Villains Aren't Stepping Stones!

Falling Blossom Villa.

The quiet, expansive main pavilion of the villa was bathed in the warm, ambient glow of flickering spirit lamps.

Outside, the delicate pink petals of the surrounding spirit blossom trees drifted gently on the evening breeze, but inside the hall, the atmosphere was dense, focused, and humming with tactical intent.

Seated at the head of the long, polished mahogany conference table sat Shen Haoran, his posture relaxed yet commanding as he leaned back in a carved wooden chair.

Arranged around the broad table was his core retinue and elite inner circle: Xu Xiansu, Qian Yunxi—her cheeks still carrying a faint, delicate flush, though her posture was crisp and sharp—along with Huo Yue, Zhu Ziyan, Ning Xueli, Ling Luochen, Luo Mingye, and Xia Mengyao.

Flanking the sides of the hall stood all Ten Crowns in full, immaculate martial uniform: Shen Tao, Shen Fei, Shen Xinye, Shen Jian, Shen Ji, Shen Hei, Shen Cai, Shen Xun’er, Shen Bai, and Shen Ying.

In the center of the table, a glowing, three-dimensional spatial projection of Leaf Green City hovered in the air, detailing every avenue, watchtower, wall, and central structure in luminous green light.

"Let us begin," Haoran spoke smoothly, breaking the silence as his golden eyes swept over the gathered powerhouses. "We have surveyed Leaf Green City thoroughly today. It is time we finalize our strategy to tear down their mandate and claim the territory as our own."

"Finally! Some real action!" Huo Yue grinned, leaning her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her palms, her fiery eyes sparkling with excitement. "I surveyed their outer perimeter earlier today. Honestly, their city walls are a complete joke! The defensive formations running along the stone ramparts are barely maintained at a mid-tier Grade 6 level. Give me ten minutes, and I can blow a hole straight through their main gates with a single flame burst!"

"Do not be overly reckless, Huo Yue," Xu Xiansu spoke up calmly, her calm voice acting as a sharp contrast to Huo Yue’s heat.

She raised her slender hand, pointing a slender finger toward the projection’s eastern district.

"While their outer wall defenses are indeed lax, the true core of their infrastructure lies right here—in the eastern botanical gardens. The Botanist Faction relies heavily on rare medicinal flora to fund their operations in the academy. Because of that, almost seventy percent of their active Golden Core and Nascent Soul guards are stationed directly around those greenhouses, not the city gates."

"Which works entirely to our advantage," Xia Mengyao added thoughtfully, her graceful fingers tracing a line across the floating green map. "Because their martial personnel are concentrated on protecting their crops, the main streets leading directly to the central square are practically wide open. If we launch a loud, visible diversion at the eastern gardens, their main defensive forces will immediately rush to protect their precious plants, leaving the path to the central monument completely exposed."

"Sister Ziyan and I checked the defensive array surrounding the central pagoda—their main base," Qian Yunxi spoke up, her voice clear, calm, and professional as she leaned forward to point at the towering structure at the heart of the city map. "The Botanist Faction’s mandate is hidden deep within the ninth floor of that pagoda. However, because they are so confident in their defensive and isolation arrays, the physical guard count inside the building itself is surprisingly sparse—no more than twenty senior disciples. Although, all of them are at Spirit Ascension level."

Zhu Ziyan hummed and nodded along in agreement, "Furthermore, the structural array powering that pagoda draws its primary energy from four subterranean spirit veins running under the city’s four cardinal corners. If we sever or disrupt those four energy nodes simultaneously, their spatial isolation array will collapse within seconds, rendering the ninth floor completely accessible without us having to waste time picking apart their locks."

Hearing the analytical breakdown from the maidens, Shen Tao stepped forward from the ranks of the Crowns.

"Leave the frontline vanguard to us." Shen Tao declared, his voice echoing through the pavilion like thunder. "Shen Fei and I will lead the heavy breach. The moment the young master gives the command, we will smash through their front gates and draw every single one of their primary combatants out into the open streets."

