I Am the Fated Villain

The grandeur of Juxian Village was concealed within the depths of the mountain and ancient forest. Surrounding it were numerous formations veiled in mist, making it challenging for outsiders to navigate successfully.

Chu Lian and Ming Xiu were in awe of the intricate buildings before them. The diners bustling about emitted a palpable aura, their eyes flickering with divine light, exuding an oppressive presence that seemed to weigh down on those around them.

Ling Huang instructed someone to guide Chu Lian and Ming Xiu inside, arranging accommodations for them in a nearby residence. With a serene smile, she quickly disappeared into the courtyards.

“Senior brother, I never imagined such a magical place existed here. It seems to attract talented individuals from all corners of the world,” remarked Ming Xiu, his eyes filled with wonder and curiosity, unable to tear himself away from the surroundings.

Chu Lian felt a sense of relief upon arriving, silently nodding in agreement. The village was teeming not only with foreign beings but also cultivators clad in Daoist robes, engrossed in calculations with compasses in hand.

Had it not been for Ling Huang’s guidance, they might never have discovered this mysterious place. Moreover, Chu Lian couldn’t shake off the thought of what Ling Huang had mentioned earlier.

Wasn’t Ling Huang her cousin, the enigmatic Mr. Gu who established this village long ago? Did this imply that he had harbored intentions of overthrowing the rule of the Spiritual royal family from an early stage?

This notion aligned with Chu Lian’s own beliefs.

However, Chu Lian realized that his current strength and resources were insufficient to support such grand plans.

“It seems he values us greatly,” Ming Xiu exclaimed happily.

Chu Lian smiled and scanned their surroundings, noticing no one trailing behind them. He shook his head and replied, “It’s not so simple. Mr. Gu is exceedingly enigmatic. He commands a legion of skilled individuals. He likely brought us here not out of trust, but because he believes we won’t uncover anything significant before the storm hits.”

“Even if we were to inadvertently reveal the secrets of this place, he could easily dispatch someone to eliminate us without any repercussions or loss on his part.”

Ming Xiu’s mood soured upon hearing this. “Senior brother, how can you think so poorly of others? Haven’t you witnessed how they’ve treated us on this journey?”

Chu Lian knew his words would upset Ming Xiu, but he couldn’t deny the reality of their situation. Plotting to overthrow the Spiritual royal family was a grave offense punishable by severe consequences.

If their intentions were exposed and the Spiritual royal family caught wind of it, even Mr. Gu’s mysterious influence might not suffice for his protection.

He doubted that Mr. Gu placed complete trust in him and his junior sister based solely on Ling Huang’s commendation.

However, Chu Lian knew he couldn’t divulge too much about his suspicions.

“I have a feeling that Mr. Gu may be attempting to recruit me. The individuals under his command are quite formidable. Many of them possess strengths beyond my comprehension.”

Upon parting ways with his junior sister and returning to his designated courtyard, Chu Lian conducted a thorough surveillance of his surroundings, wary of prying eyes. He then retreated into the house, ensuring all doors and windows were securely shut.

Simultaneously, he produced a simple and unassuming banner, no larger than the size of his palm, and cast it outward. The banner trembled briefly before emitting a faint brilliance, enveloping the area. Its misty aura blurred the surroundings, rendering them impervious to surveillance, even by entities far surpassing his own strength.

“The Eight Directions Cloud and Rain Banner, acquired through the Ball of Ambitions’ sign-in, can ward off the prying eyes of other spirits, but it has additional uses…” Chu Lian breathed a sigh of relief, his childhood experiences instilling a deep sense of caution within him. While Mr. Gu had shown no malice toward him thus far, Chu Lian remained vigilant against others.

In particular, he couldn’t forget the words imparted to him by the spirit of the Ball of Ambitions within the Ghost clan.

“Be cautious sailing for ten thousand years. Mr. Gu’s origins are shrouded in mystery. The presence of the old man in the black robe beside him unnerves me. I constantly feel as though he’s been spying on me with ill intentions.”

“The ominous entity that the spirit of the Ball of Ambitions warned me about… could it be the old man in the black robe next to Mr. Gu?”

