Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 180

The moon hung on the willow branches, casting its silvery glow.

It was midnight.

Xu Yang gently held Yuan Kouxuan’s slender waist, leaning in to place a soft kiss on her cheek.

“Xuan’er, you’ve worked hard. Take a rest now.”

Although his eldest disciple was exceptionally talented in both swordsmanship and painting, her cultivation was still at the Nascent Soul realm. Maintaining the painting for two hours had clearly taken a toll on her.

Thanks to the fairy peach from the painting, Xu Yang had detoxified more than half of the poison in his body. His energy had calmed, and his thoughts were clear once more.

“Master, let me just rest for a little while…”

Yuan Kouxuan lay in Xu Yang’s arms, her breaths shallow and her body weak. Though she was a true “hexagonal warrior,” she looked as fragile as a “willow swaying in the wind.”

She was on the verge of collapse. If she continued, she would only harm herself further without gaining any benefit.

Yuan Kouxuan might not cherish her own health, but Xu Yang, as her master, couldn’t just sit back and let her exhaust herself for his sake.

His eyes were filled with tenderness as he gently pinched her delicate cheek.

“Xuan’er, when Master asks you to rest, you must rest.”

Yuan Kouxuan blushed deeply. In that moment, her master didn’t seem like an imposing figure but rather a tender and perfect man.

She looked up at Xu Yang, her eyelashes fluttering, and parted her lips shyly:

“Master, I really am fine…”

She tried to sit up, as if to prove herself, but Xu Yang pushed her back down gently.

“Be obedient, Xuan’er. You know as well as I do how much effort painting takes out of you.”

His tone was soft, almost coaxing, like speaking to a child.

Hearing this, Yuan Kouxuan finally relented. She lay back in Xu Yang’s arms, her head spinning slightly. For the first time, she spoke in a coquettish tone, her voice soft and filled with warmth:

“Master, will you tell me a story?”

“Alright. Let me tell you a story about an old monk. Long ago, on a mountain, there was a temple, and in the temple, there was an old monk…”

Yuan Kouxuan slowly closed her eyes as she listened to Xu Yang’s calm voice.

Exhaustion from painting, combined with the soothing cadence of her master’s storytelling, lulled her into a peaceful sleep.

Even in her slumber, she murmured faintly:

“I like Master so much…”

“I want to give Master a pair of children… twins, preferably…”

“I have to practice hard. Master will be in at the Mahayana realm. I need to break through the Void Shattering realm…”

“I want to stay by Master’s side forever…”

Her voice was faint, but Xu Yang heard every word clearly.

He gazed at her flushed cheeks and recalled the time when Xuan’er had asked him whether he liked boys or girls.

Now, hearing her heartfelt words, his heart pounded inexplicably. Gently, he pinched her earlobe and murmured softly:

“Xuan’er, your master will also stay by your side for the rest of your life.”

He watched her sleeping form for a while longer, confirming she had entered a deep, undisturbed slumber. Then, he rose, placed a newly obtained Saint-level inner armor beside her for protection, and left her residence.

Tap, tap, tap…

Xu Yang’s footsteps echoed softly as he walked under the moonlight, heading toward Purple Cloud Hall.

Most of the poison in his body had been neutralized, and the little that remained could be resolved through meditation.

Suddenly, the communication jade slip at his waist vibrated.

?

Who could be sending him a message at this hour?

He picked up the jade slip and saw Qing’er’s name flashing.

Xu Yang blinked in surprise.

Qing’er? That timid little girl?

How had she mustered the courage to contact him directly?

Did she find another helper? Or perhaps discover some secret dragon-subduing technique?

Curiosity piqued, Xu Yang clicked on the message.

Qing’er, the Little Coward: Master, are you done? Qing’er misses you!

Xu Yang: I’ll be right there!

After editing the reply, Xu Yang leapt through the void and arrived instantly at the peach blossom forest. The attic door was ajar, and soft, warm lights spilled out from within.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the attic.

The moment he entered, a petite figure flew into his arms.

“Wow, Master, Qing’er misses you so much…”

Situ Qingqing hugged Xu Yang tightly, her delicate frame trembling as she buried her little head against his chest.

“Isn’t Master here now?” Xu Yang chuckled, gently patting her head.

“Hmph! You didn’t even say you missed your disciple!”

Situ Qingqing raised her teary eyes to meet his, her pupils reflecting a hint of grievance. Puffing out her cheeks, she glared at him, clearly upset.

“How could Master not miss Qing’er? Last time Qing’er asked Master to come here…”

Xu Yang trailed off, his tone playful.

?

Situ Qingqing’s expression shifted. Her eyes widened in panic, and she quickly reached out to cover her Master’s mouth, her cheeks flushed pink.

“Last time was Master’s fault! Second Senior Sister brought two bottles of wine and said they were bought from the mortal world…”

Her words tumbled out in a rush as she tried to explain what had happened.

“So, what about Jinli?”

“Senior Sister… she was invited by Second Senior Sister to Peachwood Pavilion to drink with us. We all got drunk!”

Situ Qingqing made up the lie on the spot, hoping to steer the conversation away from last time. She tugged Xu Yang inside and plopped down on the bed. Blinking up at him, she said earnestly:

“Master, I can definitely hold on for half an hour this time!”

“You secretly studied those bottles and jars, didn’t you?”

Xu Yang tapped her forehead lightly with his finger.

Situ Qingqing covered her head and shook it vigorously. “No, Master! You said those things were harmful to the body. How could I still study them?”

“Then what’s your secret?”

“Oh, Master, don’t ask too much. I have to keep a little mystery; otherwise, it won’t be any fun if I tell you everything.”

“You’re sure it’s not a crooked way?”

“It’s really not, Master. Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course not…”

“Master, I’m angry now.”

Situ Qingqing crossed her arms and furrowed her brows, looking genuinely upset.

Xu Yang quickly adjusted his tone, moving closer and gently poking her cheek.

“Master was just joking. Is Qing’er truly angry?”

Situ Qingqing’s act didn’t last long. She glared at him for a moment, her peach blossom eyes shimmering, before giving in.

“Hmph! I won’t be angry this time… Master, let’s practice! I feel rusty after so many days without practicing.”

“Alright, but you can’t cry and complain after suffering a little hardship. Cultivation requires consistency. If you fish for three days and dry the net for two, your progress will only decline.”

“It’s because Senior Sister watches so closely! Otherwise, how could I fish for three days and dry the net for two?”

Situ Qingqing pouted, grumbling softly. Then, straightening her posture, she assumed a stance, looking as fierce as a tiger descending the mountain.

“Come on, Master, I’m ready!”

Xu Yang chuckled inwardly. Qing’er was truly adorable, but sparring immediately without a warm-up would ruin her foundation, especially since his cultivation had leaped to the Void Shattering realm.

“Let’s take it slow. It’s been a long time since we’ve spent time alone. I’ll tell you what happened in White Emperor City first.”

“Alright! The night is long, and it’s the perfect time to listen to Master’s stories…”

Situ Qingqing lay down beside him, propping her chin on her hands with a sweet smile.

She knew she could only practice for half an hour at best. Listening to Master’s stories felt like an extension of their time together. Even if she couldn’t deceive Master, she could at least trick herself into believing it was longer.