Chapter 1 He Likes You - Villain Xiao Bumian

It was the dead of winter, and Jianming Immortal Mountain was covered in snow, except for the evergreen bamboo at the foot of Nevernight Pavilion.

Mingjian rubbed his hands together, trying to warm himself in the bamboo forest. He was still in the Qi Refining stage; cultivators needed to reach the Foundation Establishment stage to resist the cold, and only those at the Golden Core stage could abstain from grains.

Mingjian is twenty years old this year. Ordinary cultivators at his age should be able to establish their foundation by now, but Mingjian was born with five spiritual roots, which are too mixed and he has no talent for cultivation whatsoever. He is only at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

At Jianming Immortal Mountain, only those with pure spiritual roots or exceptional innate talent can enter the inner sect for cultivation. People like Mingjian, who are destined to be estranged from the Great Dao, can only serve as outer sect disciples, doing odd jobs.

Mingjian had nothing to complain about; his biggest dream in life was simply to live a long life. The lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was two hundred years, a Golden Core cultivator one thousand years, and a Nascent Soul cultivator ten thousand years. Mingjian wasn't sure about anything beyond that. He didn't have grand ambitions; he would be content if he could live two hundred years.

Compared to other sects in the Northern Continent, Sword Bright Immortal Mountain provides its disciples with a monthly stipend of spirit stones. If they don't have enough spirit stones, they can go to the mission pool to receive missions issued by the sect, or at the very least, take on some private jobs.

The benefits were already quite good, so Mingjian was willing to be a corporate slave at Jianming Immortal Mountain.

Mingjian's daily work is also very simple. In addition to getting up at Chenshi (7-9 AM) every day to meditate and cultivate for two hours, he also cuts bamboo and carries water for Xiao Bumian, the Cold and Subtle Immortal Venerable of the Nevernight Pavilion. He can earn ten spirit stones a day.

Today is just like any other day.

Mingjian took a breath, closed his eyes and guided the Qi into his body. When he opened his eyes again, the spiritual energy around him vibrated slightly. With a crisp sound, several green bamboos around him fell down.

"I can actually chop down six trees in one go today?" Mingjian looked down at his palm. Last month he could only chop down four, but now he has made great progress. He vaguely felt that he might be about to break through again. Once he reaches the sixth level of Qi Refining, he can start preparing the pills he needs for Foundation Establishment.

Foundation Establishment is crucial for every cultivator. If they want to advance further in their cultivation, they need to purify their spiritual roots as much as possible before Foundation Establishment. Most cultivators have three spiritual roots. Mingjian has five spiritual roots. He has no talent, but he can't be a useless person, so he wants to remove two of his spiritual roots before Foundation Establishment.

However, spiritual roots are innate, born from the sea of ​​consciousness, and uprooting them is like peeling away tendons and bones—no easy task, and the slightest carelessness can lead to death. Many cultivators prepare high-level magic treasures to prevent the complete loss of their cultivation during the Foundation Establishment stage.

Mingjian had accumulated a lot of medicinal herbs over the years and wanted to refine some Qi-stabilizing pills for himself before he could establish his foundation.

"Mingjian, did you hear what I said?" the cultivator beside him asked.

"Huh?" Mingjian snapped out of his daze and turned to look at the cultivator, somewhat bewildered. "What's wrong?"

The cultivator was slightly stunned by his gaze, simply because Ming Jian was too strikingly handsome, with bright eyes, white teeth, and striking features. Nowadays, many people admire the ethereal, otherworldly demeanor of a hermit, like snow-capped mountains, or value purity and truth, with figures like Hanwei Immortal Venerable of the Nevernight Pavilion and Shi Lian, the son of its sect leader Shi Yan, being prime examples.

Mingjian was unlike any of them; his eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and his eyes, with their slightly upturned corners, were so captivating that they inevitably stirred the imagination. Even the simple robes of the Jianming Immortal Mountain sect looked extraordinary on him, and the silver cloud patterns embroidered at his waist could not conceal his slender waist.

The cultivator averted his gaze with difficulty, a suspicious blush crossing his face, and muttered under his breath, "I knew you weren't listening. I was saying, after you finish cutting today's bamboo, are you going to fetch water for Immortal Venerable Hanwei?"