"My Sacred Physique can easily suppress their heavy guards," Shen Fei chimed in with a confident smirk, stepping up beside Shen Tao. "I’ll crush their bodies and spirits and pin their frontline defenses to the cobblestones before they can even draw their weapons."

"And while you two act as the loud hammer," Shen Xinye suddenly spoke up, her hands playing lightly with a glowing red spatial cord between her fingers, her silver eyes flashing with playful sharp intent, "I can deploy my binding ropes across the western alleyways. Any reinforcements or scouts trying to flank our forces will be bound, silenced, and dragged into the shadows before they can even sound the alarm horn."

"Then, I’ll take the roof lines," Shen Jian stated coldly, his hand resting firmly at the back of his head, leaning back on his seat with an arrogant and cocky grin. "Any long-range archers or artillery spiritual cannons stationed on their watchtowers will be severed before they can fire a single shot."

"Shen Hei, Shen Bai and I have already mapped out the retreat and containment routes," Shen Ji spoke, stepping up alongside Shen Hei and Shen Cai. "Once we breach the city, Shen Hei will cast a shadow curtain over the outer district to blind their communications, while Shen Bai deploys containment seals and areays around the perimeter to prevent their leaders from fleeing with the city’s treasury or spirit herb inventory."

"What about the defeated disciples?" Shen Xun’er asked, her sharp eyes turning toward Haoran as she leaned on her blade. "Once we shatter their mandate and take total control, the city becomes officially ours under the academy’s law. Are we banishing the Botanist Faction, turning them into labor slaves, or offering them subordinate status?"

"I suggest we incorporate their skilled botanists and turn the rest into laborers," Shen Cai suggested calmly, adjusting his sleeves. "Their combat disciples are mediocre at best, but their herbalists and alchemists possess valuable skills. Making them harvest spirit herbs under our banner will yield a massive, continuous stream of Dao Points for our faction every single month."

"I agree," Shen Ying chimed in with a quiet, decisive nod. "Banishing them completely would leave a vacant, unproductive city. Harnessing their existing agricultural infrastructure maximizes our immediate gains."

"We can also use their combatants as laborers," said Xu Xiansu, "After this battle, lots of buildings will definitely be destroyed. We need workers to fix them up."

Luo Mingye suddenly spoke up, smiling, "You guys don’t have to worry about injuries. My healing music can heal all of the enemies so that they can be put to work immediately. Just go all out and rough them out."

Listening to the seamless, flawless coordination and strategic analysis presented by his entire team, Shen Haoran let out a low, satisfied chuckle.

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his crossed hands as he looked at the glowing map of Leaf Green City.

"A three-pronged assault," Haoran summarized smoothly. "Huo Yue, Zhu Ziyan, Shen Tao, and Shen Fei will create the primary diversion at the eastern gardens, drawing their main forces into a chaotic brawl, while Shen Hei, Shen Bai, Shen Ying, and Shen Xun’er will ambush any reinforcements."

He then turned towards the rest of the Crowns, "Shen Xinye, Shen Jian, Shen Ji, and Shen Cai will secure the perimeter, sever the watchtowers, and cut the four subterranean energy nodes."

He shifted his gaze to Qian Yunxi, Ling Luochen, Luo Mingye, and Xia Mengyao.

"The Botanist Faction are surely observing us and might attack our base while we are away, all of you stay and protect it. Ask Shen Cai for artifacts."

"Understood, Young Master!" every single member in the hall responded in unison, their voices ringing with loyalty, power, and unshakeable confidence.

Haoran smirked, waving his hand to dissipate the spatial projection into glowing green dust.

"Rest tonight. Tomorrow, Leaf Green City falls."

*

*

*

At this moment, Qing Yan lay motionless on a creaking wooden bed, completely naked, his eyes hollow, dilated, and entirely dead.

