NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Please, Master!
[New readers, please don’t skip chapters. Every chapter counts!]
[Please, dear readers, this new book’s performance is crucial for this humble author!]
Tianqiong Continent, Howling Forbidden Zone.
“Old demon Chu, prepare to die!”
“Hahaha! You, who spent your life deceiving men and women, committing countless atrocities… did you ever imagine you’d meet your end at Soul Returning Cliff?”
“I will avenge my poor disciple!”
“Chu Xiu, you deceived my sister, taking advantage of her and leading her to her demise! Today, I, Xie Kuangren, will tear you limb from limb! I’ll carve you into a thousand pieces!”
“After three years of pursuit… you’ve finally run out of options, haven’t you?”
“Xue’er, my daughter… today, I will avenge you!”
Atop Soul Returning Cliff, towering tens of thousands of meters high…
A young man, his face as handsome as jade, his eyes as bright as stars, his skin as white as snow, stood defiant.
His black hair flowed like a waterfall, stirred by an unseen wind.
His crimson robes, soaked in blood, clung to his body, outlining his lean and powerful physique.
His right hand gripped a sword, its tip pointed towards the ground, blood dripping from the blade. He surveyed his surroundings, his dark eyes as cold and indifferent as ever.
*Rumble…*
Above him, the void trembled as spectral projections of Buddhist deities materialized. A solemn Buddha, murmuring ancient sutras. A wrathful Vajrapani, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. A serene Guanyin, her hand gently holding a lotus flower, a compassionate smile gracing her lips.
Endless sword Qi crisscrossed the sky, its sharp edges slicing through the air.
A blizzard of snowflakes descended, freezing the very space around them.
A sea of divine flames erupted, engulfing the heavens in a fiery inferno.
Dozens of Great Saints, representing the most powerful clans, holy lands, and sects of the Tianqiong Continent, had converged upon this place, their combined auras distorting reality, sealing off all escape routes.
After three years of relentless pursuit, Chu Xiu had finally been cornered.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman, her white robes billowing in the wind, stepped forward, her sword hovering beside her.
Her cold eyes looked down at Chu Xiu, her lips parting slightly. “Chu Xiu, do you regret your actions?”
Chu Xiu raised his head, meeting her gaze with a mocking smile. “Fairy Meng Die, I’ve never offended your Tài Sù Holy Land. Why are you hunting me down?”
“You have committed countless atrocities,” Qi Meng Die said, her voice as cold as ice. “I ask you again… do you regret your actions?”
“Regret?”
“HAHAHAHA!”
Chu Xiu threw back his head and laughed, his voice echoing across the desolate landscape. “I, Chu Xiu, have cultivated for less than a hundred years, and I’ve spent every single year battling my way to the top! Among my peers… who dares to claim invincibility? Who dares to claim they are undefeated?!”
“You old geezers… shamelessly ganging up on me, a mere Small Saint, for three years! My only regret… is that time is not on my side. If I had another thousand years… who in this world would dare defy me?!”
His words, arrogant and defiant, resonated throughout the Southern Border Region, sending a tremor through the hearts of countless cultivators.
And then…
His hands moved, forming a series of complex seals, his movements swift and precise. The sky darkened, the wind howled, the very fabric of reality seemed to tremble.
“He’s trying to unleash his trump card! Stop him! All of you, attack!”
A Great Saint from the Western Regions’ Buddhist Temple, his hand forming a Buddhist seal, unleashed a wave of golden light, its holy aura attempting to suppress Chu Xiu’s power.
The other Great Saints, realizing the danger, joined the attack.
Countless divine abilities and magical treasures filled the sky, their combined might distorting space, creating a vortex of chaotic energy. Soul Returning Cliff, unable to withstand the immense pressure, groaned and began to crumble.
But before the onslaught could reach its target…
*BOOM!*
Chu Xiu’s body exploded, erupting into a cloud of blood mist that dissipated into the wind.
A single sigh echoed through the void.
“To break the shackles of mortality and achieve eternal life… the Great Emperors regretted their path, but I do not.”
“But in the end… I have failed… ah…”
The Great Saints stood in silence, their faces expressionless, their hearts filled with a mixture of relief and apprehension as they watched the spot where Chu Xiu had vanished.
He was finally dead.
