This Is What a Villain Is Like

"You’ve bullied just about every young noble over the past few days, Young Master. They’re all filled with resentment now..."

"Besides that, there are still a few young contenders aiming for the top spot that we haven’t yet found."

"They’ve kept a low profile, though. It seems they haven’t run into anyone else..."

Ao Xu rubbed the back of his head, speaking with an air of simple honesty, but a savage glint flashed in his eyes.

They were now deep within the prefecture’s territory. The surrounding mountains were once majestic, but most had collapsed. Figures could still be seen moving on some of the low-lying hills.

Quite a few young cultivators had been trailing them along the way.

Jiang Lan merely gave them a casual glance before looking away.

’He had a faint suspicion, but he wasn’t certain yet...’

"No matter how many of them there are, they’re nothing but rabble. Not worth our attention. Besides, Qianyuan Prefecture is closing in two days."

"What’s more concerning is Xiao Teng, the third son from Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion, and his men. We don’t know where they’re hiding right now."

"If he gets lucky and finds some rare Exotic Treasures, then stays hidden until Qianyuan Prefecture closes, it could be a problem for you, Young Master."

Chi Yunxiao, the True Disciple of the Red Bright Ancient Sect, said. A thoughtful look appeared in his pupils, which flickered with crimson Divine Patterns.

Along the way, they had already robbed most of the younger generation they came across.

Combined with the points they had already accumulated, it should be enough to secure the top spot this time.

But they were worried about unexpected developments...

Aside from the common opportunities, the depths of Qianyuan Prefecture held regions the Royal Family had yet to explore. Not even the Royal Family knew what fortunate encounters lay within.

This ensured the contest in Qianyuan Prefecture was all the more unpredictable.

Before even entering, many young nobles had learned from their family factions which areas to occupy, what opportunities to expect, and where to earn points quickly. This knowledge had become a comprehensive strategy, giving them a complete Innate advantage.

Therefore, that unknown region in the deepest part became the place the other young Celestial Prides had to explore if they wanted to turn the tables.

A similar incident had occurred in the past. A young Loose Cultivator entered Qianyuan Prefecture and proceeded with extreme caution, avoiding the factions of the major young nobles and the conspicuous Heaven, Earth, and Man zones. He stealthily made his way into the deepest region.

There, he unexpectedly found several ancient stone carvings. After Qianyuan Prefecture closed and he was teleported out, he surpassed everyone in a single stroke to claim the top spot.

Those ancient carvings are still kept in the Royal Family’s Treasure Vault to this day. It is said they record several powerful Ancient Techniques and some primeval secrets, making their value incalculable...

"Barring any surprises, the points you have, Young Master, should be enough."

"However, I’ve heard that a mysterious and powerful individual has also been on a robbing spree these past few days. They’ve even hit many of the young nobles, taking all their points. Their strength is said to be terrifying..."

Luo Ying, her features delicate, folded her arms and gazed toward the distant Hengduan Mountain Range, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I’ve heard that as well. Apparently, he’s working alone. The way things are going, he’ll probably come for us eventually."

"Maybe these people following us are just here to watch the show..." Chi Yunxiao’s expression turned cold, and a frigid aura began to emanate from him.

Jiang Lan’s eyes darkened at their words, but he remained silent.

"Let’s keep heading deeper. I expect we’ll run into Xiao Teng soon. I don’t care about anyone else, but I don’t want to see a single point on him," he said nonchalantly.

"Yes, Young Master."

Ao Xu, Chi Yunxiao, Luo Ying, and the others all nodded. They knew there was a grudge between Jiang Lan and Xiao Teng.

It had caused a huge stir in the Imperial Capital not long ago. The rumor was that it was all because of Xiao Teng’s fiancée, the young lady of the Xie Mansion, Xie Jianjia...

That night at the Desire Immortal Pavilion, Jiang Lan had clashed with Xiao Teng. By Xiao Teng’s side was a Yijian Palace Disciple named Zhang Yuan, who had defeated Sun Yi of the Red Bright Ancient Sect despite being the weaker of the two.

「Outside, on the Central Square」

The upper echelons of numerous Immortal Sects wore varying expressions. The leaders of the few factions close to Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion also frowned discreetly.

Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion was nothing like the Xie Family. Prince Zhenbei commanded military authority. In the past, while guarding the Northern County, his Heavy Cavalry alone numbered well over a million.

Every member of the Heavy Cavalry had a cultivation at the Second or Third Realm. Their mounts were tamed Barbaric Beasts with strength rivaling that of their riders.

Not to mention their specially-made armor and weapons. Once in formation, they could stop an army of thousands.

With such a force at his command, even if Prince Zhenbei openly sided with Emperor Xia, the Prime Minister’s Mansion wouldn’t dare make a move against him easily...

’Now that Jiang Lan, the Young Master of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, is deliberately targeting Xiao Teng in Qianyuan Prefecture, could it be on the Prime Minister’s secret orders?’

On the day Jiang Lan entered Qianyuan Prefecture, Prince Zhenbei, Xiao River, had risen to his feet and stormed off in a fury. As for Prime Minister Jiang Lintian, he hadn’t even shown his face.

Such were the current rumors in the Imperial Capital. The machinations of the great powers were invisible on the surface, but one could make guesses by observing the actions of the younger generation...

In her dark chariot, Emperor Xia remained expressionless. ’I doubt Prime Minister Jiang Lintian intends to make a move against Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion. At most, this is just a personal grudge between Jiang Lan and Xiao Teng. A grudge caused by a woman.’

Her mind couldn’t help but drift to the last time she saw Xie Jianjia. ’A beautiful woman, like a cool white flower, with an air of reserved, noble grace.’