I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 162

Chapter 162: This acting is excellent

Boom!

There was a sudden boom when Chi Ling and the others left, on the opposite side of the ruins!

Black clouds billowed, and the presence of numerous beasts filled the air like a vast dark storm ready to engulf the world. Many young creatures with terrible auras perched at the sky’s edge, their presence unsettling and ominous. They possessed various peculiar traits: a man with a bull’s head, a boy with dragon scales, and a woman with a phoenix tail. They all emanated divine radiance, their proud heads adorned with lofty horns.

These young creatures gazed at the ruins ahead, unaware of much about the outside world. Yet, they surrounded a solitary figure. Was it essential?

Observing from a cliff, a girl in white, her face delicate and fair, whispered, “This situation might play into our hands… Targeting Gu Changge is our priority, not the inheritor of demonic arts.”

“He hasn’t made an appearance yet,” Hei Yanyu of the Black Heavenly Eagle family noted, surrounded by many formidable young creatures exuding powerful auras.

Among them was a young man resembling a golden rhinoceros, his body adorned with ancient cyan markings.

A beautiful woman with golden feathered wings frowned and spoke coldly, “Regardless, cultivators from the outside world are our adversaries. Whether we kill Gu Changge or them amounts to the same thing.”

She hailed from the Feathered Race and held no affection for Gu Changge or the outside world’s cultivators. Their people had suffered a massacre in an ancient city not long ago, with no knowledge of the perpetrators. While they suspected Gu Changge, there was no evidence. This incident led to significant conflict with outside cultivators.

“It’s not quite the same. If we instigate the killing of outside-world cultivators, it’ll surely provoke their wrath. But targeting Gu Changge won’t trigger such a massive response,” another creature explained, his body adorned with fine black snake scales, his eyes long and cold.

The genius from the ancient snake clan held a status comparable to Hei Yanyu’s. After thoroughly examining the situation, he weighed the pros and cons.

Hmm, it’s just cowardice. If Gu Changge has yet to appear, I’ll seek him out myself.

Didn’t I hear he was injured in the battle with the inheritor of demonic arts? Neglecting such a prime opportunity, do we want to meet the same fate as Lord Long Teng?

The woman from the Feathered People tribe, named Yu Jing, possessed a cold gaze and was driven by a genuine desire for revenge against Gu Changge. In her view, Gu Changge’s severe injury presented the perfect chance to defeat him. However, to her disappointment, the others displayed timidity and lacked courage.

“Forget it. If you seek revenge, then go ahead. We won’t hinder you,” Hei Yanyu interrupted, her voice soft yet commanding, imbued with an undeniable authority.

Humph!

Let’s go!

Yu Jing felt a twinge of apprehension towards Hei Yanyu. They had clashed before, and Yu Jing had been defeated in their initial encounter. In the Immortal Ancient Continent, strength was paramount, and Hei Yanyu’s superiority in strength also conferred greater authority.

Subsequently, Yu Jing departed with her clan, following the same direction as Chi Ling, Ye Langtian, and the others.

It’s the opportune moment to assess Gu Changge’s true strength, albeit foolish.

Hei Yanyu mused indifferently, concealing a curious expression within. She hadn’t been able to gauge Gu Changge’s true power earlier, and she wasn’t one to reveal herself readily.

Hei Yanyu would only act if she were sure. In her view, Gu Changge’s strength was formidable. Even if he was injured, he remained a force to be reckoned with, beyond the capabilities of ordinary individuals. Yu Jing’s desire to test him outplayed right into her hands, precisely what she had hoped for.

“Hei Yanyu, you’ve always been astute. Do you know why our tribes have dispatched numerous strong individuals to pursue a single young man?” Yu Yu spoke up. He was the genius from the ancient snake clan.

He had reached the middle stage of the False God realm and wielded considerable power. He had been absent from the clan at the time of the incident and, upon returning, found his family members tight-lipped about the matter, fueling his curiosity.

“The successor of the Reincarnated Heaven Lord has emerged…” Hei Yanyu responded casually, locking eyes with Yu Yu.

This information wasn’t concealed within the Black Heavenly Eagle Clan; she was among the few aware of the slave seal. Hei Yanyu’s determination to eliminate the heir of the Reincarnated Heaven Lord surpassed even her pursuit of Gu Changge, the renowned young taboo of immortal ancient clans. She aimed to lead the Black Heavenly Eagle Clan to glory. However, the sudden appearance of the Lord’s descendant, capable of enslaving their entire clan through the slave seal, was intolerable to her.

