This Is What a Villain Is Like

One of the regions was mysterious, shrouded in a glowing mist from which iridescent clouds billowed. Dense fluctuations of Spiritual Energy permeated the air, wafting out from within like a thick fog.

Faintly visible within was a vast and boundless world, revealing itself in a brilliant glow. It was accompanied by all sorts of dazzling and astonishing phenomena, as wisps of a mysterious, haze-like substance emanated from it.

A single wisp of its aura was enough to extend an ordinary person’s lifespan. The scent, like that of mature, ancient medicinal herbs, drifted far and wide.

DONG, DONG, DONG...

The Royal Family’s Dao Extreme Ancient Bell tolled, its sound vibrating through the entire Imperial Capital to alert the masses.

The magnificent square outside the Imperial Palace was already teeming with people.

High platforms, like floating islands, bobbed in mid-air, filled with flickering figures. It was an unprecedented spectacle.

In the central area of the square, several powerful experts dressed as eunuchs appeared. They worked together to bring out a Divine Mirror as large as a full moon. They activated an Ancient Technique, chanting incantations as their bodies burst with light. A dense wave of Spiritual Energy surged from them, causing the mirror to rise and hang high in the center.

As waves of hazy light washed over it, the once-blurry surface of the mirror began to clear, reflecting Qianyuan Prefecture with perfect clarity.

The densely packed buildings, pavilions, grotto-mansions, and mountain ranges within it also faintly materialized, filled with a sacred aura that captivated all who saw it.

It was a true Little World, serving as a resting place for the young Celestial Prides from the various Daoist Lineage Influences before the Southern Hunting exercise.

The younger generation from the various Immortal Sect Lineages rushed over at the first opportunity and began to fight over territory within.

At the behest of their Sect elders, the young Celestial Prides from the factions and clans affiliated with the Prime Minister’s Mansion also took the lead, heading into Qianyuan Prefecture to stake their claim on territory.

The very first day Qianyuan Prefecture opened, it caused a huge sensation. The younger generation, long unable to restrain their competitive spirit, engaged in brutal battles within.

To claim certain regions, they fought with wild abandon until blood was spilled. The battle scenes were projected for all to see, and the real-time updates sent to the outside world caused a great uproar.

Many members of the younger generation who had long laid low were waiting for just such an opportunity to make a name for themselves.

This Qianyuan Prefecture was the very battle stage prepared for them.

As an appetizer before the Southern Hunting exercise, the Royal Family spared no expense, preparing several Dao Artifacts in the depths of Qianyuan Prefecture.

On the second day after Qianyuan Prefecture opened, the younger generation of the Imperial Capital’s Nobility and Noble Families and Clans also began to enter the fray.

Xiao Teng, the third son of Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, set out with a group of friends and followers, accompanied by many disciples from Yijian Palace.

Ye Ming, who was going by the name "Zhang Yuan" and had recently become good friends with Xiao Teng, was also conspicuously among them.

Besides Xiao Teng, many other renowned young masters of the Imperial Capital—such as Xia Jie, the third son of Prince Wuxuan; Situ Jian, the young master of Duke Zhongguo’s Mansion; and the eldest son of Prince Chong’an—as well as other Commandery Princesses, all brought their retainers and subordinates inside to compete and win glory for the Noble Families they represented.

One could say that this event in Qianyuan Prefecture had gathered nearly fifty percent of the top talents from Celestial Central Province’s younger generation, all of whom could be considered the pinnacle of their peers.

Young Celestial Prides like Ao Xu and Luo Ying, who had once followed and assisted Jiang Lan in Anyang City, also appeared, waging great battles to seize control of the various regions.

It was not only a battleground but also a place for cultivation, as each region offered unique benefits and fortuitous opportunities.

Outside, the various Immortal Sect Elders and the high-ranking nobles of the Noble Families and Clans were all keeping a close eye on the situation inside through the Round Mirror in the Imperial Palace’s Central Square.

Where there was competition, there was battle; where there was battle, there were bloodshed and casualties. However, this all occurred with the tacit approval of the various factions, and the Royal Family certainly wouldn’t interfere.

