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

Two days later.

The spirit boat flew over a mountainous region. As they neared the Azure Cloud Secret Realm, the beasts they encountered became increasingly formidable.

Just moments ago, a Nascent Soul green hawk had swooped down from the clouds in search of prey, only to be swiftly decapitated by Yuan Kouxuan in a single stroke.

Inside the cabin.

“Master, I feel a bit lost,” Liu Beifeng murmured, her head lowered.

“What troubles you?” Xu Yang, seated on a meditation cushion, asked calmly.

“I’m uncertain where my own Dao lies.”

Because of her spirit mark, her cultivation advanced quickly, but she couldn’t bring herself to master anything to the fullest. Watching her Senior Sister easily defeat a Nascent Soul beast had left her feeling inferior. Without the spirit mark’s aid, she doubted she could even beat someone like Xiao Ye.

Xu Yang, seeing Liu Beifeng’s disheartened expression, recalled her character from the original story. Once she left Heavenly Thunder Peak, Liu Beifeng took on a relentless “cut down all who oppose” mentality, fighting tirelessly across the land. Reflecting on this drastic contrast, Xu Yang chuckled and replied, “Beifeng, your Dao lies where your heart guides you. Where does your heart lie?”

“My heart?” Liu Beifeng pondered his words, unable to answer immediately.

“For example,” Xu Yang continued, “my heart is with Purple Cloud Peak, with you and my other disciples, and with the Qingming Sect. I wish to protect all of these, even at the cost of my life.”

“Is Master’s Dao… one of protection?” Liu Beifeng’s eyes widened in contemplation.

“Something like that,” Xu Yang nodded. “It’s like the foundation of a towering building. Purple Cloud Peak is my foundation, something I must protect wholeheartedly.”

“And what about you, my disciple?” Xu Yang asked.

Liu Beifeng’s mind flooded with memories: training as a child until her hands and feet were swollen, being punished and hung from a tree for a whole day and night, her Senior Sister Xue sneaking in to bring her snacks, roasting the spirit fish from the lake with her, Yuan Kouxuan’s calm guidance during her cultivation doubts, and Situ Qingqing standing up for her against Xue’s pranks… And then there was her Master.

Master had always been there, not just as a mentor but as an older brother figure, one who would listen to their troubles for hours on end, always caring for them with unending patience. He wasn’t petty or quick to anger like the narrow-minded old man on Heavenly Thunder Peak…

“Master, my heart…” Liu Beifeng’s eyes sparkled, a realization forming. But before she could finish, the boat shook violently.

“It’s a flock of Thunderfire Eagles!” came Situ Qingqing’s panicked voice from outside.

The Thunderfire Eagle was an unusual breed of beast that could wield both thunder and fire, making it one of the top predators. Unlike other apex predators that were solitary, Thunderfire Eagles lived in flocks and were highly coordinated in battle. Once a target was in their sights, escape was almost impossible. Even sect elders avoided them, choosing to go around when possible.

On the deck.

“Senior Sister, things look grim. I just counted, and there are at least eight Nascent Soul Thunderfire Eagles, including one at the seventh level, which must be their leader!” Situ Qingqing said, her expression tense.

“Indeed, it’s a dire situation.” Yuan Kouxuan slashed down several oncoming Thunderfire Eagles, her gaze fixed on the leader.

Breaking through the encirclement would be easy if they could kill the leader, but this eagle was particularly cunning. It seemed to sense who posed the greatest threat and would send other eagles to shield it whenever Yuan Kouxuan prepared to strike.

“Senior Sister, the Thunderfire Eagles’ energy can corrode our defenses. In about one incense stick’s time, the spirit boat’s protective formation will fail. We need a plan,” Xue Jinli remarked as she swung her whip, striking down several Foundation Establishment-level Thunderfire Eagles, only to see more eagles replacing them and continuing to wear down the boat’s defenses.

“You all be careful. I’ll take down the leader!” Yuan Kouxuan gripped her Purple Sky Sword, her voice icy.

“Senior Sister, you can’t go out there! That bird is trying to bait us out one by one so it can pick us off!” Situ Qingqing warned, seeing through the leader’s plan.

“Yes, Senior Sister, if you go out, you’ll be swarmed by multiple Nascent Soul eagles. We’d be tied up and unable to support you,” Xue Jinli added, shaking her head.

“But…”

Yuan Kouxuan gripped her sword tightly. If she didn’t eliminate the leader soon, the spirit boat would be destroyed. Without its protection, they’d be in grave danger surrounded by Thunderfire Eagles.

As she hesitated—

Hum!

A sudden sword hum echoed from the cabin.

A radiant sword light shot out, sweeping toward the Thunderfire Eagle leader with a force as vast as a raging mountain torrent.

Under this devastating light, the leader’s sharp eyes filled with human-like terror.

It hadn’t expected such a formidable presence hidden aboard the spirit boat. Desperately, it summoned more of its kin to shield it, but it was too late. The sword light, unstoppable as an avalanche, tore through everything in its path, turning any eagles in its way into pieces.

As the leader flapped its wings to flee, knowing this strike would end it, the blade of light descended with unstoppable speed.

With a screech, the red sword light engulfed it, reducing it to a cloud of blood that dispersed into the sky.

The sight was utterly shocking!

Whether it was Yuan Kouxuan, Xue Jinli, or Situ Qingqing, each stared wide-eyed, mouths agape at the scene before them.

They knew their Master’s strength was beyond ordinary, but they hadn’t expected it to be this overwhelming!