I Really Am A Villain Chapter 5 - Liao Ruyan

Within the Gravity Tower, numerous disciples sat cross-legged, laboring to circulate their cultivation techniques beneath the crushing pressure.

Certain ones swung massive hammers amid fierce winds, while others shouldered enormous boulders and bounded frog-like across the chamber.

The instant Xu Zimo and Lin Ruhu entered, a tremendous force battered them from every direction.

Xu Zimo could still shift about, though at a reduced pace, and it posed no major issue.

Lin Ruhu, on the other hand, felt smashed like by a bolting carriage, crashing to the ground and gasping for breath under the weight.

“Don’t resist the gravity using raw power,” Xu Zimo counseled steadily. “Breathe deeply. Allow your body to adapt to this pressure. Ease your mind. Sense the gravity’s rhythm and flow along with it.”

Lin Ruhu promptly closed his eyes, drew several deep breaths, and gradually acclimated to it.

…

Shortly after Xu Zimo started refining his foundation, a bunch of disciples clustered around him.

Leading the pack was a girl, obviously the focal point. She strode forward with arrogant poise toward Xu Zimo and snapped, “Xu Zimo, Lin Ruhu, what are you doing here? Stirring up trouble like always?”

Xu Zimo eyed her casually. She was Liao Ruyan, granddaughter to one of the sect’s Grand Elders.

“None of your business,” Xu Zimo shot back coolly.

“Yeah! Stop prying. Zimo’s not marrying you regardless,” Lin Ruhu bellowed from nearby.

That Grand Elder had long clashed with Sacred Vice-Lord Xu Qingshan. Years back, when the Sacred Lord departed, the Grand Elder schemed to claim leadership.

Yet Xu Qingshan ended up chosen. The Grand Elder harbored deep resentment ever since.

In time, two opposing factions arose in the True Martial Sacred Ground—one headed by Xu Qingshan and the youth, the other by the Grand Elders.

…

Liao Ruyan bristled at Xu Zimo’s indifference. “If you dare, let’s spar!”

“Not interested,” Xu Zimo yawned, dismissing her with a wave. “Go amuse yourself elsewhere. Don’t disturb my cultivation.”

“If you’re afraid, own up to it. Declare surrender, and I’ll spare you,” Liao Ruyan taunted with a smug grin.

Xu Zimo shook his head. She truly acted like a pampered princess.

Considering she was the Grand Elder’s granddaughter, everyone vied to curry her favor. It mirrored his own prior life’s indulgence.

“I’m not scared,” he stated evenly. “Duels typically involve stakes. What do you offer that might intrigue me?”

Liao Ruyan hesitated briefly. “Win, and I’ll share a secret.”

“Nope,” Xu Zimo rejected instantly with a wave. “What if that ‘secret’ is your longtime crush on me?”

Laughter erupted from the surrounding disciples.

“Shameless!” Liao Ruyan flushed crimson in fury, jabbing a finger at him. “If you win, I’ll reveal my grandfather’s Alchemy Sage-Fowl hatched two chicks days ago. Deal?”

Xu Zimo’s expression soured. “Suddenly your secret bores me. Can we switch it?”

At the side, Lin Ruhu’s eyes bulged hearing Alchemy Sage-Fowl. He licked his lips, gaze flickering with greed.

Alchemy Fowls ranked as rare spirit birds, priceless beyond mere coin.

They excelled at tending immortal herbs—fertilizing soil, loosening earth, banishing pests—like perfect garden sentinels.

Alchemy Sage-Fowls stood as the pinnacle among them.

Like the beggar king, lowly yet supreme in their realm.

From birth, nurtured solely on spirit herbs, their meat and droppings overflowed with spiritual energy.

Legend held one mouthful of their flesh could add a year to a mortal’s span.

“What stake do you desire?” Liao Ruyan queried warily.

“I heard your grandfather’s Darksky Tiger secretly mated with a Reincarnation Ox, birthing a litter,” Xu Zimo smirked cunningly.

“What scheme is this?” Liao Ruyan demanded, instantly wary. “Grandpa plans to gift them as favors. I can’t simply claim any.”

“Two tiger cubs for me,” Xu Zimo stated bluntly. “If unwilling, no fight needed. After all, as his cherished granddaughter, pilfering two cubs should be trivial. Or does your grandpa value you less than a pair of tigers?”

“Who claimed that?!” Liao Ruyan retorted sharply. “Grandpa spoils me rotten! I… I… Alright, deal!”

“Perfect. How shall we proceed?” Xu Zimo inquired, evidently entertained.

“Straightforward: direct clash, victor claims all,” Liao Ruyan declared with a cocky sneer.

“Unfair!” Lin Ruhu yelled. “You’ve trained half a year. Zimo just began. He’s doomed.”

“Then propose something,” Liao Ruyan scowled, flashing her tiny tiger fangs.

“I have an idea,” a voice called from the Gravity Tower’s second floor.

All heads turned upward to watch a youth descend leisurely.

Clad in a flowing blue robe, he possessed sharp facial contours, a prominent nose bridge, and his long hair was neatly bound up. A sword of jade-green tint dangled from his waist.

With a joyful shout, Liao Ruyan dashed over. “Senior Brother Zhong Xin,”

“Little junior sister,” Zhong Xin replied warmly, “the outside world is dangerous. You should stay away from people with hidden agendas.”

Xu Zimo turned his gaze toward the man. Zhong Xin served as the personal disciple of the Grand Elder, renowned across the martial world as the Lightflow Swordsman.

Numerous disciples nearby hurried forward to offer greetings, all anxious to leave a positive mark, regardless of prior acquaintance.

“So, what’s your idea?” Xu Zimo questioned indifferently.

“No rush,” Zhong Xin answered with a serene smile. “Just now, Ruyan agreed to give you two Darksky Tiger cubs if you win. But what if you lose? You haven’t mentioned your side of the wager.”

“If I lose,” Xu Zimo replied, “I’ll grant one request, anything within my power.”

“Good,” Zhong Xin nodded. “If you lose, I won’t ask for much. Just bark like a dog three times in front of everyone in the Sacred Ground. How about that?”