Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 142

White Emperor City.

“I’m sorry, I made a scene earlier,” Elder Qiu said with a sorrowful face. “I didn’t mean to intervene.”

Her eyes glistened with restrained grief as she added, “The man killed Chen’er. I had to kill him myself to bring some peace to his spirit in heaven.”

She reached into her robe and took out an ornate wooden box. “As an apology, this spiritual fruit is for the two of you.”

The mention of a spiritual fruit immediately caught Qin Kewan’s attention. She eagerly accepted the box, opened it, and saw the vibrant pink glow emanating from the fruit within. It radiated a tantalizing aroma that made her salivate.

Quickly closing the box to preserve its aura, she presented it to Yuan Kouxuan. “Big Sister, here, it’s yours!”

Yuan Kouxuan, however, didn’t even glance at the box. Her gaze remained fixed on Elder Qiu. For reasons she couldn’t explain, Yuan Kouxuan felt an inexplicable empathy for this woman. With a sympathetic tone, she said, “Sister, please accept my condolences.”

Elder Qiu shook her head, her expression hardening as she replied, “It is not me who should be mourned. It is those evil demons who should accept your condolences for their impending demise.”

With that, Elder Qiu turned and left, her steps heavy, her back desolate.

As they watched her retreating figure, Qin Kewan’s eyes flickered with emotion. She couldn’t help but say, “That sister is so pitiful. Not only did her lover get killed by Xiao Ye, but he also impersonated him. Judging by her murderous aura, it seems the demons in the Northern Province will suffer greatly. But honestly, if Master were killed…”

?

Xu Yang had just landed nearby and overheard her comment. His eyebrow twitched, and his fingers instinctively curled into a flicking motion, ready to knock some sense into her.

Before he could act, Yuan Kouxuan had already stepped forward. The Qing’ai Sword whipped back into her hand, and with a single wave, she gave Qin Kewan’s rear a firm smack.

“I told you not to talk nonsense about Master!”

“That’s not what I meant!” Qin Kewan yelped, rubbing her behind. “I was expressing admiration for Master… Ow, it hurts! Stop hitting me! I’m sorry, wuwuwu~”

Even as she tried to escape the punishment, her eyes sought Xu Yang’s for rescue.

Xu Yang feigned ignorance, his expression neutral. However, when Yuan Kouxuan wasn’t looking, he discreetly gave her a thumbs-up.

‘Good job, Xuan’er!’

The battle raged for another half-hour before finally ending.

The last evil spirit of the Divine Transformation realm fell, bleeding profusely. The city became eerily quiet, save for the sounds of heavy breaths and groans from the wounded.

White Emperor City was in ruins.

The streets were littered with broken limbs and mangled corpses. Pungent black blood flowed in rivulets, its vile scent mixing with the air. The demonic energy within the blood made it highly dangerous. If left unchecked, it could fester and breed monsters.

Knowing this, the cultivators quickly mobilized to cleanse the city of the demonic taint.

Amidst the aftermath, news about the Wei family caused an uproar.

As it turned out, the Wei family had long been in league with the demons. Jiang Haoyu’s followers raided their estate and uncovered shocking evidence: most of the Wei family’s direct descendants practiced demonic cultivation. Interrogations of their elders revealed a grand conspiracy to overthrow the Jiang family.

Their plan had been to frame the Jiang family for colluding with demons, sow chaos in the Northern Palace, and ultimately usurp their power.

The revelation sent waves of anger and betrayal through White Emperor City.

When Jiang Haoyu heard the report, his face turned pale, and he nearly fell out of his chair. “If it weren’t for Master Xu, the Wei family might have succeeded in their treachery!”

He wiped the sweat from his brow, still reeling from the thought. Turning to his attendants, he asked, “What’s taking the gift for Master Xu so long? It should’ve arrived by now.”

The attendant bowed hastily. “Don’t worry, Divine Son. I’ll send a message to follow up immediately!”

He quickly retrieved his communication jade slip and stepped aside to send the message.

After an incense stick’s worth of time, the black blood flowing throughout White Emperor City was finally cleaned up.

The crowd gathered once more at the edges of the high platform, gazing up at the majestic figure of Xu Yang. Their expressions overflowed with awe, reverence, and pure admiration.

