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

Eagle Sorrow Gorge

Located more than 30,000 miles south of the Qingming Sect, this gorge boasts turbulent, deep rivers and is a paradise for nurturing spiritual creatures. In such a precious land, without a dominant demon occupying it, it naturally becomes a coveted location for countless demonic beings.

Several months ago…

A mysterious demonic python appeared, having undergone transformation into a Flood, and claimed this gorge as its territory. Not only did it establish its dominance, gathering demons to itself, but it also fed on travelers passing by and even devoured several inner disciples from the Qingming Sect, arrogantly proclaiming, “Any Qingming disciple who comes here will be eaten.” This incited the wrath of the Qingming Sect’s upper echelon, and all six peaks issued a bounty on this demonic python, with the reward being considerable—including a sword nurtured by Xu Yang’s previous self for many years.

Xu Yang’s first disciple, Yuan Kouxuan, took on the task, unwilling to let her master’s sword fall into another’s hands.

Now.

Eagle Sorrow Gorge, once filled with noise, was deathly quiet, an eerie silence blanketing the area.

The river was littered with corpses of spiritual creatures, dyeing the water a deep crimson with a pungent smell of blood. Once a paradise for these creatures, the gorge had turned into a deadly purgatory.

On a large rock jutting out of the water stood a graceful figure.

The woman was dressed in black, her outfit simple and unadorned, giving her a neat and unassuming appearance yet emanating an inexplicable aura that made her impossible to ignore.

Her appearance was striking, with clear, pure eyes, lips naturally red without any makeup, and a beauty that seemed ethereal. Between her brows lay an aura of serenity and strength.

Yuan Kouxuan

Though her figure was hidden under a loose robe, her slender waist and curvaceous form were unmistakably graceful and full.

“With this demonic core as proof, it should be enough,” Yuan Kouxuan murmured, holding a naturally formed demonic core in her hand. Then, with a light kick, she sent the massive, dozens of meters long, python’s body plunging into the river, causing a large splash.

Her expression was calm, as if she had just completed a trivial task.

“I’ve been away for two days; it’s time to return to the sect.”

She muttered softly, when suddenly, her waist jade pendant began to glow. Raising her brow, her otherwise icy expression softened slightly with a hint of anticipation.

Removing the jade pendant, she traced a few symbols in the air, and soon, a mirror-like projection shimmered in the air in front of her.

Seeing Situ Qingqing in the image, Yuan Kouxuan’s brows furrowed, and the slight anticipation faded, replaced by her usual coldness. “Qingqing, what do you need from me?”

Situ Qingqing, already feeling guilty, became even more apprehensive upon seeing the gruesome background filled with corpses and blood. “Senior Sister really went all out. She must have slaughtered every last creature in the gorge. I absolutely can’t let her see through me!”

She quickly replied, “Senior Sister, it’s not me who’s looking for you; it’s Master who has something to ask of you.”

Master?

Yuan Kouxuan’s expression shifted subtly.

From what she knew of her master, he would usually handle everything himself, rarely entrusting matters to others.

Moreover, she could see that Qingqing’s eyes darted nervously, avoiding her gaze, indicating that either Qingqing was lying or hiding something.

“Qingqing, do you remember why I punished you last time?”

Yuan Kouxuan asked pointedly.

Situ Qingqing froze, stammering, “S-Senior Sister, why are you bringing that up now?”

“Last time, I punished you because you accidentally broke Master’s favorite blue-and-white porcelain cup, and you blamed Yaoyao for it,” Yuan Kouxuan continued, ignoring her question. “After punishing you, I warned you, ‘If you make the same mistake again, the punishment will double.’”

“From the looks of it, Qingqing, you haven’t taken my words to heart at all.”

Hearing this, Situ Qingqing shuddered. That punishment had left her unable to sit for seven days, and even now, she felt a phantom ache whenever she thought of it.

“This… this time I’m not lying, Senior Sister! Master really asked me to tell you to go to Fulong Mountain to retrieve the Mountain Monarch’s inner core. Really! Master said it himself—I swear!”

Situ Qingqing stammered out, desperate.

Her fear of her Senior Sister was deeply ingrained, and she knew that if she admitted to lying, the “double punishment” would be more than her frail body could handle.

She realized, belatedly, that trying to deceive her Senior Sister, with her pure Sword Heart, was like courting death…

But she’d already told the lie, and now she could only grit her teeth and stick to it. Admitting the truth now would only make things worse.

Yuan Kouxuan’s gaze turned frosty. “Qingqing, have I ever told you that when you lie, your face flushes, like you’ve just been through a heated struggle with someone?”

“You can even tell that!?” Situ Qingqing shrieked inwardly. She felt like a cat with its tail stepped on, fumbling over her words, “S-Senior Sister, I just…”

Just as Situ Qingqing was racking her brain, trying to come up with an excuse—

A gentle voice came from outside, “Qingqing, are you here?”

“Master? Why is he here?” Situ Qingqing’s face turned deathly pale.

She wanted to shut off the communication jade immediately, fearing that if her master and Senior Sister met, her lie would be exposed. Given her Senior Sister’s temperament, she would return in a hurry to punish her with a vengeance…

She was doomed!

