Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 114

The Huang family’s guardian felt as though he had fallen into an icy abyss, his entire body drenched in cold sweat. The overwhelming killing intent directed at him crushed his spirit, plunging his heart into despair.

It was over.

Completely over.

Their divine son had unwittingly provoked a true dragon in human form, not some insignificant ant.

He regretted not stopping Huang Shaobai earlier when he decided to use Qin Wan as a stepping stone. But now, it was too late.

The only way to preserve Huang Shaobai’s life was to invoke the Huang family’s status as an immortal clan, praying that Qin Wan would show mercy for the sake of shared origins.

“This esteemed one, my divine son was blind to your greatness and offended you. Please, on behalf of our shared heritage as immortal clans, spare his life!”

The guardian suppressed his fear, bowing deeply, his tone laden with humility.

He had no other choice. As a guardian, he was obligated to die protecting the divine son. Returning to the Huang family empty-handed would result in his execution by the clan elders.

Qin Wan, however, smiled faintly and shook his head.

“Esteemed one? I’m but a mere mortal ant that can be crushed at a whim.”

His words carried an unmistakable hint of mockery.

Turning his gaze to the void, Qin Wan ordered, “Old Tian, if he dares make a move, don’t hold back—kill him outright.”

“Yes, young master,” a hoarse voice responded from the void, its echo causing the very air to ripple.

The Huang family’s guardian trembled under the oppressive killing intent, which felt as if it could obliterate him at any moment.

“E-esteemed one, I beg you. Spare my divine son’s life. I am willing to trade mine in his place!”

The guardian kowtowed repeatedly, his voice filled with despair.

“Yes, yes! Qin Wan, take his life instead!”

Huang Shaobai, seizing the opportunity, eagerly nodded. Gratitude flickered in his eyes as he glanced at his guardian, silently vowing, ‘If I survive this, I’ll repay this debt. I’ll take care of your family once I return to the clan.’

Qin Wan sighed, his tone laced with feigned helplessness.

“You could have survived. Before the duel, we agreed that the loser would merely have their cultivation crippled and limbs broken. But your guardian insisted on meddling, violating the rules. The circumstances have changed now.”

Pausing, he continued, “But don’t worry. Once you’re gone, Old Tian will send your guardian along to accompany you.”

Qin Wan’s calm yet unyielding words made Huang Shaobai tremble. He wanted to rage at his guardian but realized that even if he had been spared, returning to the Huang family crippled would result in him losing his position as the divine son. In the cutthroat politics of the clan, his relatives would waste no time seizing the opportunity to trample him. Death seemed preferable to such a fate.

Out of desperation, the Huang family’s guardian transmitted a plea to Jiang Haoyu.

“Divine Son Jiang, you and this esteemed one are sworn brothers. Please intercede for my divine son. If you save him, our Huang family will be forever indebted to you.”

Jiang Haoyu remained silent, shaking his head inwardly.

As Qin Wan had stated, Huang Shaobai’s punishment would have been limited to a crippled cultivation and broken limbs if the guardian had not intervened. By breaking the unspoken rules of combat among the younger generation, he had committed a grave offense.

The sacred lands and immortal clans adhered to strict codes forbidding guardians from interfering in disputes between juniors. Violating this principle risked the safety of the younger generation and the long-term survival of their clans.

Jiang Haoyu understood the stakes all too well. Protecting Huang Shaobai now could invite disaster for the Jiang family in the future.

When the Huang family’s guardian turned to the other holy land heirs for support, his heart sank further.

While Huang Shaobai had represented them in the duel, none of them stepped forward. Some averted their gazes out of guilt, while others pretended not to notice his plight.

This wasn’t because they were heartless. In fact, Ying Wudi and the Zhu family’s divine son had privately communicated with their guardians, exploring the possibility of rescuing Huang Shaobai from under Qin Wan’s protector’s nose.

However, their guardians immediately dismissed the idea.

“Divine son, Qin Wan is from the Immortal Mountain. We cannot afford to provoke him,” Ying Wudi’s guardian warned.

The Zhu family’s guardian was even more blunt, rebuking his divine son outright.

“Have you forgotten how the Great Ming Immortal Dynasty fell? Do you need me to remind you of the crooked tree on the ancient mine of Taiyuan? Mark my words—if you insist on saving Huang Shaobai, sever your ties with the Zhu family first. We cannot afford the Immortal Mountain’s wrath!”

Their words left the divine sons of Ying and Zhu speechless.

Despite their immense prestige, the Immortal Mountain was among the few forces they dared not cross. Ancient records described how heroes from the Immortal Mountain had led humanity’s uprising against their oppressors in the archaic era.

Rumors even claimed the legendary Archaic Immortal Emperor, a peerless genius who outshone all contemporaries, hailed from the Immortal Mountain.

The Immortal Mountain’s enigmatic power inspired awe and fear. Entire sects had been erased from existence merely for harboring ill intent toward its disciples.

Even the mightiest holy lands and immortal clans knew better than to provoke them.

There was once a holy land that was glorious and was unwilling to let the Immortal Mountain press on their heads. They wanted to gather the power of the entire holy land to attack the Immortal Mountain. As a result, before they found the location of the Immortal Mountain, the entire holy land was directly covered by an inexplicable force and turned into ruins on the spot. Everyone, whether disciples or elders, died!

The once prosperous holy land was removed from the world!

This made countless people feel fear and even wonder, ‘What kind of power can destroy a holy land!’

After all, the reason why the holy land is called the holy land is because the force has a Mahayana saint in charge!

Realizing Qin Wan’s background, Ying Wudi and many others turned pale.

So this is no ordinary ant but a dragon playing coy. How could he find this amusing?

Those who had taunted Qin Wan earlier now trembled, their foreheads damp with cold sweat.

The Immortal Mountain’s name loomed over them like an unshakable shadow, filling the room with a suffocating silence.