Chapter 85: Cultivation Protagonist
Chapter 85: Cultivation Protagonist
"So much regret..."
Yun Wanhe muttered under his breath as he floated high above the clouds.
A divine sword rested casually in his right hand, while his left remained clasped behind his back. His white robes fluttered in the endless wind, giving him the appearance of an immortal overlooking the world.
"What was that, my love?"
A soft, alluring voice drifted into his ears.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman floated behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist before slowly tracing her fingers across his chest.
Yun Wanhe let out a long sigh.
"Thousands of years... Thousands of years since I ascended from my original world. I left behind my parents... my first love... my friends... everything. All for the pursuit of power."
The woman smiled seductively, pressing herself against his back.
"If you regret it that much..."
She leaned close enough for her lips to brush against his ear.
"...then why don’t you sacrifice yourself for me?"
"Hm?"
Yun Wanhe frowned.
For only a split second.
Then...
Stab!
A cold blade pierced straight through his back and into his heart.
"Pfft—!"
A mouthful of blood sprayed into the air.
His pupils shrank as he slowly looked down at the bloodstained blade protruding from his chest.
"You... You..."
The woman calmly pulled the dagger free.
Yun Wanhe staggered several steps before falling from the sky.
His body crashed into the earth like a falling meteor.
BOOM!
The impact shattered the ground, leaving behind a massive spiderweb crater.
He tried to stand.
He couldn’t.
His Qi was rapidly leaking from the wound.
His cultivation...
Was collapsing.
Realm after realm fell apart as though thousands of years of hard work were being erased in mere moments.
The woman slowly descended into the crater, twirling the strange black dagger between her fingers.
"This little dagger really is amazing..."
She smiled faintly.
"Good thing he gave it to me."
Yun Wanhe clenched his fists, desperately trying to move.
"Why... why would you do this? We were lovers! You were my junior sister! Have you forgotten everything we went through together?"
She rolled her eyes dismissively.
"Please... Did you honestly think any woman would devote herself to a man whose heart belonged to someone else?"
She stepped forward.
Stab!
The dagger plunged into his thigh.
"Agh!"
Yun Wanhe let out a painful roar as another wave of weakness washed over him.
"You muttered another woman’s name every single night while you slept. You were never truly mine."
Yun Wanhe gritted his teeth.
"It wasn’t like that!"
He knew he was lying.
Deep down...
He had never completely forgotten the girl he had left behind on his original world.
But now...
His life hung by a thread.
"The only woman I’ve ever loved is you!"
She simply shook her head.
"Even if that were true... it’s already too late."
Space suddenly distorted.
A tall man stepped out from a void portal before casually wrapping an arm around the woman’s waist.
She leaned naturally into his embrace.
"Senior Brother..."
Yun Wanhe stared blankly.
His mind went completely blank.
An overwhelming rage erupted from deep within his soul.
"So it was you... You two..."
He struggled to his feet despite the blood pouring from his body.
"I swear to the heavens! If I survive this day... I’ll slaughter both of you! I’ll reclaim my honor! I swea—"
Slash.
A single sword flash cut through the air.
Yun Wanhe’s head separated cleanly from his body.
As darkness consumed his vision, only one thought remained.
’If only I could go home...’
. . .
Yun Wanhe’s eyes shot open.
He gasped for air, his chest rising and falling violently as he instinctively reached for his neck.
"...My head..."
His trembling fingers ran across his throat.
"...It’s still here..."
His breathing gradually steadied.
He froze.
The chatter of students filled his ears.
The scratching of chalk echoed through the room.
Confused, Yun Wanhe slowly looked around.
Rows of desks.
A whiteboard.
Students in school uniforms.
"...A classroom?"
His heart skipped a beat.
He turned toward the window beside him.
Reflected in the glass was a familiar face.
Long orange hair tied into a ponytail.
Bright orange eyes.
A thin, frail-looking body that seemed almost sickly.
"...My original body..."
Yun Wanhe whispered in disbelief.
His hands trembled.
"How is this possible...?"
"Wasn’t I just killed?"
"Why am I back...?"
He swallowed hard, barely able to suppress the excitement surging through his body.
"Don’t tell me... I’ve... returned?"
His heart pounded louder and louder.
His gaze shifted toward the front of the classroom.
Sitting there was a breathtaking young woman.
She had long golden-blonde hair that reached her waist, sharp emerald-green eyes, and a mature figure that stood out even in her school uniform.
Despite her beauty, what drew people toward her wasn’t her appearance...
It was the gentle, approachable aura surrounding her.
She was the type of girl anyone would feel comfortable talking to.
The moment Yun Wanhe saw her...
His breathing stopped.
"... Chi Lingxi..."
His first love.
The girl he had left behind when he pursued immortality.
The greatest regret of his previous life.
