Villains Aren't Stepping Stones!

A few days later.

The bustling stone avenues of Leaf Green City hummed with energy under the vast, artificial sky of the Imperial Academy’s pocket dimension.

Tall spiritual towers lined the broad thoroughfares, while merchants and student-run shops displayed rare herbs, enchanted weapons, and ancient scrolls.

Shen Haoran walked alone on the paved streets, his hands tucked loosely inside the wide sleeves of his dark, embroidered robes.

Despite the vibrant sights and sounds around him, his mind was still heavily occupied, still thinking about the mysterious and elusive Heavenly Dao Pavilion.

Although his mother, Chu Xueyu, had sent him a brief message telling him not to worry about them for now and simply focus on doing what needed to be done within the academy, he still couldn’t help but ponder the sheer implications of their existence.

A transcendent faction made entirely of fully matured, fate-protected protagonists who had probably did something to cause the Heaven’s Will to not appear for thirty thousand years was not something one could easily brush aside.

But, he also knew that right now, he couldn’t do anything about it, and it would just be better to let his mother and the clan handle it.

He let out a quiet sigh, shook his head to clear his thoughts, and began looking around his immediate surroundings.

Right now, he was surveying Leaf Green City, as this was the specific territory that his circle had decided to conquer.

It was a vital hub connecting several major trade routes, rich in spirit herbs and dense with commercial activity, making it a crucial strategic prize for their expanding influence.

Haoran walked at a leisurely pace, but every step was part of a deliberate, cold assessment.

He observed the structural layout of the outer walls, noting the weathered mortar and the ancient, faded protective runes carved into the granite foundation.

The city’s defense array was horribly outdated; a concentrated strike on the eastern sub-node near the grain warehouses would shatter the barrier within moments.

He watched the patrol rhythms of the city guard.

They were sluggish, complacent, and predictable, moving in loose formations every half an hour without proper scouting overlap.

The alleyways branching off the primary trade thoroughfare provided ample blind spots for infiltration forces, while the central water supply flowing from the northern hills offered a glaring vulnerability that could be exploited to disable the city’s standing garrison without firing a single spell.

In his mind, Haoran had already mapped out three distinct, low-casualty invasion strategies before he even reached the third commercial district.

However, as he turned down another wide street leading toward the inner commercial plaza, Haoran suddenly paused.

His eyebrows knit together in a faint frown as his eyes locked onto a familiar figure standing near an old book stall.

It was Qian Yunxi.

She was standing near the curb, her soft white robes catching the light, talking attentively to a young man who stood directly in front of her.

Haoran’s eyes shifted to analyze the guy, and he couldn’t help but snort in disdain.

The guy was nothing special. In fact, calling him unremarkable was a generous compliment.

He looked like a remarkably pathetic nerd—slouching awkwardly with rounded shoulders, clad in a faded, ill-fitting scholar’s robe that hung loosely off his frail frame.

His hair was a unkempt mop of dull brown, half-tied with a frayed ribbon, and thick, greasy strands clung to his forehead.

He kept fidgeting with his shirt’s collar, fixing them up every few seconds with greasy fingers while wringing his hands nervously.

His posture screamed insecurity, his legs practically trembling as he stumbled over his words, unable to even hold direct eye contact with the woman standing before him.

Haoran narrowed his eyes slightly, standing under the shadow of a nearby pavilion as he thought deeply for a quick moment.

Qian Yunxi had recently stepped into the role of a true heroine because of that Chu Yan guy, in other words, no ordinary men should be able to get close to her.

Now, for a random, completely pathetic-looking youth to be standing so close to her, chatting and even getting close to her... could that guy be a protagonist?

Without a sound, Haoran activated his specialized Karmic Light Observation technique.

*SWIISH—!*

For a split second, the deep golden depth of his eyes dissolved, turning into mesmerizing, brilliant rainbow hues as the vast threads of fate, karma, and cosmic luck became completely visible to his sight.

A second later, the vibrant rainbow light faded away, his irises returning smoothly to their normal, majestic gold, and a cold, amused smirk curled up the corners of Haoran’s lips.

The karmic vision had revealed a thick, glowing seven color light og destiny surging directly out of the pathetic youth’s body.

Furthermore, a clear, shimmering red thread of romantic karma was attempting to stretch from the youth’s chest directly toward Qian Yunxi!

This is new. Haoran thought, Has his Karmic Light improved? He was actually able to see who will be the heroines of a protagonist.

And right now, for this guy, it seems Qian Yunxi was currently being targeted to become his designated heroine.

Haoran’s smirk widened into a sharp, dangerous smile.

A fresh greenhorn protagonist had practically delivered himself right to his doorstep.

Without a single moment of hesitation, Haoran stepped out from the shadows of the pavilion and walked straight towards them.

*

*

*

”T-Thank you again for the other day, Sister Yunxi!” Qing Yan smiled brightly at Qian Yunxi, his hands wringing together in a display of humble, nervous charm. ”I didn’t expect to run into you here of all places! Sister Yunxi, are you actually also from this city? What a coincidence! I used to be a humble servant from this city as well! I even still live in the servant quarters at the outskirts!”

”Hmm...” Qian Yunxi hummed softly, offering a polite, distant nod.

Her deep blue eyes weren’t really focused on his pale, eager face, but were instead casually observing the surrounding architecture and broad thoroughfares of Leaf Green City.

Just like Haoran, the Ten Crowns, and everyone else from their inner group, she was also taking advantage of the break to carefully observe the city for any key signs of structural weakness or defensive flaws.

