Im Not Your Usual Villain - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Ruins of the Great Void

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Whoever claimed first place in the upcoming competition would receive a reward so extraordinary, it could defy the very heavens.

Su He remembered it clearly—this was the tournament where Lin Feng would break through to the seventh level of Martial Master. He would outshine everyone, seize the top spot, and be showered with rare treasures and legendary herbs. With that windfall, Lin Feng would ascend swiftly to the peak of the Martial Master realm.

This was one of his greatest opportunities—his destined stroke of fortune.

But now, everything had changed.

With Su He’s arrival, snatching that opportunity would no longer be so easy.

Originally, Su He had planned for Ni Huangyu to participate in the Hundred Sect Tournament. Yet after truly witnessing the extent of her power, he realized that idea was far from realistic.

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Ni Huangyu was a Nine-Turn Phoenix—born at the Martial King realm. If she were to enter the Hundred Sect Tournament, she would draw endless criticism and suspicion.

So instead, Su He set his sights on Fang Yixin. As luck would have it, Fang Yixin had just obtained the Supreme Bone.

“Are you interested in competing in the Hundred Sect Tournament?” Su He asked with a gentle smile, looking at Fang Yixin.

Fang Yixin’s eyes widened in surprise. She hesitated before replying, “Master, my cultivation isn’t strong. I only just obtained the Supreme Bone a few days ago. I’m still at the third level of Martial Master—if I entered like this, I probably wouldn’t win any accolades. I’d only embarrass you, Master.”

“How about letting Junior Sister go instead?”

“She’s not an option—the Nine-Turn Phoenix is far too much of an unfair advantage.”

“But…” Fang Yixin glanced nervously at Su He. Part of her wanted to refuse, but she didn’t dare speak up now. She worried that saying anything that sounded like backing down would only anger her master.

Seeing this, Su He’s lips curled into a faint smile.

He spoke gently, “If I say you can do it, then you absolutely can. Soon, the Tai Xuan Holy Land and several other sects will be heading out to explore an ancient ruin. You’ll come with me.”

The great holy lands and sects often ventured out to search for ancient ruins left behind by legendary cultivators who had ascended. These ruins, scattered across the world, brimmed with untold treasures. That’s why elders would personally lead their disciples to explore them.

Many ruins had restrictions on cultivation level—forcing even powerful elders to suppress their own cultivation just to enter. In such cases, bringing along a few trusted disciples meant more allies and a better chance of success.

“I remember hearing not long ago that Cangyun Mountain discovered a ruin called the Taixu Ruins. Is that where we’re headed?” Fang Yixin thought for a moment, then recalled the news.

Su He nodded lightly. “That’s right.”

Hidden within the Taixu Ruins was a Qiu Dragon. Inside the Qiu Dragon’s body lay the Qiu Dragon Pearl—a treasure among treasures, one of the rarest spiritual resources in existence. The pearl’s power could be absorbed directly by cultivators, instantly boosting their strength.

Su He recalled that in the original timeline, Lin Feng had relied on the power of the Qiu Dragon Pearl. Despite starting with pitifully low cultivation, he had managed to soar to the Martial Master realm in just a few months.

But things were different now. Because of Su He’s interference, Lin Feng no longer possessed the Supreme Bone or the Phoenix Truefire. The Qiu Dragon Pearl, if absorbed, would destabilize one’s foundation. Only with the Supreme Bone to facilitate rapid absorption, and the Phoenix Truefire to refine true essence, could its power be safely integrated without harmful side effects.

In other words, the Qiu Dragon Pearl was now most suitable for Su He himself. For Lin Feng, it was no longer a blessing, but a risk.

That was why Su He intended to personally lead Fang Yixin to the ruins this time.

As for the Taixu Ruins themselves, Su He knew their origins well.

Long ago, the Sage of the Great Void had left this legacy behind as he ascended to the Martial Emperor realm, shattering the void and soaring beyond the world. To test the resolve and strength of those who entered, he set a cultivation restriction within the ruins: only those at the Martial Master realm could enter. No matter how powerful a cultivator might be outside, once inside, all were limited to the Martial Master realm as they explored.

Naturally, the ruins were perilous in the extreme.

“You should go and prepare,” Su He instructed. “In a moment, I’ll call your junior sister over. She can use her true essence to help stabilize your cultivation.”

Ni Huangyu possessed the rare ability to refine and temper the true essence of others using her own power. The reason for last night’s incident with Su He was simply because she was quite fond of him and had approached him of her own accord.

“Thank you for your guidance, Master!” Fang Yixin’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Though Su He’s reputation in the outside world wasn’t exactly stellar, Fang Yixin had always looked up to him. Especially after Xu Qing left, with only Fang Yixin and Ni Huangyu remaining by his side, Fang Yixin now had many more opportunities to spend time with her master. Now, seeing how much Su He cared for her, Fang Yixin couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter.

In the original story, Fang Yixin was only briefly mentioned: depicted as fiercely loyal to the Tai Xuan Holy Land, which was why Su He kept her close. As for her budding feelings, Su He himself seemed entirely oblivious—he hadn’t noticed them at all.

Turning away, Su He’s gaze landed on a few empty pill bottles on Fang Yixin’s desk, and he frowned slightly. Then, he took out several fresh bottles of pills and handed them over.

“These are some new pills,” Su He said. “You can use these for now. Did you already finish the ones I gave you a few days ago?”

“Yes, Master,” Fang Yixin replied, a little embarrassed, nodding her head.

Su He gave her a small, playful pinch on the cheek, a hint of annoyance in his tone. “Didn’t I tell you last time—once you run out, come get more from me yourself?”

“I… I forgot, Master…”

“Next time, just come get them yourself.” Su He tossed the words over his shoulder, then turned and strode away.

Fang Yixin watched his departing figure, unable to tear her eyes away—her gaze shining with admiration.

Leaving the rear mountains, Su He soared into the sky, heading straight for the Taixu Ruins.

Although Cangyun Mountain had been the first to discover the ruins, they lacked the strength to claim such a place for themselves. So, they’d sent out invitations to many other sects, asking them to come and observe together.

Later, the people from Xingyun Sect used the stars to calculate and determined that the ruins weren’t ready to open yet. It would only be possible to enter on the fifteenth of this month.

The various sects took advantage of this time to make their preparations, ensuring that when the gates finally opened, they could be among the first to enter.

Su He had come this time to place a beacon of his own.

But as soon as he arrived, he spotted a familiar face.

It was Sun Changqing—the very man who had first discovered the Taixu Ruins.

Naturally, Sun Changqing wanted to reap as many benefits as possible from this opportunity. He had set up the largest number of formations around the site, determined to secure an advantage. Once the ruins opened, he’d be able to lead more than thirty disciples inside.

Such was the custom of the cultivation world: whoever discovered an ancient ruin first earned the right to bring extra people in with them.

“Su He…!”

The moment Sun Changqing saw Su He approach, his expression twisted with resentment. He lifted his head warily, a flicker of hostility flashing across his face.