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

In a private room at the inn.

“Disciple…” Elder Li’s voice emanated from within the jade pendant, but Xiao Ye abruptly cut him off.

“Master, there’s no need to persuade me. My mind is made up. Heavenly Origin City is no place for me, and I must leave immediately!”

As Xiao Ye packed his belongings, his face bore an expression of dejection, his spirit crushed. Elder Li nearly exploded with anger, frustrated beyond words.

This was supposed to be the “Heaven’s Chosen One”? Someone destined to face great challenges and triumph? Yet, he was quick to give up at the first sign of hardship! If he’d known, Elder Li might have self-destructed along with the jade pendant rather than bind his fate to someone so fickle.

Alas, he was now bound to Xiao Ye’s fate. Softening his tone, Elder Li tried to reason with him, “Disciple, consider this carefully. Perhaps this situation isn’t entirely bad.”

“Master, I was humiliated! And you think that’s a good thing?” Xiao Ye replied, his voice thick with indignation.

“Think about it, disciple. Right now, Xue Jinli has a poor impression of you. But if you make a stunning display at the Ascension Gathering in three days, surpassing everyone else, her opinion of you could change drastically. Isn’t that a chance to turn things around?” Elder Li said, his tone persuasive. “And she is a rare beauty. Don’t you wish to get closer to her?”

Xiao Ye subconsciously swallowed, the image of Xue Jinli flashing in his mind. Elder Li took note of this reaction, knowing his disciple was tempted, though he still needed an extra push.

“For this very purpose, I shall pass on to you a technique called the Blazing Sun Technique, an earth-rank lower-grade cultivation art that perfectly suits your Yang Flame War Body. Once mastered, it can boost your combat power several times over,” Elder Li offered, casting the bait.

Xiao Ye’s eyes lit up. His talent already allowed him to challenge opponents of higher levels; if he mastered this Blazing Sun Technique, he would become truly formidable. With that power, he could absolutely capture Xue Jinli’s attention at the Ascension Gathering. Perhaps, in her shame for how she’d treated him, she would even open her heart to him.

“Master, why didn’t you offer me this technique sooner?” Xiao Ye asked eagerly, instantly hooked.

Elder Li sighed. “It’s because this technique has a major drawback: once you start cultivating it, you cannot learn any other techniques. If you try, you’ll be forced to abandon your cultivation completely.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Master, I beg you to teach me the technique!” Xiao Ye pleaded, his voice brimming with determination.

In his mind, an earth-rank technique was rare even among the powerful Qingming Sect, so only a fool would pass it up.

“Very well. Open your mind,” Elder Li said with a sigh.

In truth, Elder Li knew that Xiao Ye would acquire even greater techniques within the Qingming Sect in the future, yet Xiao Ye’s vision was limited to the immediate benefits. Perhaps this too was fated.

A golden light shot out from the jade pendant, piercing Xiao Ye’s forehead. In an instant, an extraordinary aura surged through him.

Meanwhile, the quiet night settled over Purple Cloud Peak. As the hall lights dimmed, a shadow crept silently inside, her steps so light not even a whisper of sound was heard. The figure advanced cautiously toward the inner chambers, pausing when she was close enough to hear faint breathing.

“Good, Master is asleep,” whispered the icy yet beautiful Yuan Kouxuan.

Ever since she had “borrowed” Master’s garment from the inner chamber, guilt had gnawed at her. Eventually, after much internal struggle, she had resolved to return the item before her Master noticed.

After all, she already had the Purple Sky Sword, her Master’s personal weapon. The aura from it was even richer than that from the garment. Hugging it as she slept felt almost like holding her Master himself—quite satisfying.

When she reached the slightly open door to the inner chamber, she crouched down, her eyes scanning the dark room. She saw her Master lying on the bed, facing her direction.

His long, ink-black hair flowed like a waterfall over the bed, partially covering his elegantly arched brows. His high nose bridge was like a sculpture, and his features appeared flawlessly handsome. The hint of exposed chest beneath his robes, revealing a firm, well-defined torso, made him look like he could bear the weight of the world.

Kouxuan was captivated by the sight. She couldn’t tear her eyes away; it was as if they were nailed to her Master’s sleeping form. She swallowed as her mouth began to water involuntarily.

‘Should I… capture this moment with the memory stone? In the future, on lonely nights, I could use it to… remind myself of him.’

Just as Kouxuan was about to retrieve the memory stone from her waist—

A faint sound of footsteps echoed from behind her. Kouxuan’s body tensed, and she spun around, catching sight of a familiar figure.

“Xiao Qing?”

The person’s posture and figure were unmistakable. It was none other than her fourth junior sister, Situ Qingqing.

“Hehe, Senior Sister,” Qingqing replied awkwardly, turning away and hiding her hands behind her back as if concealing something.

Kouxuan narrowed her eyes, suspicious. She was about to question Qingqing when Qingqing, noticing the memory stone in Kouxuan’s hand, blurted out in a panic, “Senior Sister, what are you doing with that memory stone? Don’t tell me… you were planning to secretly record Master!”

“That’s nonsense! I was just holding it… for no particular reason,” Kouxuan stammered, her face flushing as she denied it fervently.

‘Just holding it?’

Who would believe that? Certainly not Qingqing, who wasn’t a child. She puffed up, ready to expose her senior sister’s ruse—

Shing—

The sound of a sword being drawn rang out, and in an instant, a sharp blade was pointed at Qingqing’s neck.

“Do you believe me now?” Kouxuan asked, her voice soft yet cold.

“Of course, Senior Sister. You were definitely… just holding it,” Qingqing nodded repeatedly, sweat trickling down her forehead.