I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

“Speaking of practical combat, during my recent outing, I found a splendid practice target.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Xue knew that Ye Yong had already decided to take Hua Ningyan into real combat, and she couldn’t help but shoot a glare at Hua Ningyan.

Hua Ningyan, however, did not react to Wu Xue’s furious gaze. Instead, she wore an innocent, harmless expression, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked at Ye Yong. “What is it, Master?”

“A Golden Core-level evil spirit.”

As soon as Ye Yong’s words left his lips, the room fell silent. Wu Xue’s eyes sparkled with amusement, as if mocking Hua Ningyan for digging her own grave.

“Golden… Golden Core evil spirit…” The little fox was thoroughly frightened. Though she had never ventured outside the clan, her only encounter had been with Ye Yong. She had heard the elders speak of evil spirits, let alone one of Golden Core level. She was only at the seventh layer of crystallization, her foundation still unstable. To leap from foundational cultivation to this realm in just a few days was already impressive; achieving the level of crystallization at the third layer in practical combat would be remarkable. “Master, you can’t possibly intend for the evil spirit to be my practice opponent, can you?”

“Exactly.” Ye Yong nodded.

“Evil spirits, I’ve heard, lack thought and only seek to annihilate living beings. Little fox, you must take care of yourself.” Wu Xue’s earlier gloom evaporated, and she almost wished to start practical combat right then and there.

“She indeed must take care of herself, and you must too, Xiao Xue.” Ye Yong added.

“Ah?” Wu Xue felt her head buzzing, momentarily unable to comprehend. “Young Master, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“I plan to have you both face the evil spirit together.”

“But, but I’m only at the sixth layer of body refinement, equivalent to a cultivator at the sixth layer of foundational cultivation. How could I possibly fight a Golden Core evil spirit?” Wu Xue thought her young master must be joking.

“It’s fine. I will set up a protective formation. Xia Shiqi and Xia Shijia will also join you in the fight.”

Having two wolves at the ninth and tenth layers of crystallization didn’t seem to make a difference, Young Master. That’s a Golden Core evil spirit; even one of them could slaughter them all.

Seeing Ye Yong’s expression was serious, Wu Xue felt a bitter frustration she could not voice. She shot another glare at the little fox, feeling it was all its fault.

Hua Ningyan had no idea Ye Yong was playing such a dangerous game; she was so frightened she nearly curled up into a ball.

“Don’t be nervous; your safety is assured… No, I can’t rule out the possibility of accidental harm, as I can’t control that evil spirit…” Ye Yong feigned uncertainty. In truth, he was certain he wouldn’t let the heroines come to harm; he would prepare thoroughly for their safety. By speaking seriously, he aimed to prevent them from developing psychological dependence, pushing them to unleash their potential instead.

First, it was this person, not a first-time offender, who initially made me bear the burden of debt and became the culprit. After several months, they committed another crime without any warning,

As the heavy stone door of the closed chamber thudded shut, the barrier activated, leaving no path for retreat. The flicker of hope that Wu Xue and Hua Ningyan had clung to, believing Ye Yong might be jesting with them, vanished entirely, their spirits plummeting into despair.

Xia Shiqi, bewildered by her predicament and the impending events, circled the chamber, her curiosity piqued by its purpose on her first visit.

Xia Shijia crouched beside Ye Yong, more attuned to the nuances of expression. She could see that Wu Xue and Hua Ningyan were in a poor state, sensing that something was about to unfold.

“You must have faith in yourselves. To falter before the battle has even begun is to forfeit any chance of victory,” Ye Yong offered a verbal encouragement.

“But, Young Master, the Golden Core Evil Spirits are truly beyond our capabilities,” Wu Xue replied, her voice tinged with despair. “You overestimate us.”

“Indeed, Master. I have no practical experience at all. Could you grant me some time to gradually build my strength? I don’t want to hold everyone back,” Hua Ningyan echoed, her expression equally pitiful.

In any other circumstance, Ye Yong would not have pressed them, but this was about their growth and self-preservation. Especially since he would soon attract the attention of Peng Zhang, whose influence could summon a horde of high-level demon beasts at a whim. Ye Yong had to don the mask of a harsh mentor, imparting a Spartan education.

Bringing back the pseudo-Qiongqi was less about alleviating his own boredom and more about preparing the heroines for what lay ahead.

“So this is the extent of your resolve,” Ye Yong feigned disappointment, sighing and shaking his head. “My goal is to ascend to the Nine Heavens, to become the Emperor among Immortals, to command all realms and dominate everything.”

As he spoke, a tempest raged outside, dark clouds swirling into existence, thunder and lightning crashing in a cacophony.

The elders of the Ye family had grown somewhat accustomed to such phenomena, no longer startled, merely expressing a sense of pride—truly, it was Yong’er.

Yet, within the sealed chamber, where the outside noise was muffled, Ye Yong continued, “Xiao Xue, as my maid, you once vowed to stay by my side forever. Now, when faced with a mere hint of danger, you hesitate, afraid to move forward. How can you keep pace with me like this?”

Wu Xue trembled violently, her eyes wide, her body and spirit chilled to the core. She was terrified; for her, there was something more dreadful than death itself—being separated from Ye Yong. Just the thought of it made her feel worse than death.

“Ningyan, when you chose to become my spirit companion, did you forget what you promised? If this is all the resolve you possess, perhaps it would be better to send you back to your clan.”

Hua Ningyan’s breath hitched, frozen in place. Ye Yong had shown immense kindness to her clan, and since following him, she had found joy every day. While being with her kin was pleasant, she yearned to remain by Ye Yong’s side, wanting to repay his kindness.

One must have both the rod and the dates; Ye Yong understood this well. Feeling it was time, he continued, “How about this? Whoever performs well will receive a reward. Let me think… how about holding onto something all day?”

“Young Master, I take back what I said. A mere Golden Core Evil Spirit—if it comes to it, I will drag it down with me.”

“Master, I apologize. I’ve come to realize that life is full of uncertainties. Crises do not allow time for experience to accumulate. Even if it means death, I will defeat the evil spirit.”

The resolve of the girl and the fox shifted in an instant; fear was replaced by determination, their eyes alight with the spirit of warriors ready to face death.

“Actually, I’m not insisting that you defeat it,” Ye Yong knew this was an impossible task, at least for them at this moment. “Just do your best. Do not act recklessly. Remember, while I will set up formations to protect you, I cannot guarantee your safety one hundred percent. A moment’s carelessness could cost you your lives. Approach with caution; life is but a single thread.”

“Understood!”

With their enthusiasm ignited, Ye Yong began to set up the Buddhist Array Formation. Although the pseudo-Qiong Qi had been defeated, the evil spirit was still a product of the negative and dark forces. Even a powerful evil cultivator could be killed by the evil spirit if they weren’t careful. The idea of cultivating a completely loyal evil spirit was impossible.

As the novel progressed to its midpoint, ancient secret realms began to emerge, and many people attempted to control the ancient ferocious beasts. The outcomes were never good, and the costs were always high.

With the array formation complete, Ye Yong purchased a Buddhist treasure from the system store that could resist the invasion of Golden Dan-level evil energy. The Hundred-armed Guanyin Relic was the only one available, and its effects were too strong, which wouldn’t be beneficial for Wu Xue and the others’ upcoming combat training.