Ever since the legend spread about how Wen Li and Xie Tinglan had clashed with Second Elder Feng Yun and taken only a few steps back, both inner and outer disciples of the Zhaixing Sect treated the trio—including Yao Dai—with utmost politeness.
No one came to look for trouble anymore.
Thus, Wen Li slept for several days, Xie Tinglan found a spot to turn into a small snake and hibernate, and Yao Dai lived comfortably on her own, spending her time reading in the Library Pavilion and cultivating in the spirit stone cave dwelling.
It allowed her to make up for her lack of basic cultivation knowledge.
Although Li Yudi and Shuangyuan lived in the same courtyard as Wen Li, they didn't dare take the initiative to talk to her much after that day, doing little more than exchanging brief greetings whenever they happened to meet.
As for Li Yangtian, he came to look for the trio that very afternoon.
Even Yao Dai had assumed he would be angry about being used by them to enter the sect. After all, when Zhang Yuguang mocked Li Yangtian that day, saying, “He's just like you, begging Elder Qingyuan bitterly before being let in,” it had undoubtedly trampled on his dignity.
To her surprise, when Li Yangtian found them, he merely smiled and said:
“You should have told me earlier! If I had known your cultivation was so incredible, why would I have tried to show off and rely on my face to get you into the sect? Strictly speaking, I still owe you for saving my life. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
Waving goodbye, he left and never took the initiative to look for them again after that.
Perhaps he felt guilty for failing to speak up when Second Elder attacked.
Or perhaps he realized that being saved by Wen Li's group was far too coincidental.
Or perhaps... he hadn't even realized that the deep-seated inferiority within him made him afraid to draw near these genius-like individuals ever again.
Watching Li Yangtian's lonely back as he walked away that day, Yao Dai felt a sour aching in her chest for the very first time. She didn't understand what kind of emotion it was.
“Master, why does my... heart feel uncomfortable?” It was a dull, suffocating pain that left her breathless.
Nearby, Xie Tinglan also furrowed his brow, feeling a dryness in his throat.
This sensation was completely alien to him—something he had never experienced since his birth into this world.
Standing before them, Wen Li gently patted both of their heads to comfort them, her clear, cool voice drifting slowly into the air. “My disciples, human beings possess seven emotions and six desires. Even as cultivators, pursuing immortality does not mean becoming emotionless, desireless immortals. The discomfort in your heart is merely telling you that you have developed a unique feeling toward this person.”
“Master, didn't you say that human nature is fundamentally self-serving? I wasn't wrong for looking out for myself, was I? But why do I feel... like I owe Li Yangtian something?” Yao Dai looked up at her, confusion clouding her clear eyes.
“Clearly... I only used his help to get into the sect, and I gave him talismans and pills in return. Even when you stepped in that day, it wasn't entirely because Zhang Yuguang offended you, was it?”
The Master she knew would never personally strike someone over a few words from a minor pest like him; she would usually deal with them from afar. She certainly wouldn't have gone out of her way to deliver such a humiliating slap.
It seemed her Master had also been venting anger on Li Yangtian's behalf.
Hearing this, Wen Li lowered her head and tapped Yao Dai's forehead with her left hand. “Look at you, learning to read my mind now.”
Seeing the guilt in the depths of Yao Dai's eyes—guilt the girl herself hadn't even noticed—Wen Li sighed and explained, “Because what you owe him isn't something material, but emotion. Li Yangtian's friendship is far too pure and ardent, something you cannot repay equally with material items. Deep down, your heart understands this debt, which is why you feel uncomfortable. You were not wrong to act in your own self-interest. You could even kill Li Yangtian right now to erase his existence, but that won't erase the feelings you have toward him.”
“Acting for yourself and owing someone else are not mutually exclusive. A person cannot be entirely good or entirely bad throughout their whole life. Whether you feel indebted depends on your feelings toward that person and whether their actions toward you sway your heart. When someone begins to influence your judgment, it means your heart is accepting them, for better or worse.”
Yao Dai still didn't understand. “Then is this a good thing or a bad thing? What should I do? Should I kill him before he can influence me?”
Xie Tinglan also raised his head, listening intently.
“No, it's not a bad thing; it's a good thing. You are human, and you must have emotions and desires. Killing him won't help because you can't predict who might influence you in the future. What's most important is that you learn how to master and control your own heart toward others. If you feel you owe Li Yangtian, then treat him well to compensate him. If you want to be friends with him, go ahead. But there is one thing both of you must remember.”
Wen Li thought for a moment, shaking her head as she looked into the eyes of Xie Tinglan and Yao Dai, offering her guidance with gravity.
“Falling in love or feeling emotion isn't scary. What's terrifying is putting yourself in a subordinate position—whether out of a desperate desire for someone's love or hatred—and sacrificing your own interests to pander to them, including your life, dignity, and wealth, while completely forgetting the rule I taught you: put yourself first.”
Wen Li squatted down and raised her hands to caress both of their cheeks, meeting their gazes at eye level. Her clear, cool eyes held a chilly, unyielding resolve.
“If a day ever comes when you realize you are losing control of yourself over someone to the point of harming yourself, abandoning yourself to put them first—do not hesitate. Kill them. That includes me.”
“Master...” It was Xie Tinglan who uttered the call.
Both Yao Dai and Xie Tinglan's pupils contracted sharply, their hearts skipping a beat.
Because of Li Yangtian, this was the first time both of them would etch Wen Li's teaching so deeply into their memories.
【Ding! +15, progress for saving villain Yao Dai: 37%】
【Ding! +13, progress for saving villain Xie Tinglan: 28%】
From the very beginning, Wen Li had planned that her guidance of the six villainous disciples could not simply be blindly steering them toward evil or forcing them to sever all emotions and desires. Instead, she needed to teach them how to interact with all kinds of people, allowing them to experience friendship and even love within various relationships.
They could have friends and lovers, but ultimately, they had to be self-serving and ruthless—capable of killing their beloveds and enduring betrayal from brothers.
Only in this way would they possess the mental fortitude to resist the plot's pull when the male and female leads' storyline unfolded in the future.
Standing at the inception of the plot, she was trying to reverse their destined demise.
They were villains fated to die in order to serve as stepping stones for the protagonists' trials, monster-slaying, and ascension. Only through this path could they cling to a sliver of hope for survival.
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