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

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Half an hour. Not a minute more, not a minute less. True to her word, Qing’er adhered to the time limit—but her approach left Xu Yang utterly speechless.

Looking at Qing’er, who had fainted from exhaustion, Xu Yang reached out to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead. Placing his hand lightly on her abdomen, he directed a warm flow of energy to dissolve the excess thunder tribulation liquid coursing through her body.

“You’re so brave, girl,” he muttered, half in exasperation and half in amusement.

“Even braver than Little Five, the foodie,” he added with a sigh, pinching Qing’er’s soft cheek in mock reprimand.

He couldn’t help but conclude that Qing’er had taken such bold risks because she trusted him completely. With him by her side, she had no fear.

“Qing’er, you’ll need to work harder. Do you really want to stay at the bottom of the battle power rankings forever?” Xu Yang mused aloud.

Standing up, he left a few treasures by her side—resources to aid her cultivation—before leaning down to place a soft kiss on her cheek. Then, without another word, he turned and left the room.

As he departed, Qing’er’s eyelashes fluttered faintly, and the corners of her lips curled into a sweet, contented smile.

The cool evening breeze greeted Xu Yang as he returned to Purple Cloud Palace. The turmoil in his blood and qi had finally subsided, and the distractions clouding his mind had faded. He now felt calm and rational, his thoughts clear.

“The news of the Black Tortoise Emperor’s capture will undoubtedly reach Great Sage Xuanwu soon,” Xu Yang speculated, his expression serious.

“Given how much the old turtle values his nephew, he’ll come here in a fit of rage. That will be my opportunity—not only to demand the map but also to test my current combat power!”

He paused in thought, recalling the events of the original novel.

“In the original book, Great Sage Xuanwu was defeated by Great Sage Douzhan, but it wasn’t due to lack of strength. Douzhan’s Saint Ape lineage granted him innate mastery of the Douzhan Saint Method, which has supreme offensive capabilities. It ignored all defenses, specifically countering Xuanwu’s impenetrable shell.

“Great Sage Xuanwu’s downfall wasn’t because of his power but because he panicked, prioritizing the Black Tortoise Emperor’s rescue. He stubbornly took the full brunt of Douzhan’s attacks and ended up losing his life.

“Still, the old turtle’s strength should not be underestimated. If things go wrong, he could escape. I can’t let that happen. The map is too crucial—it’s the key to unlocking the Star Gate, which will accelerate my cultivation.”

Xu Yang’s eyes gleamed with determination as he strategized. “I’ll need to prepare carefully…”

Lost in thought, Xu Yang walked into the palace’s back hall. His steps halted as he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching.

Looking up, he saw a familiar figure sitting elegantly on the bed.

“Yu’er?”

Ruan Yuer, dressed in a flowing white gown, exuded an air of quiet grace. Her figure was curvaceous yet refined, with a gentle curve at her waist that hinted at hidden strength.

Noticing her master’s arrival, her beautiful eyes lit up. Rising gracefully, she walked towards Xu Yang with a light, measured pace, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

“Master, why did you stay at Qing’er’s place for so long?” she asked, her tone soft but laced with a subtle hint of reproach.

Xu Yang picked up on the hidden meaning behind her words but chose not to address it. Instead, he slipped an arm around her slender waist, guiding her back to the bed and pulling her onto his lap.

“What’s this? Have you been waiting long?” he teased, a playful glint in his eye.

Ruan Yuer nodded slightly, her gaze soft and affectionate. “After Senior Sister and Junior Sister left, I stayed here, waiting for you until now.”

Xu Yang couldn’t help but smile at her candidness.

“So,” she continued, her voice tinged with warmth, “Master took care of the disciple, but shouldn’t you take care of me too?”

Xu Yang smirked knowingly. “Are you sure you’re ready for that? Your master just broke through to the Void Shattering realm…”

Ruan Yuer’s face flushed a delicate pink, but her resolve didn’t waver. “That’s precisely why I’ve been waiting for you, Master. So…?”

Her gaze met his directly, her beautiful eyes filled with longing.

“I didn’t know my Yu’er was such a clever little ghost!” Xu Yang chuckled, leaning in closer.

Ruan Yu’er lifted her chin slightly, her cheeks still burning red, but she didn’t shy away. Instead, she tilted her head and whispered:

“Hmm—”

“Bo~”

Xu Yang pinched Yuer’s chin and leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips.

Yuer, quick to seize the moment, tasted the faint rouge still lingering on him. But as she savored it, she noticed something unusual. There wasn’t just one flavor—there were layers. She stared at her master with a knowing smile.

“Master, it seems like you’ve been taking care of more than just the Sect Master, haven’t you?”

Caught off guard, Xu Yang looked slightly embarrassed. “Master also…”

“Forget it,” Ruan Yu’er cut him off, laughing lightly. “I don’t mind. After all, they’re just making wedding clothes for me.”

Her carefree attitude was so unexpected that Xu Yang was momentarily speechless.

Ruan Yuer, it turned out, had an open-minded and generous heart. “Bitterness for them, sweetness for me,” she mused. “Whatever hardship they face, I reap the rewards.”

“Uh…”

Xu Yang hadn’t anticipated such a reaction. Most of the others were fiercely competitive, their jealousy simmering just below the surface. Xiao Hongluan, for example, was practically synonymous with possessiveness. If she ever learned that Yuan Kouxuan had helped detoxify him while Qing’er looked after him…

He shuddered at the thought of the chaos it would unleash. The Shura field would be beyond intense—downright explosive.

But, sooner or later, they would all have to accept the truth. Xu Yang figured he could ease them into it, crafting small “accidents” or “coincidences” along the way.

Still, he couldn’t help but tease Ruan Yuer. “Yu’er, are you so sure they’re only making wedding clothes for you? What if your master still has some strength left?”

That caught Yuer off guard. She had been so sure that neither Xiao Hongluan nor Qing’er could keep up with their master. But if Xu Yang truly had untapped strength…

Deciding not to dwell on the possibility, she quickly shifted the topic. “Master, do you think this skirt looks good on me?”

“It does,” Xu Yang replied without hesitation. “It’s elegant and perfectly complements Yu’er’s figure. It highlights your charm beautifully.”

Yuer raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sly smile. “So, Master, is it the skirt that looks good or the disciple wearing it?”

Xu Yang smiled. “Clothes are just external decorations. Their beauty depends on the person wearing them. A fine outfit is meaningless without someone to bring it to life. On you, this skirt is extraordinary. Otherwise, it’s just fabric.”

Ruan Yuer’s playful expression deepened. “Then, Master, why are your eyes lingering on the skirt and not me? Could it be that you…”

“Yu’er, are you serious?” Xu Yang interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

Her boldness faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, raising her chin defiantly. Her flushed cheeks betrayed her nerves, but her voice was steady.

“Of course, Master. Your disciple is very serious!”

Xu Yang chuckled, his eyes narrowing. He reached out to pull her closer, his tone soft but firm.

“If that’s the case, then it seems your master has to teach you some discipline. You’ve grown far too bold, Yu’er.”

“?!”

Ruan Yu’er suddenly panicked. Her usual confidence wavered, and her voice turned weak. “Master… You’ll be gentle with me, right?”

Xu Yang’s lips quirked into a smirk. “What do you think?”

“…”

Seeing her master’s uncompromising expression, Yu’er’s heart sank. Her mind raced, and in desperation, she called out internally:

Sister! I might really need your help this time!

But the voice in her soul was cold and unyielding.

“You’ve only remembered me now? Who told you to provoke the master so recklessly earlier? This is your mess. Handle it yourself.”

“No, wait—”