The Villainous Supporting Character Ended Up with the Female Lead - Chapter 16

Spiritual power transformed into flowing ink, the sinuous strokes merging seamlessly with the encroaching darkness.

Yi’an immediately unleashed a torrent of spiritual power, weaving it in delicate strands around the Jade Rainbow Sword.

The sword, which had originally emitted a faint, dazzling white light, gradually dimmed under the encroaching black mist.

With the final stroke of her brush landing on the blade, Yi’an retracted the black mist and patted the shoulder of the person beside her. Don’t push her too hard. After all, she’s your sister.

Sister? Even bl00d siblings keep clear accounts. Besides, we’re not even related by bl00d.

Yun Weiyan snorted coldly, a sudden surge of irritation rising within her. She lifted her head and fixed her gaze on the scene before her.

Using the Jade Rainbow Sword as a catalyst, they had employed an array to imprison Yun Hanmian within a barrier.

She and Yi’an were well aware of the extreme nature of this method, but the person backing Yun Hanmian was someone Yun Weiyan absolutely couldn’t afford to offend—at least, not for now.

As for Yi’an…

Yun Weiyan silently glanced sideways at Yi’an.

Yi’an’s cultivation was unfathomable. After decades of separation, Yun Weiyan couldn’t even begin to guess her current realm, fearing she might have already advanced to the Five Declines of Heaven and Man.

The Five Declines of Heaven and Man was a peculiar realm.

Most exceptionally talented cultivators, blessed by the Heavenly Dao, would smoothly break through to the Great Ascension Stage after enduring the Orange-White Thunder Tribulation.

But the crucial step in cultivation lay within the Five Declines of Heaven and Man.

Throughout history, countless geniuses from various sects had withered and died after entering this realm, waiting in vain for enlightenment.

Only those who experienced a once-in-a-millennium miracle could unravel its mysteries, comprehend the Dao, and advance to the Tribulation Transcendence Stage.

The Tribulation Transcendence Stage was practically half a foot into Ascension.

As Yun Weiyan stared at her, lost in wild speculation, Yi’an’s words abruptly dragged her back to the original question.

In three months, Yaotai’s once-a-decade entrance examination will be held. The sect will be flooded with both genuine talents and imposters. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I’m entrusting you to go to Yaotai in my stead.

Yi’an gazed intently at Yun Weiyan, slowly recounting

Do you know Yaotai’s treasured artifact, the Nine-Tailed Whip? It’s said to be crafted from the tendons of the dragon’s nine sons.

You want it? Yun Weiyan interrupted, conjuring over a dozen talismans mid-air and flinging them onto the Jade Rainbow Sword to seal Yun Hanmian’s spiritual power.

Yi’an nodded, casually casting a spell to reinforce the seal.

Yaotai is nothing like Floating Beam. You and I both know Xu Jianchun’s temperament.

A sudden chill night wind swept through the bamboo grove. Yun Weiyan stared fixedly at her long-separated friend.

Yi’an paused, her expression complex. Since I am also them.

Yun Weiyan’s sharp ears caught the key phrase in this cryptic statement.

Them?

Yi’an looked at her, conflicted, hesitating before finally saying, I’m sorry, Weiyan—

She paused, shifting her tone. For now, you’re not qualified to know more. But if the opportunity arises in the future, I’ll tell you everything.

Realizing the complexity of the truth, Yun Weiyan suppressed her probing gaze and quietly agreed to Yi’an’s request.

Yet her doubts only deepened.

After her rebirth, she had spent an entire night in deep conversation with the System, speculating on the novel’s plot trajectory.

The Cultivation World was like a stagnant pond, its surface calm and still, but beneath the surface, dark currents surged.

As for Yun Hanmian, within three months, I’ll find a way to extract a portion of her Primordial Chaos Spirit Body.

Yun Weiyan’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be—?

Yi’an’s expression remained calm as she continued, Twin-Petaled Biluo Orchid, reborn through divine artifacts—a clever trick to deceive the heavens. Weiyan, you’ve truly impressed me this time.

It’s difficult for plants to cultivate human forms. Perhaps with a bit of the Primordial Chaos Spirit Body, you’ll be able to go further.

Yun Weiyan sensed hidden meanings in Yi’an’s words. She trusted Yi’an, yet couldn’t bring herself to be completely honest with her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have allowed the scheming Tao Li to rescue her from the Ten Thousand Demons Cave years ago.

Yi’an’s origins were mysterious, her background unknown, and the System’s initial explanation of the plot had been incomplete. Yun Weiyan couldn’t predict every step of the future with certainty.

But she always kept her word. Having made a promise, she would fulfill it for Yi’an, even if it meant facing mountains of blades and seas of fire.

After settling Yun Hanmian, the two exchanged insights on their experiences as Demonic Cultivators over the years.

As Yun Weiyan chatted with Yi’an, a peculiar question suddenly popped into her mind

Is this world truly just a novel?

If it were a novel, where did the female lead go after her Ascension?

Besides herself, were there other, more formidable antagonists blocking her path in the story?

Most importantly, why had the System chosen her specifically?

As Yun Weiyan pondered the initial question, her thoughts spiraled deeper into unease. Her hands instinctively tightened their grip on the edges of her sleeves.

Tongzi, she murmured inwardly, mentally unblocking the System.

The System feigned death, refusing to respond.

Tell me the entire plot you know right now, Yun Weiyan threatened, or I’ll destroy my cultivation and shatter my seven souls and six spirits on the spot.

