The Villainous Supporting Character Ended Up with the Female Lead - Chapter 6

The Crane-Viewing Terrace was universally acknowledged by the Sect disciples as the best vantage point for observing the breathtaking scenery of Yun Chuan Lake and its surrounding mountains.

In the terrace’s left corner, the sprawling branches of a millennia-old pear tree stretched skyward.

Delicate blossoms swayed gently in the breeze as Yun Hanmian leaned against the trunk, letting the falling petals drift onto her.

As a child, she had heard the Elders recount how Immortal Late Cloud, the founding ancestor of Yun Chuan Sect, had personally planted this pear tree. For a thousand years, it had remained evergreen and flourishing.

Yun Hanmian let her mind wander, filled with mundane thoughts, rumors old and new, and plans for the future.

She stood in silence for a long while, until the sudden cry of a crane startled her back to reality. She opened the letter clutched in her hand.

The letter had been sent overnight from Anyang City by Ye Yazi’s trusted confidantes in the Ye Family, with explicit instructions that only Yun Hanmian was authorized to open it.

Three hundred years ago, Yun Hanmian and Ye Yazi had formed a slight acquaintance when the Nine Great Sects collaborated to explore a new secret realm, but their relationship never deepened.

Ye Yazi remained an Inner Sect disciple of Floating Beam, and had recently been promoted to Executive Elder, overseeing the sect’s penal laws and regulations. Her days were now even more demanding.

Reflecting on it, Yun Hanmian realized their last meeting had been a decade ago, when the Five Sects stormed Yun Chuan to demand an explanation regarding Yun Weiyan.

Yun Hanmian remembered that Ye Yazi and Yun Weiyan had been the closest of friends during their time in the secret realm.

She knew little of what transpired between them afterward, only that Yun Weiyan and Ye Yazi had become bitter enemies.

As the yellow silk scroll slowly unfurled, golden characters shimmered into view. Yun Hanmian scanned the message rapidly, grasping Ye Yazi’s intent.

Demonic Cultivator ambushed Floating Beam, stole Spirit Roots, and murdered the victims.

This indeed bore a striking resemblance to Yun Weiyan’s modus operandi.

When the Love Gu had erupted into chaos days earlier, Yun Hanmian had anticipated Yun Weiyan’s move, but she hadn’t expected her to provoke Floating Beam so quickly.

Sect Leader, Yun Guiyi interjected abruptly, nodding expressionlessly at Yun Hanmian. The Elders have been waiting in the council hall for some time, repeatedly sending disciples to urge you to attend. It seems there’s an urgent matter to discuss.

Hmm, Yun Hanmian responded dismissively, waving her hand to incinerate the letter.

Yun Weiyan…

Yun Hanmian murmured the name silently in her heart.

It seemed she would have to evade the Elders and travel to Anyang City alone.

Xu Zijin had recently befriended a new Junior Sister, Bai Ke, who would bring a flask of fine wine every day and stand in the pavilion overlooking the training platform to watch her practice swordsmanship.

Bai Ke never interrupted her, standing quietly and observing in silence. She remained in the pavilion for as long as Xu Zijin practiced.

The wine varied sometimes it was sorghum liquor, other times Jiannanchun, or even the simplest rice wine from a street vendor.

Xu Zijin couldn’t quite decipher Bai Ke’s intentions and worried that asking directly might upset her, especially after the Outer Sect Junior Sister had just endured the brutal massacre by Demonic Cultivators.

Perhaps Bai Ke sees me as the Senior Sister who used to be by her side, Xu Zijin thought.

The more she considered this, the more Xu Zijin felt a surge of pity for Bai Ke.

Junior Sister Bai Ke, Xu Zijin finally called out as Bai Ke was about to leave the pavilion again.

Senior Sister Xu? Bai Ke froze like a student suddenly called upon by the teacher, her eyes darting up to meet Xu Zijin’s before she lowered her head, her face flushing crimson.

Junior Sister, if you’re willing, I can teach you the swordsmanship of the Inner Sect disciples.

