Chapter 1

The day Lin Sasa died, the sky was blue and the clouds were white, with a warm breeze brushing against people’s skin.

In the attic, she sat before a mirror in a beautiful red dress, selecting hair ornaments when her maid Chu You rushed in anxiously. “Miss, Young Master He and Young Master Feng are fighting over that little wench!”

“Is that true?!” Lin Sasa’s striking features lit up as she grabbed the long whip from the table and dashed outside, her red dress fluttering in layers. “Where? Where are they fighting?”

“On the lake!”

It was summer, and the Zhaosheng Palace was adorned with blooming flowers and lush greenery, where colorful Spirit Butterflies flickered beneath the leaves.

Lin Sasa ran swiftly. Before she even reached the lakeside, she could hear the Sword Wail of clashing blades.

By the lake, disciples from various sects had already gathered. A pale-faced girl in an elegant white dress arrived just before Lin Sasa, her voice trembling with urgency, “What are they doing?!”

She had been severely injured earlier, and after running, her white dress was stained with blood, swaying unsteadily as if she might collapse at any moment.

Seeing her, the crowd quickly made way, and someone even stepped forward to support her. “Junior Sister Luo, hurry and try to stop them. The Zhaosheng Palace isn’t just any place—if Daojun gets angry, they might lose their lives.”

Lin Sasa snorted and strode forward, pushing aside the white-clad girl who was about to intervene.

“Get lost!” She brandished her whip, forcing the onlookers back, and raised her chin arrogantly. “Who do you think you are? What right do you have to interfere?”

“Lin Sasa, don’t push your luck!”

“The senior brother and junior brother are fighting over Junior Sister Luo. If she can’t intervene, do you think you can?”

Lin Sasa’s actions enraged the surrounding disciples, sparking a heated outcry. The commotion was so loud that it caught the attention of the two by the lake. The handsome man in white robes gracefully sheathed his sword and glanced sideways as he retreated, his disheveled hair adding a bewitching charm, the Magic Crest faintly visible between his brows.

How bold—still eavesdropping on gossip while fighting.

Lin Sasa locked eyes with him. Seeing his intent to withdraw, she quickly shouted, “Stop fighting! You won’t kill each other like this!”

She accidentally blurted out her true thoughts. Under the furious glares of the crowd, she remained unapologetic, goading them further under the guise of mediation. “This fight won’t solve anything. Senior Sister Luo is too soft-hearted to choose. As long as both of you are alive, she’ll never decide whom to marry.”

In other words, if one died, the choice would be easy.

Whoosh—

The two seemed to take her words to heart. A surge of killing intent filled the air, and the sky darkened.

A blinding red light enveloped the land as people fled in panic. Having successfully stirred the pot, Lin Sasa was about to slip away when a wind blade sliced past her cheek, severing a lock of her hair. A wave of murderous intent surged from behind.

As she turned, countless light blades rained down upon her. Lin Sasa froze, unable to react in time. She only felt her body lift, her dress billowing like a blooming flower as she was hurled into the air.

Splat.

Blood splattered, misting the sky with crimson.

—This was Lin Sasa’s fate in the story.

A cannon-fodder side character, too foolish and ridiculous, who met her end while spectating the fight between the male lead and his rival. The most infuriating part? Because she had driven the other disciples away from the lake before her death, she was the only one who got accidentally killed!!

Lin Sasa woke up fuming.

After lying sickly on the bed for nearly half a year, during which she discovered through her astral projections during unconsciousness that she was living inside a book—merely a cannon-fodder side character whose sole purpose was to create obstacles for the male and female leads to enhance their sweet, satisfying romance, only to die in such an absurdly ridiculous manner.

Was this an insult to her?! She refused to accept it!!

Ding—

A crisp chime of bells rang in her ears.

[Book Spirit activated.]