Seated cross-legged on the bed, Chu Lian’s complexion shifted. The Ball of Ambitions was his most prized possession and closely guarded secret—it must not fall into the wrong hands. If the old man in the black robe sensed anything and reported it to Mr. Gu, could Chu Lian still safeguard the Ball of Ambitions?

“Artifact spirit…” Chu Lian attempted to summon the spirit of the Ball of Ambitions in his mind, intending to seek answers. Yet, despite his efforts, the spirit remained unresponsive. Ever since leaving the territory of the Ghost clan, it seemed to have lapsed into a profound slumber, ignoring all calls for communication.

Even with the Eight Directions Cloud and Rain Banner concealing their surroundings, the spirit remained unresponsive.

“Could something be amiss? Has it truly fallen into a deep sleep?” Chu Lian pondered, but found no solution apart from waiting.

Meanwhile, in a serene courtyard elsewhere, Ling Huang conversed with Gu Changge about Juxian Village. Unbeknownst to Gu Changge, the village was Ling Huang’s clandestine creation, attracting talented individuals from far and wide.

The purpose was to surveil the world and discreetly address issues that proved challenging on the surface of the Spiritual royal family. Ling Huang considered it her secret weapon, reserved for matters that required a delicate touch.

As for why Gu Changge instructed her to inform Chu Lian and others that Juxian Village was established to overthrow the rule of the Spiritual royal family? It was all part of ensuring smooth sailing.

After all, Chu Lian aspired to be a savior, dedicated to rescuing the common people and souls in distress. Gu Changge saw an opportunity to fulfill Chu Lian’s ambitions and make his dreams a reality. Not only could he assist Chu Lian in achieving his goals, but he could also orchestrate the downfall of the Spiritual royal family, establishing his own dynasty in the process and positioning Chu Lian as the contemporary era’s savior.

Gu Changge envisioned himself directing the drama of dynastic change and salvation, all while seeking an audience with Chu Lian’s treasure. To achieve this, he first needed to demonstrate sincerity. By doing so, he could pave the way for more transparent negotiations, allowing for open and honest discourse.

In the realm of the Ghost Clan, Gu Changge recognized the treasure’s sentient nature and devised a plan. Initially restraining his aura, he waited until the artifact spirit relaxed its vigilance before suddenly revealing his aura once more.

Indeed, this action thoroughly startled the artifact spirit, prompting it to swiftly sever all connections and perceptions with the outside world, plunging into a state of eerie silence. Consequently, it remained unaware of subsequent events and was oblivious to the fact that Gu Changge was the source of its fear.

“I will proceed as instructed by the young master,” Ling Huang declared, faithfully carrying out Gu Changge’s directives despite her lack of understanding regarding his intentions.

As Ling Huang retreated, Gu Changge’s gaze grew profound, and with a wave of his sleeves, ripples spread through the void, transforming into a smooth surface resembling water. This surface acted as a mirror, reflecting events unfolding in another location.

In the Dao Chang Realm, a terrifying army akin to a swarm of locusts inundated the landscape. From the ancient battleship of the immortal civilization, countless soldiers poured forth incessantly, seemingly endless in number.

Outside the Dao Chang Realm, the boundary embankment quaked as runes shimmered, forming ancient characters that evolved and intertwined. A beam of light erupted, shaking the universe and disrupting the fabric of reality, causing vast swathes of time fragments to dissipate into nothingness.

It was a harrowing battle, with both sides fighting fiercely. Corpses plummeted into the boundless darkness like rain, while others disintegrated into powder and blood mist on the battlefield.

In the distant depths of time and space, immortal emperors clashed, their battle sending shockwaves rippling across the entirety of existence, from one end of the long river of time to the other.

Throughout the duration of the conflict, the long river remained illuminated, and amidst the swirling fog, beings stood with dharma bodies spanning millions of feet. When a colossal hand descended from the heavens, it tore apart a segment of the vast universe, unleashing a torrent of blood that flooded the surrounding cosmos.

While the battle raged on, the presence of Dao Realm entities loomed, observing with keen interest. Such levels of conflict were rare, capable of disrupting the fabric of time and space, reducing worlds and universes to naught in the blink of an eye.

