This Is What a Villain Is Like

"Xie Jianjia?"

’Is it for the Phoenix Race’s Essence Blood? Or does he have some other motive?’

Her gaze fell on Jiang Lan in the Round Mirror, and she couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

「One day later, in another area deep within Qianyuan Prefecture.」

Mist billowed over the lake’s surface, reflecting brilliant rays of light that were so resplendent they resembled streaks of light soaring into the sky.

Some of the subordinates and followers Xiao Teng had left behind were here, using special Jade Containers to gather Celestial Essence Seven-color Grass. Their faces were flushed with excitement and exhilaration.

Strands of Magical Power enveloped the plants, parting the water around them. They then guided the algae-like waterweeds out and swiftly harvested them.

In mid-air, people were already waiting to fill jade vials. Soon, they had collected several full vials.

Inside the jade vials, a splendid seven-colored brilliance swirled, emanating a magnificent aura.

’Celestial Essence Seven-color Grass is rarely seen in the outside world and is priceless. For so many to appear here, there might be a Divine Object containing a seven-colored origin deep within the lake...’

’But if we go to investigate now, we won’t have enough time.’

’What a pity...’

’After a whole day and night, we’ve only managed to harvest a few stalks. The process is quite troublesome; the slightest mistake could cause its essence to dissipate, and all our effort would be for naught.’

’Thankfully, we haven’t run into anyone else or been disturbed.’

The young man dressed as a Pharmacist was named Meng Mo. He wore a light gray robe and had a very refined demeanor, exuding a pure and rich Literary Energy of the Confucian Dao.

He hailed from the Confucius Temple and was a disciple of Zhao Tianhe, a Great Scholar and one of the temple’s Sacrificial Priests. He was also considered Zhao Tianhe’s Closed-door Disciple in recent years.

Having read ten thousand scrolls, he experienced a sudden enlightenment. His talent blossomed into Three Flowers, condensing into the divine forms of a book, brush, paper, and inkstone. Recognized by the statue of the Confucian Sage in the Confucius Temple, he broke through to a realm comparable to the Fifth Realm of Cultivators overnight.

In the Imperial Capital, he was considered a Celestial Pride of immense talent.

Moreover, he was also very interested in the knowledge of Medicinal Herbs and was a nominal disciple of an Imperial Physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau, possessing profound knowledge.

He had once been personally summoned by Emperor Xia and granted the position of Compiler at the Hanlin Mansion. He was on very good personal terms with Xiao Teng and was also inclined to curry favor with Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.

This time, he had entered Qianyuan Prefecture as a retainer of Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.

Just now, when Xiao Teng had led the others to explore deeper, he had entrusted Meng Mo with the task of collecting the Celestial Essence Seven-color Grass.

Literary Energy swirled around Meng Mo as he stood upon the lake’s surface, directing the others. From time to time, he would brandish a Wolf Hair Brush of unknown material, sketching something in the Void to manipulate the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and drive away the Water Beasts from the lake.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

However, just then, several streaks of light descended not far away, landing swiftly on the shore. Leading them was a young master so handsome he seemed to have stepped out of a painting.

Behind him followed a vast contingent of young Celestial Prides, both men and women, all wreathed in divine splendor and possessing extraordinary auras.

"This is bad."

"Jiang Lan..."

Meng Mo’s expression changed as he recognized the newcomer.

The others around him also quickly fell into a panic, starting to retrieve the jade vials floating in mid-air.

"They’re from Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion. So Xiao Teng really is here."

"Young Master, they’re collecting Celestial Essence Seven-color Grass..."

"It’s astonishingly valuable. Each stalk can be exchanged for a high number of points."

Behind Jiang Lan, a young Celestial Pride looked over and quickly identified the algae-like things, which shone with the splendor of divine light. With a fervent gaze, he spoke up.

"Take it," Jiang Lan said calmly. Upon hearing the report, he gave a concise reply, clearly not wanting to waste any time.

"Jiang Lan, you..."

Meng Mo’s expression was incredibly ugly. He was furious, but seeing the people behind Jiang Lan, he instantly understood that his group was no match for them.

But he was unwilling to just hand over the Celestial Essence Seven-color Grass they had collected, giving Jiang Lan a massive score of points.

"Destroy the vials! Better to destroy them than let him get them!"

He quickly calmed himself and gave the order to destroy the vials.

At the same time, Literary Energy surged from his body, as vast as a Majestic Sun. It carried a pure and bright aura, and the faint phantom of an ancient book appeared behind him.

He brandished the Wolf Hair Brush again. His expression was serious as he sketched in the Void, causing luminous characters to materialize. Dazzling and brilliant as stars, they drew upon the power of the world and pressed down on the group before him.

The entire lake began to churn, its waters boiling as a terrifying storm of Spiritual Energy gathered with appalling force.

Meng Mo not only wanted to destroy the vials, but he also had to delay Jiang Lan to buy more time for Xiao Teng to explore the deeper regions.

However, his actions were utterly futile. A serene aura flashed through the Void, accompanied by a terrifying Sword Qi so dreadful it made one’s heart pound in fear. The very world seemed to freeze.

The next moment, the phantom of the ancient book was cleaved in two by a single sword strike, dissolving into a hazy cloud of Literary Energy.

Simultaneously, a sheathed Ancient Sword pierced his shoulder with a SQUELCH, forcing the Wolf Hair Brush from his grasp and sending it falling.

But before the brush could fall into the lake, it was sliced in two by a strand of Sword Qi, shattering with a CRACK.

SPURT!

Meng Mo’s spirit was wounded. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his face turned deathly pale. That was a replica of the Manjushaka Pen, a gift from His Majesty Emperor Xia himself, and it had just been broken.