This Is What a Villain Is Like

Countless Elders and Disciples had been waiting to see Su Qinghan humiliate herself.

But who could have expected her to give everyone such a stunning surprise?

"Qinghan, since you have earned this sword’s acknowledgment, it is your destiny and good fortune. From this day forward, the Dao Cang Sword Sect will pour its vast resources into you."

"A glorious new age is dawning, and countless Celestial Prides have already emerged. Though you have this great opportunity, you cannot afford to become arrogant," the Jade Cyan Sword Immortal cautioned.

"I understand, Master," Su Qinghan replied, her expression perfectly obedient.

The Jade Cyan Sword Immortal nodded in satisfaction. "Do not neglect the Pure Girl Star-Praying Skill I taught you. With this sword’s aid, you will be able to achieve great things in the future."

"Right now, that traitorous Prime Minister of Great Xia holds absolute power, blotting out the sky with a single hand. Even though Emperor Xia has broken through to the Eighth Realm, he is still being coerced. He was forced into a marriage alliance with the Prime Minister’s Mansion and is being slowly devoured by them. In time, the Prime Minister’s Mansion will inevitably launch a coup, Change the World, and usurp the Royal Family."

"You currently have that Jiang Lan’s deep trust. In the future, you will be the deadliest blade at his side."

Su Qinghan lowered her gaze. "I understand what you are saying, Master. I will not forget your teachings or the great responsibility you have given me."

"I have placed great hope in you. Do not disappoint me."

With that, the Jade Cyan Sword Immortal transformed into a streak of light and vanished.

Su Qinghan remained standing there for a long time, as if waiting for the Jade Cyan Sword Immortal to be well and truly gone. Only then did she let out a faint sigh and finally take the opportunity to examine the Sword Embryo in her hand.

She didn’t know why she had been acknowledged by this Sword Embryo. The instant she had grasped it within the Ten Thousand Swords Pool, she had felt a will sweep over her. It had only been for a moment before vanishing.

But she had still sensed it. It was no illusion; something seemed to be slumbering within the Sword Embryo.

...

「Celestial Central Province, Overseas Land」

This was an extremely vast island. Ancient palaces drifted through the surrounding Void, flanked by impossibly tall Divine Mountains and majestic Ancient Yues, with silver waterfalls cascading down their sides.

Rosy clouds steamed as Spiritual Mist swirled. Vast complexes of magnificent, ancient buildings stood everywhere, a testament to a long and profound heritage.

The beings who came and went on this island all bore draconic features—some had Dragon Scales, others had horns. Their auras were far more powerful than those of cultivators at the same realm. This was the territory of the Dragon-man Race.

At this moment, within an ancient palace suspended high among them, a hazy mist obscured everything from view.

Several Elders of the Dragon-man Race were gathered here.

In addition to them, the leader of the Dragon-man Race—a towering, burly figure with the head of a dragon and the body of a man—was also present. A radiant Jade Talisman floated in the Void before them, shimmering with divine light as faint characters materialized upon its surface.

All of them stared at its contents, their faces grim. The entire hall was so silent it was almost deathly.

"Has your sister not arrived yet?"

Just then, one of the Elders spoke, his voice like rolling thunder, as he looked toward the only young man in the hall.

He looked quite young, perhaps around twenty years old, and wore a long robe with gold trim.

Horns grew from his forehead, and his hair shone as brilliantly as the sun. A faint, divine radiance shimmered behind him, a sign of his incredibly powerful lifeblood.

The Dragon-man Race had True Dragon Blood flowing through their veins, giving them incredibly powerful bodies. They were considered one of the foremost royal families among the Alien Races in the Nine Provinces Land.

Each of their young members possessed the strength to crush an average cultivator of the same realm.

And this particular young man was none other than Ao Xu.

"Reporting to the Elder, my sister is already on her way back to the clan. She will be here soon." Ao Xu’s face was also grim as he looked at the Jade Talisman, his fists clenched tightly beneath his robes.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and he looked at the leader of the Dragon-man Race—his father.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Father, is this from the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"

He had left the Imperial Capital and returned to his clan after the Southern Hunting drills concluded.

Over the years, the Dragon-man Race had grown stronger by relying on the support of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Because of this, many of the clan’s Elders were inclined to stay on good terms with the mansion and obey its commands.

As the son of the clan leader, Ao Xu’s bloodline was noble and his status unique. He had often gone to serve at Jiang Lan’s side, even deliberately fawning over him in front of numerous Celestial Prides.

’In his eyes, Jiang Lan was nothing more than a good-for-nothing, second-generation heir.’

’As long as he served him openly and attended to his every need, he could definitely win his trust and favor. That was why he didn’t care about public opinion or losing face.’

’Ao Xu knew his place. In terms of cultivation talent, wisdom, management, or strategic planning, he was far inferior to his sister. She was the true hope for the future of the Dragon-man Race.’

’All he had to do was secure the Dragon-man Race’s current position. When his sister became a Saint one day, their people would surely be able to change their destiny.’

’They could even rescue their mother.’

"I am not certain if this is the will of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, but this is indeed the Prime Minister’s handwriting."

The leader of the Dragon-man Race, Ao Xu’s father, wore an equally grim expression. He stared at the Jade Talisman in the Void, his eyes flickering as he, too, seemed to be weighing his options and calculating his next move.