Now imagine poor Du Rui, our unsuspecting reader-turned-accidental-character, trying to navigate this chaotic mess. Where in the seven hells am I? his inner monologue screamed, laced with a colourful array of expletives that would make a sailor blush. Who would've thunk it? This laid-back bookworm, who once struggled to keep up with the convoluted plot and endless character list, now finds himself smack dab in the middle of this... well, let's call it a 'masterpiece' for lack of a better term. With a groan that could wake the dead (and possibly startle a few undead), he peeled himself off the bed, feeling as lost as a chicken trying to solve a Rubik's cube.

Standing up, Du Rui shuffled towards the mirror like a detective in a B-list mystery flick, squinting at his reflection as if expecting it to morph into something more heroic or at least less bewildered. Yep, same old face staring back, same questionable taste in pyjamas. But now, thanks to the universe's twisted sense of humour, he was a living, breathing character in this literary dumpster fire.

Raising his head, Du Rui pondered, Not only have I transmigrated into the worst novel, but I'm also the antagonist? What was his name again... Huawei? Let's stick with Huawei-something for now...

Huawei-something, to be precise, was Huai Xiaozhun, the man who became a peak master and later adopted the name Xue Xinyu, ultimately ascending to the position of Crown Prince of Ende, known as Xiao. He was the sect master who took Liang Zhiguan in as his only disciple after years of not accepting any disciples.

"Am I supposed to be the bad guy now? Do I at least get a cool villain monologue?" he muttered, trying to recall if the antagonist's job description included anything glamorous like world domination or, at the very least, a really snazzy outfit.

As Du Rui gazed into the mirror, he couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Xiao's former glory, now embodied in Xue Xinyu. Preening like a peacock, he admired his reflection, revelling in the undeniable handsomeness that now graced his form. "Well, well, well, look who's a stud muffin," he chuckled to himself, striking a pose that screamed "Peak Master chic."

Sure, it wasn't his original body, but hey, who's complaining when you've got looks that could stop a charging bull in its tracks?

Even in Zhao Lian's eyes, he was described as the most handsome man he had ever met, despite their adversarial relationship in the end.

With a resigned sigh, he slumped back on the bed, pondering his fate in this zany, undead-filled narrative. "Alright, Du Rui, it's time to step up your game. If I'm stuck here, I might as well make the best of it. Maybe I'll be the first antagonist to win over the readers with charm and a really detailed harem management plan."

It didn't take long for Du Rui, now going by the name Xue Xinyu, to determine which arc he had landed in. he discovery of a pendant—a familiar one, mind you, given to the original Xue Xinyu (who, for simplicity's sake, we'll now refer to as Huai Xiaozhun) by none other than Liang Zhiguan—served as a bright neon sign pointing to their current location in the literary labyrinth. This nifty trinket revealed that Xue Xinyu was already knee-deep in his role as Liang Zhiguan's teacher, situating our tale somewhere within the epic tapestry of the Qi Yun Peak arc.

Just as Du Rui was wrapping his head around this revelation, a loud knock reverberated through the room, jolting him from his thoughts. He spun around, heart racing like he was about to face an audit. "Come on in," he called out, voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The door creaked open, revealing Lǐ Tāo, who strolled in with the casual air of someone walking into a friend's kitchen for a snack. "You're finally up, Xinyu Da Ge," Lǐ Tāo said with a grin, making himself at home at the tea table in Huai Xiaozhun's meticulously organised room.

Lǐ Tāo, the prince of Lingyun Peak, was a rarity in the novel. Lingyun Peak, being the top sect, was not only the strongest but also the sole sect with a prince. Before Xue Xinyu became Xiao, he and Lǐ Tāo were very close. Their backstory, while not deemed important by readers and thus never published, could be surmised from the rest of the story.

To clarify, Lǐ Tāo and Huai Xiaozhun were soulmates, a fact that became evident only upon Huai Xiaozhun's death. This revelation occurred during his final moments when it was mentioned that their red string of connection had been severed. While this concept might not be immediately clear to all readers, it holds significant meaning for many Asian people.

Now, for those unfamiliar with this concept, it's a big deal—akin to finding out your favourite character has been killed off in the final season. The red string symbolises a deep connection between soulmates, whether they are lovers or platonic partners. It's a metaphor for an unbreakable bond that, once severed, means it's time to break out the tissues and brace for the emotional rollercoaster.

Peering at Lǐ Tāo with all the intensity of a detective solving a mystery, Xue Xinyu's curiosity bubbles like a cauldron of curiosity soup. Were they soulmates of the romantic variety, or were they more like best buds? And let's not forget the 'Xinyu Da Ge' bit—talk about throwing fuel on the curiosity fire!

"My apologies, I must've been very tired," Xue Xinyu remarks, his nerves concealed beneath a calm exterior as he responds. Practically becoming a talent in acting simply by reading books, he chuckles inwardly. "I see. Have you slept well? I made sure Liang Zhiguan wouldn't wake you up," Lǐ Tāo inquires. Liang Zhiguan's mention prompts Xue Xinyu to wonder where he is. Unsure whether or not he should ask, he contemplates his response. "Thank you for being so caring. Where might Zhiguan be?" Xue Xinyu queries as he takes a seat across from Lǐ Tāo.

The room around him was a haven of understated elegance, adorned with carefully chosen decor that exuded tranquillity. Delicate tapestries, embroidered with scenes of serene mountain vistas and flowing rivers, graced the walls, their colours shifting subtly in the morning light that streamed through tall, ornate windows. The scent of freshly brewed tea in the air.