The System remained silent in her Divine Sense.

If I die, your mission fails too.

She closed her eyes, reversed the flow of spiritual power in her dantian, and channeled it into a violent surge aimed directly at her heart.

Yun Weiyan, you’re insane!

Forced out by her ruthless act, the System trembled as it began recounting the plot to its Host.

Beside her, Yi’an noticed Yun Weiyan meditating with her eyes closed. She quietly released a wisp of black mist to cover Yun Weiyan’s eyes, then rose and walked toward the barrier imprisoning Yun Hanmian.

A silver-white butterfly perched silently in the shadow of the Jade Rainbow Sword. Its translucent wings trembled gently, as if conveying a hidden meaning.

Yi’an bent down, cupped her hands around the butterfly, and whispered softly

I know you’re watching. Listen carefully Yun Weiyan is our wager. Last time, you let Yun Hanmian kill her, and we turned a blind eye. But this time—

Her expression instantly turned sinister, her gaze venomous as she glared at the butterfly, her voice dripping with menace

You wouldn’t want the disciple you’ve painstakingly nurtured to die by my hand, would you? After waiting for her all these years.

A faint residual pressure lingered in the air, but the silver butterfly had vanished without a trace.

Yi’an finally let out a silent sigh of relief. She waved her hand to disperse the black mist surrounding Yun Weiyan, and after a moment’s thought, decided to sit cross-legged outside the barrier.

In a hidden corner, unnoticed, the unconscious figure within the barrier suddenly twitched a finger.

Yun Hanmian remained motionless, feigning deep slumber from her severe injuries, but a tempest raged within her heart.

She had heard every word of Yi’an’s exchange with the butterfly.

Whatever hidden meanings lie in their conversation, Yun Hanmian thought coldly, could Yun Weiyan be a rival blocking my path to Ascension?

For over a thousand years, no cultivator in the Cultivation World had successfully undergone Tribulation Crossing and achieved Ascension.

Shizun had told Yun Hanmian countless times that Ascension was her destined fate.

Hanmian.

A familiar voice echoed in her mind.

Yun Hanmian held her breath, waiting for Shizun’s instructions.

I’ve broken the seal on the Jade Rainbow Sword for you. Noon is when the white-haired woman is at her weakest. Yun Weiyan’s cultivation is merely at the Nascent Soul stage…

But she possesses the Love Gu, Yun Hanmian silently countered. A Late-Stage Mahayana cultivator could indeed crush a Nascent Soul cultivator with ease.

Yet Yun Weiyan’s Love Gu filled Yun Hanmian with a sense of dread.

Love Gu, ha! Shizun scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.

No matter. She used her heart’s bl00d to create the Gu. Dig out her heart and bring it to me. I have methods to completely eradicate the Love Gu.

Yun Hanmian listened in silence, her once-indifferent heart gradually tightening with pain.

The word dig struck her like a blow, causing her heart to pound violently. An indescribable sense of suffocation clawed at her chest, as if the remnants of her soul were weeping and wailing within her.

Is this the Love Gu’s influence?

As she discussed strategies with Shizun, Yun Hanmian repeatedly hypnotized herself.

It must be the Love Gu’s doing.

Yun Weiyan spent the entire night conversing with the System, which repeatedly assured her, based on its database, that the plot it knew was incomplete from the start.

Host, why would I deceive you? I awoke within your Divine Sense, receiving only the original body’s storyline as the Vicious Female Supporting Character and the main plot.

The System hurriedly clarified.

Regardless, the female lead will ultimately become the foremost figure in the Cultivation World and successfully ascend. You’ve completely altered the original body’s fate.

Yun Weiyan rubbed her slightly throbbing temples. Now even the System was clueless about everything, making the situation increasingly complex.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was lurking in the shadows, monitoring her every move.

Host.

What? Yun Weiyan replied curtly, her tone laced with impatience.

The System dared not take offense at her attitude, lest she resort to a scorched-earth strategy again.

Look, it’s dawn.

Following the System’s words, Yun Weiyan opened her eyes. Where the sky met the mist, the lush bamboo forest cast dappled shadows, its verdant leaves glistening with dew.

The dawn lingered lovingly on Yun Weiyan’s profile, bathing her thick, curling lashes in layers of soft golden light.

Yi’an, who hadn’t slept all night, stood quietly nearby, wanting to strike up a different conversation with Yun Weiyan. But as soon as she opened her mouth, she swallowed the words she had prepared.

Yun Weiyan deliberately ignored the burning gaze, pretending not to notice.

Host, that’s Yi’an! Why are you ignoring her?

Before Yi’an could confront Yun Weiyan, the System was already voicing its grievances on her behalf.

So what if it’s Yi’an?

The System listened, confused, sensing a hint of melancholy in its Host’s tone.

She kept secrets from me, and I kept secrets from her. The path of cultivation is ultimately a solitary one. Once I obtain the Nine-Tailed Whip, we’ll become complete strangers.

Host, are you trying to cut ties with her?

Yun Weiyan didn’t answer the System’s question. Her silence spoke volumes.

Regardless of who Yi’an and the they she mentioned might be, Yun Weiyan had no intention of getting involved.

The Cultivation World was rife with open strife and hidden schemes. Self-preservation was the only wise choice.

Yi’an knew Yun Weiyan was waiting for her to speak. After reinforcing the barrier’s seal, she moved toward her old friend.