[Task binding in progress…]

Due to Lin Sa Sa’s overwhelming resentment, she had awakened the Book Spirit within the story. The Book Spirit, sympathizing with Lin Sa Sa’s plight, spoke in a serious yet childish voice: [Given the excessively absurd nature of your death, our office has received complaints from readers. Hence, we are binding you to a Villain’s Sabotage Mission, requiring you to do everything in your power to break up the original male and female leads, fulfilling your duty as a proper antagonist.]

Subtext: You’re a terrible villain. Could you at least show some professional ethics?

After being forced to read through the entire plot, Lin Sa Sa was seething with anger and wholly uncooperative. “And if I refuse?”

[Apologies. Since you’ve already glimpsed the truth of this world, failure to comply with the mission will result in immediate termination.]

Subtext: Agree or not, you’ll die right now if you don’t.

Lin Sa Sa wasn’t ready to die, nor did she want to perish as miserably as the book had dictated. So, she had no choice but to accept the mission. Almost the instant she agreed, the chime sounded again. [Mission successfully bound.]

[As the designated villain, should you slack off or fail to prevent the leads from ending up together by the story’s conclusion, you will still face termination. Please commit wholeheartedly to your role—relentlessly dismantle their relationship and cherish your life.]

[Villain in position.]

[Five, four, three, two, one.]

Ding—

Lin Sa Sa opened her eyes from her deep slumber.

Freshly awakened, her pale cheeks flushed with fury, her dark pupils blazing like fire. Trembling, she pushed herself up from the bed.

The room was empty, its gauzy curtains adorned with countless bells hanging heavily around her, while calming incense burned faintly at the corner of the bed.

The sight of the bells only fueled Lin Sa Sa’s frustration. With no outlet for her rage, she swept the incense burner off the table—only for it to land with a dull thud on the thick carpet, unbroken.

Utterly infuriating.

Her eyelashes quivered violently as she tried to rise, but her body was too weak. When she opened her mouth, her throat was too hoarse to make a sound. How had she ended up in such a wretched state?

Having slept for so long, her mind was clogged with the book’s contents, making it hard to recall why she’d been bedridden for half a year.

As she struggled to remember, the door creaked open softly. Shadows moved beyond the curtains before Chu You lifted the drapes and stepped inside. At the sight of Lin Sa Sa awake, she froze momentarily before exclaiming joyfully, “Miss, you’re finally awake!”

Chu You set the medicine aside and rushed to the bedside, clutching Lin Sa Sa’s hands.

Tears welled in her eyes as she babbled, “When we first learned you’d fallen off the cliff, this servant thought we’d lost you forever! Thankfully, Young Master He searched the base of the ravine with his men for three days and nights until they found you—though you were barely clinging to life at that point, wuwuwu…”

“Miss, thank goodness you woke up.”

Lin Sa Sa’s expression had been blank upon seeing Chu You, but as she listened to the recounting, her face gradually twisted with realization.

Now she remembered—she recalled exactly why she’d been lying unconscious for half a year!

Half a year ago, the Sect held a Small Trial where three Demon Beasts were released within a forest enclosed by a Barrier. All disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage could enter the forest for the test, and whoever captured a Demon Beast would be rewarded with the Bone Tempering Immortal Pill by the Sect Leader.

How could Lin Sa Sa miss such excitement?

Lin Sa Sa belonged to the Cloud Hermit Sect, where the Sect Leader, Lin Fu Feng, was her biological father. Although she had an impressive father, she herself had been frail and weak since childhood—a cultivation failure. Lazy by nature, she spent her days obsessing over clothes and jewelry, never even reaching the Qi Refining Stage.

Only Foundation Establishment disciples could enter the forest to hunt Demon Beasts?

No matter. Rules were rigid, but people were flexible. Though Lin Sa Sa had no cultivation, she had her father. With just a bit of coaxing, her doting father allowed her to enter the forest and even instructed trusted disciples to look after her.