The memory of Senior Xu’s overwhelming battle against the six demon lords was still fresh in everyone’s minds. Each time they recalled the sight, their hearts quaked with disbelief and veneration.

How could a cultivator in the Divine Transformation realm defeat six Void Shattering realm demon lords so effortlessly, as if they were mere weeds?

Such a feat, previously unimaginable, had been etched into their souls forever.

For the cultivators of White Emperor City, Senior Xu was no less than a divine savior.

If not for him, every one of them would have fallen prey to the Demon Refining Banners—their bones, blood, and flesh reduced to raw materials for the banners, leaving nothing behind.

At last, a voice broke the reverent silence:

“Thank you, Senior Xu, for saving my life!”

“Senior Xu’s kindness is something I will never forget. I owe him my life!”

Another added boldly, “Master Xu saved me! If words can’t repay his kindness, I’ll repay him with my body!”

Someone teased, “Repay him with your body? Forget it! Don’t you see that even the eight saints of the Hehuan Sect are waiting in line for a chance?”

Laughter rippled through the crowd, but their awe for Xu Yang was unwavering.

On the high platform, the descendants of the immortal clans stepped forward one by one, their gratitude palpable.

One descendant bowed deeply, his expression serious. “Master Xu, I won’t say much. All the treasures, elixirs, and spiritual objects I have, except those bound by my clan, are yours. Even this cannot repay your kindness!”

Another followed, presenting a storage ring. “Master Xu, take mine as well. Should you ever visit my clan, we will welcome you with the highest honors!”

A third added with fiery determination, “Although I am unworthy of being your disciple, I will regard you as my master from this day forth. Your enemies are my enemies!”

The immortal descendants continued, each offering their most precious belongings as tokens of gratitude.

Xu Yang remained calm on the surface, his expression steady, but his divine sense swept through the dozens of storage rings in his possession.

Inwardly, he was delighted.

Though ordinary spiritual objects and elixirs were of little use to him, many of the treasures gifted by these descendants could significantly enhance his cultivation or refine his techniques.

His lips curled into a slight smile as he thought, “No wonder they say the immortal clans are rich. It’s true—these guys are absurdly wealthy!”

With just these gifts, Xu Yang had become wealthy again.

Now, he could return to Purple Cloud Peak and cultivate in peace, breaking through to the Void Shattering realm and cementing his place as the undisputed number one in the Qingming Sect.

This method of obtaining wealth and resources was far faster—and safer—than outright robbery.

“If there’s another event like the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering, I’ll definitely show up again,” Xu Yang mused with a touch of amusement.

At that moment, Jiang Haoyu, the host of the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering, approached him.

With a thud, Jiang Haoyu knelt on the ground, his expression filled with reverence. “Haoyu thanks Master Xu for saving my life!”

His voice carried a trembling sincerity. “If it weren’t for Master Xu, the Jiang family would have faced utter ruin!”

Xu Yang had already learned about the Wei family’s treachery and understood Jiang Haoyu’s gratitude. With a wave of his hand, he helped Jiang Haoyu to his feet and said warmly, “Jiang Shenzi, you’re being too polite.”

Jiang Haoyu shook his head, his expression resolute. “No, Master Xu, your kindness is boundless. Haoyu could spend his entire life trying to repay it and still fall short!”

He bowed deeply again and took out a storage ring, presenting it with both hands. “This is but a small token of gratitude. I hope Master Xu will accept it.”

Seeing Jiang Haoyu’s unwavering sincerity, Xu Yang smiled lightly and accepted the storage ring. With a sweep of his divine sense, he discovered dozens of source stones inside.

Each one pulsed with faint auras of treasure, and a few even exuded the unmistakable breath of Divine Source.

Xu Yang couldn’t help but marvel. “Jiang Haoyu truly lives up to his reputation. Generous and grand in gesture!”

These source stones were invaluable for Xu Yang, not just for the treasures they contained, but also for teaching Little Koi the art of source refinement.

“With these stones, Little Koi will not only grow stronger but also gain valuable experience in refining techniques,” Xu Yang thought with satisfaction.