The Female Lead's Persona Has Completely Changed After I Transmigrated into the Villain

Xu Chen looked at the Ring of Holding and suddenly frowned. "It feels familiar, but I can't put my finger on what's wrong."

He had definitely seen this ring before, but he couldn't recall where.

The next day, after washing up, Xu Chen received a notification.

"The assessment is being held at the Xu Family? What kind of nonsense is this?"

Xu Chen was stunned.

He remembered that in his past life, it was held at the Ye Family's Training Ground.

Though the difference wasn't huge, it was still pretty baffling.

Forget it, he'd just chalk it all up to Li Ruoling pretending to curry favor with him.

With that thought, Xu Chen headed to his family's Training Ground.

He looked over—dozens of zhang wide, weapons lined up in rows, an imposing aura filling the air.

A few formations shrouded the area, releasing spiritual energy, with faint mist drifting about.

The heads of Qingyang City's various families and their prodigies had all already arrived.

Each family had its own designated area and seats, where they sat high above, gazing down at the center of the field.

Xu Chen reached his family's section and noticed that Li Ruoling wasn't by his side this time.

She was on the high platform of the Training Ground, monitoring the matches.

But he caught the flirtatious glance she shot him, practically crackling with electricity.

He also felt Ye Xuan's glare, brimming with murderous intent.

Xu Chen clicked his tongue. Your woman is undercover for you, and you're the one pissed off?

"Today marks the Jixia Academy assessment in Qingyang City. I, this Elder, am the chief examiner, with the Saintess overseeing the matches."

"There are many aspects to the assessment, but the focus is combat strength. Those whose names are called, please step onto the field for evaluation."

"First match: Xu Chen of the Xu Family versus Ye Xuan of the Ye Family."

Elder Mingyou's voice boomed like a great bell, swiftly spreading across the entire Training Ground, clear to everyone present.

Xu Chen froze. He remembered that Ye Xuan, as the protagonist, was supposed to be the last to appear.

When he did, he'd shock the crowd, dominate the scene, and leave everyone gasping in awe.

After all, that was the proper way to build hype—the author had arranged it well.

But today? First match?

"Forget it, forget it. Either way, I'm just following the script and losing. The order doesn't matter."

Xu Chen muttered under his breath.

He hadn't taken the Human Spirit Pill or the Mystic Spirit Pill, all to ensure the plot didn't derail.

This time, no one could stop him from getting thrashed—he swore it.

He quickly walked to the center of the Training Ground and instantly burst forth with Late-stage Second Rank aura.

The Soaring Heaven Martial Emperor realm system was pretty simple: First Rank was the lowest, increasing step by step up to Ninth Rank.

Above Ninth Rank was Martial Emperor, above invincibility was Great Emperor, and above Great Emperor was Immortal Emperor.

Each major realm was divided into Early-stage, Mid-stage, Late-stage, and Perfection.

Very common, easy to remember.

He recalled that Ye Xuan's true strength was Early-stage Third Rank, and in the end, one punch sent him flying.

Good, bring it on—send him flying again.

As he pondered, he found himself face-to-face with the protagonist, Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan's expression turned cold. "Xu Chen, you've suppressed me for three years. After today, that's the day I rise."

Xu Chen nodded. Emmm, yeah, yeah, you're the protagonist, you rise, and I'll play along.

Seeing Xu Chen's nonchalant attitude, Ye Xuan's anger flared.

They were about to fight, and he still dared to act so dismissive—he couldn't take it anymore.

This time, Xu Chen would pay the price.

With that thought, he moved.

PS: Third chapter, begging for flowers and evaluation votes. Five chapters minimum today, one extra for every 50 evaluation votes—currently at 42. One extra for every 200 flowers—currently at 90.

At this moment, Ye Xuan hadn't yet revealed his true strength, still at Mid-stage Second Rank.

He instantly flashed in front of Xu Chen and began unleashing martial techniques to attack him.

Even though Ye Xuan was only Mid-stage Second Rank, his martial techniques were far superior to Xu Chen's, making them evenly matched for the time being.

The crowd around them, just as the Original Text described, was secretly stunned.

Elder Mingyou even stroked his beard with a light laugh: "This lad is not only a Mid-stage Third Rank alchemist, but can also fight above his level. Extraordinary, truly extraordinary!"

Li Ruoling pursed her lips. There would be a good show soon.

Trying to bully her Brother Xu Chen? Hmph, no way.

"Boom!"

After exchanging dozens of punches, both stepped back several paces.

Xu Chen's expression was relatively calm, while Ye Xuan's breathing was slightly disordered.

But Xu Chen knew this was because he hadn't revealed his true strength.

As expected, Ye Xuan's lips curled: "You think you've got the upper hand, don't you?"

Xu Chen played the villain, sneering coldly: "What, still trying to act tough?"

With that, Ye Xuan snorted, his body trembling.

A surge of Early-stage Third Rank aura erupted like a hurricane, spreading rapidly outward from his body.

In an instant, the ground shook and the air exploded.

The onlookers gasped: "At such an age, he's already Third Rank?"

Just like the original plot, everyone was shocked.

Xu Chen's face looked grim, but inside he was utterly calm.

Not bad, not bad. This was about to end.

"Whoosh!"

The next second, Ye Xuan shot over again, throwing another punch at Xu Chen.

Faintly, the wind howled, and a sharp aura radiated, making hearts pound.

Sticking to his villain persona, Xu Chen naturally couldn't yield. He roared: "You think this is all I've got? Lose!"

He clenched his fist and slammed it into Ye Xuan's.

He knew that in the next instant, he would be sent flying.

"Hum!"

But what he didn't expect was that the Ring of Holding on his finger flickered almost imperceptibly.

A surge of Mid-stage Third Rank power, rolling like the Yellow River, poured endlessly into his body.

In an instant, his strength swelled, spiritual energy wrapped around him, and his bones creaked.

Under his dumbfounded gaze, his fist, brimming with savage power, blasted Ye Xuan flying.

Ye Xuan was equally stunned. Like a kite with a snapped string, he flew straight backward and crashed to the ground.

Ye Xuan, eliminated.

Xu Chen: "..."

Holy crap!

Li Ruoling did it!

Big sister, are you crazy? Why are you helping me, the villain, instead of the protagonist?

He just wanted to lose, to be crushed by the protagonist. Why was it so hard?

Now that the protagonist had lost, would the cycle have to start over?

Xu Chen waited anxiously for the system's warning.

But after a full minute of standing there, utterly bewildered, the system still didn't speak.