This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 201: Chapter 98: I Can Bully Him, But Others Cannot; He Is Destined to Ascend the Summit and Look Down Upon All Mountains

Some speculated that he was the newly emerged successor of the Blood Immortal Sect. Even Ling Zhuyun, the Quasi-Saintess of the Jasper Pool Sect, who was known for her hatred of evil, had been deceived and used by him.

Others said that he had deliberately spread the news of the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion appearing, with the aim of luring the younger generation from all the major Immortal Sects and catching them all in one fell swoop.

His intentions were malicious and his methods ruthless, truly condemned by both gods and men.

In addition to Ye Ming, whose name had become infamous overnight, drawing universal condemnation and discussion, the final ownership of the Purple Mist True Monarch’s inheritance also became a focal point of intense speculation.

The younger generation who had personally experienced the trip to the Secret Realm revealed that there seemed to be two cave mansions within. The numerous scriptures and secret scrolls in one of them were snatched up by all parties, with no single true owner.

As for the inheritance in the other cave mansion, it was suspected to have been obtained by the young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Jiang Lan... This news naturally caused another wave of turmoil, leading many to feel resentful and regretful.

’Why should such a fortuitous opportunity fall into his lap?’

’As the son of the Prime Minister, he’s lived a life of luxury since birth, wanting for nothing. How could he also obtain such an opportunity?’

’The heavens are blind!’

After the incident at Purple Mist Mountain had somewhat subsided, personnel from the Observatory began to investigate the surrounding terrain.

Deep beneath Zixia Temple, they discovered a ritual altar and a blood pool. However, the pool had already dried up, and the core controlling the Array had been destroyed when the Array itself was broken.

With this, the Blood Immortal Sect’s latest conspiracy was gradually pieced together.

However, the Temple Master of Zixia Temple was still nowhere to be found. It was unknown whether the Array was his creation or left by the Blood Immortal Sect, and whether he was connected to them remained a mystery.

After the Purple Mist Mountain incident, vigilance and control over the Blood Immortal Sect within Great Xia’s borders became even stricter.

The various major Immortal Sects grew wary, sensing that for the Blood Immortal Sect to dare plot so openly, they must have some new backing or confidence.

Perhaps before long, a greater catastrophe would sweep across the entire Celestial Central Province.

While Jiang Lan was recuperating in Anyang City, he had Ying send a message back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, recounting some of the events that had occurred in the Secret Realm.

He naturally didn’t hide the matter of the Immortal Embryo Creation Dew. This was also his way of intentionally letting his parents know that his old physical ailment had been resolved.

As for the matter of the Dark Mansion, he was slightly vague, leading his parents to believe that Chu Chan had been the one to inform him.

With Chu Chan, however, he wasn’t too concerned. He simply said he had encountered it by chance and, on a pretext, credited her with the achievement.

Chu Chan, unaware of the reason, simply thought that Jiang Lan doted on her immensely and was intentionally helping her earn more merit. She was, of course, overjoyed and deeply moved.

During his few days in Anyang City, Jiang Lan adapted to his new Immortal Embryo body while gradually revealing to others that he now had a cultivation base.

The changes in the strength he displayed progressed by leaps and bounds.

Su Qinghan and Chu Chan were both secretly amazed.

Of course, Su Qinghan, who had a deeper understanding of Jiang Lan’s true strength, had her suspicions, but she still found his progress astonishing.

This was because the cultivation speed of an Immortal Embryo was such that even without doing anything, it could continuously absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and automatically gather Dao Rhyme Spiritual Mechanism.

This point became even more apparent when the two of them engaged in dual cultivation.

Eventually, even with her usually calm and quiet disposition, she found it somewhat difficult to control herself, her ears turning red with shyness.

Jiang Lan would then tease her about it, telling the maids to select some bedsheets and quilts that were impervious to both water and fire, so they wouldn’t have to be changed every day.

...

「The Great Xia Imperial Capital, Jingyang City.」

The Prime Minister’s Mansion covered a vast area. Palaces and pavilions were nestled within, featuring carved beams, painted rafters, and a resplendent golden brilliance. A first-time visitor could easily get lost just wandering its many corridors and walkways.

Through the rising iridescent mist, the fluctuations of Array Patterns were faintly visible. A powerful aura seemed to weave and spread across the ground, shimmering with a divine and dazzling light that was utterly astonishing.

Seen from a distance, one might even believe it was the Nine Heavens Immortal Palace descended to the mortal realm.

Several years ago, the Prime Minister had paid an enormous price to invite numerous Array Masters to inscribe Array Pattern Restrictions throughout the mansion, covering nearly every corner.

Someone who had once visited the Prime Minister and entered the inner mansion stated bluntly that the crisscrossing Array Pattern Restrictions within were impregnable. Even an expert at the Seventh Realm wouldn’t dare to act presumptuously inside.

At this moment, within a pavilion built by the shore of a lake, lotus leaves swayed with the wind. Iridescent mist swirled about, creating a pleasant scene.

A variety of delicacies had long been laid out, their fragrance wafting from afar. They were all made from precious ingredients that shimmered with a rosy glow—an unimaginable luxury for any ordinary family.

A refined middle-aged man in a high hat, wide belt, and a long, green silk robe was holding a Communication Jade Scroll, examining it intently.

Across from him sat an old man in a black robe.

The old man was ancient and stooped, but his eyes were deep and bright, seeming to contain great wisdom.

"If you don’t start eating soon, Prime Minister, the food will get cold," the black-robed old man said with a slight smile.

The refined middle-aged man before him was the most powerful man in Great Xia today, Prime Minister Jiang Lintian.

Anyone seeing him for the first time would find it hard to connect such a refined gentleman with the dreaded Prime Minister whose very name inspired fear.

"Please, eat first, Master Ji." Jiang Lintian smiled upon hearing this, but his gaze did not move from the Communication Jade Scroll.

"It must be news of the young master, I presume? What else could make the Prime Minister forget his meal?" the black-robed old man said with a smile.

"It is indeed news about Lan’Er. I never expected that the problem that has troubled Shu’Er and me for so many years would be solved by him himself. I am so relieved."

"It’s a pity Shu’Er isn’t in the mansion. If she heard the news, she would be absolutely ecstatic. But by now, she has likely heard it as well..."

Jiang Lintian finally finished reading the message in the Jade Scroll and spoke with a smile on his face.

The Shu’Er he spoke of was the mistress of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and his wife, Li Qingshu.

However, she had returned to the Taiyi Sect for a few days due to some matters with the Sui Ji’s Li Family and was not in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"Congratulations, Prime Minister. Your wish has been granted. The young master’s long-held burden must be lifted; otherwise, why would he personally scheme for such an opportunity?"

"With the young master’s talent and disposition, once this burden is lifted, he will surely ascend to the highest peak and gaze down upon all others in the future," the black-robed old man congratulated him.