For thousands of years...
Her smile had haunted his dreams.
Even after ascending to the highest realms...
He had never forgotten her.
His fists slowly clenched beneath his desk.
[In this life...]
[I won’t leave you behind.]
[I’ll protect you.]
[I’ll cultivate once more.]
[I’ll become strong enough that no one can ever take you away from me...]
[And when I’m powerful enough...]
[I’ll make those two traitors pay for everything they did.]
The thought echoed through Yun Wanhe’s mind.
Chi Lingxi, who had been paying close attention to the teacher’s lesson, suddenly blinked.
Her green eyes subtly swept across the classroom.
’...Who just said that?’
She was certain she had heard a man’s voice.
Yet...
Nobody’s lips had moved.
Suppressing her confusion, she forced herself to refocus on the lesson.
She wasn’t the type of student to ignore class over something so strange.
However...
Several boys in the classroom noticed her brief glance.
Their expressions immediately darkened.
Especially one student sitting near.
He wore an expensive watch, designer shoes, and carried himself with the confidence of someone born into wealth.
A rich young master narrowed his eyes at Yun Wanhe.
"Bring him to the rooftop after class."
He whispered into his lackey’s ear.
"I want to have a little chat with him."
The lackey grinned viciously.
"Understood, Young Master Pan."
. . .
Qin Ruobing’s Apartment.
"Come on, listen to me..." Shen Tian said with a helpless smile, raising both hands in surrender.
"I’ll take all of you out on a yacht to make up for not spending enough time together. Happy?"
Unfortunately...
Qin Ruobing, Li Lian, Ruan Yizhen, Bai Xue, and Ling Shuangxue all continued pouting.
Ever since Shen Tian had been busy dealing with the Chu sisters and the child genius protagonist, they had barely gotten any time with him.
Seeing that words alone weren’t enough, Shen Tian grinned mischievously.
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
He lightly smacked each of them on the rear.
The women all let out small yelps before glaring at him with flushed cheeks.
"Don’t worry," Shen Tian said with a laugh.
"We’ll spend a lot more time together from now on. I promise. Even when the next protagonist appears, I’ll have all of you working alongside me."
The five women exchanged glances before smiling.
"Good."
"As long as you don’t leave us behind."
"We’re part of this too."
Just as the atmosphere relaxed...
[Ding!]
[A new protagonist has appeared.]
——————————
Host: Shen Tian
Fate Value: -100 (Heavenly Suppression)
Cultivation: Inner Core Realm
——————————
Target: Yun Wanhe
Identity: Son of Destiny, Immortal Emperor
Fate Value: 100,000
Cultivation: None (Currently Sealed)
Status: Rising
Threat Level:Extreme
Able to Die:No
——————————
Shen Tian’s smile slowly widened.
"...Speak of the devil."
"Another protagonist?" Ling Shuangxue asked.
The room instantly became serious.
Shen Tian gave a slight nod.
"This one’s different."
He looked at the system panel once more before exhaling slowly.
"If these stats are accurate... he’s a monster."
Qin Ruobing frowned.
"How strong?"
Shen Tian looked at everyone before speaking honestly.
"He was an Immortal Emperor..."
Silence filled the apartment.
Even Bai Xue, who normally had the most confidence, narrowed her eyes.
"...That sounds troublesome."
Shen Tian chuckled.
"Troublesome is an understatement."
He closed the system panel.
"It looks like I’m really going to need all of your help this time."
The five women exchanged determined glances.
Then, almost as if rehearsed beforehand, they all stepped forward.
Ling Shuangxue wrapped an arm around his.
Qin Ruobing smiled gently.
Li Lian nodded confidently.
Ruan Yizhen clenched her fist.
Bai Xue smirked.
"We’re your women for a reason."
"We’re not just here to be placed on the sidelines."
"We’re a team."
A genuine smile appeared on Shen Tian’s face.
"You guys... Alright, let’s take down this protagonist together!"
Qin Ruobing, Li Lian, Ruan Yizhen, Bai Xue, and Ling Shuangxue all tackled Shen Tian into a group hug.
They happily nuzzled against him like affectionate cats, each one wearing a bright smile.
The thought of being included in his "villain role" filled them with excitement.
It wasn’t just about helping him.
It made them feel closer to him.
Like they truly belonged by his side.
They even found themselves enjoying the idea of becoming little villainesses alongside him.
-----------
(Author Note: IMPORTANT!)
The Chu Sisters’ character art is still being worked on, so thank you all for your patience!
Also, with the introduction of this new protagonist, ALL of the heroines will be much more involved going forward.
Don’t worry about them disappearing for long stretches or only showing up for a Chapter or two anymore.
They will have much more screen time.
Thank you all again for the incredible support! I hope you’re excited for what’s coming next!