The Villainous Supporting Character Ended Up with the Female Lead - Chapter 7

Yun Weiyan clutched Xu Zijin’s sleeve tightly, tears welling in her eyes as she stared blankly at her retreating figure.

The echoes of Xu Zijin, Xu Yue, and Ye Yazi’s argument about her punishment still rang clearly in her ears.

Yet she had no desire to speak up and be drawn back into their conflict, even though it concerned her directly.

Host?

The System called out anxiously to Yun Weiyan. Her emotional state was clearly unstable, and with Ye Yazi present, her true identity was at risk of being exposed.

How could the Host afford to let her mind wander like this?

Tongzi, she murmured, do you think I’m a terrible person?

Does the Host have something on her mind?

She closed her eyes, and a single tear finally escaped, tracing a slow path down her delicate, pale cheek. A sudden wave of desolation washed over her.

I’ve been trapped in this world for over four hundred years, and—

Yun Weiyan instinctively paused, then naturally curled up behind Xu Zijin’s figure.

Xu Zijin felt Junior Sister Bai gently tug at her sleeve. Turning her head, she met Bai Ke’s gaze.

Bai Ke’s nose twitched, her eyes red-rimmed, and thick lashes glistened with tears, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Junior Sister, rest assured, Xu Zijin murmured, stepping back to stand beside her. Lowering her voice, she whispered, I promised to take you to Anyang City today. A promise made is a promise kept. Elder Ye won’t be able to stop you.

Yun Weiyan smiled faintly at Xu Zijin, her eyes brimming with trust.

Unnoticed by others, Yun Weiyan extended her little finger, hooked it around Xu Zijin’s fingertip, gave it a quick wiggle, and immediately released it.

Xu Zijin understood the unspoken signal. She drew her blade halfway, positioning herself protectively in front of Yun Weiyan. Glancing provocatively at Ye Yazi, she said coolly, My Master, Elder Xu, has already secretly verified Bai Ke’s identity. If she were a Demonic Cultivator, bl00d would have long since flowed like rivers through Anyang City. Why would we wait for Elder Ye’s belated arrival?

Xu Zijin!

Xu Yue sharply rebuked her disciple’s words. She had hoped to keep Ye Yazi’s secret from Xu Zijin and had planned to use this situation to curry favor.

However, Xu Zijin’s disciple was proving to be a constant source of trouble. Compared to Ye Yazi, who was also an Elder, Xu Yue still favored her own disciple more.

While she could tolerate Ye Yazi’s behavior to a certain extent, Xu Yue refused to stand by and let her disciple be defenseless in front of Ye Yazi.

Enough! Disrespecting your elders and defying the Executive Elder! Take Bai Ke and return to your courtyard for confinement. You will remain there until you understand your mistake and apologize to Elder Ye!

Xu Yue rarely lost her temper, and the surrounding disciples wished they could bury their heads in the ground.

It was clear to everyone that Elder Ye was simply trying to establish her authority in Anyang City. Why else would she have come straight for Bai Ke upon arrival, even preparing to use punitive measures?

Severe punishment often leads to unjust imprisonment, and the strained relationship between Xu Yue and Ye Yazi was common knowledge throughout Floating Beam.

Rumor had it that Ye Yazi had orchestrated Xu Yue’s transfer to Anyang City as an Inner Sect Elder.

The truth of this matter remained uncertain, but Xu Zijin knew her Master was protecting her and Bai Ke. She quickly led Bai Ke back to her courtyard to rest.

Elder Xu?

Ye Yazi watched Yun Weiyan and Xu Zijin leave, her red lips curving into a cold smile.

Everyone, disperse. Xu Yue and I have important matters to discuss. Elder Xu, please.

The surrounding disciples scattered instantly. Xu Yue adopted a gentle demeanor and walked side-by-side with Ye Yazi toward the council hall.

Host, what were you about to say earlier?

Yun Weiyan lay on her side on Xu Zijin’s bed, propping her head up with one hand as she slowly surveyed the room.

Many people have stood before me, some willingly, others forced by circumstance.

Host, are you softening?  the System asked timidly.

Human hearts are made of flesh. Tongzi, I’m no longer human. I’m Orchid Grass now.

Her calm tone made it sound like she was recounting a common piece of gossip.

Xu Zijin isn’t the first, nor will she be the last.

