Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 854: Cultivation, and Intimate Nights

The sun, a fiery painter in the sky, had already begun its descent, brushing the mist-shrouded peaks of the Mystic Peak Sect with hues of orange and deep violet. The outer sect, a sprawling collection of simple wooden huts and training grounds, was quieting down. New disciples, weary from their first day of orientations and the overwhelming influx of new information, were settling into their assigned, spartan dwellings.

Wang Jian, however, felt no weariness. Only a familiar, simmering anticipation.

ʼPrincess Yue Lingshan… she must be feeling a bit lost. A pampered royal thrown into this rough-and-tumble outer sect life. Heh.ʼ

He waited until the last vestiges of twilight faded into a moonless, star-dusted night. The outer sect was cloaked in shadows, the only lights being the faint glow from occasional lanterns and the distant, richer luminescence from the inner sect further up the mountain.

Moving with the silence of a phantom, his body, even without Qi, instinctively remembered the art of stealth. He navigated the narrow, winding paths between the huts, avoiding the occasional patrolling senior disciple – likely a third or fourth stage Qi Condensation student earning sect points.

He reached Lingshanʼs assigned hut. It was identical to his own – small, wooden, basic. A single, faint light flickered within.

ʼNo protective arrays on these outer disciple huts, of course. Too trivial for the sect to bother with.ʼ

The door was latched from the inside, a flimsy wooden bar. Wang Jian didnʼt even bother with it. He found a loose shutter on the small window, prying it open with practiced ease using the edge of his knife. The sound was barely a whisper, lost in the chirping of night insects.

He slipped inside like smoke.

Princess Yue Lingshan was seated on her simple straw mat, staring blankly at the flickering oil lamp on a crude wooden stool. Her fine sect robe, still smelling faintly of new dye, looked out of place on her regal form. She looked small, vulnerable, and utterly despondent.

ʼPoor little princess,ʼ Wang Jian thought, a flicker of amusement, not pity, in his eyes. ʼLost her silk sheets and servants. Welcome to the real world… or at least, the cultivatorʼs entry-level version of it.ʼ

He moved silently behind her.

Yue Lingshan sighed, a deep, forlorn sound. She jumped, a small yelp escaping her lips, as strong arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her back against a warm, firm chest.

”Shhh, itʼs just me,” Wang Jian murmured, his lips brushing her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. He inhaled the scent of her hair, a faint floral fragrance that was uniquely Lingshan. He nuzzled her neck, planting a soft kiss just below her earlobe.

Princess Yue Lingshan instantly relaxed, her initial fright melting away as she recognized his touch, his scent, his voice. A wave of warmth spread through her. Only Wang Jian would, or could, enter her room like this.

”Jian!” she whispered, leaning back against him, her hand coming up to cover his on her waist. ”You scared me! How did you get in?”

”The window was feeling lonely,” he chuckled softly, his lips trailing a line of kisses along her neck. ”Besides, I missed you.”

His words, simple and direct, sent another flutter through her heart. Missed her? After just a few hours apart? It was a comforting thought.

”I… I was just sitting here,” she confessed, her voice small. ”Itʼs all so… overwhelming. This place, the cultivation… I donʼt even know where to begin.”

Wang Jian turned her gently in his arms to face him. He cupped her face, his thumbs brushing her cheeks. ”Itʼs a new world, Lingshan. Of course, itʼs overwhelming at first. But youʼre not alone.”

He saw the uncertainty in her beautiful eyes. ʼShe needs reassurance. And a little reminder of whoʼs in charge of her well-being now.ʼ

The news of Princess Yue Lingshan joining the Mystic Peak Sect had spread like wildfire, not just through the outer disciples, but reaching the ears of the inner sect and even some of the Deacons and Elders. Her dual Wood and Water spiritual roots, with their ʼsuperior gradeʼ purity, were a significant talent, marking her as a prized seedling.

But it wasnʼt just her talent. Her beauty was a beacon. Even in the simple grey outer sect robe, her otherworldly grace and enchanting features couldnʼt be concealed. Her figure, with its wondrous curves – the full, high breasts that strained subtly against the fabric, the slender waist, and the delightfully curvy buttocks that swayed with an unconscious allure when she walked – was the subject of many a whispered conversation and longing gaze.

ʼSheʼs a celestial fairy gracing our humble sect!ʼ one new outer disciple had gushed to his companions.

ʼDid you see her eyes? Like pools of moonlight!ʼ another sighed dreamily.