“If only he had used his talents to defend humanity against the demons and barbarians at the Heavenly Abyss Great Wall… he would have been a valuable asset…”
“A wasted life… a tragedy…”
—
One month later, at the Tai Su Holy Land.
In this era, where Great Emperors had long since vanished and Quasi-Emperors were nowhere to be found, a sect could only be called a Holy Land if it had at least one Saint King level powerhouse, a supreme master capable of protecting its disciples and ensuring its dominance.
The Tai Su Holy Land had eighteen spirit peaks.
The first three peaks – Tian Xing Peak, Yúnxiá Peak, and Heavenly Sword Peak – were ruled by Great Saint Peak Masters.
The next fourteen peaks were led by Small Saints.
The final peak, Tai Su Peak, was the residence of the Holy Master and the location where the sect’s most important matters were discussed and decided.
The hierarchy of the Tai Su Holy Land was a pyramid, its structure clear and unyielding.
At the bottom were the millions of outer disciples, followed by hundreds of thousands of inner disciples. Tens of thousands of direct disciples served their masters, aspiring to one day become true powerhouses. Above them were the thousands of elders and core disciples who held positions of authority within the sect. The fourteen peak masters commanded respect and wielded considerable power, while the Holy Son, the Holy Maiden, and the three Great Saint Peak Masters were considered the elite, their words carrying significant weight. At the very top stood the Holy Master, the ultimate authority within the sect, followed by the retired Holy Masters, who held the title of Grand Elder, and a handful of ancient elders, their power and influence shrouded in mystery.
Yúnxiá Peak.
Inside the cave dwelling of the eldest direct disciple…
A young man, dressed in black robes, his long black hair cascading down his shoulders, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes closed.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, a flicker of crimson light momentarily flashing within their depths.
A mocking smile played on his handsome features.
“Sometimes… failure is just another way to achieve your goals.”
“I am… destined for greatness. These fools… they underestimated me.”
“Just wait, you old geezers… I’ll repay your kindness… a thousandfold…”
“Now… let’s see what this new body has to offer…”
“Oh? The Tai Su Holy Land… how convenient.”
He rose to his feet, brushing the dust from his robes.
“I prepared three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-one backup plans for this very moment… one thousand, two hundred and one resurrection methods… and it seems fate has brought me to the Tai Su Holy Land. We must be destined for each other!”
Hehehe…
This young man, with his unsettling laughter, was Chu Xiu. Originally an ordinary college student from Earth, he had fallen into an ancient well during a summer visit to his grandparents’ village. When he woke up, he found himself in the Tianqiong Continent, his soul inhabiting the body of a young cultivator.
Just like countless protagonists in web novels, he had been bound to a system.
But his system… it was different. It was called the Fate’s Villain System.
It rewarded him for committing evil deeds, for embracing the path of darkness.
At first, of course, he resisted. He had been raised in a modern society, where morality and compassion were valued.
But this world… it was a cruel and unforgiving place. The weak were trampled upon, the strong reigned supreme. Survival meant embracing the darkness, shedding any pretense of righteousness.
And so, he had climbed the ranks of power, battling his way to the peak of the Small Saint realm, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
He had offended almost every major power within the human domain of the Tianqiong Continent.
It was only a matter of time before they united to eliminate him.
Of course, Chu Xiu had anticipated this.
That’s why he had prepared countless backup plans, ensuring that even death wouldn’t be the end for him.
And now… he had been reborn.
> [Ding! Host resurrection detected. System functions have been updated. Please select one of the following options:]
> [Fate’s Villain]: Continuously receive system rewards for committing evil deeds.
> [Cunning Villain]: Having learned from your previous death, you have chosen to embrace a more cautious path, cultivating in secret and accumulating power before unleashing your true nature.
> Note: As a Cunning Villain, you will receive special rewards for each breakthrough.
> Note: After committing evil deeds, you will receive breakthrough points, with a small chance of obtaining cultivation techniques, artifacts, weapons, or pills.
> Note: Breakthrough points can be used to accelerate your cultivation speed, enhancing your comprehension of techniques, divine abilities, “intent,” or even the “Dao.”
> Note: Heavenly treasures, spirit weapons, and pills can be exchanged for breakthrough points.
Chu Xiu’s eyes flickered as he pondered his options, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
‘I wouldn’t call myself a good person… but being hunted like a rat, hated by everyone… it’s not exactly a pleasant experience.’
‘Perhaps this time… a more cautious approach is warranted.’
