Supporting herself with one hand, she slowly sat up. The injury on her chest had been stabilized with spiritual medicine by a healer, but even the slightest movement tugged painfully at the wound, making her suck in a sharp breath.
She lowered her gaze to her slender, fair hands, smooth and unscarred.
They were the hands of someone who had been pampered since childhood—a testament to the original Su Wan’s privileged upbringing and willful nature.
But now, this body belonged to her.
She was no longer the spoiled villainess from the novel, but an ordinary woman who knew exactly how every tragedy would unfold—and who wanted nothing more than to survive.
In her previous life, she had been alone, with no family to rely on. In this life, even if she had become the story’s vicious supporting female character, she was still the direct disciple of an elder of the Qingyun Sect. At least she had a stable place to belong.
She absolutely could not throw her life away because of the original Su Wan’s foolishness.
Nor could she bear to watch this entire world collapse.
“My priorities are clear.”
“First, completely cut off my obsession with Ling Chen and stay far away from the romance between the male and female leads.”
“Second, find a way to dispel Xie Yanci’s murderous intent and stop him from falling into demonic corruption before it ever begins.”
“Only then can I keep myself alive.”
Her fingers tightened around the blanket as she carefully sorted through her plans again and again.
The original Su Wan’s greatest mistake had been her blind infatuation with Ling Chen. She regarded Luo Qingyuan as a thorn in her side, repeatedly provoking and plotting against her until she completely enraged Xie Yanci, who would protect Luo Qingyuan at any cost.
If she wanted to survive, the first step was to become a completely different person.
She had to let everyone see that she had changed—that she was no longer the hateful villainess they all despised.
A growl from her empty stomach interrupted her thoughts.
She called for the young disciple waiting outside and asked her to bring a simple bowl of light spiritual porridge.
The original Su Wan had always been picky, refusing to eat anything but lavish spiritual cuisine. But now she was seriously injured, and plain food would help her recover faster.
Besides, it was the perfect opportunity to slowly rid herself of the original owner’s spoiled habits.
After finishing her modest dinner, night completely enveloped the sect.
Candlelight flickered softly inside the room, illuminating Su Wan’s unusually calm expression.
Unlike the original Su Wan, who would have rushed to cling to Ling Chen or look for trouble with Luo Qingyuan as soon as she recovered, Su Wan obediently sat cross-legged on the bed and began cultivating according to the cultivation method preserved in the body’s memories.
The original owner had never lacked talent.
As the disciple of a sect elder, she had enjoyed abundant cultivation resources.
Unfortunately, all her thoughts had revolved around Ling Chen, causing her cultivation to stagnate. That was why she had been gravely injured by nothing more than a low-level demon beast during the previous mission.
She had brought it upon herself.
Only true strength would allow someone to survive in this ruthless world where the strong preyed upon the weak.
Only by becoming stronger would Su Wan have even the slightest chance of stopping Xie Yanci after he fell into darkness.
And if she couldn’t stop him…
At the very least, she’d have the strength to escape.
Only then could she truly break free from the fate written in the novel.
Following the circulation path of the cultivation technique, spiritual energy slowly flowed through her body, nourishing her damaged meridians. The pain in her chest gradually faded.
Completely immersed in cultivation, she lost all awareness of time.
By the time she opened her eyes again, dawn had already painted the horizon white.
The first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the room.
Su Wan slowly ended her meditation, delight flickering across her eyes.
After just one night of cultivation, not only had her cultivation not regressed from her injuries, but it had even stabilized slightly.
More than half of her wound had already healed.
She could now walk without difficulty.
After washing up, she changed into a plain-colored disciple’s robe.
Gone were the bright, extravagant clothes the original Su Wan had favored.
Dressed simply, she appeared far gentler and calmer, carrying the quiet elegance of an ordinary disciple instead of her former arrogance.
The moment she opened the door, she ran into Luo Qingyuan.
Luo Qingyuan was carrying a food box, clearly having come to deliver breakfast.
When she saw Su Wan, she paused.
There was still a trace of distance and caution hidden in her eyes.
She obviously hadn’t forgotten why Su Wan had been injured yesterday.
If this had been the original Su Wan, she would have immediately sneered and spoken harshly.
Instead, Su Wan stopped first, smiled warmly, and greeted her politely.
“Good morning, Senior Sister Luo.”
The gentle greeting completely caught Luo Qingyuan off guard.
She froze, even her grip on the food box faltering.
The Su Wan she knew had always glared at her with jealousy and hostility.
Never—not once—had she spoken so politely.
For a moment, Luo Qingyuan didn’t know how to respond.
“Junior Sister Su… are your injuries feeling any better?” she finally asked after a brief hesitation, her tone courteous but genuinely concerned.
