Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

The return of Wang Jian to the Mystic Peak Sect, a little over a month after Princess Yue Lingshan’s own arrival, caused a ripple, then a wave, and finally, a minor tsunami of astonishment among the outer sect disciples and even some of the Deacons.

He strode through the main gates of the outer sect, his disciple token presented, his mission report for the ’Western Foothills Survey’ (a meticulously crafted document filled with detailed, if somewhat creatively embellished, observations of flora, fauna, and ’minor beast disturbances’) ready for submission. He looked... different. Still handsome, of course, but his aura, his very presence, had shifted.

Before, he was a Fourth Stage Qi Condensation disciple, albeit one with a certain quiet confidence. Now, the faint but undeniable pressure of a Seventh Stage Qi Condensation cultivator radiated from him. Not aggressive, but present, like a sword resting lightly in its scabbard.

”Junior Brother Wang Jian, reporting completion of the Western Foothills Survey mission,” he announced calmly to the Deacon on duty at the Mission Hall, the same harried man who had barely registered his existence a few months prior.

The Deacon, whose name was Deacon Pang, looked up from his scrolls, did a double-take, then his eyes widened. He instinctively scanned Wang Jian with his own Foundation Establishment spiritual sense.

”Disciple Wang...” Deacon Pang began, his voice tinged with disbelief. ”Your cultivation... it’s... Seventh Stage?”

The few other disciples loitering in the Mission Hall, overhearing this, also stared, their jaws practically hitting the dusty floor.

’Seventh Stage? Impossible! He was Fourth Stage just over three months ago when he took that mission! Even with top-grade pellets, that kind of advancement speed... it’s unheard of for a triple-root disciple!’

News spread like wildfire. Junior Brother Wang Jian, the handsome newcomer who had arrived with the talented Princess Yue Lingshan, had returned from a simple survey mission as a Seventh Stage Qi Condensation cultivator. In a little over three months.

The shock was so profound that it reached the ears of the Outer Sect Elder, Ancestor Chen, a wizened Core Formation cultivator who rarely concerned himself with the affairs of mere Qi Condensation whelps. But this... this was anomalous.

Wang Jian was summoned. Not just by Deacon Pang, but by a stern-faced Inner Sect Deacon he hadn’t met before, and escorted to a more secluded administrative hall. Ancestor Chen himself, along with Deacon Fu from the Herbal Garden (who looked particularly thunderstruck) and several other Outer Sect Deacons, were waiting.

”Disciple Wang Jian,” Ancestor Chen began, his voice ancient and raspy, his eyes like chips of obsidian boring into Wang Jian. ”Your advancement is... noteworthy. Some might even say... suspiciously rapid.”

A wave of powerful spiritual sense, far stronger than Deacon Pang’s, washed over Wang Jian. It probed his meridians, his dantian, his very soul. They were checking for signs of demonic possession, of unorthodox or soul-damaging cultivation techniques, of external power forcibly infused.

Wang Jian stood calmly, allowing the scrutiny. His Steller Demonic Meridian Scripture, while potent, was also incredibly subtle in its outward Qi signature when he willed it. It mimicked pure, refined spiritual energy, especially as he hadn’t actively channeled its demonic aspects. The purge it had initiated had also cleansed his body of any residual impurities that might have hinted at a less... righteous path.

After a long, tense moment, Ancestor Chen withdrew his spiritual sense. The other Deacons did likewise, exchanging bewildered glances.

”His meridians are... stable,” Deacon Fu muttered, stroking his beard, his usual frown even deeper. ”His Qi is pure, remarkably so for such rapid advancement. No signs of forced infusion or soul damage. No trace of demonic or heretical energies.”

Ancestor Chen nodded slowly. ”Indeed. The vessel is... clean.” He looked at Wang Jian, his obsidian eyes still sharp. ”Disciple Wang, this sect does not begrudge talent. But such speed, particularly for a disciple with triple spiritual roots... it invites questions. How did you achieve this?”

The air in the hall was thick with unspoken suspicion and, from some of the younger Deacons and the few jealous senior disciples who had managed to sneak a peek into the hall, palpable envy.

Wang Jian offered a polite, unassuming smile. ”Esteemed Ancestor, respected Deacons. The truth is quite simple. During my survey mission in the Western Foothills, I had a... fortuitous encounter.”

’Time for a carefully constructed half-truth.’

”I stumbled upon a hidden grove where certain rare spirit herbs, specifically those beneficial for Qi refinement, grew in unusual abundance due to a unique confluence of earth energies,” Wang Jian explained, his tone modest. ”Recognizing their value, and possessing some rudimentary knowledge of alchemy from texts I studied, I attempted to refine them into Qi Refining Pellets.”

He paused, then continued, ”To my surprise, perhaps due to the purity of the herbs or some unknown factor in the location, the pellets I managed to concoct were of... exceptional quality.”

