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

At Purple Cloud Peak, a terrifying pressure radiated outward, causing the air around to ripple in waves. 

Disciples close to the peak felt as if they were suffocating, as though their heads were being forced underwater, noses and mouths blocked, close to losing consciousness—until a Nascent Soul elder intervened, dispelling the unintentional pressure.

In the next moment, thick clouds gathered, engulfing Purple Cloud Peak entirely. Within those clouds, a faint shape seemed to emerge—a creature spoken of only in legends.

Seeing this, countless disciples felt their hearts tighten with fear.

Even the Nascent Soul elders were visibly shaken, eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at the figure darting through the mist… a dragon?!

A true dragon!

“How is this possible? Didn’t true dragons vanish in ancient times?”

“What on earth is going on at Purple Cloud Peak?”

“They’re breaking through to the Core Formation stage, not summoning a true dragon!”

“It feels like Purple Cloud Peak belongs to a completely different sect!”

“No wonder they’ve taken the top spot at the Six Peaks Competition for seven consecutive years!”

Various disciples from the other peaks watched the phenomenon over Purple Cloud Peak with a mixture of awe and envy. Among them was Li Cangxuan, who had recently joined Heavenly Thunder Peak.

“A…a true dragon?” Li Cangxuan muttered as he looked up, an inexplicable feeling surfacing within him, like something essential had slipped away from him—much like the sensation he’d felt when he questioned his path at the Heart Inquiry Trial in Heavenly Origin City.

“What are you staring at? Get going and feed Brother Liu’s spirit pet! If it starves, I’ll beat you myself!” A gaunt, rod-thin senior disciple scolded him.

“Yes, right away,” Li Cangxuan replied submissively, lowering himself in humility as he grabbed a bucket filled with spirit feed and hurried to the spirit pet enclosure.

One wrong step led to another. He’d thought that choosing Heavenly Thunder Peak over Purple Cloud Peak would let him live more freely. Little did he know that Heavenly Thunder Peak’s environment was even worse than he’d imagined.

At this moment, a rich, graceful voice echoed across the sect from the main peak, carrying a unique power that soothed the disciples’ unease.

“Do not be alarmed; this is not a true dragon, but a mere illusion.”

“That’s the voice of the Sect Master!”

“Wow, the Sect Master’s voice is amazing! If I could hear it every day, I’d willingly become her direct disciple!”

“Dream on, you shameless fool.”

“So it’s only an illusion, not a true dragon.”

“‘Only an illusion,’ you say? According to ancient texts, any disciple whose breakthrough to the Core Formation stage causes such phenomena is destined to become a revered figure!”

“In other words, this disciple of Purple Cloud Peak may one day rival the heroes of the past!”

“A strict master produces excellent disciples. True Lord Xu Yang’s tutelage has led all seven of his disciples to reach potential befitting a revered one!”

“Eight revered ones from one peak—that alone makes me want to join Purple Cloud Peak right now!”

“With your qualifications? You’d be thrown off the mountain before even reaching the foot!”

Admiring murmurs spread as disciples across the peaks cast envious glances toward Purple Cloud Peak, each hoping for a chance to become one of Xu Yang’s disciples.

Inside a simple cave on Heavenly Thunder Peak:

Just as Xiao Ye was about to boast, he froze, his expression stiffening. After a moment’s pause, he cautiously said, “Disciple will try his best.”

Elder Li, in the jade pendant, was stunned at Xiao Ye’s sudden humility. This wasn’t the Xiao Ye he knew. Whoever was in Xiao Ye’s body, get out immediately!

Master Wanjun felt a hint of disappointment but maintained a look of approval, saying, “That’s the right attitude, doing your best is enough.”

After giving Xiao Ye a few more instructions, he left the cave.

“Elder Li, get out here!” Xiao Ye demanded with irritation once Master Wanjun had left.

“What is it now?” Elder Li asked, sounding indifferent.

“That should have been my opportunity. And you ask me what’s wrong?” Xiao Ye’s voice was full of anger, and he felt as if his chest was about to explode.

In his mind, everything on Purple Cloud Peak was rightfully his. He didn’t know who was breaking through, but they had surely stolen his destiny. A phenomenon as grand as a true dragon’s manifestation was clearly a heaven-defying opportunity.

If he’d had it, he too would have summoned such an incredible display. All of Qingming Sect—elders, disciples, and perhaps even the beautiful Sect Master he had only heard of but not yet seen—would look at him in awe.

The fame that should have belonged to him was stolen. His fury was beyond bearing.

He clenched his fists and smashed one against the cave wall, roaring, “Aahhh!”

He howled in agony, clutching his bruised, bloodied fist, his face twisted in disbelief as he realized just how hard the wall was.

Elder Li observed in silence, feeling a mix of exasperation. It was clear Xiao Ye hadn’t changed at all—he was still as arrogant and impulsive as ever.

“This cave has defensive formations. Any cultivator below the Nascent Soul stage can’t damage it,” Elder Li offered, trying to be helpful.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Xiao Ye growled, frustration lacing his voice.

Elder Li fell silent, feeling he should have just let Xiao Ye make a fool of himself.

“Tell me, Elder Li. How do I obtain that opportunity on Purple Cloud Peak?”

Realizing his words had been too harsh, Xiao Ye softened slightly as he clutched his aching fist.

Elder Li was tempted to say it was impossible. There was a force shielding destiny itself, orchestrating this misfortune. But he feared saying this would push Xiao Ye to offer the jade pendant to Master Wanjun.

“I have foreseen it. When the Six Peaks Competition arrives, destiny will fall into your hands,” Elder Li lied effortlessly, his words flowing without hesitation.

Deception was, after all, part of his craft.

And in truth, there was a chance Xiao Ye’s destiny would align in his favor, given the signs he had glimpsed earlier.

“Fine, I’ll wait until the Six Peaks Competition then,” Xiao Ye said, his gaze icy. “When the time comes, I’ll make sure that thief pays dearly.”

At Purple Cloud Peak’s Heavenly Heart Lake:

Xue Jinli was humming a tune, soaking in a medicinal bath that promised growth, contentedly cultivating.

Suddenly, a dragon’s roar echoed across the lake, startling her so much she nearly stood up in shock, almost exposing herself.

Her eyes widened as she stared in the direction of Purple Cloud Hall, exclaiming, “Is…is Master breaking through to the Core Formation stage?!”

“Ahhh! Even after restarting, Master is faster than me. How am I supposed to laze around with him progressing like this?”

“No, I have to stop slacking off starting tomorrow… no, starting today!”

She hesitated for a moment, glancing at the sun’s position. “Actually… there isn’t much time left in the day. I’d barely get anything done. Might as well enjoy my bath for now…”

With a resigned sigh, she slid back into the wooden tub, allowing herself to relax for a bit longer.

In a secluded pavilion surrounded by peach blossoms:

Beneath a pile of blankets, Situ Qingqing was engrossed in studying martial techniques. She hoped that, next time she sparred with her master, she could at least last a few more moments without immediately begging for mercy.

Suddenly, a powerful pressure swept over her, pressing her down against the bed.

This pressure…?

Her eyes flashed with understanding. “Master must be breaking through!”

With a sigh, Situ Qingqing looked down at the book in her hands. “Seems this is useless now.”

In the face of overwhelming strength, techniques were just a flashy distraction.