan’s cave might lead to trouble. So, I suggest that Eldest Sister accompany her!”

Of course, Situ Qingqing’s real aim was to send Yuan Kouxuan along with Xue Jinli, which would leave her alone on Purple Cloud Peak with Master and a relatively uninvolved Liu Beifeng. This would mean a near-exclusive time with Master!

Without Yuan Kouxuan to supervise her, she could try out all sorts of “interesting” things with Master… just the thought made her heart race.

…

Yuan Kouxuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, wanting to protest, but she indeed felt uneasy about letting their lively Third Sister roam a place as dangerous as Qi Yuan’s cave on her own.

Xue Jinli pouted, clearly unhappy with the idea of having Yuan Kouxuan accompany her. When Master wasn’t around, Yuan Kouxuan was cold and unapproachable, a figure who strictly enforced rules. With her there, Xue Jinli knew she wouldn’t be able to freely explore and collect treasures in the secret realm.

“Hmm, Qing’er’s suggestion is sensible,” Xu Yang said calmly, “but I’m not entirely comfortable sending Kouxuan either. Qi Yuan was no ordinary figure; there may be unknown traps laid throughout his cave. To ensure safety, I’ve decided to accompany you all this time. If we encounter danger, I’ll be there to watch over you.”

‘Master is worried about me!’

Yuan Kouxuan’s previous tension melted away, her heart now brimming with joy that nearly overflowed.

Xue Jinli’s spirits instantly lifted as well. With Master’s protection, wouldn’t that mean she could explore Qi Yuan’s cave and take any treasures she wanted?

Situ Qingqing hadn’t anticipated that Master himself would join them. Since establishing Purple Cloud Peak, he had rarely left it, let alone ventured outside the Qingming Sect. This decision threw off her entire plan.

“But Master, I…” Situ Qingqing began, only to be interrupted by Yuan Kouxuan’s cool, dignified voice.

“Master, Purple Cloud Peak cannot be left unguarded. If you, I, and Third Sister are to go, and with Liu Beifeng being so new to our sect’s ways, Qing’er would be the best choice to stay behind and protect the peak.”

‘What?!’ Situ Qingqing’s eyes widened in disbelief. ‘No way! I’ve been here at Purple Cloud Peak for so long; if anyone deserves to go to Qi Yuan’s cave, it’s me!’

“Qing’er, stop causing a fuss. You’re clearly the best choice to stay,” Yuan Kouxuan remarked with a glint of satisfaction in her gaze.

“This is not up for debate,” Xu Yang interjected firmly, cutting off further arguments. “I’ve already decided. All current disciples of Purple Cloud Peak will come along to Qi Yuan’s cave.”

“Yes, Master,” Yuan Kouxuan replied, though her disappointment was evident, she dutifully accepted his decision.

The Next Day

In the Qingming Sect, a large spiritual boat engraved with dozens of intricate formations lifted off from Purple Cloud Peak, sailing through the air beyond the sect’s boundaries.

“Look up in the sky…”

“It’s the spirit boat from Purple Cloud Peak!”

“Isn’t that Senior Sister Yuan and Senior Sister Xue on the deck?”

“They’re so beautiful…”

“I remember they just returned not long ago. Why are they leaving again?”

“Purple Cloud Peak doesn’t have many disciples. If Master Xu Yang has an important task, he would naturally assign it to these two.”

“Senior Sisters must work so hard. Not only do they endure hardships outside, but they may face who-knows-what dangers. In fact, I’m willing to join Purple Cloud Peak to ease Master Xu Yang’s burdens!”

“Ease his burdens? Please, you just want an excuse to get close! Shameless!”

Disciples from the nearby peaks looked up, filled with admiration for Yuan Kouxuan and Xue Jinli’s beauty, as well as a longing to join Purple Cloud Peak.

Heavenly Thunder Peak

Xiao Ye had just defeated yet another disciple with a single move using his signature Fiendish Flame Lotus technique.

This time, however, the moment he cast his flame, a strange sensation overcame him. He felt overwhelmingly fatigued, his vision flickered, and bursts of dizziness clouded his sight. His legs, as if rooted to the ground, refused to move.

Only his sheer willpower kept him from collapsing then and there.

Suddenly, the sound of thunder jolted Xiao Ye back to his senses. He glanced skyward, catching sight of the spirit boat flying overhead, and his expression softened when he recognized the two figures standing on it.

“Those two… they really are a pair of stunning beauties…”

But then his expression darkened, a cold fury flickering in his eyes. Clenching his fists tightly, he growled, “That detestable Xu Yang!”

“Two such remarkable women, yet he has them working like laborers! Such a travesty!”

“When I ascend to the Nascent Soul realm, that will be the day this vile man faces his end!”

“Die!”

Initially intending to rest, Xiao Ye instead felt a surge of determination. He knew he was too weak; only by continuously challenging others and taking resources from those lesser disciples could he strengthen himself quickly.

In just a few days, he could feel the barrier of his cultivation loosening, as if he could break through any moment.

At this pace, he believed that even Xu Yang would be left far behind.

Xiao Ye’s mind filled with visions of a future where he ascended to the Nascent Soul level, finally surpassing Xu Yang. He imagined Xu Yang trembling before him, begging for mercy as he exacted his vengeance.

The voice of the elderly spirit within the jade pendant, however, remained silent.

Xiao Ye might call Xu Yang a “vile old man,” but Xu Yang was, in fact, the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in the entire Northern Province, likely no older than thirty.

If Xiao Ye did reach the Nascent Soul realm, Xu Yang would have already transcended into the Void Shattering realm, far out of reach. Xiao Ye’s dream of bringing him down was little more than courting his own demise.

The elderly spirit suspected that, at this rate, Xiao Ye might exhaust his own life force and ruin his potential long before reaching his goals.