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

In the rear hall of Purple Cloud Peak, Xu Yang’s consciousness rapidly returned. Opening his eyes, he found himself still trapped in the heart demon illusion.

“Master,” Yuan Kouxuan’s voice was filled with sorrow as she knelt on the ground, tears shimmering in her eyes like a forlorn beast abandoned by its owner. “You claim to be devoted to the Dao, yet dare you look into my eyes? I do not believe your heart is devoid of feelings!”

“Rise, my disciple. It pains me to see you in despair,” Xu Yang said, stepping forward to lift her gently.

Her teary eyes glimmered with disbelief. “Master, you…”

“No need for another life; this lifetime will suffice. I understand your feelings, do you understand mine?” Xu Yang’s voice resonated deeply.

As those words fell, the surroundings dissolved into chaos. Once again, his consciousness blurred, only to be thrust into another illusory realm.

Time after time, Xu Yang was pulled into heart demon illusions. Each one revolved around his disciples, including those he hadn’t even met yet, like Qin Keban, Xu Dongying, and Tu Shan Yaoyao. However, with the clarity granted by the artifact Mirror of Illusions, Xu Yang swiftly recognized the illusions and tore through them.

The only exception was an encounter with Ji Hongluan. In that illusion, Ji Hongluan transformed into a dangerous, obsessive persona, binding him to a chair and subjecting him to indescribable acts. Fortunately, his unwavering will prevailed, and the illusion shattered like a thin veil.

Having broken through countless illusions, a thought nagged at Xu Yang: ‘Why are these scenarios, which I’ve never experienced or feared, manifesting as my heart demons?’

A sudden flash of light.

When Xu Yang opened his eyes once more, he found himself in a strange hall. At the center sat a figure identical to him, perched on the main seat like a sovereign ruler.

Xu Yang floated spectrally, like a ghostly observer, watching the events unfold.

“Peak Master Xu!”

A frantic servant rushed into the hall, his expression urgent. “Xiao Ye has brought his spirit beast to attack Purple Cloud Peak! The formation won’t hold much longer. Please, Peak Master, escape immediately!”

The hall was eerily empty, devoid of disciples. Xu Yang sat alone, an isolated figure. He waved a dismissive hand, his voice calm. “Let him come.”

“Peak Master!” the servant pleaded, despair etched across his face. “Xiao Ye has acquired countless fortuitous encounters. Both he and his spirit beast have reached the Divine Transformation stage. You cannot face them alone! Please, let me escort you to safety.”

Xu Yang sighed deeply. “Go on your own. If you see Dongying, tell her not to blame herself. This is my destiny.”

The servant gritted his teeth. “No, I cannot leave without you! If something happens, how can I face the young miss?”

Summoning his courage, the servant surged forward, revealing the cultivation of a Divine Transformation cultivator. Yet, before he could even step within three feet of Xu Yang, an unseen force hurled him back violently.

Bang!

The servant clutched his chest, coughing blood as he stared at Xu Yang in disbelief. “Peak Master, this is…”

“Fate,” Xu Yang said, his tone void of emotion. “Destiny cannot be defied. Go now.”

With a flick of his hand, a gentle breeze enveloped the servant, carrying him out of the hall. The wind accelerated unnaturally, depositing him a thousand miles away from the Qingming Sect in the blink of an eye.

Turning back toward the distant Purple Cloud Peak, the servant dropped to his knees, tears streaming as he kowtowed heavily. Then, without a second glance, he fled westward.

Outside the hall, four voices cried out in unison.

“Master, we’ve come to save you!”
“We won’t let Xiao Ye hurt you!”
“You’ll be safe, Master!”
“I will protect you!”

The voices belonged to Yuan Kouxuan, Xue Jinli, Situ Qingqing, and Qin Keban. They staggered forward, bloodied and battered, their determination unyielding despite their injuries. Yet, before they could reach the hall, an invisible force repelled them, sending them back to the peak’s secluded reflection cliff.

“Fools.”

“Such fools,” Xu Yang murmured, his expression caught between sorrow and laughter.

Clack. Clack.

Steady footsteps echoed, drawing closer.

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never underestimate the poor youth!” A voice filled with bitter hatred rang out.

“Xu, you old dog! Three years have passed. I’ve come to claim your life!”

Stepping into the hall was Xiao Ye, his plain face twisted with malice. A massive crimson blade materialized in his hand as he pointed it at Xu Yang. “Get down here and die!”

Xu Yang’s doppelganger on the main seat frowned, his voice frigid. “You insolent whelp! You dare bark before me, a mere fledgling Divine Transformation cultivator?”

With a flick of his sleeve, an overwhelming wave of spiritual power transformed into a titanic hand, descending upon Xiao Ye with crushing force.

“Trivial tricks!” Xiao Ye sneered, swinging his fiery blade. A torrent of blazing energy erupted, shredding the colossal hand effortlessly and surging toward Xu Yang.

The doppelganger sat motionless as the fiery attack struck, shattering his defenses. Blood trickled from his lips as he whispered, “Impossible… How did you grow so strong?”

“Thanks to you!” Xiao Ye’s laughter was manic. “Had you not humiliated me and torn me from my seven senior sisters, I wouldn’t have risen to such heights!”

The battle escalated, with Xu Yang’s doppelganger ultimately overpowered. Crumpled and broken, he slumped onto the seat as Xiao Ye loomed over him.

“Goodbye, Xu, you old dog.”

From the sidelines, Xu Yang’s consciousness boiled with fury. He screamed inwardly, but the illusion shackled his body and voice. As Xiao Ye delivered the final blow, the illusion dissolved into darkness.

Xu Yang awoke in the rear hall, drenched in sweat. Wiping his damp face, he found his fingertips wet with tears.

“Why… am I crying?” he muttered, bewildered.

Before he could ponder further—

Boom! Boom!

Thunder rumbled ominously as storm clouds gathered above the Qingming Sect.

The tribulation lightning was coming.