This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 132: Chapter 86: Going Further and Further Down the Path of a Rival Suitor, Can You Take Us Along As Well?

"Reporting to Master, your disciple is slow-witted. I truly cannot comprehend the final layers of the Purple Mist Scripture, so my cultivation has stagnated..." Fei Luo’s expression shifted slightly as he answered in a rush.

"It is of no concern. Some time ago, I refined some Purple Mist Pills that can help you break through your final bottlenecks."

"However, each of you may only take one. Any more would be useless."

Zixia Daoist spoke placidly. With a sweep of his duster, a white jade bottle instantly appeared on the ground before him.

"Thank you, Master..."

Witnessing this, the disciples, who had all worn mournful expressions just moments before, were stunned. Then, looks of excitement spread across their faces as they scrambled for the white jade bottle.

Each of them poured out a glossy black Elixir Pill that exuded a peculiar, fragrant aroma and swallowed it immediately, as if terrified someone else might snatch it away.

Only Fei Luo’s face turned deathly pale as he watched.

He dropped to his knees without a second thought, his voice trembling as he pleaded, "Master, your disciple has always served you diligently, attending to you as both a master and a father. I have never been disloyal. Please, spare my life..."

Zixia Daoist watched him with a calm, indifferent expression, as if he had no idea what Fei Luo meant.

The other disciples who had taken the Elixir Pills were equally shocked and confused by the sight.

"Master, I saw everything! This isn’t a Purple Mist Pill—it’s a Blood Sacrifice Pill! It’s the kind of pill the Blood Immortal Sect once used for their offerings. It strengthens the flesh and spiritual essence of the sacrifice, multiplying their potency several times over during the ritual..." Fei Luo’s face was ashen, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

But Zixia Daoist’s expression remained unchanged, as if this was not the least bit surprising.

"I have taught you for many years. It is time you repaid me," he said placidly, but his eyes were ice-cold, devoid of any emotion.

The disciples were stunned, frozen like wooden chickens. When they finally processed his words, their faces filled with terror, and they tried to flee Zixia Temple.

But none of them could even make it out of the hall. Their limbs grew weak, their strength evaporated, and one by one, they collapsed to the ground with a THUD.

Zixia Daoist’s expression was utterly indifferent. He opened his somewhat withered hand, and several Human-Faced Banners shrouded in black mist materialized, floating in mid-air.

He opened his mouth and spat out a jet of chilling fire. It was an eerie, ghostly green, like a will-o’-the-wisp. With a BANG, it landed upon the disciples.

Terror filled their faces. All their screams and struggles were in vain as they were instantly refined into wisps of pure Divine Soul Qi.

Zixia Daoist made his move, injecting the wisps of Divine Soul Qi into the Human-Faced Banners.

The once deathly still and cold surfaces of the banners seemed to spring to life. The faces on them became horrifyingly sinister, opening their mouths to greedily devour the Spiritual Energy from the heavens and earth while simultaneously circulating a specific Cultivation Technique.

At this sight, Zixia Daoist finally broke into a satisfied smile.

"I have spent so many years here arranging the Nine Heavens Nether Demon Trapping Dragon Array. I sought out disciples like you, whose Life Charts matched the requirements, all in preparation for this very day..."

"On the day I ascend to the heavens, I will surely grant you release and allow you to become immortals alongside me."

"Grand Array, activate."

With a flick of his wide robes, a hazy, rose-colored light mixed with streams of Runes flowed out like a phantom, sinking rapidly into the ground before him.

The Human-Faced Banners, too, were enveloped by the rosy light and quickly vanished into the ground.

At that very moment, Purple Mist Mountain seemed to tremble. A deep rumbling sound, as if an earth dragon were turning over in its sleep, echoed from its many mountain ranges and ancient forests.

The purple mist between heaven and earth grew denser, billowing out in a vast, steaming cloud that stretched for thousands of miles, blanketing even some of the most distant mountain ranges.

This strange phenomenon immediately sent the many cultivators who had already gathered here into a frenzy of excitement. They believed it to be the sign that the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion was finally emerging.

The numerous cultivators who had been lingering nearby all rushed into the purple mist, attempting to find the source of the commotion.

This news spread like wildfire, causing an uproar everywhere.

Some cultivators noted that a Crown Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty led a group of his retainers that very day, riding Dragon Steeds and soaring on clouds into the depths of Purple Mist Mountain.

