Back inside his private cultivation hall, Lin Xian lounged on a cushioned jade throne like he owned the world — because honestly, at that moment, he kind of did.
A projection of glowing text floated in front of him, visible only to his eyes.
[Congratulations, Villain Host!]Mission Complete: "Ruin the Engagement Ceremony"Bonus Villain Points: +1,000First Luck Steal ActivatedReward Unlocked: Yin-Yang Demon Physique
[System Upgrade Available – Proceed?]
Lin Xian smiled lazily. "Proceed."
The system buzzed, and a deep hum pulsed through his soul.
[Villain System – Level 2 Unlocked]New Features Unlocked:Villain ShopFate Steal TrackingHero Identification RadarHidden Affection Monitor
[You've also gained your first Supreme Physique: Yin-Yang Demon Body]Effect: Enhances charm, boosts dual cultivation efficiency, grants natural attraction aura.Side Effect: May cause unintended attention from cultivators of both genders.
"…Noted," Lin Xian muttered, raising an eyebrow.
A soft knock echoed from the entrance. "Young master, Lady Ying'er wishes to see you."
Ah, right. Ying'er — his maid since childhood. Loyal, gentle, and… from what he now remembered in this body's memories — very interested in him.
"Let her in," he said calmly.
The door opened, and Ying'er walked in, clutching a tray of tea. She was wearing a soft blue robe, her eyes worried.
"Young master... are you really okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Everyone's talking about what happened at the ceremony. They said you— you humiliated Saintess Ye and injured Mu Yihan—"
"Good. Let them talk."
Lin Xian leaned back in his chair. His gaze met hers — confident, dangerous, and calm.
Ying'er's heart skipped. There was something different about him.
He used to be a little reckless, hot-tempered. But now? This wasn't a boy pretending to be a villain.
This was a man who was one.
And somehow… that was even more terrifying.
And attractive.
"You're not... mad about the cancellation?" she asked quietly.
"Why would I be mad?" he said, smirking. "Losing Ye Qingxue was like a farmer losing a wild deer. Now I'm the one holding the hunting rifle."
Ying'er blinked. "What?"
"Never mind," he waved it off. Earth metaphors wouldn't work here.
He stood, stretching.
"I'm going out."
"Where?"
"To hunt a protagonist."
That night – Beneath the Spirit Moon Grove
A tall figure in white robes limped through the bamboo forest.
It was Mu Yihan — blood still staining his collar.
His pride had taken a hit. Not just from being defeated — but from being defeated so easily. In front of Ye Qingxue. In front of the entire continent's top sects.
He gritted his teeth.
"I need to find the Star Jade Lotus before the Lin Clan brat gets in my way again. With it, I'll break through to the Soul Core realm—"
"Looking for this?"
A lazy voice interrupted him.
Mu Yihan spun around — and saw Lin Xian casually tossing a glowing lotus flower in his hand.
It radiated pure, condensed qi. The treasure Mu Yihan had been secretly searching for.
"You—!" Mu Yihan snarled.
"Oh relax," Lin Xian said. "You can have it back. All you have to do… is crawl for it."
Mu Yihan's expression darkened. "You've gone mad."
Lin Xian shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just finally playing the role this world wrote for me."
He stepped forward, and his aura exploded — dark, oppressive, like a mountain crashing down.
Mu Yihan froze.
[Fate Pressure Activated]Target: Mu Yihan – Confidence Disruption (42%)Villain Points Gained: +150
"You can either crawl now, or crawl later when I break your legs."
"You're bluffing," Mu Yihan hissed.
Lin Xian snapped his fingers.
Behind him, shadow puppets formed from demonic qi — silent, sinister, and sharp.
Mu Yihan flinched. These weren't illusions. This wasn't bluster.
This was real.
And the worst part? Lin Xian wasn't even trying hard.
"I'll take my chances," Mu Yihan growled, drawing his sword.
Lin Xian smiled. "Good. It's more fun when they fight back."
[Mission Complete: Protagonist Suppression – Round 1]Villain Points +1,200Luck Stolen: 23%New Title Unlocked: "Fate Breaker"Ye Qingxue's Suspicion: 85% → Emotional Turmoil Imminent
Back at the Lin Clan…
Ye Qingxue stood on a moonlit balcony, staring off into the night.
For some reason, her heart couldn't calm down.
"Why… do I feel like I made a terrible mistake?"
Her eyes narrowed.
This Lin Xian was dangerous.
But part of her couldn't stop thinking about him.