Seeing that he had been engrossed in thinking about Foundation Establishment and hadn't meant to, he said, "I'm sorry."

He smiled and nodded, replying, "Yes, it's almost time. Could you please help me deliver these bamboos to Yunling Peak later, Senior Brother Song?"

It's just a matter of helping to put these bamboos into your Qiankun bag and take them with you; it's not difficult. The cultivator agreed, "Okay."

He hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, "Would you like me to bring you some food tonight?"

Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared in Mingjian's dark eyes. The wind blew, and the blue silk ribbon binding his hair fluttered. His voice sounded extremely joyful, "Thank you, Senior Brother Song. I hope this won't trouble you?"

The monk's face flushed crimson, almost reaching his ears, and he waved his hand nervously, "No trouble at all."

After saying that, he quickly fled in panic.

Seeing the cultivator's hurried departure, Ming's smile gradually faded, and he walked away humming a little tune in a rather pleasant mood.

The bamboo forest is located at the foot of Evernight Pavilion Mountain. To reach the courtyard of Immortal Venerable Hanyue, one must climb stone steps. There are as many as nine thousand steps. Due to the restrictions placed by Immortal Venerable Hanyue, Evernight Pavilion cannot be accessed by flying on a sword. If one wishes to cultivate in Evernight Pavilion, one can only walk up these steps. Therefore, although many people are interested in this legendary Immortal Venerable, few dare to attempt it.

In this respect, Mingjian is an anomaly. Seven years ago, after he joined Jianming Immortal Mountain, his cultivation level remained at the first level of Qi Refining for two whole years. Until one day, due to some accident, he accidentally arrived at the Never-Night Pavilion and found that the cultivation speed in the Never-Night Pavilion seemed to be faster than in other places. So he took on the task of carrying water for Immortal Venerable Xiao Bumian and used the excuse of doing the task to cultivate in the Never-Night Pavilion.

Sure enough, his cultivation speed increased significantly after that. At this rate, he should be able to establish his foundation in about two years.

As he pondered this, Mingjian carried water up the seemingly endless steps.

It's quite interesting, really. It's clear the water he's carrying possesses spiritual energy, but it's not for Xiao Bumian's use; it's for the fish he's raising. Xiao Bumian obtained those fish two hundred years ago in a secret realm. After returning, he kept them on the summit of Evernight Pavilion Mountain and went into seclusion to cultivate. This is now his two hundred and three years of seclusion.

In other words, the fish Mingjian was raising were older than him. Mingjian hadn't seen Xiao Bumian in the past five years.

However, Mingjian had read quite a few gossips about this Immortal Venerable in the popular posts on the Lingxi Mirror. It is said that this person was unknown before the age of twenty, only managed to enter the Qi-gathering stage at the age of twenty-three, achieved the Golden Core stage at the age of twenty-five, and broke through to the Nascent Soul stage at the age of thirty. From then on, he was far ahead of others in cultivation and was the only cultivator in the Northern Continent in ten thousand years to reach the Mahayana stage at the age of one hundred.

A thousand years have passed, and no one knows the extent of Xiao Bumian's cultivation. All that is known is that as long as Xiao Bumian remains at Jianming Immortal Mountain, Jianming Immortal Mountain will still be the number one sect in the Northern Continent.

Mingjian wasn't particularly interested in Xiao Bumian; if he wanted to delve deeper, perhaps he was more jealous of Xiao's talent in cultivation. As time went on, let alone jealousy, if he hadn't had to fetch water every day, he wouldn't have even remembered the four characters "Hanwei Immortal Venerable" at all.

How could you think like that! Xiao Bumian is your target for romance!

[Host, I know you can hear me, don't pretend you can't!]

Mingjian continued moving without stopping, letting the thing called the system wreak havoc in his mind. Mechanical and shrill voices filled his ears, but Mingjian pretended not to hear them.

He had always known that he was deeply obsessed with cultivation, and Mingjian would try anything that might be useful for cultivation, even risking his life. Therefore, he felt it was normal for him to develop inner demons because of this, and perhaps they would be gone after he reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

[Host, I am not your inner demon, I am System 051]

Despite his unwavering expression, Ming continued carrying water up the stone steps; there were still 1,500 steps to go before reaching the summit.

