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

Within the palace hall, the air was thick with tension.

“Very well! Considering your loyalty to your master, I’ll make an exception and allow you to stay!” the figure on the jade throne echoed through the hall.

The sinister figure planned to possess his body quickly so that no one would notice anything unusual.

Standing beside Xu Yang, Situ Qingqing glanced at Xue Jinli, her gaze filled with silent inquiry—Do you think something is off too?

Xue Jinli looked at Situ Qingqing and sensed the strangeness as well. They began to send a silent message to Xu Yang, warning him:

Xue Jinli: Master, this supposed “Venerable Qi Yuan” is too quick to change his mind. Given his legendary standing, it seems odd he would compromise like this. It could be a trap!

Situ Qingqing: Master, from what I’ve read, the Venerable Qi Yuan was marked by red hair all over his body, a powerful feature of his presence. This person looks too ordinary. I suspect foul play. Perhaps we should withdraw for now and consider a different approach.

Pleased with his disciples’ insight and caution, Xu Yang reassured them through silent communication. With a calm smile, he looked at the figure on the throne and spoke, “Venerable, how does one receive your inheritance?”

The man’s eyes brightened, and he gestured toward Xu Yang. “Come forward,” he beckoned.

“Understood,” Xu Yang responded as he stepped forward, closing the distance.

Xue Jinli and Situ Qingqing watched anxiously from behind.

Xue Jinli: Is Master safe?

Situ Qingqing: If there’s any sign of trouble, we strike immediately!

Though they trusted Xu Yang, they knew the reputation of the Venerable Qi Yuan was daunting, and facing him gave them a sense of unease.

When Xu Yang stood three feet away, the man’s eyes flashed with joy. But to avoid alarming his prey, he kept his tone calm and instructed, “Open your mind to me. I’ll transmit the inheritance directly.”

“My mind is open,” Xu Yang replied.

“Good, don’t resist. Any interference will interrupt the transmission.”

Without further delay, the man transformed into a streak of black energy and shot directly toward Xu Yang’s mind.

“Hahaha, you’re a fool! With your supreme Yang physique, you still couldn’t detect my true nature!” The dark entity cackled. “But it works in my favor. Once I possess this body, I’ll use your Yang physique to make my name known throughout the universe. Farewell!”

Yet within Xu Yang’s sea of consciousness, the dark entity froze in shock. What it saw in Xu Yang’s mind horrified it beyond words.

“W-what is this?!”

The sinister grin spread across Xu Yang’s face as he observed the entity’s terror. Xu Yang’s inner consciousness, exuding a towering, ominous presence, looked upon the dark figure with a faint smile.

“Surprised? Didn’t expect this, did you? I am an otherworldly demon.”

The words ‘otherworldly demon’ struck terror in the evil thought’s heart. Memories of the forbidden beings that haunted its past—a seemingly endless swarm of twisted creatures—sent shivers through its soul. The fear of being devoured was etched deeply into its essence.

In that moment, the evil thought felt infinitely small, less than an ant. It desperately tried to flee Xu Yang’s sea of consciousness.

“Leaving so soon?” Xu Yang’s consciousness, imbued with primal energy, stretched out his hand.

Dark energy swirled, forming a nightmarish prison that slowly closed around the evil thought. Within this prison, despair grew as the evil thought was trapped, unable to escape.

The creature shrieked, “Please, spare me! If you do, I will grant you the real inheritance!”

But Xu Yang was unmoved. He knew from the original story exactly where the true inheritance lay, and he grasped the evil thought in his hands, pulling it fully into his mind.

The demon spirit in his consciousness devoured the evil thought, taking in the essence, a pure, potent energy left behind by the creature. As he absorbed it, Xu Yang felt his consciousness expand, his spirit becoming even stronger.

“Master, is everything alright?” Situ Qingqing asked, her voice filled with concern.

“Never better,” Xu Yang said, opening his eyes with a glint of satisfaction. The absorption had strengthened him in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Master, did you receive the inheritance?” Xue Jinli asked curiously.

“No,” Xu Yang shook his head, explaining, “What you saw was not the Venerable Qi Yuan but merely a remnant of his evil thoughts.”

“An evil thought?” Situ Qingqing’s eyes widened in alarm. “Then, was it trying to possess you, Master?”

“Yes, but he underestimated me,” Xu Yang replied with a faint smile.

To everyone’s surprise, Xue Jinli stepped forward, pressing her hand to Xu Yang’s chest with a slight squeeze. “Master, are you still yourself? You haven’t been possessed, have you?”

Xu Yang feigned annoyance and said, “Jinli, are you asking for punishment?”

Xue Jinli, unbothered, let out a playful giggle. “With that tone, I’m certain you’re still Master. No evil thought could fake this.”

Situ Qingqing frowned slightly—she couldn’t shake off the feeling that Xue Jinli was testing more than just Xu Yang’s identity.

Xu Yang simply chuckled, “Alright, let’s not make trouble. The real inheritance is still hidden here. I know its location. Follow me.”

They nodded, following Xu Yang deeper into the palace as he led them toward where the true inheritance awaited.

After some time, he turned to Xue Jinli and said, “By the way, your behavior has become increasingly reckless. When we return, you’ll receive a hundred strokes from your senior sister.”

Situ Qingqing smirked slightly, pleased to see her rival receive a punishment. But Xue Jinli, looking pitifully at Xu Yang, implored, “Master, you know that senior sister is merciless with her strokes. If she punishes me, I won’t be able to walk for weeks. Perhaps you should handle it yourself…”

Situ Qingqing’s grin froze as she frantically blinked at Xu Yang, hoping he wouldn’t agree. She knew Xue Jinli all too well—her senior sister’s punishment wouldn’t be a penalty but rather a reward given her strange preferences.