This Is What a Villain Is Like

’This person... just who the hell are they? How can they be so powerful and terrifying?’

’I’ve never heard of anyone like this before. Could they be the heir of some Hidden Immortal Sect or Noble Family who has just emerged into the world?’

’They’re unbelievably strong. How is anyone supposed to fight this?’

Inside the palace, Xia Jie, the third son of Prince Wuxuan, was clad in golden armor and held a Red Feather Fan wreathed in flames. His expression was grave, but he couldn’t hide his shock and dismay.

With a wave of his Feather Fan, he sent forth dazzling crimson hurricanes. Rosy light swirled within them, and the temperature was so terrifyingly high that it scorched the very Void, leaving behind blurry afterimages.

The fiery light was a raging, roaring sea, laced with lightning. Its power was immense, seeming to turn the entire space crimson.

It was an extremely powerful Exotic Treasure. Boosted by his cultivation and Magical Power, few cultivators of his generation could withstand it.

However, against the girl in white on her snow-white Celestial Horse, this terrifying assault was utterly useless.

She simply gave a casual wave of her hand, and all the Runes and auras of Magical Power annihilated, shattering into scattered energy.

The terrifying backlash of power made Xia Jie’s figure tremble. He stumbled back several steps, his blood roiling and a metallic tang rising in his throat. Then, with a GAG, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

"You... Who in the world are you?"

His eyes were wide with disbelief.

He had lain low and trained bitterly for many years. On the surface, like that Jiang Lan, he appeared to be indulging in sensual pleasures, lacking any ambition. But in secret, he had been cultivating diligently, his strength even more profound and tyrannical than that of the young Celestial Prides who had made their names early.

But before this plain-faced girl in white, he couldn’t even withstand a single move.

In that moment, Xia Jie’s world turned gray. His Dao Heart trembled, and he faintly heard the sound of it cracking.

Hearing his question, the girl in white, sitting atop her snow-white Celestial Horse, merely gave him a calm and indifferent glance, as if she couldn’t be bothered to reply. She simply said, "Hand over everything you’ve gained these past few days."

Xia Jie’s face was filled with indignation and terror. Under the girl’s indifferent, condescending gaze, he felt like an ant that could be crushed to death at any moment.

’Impossible...’

’Absolutely impossible...’

’There’s an age and bone-age limit in this Qianyuan Prefecture. With her terrifying strength, how did she even get in?’

Meanwhile, the outside world was in an uproar.

"Just who is this girl in white?"

"Why do I get the feeling that even I wouldn’t necessarily be her match?"

On the high platforms all around, numerous Elders from Immortal Sects and high-ranking members of powerful Noble Families watched the projected scenes, their eyes filled with disbelief and horror.

Over the past few days, many had already taken notice of this mysterious girl in white. She was just too strong... so strong that her peers were driven to despair.

She was simply a monster, and no one knew where she had come from.

No matter who she faced, or how many opponents there were, she could easily suppress them with just one hand.

While Jiang Lan’s side relied on numbers to plunder others, she had single-handedly robbed numerous Celestial Prides.

Even Xia Jie, the third son of Prince Wuxuan—a figure many believed had a chance to take first place—was no exception, unable to withstand a single move from her.

Moreover, the mount beneath her was no ordinary Celestial Horse, but the leader of a herd. It was extremely powerful, yet with a single glance from her, it had obediently bowed its head and prostrated itself, willingly becoming her steed.

’This girl is absolutely brazen...’

’Isn’t she worried that exposing her identity will lead to her being hunted down by the Prime Minister’s Mansion?’

’Or does she plan to live under a different identity from now on?’

Inside the black chariot, Emperor Xia’s face was as grim as still water as her eyes watched the girl in white through the Round Mirror.

She watched as the girl collected all of Xia Jie’s gains, then mounted her snow-white Celestial Horse and leisurely rode away, heading deeper into the area.

Only then did she exhale, forcing herself to calm down.

’Since Jiang Ruxian isn’t afraid of being exposed, it proves she’s completely confident, fearing no siege from any person or power.’

’This strength doesn’t just come from confidence in her power, but also from an indescribable state of mind.’

’Upright and open, fearing no consequences...’

’It’s as if nothing in this world, no living being or cultivator, could make her care or stir her emotions... except for that one person.’

"Your Majesty, what is the identity of this mysterious girl in white?"

"You don’t seem surprised at all."

Just then, an Elder seated on a high platform suddenly posed the question.

’If that girl in white has no master, perhaps I can recruit her into my Immortal Sect before the Royal Family does...’

Hearing this, Emperor Xia’s thoughts returned to the present. She said lightly, "The Great Xia is full of hidden masters. There is no need for any of you to be overly concerned."

Upon hearing this, many of the Elders had peculiar looks in their eyes as their minds raced with speculation.

「In Qianyuan Prefecture, within the Celestial Character Area.」

Xia Jie sat dazedly on the ground. Only when a group of his subordinates and followers came to help him up did he finally snap out of the immense shock.

"Who in the world is she?"

He gazed into the distance where the girl in white had disappeared, thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and gave chase.

Soon, Xia Jie encountered others who had suffered the same fate: Chong Xiuyuan, the eldest son of Prince Chong’an; and other young masters from the Imperial Capital, all from powerful backgrounds, representing vast and ancient Noble Families and powerful clans.