To talk about this "inner demon," we have to start from three days ago. That day, Mingjian was chopping bamboo, carrying water, and cultivating as usual when suddenly a white light flashed in his mind. When he woke up, this thing had appeared in his sea of ​​consciousness.

This inner demon calls itself a system. In its words, the world Mingjian lives in is actually a cultivation-themed, angsty romance novel called "Kunwu." And Mingjian, who can only be cannon fodder in cultivation novels, is actually the protagonist of this story.

The protagonist of "Kunwu" is named Xie Linzhao, a hostage brought back from the Demon Realm by the gloomy villain Xiao Bumian five hundred years ago. At that time, the young Xie Linzhao witnessed Xiao Bumian kill his Demon Lord father, and then his bones were shattered, preventing him from cultivating ever again.

As a demon, Xie Linzhao's days on Jianming Immortal Mountain were agonizing, nothing short of torture. Five hundred years later, Mingjian appeared. Mingjian was the only one who treated Xie Linzhao well, helping him rebuild his physical constitution and resume his cultivation. During their time together, feelings gradually developed between them. However, before they could confirm their relationship, a misunderstanding caused them to become bitter enemies.

Xie Linzhao returned to the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons and became the new Demon Lord. After weighing Mingjian's place in his heart against the hatred for his father's murder, he chose revenge, and the two became sworn enemies. Mingjian forged a sword named Kunwu from his own flesh and blood, intending to use it to end Xie Linzhao's life.

But his companions died one after another before his eyes, and the elders in the sect who had always taken good care of him lost all their cultivation to protect the sect. Mingjian lost the desire to live. In the end, the sword fell into Xie Linzhao's hands. Mingjian grabbed Xie Linzhao's hand and forcibly pulled him forward, piercing his heart with the Kunwu sword, trying to exchange his death for Xie Linzhao's last remaining pity.

Xie Linzhao was stunned, his chest filled with endless regret.

Unfortunately, regret couldn't bring Mingjian back to life. Upon learning the news, Xiao Bumian shed tears of blood. He went alone to the Demon Realm, slaughtering countless demons and sacrificing most of his cultivation, finally killing Xie Linzhao. In the cold winter snow, Xiao Bumian lifted Mingjian's remains from the ice coffin, a trail of blood winding its way through the snow, scattering red plum blossoms across the ground. Xiao Bumian bent down and gently pressed his face against Mingjian's forehead.

The main characters, the top and the bottom, die, and the small world collapses.

051 is a villain redemption system. Its mission is to help Mingjian reform Xiao Bumian, persuade him to abandon his world-destroying ideas, and allow Xie Linzhao to successfully become the Demon Lord, maintaining peace between the demon race and the cultivation world. This is to prevent the collapse of the small world.

[Host, the script you are currently receiving is "After Awakening, I Had a Happy Ending with the Villain". You need to save the villain Xiao Bumian. Once you have obtained 100% of the villain's redemption points and the villain gives up his idea of ​​destroying the world, the system will grant you one wish.]

Mingjian expressed his doubts about this mysterious object and raised his question, "Reshaping the spiritual root requires many rare and precious herbs. Are you saying that if I have these high-level medicinal herbs, I should give them to Xie Linzhao and not use them myself?"

The system is very pleased.

Yes, host, you are the kindest strategist I have ever guided.

After hearing the system's words, Mingjian smiled slightly, then said coldly, "Unless I'm sick."

Why not use those rare and precious materials to raise an ungrateful wretch instead of using them on himself?

He continued to point out what he felt were illogical parts of the original storyline given to him by the system, "In your story, since Xiao Bumian is the villain, why would he do such a thing? And why would Xie Linzhao and I become enemies?"

The system froze, stammering for a long time, not daring to mention that its data had been distorted for a period of time when it transmigrated to this world. The data hadn't been fully repaired yet, and it didn't remember some of the plot details clearly. Although it had reported this to the main system, the main system hadn't responded yet.