‘To cultivate in secret… accumulate power… and then unleash chaos upon the world… that sounds… delightful. And what if I could infiltrate the Tai Su Holy Land, become their Holy Son… hehe… the possibilities…’
‘Accelerated cultivation speed? I like the sound of that!’
“I choose the second option.”
> [Ding! Selection confirmed…]
> [Cunning Villain System loading…]
> [1%…]
…
> [100%…]
> [Loading complete.]
“System, display my status panel.”
> [Host]: Chu Xiu
> [Cultivation Realm]: None (Sealed)
> [Special Physique]: None
> [Aptitude]: 17 (Mortal)
> [Cultivation Technique]: Erased due to the host’s powerful soul forcibly possessing this body.
> [Luck]: -18 (Black) [TL Note: “Black luck” indicates extreme misfortune.]
> [Breakthrough Points]: 0
> [Overall Combat Strength Evaluation]: You’re slightly stronger than a spirit chicken.
Chu Xiu’s eye twitched as he read through his status panel.
He closed his eyes and focused on absorbing the memories of his new body, the “tool” he would use to achieve his goals.
Ten days ago, the original Chu Xiu had challenged a core disciple from Heavenly Sword Peak to a duel over a woman. He had been utterly defeated, humiliated, and his cultivation crippled.
‘What a pathetic loser.’
Chu Xiu shook his head.
‘But don’t worry… you served your purpose. Your enemies… are now *my* enemies.’
He sat cross-legged and began to circulate his cultivation technique.
Half an hour later, he opened his eyes, his brow furrowed.
‘His aptitude is abysmal. And his injuries… severe. He needs time to recover. But…’
*Crack… Crack…*
He stretched his neck, a sinister smile forming on his lips.
He rose to his feet, pushing open the door to his cave dwelling.
He strolled through Yúnxiá Peak, his movements leisurely, his expression calm.
“Have you heard? The Peak Masters who were hunting down that Chu demon returned to the sect three days ago.”
“Did they… really kill him?”
“Hehe… that Chu demon was indeed invincible among his peers… but he was still just a Small Saint. Against dozens of Great Saints… he never stood a chance.”
“Good riddance! That demon… he deserved to die!”
Chu Xiu’s lips curled into a smirk as he listened to the disciples’ excited chatter.
‘They’ll never guess… that I’m not only alive… but I’ve joined their ranks. Can’t beat them? Join them!’
“Senior Brother Chu…”
“Senior Brother… are you feeling better?”
The disciples who had been discussing the “Chu demon” faltered, their expressions turning awkward as they realized the man they were talking about was standing right before them.
This senior brother… he had the same name as that infamous demon.
Chu Xiu simply nodded, his gaze distant, his thoughts elsewhere.
He walked towards the Peak Master’s cave dwelling, located at the summit of Yúnxiá Peak.
He was going to meet Fairy Meng Die.
He reached the cave dwelling and activated the protective barrier, his movements practiced and familiar.
He bowed respectfully.
“Master, your disciple requests an audience. I have something important to discuss.”
A cold, melodious voice responded from within.
“Enter.”
The blue barrier shimmered and vanished, revealing a grand hall, its architecture ancient and elegant, its atmosphere ethereal and otherworldly.
Chu Xiu ascended the steps, entering the hall.
At the far end, seated upon a lotus throne, a breathtakingly beautiful woman rested her chin on her hand, her gaze distant, her expression serene.
She wore a white silk dress, a seven-colored feather robe draped over her shoulders. Her figure was tall and slender, her bare feet delicate and flawless, her skin as white as jade. She seemed more like a celestial being than a mortal woman.
Behind her, a purple divine sword, its blade as thin as a cicada’s wing, hovered in the air, radiating a chilling aura that seemed to freeze the very soul.
Her cold eyes shifted, focusing on the young man in black robes who had entered the hall.
“Chu Xiu, you were injured in a duel ten days ago. Have you come to ask your master to restore your cultivation?”
Chu Xiu bowed, his expression sincere. “Please, Master.”
Qi Meng Die frowned, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She waved her hand dismissively.
“You’re weak. You’re reckless. You brought this upon yourself. I cannot help you.”
“Return to your dwelling.”
“Master, you know why my cultivation is so weak. I lack resources! You gave all the cultivation resources to Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister, Fourth Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Sister… how am I supposed to become stronger?” Chu Xiu stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering.
