The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 20

After wiping the blood from the corner of Chi Jinnian’s lips with her thumb, Yuan Shao turned around expressionlessly, shielding Chi Jinnian behind her.

Then, Chi Jinnian saw that the snow-white spiritual hairpin on Yuan Shao’s bun seemed to receive some command, suddenly glowing brightly. It then detached from Yuan Shao’s hair, hovering steadily in mid-air, its pointed tip aimed directly at the giant serpent opposite them.

As the hairpin left, Yuan Shao’s raven-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, tousled by the fierce wind stirred by the spiritual hairpin, swaying wildly in the air. Along with it, gravel from the ground and the hems of Chi Jinnian and Yuan Shao’s robes were swept up.

The red and white brocade robes fluttered in the wind, intertwining and overlapping with each other, rustling softly.

“How dare you harm my disciple!” As soon as Yuan Shao’s voice fell, Chi Jinnian saw the hovering hairpin emit a ring of silvery-white light, its tip trembling as if drawing a formation in the air.

The silver radiance surged like waves from all directions, gradually converging beneath their feet before gathering at a single point.

The light grew brighter and brighter so intense that even Chi Jinnian, along with Su Tingxi, who had turned to check on them, had to shield their eyes with their sleeves.

The giant serpent, sensing its perilous situation, first let out a furious roar, as if issuing a final warning. Then, a mass of green light gathered beneath its body.

It seemed to be giving its all.

For a moment, the earth trembled, and the cave seemed on the verge of collapse.

Yet Yuan Shao remained utterly unfazed, standing firmly in place without the slightest sway. With a twist of her right hand, the light beneath her feet transformed into a colossal dragon, using the ground as its sea, charging straight toward the serpent.

Seeing the attack, the serpent hastily unleashed its own spell. But to its shock, its green spiritual energy dissipated into a mist upon meeting Yuan Shao’s silvery-white dragon.

Meanwhile, the silver dragon surged forward with unstoppable momentum, striking the serpent like lightning once, twice

At first, the serpent struggled a few times before going limp, collapsing motionless.

Then, the lightning transformed into a silvery-white net that descended from the sky, perfectly ensnaring the serpent. The net shrank gradually, compressing the serpent’s body until it was no larger than a palm, finally condensing into a green spirit pearl. Two streaks of silver-white electricity flickered before the light dimmed, fading into a mere speck.

The spiritual hairpin obediently returned to Yuan Shao’s side, quietly landing on the ground. As if exhausted, it flickered twice before dimming, reverting to the appearance of an ordinary jade hairpin.

With the disappearance of the light, Yuan Shao’s spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Lacking the strength to support herself, she staggered back two steps, leaning against Chi Jinnian. Remembering the blood at Chi Jinnian’s lips, she quickly forced herself upright, not wanting to burden her.

On the other side, Su Tingxi stood stunned by what he had just witnessed.

When he first saw the serpent, he had been contemplating which formation to use to subdue it. But by the time he turned around, another master had already taken action. He wanted to see who it was, but never got the chance.

The technique seemed to belong to the Evergreen Sect, but that magical artifact was something he had never heard of or seen before. Judging by its level, it was a rare treasure. Su Tingxi simply couldn’t recall which elder from the immortal sect it might belong to.

Finally, as the dust settled around them, he rushed forward and picked up the spirit pearl, confirming it was the spiritual core transformed from the giant serpent’s gallbladder. Only then did he walk toward the direction of the master.

A silver bell pressed against the hem of Su Tingxi’s robe, emitting a clear chime with every step. Chi Jinnian knew that silver bell symbolized his identity, it was the palace bell belonging to Yuan Shao’s sect, the first gift given to him by his master when he first entered the sect. In the story, it was also a token of their love.

Watching the jade-crowned man in white robes approach them step by step, Chi Jinnian felt that since the male lead had arrived, it was time for her, the supporting character, to exit the stage.

So, seizing the moment, she naturally “fainted,” creating an opportunity for the two to be alone.

Yuan Shao suddenly felt the presence behind her vanish in an instant. Turning around, she discovered her little disciple had collapsed, blood still trickling from the corner of her mouth, her expression twisted in pain. It seemed the serpent’s attack had injured her, and Yuan Shao’s earlier surge of spiritual energy had further affected her.

“A-Nian!” Yuan Shao quickly propped herself up and pulled Chi Jinnian into her arms. First, she confirmed that Chi Jinnian was not in mortal danger, merely unconscious, and let out a slight sigh of relief. But seeing her unresponsive, Yuan Shao’s brows furrowed again as she repeatedly called her name.

The usually lively and spirited girl now lay motionless in Yuan Shao’s embrace. Her bright almond eyes were tightly shut.

“A-Nian, open your eyes and look. Your master has subdued that beast for you, A-Nian…” Yuan Shao’s voice grew softer, her tone choked with emotion. “Why are you so foolish…”

If Chi Jinnian hadn’t pushed her away at that critical moment, her little disciple wouldn’t have been injured, wouldn’t be lying here unconscious now.

She took Chi Jinnian’s hand, intending to transfer some spiritual energy to her, only to discover the red protective talisman hidden in her palm.

In that instant, Yuan Shao’s eyes welled up with tears.

She was such a terrible master. Just days ago, she had vowed to protect her little disciple, yet she couldn’t even accomplish this most basic task.

Her disciple, usually so timid, Yuan Shao couldn’t fathom where she had found the courage then. If not for that sudden intervention that deflected the beast’s attack, the consequences… She didn’t dare to imagine.