A luxurious chariot resembling a mystical black bird hovered high above the Central Square, its cloud-like curtains hanging down.

Emperor Xia rarely had such a leisurely moment. Outsiders could not see inside, where she was reclining on a soft couch in a slightly languid posture.

A few handmaidens, including Spring Orchid, attended to her. Some kneaded her shoulders and massaged her legs, while others peeled Spirit Fruits and brought them to her lips.

’No wonder that Jiang Lan is so carefree and lazy. This position really is comfortable...’

Emperor Xia stretched her soft, slender waist.

The wide Dragon Robe tightened slightly, instantly revealing a stunning and graceful curve, so slender it seemed a single hand could encircle it.

She would occasionally glance at the situation in the Round Mirror at the center of the square, paying brief attention to some of the more interesting battles. But she would quickly lose interest, shaking her head in boredom.

’I have a firm grasp on the younger generation of the great Noble Families and Clans, so I’m not surprised by the state of these battles.’

’It’s the various Immortal Sect Lineages, however, that have produced quite a few talented Celestial Prides recently. Their strength and innate gifts are quite remarkable...’

’The Taiyi Sect, Jasper Pool Sect, Nether Abyss Sect, and Biyou Grotto Heaven only sent some ordinary Elders to make a token effort. They truly hold the Royal Family in lower and lower regard.’

’Once my cultivation breaks through to the Eighth Realm and I gain complete mastery of the National Treasure, these problems will slowly resolve themselves...’

Emperor Xia gently stroked the white cat in her lap.

She didn’t expect that, in her current state, she could intimidate all the Immortal Sect Lineages the way the founding emperor of Great Xia once did.

As the current leader of the Immortal Sects in Celestial Central Province, the Taiyi Sect had a deep foundation and immense power. It was also closely affiliated with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, so she could understand why they held Great Xia in such low regard.

But the attitude of Sects like the Jasper Pool Sect, the Nether Abyss Sect, and Biyou Grotto Heaven... that required some thought.

Then, her gaze swept over the high platform where the representatives of the Prime Minister’s Mansion were seated. Compared to the other Noble Families and Clans, it was far more deserted, with only a few retainers present to keep up appearances.

Prime Minister Jiang Lintian had not appeared, seemingly unconcerned with the matter.

’Why hasn’t there been any sign of that Jiang Lan these past few days?’

’Could it be that his injuries are too severe after he gave his heart to his sister?’

’But after he obtained the Immortal Embryo Creation Dew, his physical body transformed into an Immortal Embryo. With an injury like that, plus the healing from the Celestial and Earthly Treasures in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, it shouldn’t be a major issue.’

’I actually had some expectations for him.’

Emperor Xia shook her head gently and averted her gaze.

Qianyuan Prefecture had been open for several days, but there was still no sign of Jiang Lan.

In truth, many people were paying close attention to him, wanting to know the state of his current cultivation.

But whether it was because Jiang Lan was acting aloof due to his status or because he simply didn’t care, there had been no news or movement from him for days.

「Night, 7:00 PM.」

Emperor Xia went to the Desire Immortal Pavilion again, but she did not run into Jiang Lan, which left her feeling slightly disappointed.

However, on her way back to the Imperial Palace, she encountered someone she never would have expected.

To be precise, it wasn’t an encounter—she was intercepted.

The moonlight was bright and clear, and a thin mist was rising. Palaces and pavilions lined both sides of the path, a truly magnificent sight.

Yet, this alleyway seemed unusually quiet. The sounds of the surrounding world were rapidly fading, as if this space had been peeled away from the world itself.

"Protect Her Majesty."

The four handmaidens accompanying Emperor Xia—Spring Orchid, Xia Zhu, Qiuju, and Dongmei—instantly went on high alert, their eyes fixed intently ahead as if facing a formidable enemy.

Xia Zhu, in particular, had an extremely grave expression, her eyes filled with immense apprehension.

On the wall of a palace, a white-robed figure stood silently. They were as cold and beautiful as a painting, as transcendent and otherworldly as a Banished Immortal.