Not to be outdone, young disciples from the various Immortal Sects also led their fellow sect members toward the mountain upon hearing the news.

Some of the Daoist Lineage Influences, however, were led by experts of the older generation, not willing to let their young disciples venture in alone.

"Judging from the news, the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion should appear within the next few days."

"Since everyone else is going, we can’t afford to fall behind."

Within the Jasper Pool Sect’s encampment, an Elder spoke up, intending to lead a group of disciples to the site as well.

Ling Zhuyun nodded slightly in agreement. The Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion wouldn’t fully emerge so quickly, but seizing the initiative would give them a great advantage when competing for the opportunities inside later.

As for the matter Jiang Lan had brought up at the tea gathering, few among the younger generation paid it any mind.

Opportunities belong to those fated to have them. Who would really hand them over without a fight?

On the contrary, because of what happened at the tea gathering, many of the younger generation who had previously been uninterested in the Purple Mist True Monarch were now intrigued. In the past few days, a significant number of them had rushed over.

Ling Zhuyun recognized quite a few faces among them, all of whom were powerful competitors.

It left Ling Zhuyun at a loss for words. ’Was Jiang Lan an idiot?’

Outside the Jasper Pool Sect’s encampment, Ye Ming was already waiting.

After the tea gathering, he and Ling Zhuyun had parted ways. Jiang Lan’s words had put him on guard, so he had been extremely cautious ever since, not once leaving his inn.

He only rushed over after learning from Ling Zhuyun that the Jasper Pool Sect intended to depart for Purple Mist Mountain.

"Besides his impressive cultivation, Ye is also an Array Master of profound skill. We may have to rely on him a great deal," Ling Zhuyun explained on Ye Ming’s behalf.

This was a Jasper Pool Sect affair, so the addition of an outsider—and a man, no less—naturally required an explanation.

"If he is a friend of the Saintess, then he can certainly be trusted," the leading Elder from the Jasper Pool Sect said with a nod and a smile.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dieyi, Chen Ning, and the other disciples were rather shocked.

’An Array Master personally vouched for by Ling Zhuyun, and he’s so young.’

’No wonder she calls him a friend.’

"Saintess Zhu Yun is merely being too kind. You Fairies shouldn’t take it to heart."

Ye Ming rubbed his nose humbly, though he felt a little smug inside.

He did have some talent with Arrays, but most of the time, he relied on the Old Ghost.

Of course, that was his secret.

After that, the disciples of the Jasper Pool Sect set off in a great procession, heading out of Anyang City.

However, they hadn’t gotten far before a booming laugh echoed down the street.

"Saintess Zhu Yun, if you intend to explore the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion, why not travel with me?"

"If I find any opportunities inside, I will surely present them to you with both hands."

"And who is this strange man? What right does he have to travel with Saintess Zhu Yun?"

A tall, burly young man approached, straddling a Fierce Beast and surrounded by a group of followers.

He was strikingly handsome, with brilliant golden hair. His vital energy surged like a furnace, and his every movement exuded an immense, oppressive aura.

The expressions of the Jasper Pool Sect disciples shifted as they recognized the man’s identity.

He was Qi Heng, a True Disciple of the Human King Hall and one of Saintess Zhu Yun’s suitors.

The smile on Ye Ming’s face vanished, replaced by a dark expression.

The many cultivators on the street noticed the scene and stopped in their tracks, all wearing expressions that showed they were eager to watch a show.

"Indeed. Given Saintess Zhu Yun’s status, can just any Tom, Dick, or Harry accompany her?"

Among the crowd were several young Celestial Prides who, clearly enjoying the drama, began fanning the flames with mocking expressions.

Ye Ming’s expression grew darker, and he was just about to lose his temper.

But Ling Zhuyun calmly said, "Since Brother Qi Heng wishes to travel with us, you are most welcome. Should any dangers arise, we can look out for one another."

Just as she finished speaking, the street suddenly began to tremble. A thunderous rumbling echoed from nearby, and all the cultivators and pedestrians, their expressions changing drastically, scrambled to get out of the way.

Dust and smoke billowed into the air. The sound was like rolling thunder, like the charge of ten thousand horses, and it was enough to make one’s blood churn.

"In that case, might Saintess Zhu Yun be willing to take us along as well?"

The question came with a light chuckle from the young man in the lead, who rode a creature resembling a snow-white True Hou.