He reached into his robe and produced a small, jade bottle – one he had ’acquired’ from the Blood Fiend Sect disciples. He uncorked it and tipped out ten gleaming, top-grade Qi Refining Pellets onto his palm, their pure, potent energy filling the hall with a faint, fragrant aroma.

”These are some of the last ones,” he said. ”I consumed the majority to aid my cultivation during the mission. The results... well, you see them before you, Ancestor.”

A collective gasp went through the hall. Even Ancestor Chen’s eyes widened slightly. Deacon Fu practically lunged forward to examine the pellets, his nose twitching.

”Top-grade! Every single one!” Deacon Fu exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and a dawning respect. ”The purity, the energy signature... this is masterful refinement for Qi Refining Pellets! To achieve this quality with wild herbs and, presumably, crude field conditions... Disciple Wang, your talent in alchemy is... profound!”

The other Deacons murmured in agreement, their suspicion rapidly being replaced by awe. Top-grade Qi Refining Pellets were not unheard of, but to produce them consistently, and in such quantity by a new disciple, was a mark of significant alchemical talent.

Wang Jian feigned humility. ”I was merely fortunate, Deacon Fu. The herbs were exceptional.”

Ancestor Chen stroked his long white beard, his gaze thoughtful. ”Fortune favors the prepared, Disciple Wang. And it seems you possess a talent that Mystic Peak Sect can ill afford to overlook.”

The atmosphere in the hall shifted dramatically. The jealous whispers died down, replaced by murmurs of admiration. Wang Jian, the suspiciously fast cultivator, had transformed into Wang Jian, the prodigious alchemist.

”Disciple Wang,” Ancestor Chen declared, his voice now holding a note of approval. ”Given your demonstrated skill in refining top-grade Qi Refining Pellets, a skill highly valuable to the sect, I offer you this: You will be granted unrestricted, free access to the sect’s Outer Sect Earth Fire Chambers for your personal alchemy. Furthermore, the sect will provide you with the raw materials. In return, you will be required to concoct three hundred top-grade Qi Refining Pellets for the sect’s stores, annually.”

He paused. ”This is a significant responsibility, but also a significant opportunity. The resources provided will be ample. Any surplus pellets you refine beyond the sect’s quota, using sect-provided materials, will be yours to keep or trade for contribution points at a favorable rate. Do you accept?”

Wang Jian bowed deeply. ”Esteemed Ancestor, this disciple is deeply honored and gratefully accepts.”

’Three hundred top-grade pellets a year? With sect-provided materials? That’s... laughably easy. I could probably do that in a week if I pushed myself. And free access to the Earth Fire Chambers? Plus surplus pellets for myself? This is even better than I hoped.’ He had essentially secured a steady supply of resources and a legitimate reason to spend considerable time on alchemy, which perfectly suited his plans.

Deacon Fu, his earlier grumpiness replaced by an almost eager expression, clapped Wang Jian on the shoulder. ”Good lad, good lad! We haven’t had a promising young alchemist in the outer sect for years! Come by the Herbal Garden tomorrow. We’ll discuss your material requisitions. And perhaps... you can show this old Fu a thing or two about achieving such purity!”

Wang Jian’s sudden rise in status and prestige resonated throughout the outer sect. He was no longer just the handsome junior who arrived with the princess; he was Junior Brother Wang, the alchemy prodigy, the one who could make top-grade pellets, the one who had earned the Ancestor’s favor.

Many outer sect disciples, both male and female, now sought his acquaintance. They would ’casually’ bump into him, offer assistance he didn’t need, or try to engage him in conversations about alchemy, hoping to glean some secrets or simply curry favor.

The Senior Sisters in the Herbal Garden, Meng Yue and Su Lin, were particularly ecstatic. Their ’promising junior’ had exceeded all expectations. They now treated him with even more warmth and admiration, often bringing him rare herbal teas or offering to help sort his sect-provided alchemy ingredients.

Wang Jian handled the newfound attention with his usual calm, polite demeanor. He was friendly but maintained a certain distance, building connections where useful, deflecting those who were merely seeking handouts or trying to pry too deeply.

Of course, his elevated status did not go unnoticed by Princess Yue Lingshan.

That night, when he slipped into her hut, she was waiting for him, not with her usual soft smile, but with a distinct pout and her arms crossed.

”So, Jian,” she began, her voice a little sharper than usual, ”I hear you’ve become quite the celebrity. ’Junior Brother Wang, the alchemy prodigy’. Senior Sister Meng Yue and Senior Sister Su Lin seem particularly... attentive to your needs these days. Are they helping you... ’sort ingredients’ very late into the evening?”

Wang Jian suppressed a smirk. ’Ah, the green-eyed monster. Adorable.’

