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

“Is that how you speak to Master?” Xue Jinli chided Situ Qingqing with a light slap.

Situ Qingqing glared back, her eyes brimming with a mix of shame and anger, yet seeing Xue Jinli’s smug expression, her defiance softened. Her eyes misted, and she looked at Xu Yang with a helpless, almost pitiful expression.

The look on Situ Qingqing’s face stirred an unexpected thought in Xu Yang’s mind: Gambling-addict father, sick mother, young brother… and a shattered little girl.

For a moment, he wondered if his disciples had actually been discussing something behind his back, and judging by Qingqing’s expression, she had clearly lost the argument. However, Xu Yang, following his principle of non-interference in the trivial spats of his disciples, decided to let it pass.

“Alright, enough. This formation isn’t exactly safe,” he said, focusing back on the array as he directed the Heavenly Desolation Pagoda to dismantle it.

As Xu Yang led the way further into the palace, the excitement was almost too much for Xue Jinli, who, upon seeing the treasures scattered around inside, gasped, “Wow! Look at all these treasures, Master! Even the lowest among them are earth-rank! I can’t wait!”

“Wait a moment, don’t rush in!” Xu Yang’s hand shot out, grabbing Xue Jinli by her ponytail just as she attempted to dash forward.

“Ah~!” Xue Jinli gasped, not from pain but with a soft, kitten-like sound that made Xu Yang pause, his gaze turning curious.

‘Well, this is unexpected. Could her weakness actually be… her ponytail?’ Xu Yang thought, suppressing a smile as he held the Heavenly Desolation Pagoda aloft, watching a misty gray aura flow out and reveal hundreds of hidden divine inscriptions laced with deadly intent. Had Xue Jinli taken even one step further, she would have been sliced to pieces by the formation.

“Thank you, Master,” Xue Jinli said, sticking out her tongue sheepishly.

“Next time, exercise caution. Just because you see treasures doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind. I may be an old man, but I’d rather not be shaken up by losing a disciple.” Xu Yang’s tone was half-serious, half-playful.

Xue Jinli’s face brightened as she nodded eagerly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as she watched her master.

The whole exchange left Situ Qingqing feeling thoroughly incensed. ‘This Junior violates her boundaries in front of Master! How could she!? And now she’s even recruited me to help!’ ‘Qing’er, quick! Master needs a push!’ As if!

With a resigned sigh, Situ Qingqing followed them into the palace.

Inside, Xu Yang surveyed the hall and confirmed the area was free of further arrays before stowing the Heavenly Desolation Pagoda back into his system space.

On the jade throne at the far end of the room sat a mysterious figure, clad in elegant robes that radiated a powerful aura.

“Master, look! There’s someone sitting up there!” Xue Jinli exclaimed, her eyes wide.

“We can see that too,” Situ Qingqing muttered, her eyes narrowing as she refused to let Xue Jinli get ahead.

“Is that Venerable Qi Yuan himself?” Situ Qingqing asked in a whisper.

“Indeed. Who else would it be if this is his domain?” Xue Jinli shot back.

‘Please, start arguing again’, Xu Yang thought with amusement before redirecting his attention to the figure on the throne. He knew the truth about it: this was no noble ancestor, but a fragment of Venerable Qi Yuan’s dark intent. Having endured countless years of torment and uncertainty, Venerable Qi Yuan’s lingering mind had birthed a twisted will, an echo that needed a powerful body to escape the suffering it endured.

In the original novel, the protagonist’s Yang Flame War Body had been the perfect vessel, yet this shadow of Venerable Qi Yuan had been no match for the protagonist’s protective spirit. Now, this chance had fallen right into Xu Yang’s hands.

Xu Yang approached with his disciples, and the figure on the jade throne slowly opened its mouth.

“Ah… a slumber of five thousand years, to finally realize I am myself,” it spoke, words layered in mysterious depth, as if hinting at profound wisdom.

‘If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost mistake him for a wise master’, Xu Yang mused dryly.

“Are you Venerable Qi Yuan?” Xue Jinli asked.

“Indeed, I am,” the figure said, voice edged with arrogance. “Have you three come to seek my legacy?”

“We have,” Situ Qingqing nodded, though her gaze held little reverence.

“You all possess great potential, but my legacy is meant for only one…” The figure’s tone was one of forced regret.

“That’s not a problem! Pass the legacy to our master, and he’ll share it with us later!” Xue Jinli interjected cheerfully, cutting off his speech.

“Exactly!” Situ Qingqing joined in, nodding. “Master can receive it for all of us. Isn’t that the true meaning of a legacy?”

The figure fell silent. ‘Well, that plan to divide and conquer is clearly not going to work…’

“I cannot interfere with what you choose to do afterward,” the figure continued, steadying itself, “but my rules cannot be broken. If the two of you are willing to give up the legacy, then leave the hall, and I will bestow the power upon your master.”

Xue Jinli frowned. “Why does it need to be so complicated? Just pass it to Master directly. We won’t interfere!”

Situ Qingqing added, “Yes, exactly! Isn’t it more important that your legacy is passed on?”

The figure felt a slight tremor of despair. ‘How did my simple plan go so wrong?’ It could only helplessly persist, realizing that finding a suitable vessel had become far more challenging than anticipated.