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

On the Bed

Ji Hongluan’s tone carried urgency. “Little Flower, why aren’t you saying anything?”

The situation was critical, and as her trusted strategist, Little Flower had to come up with something!

‘You hit me too hard! How can I speak now…’ Little Flower rolled her eyes and reluctantly meowed.

“You’re right, I should read his message first!” Ji Hongluan smacked her forehead, realizing her flustered mistake.

Her gaze fixed on the jade slip, heart racing, hands trembling.

Suddenly—thwap!

Little Flower impatiently used a paw to open the message.

Xu Yang: Not at all. Everything I do is to share the Sect Leader’s burdens.

Ji Hongluan froze for a moment, her cheeks flushing. Covering her face with her hands, she peeked through her fingers, her voice trembling.

“Little Flower, I told you! That fool definitely likes me! And yet you doubted me!”

Just as she suspected, Xu Yang was interested in her. Previously, he might have hidden it due to his weaker cultivation, but now he had laid his intentions bare.

Little Flower: “…”

‘You’re reading way too much into this.’

Ji Hongluan took several moments to calm herself, but a faint blush lingered. “Little Flower, what should I reply with now?”

‘Why does my life have to be this hard…’ Little Flower scratched its head and meowed again, suggesting an idea.

“Hmm? Will that work?” Ji Hongluan hesitated.

Little Flower’s eyes glinted with determination as it nodded firmly.

“Alright, let’s give it a try,” Ji Hongluan agreed, albeit nervously. She swiftly typed her response and sent it with a flick of her fingers.

On the Spirit Boat

Xu Yang stared at the new message and fell into thought.

Ji Hongluan: My pet can do a backflip. Want to see?

If this were his past life, Xu Yang would’ve instantly understood the underlying meaning.

But in this world of cultivation, having a pet that could do a backflip wasn’t anything extraordinary. Was she being literal? Or was there a deeper intention?

Unable to decipher it, Xu Yang decided to follow her lead cautiously. He wasn’t about to risk offending her, not until he became a Venerable himself.

Xu Yang: Sure, I’d like to see it sometime. By the way, I recently acquired a combat-savvy beaver at Purple Cloud Peak. Perhaps you could come to observe it too?

Back at Qingming Hall

“He invited me to Purple Cloud Peak!” Ji Hongluan squealed, rolling across her bed like a teenager with a crush, her previous composure as Sect Leader completely abandoned.

Little Flower rubbed its head in confusion. ‘Why is she so excited over this? It’s just an invitation!’

“Little Flower, don’t you see? Since Xu Yang established Purple Cloud Peak, he’s never invited any other peak leaders! But now he’s invited me! This must mean something!” Ji Hongluan reasoned aloud, blushing furiously. “Should I prepare gifts for his disciples, just in case I become their… teacher’s wife?”

Little Flower froze, utterly baffled. How did we leap from “hidden intentions” to “teacher’s wife” so quickly? Did I miss a step?

Realizing her master’s train of thought was completely derailed, Little Flower meowed softly to urge her to calm down.

“I know how to handle this,” Ji Hongluan replied confidently. Her fingers danced across the glowing jade slip, typing with speed and precision.

Ji Hongluan: Sure, I’ll come tonight!

Xu Yang, reading the message, finally understood her true intentions. Clearly, she wanted to verify the legitimacy of the Qi Yuan Cave Mansion, but couldn’t directly ask.

Such distrust… Xu Yang thought with a sigh.

He composed a polite yet evasive response:

Xu Yang: Apologies, Fairy Hongluan. At Purple Cloud Peak, we do not promote nighttime performances for animals. Perhaps another day?

Back in Qingming Hall, Ji Hongluan stared at the jade slip, devastated.

“He… rejected me?” Her voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes. The disappointment hit her like a landslide, leaving her feeling utterly defeated.

Little Flower, sensing her despair, quickly meowed to console her.

Its meaning: He may have rejected you, but that doesn’t mean he dislikes you.

Yet Ji Hongluan only seemed to sink deeper into her melancholic thoughts. Her gaze grew darker, and a chilling smile appeared on her face.

“If he doesn’t like me, that’s fine. I’ll tie him up… bind him to my bed! That way…” Her voice turned sinister. “Even if I can’t have his heart, I can have his body! He’ll be mine, for life!”

Her fingers gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks. With a flick of her tongue, she tasted them, her gaze alight with obsession and madness.

Little Flower shrank back, trembling. She’s lost it again…

On the Spirit Boat

“Is this pace acceptable, Master?” Yuan Kouxuan asked.

Xu Yang shook his head. “It’s still too slow. Faster.”

Yuan Kouxuan furrowed her brow. “Why the rush, Master?”

To avoid Ji Hongluan showing up unannounced. Xu Yang smiled faintly and offered a more acceptable excuse. “I’ve gained some insights, but it’s inconvenient to cultivate on the spirit boat.”

It wasn’t a lie. The Qi Yuan Cave Mansion had indeed brought him immense gains—techniques, weapons, and formations of the rarest kind. But cultivating them on the boat risked drawing unwanted attention.

Returning to Qingming Sect, with its formidable defenses and Ji Hongluan’s presence, would provide the safest environment.

Still, Xu Yang understood the principle of self-reliance. Once back, he planned to seclude himself until he reached the Nascent Soul realm. Only then would he emerge.

Yuan Kouxuan gazed at him with admiration. “Master’s pursuit of the Dao is pure and unwavering. Your disciple is in awe.”

Xu Yang felt a twinge of guilt at her sincerity.

With disciples like this, what more could a master ask for?