On the ancient battleship of the immortal civilization, shadowy figures resembling ancient spirits surveyed the Dao Chang Realm, biding their time for opportune intervention. Their auras matched those of the immortal emperors embroiled in battle.

As the conflict persisted, the immortal civilization continued its assessment, while leaders of various ethnic groups within the Dao Chang Realm remained vigilant.

Gu Changge observed the battle with a composed demeanor, his expression unwavering. However, his countenance shifted when he noticed a skirmish beyond the boundary embankment. “Absurd,” he muttered.

A figure, tall and slender like an invincible female sword immortal, traversed the battlefield with graceful agility. Their swordplay spanned vast distances, resonating with a resounding clang that reverberated throughout the universe. Each strike tore through adversaries with unparalleled force, unleashing torrents of boundless sword energy that illuminated the heavens with dazzling brilliance.

Even beings with comparable cultivation found it challenging to withstand her swordplay, often being effortlessly dispatched, their primordial spirits exploding upon impact.

The battlefield erupted with voices of encouragement, rallying behind the slender figure as more troops converged around her from beyond the Dao Chang Realm. Even the specters aboard the ancient battleship took notice, casting their gaze upon her.

“With me present, none shall trespass into the Dao Chang Realm,” she declared, her tone frigid as she leaned upon her sword that stretched across the sky, exuding an ethereal and magnificent aura. Though her voice wasn’t loud, it reverberated throughout the battlefield.

“Attack!!!” came the resounding cry as additional armies surged toward her, coalescing into a formidable formation that intensified their power.

The actions of this mysterious figure alleviated pressure for the other powerhouses within the Dao Chang Realm, eliciting expressions of gratitude and concern from them.

As Gu Changge observed the scene reflected in the mirror, his typically calm expression took on a hint of seriousness.

“Gu Xian’er, you never cease to amaze me. Keep following the path I’ve set for you, step by step, all the way to the top, alright?” Gu Changge murmured softly.

“Do you truly wish to be tethered by my side?” he pondered.

In the vast expanse, that figure stood tall, her blue silk and white dress now stained with blood, yet it did little to impede her speed or the fierce determination etched across her brow.

Once radiating with an air of immortal grace, she now resembled a war goddess, her form bathed in the crimson hue of battle. Her tactics were as merciless as her appearance suggested, honed through countless conflicts over the years.

Observing her, Gu Changge noted her measured approach, recognizing the steady progression of her strength. Despite her seemingly aloof demeanor, he knew she wasn’t foolish enough to engage in reckless endeavors.

While the battlefield teemed with life-and-death struggles, it served as the perfect crucible for her rapid growth.

Understanding Gu Xian’er’s nature well, Gu Changge refrained from further comment. He knew she would never allow the army of the immortal civilization to breach the Dao Chang Realm’s defenses.

Yet, despite the secure path he had paved for her, Gu Xian’er seemed to prefer the perilous road, fraught with challenges, crises, and the unknown.

Buzz!

Gu Changge swept his sleeve once more, banishing the image from his mind. Despite the passing time, thoughts of her lingered, stirring restlessness within him. Though he missed her, his current inclination was to reach through the expanse of time and space and throttle her.

“However, it appears that certain individuals have extended their grasp into the Dao Chang Realm. No one is permitted to interfere in my domain,” Gu Changge declared, refocusing his attention.

In his recent scan of the Dao Chang Realm, he had inadvertently detected another presence within it. While he maintained a law body at the Heaven Slaying Alliance headquarters for emergencies, his usual practice was detachment from worldly affairs, deep in meditation within the boundless expanse.

Had he not sensed this intrusion, he would have remained unaware of this audacious plot against the Dao Chang Realm.

Gu Changge resolved to identify the daring individual behind this scheme. “I want to know who dares to plot against the Dao Chang Realm under my nose,” he muttered, his gaze penetrating deep into the void.

With a profound stare, he delved into countless iterations of thought, traversing endless dimensions in search of every corner of existence.

From past to future, he meticulously traced the threads of causality, seeking the intricate web of connections.

While this individual schemed against the Dao Chang Realm, they were linked to him through a chain of causation. Without this connection, Gu Changge would find it exceedingly difficult to uncover their existence, particularly if they were among those Dao realms untethered by the bonds of karma, free from the influence of time and space.