Truth be told, Lin Sa Sa didn’t enter the forest just for the spectacle—she had another reason.

That reason was a person named Luo Shui Wei, an orphan her father had picked up eight years ago and taken in as a disciple. She became the only female disciple in their generation. Now, she had another identity: the heroine of the story.

Lin Sa Sa despised Luo Shui Wei. From the moment she entered the Sect, every fiber of Lin Sa Sa’s being screamed rejection.

Over eight years, Lin Sa Sa’s hatred for Luo Shui Wei had grown to such extremes that it had now twisted into a murderous intent.

This forest excursion was merely an excuse—Lin Sa Sa had come to kill Luo Shui Wei. She had hesitated at first, but once inside the forest, Luo Shui Wei kept flaunting herself in front of her, even hypocritically declaring in front of others, “Don’t be afraid, Junior Sister. I’ll protect you.”

Pah! Since when did she need Luo Shui Wei’s protection?

Though Lin Sa Sa lacked cultivation, she was skilled with a whip—she could lash a Demon Beast half to death without issue. At least, that’s what she confidently believed before encountering one.

Until they actually faced a Demon Beast. Lin Sa Sa was so terrified she dropped her whip and ran for her life. Luo Shui Wei, who had sworn to protect her, hid in a secluded spot the moment she realized her spells were useless against the beast and shouted, “Hold on, Junior Sister! I’ll go find the senior brothers for help!”

“Hold on my ass! You just want to run away!”

Lin Sa Sa’s temper flared instantly. Forgetting the Demon Beast behind her, she turned to curse at Luo Shui Wei—only to trip on a pebble and fall flat on her face. The Demon Beast, aiming to pounce on her, missed and plummeted straight over a nearby cliff.

“Wow, Junior Sister, you’re amazing!”

Seeing the Demon Beast fall, Luo Shui Wei rushed back out.

As if oblivious to Lin Sa Sa’s fury, she carefully peered over the cliff’s edge, her back turned as she sighed, “Such a high drop—it must be shattered to pieces.”

“Shattered to pieces is perfect,” Lin Sa Sa muttered, staring fixedly at Luo Shui Wei’s back.

Unable to hold back any longer, she raised her foot to kick Luo Shui Wei, her voice dripping with malice. “Only shattered to pieces will ensure you’re truly dead.”

“Junior Sister.”

Just as Lin Sa Sa was about to strike, a deep, pleasant male voice called out from nearby.

Luo Shui Wei turned around, and Lin Sa Sa’s kick missed its mark. Unable to steady herself, she plummeted headfirst off the cliff. The biting wind stung her face, and in that brief moment, she thought she saw Luo Shui Wei smiling. Then, she experienced Astral Projection and finished reading an entire book. By the time she regained consciousness and woke up, it was now.

No wonder her entire body ached as if she’d been torn apart—those two despicable lovers had conspired to harm her.

Chu You had been talking for a while when she suddenly noticed her young mistress trembling. It was spring, and the sunlight outside was warm and bright. Puzzled, Chu You asked, “Young Mistress, are you cold?”

Lin Sa Sa was trembling with rage.

From Chu You, she learned that she had been rescued by He Lan Ling.

That trial had been terminated due to Lin Sa Sa’s accident, but before she fell off the cliff, He Lan Ling had already captured two Demon Beasts. As a result, her father rewarded him with the Bone Tempering Immortal Pill. When He Lan Ling learned that Lin Sa Sa’s meridians were severed and her bones shattered, he immediately fed her the pill. At the time, everyone said this method wouldn’t work—only He Lan Ling insisted on trying. Unexpectedly, by sheer luck, it helped temper Lin Sa Sa’s body and brought her back from the brink of death.

After resting for a few days, Lin Sa Sa gradually regained her energy. A few more days of lying in bed, and she felt surges of Qi in her dantian, her body becoming lighter—she had actually advanced to the Qi Refining Stage.