Qi Meng Die snorted, her Great Saint aura flaring, her long black hair whipping around her despite the lack of wind.
“Insolent! You’re lazy! You lack talent! And now you dare to blame your master for your shortcomings?!”
“You have no respect!”
“Hehe…” Chu Xiu chuckled, his tone mocking. “I know why you refuse to give me any resources, Master. It’s because… I share the same name as that Chu demon, isn’t it?”
“Don’t you find it ridiculous… to take your anger out on me… simply because of my name?”
Qi Meng Die’s eyes widened, a flicker of emotion momentarily disrupting her usual icy composure. Her voice softened slightly.
“I hold no ill will towards anyone. Return to your dwelling. Once I find a suitable heavenly treasure to heal your injuries, I will restore your cultivation path.”
“No, no, no, Master…” Chu Xiu said with a smile, shaking his head. “You can help me… right now.”
“What do you mean?” Qi Meng Die’s beautiful face contorted in confusion.
Chu Xiu’s lips curved into a sly smile. He bowed, his words laced with a hint of suggestiveness. “Master, I’ve heard rumors… rumors that you possess the Heavenly Fragrance Physique. It is said… that dual cultivating with someone with such a physique… can not only heal injuries, but also enhance one’s aptitude. Please, Master… impart your wisdom… and your essence…”
Qi Meng Die’s face instantly turned ice-cold, her eyes widening in disbelief. She thought she had misheard him.
“What… what did you just say?”
“I said, Master… let’s dual cultivate.”
“Rebellious disciple! You’re courting death!”
Qi Meng Die’s voice dripped with icy fury. The divine sword hovering behind her hummed, its blade vibrating with a barely contained power. A suffocating killing intent filled the hall, as if ready to reduce Chu Xiu to dust.
But Chu Xiu remained calm, unfazed by her anger. He formed a single, intricate seal with his hand.
An invisible wave of energy rippled outwards.
Qi Meng Die froze, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief.
Her cultivation… her Great Saint power… it was gone. Sealed by an irresistible force, an inexplicable power she couldn’t comprehend, couldn’t resist.
She was no longer a Great Saint, a being who stood at the pinnacle of the cultivation world. She was… powerless. Weaker than a mortal.
Anger and fear surged through her.
“You… you…”
“What have you done to me, you treacherous disciple?!”
Chu Xiu, his long black hair dancing in an unseen wind, his face adorned with a gentle, almost predatory smile, approached her step by step.
His ability to seal her cultivation… it wasn’t a coincidence. It was a calculated move, a carefully planned trap.
He hadn’t been idle during those three years of relentless pursuit.
> [Item]: Reincarnation Weeping Heaven Mother-Child Seal
> [Type]: Sealing Artifact
> [Grade]: Divine
> [Effect]: Allows the user to discreetly implant a child seal within a designated female cultivator by utilizing the Reincarnation Weeping Heaven Seal technique. The user, holding the mother seal, can seal the target’s cultivation at any time.
> [Uses]: 2/1 (Reusable)
This artifact, a powerful sealing tool, had been a reward from his Fate’s Villain System.
With a single thought, he could completely seal the cultivation of anyone who bore the child seal.
It was a terrifyingly powerful artifact, its effects inescapable.
No female cultivator below the Great Emperor realm could break free from its hold. They were at the mercy of the seal’s master.
He had discreetly implanted the child seal within Qi Meng Die back at Soul Returning Cliff, when she had questioned him about his regrets.
And now… it was time to reap the rewards of his efforts.
—
PS: [Cultivation Realms]: Foundation Establishment, Sea of Bitterness, Divine Bridge, Other Shore, Dao Palace, Divine Ability, Small Saint, Great Saint, Saint King, Quasi-Emperor, Great Emperor *[Each realm below Quasi-Emperor has nine levels, divided into Early (Levels 1-3), Mid (Levels 4-6), and Late (Levels 7-9) stages.]*
[Divine Abilities, Cultivation Techniques, Magical Treasures, Heavenly Treasures]: Mortal, Profound, Earth, Heaven, Immortal, Divine Grades.
[Pills]: Ranks 1-9.
[Sword Intent, Saber Intent, Fist Intent, Spear Intent, Axe Intent…]: Seeking Intent, Entering the Domain, Transforming the Domain, Entering the Dao, Reaching Divinity, Emperor.