The way she stood before me today, without hesitation—that silhouette…

Yun Weiyan narrowed her eyes, as if peering through Xu Zijin to recall the faces and events of centuries past.

It merely reminded me of old acquaintances. A fleeting sentiment, nothing more.

Yun Weiyan rolled over and burrowed into the thick cotton quilt Xu Zijin had specially brought from the storeroom for her. Though she had reached Foundation Establishment and achieved Bigu grain avoidance, her physical constitution had yet to reach the level of a true Cultivator.

Only upon reaching the Golden Core stage could one truly be considered a Cultivator.

If you can’t bring yourself to do it, Host, we can find someone else.

The System didn’t want to burden Yun Weiyan. Deeply bound to her, it had allowed her to defy fate in the past.

As long as the Female Lead ascended, the System would be able to depart as expected.

Until then, Yun Weiyan absolutely couldn’t die, or the System would vanish with her.

Yun Weiyan sneered. Your database is outdated it needs an upgrade. ‘I can’t bear to do it’? Ha, what a joke.

In the Cultivation World, the strong prey on the weak. Cultivation itself defies the heavens. What do I have to fear? Let me tell you this if only one person in this world can ascend to immortality, that person must be me!

I have no home in the Lower City District. This place—the Cultivation World—is my home, and it will be my final resting place!

The System was so stunned by Yun Weiyan’s words that it dared not utter another sound.

It knew she had no intention of returning, but it had never imagined she was prepared to die in this world.

Yun Weiyan ignored the System, wrapped the quilt tightly around herself, and burrowed into the warm bedding.

The day had been exhausting, both physically and mentally. Before nightfall, she wanted to take a proper nap.

Yun Weiyan understood perfectly this was likely the last good sleep she would ever have in Anyang City.

Yun Guiyi was Yun Hanmian’s most trusted confidant, personally groomed by her. After transferring partial authority of the Sect Leader position to him, she deliberately avoided the Elders and traveled to Anyang City.

Floating Beam and Yun Chuan were tens of thousands of miles apart, situated at opposite ends of the continent.

Anyang City was a small settlement, while Floating Beam’s core lay atop the Zhongshan Spirit Vein—a stark contrast to Yun Chuan.

Yun Chuan was the only sect in the Cultivation World to have established its headquarters near a lake.

The autumn wind sighs softly, Dongting Lake ripples as leaves fall.

Several high-grade Spirit Veins lay buried deep beneath Dongting Lake. To forcefully breach the lake and extract them risked damaging the veins.

Thus, Yun Chuan’s ancestors moved the surrounding mountain range to encircle the lake, transforming it into Yun Chuan’s inner lake.

Nestled between mountains and water, Yun Chuan’s disciples possessed a unique aquatic grace compared to those of other sects.

Like Yun—

Yun Hanmian shook her head. As she flew past Zhongshan on her sword, her thoughts drifted back to Yun Weiyan.

Perhaps due to the Love Gu, Yun Hanmian had been dreaming of Yun Weiyan almost every night recently.

She saw Yun Weiyan as a child, her hair in pigtails, hiding behind her after angering the tutors and Elders with her mischief, softly calling out, Sister, save me!

Yun Hanmian couldn’t quite define her feelings for Yun Weiyan. In their youth, she had cherished her like a younger sister.

Watching her grow from a tiny child into a young woman, time seemed to have slipped by unnoticed.

After assuming the position of Sect Leader, Yun Hanmian shouldered even greater responsibilities, forcing her to re-evaluate her relationship with Yun Weiyan.

At that time, Yun Weiyan was notorious throughout the Cultivation World for her cruelty and ruthlessness. To protect the Yun Clan from association with her, Yun Hanmian had banished her from Yun Chuan.

Was she heartbroken?

Not really.

Her Master had told her that she was destined for immortality, and that achieving enlightenment and ascending to the heavens should be her sole focus.

Yun Hanmian had always followed her Master’s teachings diligently. Her journey to Anyang City was solely out of the lingering affection from their youth, a final gesture of respect for Yun Weiyan.

She couldn’t stop Yun Weiyan’s ascension, for the latter was the world’s destined protagonist.

The distant black dot gradually expanded before her eyes. Yun Hanmian sheathed the Jade Rainbow Sword, glanced up at the characters Yunyang hanging above the city gate, straightened her robes, and strode confidently through the entrance.

