Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 129

Shen He from Black Mist Valley, the one Xiao Ye had debated with before, now found himself targeted.

Xiao Ye had chosen Shen He deliberately. He knew challenging Xu Yang outright would only invite mockery, so he decided to start by defeating Shen He.

Once he trampled someone like Shen He, who revered Xu Yang as a god, he could challenge Xu Yang to a battle at the same cultivation level. By then, his displayed prowess might earn him the attention he needed, and Xu Yang might accept his challenge.

“It’s you?!”

Shen He frowned as he recognized Xiao Ye.

The crowd, overhearing their exchange, grew curious.

“Who is this guy? He seems to know Shen He.”

A disciple from the Grand Void Sect recognized Xiao Ye and exclaimed, “That’s Senior Brother Wang Chen from our sect! He disappeared some time ago—Elder Qiu has been going crazy looking for him!”

“Wang Chen from Grand Void Sect?”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“Of course! He’s infamous as the sect’s top freeloading disciple, only becoming a true disciple because he latched onto Elder Qiu!”

“Wait, you’re telling me this pseudo-disciple dares to challenge Shen He?”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. He might have some hidden strength.”

Though most of the crowd doubted Wang Chen, a sliver of anticipation lingered—perhaps he might unexpectedly defeat Shen He.

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow, a question mark forming on his face.

By typical protagonist logic, Xiao Ye should have directly challenged him, the “villain,” to a battle, showcasing overwhelming power to elevate his reputation.

But Xiao Ye wasn’t following the script.

“Could it be that joining the demonic path gave him some brains?”

Interesting. Very interesting. Xu Yang decided to sit back and watch, curious to see how much of the protagonist’s luck Xiao Ye still had.

“Shen He, get down here!”

Xiao Ye unleashed his full aura, the force of his cultivation at the fifth level of the Core Formation realm exploding outward.

“No wonder he has the guts to challenge Shen He. His cultivation is impressive.”

“Judging by his appearance, he’s not even twenty-five. With such strength, he qualifies as a young prodigy.”

“Shen He is at the seventh level of Core Formation and has mastered several high-tier techniques. Wang Chen will have a hard time winning.”

The crowd buzzed with speculation, acknowledging Xiao Ye’s strength but doubting his chances against Shen He.

Shen He glanced at the Immortal Clan scion who had taken him as a follower, silently seeking permission.

The scion nodded. “Go, prove yourself.”

With his master’s approval, Shen He leapt onto the martial stage. Fixing his gaze on Xiao Ye, he coldly said, “Wang Chen, you’ve gone too far!”

“Hmph, someone like you, clinging to power like a parasite, dares to address me by name? Come up here and die!”

Xiao Ye sneered, utterly dismissing Shen He.

Even before becoming an emissary for the Holy Hall, Xiao Ye’s combat prowess was impressive, often defeating those of higher cultivation. Now, at the Core Formation realm, he could easily challenge Nascent Soul practitioners.

In his eyes, Xu Yang’s victory over Ying Wudi wasn’t due to Xu Yang’s strength—it was because Ying Wudi was weak.

His words caused a stir among the Immortal Clan scions watching from the platform. The sect prodigies who had chosen to become followers felt especially insulted, as if Xiao Ye were pointing directly at them.

“What nerve. A mere opportunist himself, he dares call others parasites?”

Xu Yang chuckled. “Ah, the protagonist’s signature double standard. It never gets old.”

He casually bit into a spirit fruit handed to him by Yuan Kouxuan. Though she had already taken a bite, Xu Yang didn’t mind and savored its sweetness.

“Master, I can’t finish this. Here, you take it,” Qin Kewan said, handing her half-eaten fruit to Xu Yang.

Xu Yang took the fruit, pretending to glare at her. “Thank you, truly.”

“No need to thank me, Master! It’s what a disciple should do!” Qin Kewan grinned as her hand sneaked toward the table for more fruit.

Shing!

The Qing’ai sword flashed out, the blade resting against Qin Kewan’s hand.

Qin Kewan gulped, glancing at Yuan Kouxuan with caution. “Senior Sister?”

“Don’t waste food.” Yuan Kouxuan’s voice was icy, her demeanor cold and intimidating.

“I wasn’t wasting anything!”

“You said you couldn’t finish, and now you’re grabbing more. If that’s not wasteful, what is?”

“I could finish it later!”

“Put it back.”

“…Fine.” Qin Kewan reluctantly pulled her hand back, muttering under her breath as Yuan Kouxuan sheathed her sword, her icy expression unwavering.

Qin Kewan was on the verge of tears, realizing she had shot herself in the foot this time.

On the Martial Arts Arena

Xiao Ye and Shen He were locked in a fierce battle, neither able to gain the upper hand.

The one-sided victory Xiao Ye had envisioned did not come to pass.

Originally, Xiao Ye had planned to unleash Fiendish Flame Lotus and end Shen He swiftly. With the Holy Hall technique Ten Thousand Refinements Scripture, he could refine the essence of others’ bones and origins for his own use without worrying about harming his own longevity or foundation.

However, at the critical moment, Xiao Ye realized that using the Fiendish Flame Lotus would expose his true identity. If that happened, the Holy Hall’s plans would be ruined.

Forcibly suppressing the conjured fire lotus back into his palm nearly caused his qi and blood to reverse flow.

Shen He, being a true disciple of a major sect, seized this opportunity and unleashed his signature technique, Annihilation Palm, pummeling Xiao Ye mercilessly.

Xiao Ye was forced into a desperate retreat, teetering on the edge of being thrown out of the ring.

“Not a chance!”

Xiao Ye roared, his qi and blood surging to a peak, growing tenfold in intensity. A tidal wave of power radiated outward, crashing toward Shen He like a stormy sea.

Though Xiao Ye couldn’t use his techniques or martial skills, his immense qi and overwhelming mana alone were enough to suppress Shen He.

Just as his words echoed, a terrifying palm imprint manifested on the martial stage.

The sheer force of the palm imprint caused the air to ripple violently, as though stones were shattering and flying in all directions.

From the crowd, someone gasped in recognition.

“Isn’t that the Great Sealing Palm, an exclusive martial skill of Black Mist Valley?”

“Shen He didn’t even use this technique in his earlier match against another sect’s top disciple. Wang Chen must be quite troublesome!”

“That Wang Chen certainly has abundant qi, but… is it just me, or does it seem like he doesn’t know any techniques or martial skills?”

“Doesn’t know martial skills or techniques? Then what’s he doing up there? Just to spout some big words?”

Boom!

The resounding impact echoed through the arena.

Xiao Ye, who had just unleashed his explosive qi, was sent flying like a ragdoll under the force of Shen He’s Great Sealing Palm. He landed heavily on the ground.

Cough, cough!

Clutching his chest, Xiao Ye struggled to suppress the blood rising in his throat. He couldn’t believe he had lost.

He was supposed to be the Chosen Son of Heaven!

Even without martial skills or techniques, he should have easily defeated Shen He.

“Do you yield, Wang Chen?”

Shen He stood over Xiao Ye, his gaze cold as he asked the question.