Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 89

Old Wanjun’s demise was both miserable and unwilling.

Under the blazing golden light, his body quickly disintegrated. His face contorted with despair as his wails of anguish echoed through the air.

As if in a final burst of clarity, his life replayed before his eyes.

Before Xu Yang rose to prominence, Old Wanjun had been one of the brightest stars in the Qingming Sect. Becoming a Divine Transformation cultivator in just over 150 years, he had ascended to the position of Heavenly Thunder Peak Master, basking in glory.

At that time, he was the pride of the sect. Disciples idolized him, and countless young prodigies sought to join Heavenly Thunder Peak under his mentorship. His prestige was unparalleled.

But everything changed when Xu Yang emerged as the youngest Divine Transformation cultivator in the Northern Province, establishing Purple Cloud Peak and securing the championship in his first Six Peaks Tournament.

From then on, Heavenly Thunder Peak was no longer the sect’s crown jewel, and Old Wanjun was no longer its shining star.

Refusing to accept this, he had challenged Xu Yang directly.

But his defeat was catastrophic.

Unable to surpass Xu Yang through conventional means, Old Wanjun had succumbed to the lure of demonic cultivation. Yet even that wasn’t enough.

Now, as his very existence disintegrated, Old Wanjun was forced to confront the bitter truth—he was no more than a pitiful clown.

“I refuse to accept this!”

“If I, Old Wanjun, exist in Qingming, why does Xu Yang need to exist too?!”

“Xu Yang, you won’t die peacefully! I’ll be waiting for you in the Yellow Springs!”

With one final roar, Old Wanjun was obliterated. His soul and body vanished completely, leaving behind only traces of ash.

Xu Yang remained composed. With a flick of his sleeve, an invisible wind swept through the hall, scattering the ashes completely.

Turning to his disciple, Xue Jinli, Xu Yang spoke with solemnity:

“Disciple, remember this well: when you kill someone, always destroy the remains to ensure they can never rise again.”

“Yes, Master. I will remember!”

Xue Jinli blushed faintly, her breathing quickening. Her eyes were filled with admiration and something more—an inexplicable emotion. What exactly occupied her thoughts in this moment, only she knew.

Meanwhile, a trembling elder who had been present to oversee the proceedings dropped to his knees in terror.

The elder’s face was pale, his eyes filled with shock and horror.

In just two punches, Old Wanjun—a demonic cultivator no less—had been reduced to nothing! How terrifying!

The elder’s voice quivered as he groveled, “Peak Master Xu, I swear I had no knowledge of Old Wanjun’s demonic affiliations. I am innocent!”

“To prove my loyalty, I am willing to resign as an elder of Heavenly Thunder Peak!”

With that, he channeled his energy and severed a strand of his hair as a gesture of his resolve.

“From this day forward, I sever all ties with Heavenly Thunder Peak and will have nothing to do with it again!”

The elder was convinced that Xu Yang would eradicate everyone associated with Old Wanjun. Fearing for his life, he sought to distance himself completely from the fallen peak master.

But to his surprise, Xu Yang merely glanced at him with a calm expression and said, “There’s no need for that. Remain as an elder. I may have use for you later.”

“Of course, Peak Master Xu! I am at your service!”

The elder pressed his forehead to the ground, his back drenched in cold sweat.

With that, Xu Yang left the hall with Xue Jinli, heading toward the next chapter of their plans.

Back at Sect Master Peak
In the opulent hall of the sect master, Ji Hongluan lounged on her throne, her figure draped in a luxurious purple gown. Her complexion glowed with a feverish blush, and her delicate fingers absentmindedly traced her lips. Her eyes shimmered with an obsessive and dangerous glint, as if savoring a memory.

At that moment, a sleek black figure darted into the hall—it was none other than her feline companion, Little Flower.

Ji Hongluan snapped out of her reverie and reached out to embrace Little Flower, but the nimble cat dodged her grasp effortlessly.

“Meow, meow!”

Little Flower shook its head vigorously, its tone dripping with disdain.

“What’s dirty about it? This is the price of love. Little Flower, what do you know about love as a mere cat?”

Ji Hongluan’s hand rested over her heart as she sighed wistfully.

‘Excuse me? I’m not just any cat; I’m your strategic advisor!’

Little Flower bristled indignantly but refrained from commenting further.

“Little Flower, as my loyal advisor, I need your counsel on something important.”

“Meow?”

“Well… I have this friend who deeply loves someone but can’t seem to make him hers completely. That someone claims to care for her but refuses to belong to her alone. Tell me, Little Flower, what should she do?”

‘Friend?’ Little Flower’s tail twitched skeptically. ‘Surely you’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?’

Still, the cat chose not to expose her. Instead, it thoughtfully groomed its whiskers before offering advice.

“Meow!”

Translation: ‘Persistent pursuit always wins in the end. Keep at it, and he’ll come around.’

“But he already escaped once,” Ji Hongluan muttered despondently.

“Meow?”

Translation: ‘How?’

“I may be a Venerable, but he shrugged off my suppression like it was nothing.”

At this, Little Flower froze.

‘Who is this Xu Yang? How could he possess such terrifying resolve?’

But then Little Flower looked at Ji Hongluan—the once-dominant Venerable now reduced to a lovesick maiden.

‘Never mind. This isn’t even worth comparing.’

Just then, Ji Hongluan’s communication jade vibrated. Her despondent mood lifted instantly.

“That fool! It hasn’t even been long since we parted, and he’s already missing me!”

Her voice brimmed with excitement as she eagerly read the message.

Xu Yang: Sect Master, I’ve confirmed that Heavenly Thunder Peak Master Old Wanjun was a demonic infiltrator planted by the enemy.

Ji Hongluan’s eyes widened in alarm as she hastily replied:

Xu Yang: Don’t provoke him! Once a cultivator falls to demonic energy, their power surges dramatically. Old Wanjun is in the seventh level of Divine Transformation, and if he assumes his demonic form, he could rival a Venerable! Wait for me; I’ll head to Heavenly Thunder Peak immediately!

But before she could take action, another message arrived.

Xu Yang: Uh… I already provoked him. And accidentally killed him.

Ji Hongluan stared blankly at the jade slip, her expression slowly shifting. Then, she couldn’t help but whisper, “…”

Defeating a pseudo-Venerable demonic cultivator?

Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

“My Xu Yang… truly unparalleled.”

Straightening her posture, Ji Hongluan shed her languid demeanor, her voice ringing with authority.

“Summon all the peak masters to the main hall immediately!”

“Yes, Sect Master!” The Qingming guards outside responded swiftly.

As she waited, Ji Hongluan caressed her lips with a lingering smile.

‘Xu Yang, you’ve proven yourself yet again. How can I let anyone else have you now?’