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

The peach pavilion.

Xu Yang had already left.

Ruan Yuer suddenly sat up in bed, glancing outside at the faint morning light breaking through the mist. Dawn was nearly here!

“I’m definitely better than Qing’er!”

Ruan Yuer clenched her fists, her eyes brimming with a mix of pride and embarrassment.

Just as she was secretly reveling in her success, a mocking voice sounded in her mind:

“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s not because you’re better—it’s because Master spoils you!”

Ruan Yuer pressed her knees together and propped her chin on her hands.

“Exactly, even you think Master spoils me. So, does this mean I don’t have to hand over control of my body to you anymore?”

Her tone turned cold.

“And who was it earlier begging me to take over? Now you’re turning your back on me already?”

Ruan Yuer’s face flushed as she muttered,

“You weren’t much use anyway. You didn’t even last that long before giving my body back!”

The voice bristled, its tone frosty: “Fine, I’m useless. Next time, don’t call me to take your punishment!”

Ruan Yuer panicked at the thought of being abandoned.

“Come on, I was just joking! How could you take it so seriously?”

Still, the other voice clearly had no intention of shirking responsibility entirely. After all, if something really went wrong, she would have to step in. Adopting a cooler tone, she reminded her.

“Now’s not the time for reflections. Don’t forget, your two junior sisters are still in the wardrobe. The effects of the Immortal’s Drunken Delight will wear off in half an hour!”

“Oh, right!”

Ruan Yuer slapped her forehead, almost forgetting the matter.

“Do you think Master noticed?”

“Before leaving, Master glanced at the wardrobe. What do you think?”

“Then why didn’t he confront me directly?”

“Maybe he didn’t want to expose you.”

“Master is so kind to me!”

“Look at you, all hopelessly smitten. No wonder you’re such a good disciple!”

“And what’s wrong with being a good disciple? Didn’t I still win Master’s heart?”

“…”

Half an hour later.

Sunlight crept in through the window lattice.

Xue Jinli stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering. A moment later, she slowly woke up, trying to sit upright. Her head felt groggy, her thoughts muddled.

‘Who am I? Where am I? What happened last night?’

Complete confusion.jpg

Forcing herself to sit up, Xue Jinli rubbed her temples and glanced around.

Qing’er and her second senior sister were both slumped over the table. On the table lay a shattered wine jar, the liquid inside long dried up.

Memories she had lost came flooding back like a tide. Everything became clear.

Yesterday, her second senior sister, Yuer, had invited her to drink, boasting about the so-called Immortal’s Drunken Delight. She didn’t believe in the wine’s potency, so she drank three bowls in one go.

‘And then… nothing.’

‘Did I… succeed in seducing Master?’

Xue Jinli lowered her head to inspect her intact robes. Her expression instantly fell, and her nose tingled as tears threatened to spill.

She turned to the still-sleeping Situ Qingqing and poked her in the waist.

Situ Qingqing felt a tickling sensation, blinked her beautiful eyes open, and glared at Xue Jinli.

“Third Senior Sister, why are you causing trouble so early in the morning?!”

Xue Jinli looked even more aggrieved.

“Qing’er, did we forget something important?”

Situ Qingqing’s expression froze before realization dawned on her. She glanced at the pitiful Xue Jinli and couldn’t help but scold.

“Isn’t it your fault for being greedy? Who else is to blame?”

Already feeling miserable, Xue Jinli nearly burst into tears at Situ Qingqing’s scolding.

“How was I supposed to know the Immortal’s Drunken Delight really lives up to its name? Fine, my greed is my fault, but you didn’t stop me either!”

“And that’s my fault now?! You’re the one who didn’t take it seriously!”

Situ Qingqing glared at Xue Jinli, her tone annoyed.

She guessed that after Master arrived last night and saw three disciples sprawled unconscious in the loft, he must have left disappointed.

‘Master came in high spirits but left disheartened. What an unworthy disciple I am!’

“Qing’er…”

Xue Jinli knew the blame lay with her but didn’t want to shoulder it alone. Before she could say more, a soft, sleepy voice interrupted.

“Jinli, Qing’er, why are you two arguing so early in the morning?”

Ruan Yuer stretched lazily, yawned, and rubbed her drowsy eyes as she asked.

“Second Senior Sister, it’s like this…”

Xue Jinli’s frustration was about to overflow. She wanted to vent but was immediately silenced when Situ Qingqing covered her mouth.

Situ Qingqing smiled and explained, “Second Senior Sister, we weren’t arguing. Third Senior Sister was just lamenting how she wasted a night of cultivation. I told her that if she worked harder normally, she wouldn’t have to worry about one missed night. She didn’t take it well.”

Ruan Yuer tilted her head.

“Jinli, is that true?”

Realizing her near slip-up, Xue Jinli tapped Situ Qingqing’s hand, signaling her to let go. Her eyes flashed with annoyance as she mumbled:

“Yes, that’s it. Drinking messed me up—I wasted a whole night of cultivation!”

“Jinli, it’s fine. It’s just one day. If you work hard starting today, you can make up for the lost time.”

Ruan Yuer offered some comfort.

‘Yuer, you truly don’t get it…’

Xue Jinli sighed internally and glanced curiously at Ruan Yuer.

“Second Senior Sister, are you sure this Immortal’s Drunken Delight was brewed by mortals? Couldn’t it have been crafted by some drunken Sage wandering incognito?”

Ruan Yuer shook her head.

“I’m not sure. I found this wine during a training trip to the Azure Cloud Secret Realm. Passing through a mortal kingdom, I caught a whiff of its rich aroma, so I stopped at a tavern and bought two jars.”

“Only two jars?!”

Xue Jinli asked incredulously.

Ruan Yuer nodded slightly. “Yes, just two.”

“Second Senior Sister, how could you only buy two jars?!”

Xue Jinli was visibly disappointed.

Situ Qingqing frowned. “Third Senior Sister, are you addicted to the Immortal’s Drunken Delight?”

“…”

Xue Jinli didn’t respond.

‘Addicted? No!’

She was thinking that if the Immortal’s Drunken Delight was so potent, it might even work on Master. Then…

Unfortunately, there were only two jars, and they had already been shattered!

‘Damn it!’