He walked towards her, his expression innocent. ”Lingshan, my love, they are merely being... helpful Senior Sisters. Sharing their knowledge of herbs. And I, in turn, offer them insights into achieving better pellet quality. It’s purely... academic.”

”Academic?” Yue Lingshan sniffed, her beautiful eyes narrowed. ”I saw the way Senior Sister Meng was batting her eyelashes at you near the Earth Fire Chambers today. And Senior Sister Su Lin ’accidentally’ brushed her hand against yours for a suspiciously long time when you were discussing Moonpetal Stems!”

Wang Jian chuckled, pulling her into his arms despite her token resistance. ”Are you... jealous, Princess?”

”Jealous? Of those... those overeager herb-sniffers?” Yue Lingshan scoffed, though she leaned into his embrace. ”Certainly not! I merely... dislike seeing my... confidant being distracted by such... frivolous attentions.”

”Frivolous indeed,” Wang Jian agreed, nuzzling her neck. ”You, Lingshan, are the only one who truly... captivates my attention.”

”Hmph,” she said, though her body was already relaxing against his. Then, her voice turned surprisingly fierce. She pulled back slightly, her eyes blazing with a possessiveness that was both new and startlingly intense. ”But you listen to me, Wang Jian. Those Senior Sisters... any other woman in this sect... they can admire you from afar. They can offer you ’academic’ assistance. But if I ever find out that you have... intimate relations with any of them...”

She poked him hard in the chest with a delicate finger. ”I will beat you up, Jian. I swear it. And then I will not let you touch me for a month. And then,” her voice dropped to a chillingly sweet tone, ”I will find those women, and I will make them regret the day they were born. Am I clear?”

Wang Jian stared at her, momentarily stunned by the sheer ferocity in her eyes, the genuine threat in her voice. This wasn’t the demure princess or the passionate lover. This was... something else. A woman fiercely staking her claim.

’Well, now,’ he thought, a flicker of genuine surprise mixed with amusement. ’She has claws. And a surprisingly possessive streak. Interesting. Very interesting.’ He found it... rather stimulating.

He adopted a look of utter sincerity. ”Lingshan, my heart, you have nothing to fear. You are the only one for me in this sect, in this world. Those other women? They are mere dust motes compared to your radiance.” He kissed her deeply, pouring all his practiced charm and feigned devotion into it.

Inwardly, however, a different thought was forming. ’So, if I intend to expand my... collection... in this new world, it will have to be done with utmost discretion. Behind her back. A challenge, certainly. But when has that stopped me?’ He didn’t mind her jealousy; it was a sign of her deepening attachment. But it wouldn’t dictate his actions, only his methods.

Princess Yue Lingshan eventually softened under his reassurances and passionate attention, their night proceeding with its usual intensity.

The next day, Wang Jian approached her with a new proposition. ”Lingshan,” he said, during one of their discreet meetings in a secluded corner of the outer sect library, ”your ’Verdant Water Nourishing Art’... it’s good for your roots, but its absorption speed for medicinal pellets is... average.”

”It is?” she asked, surprised. ”But I’m advancing quickly with the pellets you gave me.”

”Because the pellets are top-grade,” he explained. ”But we can make it even more efficient.” He then, with careful explanations, began to guide her through subtle modifications to her Qi circulation pathways, small but crucial adjustments to how her technique processed the potent energy of the Qi Refining Pellets. He didn’t try to rewrite her entire scripture, not yet. He lacked sufficient high-grade Wood and Water elemental texts for reference to create a truly superior technique for her from scratch. But he could optimize.

”Try circulating your Qi like this when you absorb a pellet,” he instructed, guiding her spiritual sense with his own, more profound understanding of energy dynamics.

Yue Lingshan was initially hesitant. Modifying a sect-bestowed cultivation technique, even an outer sect one, was considered audacious, even dangerous. What if it backfired?

”Trust me, Lingshan,” Wang Jian said, his gaze steady.

She did. She followed his guidance, and when she next consumed a Qi Refining Pellet, the result was astonishing. The potent medicinal energy, which usually took her several hours to fully refine, was absorbed and integrated into her Qi in less than half the time. Her cultivation speed effectively doubled.

”Jian!” she gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief and awe. ”This is... incredible! How did you know how to do that?”

”I have a... knack for understanding how things work,” he said with an enigmatic smile. ’And a soul that has mastered principles of energy that would make this sect’s Grand Elder weep with envy.’

And so, the next six months passed in a dedicated rhythm of cultivation, alchemy, and discreet learning.

Princess Yue Lingshan, fueled by Wang Jian’s modified technique and a steady supply of his top-grade Qi Refining Pellets, soared through the Qi Condensation stages. She also diligently practiced her array formations under the continued, adoring tutelage of Senior Brother Lin Kai and others.

