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

Yuan Kouxuan closed her eyes contentedly, leaning into her master’s comforting touch like a satisfied cat.

“Master, your disciple didn’t encounter anything unusual on the way…” she murmured.

“Oh, but there was a minor interruption—someone suddenly flew out in front of me on the mountain path and blocked my way!”

“And then?” Xu Yang asked, suddenly alert.

So, the storyline hadn’t changed. Why was the protagonist missing, then?

‘My master is really concerned about me…’ Yuan Kouxuan’s heart skipped a beat, her cheeks reddening slightly in embarrassment.

“Your disciple found him bothersome, so… I cut him down with a single strike. He should be dead by now!” Her tone was soft, yet her words carried a chilling finality.

Ah, so that was the protagonist’s “corpse.” Nothing to worry about then… Xu Yang’s thoughts whirled as he processed the situation. Given Yuan Kouxuan’s personality, it made sense for her to quickly dispatch a roadblock while eager to return. It aligned perfectly with her character in the original storyline.

He’d been right about the author using ghostwriters later on. How else could they write such out-of-character reconciliation scenes between her and the protagonist?

Though, the protagonist likely wasn’t entirely dead—his “ring elder” would have saved him, albeit leaving him half-dead.

As Xu Yang remained silent, Yuan Kouxuan grew anxious, wondering if her actions had somehow displeased him.

Could it be that person was someone my master knew? Or maybe… he was a potential disciple chosen by Master? she thought, growing uneasy.

Just then, Xu Yang cleared his throat, finally breaking the silence.

“Kouxuan, did you finish him off after cutting him down?”

Kouxuan looked startled, then shook her head. “I wanted to return as quickly as possible to serve Master, so I didn’t.”

“Remember this, Kouxuan,” Xu Yang said solemnly. “When you take action, two things are essential: reduce them to ashes and uproot the threat entirely. Otherwise, you’ll end up with trouble later on.”

“Disciple will remember Master’s guidance well,” Kouxuan replied, her head bowed in earnest.

Though she’d been gently admonished, Kouxuan couldn’t help but feel a small joy—Master’s words were for her benefit, to allow her peace of mind in her cultivation.

Taking her master’s lesson to heart, she made a mental note to send a sketch of the person to her junior sisters. If they spotted him, they’d know what to do.

“Oh, Master! I almost forgot something important!” Kouxuan’s face lit up as she looked at Xu Yang, her eyes bright and eager.

“What is it?” Xu Yang asked.

“Master, don’t peek. Close your eyes first, and I’ll tell you when you can open them!” she said, a touch of playfulness in her tone.

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead,” he replied, a faint smile flickering across his face.

He already knew what she was about to do.

In the original story, Kouxuan had returned with his personal sword as a heartfelt gift, hoping for a few words of praise. Instead, she’d been met with a brutal rebuke. The “original Xu Yang” had scolded her harshly, accusing her of tarnishing his name by competing for glory with disciples from other peaks and threw the sword to the ground, storming off, leaving Kouxuan in tears.

That “Xu Yang” was truly heartless.

Xu Yang swore that he would not let her down this time. Yuan Kouxuan deserved so much more.

…

Kouxuan’s heart still fluttered with a trace of anxiety. She had accepted the task without informing her master and only learned afterward that her junior sister had let it slip.

After a deep breath to steel herself, she produced the sword from her storage ring and, kneeling on one knee, presented it with both hands.

“Master, you can open your eyes now!”

Xu Yang opened his eyes and, upon seeing the gleaming, familiar sword, a look of genuine surprise filled his face.

“Kouxuan, what is this…?”

“Master, the Purple Sky sword was always meant for you alone. No one else in the entire Qingming Sect is worthy of wielding it.” Her voice was firm and full of conviction.

“Kouxuan, you have a good heart,” Xu Yang said warmly, reaching out to take the sword. He let his fingers glide along its blade.

Zing! The sword vibrated softly, emitting a clear tone. The sword seemed almost reluctant, as if it didn’t wish to remain in his hand.

Just as he was about to consider the sword’s possible recognition of him as an impostor, a system message chimed in his mind.

[Ding! Yuan Kouxuan has gifted the host the earth-rank sword Purple Sky, triggering a ten-thousand-fold return bonus—Reward: Scarlet Sky!]

Xu Yang’s heart skipped a beat, flooded with excitement.

Another ten-thousand-fold return bonus?!

Could it be that every female lead’s “first gift” would trigger this effect? If so, this was going to be amazing.

Quickly checking the system’s description of Scarlet Sky, he found that it was leagues beyond Purple Sky. It had once been the personal weapon of the founding emperor of the Great Han dynasty and had been nourished by the royal dragon vein for millennia. It was classified above the sky level, with unmatched spiritual qualities, fully attuned to its wielder’s heart and soul.

“Who needs Purple Sky when I have Scarlet Sky?” Xu Yang thought gleefully.

With a plan in mind, he lifted the sword and regarded it thoughtfully before turning to Kouxuan.

“Kouxuan, your intentions mean the world to me. However, as I am starting anew in my cultivation journey, I don’t intend to delve into swordsmanship again. Purple Sky would only gather dust if it remains with me.”

Pausing briefly, he added, “I’ll gift it to you instead. With your innate sword talent, you’re destined to go far. The sword would flourish best with you.”

“What? You’re… giving it to me?” Kouxuan’s whole body trembled, and she looked up at him with eyes shining.

“What, you don’t want it?” Xu Yang teased. “If you don’t, I’ll just have to insist.”

As he spoke, he carefully placed Purple Sky into her hands.

“I-I do want it!” She gripped Purple Sky tightly, as if holding a priceless treasure, her cheeks flushing a lovely shade of pink.

Hummmm!

The sword trembled slightly, releasing an air of joy as if pleased with its new owner.