<p>The widespread existence of internal defects in rock masses is one of the key factors that cause brittle rocks to exhibit complex mechanical responses under applied stress conditions. Non-persistent cross-joints (NPCJs) are common internal defects in anti-dip bedding rock slopes (ABRSs), significantly impacting slope stability. This study combines centrifuge model tests and discrete element method (DEM) simulations to thoroughly investigate the evolution process and deformation characteristics of ABRSs with NPCJs at the bottom of the rock layers. The test results indicate that the toppling failure of ABRSs with NPCJs at the bottom can be divided into four stages: tensile failure stage of the rear rock layers, main fracture surface formation stage, secondary fracture surface formation stage, and slope fracture and toppling stage. During the toppling process of ABRSs, both tensile and shear cracks develop. Although the proportion of tensile cracks in the slope increases, the crack evolution is primarily dominated by shear cracks. The simulation results show that when both the rock layer dip angle and slope angle exceed 70°, ABRSs with NPCJs are more prone to secondary fracture failure, forming double fracture surfaces. The angle between the main and secondary fracture surfaces ranges from 0 to 28°. The larger the slope angle, the longer the main fracture surface, while the secondary fracture surface becomes shorter. Under the same slope angle conditions, when secondary fracture failure occurs, the smaller the rock layer dip angle, the more internal cracks there are at the final failure of the slope, and the poorer the rock mass integrity.</p>