She could now set up simple but effective Spirit Gathering Arrays around her hut, significantly boosting her ambient Qi absorption. She could also create basic Soundproof Arrays (very useful for her nightly meetings with Wang Jian) and even some rudimentary trapping arrays.

Her skill in talisman crafting also improved, though the cost of materials limited her practice.

Wang Jian, meanwhile, became a fixture in the Outer Sect Earth Fire Chambers. He fulfilled his quota of three hundred top-grade Qi Refining Pellets for the sect with almost contemptuous ease, usually in a few intense days of work each month.

This left him with ample sect-provided raw materials to refine a significant surplus for himself.

He didn’t just stick to Qi Refining Pellets. He used his surplus pellets and growing reputation to trade for more recipes and ingredients. He mastered the concoction of three new, albeit still low-grade, pellets:

’Five Poisons Detoxification Pill’: A crucial pellet for any cultivator venturing into dangerous territories, capable of neutralizing a variety of common beast venoms and herbal toxins.

’Swift River Qi Pill’: A fast-acting Qi recovery pellet, less potent than the standard Qi Recovery Pill refined by Deacon Fu, but capable of replenishing a small burst of Qi almost instantly in battle – a potential lifesaver.

’Eagle Eye Spirit Pill’: A pellet that temporarily sharpened the senses, particularly eyesight and spiritual perception, useful for scouting or detecting hidden threats.

Concocting these was more complex than the Qi Refining Pellets, requiring finer control over heat and ingredient interaction.

But Wang Jian, after a few initial failed batches for each, mastered them within a day, consistently producing top-grade versions that astounded the few disciples he traded with.

His own cultivation, with the Steller Demonic Meridian Scripture and an almost limitless supply of top-grade pellets, progressed at a terrifying rate.

Seventh Stage... Eighth Stage... then, the crucial Ninth Stage of Qi Condensation.

Upon reaching the Ninth Stage, as per sect rules, he was eligible to apply for his own private cave dwelling higher up the mountain, in an area with slightly richer Spiritual Energy.

His application, supported by his status as a prodigious alchemist vital to the sect’s outer disciple supplies, was approved without question.

Princess Yue Lingshan, following closely behind him due to her superior roots and his modified technique, also reached the Ninth Stage a few weeks later. She, too, secured a cave dwelling, conveniently located not too far from Wang Jian’s. Their nightly rendezvous now had a significant upgrade in privacy and comfort compared to her flimsy outer sect hut.

Inside his new, more spacious cave dwelling, Wang Jian pushed his cultivation relentlessly. The Third Level of his Steller Demonic Meridian Scripture was designed to encompass up to the peak of Qi Condensation, the legendary Thirteenth Stage that very few disciples in Mystic Peak Sect even knew existed, let alone aimed for. Most considered the Ninth or Tenth Stage sufficient before attempting Foundation Establishment.

”Lingshan,” he told her one night, as they lay in his cave after a particularly strenuous dual cultivation session (another ’benefit’ of his scripture that he was ’exploring’ with her). ”Do not attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment yet. Not at Ninth, not even at Tenth Stage.”

”But Jian,” she protested mildly, ”Senior Brother Lin Kai said most inner sect geniuses attempt breakthrough at the Tenth Stage. He said pushing further in Qi Condensation yields diminishing returns and wastes precious time.”

”Senior Brother Lin Kai,” Wang Jian said, a hint of dismissal in his voice, ”is talented in arrays, but his understanding of true foundational cultivation is... limited.” He caressed her cheek. ”Trust me, Lingshan. We aim for the peak. The legendary Thirteenth Stage of Qi Condensation. It creates a Dao foundation of unparalleled solidity. It makes future breakthroughs smoother, our combat power at every subsequent realm far greater. Most cultivators in this sect, perhaps in this entire State of Yue, are too impatient, too focused on superficial realm advancement. We will not make that mistake.”

Princess Yue Lingshan, looking into his deep, confident eyes, felt her doubts melt away. ”The Thirteenth Stage... Is it truly achievable?”

”For us,” Wang Jian said with absolute certainty, ”it is. It will require more pellets, more time, more effort. But the rewards will be worth it.”

She nodded, her faith in him absolute. ”Then we aim for the Thirteenth Stage, Jian.”

And so, as these six months had passed. Wang Jian, with his modified scripture and an endless supply of self-made top-grade pellets, reached the Tenth Stage of Qi Condensation. Princess Yue Lingshan, despite her superior roots, was now cultivating at roughly the same overall pace due to the sheer efficiency of Wang Jian’s scripture and his slightly higher pellet consumption (he’d used about ten more Qi Refining Pellets). She, too, stood firmly at the Tenth Stage.

Their power had grown significantly. Their Qi reserves were vaster, their control more refined. They were now, undoubtedly, among the elites of the Mystic Peak Sect’s outer disciples. But Wang Jian knew, this was still just the beginning.