An Extra Villain in Cultivation World-Chapter 81: Study

Tang Lishen’s luck had risen for a reason. Somewhere within the outer sect, an opportunity was already waiting for him. Xuanyan was sure of it.

But it was not like he could do anything about it. Tang Lishen had never appeared in the novel at all, making him a completely unknown variable. Xuanyan had no idea what kind of opportunity he might receive next.

Whatever it was, it would not be anything good for him.

Xuanyan’s face showed clear surprise after hearing what had happened to Tang Lishen. It wasn’t something he had expected at all.

Mei Lingyao noticed it. "That was my reaction as well. I know Han Meiyu personally, so I understood it quickly."

"Anyway, this matter is already settled. From now on, you have to rely on your own strength. Inside the sect, my name can indeed protect you, but outside... it won’t mean much. So focus on your cultivation more, and crossed minor relem as fast as you can."

"Thank you, Master, for taking revenge on Tang Lishen," Xuanyan said. "What should I do from now on as your disciple? Should I refine pills like Senior Sister Yanmei, or learn Gu and treasure refinement from you?"

Mei Lingyao remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his words. Then she rose from her chair without another word and walked toward the entrance.

"Follow me."

After walking for some time, they arrived at another chamber. The area was quiet and heavily guarded. Several mortal guards and a few maids were stationed at the entrance, standing in place without making any unnecessary movement.

As Mei Lingyao approached, the guards immediately bowed respectfully and stepped aside to open the way. No one spoke or dared to delay even for a breath.

Xuanyan looked inside the room and immediately become stunned seeing alchemy library. The space in front of him was not a normal chamber, but a massive library. Shelves stretched in every direction, filled with rows of books stacked tightly together, leaving almost no empty space.

It was even larger than the Outer Sect Martial Pavilion.

He could not even begin to guess how many books were stored there. Just looking at it was enough to make his head feel heavy. A bad feeling slowly rose in his heart. Xuanyan began to realize that whatever Mei Lingyao was about to ask him to do... it was not going to be easy at all.

Mei Lingyao turned around and raised her hand. A golden badge appeared in her palm from her spatial ring. Its surface was smooth, with faint patterns carved into it, giving off a quiet, refined feel.

"Here, take this," she said, holding it out to him. "With this, you can come here whenever you want. Even if I’m not in the sect, no one will stop you."

Xuanyan took the badge, while silently cursing in his mind at what was coming next.

"From now on, you will not touch alchemy until you reach at least stage six," she continued. "I don’t want to see you exhausted after a single refinement. Your current spiritual reserve is too low to support continuous refinement.If you keep forcing it, you’ll only slow yourself down."

"Instead, stay here and cultivate properly. Focus on your foundation first. When your spiritual energy is completely drained, switch to studying alchemy—learn the process, understand the materials, get familiar with everything. Once your control improves, then you can start refining again."

If Mei Lingyao wasn’t standing there, Xuanyan might have cried at his own situation.

I have to study in this life too... he complained inwardly. What did studying ever give me before? It didn’t even get me a decent job in my last life.

His gaze drifted slightly as he thought about Yanmei. Even after giving everything to alchemy for so many years, she had still nearly lost today. If he had pushed a little more, the result would have been clear. Knowledge alone doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have talent or resources.

Still, Xuanyan didn’t say anything out loud. Their relationship had only just begun as master and disciple, and he was also her first disciple. If he wanted her to value him, he had to follow her instructions for now.

"Thank you, Master. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity," Xuanyan said. "I never expected my master to be such a wonderful person—beautiful, graceful, an alchemy genius... and now kind enough to even melt an enemy’s heart."

"You are truly—"

"Enough," Mei Lingyao cut him off the moment she saw the fake tears he was trying so hard to squeeze out.

"Flattery won’t work. And stop acting like I asked you to die. It’s just studying."

She looked at him calmly before continuing. "If you want my recognition, prove it. First to me, then to the whole sect. So study properly and give it your best. This knowledge might save your life one day. Talent alone is not enough. You can’t achieve everything by relying on it. Without a solid foundation, even the best talent is useless.

"Do you really think I was born as talented as you? I wasn’t even half of what you or Yanmei are now. So work harder."

"I want you to surpass me one day. You are a talented young cultivator. While studying these books, you might notice things others miss and gain your own understanding of alchemy."

After that, they spoke for a few more minutes before Mei Lingyao left the massive library, leaving Xuanyan with full access to it. Xuanyan looked up toward the ceiling and let out another sigh.

"Let’s get started with my new life. At least I have a beautiful wife in this world and my cheat system. What is there to be afraid of?"

He slowly looked around at the endless rows of shelves, each one packed tightly with books. The library was quiet, the sheer number of them enough to make his head feel heavy.

Xuanyan took a deep breath. "I’ll devour every book here... and walk out like a true warrior."