The system then vaguely stated: "[It seems that Xiao Bumian cultivated to the point of demonic possession, attempting to destroy the world. His master discovered this, and Xiao Bumian killed his master. After regaining his senses, he fabricated the incident, attributing it to Xie Linzhao. Furthermore, another cannon fodder character from the original story, who couldn't obtain your affections, arranged for you to end up in bed with him. Xie Linzhao misunderstood, and in a fit of anger, broke off relations with you.]"

Mingjian: "It seems so?"

The system seemed a little guilty, but feigned composure: 【That's exactly it!】

"Then who is my master?"

The system firmly states: [Sect Leader Yan]

"Oh."

Mingjian ignored him. The system's words were full of errors. He couldn't imagine that he would be willing to lose his life for a demon abandoned child. Moreover, with only five spiritual roots, would Shi Yan accept him as his last disciple?

Therefore, after communicating with the system that day, Mingjian entered a strange state. He pretended not to hear the noisy voices around him and continued to live his monotonous life as a corporate slave.

After two days of talking, the system was hoarse and had no choice but to keep at it, occasionally bringing up plot points from the original book to try and prove that it wasn't Mingjian's inner demon.

Half an hour later, Mingjian finally reached the top of Evernight Pavilion.

The system is still giving Ming Jian a glimpse into the plot: [One month from now, the secret realm Yunlai Immortal Abode will open ahead of schedule. In the secret realm, you will save Xie Linzhao, who almost lost his life.]

The Yunlai Immortal Abode opens once every hundred years. If it opens next month, it will have opened ten years earlier.

Mingjian, panting heavily from climbing, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then shared a bowl with the fishmongers and gulped down the spiritual spring water. The water, imbued with spiritual energy, spread along his meridians, making Mingjian unconsciously squint his eyes in comfort.

"Is it good?" A warm and clear voice came from beside me.

Mingjian was startled by the sudden commotion. Opening his eyes, he saw a magnified face before him. The newcomer was dressed in a moon-white robe, with long hair reaching his waist and skin as white as jade. Unlike his gentle demeanor, he was unusually cold, like winter snow that had not yet melted in spring.

Like an immortal.

Of course, we should first ignore the old man carrying the fish in his hand.

Mingjian had been carrying water for these fish for five years, and perhaps because it was too insulting, he recognized the fish at a glance as the one that had just broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refining last month.

Mingjian had never seen this person before. Few cultivators would come to the Evernight Pavilion, but it wasn't unheard of. So Mingjian simply assumed that he was unaware of the Evernight Pavilion's rules.

He kindly reminded them, "Fellow Daoist, the fish here were specially raised here by Immortal Venerable Hanwei, and they are not to be eaten."

"Really?" the male cultivator chuckled. "Eating it shouldn't be discovered."

Mingjian: "..."

Okay, whatever.

He's quite good-looking, but unfortunately not very bright. If you get arrested, just don't involve him.

“I won’t tell anyone,” Mingjian said.

Since he saw himself drinking from the Fish Master's spiritual spring, then seeing him catch fish is considered an equal exchange.

The male cultivator smiled gently, "Alright, then I won't tell anyone that you drank the Spirit Water."

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt there was a hint of excitement in the man's tone. Without thinking much of it, he nodded and put the water back on his shoulder.

The male cultivator carrying the fish floated past Mingjian.

A sharp, mechanical voice suddenly rang in Mingjian's ears: "[Ahhhhhh, ohhh, Xiao Bumian! The deeply affectionate villain from the novel!]"

Mingjian carried the water and continued climbing the remaining steps.

System: [He likes you! You idiot!]

Mingjian: "..."

A note from the author:

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We love ancient romance novels! [Three-flower cat emoji]

Try a yandere seme

This is supposed to be a story where the dominant partner dotes on the submissive partner, who is a drama queen who loves to overthink things. The two adorable characters will have a very cute time together. [glasses]

Also, just in case some readers didn't read carefully, the system had a period of data corruption, which caused the wrong person to be registered. The issue was only discovered after the data was corrected. This does not contradict the text.

The cultivation system still follows the stages of Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Mahayana, and Deity Transformation.

Each major realm contains eight minor realms; one can advance to the next realm after completing all eight minor realms.

Happy reading!