Return to Before the Villain’s Corruption

Fu Yu Zhai was the largest spiritual treasure trading house in Lin'an City. From the outside, it appeared as towering walls and an ancient-style pagoda, but once inside, the view opened up to winding corridors, long pavilions, and fragrant grass. Beside the ancient building, towering celestial trees rose from the ground, their canopies lush like clouds.
Kang Ruhai led Qiu Shi and the others through the misty pavilions as dawn began to break. The wind from Qin Hai swept through, carrying fine, silky raindrops that clung to their hair and cheeks, leaving a cool, tingling itch.
The Eastern Pavilion was some distance from the auction hall. Kang Ruhai guided them past two layers of barriers before they entered a small courtyard.
Outside the courtyard, two glass lanterns swayed in the wind, their surfaces dotted with raindrops that dimmed their glow. Yet, sustained by an endless stream of spiritual energy, the light remained bright as moonlight, illuminating the courtyard inside and out.
Before even stepping inside, Qiu Shi sensed several familiar auras.
Looking up, she saw a group dressed uniformly in Heavenly Clan attire—white cranes diving, vermilion birds soaring—with identical emblems embroidered on their sleeves, emanating a pure and ancient power.
Mo Ruanruan sat at the center of the Heavenly Clan’s formation, flanked by Luo Ying, the foremost of the Three Young Immortal Kings, and Mo Changheng, the crown prince of the Heavenly Clan’s main lineage. Her frame was petite, her cheeks plump with baby fat, her fingers stubby like tiny carrots, and when she stretched her hands, shallow dimples the size of soybeans appeared on her knuckles. She looked utterly childlike.
Mo Ruanruan was undoubtedly the most unique among the Heavenly Palace’s female immortals—no matter how much she cultivated, her appearance never changed.
Rumors said it was because the Heavenly Empress had been poisoned while pregnant with her, forced to ingest something harmful to the fetus. But this was one of the Heavenly Clan’s most closely guarded secrets, and few knew the full truth.
Despite being outnumbered, Qiu Shi’s group showed no trace of wariness or concern. They sat calmly at the empty table opposite the Heavenly Clan, their expressions unreadable.
Wu Fei, ever the peacemaker, poured four cups of hot tea with a smile before setting the teapot down and greeting their old acquaintances from the Heavenly Clan. "What a coincidence, running into you all today."
Qiu Shi had never been one to engage with the Heavenly Clan, but Mo Ruanruan’s presence—especially after her recent humiliation—changed things.
Her gaze swept boldly over Mo Ruanruan’s soft, doughy face, and she grinned mischievously, childishly licking her sharp little canine. "So," she asked brightly, "how’s that twenty-thousand-year-old Melodic Sound Tree working out for you?"
The Melodic Sound Tree was only useful for music cultivators, and the Heavenly Clan’s rising talents included none. Even if their lesser disciples acquired it, it would be wasted—barely functional, let alone effective.
Mo Ruanruan had paid an exorbitant price for the tree, only to end up holding a hot potato—too precious to discard, yet utterly useless, leaving her seething with frustration.
"You!"
Mo Ruanruan had been stewing in silent anger ever since realizing she’d been outbid, her eyes nearly red with fury. The brief relief she’d felt upon confirming the existence of the ancient ruins map vanished instantly at Qiu Shi’s taunting words, plunging her back into despair.
Her voice was soft and sweet, utterly lacking in force, making her arguments sound more like flirtatious banter. Qiu Shi adored watching her fume helplessly before finally pursing her lips and turning to Luo Ying for help.
Not that it would do any good.
"You seemed to love it so much, I kindly let you have it. Instead of thanking me, you glare at me like I’ve shot you with an arrow."
Qiu Shi’s eyes sparkled like stars, as if she were a child who’d just gotten her favorite candy.
Mo Ruanruan’s eyes were beautiful—like freshly washed grapes—deep and earnest when she looked at someone, though they also reddened easily when she was upset.
Her lips trembled as she struggled to retort, but anger choked her words. Finally, she turned and tugged pitifully at Luo Ying’s sleeve.
Luo Ying’s gaze lingered on Mo Ruanruan’s reddened eyes before shifting coldly to Qiu Shi.
After locking eyes with the illustrious leader of the Three Young Immortal Kings, Qiu Shi pursed her lips, perfectly mirroring Mo Ruanruan’s expression. Then, in an exaggerated imitation, she turned and clutched Qin Donglin’s sleeve, her voice small and fragile, as if she’d suffered unbearable wrongs.
"Qin Donglin, they’re bullying me."
Anyone could see who was really the bully here.
Qin Donglin disliked others invading his personal space, but Song Qiushi was a slight exception. So when he felt three delicate fingers tugging at his sleeve, he merely frowned slightly and didn’t immediately shake her off.
An overwhelmingly sharp sword intent faintly pressed back Luo Ying’s aura. The two young prodigies locked eyes across the distance—one with a turbulent sword light flickering in his pupils, the other shrouded in an ethereal mist of immortal energy. The tension between them crackled like a spark ready to ignite into full-blown conflict.
Kang ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​‍Ruhai and another steward leading the Celestial Clan’s entourage hesitated, wanting to intervene but not daring to take a step forward.
