Chapter 8: Breakthrough! A New Female Lead Will Appear

This fantasy plot is progressing quickly; though the process differs, the outcome is much the same.

Ye Xuan's strength remains formidable, his alchemy talent is still unmistakable, and he is still highly regarded by Elder Mingyou.

The only major difference is the female lead, Li Ruoling.

He simply cannot fathom why Li Ruoling is so desperately helping him.

Yet he remains somewhat wary, after all, she is the female lead!

A female lead would never fall for a villain; he knows his place well.

So perhaps someone behind Li Ruoling is directing her?

With that thought, Xu Chen suddenly understood: "So that's how it is. I get it."

It is highly likely the Master of the Jixia Academy.

Perhaps this Master wants him to suppress the protagonist for some ulterior motive.

Did they foresee the heavenly secrets?

Or is there a high expert seeking to seize the protagonist's fortune?

Any of these are possible!

Anyway, he will proceed cautiously, avoid causing trouble, and simply follow the plot.

Everything else depends on the situation.

As he pondered, the competition among the other families' children in Qingyang City had already concluded.

In the end, nine geniuses were selected, each at least at the early stage of the Second Grade.

This differs little from the original plot.

"The next plot point is news of Ye Xuan's dual cultivation of Alchemy and Martial Arts reaching the Jixia Academy."

"Then the elders of the Jixia Academy will fiercely compete for Ye Xuan; Ye Xuan will constantly show off, shocking the entire academy, forcing the Master to appear personally to accept him as a disciple."

"That Master is also one of the female leads. Tsk, if one were to step into Ye Xuan's shoes, that plot would be incredibly satisfying."

"As for him, Xu Chen, he remains obscure, unchallenged by anyone, only rising to prominence much later."

Thinking of this second major plot point, Xu Chen nodded silently.

In this life, Ye Xuan still cultivates both Alchemy and Martial Arts, dazzling everyone; no problem there.

As for himself, he still cannot refine pills, falling slightly short.

Therefore, when entering the academy, Ye Xuan will undoubtedly be more popular.

At this thought, Xu Chen lazily remarked, "This should count as a major plot point; there's no chance to change it anymore."

He pondered for a long time, finally concluding that even if Li Ruoling interfered, it would be useless; the outcome could not be altered.

After all, he truly cannot refine pills; no matter how much Li Ruoling boasts to others, it changes nothing.

Thinking of this, Xu Chen felt quite pleased.

This second plot point will finally be somewhat stable.

Li Ruoling, you little bitch, don't think you can cause trouble this time, I'm telling you.

At that moment, Elder Mingyou continued, "The selected disciples will prepare to return to the Jixia Academy tomorrow; I hope you are ready today."

"Yes!"

Xu Chen and the others replied in agreement.

Having spoken, the various families departed one by one.

Li Ruoling and Elder Mingyou did the same, except Li Ruoling looked extremely reluctant to leave Xu Chen before departing.

Xu Chen could not help but sigh; her acting skills were truly invincible.

He returned to his own courtyard, pinching his chin and saying, "As a villain, although I keep losing, I am also constantly growing stronger."

Ye Xuan's advancement speed is as easy as drinking water, whereas in his past life, he had to pay a price.

However, for now, it is fine; no major price needs to be paid.

These free Spirit Elixirs and Profound Spirit Elixirs can be consumed."

Having spoken, he swallowed the two pills directly.

Instantly, the medicinal power surged, spreading throughout his body and circulating through his meridians.

A faint golden light began to appear on Xu Chen, making him look like a deity.

A mighty and profound aura also began to radiate outward from his body like ripples, gradually spreading in all directions.

Dust swirled around, white robes fluttered, and hair danced, displaying an extraordinary aura.

About fifteen minutes later, Xu Chen's aura broke through.

He began by advancing from the late stage of the Second Grade, leaping straight to the peak of the Second Grade.

The nearby lake water even churned with the force.

Roughly an hour later, Xu Chen surged from the peak of the Second Grade straight to the late stage of the Third Grade.

Because his aura was unstable, Xu Chen constantly compressed it, solidifying the spiritual energy.

In the end, Xu Chen's realm stabilized firmly at the mid-stage of the Third Grade.

"Really advanced three levels. Not bad. This is what a villain does; every time, he always levels up one stage ahead of the protagonist."

Xu Chen clenched his fist and chuckled lightly.

Throughout the entire fantasy novel, Xu Chen's realm was always higher than Ye Xuan's.

However, Ye Xuan had a cheat; the martial arts he learned were always stronger than Xu Chen's.

What Semi-Saint martial arts, Emperor-grade martial arts—they were practically free.

He stretched, his body cracking with pops, feeling a wave of comfort.

Now, if he wanted to fight the protagonist Ye Xuan, he could truly crush him at will.

"Speaking of which, when we enter the Academy tomorrow, new heroines will appear too."

"Oh, I hope those new heroines don't cause trouble like Li Ruoling."

"Damn it, or else I really can't take it."

Xu Chen said with a pained expression.

On the other side, Ye Xuan also returned to his room.

"What? Master, you say that wasn't Xu Chen's power during the fight earlier?"

"That bastard actually borrowed someone else's power?"

Ye Xuan said angrily upon hearing this.

Spirit Venerable nodded: "That is correct."

Ye Xuan gritted his teeth: "Master, you should have spoken up so I could expose that bastard Xu Chen."

Spirit Venerable shook his head: "You cannot prove it. He can claim he used a secret technique."

Ye Xuan was instantly speechless; indeed, there was no way.

He gritted his teeth: "Then should we just let him be so arrogant?"

Spirit Venerable said calmly: "This kind of power can surely only be stored once in a short time. Xu Chen is still merely at the late stage of the Second Grade realm right now."

Ye Xuan's eyes lit up: "So, if I expose him tomorrow, he is surely doomed?"

Spirit Venerable nodded: "Yes, so there is no need to rush."

Ye Xuan sneered: "Fine, then I will make Xu Chen lose face before the entire Jixia Academy. Let's see how he dares to raise his head then."

First place still belongs to him, Ye Xuan.

Competing with him is a pipe dream!

He cultivates both Alchemy and Martial Arts; he is invincible!

PS: Today's guaranteed fifth update. Since the flowers and evaluation tickets haven't changed, I won't add extra updates yet. I'll be typing to build up a backlog for a burst release once the novel goes on sale.