This Is What a Villain Is Like

Xia Jie, the third son of Prince Wuxuan, was leading a group of followers through the ruins. Upon hearing the news, he sneered, "This first-place position is as good as mine. This isn’t a competition of individual strength, but of who has the most subordinates and followers."

In another direction, Chong Xiuyuan, the eldest son of Prince Chong’an, cut a dashing and dignified figure in a purple embroidered satin robe. He too was leading his men through Qianyuan Prefecture, searching for and gathering rare Spirit Medicines.

When he heard the news, he simply smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned.

Prince Chong’an was the current Emperor Xia’s maternal uncle, making his branch of the family nearly as esteemed as the Royal Family itself.

「The outer city, eastern Imperial Capital.」

Within a quiet courtyard full of ancient charm, enclosed by red walls and green tiles, water trickled merrily. Rockeries and waterside pavilions dotted the landscape, surrounded by lush vegetation and winding paths that led to secluded corners.

"Miss Ruxian, please have some tea."

The Liu matriarch emerged with a teapot and filled the cup belonging to the white-robed young woman in the courtyard.

The young woman had an ordinary figure and a plain face. She wore a simple white dress, her hair done up in a simple bun.

She would not draw a second glance in a crowd, yet if one stared intently at her face, they would find themselves completely unable to recall her features a moment later.

"You’re my adoptive mother now. You don’t have to be so formal," Jiang Ruxian said, shaking her head.

The Liu matriarch smiled faintly. "That’s just a title for public appearance," she said. "To me, you will always be Miss Ruxian."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruxian said no more.

She glanced outside the courtyard, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, then said, "I’m going out to take care of something."

The Liu matriarch was tactful enough not to ask any questions. Jiang Ruxian had arrived two days prior under a new identity: her supposed former adopted daughter from Guangyuan City.

As for whether this identity would attract suspicion or draw attention, Jiang Ruxian was completely unconcerned. She paid it no mind, seemingly just wanting a simple pretext to remain in the Imperial Capital.

And as for being noticed by the Prime Minister’s Mansion... she didn’t seem to care about that, either.

Outside the Imperial Palace, the entrance to Qianyuan Prefecture was now bustling with figures, a truly unprecedented sight.

As ripple-like fluctuations spread from the entrance and a thin mist drifted out, members of the younger generation who met the age and aptitude requirements quickly stepped inside and vanished.

A Magical Artifact that assessed one’s aptitude was stationed at the entrance to Qianyuan Prefecture, barring any cultivators who failed to meet the requirements.

On the Royal Family’s territory and right under their noses, no one dared to cause trouble or try to slip through.

Within, a heavy mist shrouded what seemed to be a primitive land. Distant mountain ranges stood majestic and magnificent, exuding an ancient and imposing aura.

Upon stepping inside, many of the younger generation immediately felt the difference in the density of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

Cultivating in Qianyuan Prefecture would be incredibly efficient.

Those of the younger generation who had hesitated out of fear of the dangers within now began to feel a pang of regret.

In just half a day, several thousand members of the younger generation had eagerly flocked to the entrance.

High above the Imperial Palace, inside a black chariot, Emperor Xia observed the situation within Qianyuan Prefecture.

Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a plain-faced young woman in a simple white dress. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt as if the white-robed girl had met her eyes for an instant.

’She’s inside Qianyuan Prefecture... Can she see me?’

A similar situation had occurred just a few days ago.

Emperor Xia, who had been lounging in a somewhat lazy posture, suddenly sat bolt upright, her expression flickering uncertainly.

’It couldn’t be her, could it? She entered Qianyuan Prefecture?’

’With her level of cultivation and strength, what kind of fortuitous opportunities in there could possibly interest her?’

Emperor Xia’s slender hand tightened on the soft couch. She couldn’t understand it.

’I don’t think Jiang Ruxian intends to break the rules... Could it be for Jiang Lan? Is she here to clear the way for him?’

’I prepared the Dragon Transformation Pool for Jiang Lan. What are you doing, sticking your nose in this?’

’Do you want Jiang Lan to think this is an opportunity you secured for him? That you were the one who helped clear his path?’

’That without you, he couldn’t take first place?’

Emperor Xia’s brow furrowed, an indescribable sense of irritation welling up inside her.

She had been the one to specially open the Dragon Transformation Pool for Jiang Lan, yet Jiang Ruxian’s actions suddenly made her feel as if she were a mere bystander in the matter.

