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

The observing female disciples were practically seething with rage, their resentment palpable as they cursed her for being a scheming vixen.

“Are you not afraid of being met with hostility and rejection?” Ye Yong sighed, feeling helpless. Typically, it was the male who would take advantage of the female, but in this case, the roles were reversed.

“Huh? What is Senior Brother talking about?” The female cultivator feigned ignorance, tilting her head in a slightly naive manner.

“Nothing.” Ye Yong began to understand why women despised scheming green tea b*tches, while men often found them appealing; their words and actions could truly capture a man’s heart. Even knowing it was all an act, the performance was undeniably captivating.

Yet Ye Yong harbored grand ambitions and lofty ideals; the female lead was his lifelong pursuit, and he would not be so easily tempted.

He avoided all unwanted physical contact, feeling that the moment was dragging on too long. He muttered an apology for his rudeness and used his spiritual power to “send” the female cultivator out of the ring.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Ye, for your guidance.” The female cultivator bore no ill will, respectfully bowing to Ye Yong. As she walked away, she seemed oblivious to the insults ringing in her ears.

“Now that’s a strong will,” Ye Yong thought to himself, acknowledging how difficult it was to remain unaffected by the surrounding noise, especially when it was filled with hostility. This female cultivator had drawn the ire of many; aside from wanting to leave an impression on Ye Yong, she likely sought to push herself further, for such motivation in cultivation was essential.

Otherwise, a person with normal reasoning, wishing to socialize normally, would never engage in actions that would provoke widespread dissatisfaction among their peers.

Everyone has their own thoughts and methods of doing things; Ye Yong did not believe she was in the wrong. If she were to become a powerful figure in the future, others would only commend her for her remarkable mindset and courage in her youth.

Although Ye Yong had yet to find any character in his memories associated with her name, who could say? Many future figures were known by titles rather than their real names; perhaps she would become one of those renowned figures.

On the third day of the competition, the list of the top eight was announced, and Qin Shimeng, just like in the novel, faced off against Hou Lixie. Surprisingly, Ye Yong did not encounter Long Tian, but rather an inconsequential passerby.

Ye Yong felt a sense of relief; not facing Long Tian meant he had crossed the first deadly tribulation from the novel. As long as nothing unexpected happened, he could soon completely avoid his personal calamity and then the calamity of the Ye family.

However, the butterfly effect is called so for a reason—a small change can lead to many alterations.

When Ye Yong witnessed Qin Shimeng defeat Hou Lixie, a sense of panic washed over him. He realized he had overlooked a crucial detail: Qin Shimeng’s cultivation level far exceeded that of the novel, and the champion-designated Hou Lixie stood no chance against her.

If Qin Shimeng were to face Long Tian… Ye Yong had never considered this possibility before, but now, the thought filled him with dread. If possible, he wished for the female lead to have no contact with the male protagonist, not even in battle. What if the heavens forced them together?

In the novel, the female lead and the protagonist were united by the will of the heavens, but in reality, Ye Yong had disrupted that fate. What if they encountered each other in battle? Was this the heavens beginning to attempt a repair?

Cautious by nature, Ye Yong dared not gamble; anxiety began to creep in.

18 Duel of Wits and Valor

“What troubles you?” Qin Shidream returned to her seat, eager to hear Ye Yong’s critique of her recent performance, but found him restless, his mind adrift in a storm of thoughts.

“Nothing,” Ye Yong replied, shaking his head, lost in a whirlwind of strategy, oblivious to the world around him.

Qin Shidream, however, sensed the lie. She glanced at her senior sisters from the Yinhua Hall, all of whom shook their heads in unison, murmuring that it was merely her duel that had stirred him so.

Had I erred in some way?

She strained to recall the details of the match; the male cultivator she faced was indeed formidable. Defeat did not equate to utter failure—he had reserves yet untapped. Yet, Qin Shidream too had her own hidden strengths, and in terms of raw power, she remained above him.

During the duel, there had been no banter exchanged; he was not like the typical cultivators who reveled in taunts. At most, he had cautioned her to be wary during his strikes, or expressed genuine admiration when she countered his moves. Beyond that, silence reigned, and she had maintained her icy demeanor, speaking not a word.

In that moment, Ye Yong seemed to arrive at a momentous decision. He stood abruptly, activating a field of energy, and in an instant, he vanished into the throng.

Qin Shidream remained, lost in contemplation, pondering where the fault lay.

—

There was no need for the whispers of others; Ye Yong had long sensed that his opponents were young cultivators of notable lineage. The butterfly effect had led him astray from his destined clash with the protagonist in the top eight, a manipulation surely orchestrated by the one who controlled the matchups.

If that overseer could sway the duel roster, then so could Ye Yong.

Truth be told, he was reluctant to take such a gamble, yet sometimes, one must tread into traps they know to be perilous; the heavens were cunning in their designs.

If left unchecked, the next round would likely pit Qin Shidream against Long Tian. Given her current prowess, she could undoubtedly best him, but victory mattered little. What loomed larger was their first direct encounter; one meeting could lead to another—who could predict what would follow?

Yet, if Ye Yong intervened, demanding to face Long Tian himself… it would surely avert their clash, but it would render his previous efforts moot, and he would still have to confront the first of his deadly tribulations.

A choice lay before him: the uncertain heroine meeting the protagonist, or the impending doom of a villain. Whichever path he chose, the heavens would not suffer; the one to bear the cost would be Ye Yong. This was why he felt the heavens were so devious—they lacked a clear “consciousness,” yet they wove every variable into existence.

This notion of deadly tribulations was not new to Ye Yong. As long as he refrained from revealing any murderous intent towards the protagonist, and engaged earnestly in the duel, even if the protagonist sought friendship afterward, he could simply evade, feigning busyness, and perhaps emerge unscathed.

Ye Yong could hardly believe it. He bore no malice towards the protagonist, nor did he seek to curry favor. Could the heavens truly allow the protagonist to darken and come for his life?

With the aura-enhancing artifact, Ye Yong had nearly arrived at the steward’s location without a sound.

Eight stewards and one elder were responsible for this bout.

Ye Yong’s sudden appearance undoubtedly surprised them. After all, he was merely a crystallized being, while they were all in the Nascent Soul stage, with Elder Jin even at the early stage of Divine Transformation. Yet, none had sensed Ye Yong’s approach.

This was partly due to their surroundings; within the Tianluo Sect, they would not extend their divine senses to be wary of those drawing near. The aura artifact merely masked Ye Yong’s presence; it did not render him invisible. Divine sense acted like radar; if one truly scanned, they would still detect the light of Ye Yong approaching.

“Younger generation has a matter to request of you esteemed seniors,” Ye Yong said politely, performing the customary bow of a cultivator.

The stewards did not genuinely regard Ye Yong as a junior; after all, the level he had displayed was merely a matter of time before it surpassed theirs. As long as they were not foolish, they would never put on airs before him.

Thus, the elder, who usually bore a stern demeanor before other disciples, now appeared as a kind and approachable elder. Elder Jin, with his higher status and cultivation, did not show it as overtly, but he too wore a smile.

“Speak freely; if we can assist, we shall.”

“Indeed, that is correct.”

Ye Yong was not surprised by their attitude; after all, this was the treatment afforded to a villain. Had it been the protagonist, he would have been reprimanded for his impertinence, for daring to approach so disrespectfully.