He stared blankly at the dark wooden beams of the ceiling, his breathing shallow and ragged, his mind hovering in a void of pure, numb dissociation.

Every inch of his skin felt bruised, sore, and thoroughly violated once again.

Beside him, Er Wang sat up with a heavy, bed-shaking thud, throwing her massive, hyper-muscular arms above her head as she let out a long, satisfied grunt and stretched.

"Hmm~! Ah, that was surprisingly good!" Er Wang purred in her high-pitched, delicate voice, turning her heavy, painted face toward him with a wide, horrifying smile. "As expected of a official student of the prestigious Imperial Academy! Your physical endurance is truly something else. You’re actually the very first man to manage to satisfy me!"

Qing Yan remained entirely unresponsive, his unblinking eyes frozen like glass, his mouth slightly open as if he were merely a lifeless doll thrown onto the mattress.

Er Wang gave a loud, boisterous, ugly laugh, slapping his bruised thigh with her massive, calloused palm. "From now on, you are officially my man! Remember your place, Brother Yan. If I wave my hand, you better run straight over to me like a good little dog and warm my bed, understood?"

With that, she stood up, making the floorboards groan under her immense weight, squeezed herself back into her tiny, stretched frilly pink dress, and walked right out of the room, humming a cheerful, feminine tune as her heavy footsteps faded down the hallway.

The moment the door clicked shut, leaving him in the cold, quiet gloom of the room, a familiar translucent blue screen flickered into existence right before his hollow gaze.

[Congratulations Host, for successfully capturing your second Goddess!]

[Quest Completion Rewards: System Function Upgrade—Observation Level 2, Innate Skill Unlocked—Minor Regeneration (E-Rank)]

The very second the notification processed, a faint, warm stream of green energy coursed through his meridians and bone marrow as Qing Yan felt his battered, sore body rapidly fixing itself.

The tears in his muscles mended, his fractured hip bones realigned, and his exhausted dantians began to smoothly circulate qi once more.

And yet, despite his physical wounds healing, he couldn’t feel a single drop of happiness or relief.

’Again...’ Qing Yan thought, tears of sheer, overwhelming humiliation finally welling up in his lifeless eyes and spilling silently down his cheeks. ’Again... once again... I have been used, humiliated, and taken advantage of by a grotesque monster...!’

A suffocating wave of utter, soul crushing despair slammed down upon his soul, dragging him into a dark, bottomless abyss.

What was the point of transmigrating into a fantasy world? What was the point of possessing a cheat system?

He was a plaything for beasts, a victim of brute force, a pathetic joke tossed around by fate!

He wanted to just end it all.

He wanted to close his eyes and just disappear into nothingness, giving up on this cruel, wretched reality entirely.

But just as he was about to completely succumb to the dark, crushing abyss of surrender, a vision flashed through his mind—a breathtaking image of long, radiant blonde hair, deep, compassionate blue eyes like a clear sky, and a gentle, heavenly smile that radiated pure, unblemished warmth.

Qian Yunxi.

Like a single, brilliant beam of divine light cutting through the complete darkness at the end of a long, suffocating tunnel, her memory reached deep into his broken soul.

Qing Yan’s trembling chest heaved as he let out a sharp, ragged gasp.

He gripped the bedsheets tightly, his knuckles turning stark white as his dull eyes suddenly ignited with a desperate, burning flicker of hope!

’No... I can’t give up now!’ Qing Yan roared internally, his heart hammering against his ribs as he fought off the despair. ’I can’t die here! I still need to grow stronger! I still need to rise above the dirt and stand beside her! I need to be with my goddess!’

Groaning in pain and emotional exhaustion, he forced his trembling upper body to sit up on the edge of the bed as he wiped his face with the back of his hand and called out internally, his voice raspy and shaking.

’System... what’s this Observation Level 2? What changed?’