Freshly steamed cakes! Osmanthus-flavored, taro-flavored—we’ve got them all!

Handcrafted lanterns! Made with the finest Xuan paper! Sir, would you like to buy one?

A street vendor suddenly called out to Yun Hanmian, holding up a lantern and touting its merits

Esteemed guest, your attire suggests you’re not from Yunyang. Did you come specifically for tonight’s lantern festival?

Lantern festival? Yun Hanmian frowned slightly, stopping before the vendor and accepting the lantern he offered.

The stall vendor beamed at the customer, whose beauty was unparalleled. After years of traveling and trading across the land, he had never seen anyone more stunning.

Madam, tonight is Yunyang City’s annual Lantern Festival, renowned for miles around!

Yun Hanmian preferred quiet and disliked crowds. She handed the lantern back to the vendor and turned to leave, but he called out to stop her.

Madam, according to Lantern Festival tradition, you must carry a lantern to enter the city.

Is that true?

Why would I lie? The festival grounds are just ahead, and you won’t be allowed in without a lantern. Perhaps you should—

I understand. Thank you for the warning.

Yun Hanmian cut him off before he could finish, pulled out a high-grade Spirit Stone, and bought the lantern.

The lantern’s design was quite novel, unlike any she had seen in Yun Chuan.

Wait, Madam! Don’t leave yet! I have one more gift for you!

Yun Hanmian had only taken a few steps when the vendor rushed after her, pressing a fox mask into her arms.

The mask covered half her face, shaped like a fox’s face, and was exquisitely crafted in alternating red and white.

The stall vendor, panting heavily, called out, Buy one, get one free! Please take this mask, esteemed guest.

Yun Hanmian glanced at him, donned the fox mask, and vanished into the bustling crowd in an instant.

The vendor scratched his head, pushed his lantern-laden cart around a few corners, and soon encountered two women who caught his eye.

The woman in front was already stunning, but the two standing together at the bridgehead exuded an even more extraordinary aura.

Especially the slender woman. Her features were unremarkable at first glance, yet her eyes shone with a luminous, watery quality, like moonlight reflected on a lake’s surface, drawing one in irresistibly.

Senior Sister, this is my first time seeing the Lantern Festival! Everything looks so new and exciting! Oh, there’s a lantern stall over there—I’ll go buy a couple.

Xu Zijin looked at Yun Weiyan with indulgent affection, handed her her money pouch, and said generously, Junior Sister, buy whatever you want tonight. I’ll cover all the expenses.

Senior Sister! You’re the best!

Yun Weiyan snatched Xu Zijin’s money pouch and eagerly ran to the vendor’s cart, grabbing four lanterns in one go.

This one, and this one too. Oh, and that one as well! Yes, the one in my hand and the ones I just pointed to—I’ll take them all!

As Yun Weiyan made her purchases, she remarked to the System, Tongzi, having a ridiculously wealthy Senior Sister is the best.

Host, please note The Female Lead’s presence has been detected within a 20-meter radius, diagonally ahead.

What?! How did she get here?!

Yun Weiyan immediately looked up and scanned her surroundings for Yun Hanmian’s figure, her gaze sweeping inch by inch through the crowded streets.

Having known Yun Hanmian for a century, Yun Weiyan was confident she could recognize her at a glance, even if Yun Hanmian had been reduced to ashes.

But there was no sign of her. Absolutely none.

Yun Weiyan lowered her head, handed all the lanterns to Xu Zijin, and continued to glance around furtively.

She was now as skittish as a startled bird. The thought of Yun Hanmian’s arrival terrified her. Still far from her peak strength, facing Yun Hanmian would undoubtedly spell disaster.

Junior Sister? Junior Sister?

Xu Zijin’s repeated calls interrupted Yun Weiyan’s deep thoughts. She looked up and asked, Senior Sister?

Look, there’s a woman on the bridge wearing a fox mask identical to the one you’re holding.

Yun Weiyan followed Xu Zijin’s gaze. The night was a tapestry of shadows and revelry, the lantern light flickering brightly. The woman in the fox mask stood with her back partially turned to them.

As the evening breeze rippled across the lake, sending concentric circles of waves spreading outward, Yun Weiyan’s heart plummeted into an icy abyss with a single glance.