Yet, she remained unaware of the true identity of the heir of the Lord, knowing that a young man had been hunted down previously and had recently vanished.

“This presents an opportunity to investigate and unravel the truth behind Gu Changge’s strength,” a glint flickered in Hei Yanyu’s eyes.

…

“Cough, cough… Thank you all for your concern. This minor injury is of no consequence. It will heal soon,” Gu Changge addressed the gathering of youths in the valley, including Wang Wushuang, Ye Langtian, and Chi Ling, who had come to visit him.

Upon hearing the news, many young Supremes like Jin Peng from the Golden Winged clan arrived at the pavilion where Gu Changge was centrally located.

Gu Changge, adorned in a black, wide robe intricately embroidered with depictions of mountains, rivers, suns, moons, and stars, sat gracefully, lifting his glass to his lips with a slight smile directed at the gathering before him. However, his typically handsome and elegant visage bore a hint of whiteness, his complexion notably subdued. Those familiar with him couldn’t overlook his current frailty.

Observing this, many young women couldn’t help but feel distressed. Recalling how the young master of the Gu family had once triumphed over Long Teng, the leader of the younger generation of the Ancient Immortal tribes, with vitality and strength, they now witnessed him recuperating from a severe ailment. He appeared as though a gentle breeze might whisk him away. Their emotions swirled, and their hands instinctively clenched the fabric of their skirts.

“Young Master Changge is in this state due to the actions of the inheritor of demonic arts. He sustained this injury for the greater good of the world…” Their sympathy and admiration overflowed as they reflected on this.

“I fear Brother Changge’s injury to his origin will take time to heal,” Wang Wushuang remarked after examining Gu Changge’s condition, prompting sighs from the group.

While there seemed to be no outward issue, the injury was undeniably severe, mainly due to its impact on his origin. They acknowledged the formidable strength of the inheritor of demonic arts, as even Gu Changge had suffered significant losses.

Their wariness towards Ye Ling escalated several notches, yet the notion of suspecting Gu Changge never crossed their minds. They couldn’t conceive a reason to doubt him.

“Brother Changge, take the time you need to recover. Suppose any trouble arises from the tribes of the Immortal Ancient Continent. In that case, we’ll handle it,” Pengfei of the Golden-winged clan, emanating golden light, spoke up. His rebellious nature is subdued in this moment of genuine conviction towards Gu Changge.

Hindered by circumstances, he had been unable to join the campaign against Ye Ling, the inheritor of demonic arts, a few days prior. Witnessing Gu Changge’s current condition deepened his admiration. While targeting the inheritor of demonic arts seemed straightforward, few could execute it with the finesse of Gu Changge.

“Yeah, if the Ancient Immortal clans dare to cause trouble for Brother Gu during this vulnerable time, we’ll annihilate them!” declared a fiery young supreme, slapping his thigh emphatically. The news of Gu Changge offending various Ancient Immortal tribes had spread widely, heightening concerns about potential attacks against him.

“Brother Changge, don’t fret over this matter. Focus on your recovery,” Chi Ling said, echoing Ye Langtian’s sentiment: “You can trust us to handle any threats.”

While the damage to one’s origin posed a significant threat to ordinary cultivators, it likely posed little challenge to a genius like Gu Changge. However, their experience on the ancient continent undoubtedly left its mark on them all.

“It’s my fault. Senior Brother Gu wouldn’t have been injured if I hadn’t trusted Ye Ling. He was threatened with my life…” Yin Mei, her guilt palpable, spoke up, her eyes brimming with tears. Her heartfelt confession elicited sighs from those present.

A person’s true nature often reveals itself in critical moments. Gu Changge’s actions to save his junior sister earned him long-lasting praise and admiration from those around him.

“I feel ashamed for inconveniencing you all,” Gu Changge expressed, his faint smile belying his discomfort. Addressing Yin Mei, he reassured her, “You needn’t harbor guilt, Junior Sister Yin. Despite our past conflicts, when confronting the inheritor of demonic arts, we all united to punish him. I would have done the same for anyone else.”

As he spoke, another coughing fit overtook him, prompting his female followers to offer a plain white handkerchief swiftly. Gu Changge, covering his mouth, revealed a startling streak of red.

