At the Beginning, The Villain Went for the Saintess, and the Protagonist Lost His Cool!

Chapter 16: The Heavenly Origin Pill is Gone, and the Protagonist is Heartbroken!:

“What? A Heavenly Origin Pill?!” Lin Xiuran’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing those words.

Initially, he assumed it was yet another batch of Spiritual Essence Pills, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect the Absolute Void Holy Land’s Holy Son to be so extravagant as to offer a Heavenly Origin Pill—an extraordinary, divine pill.

For a moment, Lin Xiuran thought he must have misheard. Unable to believe it, he asked again, “Are you sure he offered a Heavenly Origin Pill this time?”

Leng Yue, noticing Lin Xiuran’s sudden agitation, leaned back slightly and reassured him, “Brother Lin, don’t worry. I’m not interested in anything he has to offer!

I’ve already decided to cut ties with him completely, so I refused. Even if he destroys the pill, it has nothing to do with me!”

Leng Yue’s firm tone reflected her resolute stance.

“You refused?” Lin Xiuran felt an inexplicable pang in his heart.

A Heavenly Origin Pill!

That was no ordinary pill—it was the Heavenly Origin Pill!

Just moments ago, his master had explained that only a Heavenly Origin Pill could fully heal his Dao wound, bestow numerous other benefits, and elevate his cultivation.

For Lin Xiuran, the Heavenly Origin Pill was the most suitable remedy for his current condition.

And yet, Leng Yue had outright rejected it.

Even Lin Xiuran, known for his calm composure, found himself unable to maintain his usual tranquility in the face of this revelation.

However, a glimmer of hope reignited within him.

In the past, whenever Leng Yue refused gifts from the Holy Son, he would resort to destroying the pills, forcing her to accept them.

Surely, this time would be no different. The Heavenly Origin Pill would inevitably end up in Leng Yue’s hands, which meant he could eventually obtain it to heal his Dao wound, greatly enhance his cultivation, and even forge a perfect Golden Core when advancing to the next stage.

Comforted by this thought, Lin Xiuran regained his composure, a faint smile returning to his face.

“Yue’er, you’ve done well. I’m sure the Holy Son will pull his usual antics, forcing you to accept the pill to avoid wasting it. Such a divine treasure—it would be a shame to destroy it.”

Leng Yue’s expression shifted slightly.

She recalled how, earlier that day, she had refused the Holy Son’s offer, only for him to uncharacteristically take her rejection at face value and withhold the pill.

Not only that, but when she expressed indifference toward the Saintess title, he had directly stripped her of the position.

The memory of that humiliation still stung, filling her heart with discomfort.

Leng Yue’s voice turned cold as she said, “This time, he didn’t do what you expect. When I refused, he simply stopped offering it.”

Lin Xiuran’s smile froze, his emotions swinging like a pendulum.

The Holy Son didn’t insist on giving the pill?

This was completely unexpected and entirely out of character for the Holy Son.

His expression darkened as a wave of pain surged through him.

If what Leng Yue said was true, then… the Heavenly Origin Pill was truly gone?

The legendary pill, said to grant infinite spiritual energy to Spiritual Sea cultivators and enable the forging of a perfect Golden Core, had been so close—right within his grasp.

And now, it had silently slipped away.

“Cough…”

The shock sent Lin Xiuran’s qi and blood into turmoil, threatening to reopen his suppressed injuries. He felt a thick, metallic taste rise in his throat but swallowed it back down with effort.

Though his outward expression betrayed little of his inner turmoil, Lin Xiuran couldn’t suppress a fleeting sense of resentment.

But almost immediately, he reprimanded himself.

How could he harbor such thoughts toward Leng Yue?

How could he allow such vile ideas to take root in his heart?

Leng Yue’s refusal of the Holy Son was exactly what he had urged her to do.

Her actions were entirely for his sake, rejecting the Holy Son’s entanglements and choosing integrity over gain.

No matter what the Holy Son offered—be it celestial treasures or the stars themselves—Lin Xiuran had no right to blame Leng Yue.

To do so would make him nothing more than a hypocrite cloaked in righteousness.

The Holy Son’s gifts held no value to them.

Shaken by his near lapse, Lin Xiuran steadied his mind.

Had he allowed his wavering emotions to destabilize his Dao heart, it could have led to catastrophic consequences. Leng Yue might have grown distant, and the Heavenly Origin Pill would have been lost forever.

“Phew…”

Exhaling deeply, Lin Xiuran worked to restore his composure.

However, his pale complexion betrayed the worsening of his old injuries.

With a cold sneer, he said, “As expected, the Holy Son’s actions are always self-serving.

If the Heavenly Origin Pill were truly precious to him, he wouldn’t have simply given up. This only proves his ulterior motives. Yue’er, it’s best to keep your distance from him.”

Leng Yue glanced at Lin Xiuran’s pallid face and the faint signs of another impending bout of internal bleeding. His voice, already hoarse, pained her deeply.

If not for Lin Xiuran’s desperation to seek vengeance for both of them, he wouldn’t have forcibly elevated his cultivation and suffered such severe injuries.

Perhaps she should have accepted the Heavenly Origin Pill earlier, enduring some humiliation to repay the Holy Son through labor or services.

A trace of guilt clouded Leng Yue’s face, her regret evident in her apologetic gaze toward Lin Xiuran.

Sensing her remorse, Lin Xiuran ignored his own pain and offered comforting words.

“Yue’er, you’ve done well. Even if it was the Heavenly Origin Pill, you were right not to accept it.

Had you taken it, the Holy Son would only have continued his relentless pursuit, making things worse.

You mustn’t blame yourself. Do you think I’m so desperate for a single pill? Rest assured, I will recover from this injury!”

Lin Xiuran’s eyes shone with resolve as he fixed his gaze on Leng Yue’s exquisite face.

“After all these years, don’t you trust my abilities?”

Leng Yue’s long lashes fluttered, her eyes brightening with renewed faith.

Seeing Lin Xiuran’s confidence reassured her, dispelling much of her guilt.

In her heart, she had always trusted him.

Moreover, she admired his composure and strength, so unlike the Holy Son, whose lack of dignity and excessive flattery had utterly failed to impress her.

Women, by nature, gravitate toward strength.

A man’s humility and groveling, no matter how gifted or powerful, will never attract their admiration.