[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan":3,"chapter-turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-252":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},60110,84,"Chapter 252: Fourth Round Starts!","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-252",252,"\u003Cp>Three days had passed since the explosive third round of the Dragon and Phoenix Competition, and the Arena buzzed with a tension sharper than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous matches—especially Chu Ziyan’s stunning victory over Lei Zhensheng—had set tongues wagging across the empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeating the former strongest genius wasn’t a feat that just anyone could achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The waiting area of the Heaven Sword Sect was quieter than the roaring arena, a sanctuary of calm before the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxed, a small, genuine smile playing across her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe... \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The necklace gifted by Bai Zihan—a delicate chain of silver with a pendant that seemed to shimmer with faint starlight—rested lightly against her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing, seated across from her, noticed the glimmer at Chu Ziyan’s throat immediately. A mischievous smirk curved her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you really that happy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing asked, tilting her head slightly, eyes glinting with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because of the little gift from Bai Zihan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, one couldn’t call it a little gift, considering Bai Zihan had won it at a cost of three million gold—enough to buy a top-tier Earth-Grade Artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan flushed faintly, brushing a hand over the necklace as if to dismiss it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said lightly, her tone betraying a hint of defensiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Bai Xueqing was relentless. Her teasing continued, voice low and playful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? You look far too pleased for someone dismissing it. Tell me, Chu Ziyan... are you secretly in love with Bai Zihan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan huffed softly, attempting to shake off the comment, her cheeks warming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re imagining things. I’m focused on the match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focused, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing’s smirk widened. She leaned back casually, eyes sparkling with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see, I see... So that little shine at your throat is merely a coincidence? It just happens to brighten your mood at the most inconvenient time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan’s lips pressed into a thin line, but the stubborn smile still lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, he paid so much for this. I would feel bad if I didn’t wear it. There is no other reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing, sensing that her teasing had struck a chord, finally let out a soft laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright... I’ll leave you to it—for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan could only roll her eyes faintly, hiding the blush that threatened to betray her mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, shouldn’t you be worried? Your opponent isn’t going to be easy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I don’t know! But there shouldn’t be a problem!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing replied confidently. After all, she had no intention of losing to anyone and was determined to win the bet against Bai Zihan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the arena, people cheered for whom they believed would win or whom they supported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bai Xueqing! Bai Xueqing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhao Chen! Zhao Chen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shui Lian’er! Shui Lian’er!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stakes had risen, and the cultivators who had survived to the Top Sixteen were now regarded as the true titans of their generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three fights in particular had everyone waiting in anticipation, drawing whispers and murmurs throughout the arena: Li Meiying versus Sui Lianer, Jin Yuanzhan against Nie Fengzhuo, and Zhao Chen facing Bai Xueqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each pairing promised a clash so fierce and skillful that it could easily have been the finale of the competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The excitement in the arena was electric, higher than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, for the six cultivators involved, the stakes were cruel: only three could advance to the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, that mattered little to the spectators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What awaited them was a legendary series of battles, one that would be talked about for years to come, a true testament to the peak of youthful genius in the Desolate Heaven Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer’s voice rang out clearly across the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three days have passed, esteemed guests and cultivators alike. The Top Sixteen now face the next challenge—Round Four of the Dragon and Phoenix Competition. Prepare yourselves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murmur ran through the crowd, growing into a ripple of cheers and gasps as the first match was called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhao Chen Vs Bai Xueqing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing stood up as her name was called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan stepped closer to the edge of the waiting area, her eyes following Bai Xueqing as she moved toward the arena entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good luck,\" Chu Ziyan called softly, a faint smile on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing shot her a confident glance over her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry. I’ll be back quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the arena, Zhao Chen’s eyes gleamed with excitement. His fists clenched instinctively, his heart hammering in anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally... my chance has come,\" he muttered under his breath, a fierce grin spreading across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Bai Xueqing, princess of the Bai Clan, this was almost as significant as confronting Bai Zihan himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could win against her, he could humiliate her thoroughly before everyone—a long-awaited revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd’s chatter rose, a symphony of speculation and excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bai Xueqing’s strength is unmatched. No way Zhao Chen stands a chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be so sure. He’s improved drastically since last year. Remember how surprising the last round was? Chu Ziyan defeating Lei Zhensheng? There could be another upset.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bai Xueqing’s technique is flawless, and her reflexes... She’s beyond anyone in her generation. Zhao Chen... he’s good, yes, but can he really handle her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good point, but you can never underestimate him. His growth over the past year has been remarkable. If he catches her off guard, who knows what might happen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, we will see about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the arena settled into a tense hush, all eyes turned to the center stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer’s voice boomed once more, cutting through the murmurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare yourselves, esteemed spectators! Zhao Chen Vs Bai Xueqing—the first of our Top Sixteen’s Round Four clashes. Witness the birth of legends!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Xueqing’s figure radiated calm confidence as she stepped into the arena, while Zhao Chen’s eager energy practically crackled through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle was about to begin—and whether it ended in a predictable victory or an unexpected upset, one thing was certain: this clash would be remembered long after the dust settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s Begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1007,"2026-05-28T18:17:14.492Z","2026-06-01T04:28:34.960Z",1,"novelbin.me","5c86d2ceca2b3c20e14e579405a6c790c4dff1da6d0c9f43a38fa1b9d7e2de74","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-253","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-251",580,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fturns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-cover.jpg"]