Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate

Chapter 171: The Ensnared Heart of Xie Xiaojing

Xie Xiaojing bit her lip, her fingers nervously tracing patterns over her lap that weren’t there.

Throughout, Jiang Chen’s gaze was tender and gentle, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor.

Under his gaze, she felt herself slowly being drawn into a trance, her defenses starting to fall away.

Gathering her courage, Xie Xiaojing spoke her deepest feelings, "I care for you, Jiang Chen. More than I should, more than I ever imagined."

Jiang Chen’s eyes reflected the sincerity of her words, his initial amusement replaced by a soft expression.

"Xiaojing," he replied, his voice full of emotion, "My heart echoes yours, responding to its call."

However, their mutual understanding was briefly overshadowed by a wave of uncertainty.

"What about Ji Ruxue? The swirling rumors..." Xie Xiaojing’s voice faltered slightly as she voiced her concerns.

Jiang Chen saw her emerging joy begin to fade.

Quickly, he took her hands, steadying her against her growing fears.

His voice was calm but carried a deep seriousness, "What rumors?"

"Rumors... that the Holy Lord plans to betroth Ji Ruxue to you." Her words spilled out in a quiet, rushed whisper.

Jiang Chen observed her expression, seeing the worry clouding her eyes.

He knew the strong sisterly bond she shared with Ji Ruxue was making her doubt her feelings.

He was determined to ease her concerns.

"Xiaojing," Jiang Chen looked deeply into her eyes, affirming, "You must understand this: no one else can dictate my path or decide whom I share my life with."

A brief silence followed as he let his words sink in.

"And I chose you, Xiaojing," he continued, his gaze unwavering in its sincerity, "Just as I choose who else I want in my life. Ji Ruxue, or anyone else, will be part of my journey only if I wish it, and if they wish the same. No rumor or betrothal agreement can change that."

He watched her expression shift from surprise to understanding, and finally to relief.

His unwavering confidence and authoritative presence helped to ease her remaining doubts, and her smile gradually returned, though it still carried a hint of hesitancy.

Giving her hands a reassuring squeeze, he affirmed once more, "No one else can determine our fate, Xiaojing. It’s our lives, our choices."

Embraced by his comforting words, Xie Xiaojing felt her anxieties melt away, replaced by a vibrant happiness that sparkled in her amber eyes.

As Xie Xiaojing embraced her feelings with a bright smile, the System prompts chimed in.

[Ding! You have successfully captured the heart of the Quasi-Heroine Xie Xiaojing!]

[Ding! You have earned 5000 points of Villain Value!]

’Last time I encountered Fang Yuan, he was already at the Late-stage Mysterious Platform realm,’ Jiang Chen thought quietly. ’By now, he must have reached the Heavenly Origin realm, possibly even advancing to the Middle or Late-stage.’

With Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning at his side, ascending to the Heavenly Origin realm would be as straightforward for Fang Yuan as reaching the Physical Body realm is for other cultivators.

However, Jiang Chen estimated that Fang Yuan’s true strength was likely only between the Early and Middle-stage of the Inquiring Journey realm at best. Even if Fang Yuan had advanced to the Late-stage of the Inquiring Journey realm, Jiang Chen was confident he could defeat him.

As these thoughts flowed through his mind, he concluded, ’There’s no way his combat power has reached the Dao Comprehension realm, especially since he was just at the Mysterious Platform realm two months ago!’

Just then, the voice of Ji Ruxue echoed from outside the door, "Jiang Chen, dawn is upon us. The contest for the Holy Son’s position begins in just half an hour."

Today was the eagerly anticipated day of the competition for the Holy Son’s position!

Over a hundred young elite disciples from the Purple Heaven Holy Land were set to compete for the esteemed title of Holy Son!

"I understand," Jiang Chen replied with a calm smile, then slid off his bed and opened the door.

Waiting outside was Ji Ruxue, bathed in the day’s first sunlight. Her silver hair shimmered in the morning light, creating a captivating glow.

She wore an icy silk dress that highlighted her graceful figure, her beauty undeniable.

Standing there, she seemed like the earthly embodiment of the moon, radiating a regal elegance.

Upon seeing Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue’s face lit up with a warm, endearing smile.

"Good morning, Jiang Chen," she greeted him cheerfully, her eyes locking with his.

"Morning, Ji Ruxue," Jiang Chen responded, his own smile mirroring hers.

Having spent nearly two months together, Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue had grown increasingly close.

Their time living and cultivating side by side had deepened their bond, strengthening it day by day.

Moreover, Jiang Chen’s consistent care and guidance had not only facilitated Ji Ruxue’s full recovery from the erosion of Demonic Spiritual Qi, but also deepened her affection for him.

Yet, Jiang Chen’s own happiness was clouded, largely due to Xie Xiaojing.

After they had shared their feelings for each other that night, she had surprised him by announcing her decision to enter seclusion to strive for a breakthrough to the Middle-stage Heavenly Origin realm.

This news had been delivered at dawn by Ji Ruxue, who also came with a request for the remaining pills that Xie Xiaojing needed for her recovery.

Deep down, Jiang Chen understood the real reason behind Xie Xiaojing’s actions.

After some reflection, Xie Xiaojing had likely picked up on his ambiguous comments about Ji Ruxue. Consequently, with her emotions in turmoil—hurt by feeling deceived yet still yearning for the man she had opened her heart to—she chose seclusion. This decision was partly an expression of her discontent and partly to give Jiang Chen and Ji Ruxue space to possibly grow closer.

However, her absence posed a challenge to his strategy of winning Ji Ruxue’s heart.

Despite understanding Xie Xiaojing’s motives, Jiang Chen couldn’t help feeling a bit frustrated.

Nevertheless, he had no choice but to accept the situation and wait for another opportune moment.