ʼForget her eyes, brother, did you see that… posture? Truly a gift from the heavens!ʼ a third had added, his gaze significantly lower, earning him a few knowing smirks and a couple of envious glares.

The male disciples, from the greenest newcomers to some of the older, more established outer and even inner sect cultivators, were utterly captivated. No man, it seemed, could bring himself to truly dislike Princess Yue Lingshan. Many harbored secret, or not-so-secret, desires of becoming her Dao Companion, imagining themselves walking beside this peerless beauty on the path to immortality.

However, this widespread admiration also served as a peculiar form of protection. Her obvious talent had already garnered attention from the sectʼs higher-ups. Deacon Meng had assigned her a slightly better hut, closer to the main training grounds. Rumor had it that even one of the Core Formation Elders, Ancestor Mei, who specialized in Wood-elemental cultivation, had inquired about her. Thus, while many desired her, no one dared to harass or openly anger her, fearing repercussions from both her talentʼs backers and the sheer weight of her general popularity.

The female disciples, naturally, felt a different emotion: envy. Envy of her talent, envy of her effortless beauty, and envy of the fawning attention she received from the male population. Sharp glances and whispered comments followed her like shadows, but none dared to confront her directly, cowed by her status and potential.

Lingshan, though somewhat aware of the stir she was causing, was too consumed by her own anxieties to pay it much mind. She was more concerned about her immediate future.

”Jian,” Princess Yue Lingshan said now, her voice laced with worry as she looked up at him in the dim light of her hut. ”This… cultivating Spiritual Energy… itʼs an entirely foreign concept to me. Elder Sun, Deacon Liu… they spoke of sensing Qi, of guiding it. But here…” She gestured vaguely at the simple room. ”I can barely sense anything at all. Just… air.”

Wang Jian chuckled, pulling her closer, his arms around her waist. ”Patience, little princess. Youʼve been a mortal royal your whole life. Sensing the subtle flows of Spiritual Energy doesnʼt happen overnight, especially not for someone new to it, no matter how good your roots are.”

He kissed her forehead. ”The Spiritual Energy on this Mystic Peak is richer than in Sky-Dragon City, but itʼs still… diffuse for a beginner. Your Verdant Water Nourishing Art is designed to help you perceive and gather it. It will come. Donʼt force it. Just follow the instructions in the jade slip, meditate, and try to feel.”

”But what should we… do?” she pressed, still sounding lost. ”The Deacon said we should cultivate. But cultivate what? How?”

Wang Jianʼs expression turned more serious, though his hands didnʼt stop their subtle caresses on her back, a constant reminder of their intimacy. ”From what Iʼve gathered from those jade slips in the Scripture Pavilion, our path, for now, is straightforward, Lingshan.”

He ticked off points on his fingers. ”One: Master your chosen cultivation technique. For you, the Verdant Water Nourishing Art. For me, the Bright Jade Art. Our primary goal is to absorb ambient Spiritual Energy, refine it into our own Qi, and advance through the Qi Condensation Stage. There are thirteen stages, or so the more detailed primers suggest, before one can even think about Foundation Establishment. We need to reach that thirteenth stage as quickly as possible.”

ʼThirteen stages… it still sounds like so many,ʼ Lingshan thought, a little daunted.

”Two,” Wang Jian continued, his gaze intent, ”is body cultivation.”

Yue Lingshan frowned slightly. ”Body cultivation? Jian, I… I spoke to a few other new disciples today, the ones who arrived last year. They said… they said body cultivation is mostly useless. That it consumes vast amounts of resources, herbs, special elixirs… and the progress is painfully slow. They said itʼs a waste of time when we could be focusing on increasing our Qi and advancing our realm.”

Wang Jian nodded. ”They are not entirely wrong, Lingshan. Body cultivation is resource-intensive, it is slow, and often painful, especially without specialized techniques or external aids.”

He saw the ʼI told you soʼ look in her eyes and smirked. ”But,” he added, his voice firm, ”they are also shortsighted. They only see the disadvantages. The advantages, for those willing to endure, are significant.”

”Like what?” she asked, intrigued despite herself.

”A strong body enhances your combat power immensely, even if your Qi cultivation is on par with an opponentʼs. It provides greater endurance, faster recovery. More importantly,” he tapped her nose playfully, ”what happens if your Spiritual Energy is exhausted in a fight? Or sealed by a special technique or array? A powerful physique becomes your last line of defense, your only weapon. You become a sheep for slaughter without it.”

