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

As He Ma and his companions prepared to enter the cave, two masked Foundation Establishment cultivators suddenly emerged from within.

What’s going on? Foundation Establishment can move faster than them?

“Stop!” He Ma called out to the two who were about to leave.

Who were they? Clearly, it was Long Tian and Qiu Li Gao.

“What do you want?” With the help of the formation, Long Tian had just dispatched a group of arrogant cultivators relying on their higher cultivation, and having dealt with the corpses, he hadn’t expected to be troubled again upon stepping outside.

Fortunately, the number of opponents was fewer than the last batch, and their cultivation levels were not as high. Even though he had already expended quite a bit of spiritual energy, Long Tian believed he could handle it.

“You hand over whatever treasures you found inside!”

His companions knew He Ma was in a foul mood; whether or not they surrendered their belongings, the two unfortunate Foundation Establishment cultivators were destined to become his punching bags—purely a matter of bad luck, caught in the crossfire.

Yet, what they didn’t realize was that it was they themselves who had walked into the line of fire.

“And if we don’t?”

Long Tian shot a glance at Qiu Li Gao, who had already witnessed Long Tian’s prowess in manipulating the formation. Qiu Li Gao was filled with admiration, not a trace of defiance in him. Though it was his first encounter with such a situation, and he had helped deal with the corpses, as a cultivator, he was well aware of the stakes. Especially outside, where no one knew anyone—either you die, or I do.

“Then you’ll be in trouble!” He Ma couldn’t shake off his disdain for the masked cultivator, and recalling the fox mask only intensified the murderous intent in his eyes.

—Outside the Secret Realm;

Ye Yong could never know what transpired in the cave. Even if he did, he would only lament that the villain could not escape their predetermined fate. Just like the Ye family; if it weren’t for his strong interference preventing Ye Mao and Ye Gou from clashing with the protagonist, the fate awaiting the Ye family would surely be the downfall of the younger generation, dragging the elders down with them, leading to the family’s ruin—a neatly tied-up ending for the whole clan.

The system was called the “Reversal of Fate” system for a reason.

“We should be safe here; you all hurry back now.” Rescuing was merely a matter of convenience for Ye Yong; he wouldn’t bask in self-satisfaction or demand any form of repayment.

If anything, it was right for them to want to repay him, but he would refuse.

“Sir, can’t you at least leave your name?”

Shaking his head, he activated the aura artifact and departed from Luming Island.

“What an impressive concealment technique!” The three women remained behind, filled with awe.

“Others say that Ye Yongjun of Tianluo Sect is unparalleled in the world; I think that young master is not much inferior to Ye Yong.”

“I believe Ye Yong is overrated; the truly unmatched gentleman should be that young master.”

“This trip to the secret realm, though we gained nothing, meeting him must be the greatest fortune, right?”

Once the praises were exchanged, the woman among them was the first to withdraw her thoughts.

“What He Ma has done cannot be brushed aside; I must inform my father.”

The sect they belonged to was called Yilian Sect, a mid-tier sect with a modest reputation in the surrounding area.

Since Ye Yong began his cultivation, his memory had greatly improved; things he once thought forgotten could be recalled with careful thought. Yet, the events of the novel were far too numerous, and most were merely variations of the same tale. Ye Yong could not remember them all; he needed clues to jog his memory. He did not inquire about the origins of the female cultivators; had he known they were from Yilian Sect, it was likely he would have recalled something and accompanied them back to their sect.

The reason was simple: this sect possessed a treasure, a key to unlock a mysterious door to a certain secret realm. For now, it bore no immediate consequence, but it would lead to a larger event later on.

Of course, it mattered little that Ye Yong had not obtained the “key” in advance; what was meant to happen would happen. It was just that with the “key,” he could have made some preparations ahead of time.

—Secret realm cave;

“Long Tian, is it really fine to have killed so many?” Qiu Li’s courage was never great, and one of these people had even revealed himself to be the grandson of a certain sect elder, holding considerable status. Yet, Long Tian still dealt with him.

If Long Tian were an inner disciple of Tianluo Sect, it would be one thing, but for some reason, he deliberately concealed his strength. As outer disciples, they had no privileges; if the other party sought retribution, Tianluo Sect would not protect them.

“You saw it too; these people were ruthless. If it were just you, how do you think you would be treated?” Long Tian rummaged through the corpses without turning his head.

“I know; the next encounter will surely be grim. But isn’t it better with you here? I just think, as victors, if we let them go, the situation might improve a bit.”

“Improve a bit?” At this, Long Tian couldn’t help but scoff: “Do you really think these young masters, raised in an environment of adulation, would willingly accept defeat? Letting them go would only make them think we dare not kill them, and they would take advantage, bringing even more trouble next time.”

Thinking of Liu Bo, Long Tian couldn’t help but clench his fists.

If only he were stronger, Liu Bo would not have met such a fate. Unfortunately, he was still no match for Bai Song and could not kill him.

“What if they find out it was us?” If it were someone else, they would surely say it was Long Tian who did the killing, with no connection to themselves. But Qiu Li, with his good nature, understood one thing: Long Tian’s willingness to bring him, a burden, into this situation had already created a debt of gratitude. At this moment, he could not simply distance himself.

“It’s impossible. I’ve set up a third-grade formation at the cave entrance; outsiders cannot enter for now. Once we dispose of the bodies, I’ll take you out through a secret passage. No one will know we were here.”

Long Tian tossed a storage bag filled with resources to Qiu Li: “Remember, taking the initiative to kill is unwise, but if the other party seeks your life, you must show no mercy. If you don’t eradicate the roots, you’ll only leave behind troubles. After we return, focus on your cultivation; you are not suited for adventures outside at this moment.”

“Hmm…” Qiu Li Gao held the blood-stained storage bag, her emotions tangled: “I will strive to cultivate; let’s not speak of anything else for now, but I must aim for a good ranking in the sect competition.”

“The sect competition, you say.” Long Tian’s gaze flickered, and for some reason, he suddenly thought of Ye Yong, wishing to challenge him. But that seemed impossible; with Ye Yong’s resources and talent, Long Tian felt certain he had already crystallized to the sixth or seventh layer. Though he couldn’t spar with him, Long Tian still looked forward to seeing what achievements Ye Yong would attain in the sect competition.

—

01 The Saintess of the Demon Clan

On the road back to Tianluo Sect, Ye Yong encountered no ambushes from the Demon Sect. Clearly, the traitorous deputy sect master had no intention of capturing or eliminating him for the time being. This was a good thing, but it still felt like a ticking time bomb, the detonator in someone else’s hands, uncertain of when it would be pressed. With his safety in another’s grasp, Ye Yong felt a deep discomfort, yet there was nothing he could do.