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

In the Qingming Hall, the meeting among the thirty-six peak leaders concluded with the decision on which disciples would be sent to the emerging Qi Yuan Cave Mansion for training.

“Time is of the essence. Sect Master, this old man will return to my peak immediately and organize the disciples,” said Elder Qian, standing up and respectfully bowing.

Although he had lost face earlier during the discussion, Elder Qian was confident the treasures and opportunities within the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion would more than make up for it.

“Go ahead,” instructed Ji Hongluan with a slight nod.

The other peak leaders also rose, bowed to the Sect Master, and left in succession.

Now, only Master Wanjun and his sycophants remained.

“Sect Master…” Master Wanjun began hesitantly, but Ji Hongluan’s commanding voice cut him off.

“Wan Jun, your earlier remarks carry a hint of sowing discord. Do you mean to imply you’re a spy planted in Qingming Sect by a rival sect?” Her voice was calm, but an invisible pressure filled the hall, making the atmosphere heavy.

Master Wanjun’s supporters paled, shocked and horrified by the Sect Master’s accusation. They had aligned themselves with Master Wanjun for protection and resources, not to become embroiled in treasonous conspiracies.

Even Master Wanjun himself felt his composure falter. Was she bluffing, or had his secret already been discovered?

“Your Majesty, this is a grave misunderstanding! I swear my loyalty to the Qingming Sect!” Master Wanjun fell to his knees, banging his head against the ground in desperate denial.

Though thoughts of fleeing crossed his mind, he knew better. Ji Hongluan was one of the most powerful figures in the Northern Province, a Venerable of unmatched might. Her triumph at the White Emperor City, where she defeated three Venerables single-handedly, was legendary. To challenge her was to court death.

Ji Hongluan’s cold gaze pierced him like a blade. “Misunderstanding or not, you must realize the consequences of your actions. If Xu Yang—who is known for his hatred of deceit—learns about your words today, do you understand what will happen to you?”

Hearing this, Master Wanjun realized she hadn’t uncovered his true nature, and he sighed in relief.

“A misunderstanding indeed, Sect Master,” he stammered. “But please, enlighten me—what should I do to make amends?”

Ji Hongluan’s expression softened, her voice calm yet commanding. “For this trip to the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion, the resources your Heavenly Thunder Peak acquires will be divided—forty percent for you, sixty percent for the Purple Cloud Peak. That should suffice to appease Xu Yang.”

“Forty percent for us?” Master Wanjun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Ji Hongluan’s icy gaze fixed on him. “Do you have any objections?”

“No… No objections at all!” Master Wanjun quickly bowed his head, his indignation buried deep in his chest.

“Good. You may leave.”

Dismissed, Master Wanjun and his lackeys slunk away like beaten dogs. Only after leaving the hall did Master Wanjun allow himself to feel the weight of his humiliation.

Alone in the hall, Ji Hongluan stretched lazily in her chair, her formal demeanor vanishing. Her legs draped over the armrest, and her white dress slid up, revealing her smooth thighs. She grabbed her fluffy pet, Little Flower, and raised it high.

“Hmph! Let’s see them try to stir trouble next time!” she declared smugly. “What business is it of theirs if I favor that idiot Xu Yang? I do as I please!”

She hugged Little Flower, her voice turning playful. “Do you think Xu Yang will fall at my feet, utterly grateful, when he learns what I’ve done for him?”

“Meow!” Little Flower responded, its feline gaze unimpressed.

“What do you mean he won’t dare move? Too overwhelming? Little Flower, where are you learning this nonsense?” Ji Hongluan muttered, blushing slightly.

Meanwhile, on the Heavenly Thunder Peak, Master Wanjun returned to his cave.

Inside, Xiao Ye, his promising disciple, lay on a bed, pale and exhausted. He looked up weakly. “Master, why does everything appear green?”

The elderly voice of Elder Li, the spirit bound to Xiao Ye’s jade pendant, answered in his mind: ‘Because you’ve recklessly overused the Fiendish Flame Lotus, damaging your foundation.’

However, Elder Li didn’t want to discourage Xiao Ye and offered a comforting explanation instead, “You’ve overexerted yourself in recent battles. Rest for a few days, and you’ll recover.”

“A few days?!” Xiao Ye bolted upright, his face darkening. “Elder Li, do you not want to see me grow stronger?”

In just over ten days, Xiao Ye had defeated twenty disciples and seized their cultivation resources, advancing two minor realms to the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage. Yet he was painfully aware that this was insufficient. To challenge Xu Yang and free his seven beautiful senior sisters from the “devil’s clutches,” he needed to reach the late Nascent Soul stage.

His impatience was clear.

Elder Li inwardly sighed. ‘I should’ve kept my mouth shut…’

Before Elder Li could offer another excuse, Master Wanjun’s voice echoed from outside the cave.

“Disciple, I bring good news!”

“Good news?” Xiao Ye perked up. “Master, come in!”

Master Wanjun entered, and Xiao Ye immediately wrinkled his nose at the dampness in the air.

“Master, why are your pants wet?” Xiao Ye asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Master Wanjun froze, his face twitching. There was no way he could admit that the Sect Master had frightened him into wetting himself. Clearing his throat, he deflected, “Details, details. What’s important is the great news I bring you…”