He became more serious. ”At the very least, reaching the peak of mortal body tempering provides a solid foundation. It makes your meridians more resilient, better able to handle larger flows of Qi later. It can even subtly improve your lifespan and vitality, regardless of your cultivation realm.”

Princess Yue Lingshan considered his words. It made sense. She had seen Wang Jian fight back in Sky-Dragon City. He had no Qi then, yet his physical prowess had been terrifying.

”So… we should train our bodies too?” she asked.

”Yes,” Wang Jian confirmed. ”At night, after our Qi cultivation meditation. I found some basic body tempering routines in the Scripture Pavilion. Nothing fancy, but theyʼll serve for now. It will be grueling, Lingshan. Are you prepared for that?”

She looked at his determined face, at the confidence in his eyes. If he believed it was necessary, then she would do it. Besides, the thought of enduring hardship with him… it was strangely appealing.

”I am,” she said, her voice firmer now.

”Good girl.” He rewarded her with a kiss. ”But… body cultivation requires resources. Which brings us to the next point.”

He paused. ”Iʼve heard other disciples mention that breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage is… not simple. They all spoke of needing something called a Foundation Establishment Pill. They said itʼs incredibly rare, very expensive, and almost impossible to obtain for outer sect disciples without immense luck or contribution points.” Her earlier pessimism returned.

Wang Jian saw the worry cloud her features again. ”Lingshan,” he said gently, ”donʼt fret about Foundation Establishment Pills yet. Thatʼs a bridge weʼll cross when we get to it. And I,” he winked, ”have a knack for acquiring… hard-to-get items. Trust me on this. Weʼll manage.”

His confidence was a balm to her anxieties. ʼHe always seems to have a plan. Heʼll figure it out.ʼ

”So,” Wang Jian continued, ”to get resources – Spirit Stones for Qi cultivation, perhaps herbs for body tempering or pill practice later – we need to earn them. Sect contribution points. Or… other means.”

He told her his plan. ”Iʼve decided to apply for a position in the sectʼs Herbal Garden. Taking care of the spirit herbs. Itʼs menial work, but it has benefits. Firstly, it provides a steady, if small, income of Spirit Stones. Secondly, and more importantly for me, it allows me to learn. To study the spirit herbs of this world firsthand, understand their properties, their growth cycles. Knowledge of herbs is fundamental for alchemy, for understanding poisons, for creating body tempering solutions. This is crucial for my long-term plans.”

Yue Lingshan nodded. ”That sounds… very practical, Jian. And for me? Where should I apply? What should I learn?”

Wang Jian thought for a moment. ”Your Wood and Water roots give you an affinity for life energies, for growth. But also for control, for subtle manipulation. And your mind is sharp, Lingshan. You have a good grasp of patterns and logic, from what Iʼve seen of your royal education.”

He smiled. ”I think you should focus on the Art of Array Formations. It requires precise thinking, an understanding of energy flows, and itʼs an incredibly versatile skill – for defense, offense, concealment, even for aiding cultivation. If possible, also look into Talisman Crafting. Basic talismans are always in demand, and creating them can also earn sect points or be traded for resources.”

”Array Formations? Talismans?” Lingshan looked intrigued. It sounded complex, but also powerful.

”Yes,” Wang Jian affirmed. ”And fortunately for you, Princess,” his eyes twinkled with mischief, ”you possess an asset far more valuable than any Spirit Stone for gaining access to such knowledge or tutelage.”

”An asset?” she asked, confused.

”Your beauty, my dear Lingshan,” he said, his gaze sweeping over her appreciatively. ”And your charm. And your status, even as an outer disciple. Youʼve already noticed, havenʼt you? The way those male disciples look at you? The way even some of the Deacons seem… favorably disposed?”

Lingshan blushed. She had noticed. The constant stares, the awkward attempts at conversation, the offers of ʼhelpʼ. It was often uncomfortable.

”Donʼt get me wrong,” Wang Jian said, seeing her discomfort. ”Iʼm not suggesting you… offer them anything untoward.” His voice suddenly became dangerously soft, his grip on her waist tightening possessively. He leaned in, his lips almost touching her ear, and gently spanked her curvy buttock. ”You are mine, Lingshan. And if I find out any of those fools have laid so much as a finger on you without my express permission…” He let the threat hang, punctuated by another, harder spank that made her yelp softly. ”Letʼs just say, I wonʼt forgive you easily for allowing it, nor will they enjoy the consequences.”

Her eyes widened slightly, a shiver running down her spine that was not entirely from fear. His possessiveness, while a little frightening, was also… thrilling.