Looking toward the door, Lǐ Tāo gestures for him to enter. This simple gesture lets Xue Xinyu know that Liang Zhiguan is awaiting his teacher's approval to enter the room. As Liang Zhiguan enters, holding three cups of tea, he sits down next to Xue Xinyu. "Good morning, Shizun," Liang Zhiguan greets. Liang Zhiguan is such a pure soul, despite the hardships his brother imposed on him and the near-fatal encounter, he remains untainted, saved by Huai Xiaozhun.

It's almost saddening to realise that Liang Zhiguan will soon lose this innocence. "Good morning, Zhiguan. How did you sleep?" Xue Xinyu asks as he takes one of the tea cups Liang Zhiguan brought. Seeing them now, you might assume they're a happy family, though that illusion would quickly shatter if you knew the backstories of each character.

"I slept well, Shizun. I hope you rested just as comfortably. We ensured you had a chance to sleep longer," Liang Zhiguan replied with a smile so sincere it could melt the heart of a stone statue. "May I take a sip of my tea?" he added, his eyes wide with earnest anticipation.

This simple request tugged at Xue Xinyu's heartstrings. It was a stark reminder of the boy's past, treated more like a servant than a family member. "Of course, Zhiguan. You don't need to ask for something so basic," Xue Xinyu reassured, forcing a smile that he hoped conveyed the warmth Huai Xiaozhun gave off.

As Liang Zhiguan takes a sip, Xue Xinyu couldn't help but wonder about his age. It was around his coming-of-age when he died, lost his Shizun, and became an undead creature of Ende. "Zhiguan, how old are you right now?" Xue Xinyu asks, taking a sip of his tea, which, by the way, was very well made.

"I'm turning 15 soon, Shizun," Liang Zhiguan announces casually, sending Xue Xinyu into a momentary state of shock. Three more years felt like an eternity in his current predicament. Xue Xinyu nearly spits out his tea in disbelief, only to realise he's not reading a dramatic novel scene but rather sitting right in front of Liang Zhiguan and Li Tao.

Collecting himself, Xue Xinyu manages to regain his composure, although his expression still resembles that of a startled cat. Liang Zhiguan rushes over, concern etched on his face, while Li Tao joins in, both looking at him as if he's about to explode like a faulty firework.

"I'm fine. It's just that you're growing so fast," Xue Xinyu blurts out, his eyes widening as if Liang Zhiguan had just announced he's sprouting wings and planning to fly to the moon for tea with the Jade Rabbit. It's not that Xue Xinyu is bad at acting; it's just that sometimes his "reader side" kicks in, making him feel like he's performing in a poorly scripted community theatre play instead of living a life now filled with plot twists and questionable narrative choices.

To be precise, Xue Xinyu is still reeling. I mean, who wouldn't be if they suddenly found themselves transmigrated into a book and conveniently forgot about 90% of the plot? Well, maybe not exactly 90%, but close enough to make him panic. He can remember important details when it counts, but right now, he's drawing a complete blank on the entire plot, like trying to recite Shakespeare after a brain freeze.

Chuckling, Liang Zhiguan sits down again, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and genuine concern. "You needn't worry about that. I will still be your student after I come of age," he reassures, his tone as sincere as a puppy promising not to chew on your favourite shoes again. It wasn't that which Xue Xinyu was afraid of; rather, it was the grim reality of what would happen to the boy after his inevitable demise. The problem is, there's no way for Xue Xinyu to change it, no matter how many times he mentally drafts alternate endings.

The room around them, despite the tension, exudes an air of serene elegance, almost mocking the chaos brewing within Xue Xinyu's mind. It's a place where every detail seems meticulously designed to promote tranquillity and reflection, with walls adorned in rich tapestries depicting tranquil landscapes and shelves lined with delicate book sets that seem more suited for a museum exhibit than everyday use. Sunlight filters through tall, ornately carved windows, casting gentle, golden rays that dance across the room's lush, and patterned rugs.

The circumstances surrounding Huai Xiaozhun's demise were as swift and seemingly immutable as a lightning bolt striking down a tree in the middle of a sunny day. His parentage or origins weren't explicitly detailed in the book, leaving readers perpetually guessing. Was he born a human? A half-demon? A misplaced celestial being? The book remained infuriatingly vague, offering about as much clarity as a foggy morning in a swamp. Huai Xiaozhun found himself accused of harbouring a type of demonic Qi, a claim seemingly confirmed through some nebulous form of testing that was never quite explained, much like those DIY home DNA kits that tell you you're 3% Martian.

However, prior to his death, Huai Xiaozhun had never practised dark magic or anything of the sort, which made Xue Xinyu unsure about the claims mentioned in the book. Moreover, it was never clarified whether the accusations held any truth, as they could have been made up by higher authorities.

The true loss for Huai Xiaozhun lay in misunderstandings and baseless rumours. Fueled by these accusations, individuals were driven to attempt his murder. However, being a Peak Lord, Huai Xiaozhun was too hard to simply murder so they cunningly lured him into a trap. Ultimately, it was Li Tao who pushed him off a cliff, resulting in Huai Xiaozhun's demise as his Qi was severed.

"My soul cried out for justice, but it was drowned in the silence of betrayal." This was Huai Xiaozhun's last sentiment in the book, a phrase so dramatic it would make even the most seasoned telenovela actors weep. Not only was he accused of a crime he didn't commit, but he was also betrayed by his childhood friend and soulmate, Lǐ Tāo, who turned out to be the Judas of the Qi Yun Peak.

Perhaps in this universe, things wouldn't end so tragically for Xue Xinyu. Maybe he'll even uncover the truth, perhaps with the help of a witty sidekick and a series of conveniently placed clues that would make Sherlock Holmes jealous. Who knows? Maybe this time, Xue Xinyu will get to the bottom of the mystery, expose the true villains, and clear Huai Xiaozhun's name. Or maybe he'll just bumble his way through, relying on sheer luck and the occasional deus ex machina to save the day.