Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 87

By the Heavenly Heart Lake, Xu Yang decided he couldn’t let his disciple Qing’er go astray. Clearing his throat, he called out:

“Jinli, come with me to Heavenly Thunder Peak!”

From inside the pavilion, startled gasps sounded, followed by a flurry of movements—presumably an attempt to hide something.

After a considerable pause, Xue Jinli emerged, her cheeks still tinged with a lingering blush. She avoided her master’s gaze, looking bashful.

“Master, why are we going to Heavenly Thunder Peak?”

“Wanjun used his position to bully you before. As your master, I intend to settle this matter. I’ll also be investigating the issue of demonic infiltrators at Heavenly Thunder Peak.”

Hearing Xu Yang’s explanation, Xue Jinli’s eyes sparkled with admiration. Her gaze brimmed with stars as she exclaimed,

“Master, you’re so good to me!”

“Let’s go.”

Without further ado, Xu Yang picked her up and soared toward Heavenly Thunder Peak. Before leaving, however, he cast one last, penetrating glance at the pavilion.

Inside, Situ Qingqing peeked out, only to lock eyes with him. Her face flushed instantly, and she ducked back, clutching her burning cheeks.

“Did Master overhear what we were talking about?!” she murmured nervously to herself.

Meanwhile, at Heavenly Thunder Peak

Master Wanjun had been in a foul mood lately, and not without reason.

His secret communications with the demonic sect had backfired spectacularly. Furious over their rescue of Xiao Ye, Wanjun had demanded an explanation, but the response he received was a slap to his pride.

“Compared to you, Xiao Ye holds far greater value for us. His temperament aligns perfectly with our principles, and even our Hall Master has shown interest in taking him as a disciple.”

The implication was clear—Master Wanjun had been discarded.

“You sold me out for Xiao Ye?”

The reply was curt, “You could put it that way. Besides, your contributions to the sect have been negligible. You’re not exactly one of us.”

“Not one of you? I’ve already pledged myself to your cause!”

“Mind your tone, Master Wanjun. Or suffer the consequences.”

Master Wanjun had tried to reply, but his messages were abruptly blocked.

The blatant disregard left him fuming. Once hailed as a valuable ally, he was now treated like yesterday’s trash.

“How dare they favor a mere Foundation Establishment disciple over me, a true cultivator at the Divine Transformation stage?”

Master Wanjun’s resentment toward the demonic sect was eclipsed only by his paranoia. Fearing exposure, he had even stopped using the Bone Refining Scripture to absorb disciples’ vitality, lest his actions attract the attention of Ji Hongluan.

Inside his secret chamber, Master Wanjun was a picture of desperation. His eyes glowed red, his face twisted with hunger, and his body was marred with claw marks from his own nails. Dark energy radiated from him, a palpable aura of decay and corruption.

“I just want to devour someone…”

Abruptly, hurried footsteps echoed outside his chamber.

“Peak Master, bad news—Xu Yang has arrived at the peak!”

The report struck Master Wanjun like a bolt of lightning. His body stiffened as the dark energy around him recoiled.

Xu Yang’s sudden visit at a time like this…

He knew all too well what it could mean.

‘That self-righteous fool must be here to interrogate me about the demonic infiltrator! He might even take this opportunity to pick a fight with me!’

Master Wanjun’s thoughts raced as he fought to calm his nerves.

‘I must endure. The demonic sect has abandoned me. Confronting Xu Yang now will only lead to mutual destruction. I need to bide my time, complete the Bone Refining Sutra, and rise above this sect entirely.’

Regaining his composure, Master Wanjun instructed the elder outside,

“Escort Xu Yang to the main hall and treat him with the utmost respect. I’ll meet him there shortly.”

“Yes, Peak Master.”

Taking a deep breath, Master Wanjun channeled his energy to heal his self-inflicted wounds. Moments later, he strode confidently toward the hall.

At the Heavenly Thunder Peak Main Hall

When Master Wanjun arrived, he found Xu Yang seated in the main chair, sipping tea with an air of unassailable elegance. Beside him stood Xue Jinli, radiating a fiery determination.

Master Wanjun’s gaze flickered with fleeting malice before settling into a deferential smile.

“Brother Xu, what a pleasant surprise! Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. I hope Heavenly Thunder Peak’s tea suits your tastes?”

“It’s tolerable,” Xu Yang replied coolly, placing the cup back into Xue Jinli’s hands. His sharp gaze settled on Master Wanjun as he spoke:

“Brother Wan, surely you can guess the purpose of my visit today.”

“I believe it concerns Xiao Ye?” Master Wanjun ventured, his tone obsequious.

He continued, “It was a grave oversight on my part to misjudge Xiao Ye’s character. Had I noticed his true nature earlier, none of this would’ve happened! Of course, I wouldn’t dare imply that Xiao Ye’s ties to Purple Cloud Peak suggest any—”

“Utter nonsense!”

Xue Jinli interrupted, her temper flaring.

She glared at Master Wanjun, her voice dripping with indignation:

“Xiao Ye failed to pass our peak’s assessment. Master even wanted to eliminate him, but you intervened!”

Master Wanjun’s face darkened momentarily, but he quickly masked it with a placating expression, glancing at Xu Yang for support. Yet, Xu Yang remained impassive, as if entirely uninvolved.

Forced to swallow his anger, Master Wanjun offered a strained apology.

“Perhaps I misspoke. Let’s not dwell on the past. Brother Xu, what brings you here today?”

Xu Yang’s gaze turned icy as he replied:

“Brother Wan, your actions in Heavenly Origin City—bullying my disciple—must be addressed. I’ve come to settle this matter once and for all.”

At these words, Xue Jinli’s heart raced. Her cheeks flushed as she gazed at her master, her admiration bordering on infatuation.

“Master is so majestic and domineering. I’m absolutely smitten!”

“I must find a way to win Master over!”