Senior Sister? Bai Ke’s head snapped up before Xu Zijin could finish speaking, her eyes wide with disbelief, tears welling up unbidden.

Senior Sister Xu, as Elder Xu Yue’s most esteemed disciple, was actually willing to teach her, a mere Outer Sect Disciple, swordsmanship…

Bai Ke was about to refuse when Xu Zijin leaped from the training platform to the stone table in the pavilion, effortlessly pulling the stopper from the wine flask with one hand.

Oh, West Phoenix today? Junior Sister, you’re so thoughtful.

Xu Zijin lowered her head to savor the aroma wafting from the flask before taking a small sip.

No disciple in Floating Beam could resist the allure of fine wine.

Seeing Bai Ke’s dazed expression, Xu Zijin couldn’t resist reaching out to pinch her cheek, chuckling softly.

Senior Sister has drunk so many jars of your wine, Junior Sister. It’s only right I teach you swordsmanship.

Junior Sister, tonight I’ll take you on a proper tour of Anyang City.

Bai Ke blushed, lowered her head, and shyly handed Xu Zijin the small object she had been holding.

Xu Zijin’s eyes widened as she recognized the bright yellow sachet, and she burst into laughter.

Host, are you sure she’s the one?

The System’s sudden voice in her mind nearly shattered Yun Weiyan’s carefully maintained facade of meekness.

I’ve inquired with the disciples responsible for cleaning. Xu Zijin’s cultivation is currently at the late Golden Core Stage, just one step away from breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage.

With Xu Zijin’s tacit approval, Yun Weiyan personally tied the fragrant pouch around her waist, casually chatting with the System.

Host, Xu Yue comes from the Xu Clan, one of the nine great aristocratic families. Provoking her prized disciple might be unwise.

The Xu Clan? I’ve provoked them eight hundred times in the past four centuries. What more can they do to me now?

She turned her head to conceal the disdain in her eyes, calculating how to seize Xu Zijin’s Spirit Root.

A Double Spirit Root at the late Golden Core Stage was an irresistible temptation for Yun Weiyan.

In her eyes, Xu Zijin was far more alluring than any priceless wine or exquisite fragrance.

By absorbing Xu Zijin’s Spirit Root, she could immediately advance to the Golden Core Stage. Combined with Floating Beam’s supreme cultivation method, even reaching the Nascent Soul Stage wouldn’t be beyond hope.

The thought of Xu Zijin’s Double Spirit Root softened Yun Weiyan’s expression, and she called out Senior Sister Xu again and again in a soft, coaxing tone.

Host, you’re acting so differently now. It’s unsettling.

The System struggled to adapt to Yun Weiyan’s current behavior, longing for the days when they rampaged across the world together.

Tongzi, sometimes discretion is its own kind of wisdom.

Though I’d love to capture the cultivators from Anyang City and absorb their spiritual power to quickly restore my Great Ascension Stage cultivation, I’m powerless to do so right now.

Hearing Yun Weiyan’s words, the System felt a pang of sadness. As a being composed of data, it was inherently incapable of human emotions.

I’m sorry, Host. I failed to protect you.

Tongzi, don’t blame yourself.

These past few days, I’ve been observing Xu Zijin’s swordsmanship and gained some insights. I only learned the basics from Ye Yazi before, but seeing it firsthand is a completely different experience.

Once I master this swordsmanship, I’ll kill Xu Zijin and restore my cultivation sooner. You won’t have to worry about me anymore.

Yun Weiyan softened her voice to comfort the System. After bidding farewell to Xu Zijin, she left the pavilion for a leisurely stroll.

As she walked along the quiet path, she was drawn by the commotion of a crowd ahead. She approached a nearby disciple and asked, What’s happening? Why is everyone gathered there?

The disciple, a simple-hearted young man, scratched his head and explained, Elder Ye has arrived!

Most disciples at Floating Beam greatly admire Elder Ye. She’s renowned for her formidable cultivation, unwavering integrity, and uncompromising justice.