“Thank you for asking, Senior Sister. I’m much better now.”
Su Wan’s voice was sincere, devoid of even the slightest trace of her former hostility.
“Thinking back on what happened yesterday, it was entirely my own fault. I acted recklessly and insisted on showing off, causing everyone unnecessary trouble. I even distracted everyone during the mission. Please don’t blame yourself.”
Luo Qingyuan stared at her in astonishment.
She had expected Su Wan to wake up and once again shift all the blame onto her before complaining to their senior brother.
Instead…
Su Wan had admitted her own mistakes.
And with complete sincerity.
The wariness in Luo Qingyuan’s heart faded considerably.
Smiling softly, she handed over the food box.
“I’m relieved to hear you’re alright. I made some Clear Spirit Porridge this morning. It’s good for healing injuries. Please have some.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister.”
Su Wan accepted it naturally without refusing.
At that moment, a tall figure walked along the corridor beside them.
It was Xie Yanci.
Dressed in his usual black training robes, he still wore his familiar carefree expression.
But the way he looked at Su Wan carried unmistakable scrutiny.
He had clearly overheard their conversation.
To him, Su Wan’s sudden transformation was nothing more than another scheme.
Surely she was planning some new trick to target Luo Qingyuan.
Meeting his gaze, Su Wan did not respond with the disdain the original owner always showed.
Instead, she simply nodded politely in greeting.
Her eyes were open and steady, without the slightest hint of avoidance.
The teasing glimmer in Xie Yanci’s eyes faded.
It was replaced by deeper suspicion.
What exactly is this woman plotting?
Yesterday she had looked so frightened and guilty in front of him.
Today…
It was as though she had become a completely different person.
She no longer chased after Ling Chen.
She no longer picked fights with Luo Qingyuan.
She could even calmly meet his eyes.
Everything about her was strange.
Xie Yanci continued walking without stopping.
As he brushed past her, Su Wan clearly sensed the faint aura of violence surrounding him, along with the murderous intent still deeply hidden within his eyes.
She knew that dispelling his killing intent would never happen overnight.
His hatred for the original Su Wan had already taken root.
And Luo Qingyuan was the only light in his life.
Even the slightest unusual behavior from Su Wan would be interpreted as another conspiracy against her.
But she wasn’t in a hurry.
Time revealed a person’s true character.
She had patience.
She would slowly change herself.
Slowly earn his trust.
And little by little, dissolve the murderous intent he held toward her.
Watching Xie Yanci’s retreating figure, Luo Qingyuan sighed softly.
“Junior Brother Xie has always been rather cold. Don’t take it to heart.”
Su Wan merely smiled.
“I know. Don’t worry, Senior Sister. I won’t be as childish as I used to be.”
After chatting a little longer, Su Wan returned to her room.
She lifted the bowl of Clear Spirit Porridge Luo Qingyuan had prepared.
The warm porridge contained a gentle stream of spiritual energy that spread through her body as she swallowed it.
For the first time since entering this novel, she felt genuine kindness from someone in this world.
It strengthened her resolve even more.
Stay away from the male lead.
Become friends with the heroine.
Redeem the future villain.
Focus wholeheartedly on cultivation.
This time…
She had been given a second chance at life.
She would live well.
She would rewrite the ending of the novel.
And she would change the fate of this cultivation world before it collapsed.
After breakfast, Su Wan wasted no time and resumed her cultivation.
She knew her time was limited.
According to the original story, the sect’s upcoming expedition down the mountain was drawing near.
That journey marked the original Su Wan’s death.
It was also the moment when the seeds of Xie Yanci’s inner demon first took root.
Before that trial began, she had to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
She had to completely eliminate Xie Yanci’s desire to kill her.
Only then could she prepare for the crisis that lay ahead.
Meanwhile, Xie Yanci returned to his own residence.
His fingertips rhythmically tapped against the table as Su Wan’s behavior replayed repeatedly in his mind.
Gentle.
Polite.
Honest.
The arrogant, malicious woman he knew seemed to have vanished overnight.
It was simply too abnormal.
“Playing games?”
he murmured quietly, his eyes turning icy.
“No matter what you’re planning…”
“If you dare lay a finger on Qingyuan again…”
“I’ll make sure you die without a burial.”
Despite Su Wan’s apparent transformation, Xie Yanci lowered none of his guard.
He intended to keep a close watch on her.
And if she made even the slightest suspicious move—
he would eliminate the threat without the slightest hesitation.
Thus, a new struggle quietly began.
A battle born from Su Wan’s determination to change.
A contest between redemption and survival.
And its curtain had only just begun to rise.