This Is What a Villain Is Like

Before Jiang Lan, a blood-red mist billowed, so thick it was like a crimson domain, Immune to All Laws.

The boundless divine light rained down but seemed to be blocked by the blood-red mist, unable to advance another inch.

Some Talisman Treasures became tainted by the blood-red mist and let out a hiss. The Runes within them rapidly and inexplicably dissipated. In the blink of an eye, they lost their spiritual power and plummeted to the ground.

At the same time, a low, trembling roar echoed through the Void.

Countless threads of the blood-red mist seemed to come to life. At his Heart Thought, they moved like rain, like swords, like blades—whistling as they slashed down, easily piercing the bodies of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect Disciples.

Concealed by the blood-red mist, Jiang Lan’s face grew paler, and waves of draining dizziness washed over him.

Manipulating such a vast and boundless amount of Life Force was, for now, a bit of a strain for him.

However, his expression remained placid, showing no sign of disturbance.

’He won’t even deign to make a move?’

Seeing Jiang Lan so calm and unhurried—his expression even bordering on indifferent—Wang Yan felt a flicker of dread and unease stir in his heart.

He was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect, after all. He had reached the Fourth Realm, the Illuminating Nether Realm, in his younger days.

Across all of Danzhou County, he was considered one of the top geniuses. And yet, even while injured, he wasn’t even capable of forcing this man to make a move.

’Is this mysterious young man before me really that powerful?’

"Are you all really that stupid, or are you just pretending?"

"If you really intend to stand by and do nothing, then just wait to die with the rest of us! This guy is far stronger than any of us imagined. If you don’t make a move now, you can forget about living after I’m dead."

"Do you really think this guy will let you go?"

With an angry shout, Wang Yan looked toward Ye Ming and Ms. Song, who stood not far away, trying to get them to help him.

The expressions of Ms. Song and the few people beside her flickered.

Ye Ming’s brow furrowed, and he discreetly took several steps back.

"It doesn’t matter. They’ll be joining you soon enough."

Jiang Lan said calmly, as a hand he held behind his back suddenly shot forward.

The boundless blood-red mist before him instantly converged, weaving itself into a terrifying, crimson hand that reached out to seize Wang Yan.

"You..."

Furious and terrified, Wang Yan immediately tried to retreat.

But in that instant, his face fell. A terrifying, sharp pain shot through his neck, as if it had been pierced by a sharp weapon.

His gaze darted down, but he could only see a single, hair-thin tendril of blood-red mist. It shot through like lightning, piercing his neck with a soft PFFT before spreading out and erupting. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

’When did that happen?’ His heart trembled violently, filled with terror.

The excruciating pain nearly made Wang Yan pass out. But what terrified him even more was the realization that his Life Force was rapidly draining away...

Pfft...

The next moment, the massive crimson hand in the Void seized Wang Yan.

As the hand slowly closed, no blood flowed out. Instead, Wang Yan’s body disintegrated into a cloud of ash and vanished.

"How is that possible..."

Watching this scene, Ye Ming’s expression was one of unconcealed shock and terror.

’Flee! Quickly...’

The hoarse, deep voice in his mind spoke again, this time with an uncharacteristic urgency.

Ye Ming didn’t need to be told twice. His reaction was just as fast. In fact, even before the voice had finished speaking, he had already unleashed his full power, turning into an afterimage and bolting back the way he came.

BOOM!!!

The instant Ye Ming made to flee, a massive crimson hand slammed down.

The entire Earth Palace shook. The stone walls trembled and rocks tumbled down, kicking up a thick cloud of dust, but Ye Ming was already gone.

"A pity. That one was fast..."

Jiang Lan shook his head gently, his calm tone tinged with what sounded like regret.

But if anyone could have seen through the blood-red mist shrouding his face at that moment, they would have discovered that it was completely drained of color, so pale it was almost transparent.

The dreadful, hollow pain in his head had brought Jiang Lan to the brink of collapse.

He had no cultivation base, after all. Although this place was filled with a dense abundance of Life Force that he could manipulate, he had long since reached his limit.

He had only managed to kill Wang Yan through cunning and the element of surprise.

’After all, who would have guessed that I truly have no cultivation base whatsoever...’

The years of torment from the "Heart-Devouring" pain had tempered his will. Even now, as he forced himself to stand, his mind on the verge of being completely depleted, he showed no outward signs of abnormality.

Still, even though he had scared off Ye Ming, a bit of trouble remained.

"You had a chance to flee. Why didn’t you? Did you not want to abandon your companions to save yourself?"

Jiang Lan looked at Ms. Song and her companions nearby, his expression unchanging and his tone as indifferent as ever.

Supported by her maid, Ms. Song forced herself to stand steady.

Her clear, bright eyes could not hide her shock and trepidation, and though a trace of fear lingered, she still tried to remain calm. "You have a discerning eye, Sir. Youwei is not a coward who clings to life, nor is she one to abandon her companions to save her own skin."

Jiang Lan made a sound of mild surprise, then gave a faint smile. "The Ten Thousand Laws Sect is supposed to be a righteous and upstanding sect, yet it’s full of petty schemes and infighting. Meanwhile you, a demoness from the Blood Immortal Sect, insist on being the lotus that rises from the mud, unstained. How interesting."

In truth, while plundering Wang Yan’s Life Force, Jiang Lan had already sifted through his memories and learned the woman’s identity.

Of course, he had his suspicions even before, when he heard what Wang Yan called her.

But looking at her now, it was hard to connect this person with the infamous demoness she would one day become.

Song Youwei. Such a gentle, scholarly name sounded more suited to a well-bred lady from a noble house than a demoness of the Blood Immortal Sect.

’And she seems much weaker than I imagined... No, there must be something wrong with her body. This isn’t her true level of strength.’

Song Youwei’s expression faltered at being called a "demoness," but more than that, she was astonished. ’How does he know my identity?’

"This world forces many choices upon us. If I had a choice, Youwei would not have been born into such a sect. I’m afraid I’ve made a fool of myself, Sir."

She said, brushing a few stray locks of hair from her ear, her tone tinged with helplessness and bitterness.

She didn’t know who Jiang Lan was, but from the looks of it, he didn’t seem to intend to kill her. ’I can only play along and try to stay alive for now.’

"Not bad. I admire your spirit," Jiang Lan said calmly. "But that alone isn’t enough to make me spare you."

Song Youwei’s expression changed, and the people behind her tensed abruptly.

The scene from moments ago was still vivid in their minds, and their hearts were still pounding with terror.

"As far as I know, Youwei has done nothing to offend you, Sir. Why must you be so merciless...?" she said, biting her lip.