Hearing their discussion about Ye Yazi, the surrounding disciples eagerly joined in.

Most importantly, throughout the Cultivation World, no one dares claim to drink more than Elder Ye!

Remember over a century ago, when the Six Major Sects gathered at Floating Beam? Elder Ye single-handedly drank all the guests under the table!

Elder Ye is truly the epitome of our generation in Floating Beam!

Yun Weiyan nearly lost her composure, silently retreating a few steps to distance herself from the group.

How is this possible?

Ye Yazi, the thousand-cup immortal?

She distinctly remembered Ye Yazi collapsing after a single cup, and when drunk, she would drag others into sword practice.

Just as Yun Weiyan was grappling with the truth of Ye Yazi’s drinking capacity, the surrounding chatter abruptly ceased.

She looked up in confusion, only to find herself staring directly into Ye Yazi’s eyes.

The moment their gazes met, Yun Weiyan’s heart tightened.

Ye Yazi made no attempt to conceal her suspicion, scrutinizing Yun Weiyan with naked scrutiny. Her crimson lips parted slightly as she asked coldly, I heard you were the only survivor from that night’s Demonic Cultivator attack?

Yes, her name is Bai Ke. I’ve checked her background—no issues.

Xu Yue quickly stepped forward, draping an arm casually around Yun Weiyan’s shoulders. She tried to diffuse the tension with a half-joking remark

Demonic Cultivators are notoriously ruthless. Bai Ke’s cultivation is barely at Foundation Establishment. She must be just too adorable for them to harm!

Oh?

Ye Yazi’s rising tone hung in the air like a razor-sharp blade poised above Yun Weiyan’s head, ready to tear through her carefully constructed facade.

Ever since Yun Weiyan had used the Paired Twin Bluefall Orchid to deceive fate and be reborn, she had dreaded encountering two people most of all.

And one of them was now standing before her, eyes burning with scrutiny.

Ye Yazi’s gaze was like a venomous serpent lurking in the shadows, poised to strike a fatal blow at any moment.

Xu Yue sensed the tense atmosphere between the two women. Her status within the sect was inferior to Ye Yazi’s, and any attempt to intervene would be futile.

Earlier, she had deliberately mentioned Bai Ke to Ye Yazi, hoping to advocate for the girl’s promotion from the Outer Sect to the Inner Sect.

Bai Ke’s mixed Spirit Root and low cultivation level didn’t matter to Xu Yue. She had taken a liking to the child, and Bai Ke was the only disciple who had survived the massacre…

Xu Yue had been haunted by her failure to rescue the Outer Sect Disciples in time. During their journey back to Anyang City with Bai Ke, she had resolved to take Bai Ke as her disciple.

Now, witnessing this situation, Xu Yue couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Once Ye Yazi finishes investigating Bai Ke, I’ll make it up to her properly.

Bai Ke, come with me to the Hall of Punishments, Ye Yazi said, grabbing Yun Weiyan’s wrist and leaning close, her hot breath spraying across Yun Weiyan’s face with each word.

I’ve dealt with Demonic Cultivators for years and developed my own method to verify your identity.

If I, Ye Yazi, have wrongly accused you, I promise the Ye Family will forever treat you as an honored guest. But if you are—

But my Junior Sister could never be a Demonic Cultivator.

A clear, crisp voice interrupted Ye Yazi’s unfinished sentence.

Yun Weiyan turned in shock to see Xu Zijin striding toward her. His tense expression gradually relaxed as he confirmed her safety.

I’ve always heard of Elder Ye’s impartial approach to justice, Xu Zijin said, pulling Yun Weiyan’s hand and giving her a reassuring look. He stepped forward, positioning himself between Yun Weiyan and Ye Yazi. I never imagined Elder Ye would resort to coercion to investigate a case.

Ye Yazi raised an eyebrow. Who are you?

I am Xu Zijin, a disciple under Elder Xu of Floating Beam.