“What’s going on?” Lin Sa Sa tentatively waved her fingers, faint Spiritual Power flickering at her fingertips before dissipating in a blink.

Chu You was delighted, massaging Sa Sa’s legs and arms as she speculated, “It’s probably related to the continuous infusion of Spiritual Power these past days.”

Lin Sa Sa had fallen from a bottomless cliff, her body shattered to pieces. The fact that she still had a breath left in her was sheer luck. That the Bone Tempering Immortal Pill could take effect in her body—devoid of any Spiritual Power—was even more miraculous.

Though her life had been saved, waking up was no easy feat. Thus, Sect Leader Lin Fu Feng invited a Medical Cultivator elder, who suggested the method of Spiritual Power infusion.

No one knew when Lin Sa Sa would wake up—or if she ever would. For half a year, Lin Fu Feng came daily to infuse her with Spiritual Power, sustaining her life until now.

“Where’s my father?” This part wasn’t written in the book, so Lin Sa Sa genuinely didn’t know.

Chu You replied, “The Sect Leader learned of a spiritual herb in the North Sea that could protect your heart meridian. He took Young Master He and a few disciples to search for it.”

“This servant has already sent word to the Sect Leader. He should return in the next few days.”

Lin Sa Sa lifted her eyelids slightly and moved her arms, signaling Chu You to help her sit up. “I’ve been lying down so long my bones feel brittle. Help me dress up—I want to greet Father looking my best.”

Chu You hurried to pick out fresh clothes.

Lin Sa Sa was extraordinarily beautiful—her features striking and bold, the kind of beauty that could easily tip into garishness if not careful. But she had a knack for styling herself, and because she was carefree and rarely overthought things, her bright eyes carried a hint of innocence. Dressed up, she was both delicate and alluring, her curved lips adding a touch of adorable charm.

Clad in a misty pink dress, she carefully pressed golden-green adornments onto the floral designs at her forehead and tucked a few hairpins into her hair. The sunlight outside was splendid today. She had just lifted her skirt to step out when someone announced, “The Sect Leader has returned.”

Father was back.

After sleeping for half a year and being forced to read that wretched book, Lin Sa Sa missed her handsome father dearly. Unfortunately, her body had only just recovered, so she could only walk slowly, unable to run or skip. Leaning on Chu You for support, she made her way forward at a measured pace.

As soon as she entered the front hall, Lin Sa Sa heard the sound of a girl’s coquettish laughter. Luo Shui Wei, with her signature affectation, clung to the white-robed man’s arm and swayed lightly. “Senior Brother, this candied hawthorn is so sweet. I bought one especially for you—won’t you try it?”

Ugh, what a pretentious little thing.

Lin Sa Sa tightened her expression and strode into the courtyard hall.

As she entered, the two inside turned to look at her simultaneously. Luo Shui Wei’s face was plastered with ‘delight.’ “Junior Sister, you’re really awake!”

Beside her, the man stood tall and straight, his gold-trimmed white robes immaculate. His refined features were accentuated by a crimson Magic Crest as he lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Luo Shui Wei—the female lead of the book.

He Lan Ling—the male lead of the book.

A pair of scoundrels determined to trample over her while flirting—did they think she was easy to bully?

Beep beep—

The Book Spirit detected the intimate contact between the male and female leads and emitted a sharp, short chime as a warning.

The noise grated on Lin Sa Sa’s ears, activating the blood of a villain within her. Suddenly filled with energy, she shook off Chu You and lunged into He Lan Ling’s embrace, mimicking Luo Shui Wei’s mannerisms with a whimper. “Brother Ling, Sa Sa missed you so much~”

As she spoke, she snatched the candied hawthorn right out of Luo Shui Wei’s hand.

Dream on if you thought she’d let you feed the male lead.

Author’s Note:

I’m back.

This story is silly and brainless, which might be a departure from my usual style. It probably won’t be very long.