This Is What a Villain Is Like

The younger generation was hot-blooded and full of vigor, utterly intolerant of provocation. Often, after exchanging only a few words, they would break out into brawls right in Anyang City, drawing crowds of onlookers.

The Great Xia Dynasty had strict laws, but during this special period with all the Immortal Sects gathered, even the City Lord of Anyang City was reluctant to intervene.

As long as no major casualties occurred, he would just turn a blind eye.

It was for this very reason that the major dueling platforms in Anyang City hosted numerous fierce battles among the younger generation every day.

Some fought to make a name for themselves, while others sought to settle old grudges.

Surrounded by a retinue of guards, Jiang Lan was quite enthusiastic about watching the commotion.

On one hand, he wanted to gauge the strength of the younger generation from the various Immortal Sects. On the other, he hoped to see if he could run into anyone blessed with great fortune.

However, whenever he appeared, swaggering about, the surrounding cultivators and creatures would instinctively keep their distance.

This was especially true for beautiful women. At the urging of their companions, their faces would pale, and they would hurry away, terrified of catching his eye.

His infamous reputation was known to all throughout the Great Xia Dynasty.

There was the recent incident at the Drunken Immortal Residence, where he had abducted a female disciple from the Jasper Pool Sect.

Over the past few days, the story had spread among the major Immortal Sects in Anyang City, infuriating many young men.

With gossipmongers embellishing the story, the beauty of the Jasper Pool Sect disciple was exaggerated to be unparalleled in the world. Yet, she had been abducted and defiled by him—a truly heartbreaking and lamentable fate. Many regretted not having been there to play the hero and save the damsel.

The assassin who had attempted to kill Jiang Lan was even secretly hailed by many as a "Righteous Warrior."

All these stories became fodder for teahouse gossip. Only the shopkeepers would turn pale upon hearing them, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire.

Although the disciples from the various Immortal Sects came from powerful backgrounds, none wanted to cross paths with Jiang Lan at this crucial time, nor did they wish to offend him. Thus, they all avoided him like the plague.

Jiang Lan himself was indifferent, but upon hearing such talk, his guards would immediately rush over and cause a huge ruckus.

’The ones who’ve arrived in Anyang City so far are just small fry. The Celestial Prides from the major Immortal Sects have yet to show themselves.’

’Are they watching from the sidelines, waiting for the right moment?’

The current situation was all within Jiang Lan’s expectations.

He had deliberately spread the news about the imminent appearance of the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion precisely to lure the Celestial Prides and inheritors of the various Immortal Sects.

To refine his Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Puppet, he needed a source of Essence Blood. Naturally, the more powerful the talent of the source, the better, as this would mean greater growth potential for the Ten Thousand Spirits Blood Puppet.

Otherwise, there was no point in spending so much effort to refine a Blood Puppet that couldn’t even keep up with his own strength.

Unfortunately, many factions were still observing from the sidelines.

"The people from the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace are here..."

In the distance, someone suddenly whispered, and many people couldn’t help but look toward the outskirts of Anyang City.

A floral fragrance suddenly filled the air, and ethereal, celestial music drifted closer from the distance.

The sky filled with a rain of shimmering, translucent petals, releasing waves of sweet perfume.

A procession of beautiful figures, like fairies, glided through the air, their sleeves fluttering. They possessed an indescribable, otherworldly grace.

Clustered together like a vibrant bouquet, they escorted a chariot woven from divine blossoms. They approached with a light grace amidst a rain of fragrant flowers, a picture of delicate beauty.

The soldiers outside the city gave it a cursory inspection before allowing the chariot to pass. Its curtains were drawn, but one could faintly discern a tall, elegant, yet blurry silhouette within, her true face hidden from view.

Soon, the graceful figures from the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace vanished into the depths of Anyang City, much to the disappointment of many young men.

"Was that woman just now a True Inheritor from the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace? I heard that only a True Disciple of the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace is qualified to travel in a Ten Thousand Flowers Fragrance Chariot."

"Definitely a True Inheritor. To think that the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion would attract a True Disciple from such a major sect."

Many young cultivators discussed this, their gazes fervent.

The Ten Thousand Flowers Palace, much like the Jasper Pool Sect, only accepted female disciples.

There was also an Immortal Sect called the Cold Moon Palace, but it was very discreet, and its disciples seldom ventured out into the world.

’Ten Thousand Flowers Palace?’

Jiang Lan narrowed his eyes. ’In the original plot, this faction had a long and storied history, but its presence was so minimal it was practically negligible.’

’Now that the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace has appeared,’ he thought, ’the other Immortal Sects are sure to show themselves soon.’

The Taiyi Sect, as the leading Immortal Sect, was also his mother’s former sect. They would certainly send representatives.

And his maternal grandfather was one of the three current Supremes of the Taiyi Sect. His power was world-crushing, his cultivation unfathomably deep. It was rumored that he had stepped into the Ninth Realm many years ago.

’Of course,’ Jiang Lan knew from his knowledge of the plot, ’my grandfather’s true strength is far greater than that, and his ambition far exceeds anyone’s imagination.’

’If disciples and Elders from the Taiyi Sect come, they could be of use to me.’

Jiang Lan glanced toward a certain spot, a flicker of surprise on his face, before leaving the area surrounded by his guards.

"Was that villain staring at the True Inheritor from the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace just now?"

"Don’t tell me he’s already set his sights on the True Inheritor of the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace?"

"He’d better not go too far. A True Inheritor from the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace is nothing like an ordinary disciple from the Jasper Pool Sect. Does he really think he can do as he pleases?"

Only after Jiang Lan left did many of the younger generation finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Some even couldn’t help but speak out, feeling that Jiang Lan’s mere glance at the Ten Thousand Flowers Fragrance Chariot had defiled the Goddess in their hearts, and they were filled with righteous indignation.

’Could he have noticed me looking at him?’

’Out of all those people, why did he look right at me? Or am I just overthinking things?’

’I hope I’m overthinking it.’

In a window seat of a nearby pavilion, a figure clad in Soft Armor frowned, inwardly startled.

She held a Wolf Hair Jade Brush, writing on a sheet of rice paper. The characters vanished the moment they were written, visible only through special means.

Beside her perched a palm-sized, exotic bird with vibrant feathers. It had a Xin Huan on its leg, waiting for her to attach the letter.

She hesitated for a moment, then took out a fresh sheet of rice paper and once again buried her head in her writing.

After a moment, she let out a soft breath and seemed to mutter to herself, ’Could the rumors from the Imperial Capital actually be true?’

’Has the Prime Minister been scheming for all these years?’

With that thought, she sealed the letter, patted the exotic bird beside her, and sent it flying.

Although the Observatory was not directly subordinate to the throne, it bore the heavy responsibility of ensuring the stability of the state. There were some matters they could not afford to ignore.

But she had no idea that not long after she released the exotic bird...

On a famous mountain outside Anyang City.

A man with a soft, beardless face gently raised his hand. An invisible, transparent wall seemed to materialize in the Void, intercepting the exotic bird and pulling it into his grasp.

He casually removed the letter. After a single glance, a wisp of Spiritual Fire manifested at his fingertip and incinerated it.

"If the Observatory insists on meddling, then perhaps there’s no need for it to exist at all."

"And, just as the Master predicted, the Young Master’s renewed interest in cultivation has already started attracting attention..."

He gave a faint smile, but it seemed chillingly cold.