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

Inside the grand Qingming Hall, 35 of the 36 Peak Masters of the Qingming Sect were present. Each one exuded an aura as deep as an abyss, their cultivation in the Nascent Soul realm signifying profound strength. In the outside world, any one of them could command a region and rule as a king or overlord.

Seated according to their ranks, the six inner peaks were positioned at the forefront, followed by the remaining thirty peaks, organized by power and influence.

At the head of the hall sat Ji Hongluan, the Sect Master. Her sharp gaze swept across the room, noting the empty chair of a certain peak master, though she gave no outward indication of her thoughts.

Suddenly, a Peak Master seated behind Master Wanjun—one of the six main peak leaders—rose and cupped his hands in a show of false respect before speaking in an inflammatory tone.

“Sect Master, you have summoned us all to discuss important sect matters. Yet, the Peak Master of Purple Cloud Peak, Xu Yang, is absent. Does this mean Purple Cloud Peak intends to secede from the Qingming Sect?!”

The room instantly erupted in murmurs and whispers. The Peak Masters, incensed, began voicing their displeasure.

“Indeed! Xu Yang’s behavior is far too arrogant! Even though he has disrespected the Sect Master in the past, he would at least attend these meetings. But now? Skipping entirely? It’s a blatant slap in the face to the Sect Master!”

“He may be the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in the Northern Province, but this arrogance is unacceptable!”

“Hmph! He’s just a Nascent Soul cultivator. Does he think that because of his talent, he can ignore the Sect Master’s orders? What happens if he becomes a Venerable? Will he turn the Qingming Sect into his own Purple Cloud Sect?”

Another Peak Master retorted, “Careful with your words. Are you speaking out of loyalty to the Sect, or because Purple Cloud Peak replaced your peak in the inner six peaks?”

“Rubbish! I’m merely upholding justice for the Sect Master!”

Amid the escalating chatter, Ji Hongluan remained silent, her gaze sweeping across the room. Internally, she took careful note of the Peak Masters most eager to criticize Xu Yang.

Seeing an opening, Master Wanjun, one of the main peak leaders, decided to fan the flames further.

“Sect Master,” he began, his voice laden with concern, “Xu Yang’s behavior grows increasingly disrespectful. If this continues unchecked, the Qingming Sect risks division. Our ancestors’ foundation, built over thousands of years, cannot be allowed to crumble at his hands!”

His scheme was simple: use these accusations to tarnish Xu Yang’s reputation, weaken his position, and slowly isolate him from the Sect. Over time, with fewer allies, Xu Yang would become an easy target.

Another elder, Elder Qian, an esteemed figure with a lineage of 18 generations serving as Qingming Peak Masters, added his voice. His words carried weight within the Sect.

“Sect Master,” Elder Qian began, “while I understand your fondness for Xu Yang’s talent, allowing such arrogance to go unpunished sets a dangerous precedent. It is imperative that we address this.”

Before he could finish, Ji Hongluan interrupted, her cold voice cutting through the room like a blade.

“Elder Qian, whether or not this Sect Master has indulged Xu Yang is irrelevant to the matter at hand. I summoned you all today for an entirely different reason,” she said, her tone calm yet authoritative.

“The reason for this urgent gathering is information brought to me by Xu Yang. According to his report, the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion is about to emerge in the Heavenly Secret Mountains.”

The hall fell silent.

Even Elder Qian and Master Wanjun, who had been leading the charge against Xu Yang, were stunned. The revelation struck like a bolt of lightning, leaving the Peak Masters wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

“You mean… the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion of the so-called Grave Robbing Master from five thousand years ago?” Elder Qian finally managed to ask.

“Who else could it be?” Ji Hongluan replied, lifting her chin slightly, her expression regal.

Her voice sharpened as she continued, “Now that I have shared this critical information, let us return to the matter of Xu Yang’s so-called defiance. As his actions have so gravely offended this Sect Master, I hereby decree that Master Wanjun will personally lead a party to Purple Cloud Peak to apprehend him and bring him here for judgment.”

The hall descended into chaos as the Peak Masters exchanged nervous glances.

Master Wanjun’s face turned ashen. “M-me?” he stammered, his voice quivering.

He had never intended for things to escalate to this point. While he was willing to sow dissent against Xu Yang, directly confronting the youngest and most gifted Nascent Soul cultivator was a death sentence.

Ji Hongluan’s gaze pierced him like a blade, her tone dripping with icy disdain. “Why hesitate, Wanjun? Surely someone as committed to the Sect’s unity as you should relish the chance to uphold its authority.”

Master Wanjun swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t outright refuse, but the prospect of facing Xu Yang terrified him.

Sensing Master Wanjun’s plight, Elder Qian interjected, “Sect Master, if I may speak freely, Xu Yang’s actions, though unorthodox, are not without merit. After all, he has already shared the critical information regarding the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion. Whether he attended this meeting or not is ultimately inconsequential.”

Others quickly chimed in.

“Indeed, Sect Master! Xu Yang has always acted in the Sect’s best interest!”

“Please reconsider, Sect Master. Xu Yang’s loyalty to the Qingming Sect is beyond question!”

“Yes, we beseech you to show mercy!”

Ji Hongluan’s sharp gaze swept across the hall, her mind dissecting the motives behind the sudden wave of support for Xu Yang. It was clear these Peak Masters weren’t acting out of loyalty but were simply wary of the competition Purple Cloud Peak would bring to the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion expedition.

“Fools,” she thought, her lips curling into a faint, bitter smile. “That idiot must have anticipated this and avoided this meeting to spare me the trouble.”

Her eyes softened as she thought of Xu Yang. Despite his brashness and defiance, his actions always seemed to align with the Sect’s greater good.

Drawing a deep breath, Ji Hongluan’s voice regained its icy edge. “As the Sect Master, I cannot afford to waver in my decisions. However, out of respect for Elder Qian’s words, I will reconsider. Xu Yang will not be apprehended this time.”

Her gaze then locked onto Master Wanjun, her tone chilling. “But there will be no next time.”

The hall fell silent as Master Wanjun bowed his head, his face pale and his fists clenched. Inwardly, he fumed with resentment but knew better than to act on it—for now.

“Patience,” he told himself. “Once my cultivation reaches its peak, I’ll settle this score with all of them.”