But now, Yuan Shao had exhausted all her spiritual energy in the earlier battle. Her trembling hands couldn’t channel anything.

Just then, the sound of the silver bell drew nearer. The man extended his palm, offering the spiritual core to Yuan Shao. “This serpent doesn’t seem ordinary. If you refine its core, you should recover a significant amount of spiritual power.”

Su Tingxi, personally trained by Yuan Shao, was a righteous figure. Though sometimes a bit too proud to accept praise, his nature was upright. Since the giant serpent hadn’t been subdued by him, he wouldn’t claim its core for himself and instead generously returned it to its rightful owner.

Yuan Shao recalled that Chi Jinnian had told her the serpent’s inner core was a nourishing treasure. If she could absorb it, perhaps she could save A’Nian.

Just as Yuan Shao lowered her head, intending to retrieve the serpent’s core, Su Tingxi, who had reached out, spoke again: “Why has this young lady suddenly fainted? She seemed fine just a moment ago?”

When he first entered the cave, he had seen the fireball released by the giant serpent. He had immediately cast a spell to deflect it, so it shouldn’t have harmed the girl. Why had she collapsed?

Hearing the man’s voice, Yuan Shao suppressed her emotions and replied calmly, “Thank you for saving my disciple earlier. Yuan Shao expresses her gratitude.”

As she spoke, she reached out to take the serpent’s core.

The moment her fingertips touched the pill, the man opposite her grasped her wrist.

Su Tingxi looked up in shock, and by the faint morning light outside, he finally saw clearly. The person before him, with dark hair cascading over her shoulders, was none other than the one he had longed for day and night.

“Shizun!” He couldn’t believe his eyes. After fully recognizing Yuan Shao’s face, his voice was filled with astonishment, but even more so, joy.

“Shizun! It’s really you! Do you know how long I’ve been searching for you?” Su Tingxi held Yuan Shao’s wrist tightly, and in the struggle, the serpent’s core melted in her palm. Yuan Shao felt a surge of warmth flow from her hand, spreading slowly up her arm and throughout her entire body.

As the core dissolved, the earth began to tremble. Dust and rubble fell in layers, the cave seemed on the verge of collapse.

“Not good! This cave was sustained by the serpent. Now that it’s gone, the place is about to collapse!” Su Tingxi tugged at Yuan Shao’s wrist. “We must leave quickly! I’ll take you out!”

But before Su Tingxi could activate a teleportation spell, Yuan Shao had already vanished with the person in her arms, reappearing safely above ground, outside the cave.

Though Su Tingxi’s words had been strange, he had just saved Chi Jinnian. Yuan Shao couldn’t leave him buried in the cave, so she had brought him along.

Once steady on her feet, Yuan Shao immediately withdrew her arm. Su Tingxi’s hand closed on empty air, and he looked up at her.

In Yuan Shao’s eyes, he saw only detachment and unfamiliarity.

Yuan Shao sat on the ground, adjusting Chi Jinnian into a more comfortable position. She took the protective talisman from the girl’s hand and clasped her pale fingers, beginning to transfer spiritual energy to her.

The serpent’s core was indeed a remarkable treasure. In an instant, Yuan Shao felt her spiritual power surge, as if her core had been completely replenished. The pill continued to supply her with an endless stream of energy. For Yuan Shao, who had yet to establish her foundation, this power was inexhaustible.

Surely, her little disciple would awaken soon. She would definitely save her.

Seeing the young man still attempting to approach, Yuan Shao spoke coldly, “Young master, it’s true you saved my disciple, but I do not know you.” When he tried to step closer again, her gaze darkened completely. “This ‘Shizun’ you speak of is not a title to be used so casually.”

Su Tingxi: “…”

Yuan Shao didn’t remember him? How could this be?

Like a drowning man desperately clutching at a life-saving straw, Su Tingxi softened his tone: “Master, don’t you remember me? It’s me, Tingxi.” This time, Su Tingxi didn’t dare to rashly touch Yuan Shao. “Su Tingxi, I’m your disciple!” As he spoke, his eyes reddened with urgency.

But the gentle tone failed to bring back Yuan Shao’s memories. She coldly shifted backward, maintaining distance from the man, and said, “Please stay away from me. You’re my disciple? I would never have such a frivolous disciple!”

These words left Su Tingxi stunned.

He had grown up by his master’s side since childhood, and she had always treated him with the utmost kindness. No matter what he did, she couldn’t bear to scold him. She protected him daily, teaching him to read, write, and practice martial arts, ensuring his safety. And now, for the most ordinary things, she actually called him, frivolous?

Su Tingxi took the silver bell from his waist and held it out to Yuan Shao: “Master, do you remember? You gave this to me. It’s a palace bell you personally refined. You said there would be a resonance between you and it. This way, no matter where I go, you can sense it. Listen!” As he spoke, he kept shaking the silver bell in his hand.

The bell chimed lightly and melodiously, but Yuan Shao remained completely unmoved, showing no reaction at all.

“How could this be…” Su Tingxi was dumbfounded by the scene before him. “How could this happen? This is clearly, clearly you, Master.”

“Young man,” Yuan Shao interrupted Su Tingxi, speaking sternly, “Do you think just anyone can call me Master, shed a few tears, and claim to be my disciple?”

Yuan Shao’s words were like a knife stabbing into Su Tingxi’s heart.