He pulled back, his expression softening into a charming smile again. ”But,” he continued, ”there is nothing wrong with accepting their ʼsincere assistanceʼ. Let them teach you. Let them provide you with materials for practice. Let them vie for your favor. Use their admiration to your advantage. I wonʼt get jealous, as long as you remember who you truly belong to, and maintain your… yourself for me alone.” He punctuated the last part with a lingering kiss.

Lingshan felt a confusing mix of emotions – relief that he wasnʼt truly asking her to debase herself, a thrill at his possessive warning, and a dawning understanding of the game he was suggesting she play. ʼHe wants me to use them… just as he uses other people and situation to his advantage. Heʼs teaching me to be… like him?ʼ

”I… I understand, Jian,” she whispered.

”Good.” He kissed her again, deeply this time.

True to his plans, Wang Jian formally applied to the Herbal Garden the very next day.

He was assigned the tedious task of weeding, watering, and guarding a section of common spirit herbs under a perpetually grumpy Foundation Establishment Deacon named Deacon Fu, who seemed to resent all new disciples.

Princess Yue Lingshan, with her natural charm and a few strategically placed, innocent inquiries, quickly found herself ʼmentoredʼ by a kind-faced Senior Brother in the outer sect, Senior Brother Lin Kai, who was known for his proficiency in basic array formations.

He was, of course, utterly smitten with her and practically tripped over himself to offer his guidance, even providing her with starter materials from his own meager supplies. Several other male disciples also vied for her attention, offering to ʼexplainʼ talisman principles or ʼshareʼ their cultivation insights.

She handled them with grace, accepting help where useful, gently deflecting unwanted advances, always remembering Wang Jianʼs possessive warning.

Within a few days, both Wang Jian and Yue Lingshan, diligently practicing their chosen arts, felt the first stirrings of Qi in their dantian.

They had officially stepped onto the path of cultivation, reaching the First Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.

It was a small step, but a significant one. Their nightly routines also solidified.

After hours of separate Qi cultivation meditation in their respective huts, Wang Jian would silently make his way to Lingshanʼs dwelling. Their secret relationship blossomed in the stolen hours of darkness.

Tonight was no different. The moon was a silver sliver, hidden behind thick clouds. Wang Jian slipped into Lingshanʼs hut, the scent of her filling his senses. She was waiting for him, already clad in a thin, silken nightgown that did little to hide the generous curves beneath.

”Jian,” she whispered, her voice husky as he embraced her from behind, his hands immediately finding their way to her full breasts.

”Missed me, Princess?” he murmured, his lips on her neck.

She moaned softly, pressing back against him. ”Always.”

His hands were confident, possessive, as they roamed her body. He didnʼt ask permission; he simply took. He unfastened her nightgown, letting it pool at her feet, his gaze devouring her naked form in the dim lamplight.

”You are… exquisite,” he breathed, cupping her breasts, his thumbs teasing her already hardening nipples. He didnʼt lift his hands, instead pulling her closer, pressing his own arousal against her soft buttocks.

He turned her to face him, his mouth claiming hers in a hungry kiss. His tongue plundered her sweetness, his hands exploring every inch of her – the curve of her waist, the swell of her hips, the softness of her inner thighs.

Yue Lingshan clung to him, her earlier anxieties about cultivation, about the sect, about her future, all melting away in the heat of his passion. Here, in his arms, she felt safe, desired, alive.

He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the simple straw mat that served as her bed. He laid her down, his eyes burning into hers. ”Tonight, Lingshan,” he growled, ”Iʼm going to make you forget youʼre a princess. Tonight, you are just a woman. My woman.”

He positioned himself between her legs, his erection pressing against her wet heat. She gasped, her legs parting instinctively. He entered her with a single, powerful thrust, filling her completely, drawing a sharp cry of pleasure from her lips.

Their bodies moved together in the ancient rhythm, a dance of passion and possession in the quiet darkness of the Mystic Peak Sect.

Moans mingled with whispered endearments, the scent of their mingled sweat filling the small hut. Wang Jian was relentless, his stamina seemingly endless, driving Lingshan to heights of ecstasy she had never dreamed possible.

He explored her body intimately, his hands, his lips, his tongue leaving no part of her untouched, worshiped, and claimed. He made her scream his name, made her beg for more, made her forget everything but the raw, primal pleasure he was giving her.

This was their secret life, a hidden world of passion and shared ambition, a stark contrast to the disciplined, austere facade of the Mystic Peak Sect.