In the end, Yun Xuan stood up. He rubbed the bridge of his high nose, his gaze lingering on Luo Ying as he spoke with ambiguous meaning: “Enough. Let’s give Fuyu Zhai some face. We’re here to ask about the whereabouts of the relic map.”
Not to fight.
If this were anywhere else, they wouldn’t hesitate to clash—they feared nothing. But where were they now?
Lin'an City! Barely any distance from the main city. The grand elders and supreme elders there could pluck them up like chicks with a mere flick of their fingers. Though nothing serious would come of it, the humiliation of such a spectacle spreading would be unbearable.
Yun Xuan patted Luo Ying’s shoulder before turning to coax Mo Ruanruan, whose plump cheeks were scrunched in displeasure: “Ruanruan, be good. Don’t sulk. Twenty-one million spirit stones—just think of it as spending on a trip out. I’ll find you other treasures when we return.”
“Enough, Ruanruan.”
Mo Changheng stood and spoke firmly: “We’re outside now, not in the Celestial Palace. Don’t make a scene.”
Mo Ruanruan sniffled, tugging at Luo Ying’s sleeve as she drawled, “Luo Ying, let’s not stoop to a petty person’s level.”
Words of this caliber weren’t even worth Qiu Shi’s attention.
Her eyes glimmered mischievously as she tilted her delicate, jade-like face toward Mo Ruanruan and said, “I’ve long heard the Celestial Palace’s little princess is doted upon, spending extravagantly without a care. Seeing it today, the rumors don’t do it justice.”
She paused, then added with feigned sincerity: “How enviable.”
As if she herself had ever been deprived.
Had anyone else said this, Mo Ruanruan might have believed a fraction of it.
But coming from Qiu Shi?
Envious of her reckless spending? More like mocking her for being a fool with too much money.
Mo Ruanruan’s lips puckered so tightly they could’ve hung an oil pot.
“Lady Qiu Shi.”
Luo Ying’s gaze turned even colder. “Those who push too hard and revel in cheap words never meet a good end.”
Without hesitation, Qiu Shi turned to Qin Donglin and whined, “I’m scared.”
Given the scene and her tone, the claim was utterly unconvincing. Anyone familiar with her temperament, like Qin Donglin, wouldn’t believe a word of it.
But no matter how Qiu Shi acted, it wasn’t anyone else’s place to interfere.
A sword intent sharp enough to rend everything in its path materialized in the air, creeping toward Luo Ying like a predator. The latter’s body already shimmered with falling petals of radiant light.
This was Qin Donglin—never one for explanations, never bound by hesitation. Whoever displeased him would face twice the displeasure in return. And he was fiercely protective of his own.
Just then, Wu Fei rose as the peacemaker, placing a hand on Qin Donglin’s shoulder and murmuring, “Let it go. Everyone’s watching. Don’t make this uglier than it needs to be.”
The rhythmic tapping of a cane against stone drew the attention of all present.
A hunched elder, leaning on a dragon-headed, gold-inlaid cane, approached from afar. His steps were slow, yet each stride seemed to span a hundred meters, closing the distance unnaturally fast. In moments, he stood before them.
This was undoubtedly an ancient existence at least at the Kunxu Realm or beyond.
Kang Ruhai and the other steward brightened, stepping forward to bow. “Master, the honored guests have arrived.”
The elder nodded amiably, his wrinkled face creasing into a smile. With a wave of his sleeve, the jade gourd on his cane swayed. “Well done. You may withdraw.”
Qiu Shi immediately grasped his identity and cupped her hands in respect. “Greetings, Elder.”
“You youngsters nearly tore my place apart,” the elder chuckled, his voice trembling like his steps. His murky yellow eyes rolled skyward as he muttered to himself, “They’re all here, yet none lifted a finger to stop it. Just standing by, enjoying the show.”
Qiu Shi’s gaze flicked thoughtfully to the heavens. The gray-blue expanse curled with wisps of cloud, the entire city slumbering beneath. Yet deep within those layers, something seemed to watch over this small courtyard.
At her current cultivation level, she couldn’t discern it clearly.
“Elder,” Song Yunhe began, his tone neither submissive nor arrogant, “The steward who led us here mentioned you summoned us regarding the relic map of the Luyuan Secret Realm.”
“I know what you seek.” The elder stroked his long beard, meeting their expectant stares before nodding. “It’s true. I possess one fragment of the relic map.”
Qiu Shi’s eyes sharpened.
The very air grew thick with anticipation.
After a pause, Mo Changheng of the Celestial Clan stepped forward, declaring first: “Elder, we understand the rules of the auction house. The Celestial Clan is willing to pay a hefty price for this fragment. Name your terms.”
Song Yunhe followed swiftly: “The Main City offers the same.”
“Since this fragment wasn’t publicly auctioned, let’s not speak of money.”
The old man waved his hand, and two glowing orbs flew from his sleeves, landing in the hands of Qin Donglin and Mo Changheng. Both of them focused their gazes, their expressions immediately turning solemn.
"It's my fault," the old man admitted with a hoarse voice, tapping his cane lightly on the ground. "I owe favors to both sides, making it difficult to choose." He coughed before continuing, "I’ve split this map into two parts. Whether you explore it alone or collaborate for mutual benefit—what happens next is for you to decide."