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

“Miss, this doesn’t really prove anything, does it? It could simply mean that our paths coincidentally overlapped!”

In the face of undeniable evidence, the black-robed youth’s shamelessness seemed boundless. Even with the proof before him, he managed to argue without a hint of guilt.

The woman before him possessed a great fortune. If he could claim it, he would undoubtedly break through his bottleneck and gain unprecedented benefits. Therefore, he would not give up easily.

“Oh, it proves nothing?” The woman in white leaped down from the branch and approached him. With a cool expression, she seized the recording jade back, her voice calm.

“In that case, you go first. I’ll go in the opposite direction. That way, our paths shouldn’t cross again, right?”

“Fine.”

Feigning cooperation to lower her guard, the black-robed youth pointed north. “I’ll head this way. You better not follow me!”

The woman nodded slightly, her expression unchanging. “Don’t worry. I won’t follow.”

“Good.” The youth smiled, cupped his hands towards her, and turned away, taking a step in the northern direction. But as soon as he moved, he felt a cold, deadly intent aimed at his neck.

In a split second, a white glow flashed beneath his feet, his figure turning into a blur as he vanished from his spot. This was a profound escape technique from the Mystic Heaven Sect, designed to aid its practitioners in times of danger.

The next moment, he reappeared several yards away, blood seeping from his shoulder where he’d been struck. The youth’s face darkened as he glared at the woman.

“Miss, you… you’ve gone too far!”

He hadn’t expected this gentle-looking woman to draw her blade so quickly with the intent to kill.

The woman glanced at the blood-stained edge of her blade, annoyed. “My master always taught me to think before I act… And even with every advantage, I still failed to kill him in one blow. Master would surely be disappointed.”

“Hey, are you even listening to me?” The black-robed youth’s face turned red with anger, his voice sharp.

Being attacked out of nowhere was bad enough, but being ignored afterward? Unacceptable!

“Apologies. It was unintentional.” The woman looked up, her voice filled with a startling softness, as if she were sincerely apologizing. As she walked closer, she continued gently, “Let me check if the wound is serious?”

Her voice was soft, sweet as honey, and almost believable—if not for the bloody blade glinting in her hand. The youth recoiled.

“D-don’t come any closer! I may not be simple, but neither am I defenseless! If you insist on attacking me, I might lose, but you will certainly die!”

Despite his tough words, the black-robed youth took several steps back. He was a scion of the Mystic Heaven Sect from the Eastern Wastelands; normally, a mere Core Formation assassin couldn’t touch him, let alone draw blood. Yet, this woman had managed both. He realized she was no less formidable than himself and doubted he could overpower her without risking everything.

“I will die?” The woman raised her brows, a chilling gleam in her eyes as a wave of killing intent surged from her.

Her master had once taught her: anyone who poses a threat to your life should be struck down immediately, without hesitation or mercy.

Feeling the rise in her intent to kill, the black-robed youth felt as if he was being hunted by a primordial beast. Cold sweat beaded on his back, and without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and fled, utilizing his escape technique to the fullest. In a flash, he was several dozen yards away.

He had come to the Northern Province in search of fortune, not a death match with this deadly woman.

But the woman’s blade flashed in the air, instantly reappearing by his legs.

Sensing danger, the black-robed youth barely managed to dodge, leaping like a monkey to avoid her swift slash.

Yet he had no time to breathe. A gust of chilling wind hit him from behind as the woman appeared at his back, blade poised to pierce through his spine.

Horrified, he released a surge of energy from his core. Behind him, a radiant white disk of protective energy appeared, forming a thick, jade-like shield.

“Miss, I admit I was wrong to follow you. But you’ve already cut me once. Can we call it even? From now on, you can walk your way, and I’ll walk mine.”

The youth spoke, backing away while raising his defenses.

“I may not be a match for you in a fight, but with my White Jade Body—”

Before he could finish, the woman struck. Her blade, charged with an arcane force, easily cut through his protective aura and stabbed directly into his abdomen, stirring his vital energy and throwing his spirit into turmoil. He could barely speak from the pain.

How… how was this possible?

He could rationalize the first cut as him being caught off guard. But this one? He had raised his White Jade Body to its peak defense, and still, she had pierced through. Had he underestimated her strength?

There was no time for reflection. Gritting his teeth, the black-robed youth forced himself to raise a leg and deliver a powerful kick aimed at her chest, hoping to throw her off balance.

But the woman anticipated this. She angled her blade to parry, but this was exactly what he’d hoped for.

He used the blade as leverage, pressing his foot onto it, and in one swift movement, launched himself into the air. In a flash, he vanished from the valley, leaving only his voice echoing back.

“I am Wang Teng of the Mystic Heaven Sect. I will repay this debt in full!”

“Hmph, today, you won’t escape with your life!” the woman sneered.

During the last stab, she had left an imprint of her spiritual power within him, ensuring he wouldn’t get far.

With a light step, she sprang forward, following the trace of her escaping target.