As the crowd witnessed this, their expressions were mixed, deepening their admiration for him. Gu Changge’s words rang so authentically that nobody doubted their sincerity.

After exchanging pleasantries and farewells, the crowd dispersed, leaving Gu Changge to rest undisturbed. Soon, only he and Yin Mei remained.

“Master…” Yin Mei’s guilt-ridden countenance transformed into one of amusement.

Everyone is dancing to your tune now.

In response, Gu Changge transformed the plain white handkerchief in his palm into a cloud of dust, dispelling any semblance of weakness from his demeanor.

He smiled faintly, “They’re just a bunch of fools. What can they discern?” Only an actual ancient existence, with a cultivation base surpassing immortality, could detect any issues with his body.

“Master’s acting skills are impeccable, leaving no room for doubt. The plan is flawless,” Yin Mei remarked with a smile.

“Next, it’s time for me to take action against the Immortal Ancient tribes,” Gu Changge replied calmly, his eyes narrowing slightly. As for the inheritor of demonic arts, he could temporarily set aside his concerns. For the time being, no one would associate him with it. Ye Ling’s disappearance provided the perfect opportunity for him to make his move.

…

News of the appearance of the inheritor of demonic arts soon stirred up turmoil in the Immortal Ancient Continent. Some immortal ancient clans discovered that their ancestral tombs had been desecrated, their ancestors’ remains scattered to the winds.

The desecration of their ancestors’ final resting places invoked a deep-seated fury among the clans. An old saying about the sanctity of ancestral ashes resurfaced in their minds.

This outrage transcended mere humiliation—a direct affront to their honor. Initially, some clans had looked on with schadenfreude as outside cultivators fell victim to the inheritor of demonic arts. But when they became the targets themselves, none could remain calm.

Even terrible groups like the Black Heavenly Eagle, the Ancient Snake, and the Divine Crocodile were incensed, their ancestral tombs violated, and their treasures plundered. A pervasive sense of crisis gripped all clans, prompting them to dispatch their tribe members to guard their tombs against further intrusion.

The desecration went beyond mere excavation; it entailed the destruction of their ancestors’ remnants, a flagrant disregard for the sanctity of bloodline heritage. The older generation seethed with anger.

During this tumultuous period, the inheritor of demonic arts seemed to vanish without a trace, leaving no discernible activity behind.

However, this added to the disquiet, for the whereabouts of the inheritor of demonic arts remained unknown. In the Baiheng Mountains, Yue Mingkong, concerned for the Immortal Sect, was well aware of these developments. Her phoenix eyes flashed as she clapped her hands. It caused nearby mountains to tremble as if on the verge of collapse. Gu Changge might deceive the world, but he couldn’t fool her.

Injured? Was Gu Changge injured? It was the biggest farce imaginable, for it was utterly impossible. This must be a ruse.

“What a cunning fox! You’ve finally revealed your true colors…” Yue Mingkong seethed with anger. Suddenly, a realization dawned upon her. Whether it was Ye Ling or Bai Lie, a woman was always by their side: Yin Mei, the Heavenly Maiden of the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox Clan.

Initially, Yue Mingkong never considered the possibility of Yin Mei having a connection with Gu Changge. It seemed as though they were at odds with each other. However, considering the day’s events, it all fell into place—Gu Changge valiantly rescuing her and saving Yin Mei from Ye Ling. It was an elaborate scheme.

Initially, Yin Mei had been under Gu Changge’s employ, subdued by him for reasons unknown. This revelation shed light on the events that had unfolded since then. The scent of deception Yue Mingkong had detected on Gu Changge was indeed genuine—a fox in sheep’s clothing.

Yue Mingkong’s phoenix eyes radiated an icy glare, and with a forceful clap of her hands, the mountains before her crumbled into powder. Creatures within a thousand miles dared not approach, cowering in fear. Her followers trembled, assuming Yue Mingkong’s fury stemmed from learning of Gu Changge’s alleged injury.

It seems Gu Changge has slain Ye Ling, and the artifacts of the Reincarnated Heaven Lord likely fell into his hands.

Yue Mingkong mused after her outburst, eventually regaining her composure. She understood that the primary concern was the immortal gate. As for the matter of the ‘vixen,’ she would confront Yin Mei about it in due time.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of miles away, on a cloud-shrouded cliff, Gu Xian’er’s cold and aloof countenance shifted as she heard the news.