When Jiang Lan found out later, would he be eternally grateful to Jiang Ruxian, completely overlooking who had actually opened the Dragon Transformation Pool for him in the first place?

’Heh, trying to steal my credit? How conniving.’

’But I’m not as pathetic as you, wasting my energy on such things over a man.’

Emperor Xia scoffed inwardly with disdain, suppressing the flicker of irritation.

If she wanted to win people over, she certainly wouldn’t resort to such methods.

Just as Emperor Xia was monitoring Jiang Ruxian’s movements inside Qianyuan Prefecture, a commotion of discussion erupted outside.

Her gaze swept over, and a look of understanding dawned on her face.

At the entrance to Qianyuan Prefecture, many of the younger generation consciously parted to form a path.

An elegant and noble young man, with features as fine as jade, approached, surrounded by an entourage of guardian Knights. Following behind him were numerous young Celestial Prides. It was Jiang Lan.

His expression was calm and casual. His complexion was no different from the night before, still giving him the look of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness.

’I thought you weren’t coming,’ Emperor Xia mused, her eyes narrowing.

The upper echelons of the Nobility and the great Noble Families and Clans were all utterly astonished. They had not expected Jiang Lan to appear here.

Many had assumed that the Prime Minister’s Mansion was completely uninterested in the contest within Qianyuan Prefecture.

But the allure of the newly opened Dragon Transformation Pool was simply too great...

The Elders from the various Immortal Sect Lineages also looked over, their gazes varied, each harboring their own thoughts.

"Could that woman beside him, veiled in simple gauze, be the Quasi-Saintess from the Taiyi Sect?"

"I heard that just a few days ago at the Taiyi Sect, she single-handedly forced all the other True Inheritors to submit. I don’t know if it’s true, but to think she would appear in the Imperial Capital so soon."

"If she’s involved, it will be very difficult to predict the outcome."

However, many of the Elders’ gazes fell upon the mysterious woman beside Jiang Lan. They recognized her, and their faces filled with astonishment and shock.

Many who had previously appeared relaxed now grew solemn and serious.

If she were to participate, winning first place in this contest would not be so easy.

Emperor Xia’s gaze also swept over Li Mengning. Noticing that her veil was some kind of Secret Treasure, she refrained from forcibly probing to see her true face.

’With the Taiyi Sect’s Quasi-Saintess helping him, he has a solid chance at first place even without his sister. Not to mention, he himself is quite the hidden master. His realm may not be high, but his true strength is nothing to scoff at,’ Emperor Xia mused.

News that Jiang Lan, the young master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, was participating in the Qianyuan Prefecture contest spread like a hurricane through the streets, inns, and restaurants of the Imperial Capital, causing a massive sensation.

Many cultivators who enjoyed a spectacle also rushed over, curious about Jiang Lan’s current strength and full of anticipation for what would unfold within Qianyuan Prefecture.

Meanwhile, the members of the younger generation who had already entered Qianyuan Prefecture also received the news, and their expressions changed drastically.

Some of the young masters who had previously been full of confidence now looked as if they had swallowed a dead rat.

In the Central Square, the cultivators watching the events unfold through the Round Mirror couldn’t help but break into knowing, gloating smiles, eager for more drama.

"I was just thinking this contest in Qianyuan Prefecture was getting a little dull. But with the sudden entry of the young master from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, I bet those other young Celestial Prides are starting to feel the pressure..."

"Heh heh, did you see the looks on the faces of those young masters from the Noble Families? They probably never expected an alligator to suddenly show up in their little fish pond."

"It’s hard to say for sure. After all, Qianyuan Prefecture has been open for several days now. Winning first place still comes down to individual opportunity and luck. The number of followers isn’t always what matters."

"Whoever said that must not know who they’re talking about."

"The moment he gets in there, he’s going to head straight for the most crowded areas. Now do you see why those young masters from the Noble Families look so grim?"

"..."

Inside Qianyuan Prefecture, a vast, empty expanse greeted them. As Jiang Lan led his followers in, his foot landed on a piece of nameless rubble.

Not far away stood the ruins of a palace. In the distance, several mountain ranges had been sheared in half. The sky was not clear, but rather a hazy expanse of gray mist.

"My lord, we’ve already sent a message to the senior brothers who entered Qianyuan Prefecture earlier. They will be gathering to meet us shortly."

Beside Jiang Lan, a young Celestial Pride spoke up as he took out a Communication Jade Talisman to contact the others.