As her gaze swept across the stone plazas and guarded intersections, she noticed that the Botanist Faction—the current student faction that ruled Leaf Green City—was surprisingly lax when it came to deploying street guards and gate patrols.

Which, upon further thought, was entirely understandable.

Most of their high-tier members and manual workers were heavily concentrated near the central spirit fields and indoor greenhouses, guarding the precious gardens where they grew various rare Spirit herbs and medicinal flora to sell to the academy.

Their martial forces were stretched thin over agricultural defense rather than urban security.

”Um... Sister Yunxi?” Qing Yan spoke up again, drawing her attention back as he took a small, hopeful step forward. ”I really wanted to repay you for your immense help the other day with that Spirit Mending Pill. Maybe... maybe I could treat you over lunch?”

At that exact moment, the glowing translucent blue system panel expanded directly before Qing Yan’s vision.

[Name: Qian Yunxi]

[Identity: Descendant of the Six-Winged Divine Emperor/ Successor of the Spirit Hall]

[Charm: 100]

[Affection: 25 (Friendly / Acquaintance)]

[Capture Difficulty: SS]

Seeing the updated numbers, Qing Yan couldn’t help but smile proudly in his heart.

’Yes! It worked!’ he cheered internally.

After days of painstakingly finding excuses to bump into her, acting like a meek, pitiful victim, and displaying utmost gratitude, he had finally managed to increase her affection stat by fifteen whole points!

However, he had to admit that the process had been agonizingly hard.

Despite being such a warm, kind, and gentle woman on the surface, Qian Yunxi was surprisingly aloof and guarded deep down, making it extremely difficult for any man to truly get close to her heart.

She was also an all-serious woman when it came to her life and cultivation, meaning she would hardly engage in casual idle chitchat unless the topic was something genuinely important or related to her duties.

Not to mention, she was extraordinarily popular in her daily classes!

Her breathtaking beauty and gentle demeanor had already caused the male disciples to declare her as their class goddess, constantly crowding around her and making it nearly impossible for a low-profile guy like him to find a private opportunity to converse with her.

Today, however, there were no scheduled classes at the academy.

Qing Yan had been casually strolling through Leaf Green City when he unexpectedly encountered Qian Yunxi walking around the commercial district entirely alone!

Believing this incredible coincidence to be a divine stroke of fate arranged by the heavens, he had immediately rushed over to strike up a conversation.

”Lunch?” Qian Yunxi subconsciously answered, her voice trailing off slightly as her eyes drifted back toward a massive, nine-story spirit pagoda situated on the far side of the street, analyzing its spatial energy output. ”Well, I don’t really know about that... I have things I need to attend to.”

”Sister Yunxi, please accept my utmost sincerity!” Qing Yan pleaded quickly, putting on his most earnest, tragic expression. ”If it weren’t for your kindness that morning, I honestly don’t know what would have happened to my health or my spirit! A simple lunch is the very least I can do to show my gratitude.”

”Well, alr—”

”Yunxi.”

A calm, deep voice suddenly cut through the air from behind them.

Qian Yunxi blinked, her entire body freezing for a second before she quickly turned around.

Her eyes widened as she saw Shen Haoran walking smoothly towards her from the shade of the near pavilion, his dark embroidered robes fluttering gently in the breeze.

The distant, aloof look on her face vanished in an instant, replaced by a radiant, breathtaking smile that illuminated her entire features.

”Young master!”

Shen Haoran didn’t say anything immediately as he just casually walked up to her side, his majestic golden eyes completely passing over her form to stare directly at Qing Yan with an unbothered, dangerous stillness.

Qian Yunxi seemed to instantly realize where his gaze was directed.

Sensing the subtle change in the air, she immediately took a quick, decisive step away from Qing Yan, putting clear physical distance between herself and the young man.

”Young master, this is Qing Yan,” Qian Yunxi spoke quickly, her tone polite yet completely businesslike as she promptly explained the exact extent of their minor relationship, just in case Haoran somehow misunderstood the situation. ”He’s just a schoolmate I happened to help out once with a minor pill.”

At the same time, deep inside her chest, Qian Yunxi felt a sharp flare of genuine annoyance.

’Why did this Qing Yan have to appear right now and push for a lunch invite?!’ she thought with irritation. ’What if Young Master Haoran misinterprets this and thinks I’m idly wandering around meeting other men?!’

[Ding!]

[Warning! Target Qian Yunxi’s Affection has dropped to 15! (State: Mild Annoyance / Distancing)]

Qing Yan blinked in utter, mouth-agape shock, the glowing system panel flashing red before his eyes. ’N-No! What just happened?! Why did her affection suddenly plummet ten points in a single second?!’

Before Qing Yan could even process the sudden disaster, Shen Haoran stepped directly beside Qian Yunxi.

Without a single word of explanation, Haoran reached out his long arm and firmly wrapped his hand around her slender waist, pulling her flush against his side.

Qian Yunxi let out a small, startled gasp at the sudden physical contact, her cheeks flushing with a soft, delicate pink.

Yet, despite the public display, she didn’t offer a single trace of resistance, naturally leaning her body into his warm, broad frame.

”Follow me,” Haoran said smoothly, his voice dropping to a low, commanding murmur meant only for her.

”Mn,” Qian Yunxi nodded instantly, her soft blue eyes looking up at him with absolute, unhesitating obedience.

And just like that, the two of them turned around side by side and casually walked away down the broad stone avenue—leaving Qing Yan standing frozen in the middle of the crowded street, without Shen Haoran or Qian Yunxi even sparing a single backward glance at his existence.