[Host, why don’t you go check it out yourself?] the system replied in its cold, monotone chime. [The upgraded observation suite now grants deeper, more comprehensive analytical feedback regarding targets.]

Qing Yan took a deep, shuddering breath, slowly stood up on his regenerated legs, and dragged himself over to the wooden window frame overlooking the bustling back alleyways of the servant quarters.

Opening the wooden shutters slightly, he peered down.

Outside, in the bright sunlight, a group of local servants were coming and going, carrying baskets of laundry, spirit wood, and supplies.

His gaze naturally landed on a young maiden named Hu Hua, who was currently chatting cheerfully with three young male servants near the well.

She was widely known as one of the most popular servant girls in the entire lower district—adored by dozens of suitors for her innocent appearance, pure demeanor, and bright, cheerful laughter.

Qing Yan focused his mind, activating his newly upgraded vision on her.

*SWIISH!*

An expanded, intricate system panel immediately materialized before his eyes.

[Name: Hu Hua]

[Cultivation: 9th Stage Core Formation]

[Identity: Native Servant Girl / Secret Leader of the Servant Coupling Cult]

[Charm: 75]

[Affection: 30 (Fellow Servant / Friendly)]

[Sexual Partners: 749]

[Detailed Background: She is a direct descendant of an academy student from the Blissful Immortal Coupling Palace and secretly practices the ancient, dual-harvesting Yin-Yang Coupling Art. She has formed a secret cult made up entirely of male servants and guards, where they conduct an intense, night-long "sacred ritual" inside a hidden underground temple every single night to harvest their essence for her cultivation.]

"Holy shit...!"

Qing Yan almost exclaimed out loud in absolute, jaw-dropping shock, frantically clapping his hand over his own mouth as cold sweat instantly broke out across his forehead.

He stared down at the cheerful, sweet-looking girl who was currently blushing and giggling so innocently at a male servant’s joke below his window.

He could barely comprehend the staggering disconnect between the gentle, pure maiden standing right there and the wild, terrifyingly promiscuous cult leader described by the system’s detailed panel!

Seven hundred and forty-nine partners?!

That ’sacred ritual’ conducted every single night inside a hidden temple... that was pretty much just a full-blown, industrial-scale orgy, wasn’t it?!

Was she literally taking on hundreds of men back-to-back every night just to harvest their essence for her secret dual-cultivation technique?!

Qing Yan shook his head violently, turning away from the window and taking a step back into the room.

He rubbed his temples, trying to process the sheer absurdity of what he had just read, but eventually let out a tired sigh.

It didn’t matter.

He had zero interest in other people’s chaotic, wild sexual lives anyway.

He sat back down on the edge of the bed, realizing that the Level 2 Observation function was indeed immensely powerful—it peeled back every layer of hypocrisy, hidden identities, cultivation secrets, and private history, exposing the ultimate truth about anyone he focused on.

Sitting alone in the quiet room, his mind naturally drifted back to the person who occupied his every waking thought... Qian Yunxi.

A sudden, dark, creeping thought slithered into his mind.

’Wait... what if... what if Qian Yunxi is also hiding something like Hu Hua? What if her gentle, heavenly demeanor is also just a cover...?’

The moment the thought surfaced, Qing Yan flinched violently and slapped his own cheeks hard with both palms!

*PAK! PAK!*

"No! Shut up! How could I even think that?!" Qing Yan berated himself fiercely, his face burning with deep self-loathing. "Qian Yunxi is obviously completely pure, kind, and gentle! She gave me that precious healing pill out of pure compassion! She isn’t anything like that wild girl!"

He sat quietly for a moment, rubbing his stinging, reddened cheeks as his heart raced.

And yet, despite his fierce denial, a tiny, nagging itch of human curiosity flickered deep within his brain.

"...But... it wouldn’t hurt to just take a quick peek at her panel next time I see her... right? Just to prove to myself how pure and perfect my goddess truly is..."