This Is What a Villain Is Like

’But in the eyes of those ancient Saintly Noble Families, we’re just upstarts who’ve gotten a little powerful, far from having an ancient, deep-rooted foundation for support.’

At this thought, Jiang Lan suddenly smiled.

’Even my parents, including my Saint grandfather, are backing me. I can bring many of my plans out into the open now—act openly and honorably, without needing to hide in the shadows anymore.’

This dispelled many of his previous concerns.

’Let me think carefully... who among the current retainers and Tributors of the Prime Minister’s Mansion would be suitable for my inner circle.’

’There are quite a few people in the younger generation with impressive talent and backgrounds. Some of them might be suitable as followers.’

Jiang Lan pondered this, writing on a sheet of white paper as he did. He finally settled on a few suitable candidates, then had a maidservant deliver the paper to his father.

With that done, he began to consider the preparations for condensing his own Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect. Cultivators in the Sixth Realm, the Divine Power Realm, needed to condense Lifebound Divine Techniques within their bodies.

The Seventh Realm, the Dharma Realm, however, required one to condense their own Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect, connect with the Heaven and Earth Void Qi, and form a personal domain around them.

This process was by no means easy. Many Cultivators were stuck in the Divine Power Realm for a hundred years, unable to grasp its essentials. They could not perceive the Power of Heaven and Earth, let alone connect with the Void Qi, and ultimately died of old age, full of regret.

Generally speaking, each Lifebound Divine Technique corresponded to a particular domain.

Jiang Lan currently possessed more than a dozen Lifebound Divine Techniques, so he wasn’t certain what kind of domain he would end up condensing.

Meanwhile, in the study, Jiang Lintian and Li Qingshu were jointly studying a Daoist Scripture that shimmered with a faint glow.

Looking at the paper Jiang Lan had sent over, the two of them scanned its contents.

"It seems that conversation had an effect. Lan’Er is progressing so quickly now, his strength changing with each passing day. I can see he has already condensed his Lifebound Divine Techniques. In just a few short months, he’s reached the Sixth Realm, the Divine Power Realm."

"That speed is indeed astonishing. Although it’s due to the Reverse Innate state and the Immortal Embryo Creation Dew, Lan’Er has his own fortuitous encounters as well."

"His ambition and boldness are immense. Not one of these Celestial Prides would be content to serve another. Does he intend to subjugate them one by one for his own use?" Jiang Lintian’s expression grew interested.

Li Qingshu, however, smiled and said, "Since Lan’Er has made his request, we’ll just have those clans send their Celestial Prides over."

"To be Lan’Er’s followers, to one day witness him rule over the world... that would be their good fortune and blessing."

Jiang Lintian laughed. "I’m afraid it won’t be so easy. My dear, you focus on your cultivation and don’t concern yourself with these matters. In their day, these were all renowned and ancient clans. When the first emperor of Great Xia sought to pacify the chaos and establish order, these clans were a constant obstruction, causing no end of trouble..."

"Though they ultimately submitted, their treacherous ambitions never died. In recent years, they’ve feigned compliance while acting in defiance, showing no respect for Great Xia whatsoever."

Li Qingshu said, "And yet, aren’t they obediently submitting to the Prime Minister’s Mansion now?"

"But the people Lan’Er wants are extraordinary. Each one is exceptionally gifted. Those clans have spent untold resources to cultivate these Celestial Prides. Why would they so easily send them over to become Lan’er’s followers?" Jiang Lintian said, shaking his head.

Li Qingshu snorted. "It’s their great fortune. If they refuse, we’ll just wipe those clans out. The world today is a far cry from the Ancient Times. The Human Race rules this world now. How many tens of thousands of years has it been since those Alien Races have produced a single Saint? Do they not understand that?"

Jiang Lintian sighed softly. "The world is changing. Perhaps this era will bring some surprises? Still... those clans wouldn’t dare defy our command. It’s just that the people Lan’Er wants are the future hope of their clans, the culmination of who knows how much effort and resources."

Li Qingshu glanced at him, and understanding suddenly dawned. With a wave of her hand, a token materialized. It seemed to be crafted from cyan jade, its surface perfectly smooth, and it emanated an aura so dense it felt as if it could collapse the Void itself.

"This is Father’s token. It carries the Saint’s aura he left on it. Husband, you spent so much effort subduing those clans. It wasn’t easy to make them obedient and loyal, and the loyalty you’ve cultivated is precious."

"But since Lan’Er has made his request, we’ll use Father’s name and order them to send the people over. If they’re not afraid of having their entire clan wiped out, then let them try defying a Saint’s command," Li Qingshu said, her voice cold and hard.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lintian broke into a smile. "You are truly clever, my dear. This way, those clans will have nothing left to say."

He then personally took up a brush, wrote the commands onto several Jade Talismans, and dispatched men to deliver them.

...

The Dao Cang Sword Sect, as one of the most renowned and ancient Sword Sects in Great Xia, had a legacy of over a thousand years and occupied a strategic position in the empire’s northwest.

Beneath the ground, several large Spirit Veins converged, their energies surging like dragons and leaping tigers. Spiritual Energy rose in a dense, hazy mist, making the entire place look like a paradise.

The mountains were majestic, their peaks green and their valleys lush. Clouds and mist permeated the air as iridescent light glimmered, and the faint hum of the contending Sword Dao could be heard.

Courtyards and pavilions were built on the mountainsides and at their feet, while deeper within, one could faintly make out palaces and grand halls. From time to time, Sword Qi would soar to the heavens, slashing through the sky and leaving terrifying scars on the steep, straight mountain peaks.

In the depths of the Dao Cang Sword Sect stood an ancient Sword Stele.

Legend had it that the Ancestral Master of the Dao Cang Sword Sect brought it from a distant Overseas Land. It was said to record countless Daoist Scriptures and Supreme Skills related to the Sword Dao.