Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 133

“Look, the first source stone is being opened!”

“Whoa, such intense killing intent!”

“Could it be one of those legendary divine weapons?”

The crowd shivered as the chilling aura emanated from the source stone, filling the atmosphere with a palpable sense of unease.

“Impossible. Divine weapons are self-aware. If one were here, it would cause a heavenly phenomenon. This is more likely to be a divine metal,” said an heir of a formation clan, his eyes gleaming with certainty as he focused on the source stone.

“Even a divine metal would be incredible. In the hands of a master smith, it could become a heaven-grade weapon!”

The audience locked their eyes on the high platform, their collective breath held in anticipation. Many silently prayed that this wasn’t some rare treasure that would wipe out their bets.

The artisan, his hands deft and experienced, carefully shaved away the layers of stone. The first source stone gradually revealed its true nature: a palm-sized piece of glimmering blue meteorite iron, exuding an eerie chill.

As soon as it was exposed, the surrounding temperature dropped sharply, and frost began to form in the air.

“Congratulations!”

“It’s Ice Soul Crystal Iron!”

The artisan used a special sealing technique to encase the metal, suppressing its chilling aura. He then presented the gleaming material to Yuan Kouxuan.

Yuan Kouxuan accepted the iron and, with a smile, immediately passed it to Xu Yang.

“Master, this Ice Soul Crystal Iron is of no use to me. Please take it to craft life-bound weapons for my junior sisters in the future.”

[Ding! Yuan Kouxuan has gifted the host Ice Soul Crystal Iron. Triggering a hundredfold return: Phoenix Soul Gold!]

Xu Yang’s mind stirred as the system alert rang out.

Ice Soul Crystal Iron, while precious and capable of producing heaven-rank weapons, paled in comparison to Phoenix Soul Gold. The latter was a rare material capable of creating saint-rank weapons. If properly forged, it might even awaken the Phoenix Soul within.

The phoenix, like the dragon, was a ruler among ancient mythical beasts, capable of unparalleled might. Though these creatures were now long extinct, their legendary power remained revered in records. A weapon imbued with even a sliver of a phoenix’s essence would grant its wielder immeasurable strength.

“Kouxuan is truly developing the poise of a future matron of the sect,” Xu Yang thought to himself, smiling as he stored the Ice Soul Crystal Iron in his system space.

Looking at Yuan Kouxuan, he said, “I’ll find a master smith soon to upgrade your Qing’ai Sword.”

“Thank you, Master. I’ll leave everything to you,” Yuan Kouxuan replied, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

Standing nearby, Qin Kewan watched the exchange. Her lively eyes darted about, clearly hatching a plan of her own.

Below the platform, the crowd was in turmoil.

“Thank heavens, just Ice Soul Crystal Iron—not a divine source!”

“Hahaha, I think I’m about to make a fortune!”

“Maybe I’ll earn enough to buy a shop here in White Emperor City!”

“Bro, how much did you bet?”

“Everything except the clothes on my back!”

“You’re insane! What if you lose and end up running naked out of the city?”

“Gamblers don’t always lose!”

A rogue cultivator, his eyes bloodshot, clenched his fists and yelled toward the high platform, “Hurry up and open the next one!”

“Yeah! At this rate, the flowers will wilt before we’re done!”

Jiang Haoyu shared their impatience. He wanted to know if Master Xu’s remaining five stones might yield a divine source. Giving an order to his attendants, he summoned additional artisans—white-haired veterans whose mere presence exuded professionalism.

“Master Xu, shall we open the remaining stones together?” Jiang Haoyu asked.

“Go ahead,” Xu Yang replied with a nod.

The artisans worked with precision and speed. Within the time it takes for incense to burn, two more stones were opened, releasing an intoxicating fragrance that wafted across the platform.

The aroma caused even the heavenly heirs to turn their heads, their expressions betraying astonishment. The fruits revealed within the stones were of extraordinary rarity—so rare, in fact, that not even these elites had ever tasted them.

“Greenwood Spirit Fruit and Heavenly Resonance Fruit! Both are top-tier spiritual fruits!”

“The Greenwood Spirit Fruit can extend the lifespan of an aging cultivator by at least a century!”

“And the Heavenly Resonance Fruit, while not an elixir of longevity, aids in comprehending the Dao!”

Among the crowd, a direct disciple of a great sect gazed at the Greenwood Spirit Fruit with longing. His sect’s sole Supreme Elder, a revered figure in the Void Shattering realm, was nearing the end of their lifespan. Without a protector of such stature, their sect would surely attract predatory forces.

Though desperate, the disciple knew he couldn’t afford such a treasure. With a heavy heart, he buried the thought of asking.

“None of the three are divine sources! Haha, looks like I’ve won this time!”

“Unbelievable! I always lose bets, but today, I’ve actually won!”

“Wang Chen, looks like your thousand spirit stones are as good as gone!”

A prominent sect disciple glanced at Xiao Ye, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

Xiao Ye cast a disdainful look at the disciple but didn’t respond.

Why bother?

Frogs in a well could never comprehend the immense fortune of the Chosen One.

Meanwhile, the two spiritual fruits retrieved from the source stones were carefully sealed in jade bottles by the artisans and handed over to Qin Kewan.

Qin Kewan held the bottles in her hands, swallowing a few times as the aroma teased her senses. She resisted the urge to devour them immediately and instead walked up to Xu Yang.

“Master, these are for you!”

Huh?

Xu Yang raised an eyebrow, smiling in mild surprise.

“Wan’er, why are you giving these fruits to me? Aren’t you going to eat them?”

Qin Kewan turned her head to the side, mumbling, “Your disciple isn’t hungry… I just ate my fill!”

Full?

For someone like Little Five, who categorized food only as delicious or not delicious, “full” was clearly an excuse.

Xu Yang quickly realized her true intention: seeing Yuan Kouxuan give the Ice Soul Crystal Iron to him earlier, Qin Kewan likely felt compelled to do the same, unwilling to be outdone by her senior sister.

A subtle smile flickered across Xu Yang’s face.

If all his disciples were this devoted, achieving immortality was only a matter of time!

Still, Xu Yang wasn’t about to accept the fruits. Over time, he had observed a peculiar pattern: whenever his disciples made their first offerings, it triggered a 100% return multiplier.

Naturally, he wasn’t about to waste such an opportunity.

Feigning ignorance, Xu Yang teased her.

“Little Five, are you sure you’re full? Because it looks like you’re drooling!”

“No way! Your disciple has been holding back!”

The words tumbled out before Qin Kewan realized her slip. Her face turned crimson, as red as the Peach Immortal Fruit she had eaten earlier. Lowering her head, she twisted her fingers nervously and murmured, “Master, I just wanted to show my filial devotion…”

Chuckling, Xu Yang reached out and patted her head gently.

“Your intentions are well noted, Little Five. But your master doesn’t lack spiritual fruits. Keep these for yourself.”

Qin Kewan opened her mouth to argue but paused, realizing he was right. Xu Yang, still in his prime with a long lifespan, hardly needed the Greenwood Spirit Fruit for longevity. And with his profound comprehension of the Dao, the Heavenly Resonance Fruit was even less necessary.

With a sly grin, she tucked the jade bottles into her robe and said earnestly, “Alright, Master. If any treasures are found in the next source stone, I’ll definitely offer them to you!”

“Very well,” Xu Yang replied, nodding with mock seriousness. “I’ll be sure to accept them then!”

As Qin Kewan giggled and skipped back to her place, Xu Yang silently gave himself a mental pat on the back.

Pure genius.