Villain: Gouging Out the Heroine’s Spiritual Eyes at the Beginning

Chen Yuan had transmigrated, finding himself in the body of a cannon-fodder patriarch from a typical brainless power cultivation novel. Yes, he was now one of those endlessly self-destructive villainous patriarchs. In this role, whenever a woman from his family fell in love with the protagonist, he was obligated to go to great lengths to obstruct them. Whenever the protagonist stumbled upon a rare treasure in a secret realm, his job was to attempt to snatch it—not personally, of course, but by sending family disciples to serve as mere fodder for the protagonist’s growth. Now, the prized daughter of his family, painstakingly nurtured as a heavenly prodigy, had decided to sever all ties with the clan to elope with the protagonist. “Patriarch,” the young woman pleaded earnestly, “we truly love each other. I beg for your blessing! If you refuse, I, Chen Xiao’er, am willing to leave the Chen family forever and sever all connections with it!” Chen Yuan remained indifferent. After a long silence, he spoke slowly: “In that case, leave behind the family’s spiritual eyes. Guards, carve them out!”

Original Publisher

fanqie novel

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Villain: Gouging Out the Heroine’s Spiritual Eyes at the Beginning This title definitely grabbed my attention, and the premise promised a dark and intriguing xianxia experience. I dove in hoping for a morally grey protagonist navigating a treacherous world, but my journey was... complicated. ### First Impressions The initial chapters were undeniably captivating. The concept of a villainous MC, especially one with a cool crane (as I've heard mentioned!), is a refreshing change of pace. I was eager to see how the story would unfold and how the MC would manipulate the world around him. ### What Works Well The protagonist's cunning and cold demeanor are definitely a draw. He isn't your typical righteous hero, and that's precisely the appeal. When the story focuses on his schemes and calculated actions, it shines. The world-building, at least initially, seemed promising, setting the stage for a high-stakes cultivation journey. ### Areas of Concern However, as I ventured further, some significant issues arose. The MC's descent into pure, senseless evil felt jarring. There's a difference between a pragmatic villain and one who acts solely out of malice. I found myself questioning his motivations and whether his actions truly served his long-term goals. Some actions appeared to be needlessly cruel, lacking any real benefit. Furthermore, the plot seems to fall into familiar tropes, with some suggesting similarities to other novels in the genre. The appearance of half-human/half-demon characters and the MC's subsequent investigation felt derivative, diminishing the story's originality. The pacing also seemed to drag at times, particularly during the investigation sequences. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have pointed out a specific plot point that they found particularly egregious, even labeling it as "utterly stupid" and claiming it showcases a sudden and inexplicable drop in the MC's intelligence. I won't delve into the specifics to avoid spoiling it for others, but it's a significant concern that could potentially derail the entire narrative. ### Final Verdict "Villain: Gouging Out the Heroine’s Spiritual Eyes at the Beginning" has moments of brilliance, particularly in its initial setup and the MC's cunning personality. However, the inconsistent character development, questionable plot choices, and potential descent into senseless violence ultimately detract from the overall experience. While the premise is intriguing, the execution needs refinement to truly deliver on its promise. It's a novel with potential, but one I'd approach with caution.