Situ Qingqing’s entire inner turmoil was evident in her expression, and Yuan Kouxuan’s suspicions only deepened. “Qingqing, why are you just standing there? Didn’t you hear Master calling for you?”

“Oh, Senior Sister.”

Situ Qingqing managed a strained smile, which looked worse than a grimace.

She replied weakly, “Master, Qing’er is here. You may come in.”

Xu Yang entered, dressed in a cloud-patterned black robe, his long hair tied with a black ribbon, his build perfect, with a pair of sharp eyebrows and eyes that gleamed like the sun, exuding a relaxed, graceful charm.

Though he hadn’t planned to seek out Situ Qingqing, he had decided it was necessary to accelerate his cultivation progress, even if it meant a bit of personal sacrifice.

Seeing Situ Qingqing, he noticed her demeanor was entirely different from when she had previously “feasted” on him. Her gaze was conflicted, her lips parted as if she had something to say, looking almost as if someone were holding a sword to her throat.

“Master!”

A clear, pure voice sounded.

Xu Yang finally noticed the projection in the air, where a woman with an icy, mountain-like beauty was gazing intently at him. Her fiery gaze contrasted sharply with her cold demeanor, causing Xu Yang’s heart to skip a beat.

‘First disciple, Yuan Kouxuan. A sword genius with a Pure Sword Heart, her personality is as frigid as ice, showing warmth only to her master, while ignoring everyone else, even her Junior Sisters.’

‘In the original novel, she poured her entire heart into Xu Yang, only to be constantly let down. Eventually, she left Purple Cloud Peak in disillusionment to pursue her journey in the Central Province. By the time the protagonist attacked Xu Yang, she had gained fame as a “Sword Fairy” in the Central Province. However, when the protagonist antagonized the sect, instead of standing up for her master, she ultimately reconciled with him!’

Recalling the novel’s events, Xu Yang felt like laughing at how poorly written the plot was.

With Yuan Kouxuan’s character, if she learned the protagonist killed her master, she would likely draw her sword in retaliation, not reconcile!

“Damn author, writing such nonsensical plotlines!” he cursed inwardly.

Addressing Yuan Kouxuan, he spoke warmly, “Kouxuan, if I remember right, weren’t you off to deal with the Flood Python at Eagle Sorrow Gorge? Why the communication with your Junior Sister?”

Yuan Kouxuan was taken aback. Her master had never addressed her with such closeness before. Could it be…

Her earlobes reddened slightly as she replied, “Master, I have dealt with the Flood Python. I was about to return to the sect when Qingqing contacted me, saying you wanted me to also take care of the Mountain Monarch at Fulong Mountain.”

Situ Qingqing’s face turned ghostly pale, burying her head in her chest.

Hearing Yuan Kouxuan’s words, Xu Yang raised an eyebrow, casting a sidelong glance at Situ Qingqing.

She shrank further under his gaze, looking like a frightened quail—a far cry from the audacious disciple who had defied him before.

Xu Yang chuckled internally. The situation was exactly as described in the novel: Situ Qingqing feared nothing and no one—except her Senior Sister, Yuan Kouxuan.

How… amusing!

‘I’m done for!’ Situ Qingqing trembled, bracing herself for the worst.

Being expelled from the sect would be a mercy…

Her fate would likely be far worse than that of the Flood Python…

She pictured herself being skinned and boned… sob…

But, contrary to her expectations, Xu Yang simply laughed and said, “It’s true, I did ask her to relay that.”

Situ Qingqing’s head shot up, looking at Xu Yang in stunned disbelief. Why was her master covering for her?

But there was no time to dwell on it. She turned to Yuan Kouxuan and, with a pout, mumbled, “Senior Sister, you heard him. It was Master’s order; I wasn’t lying.”

Though Yuan Kouxuan sensed something amiss, she trusted her master implicitly. Since he vouched for Qingqing, she decided to let it slide, taking a deep breath as she said, “Since you need that inner core, Master, I will go retrieve it from Fulong Mountain immediately!”

Hearing this, Situ Qingqing tried to keep a calm exterior, but inwardly, she was thrilled. After all the twists and turns, her plan had succeeded.

Unexpectedly, Xu Yang waved his hand and said, “That won’t be necessary. I discovered that the ancient recipe I was after was fake. Kouxuan, you should come back as soon as possible—I miss you.”

With that, the spirit stone powering the jade transmission exhausted its energy, and the connection cut off.

“He said he… missed me…”

Sitting on the rock, Yuan Kouxuan was momentarily stunned. When she came to her senses, a faint blush colored her cheeks, like spring peach blossoms, radiant and enchanting.

Inside the Pavilion

The air grew still.

After a moment, Situ Qingqing, feeling a bit bashful, lowered her gaze, twirling a lock of hair with her finger. She asked softly, “Master, why did you cover for me?”

Xu Yang smiled, a hint of mischief in his expression. “Qing’er, you wouldn’t want your Senior Sister to find out about your… rebellious behavior, would you?”

Situ Qingqing: ( ?w?*)