I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 163

Chapter 163: It thinks too highly of itself. Don’t cry before seeing the coffin.

White clouds and mist filled the air at the mountain’s peak, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. The landscape stretched out before Gu Xian’er, resembling majestic rolling waves. Yet, she paid little heed to the natural beauty around her. Instead, she stood there, her delicate porcelain-like face creased with worry, her thoughts entangled in a web of uncertainty.

“Hey Dah Hong, is what they are saying about Gu Change true? Was he injured in a fight with that demonic arts inheritor? And if so, should I go see him?” [Ed note: Dah Hong is the name of Big Red Bird]

Gu Xian’er queried, her voice echoing across the mountaintop, directed at the large crimson bird perched on her shoulder.

The bird rolled its eyes, seemingly exasperated by the question.

Gu Xian’er understood the futility of seeking answers from a bird, yet she remained torn by indecision. She had heard the rumors circulating about Gu Changge’s recent encounter with the demonic arts inheritor and his subsequent injuries. Initially, she had dismissed them, fully aware of Gu Changge’s formidable strength. She reasoned that who among the younger generation could rival him, apart from herself? However, she acknowledged her future potential.

But now, faced with reports of Gu Changge’s confrontation with the mysterious inheritor, she couldn’t help but doubt. She had never seen this enigmatic figure, yet their reputation preceded them.

Escaping unscathed from the combined efforts of numerous powerful factions, the inheritor had vanished without a trace. Such resilience was unheard of. If even Gu Changge could sustain injuries at their hands, then perhaps the inheritor possessed unparalleled power.

Gu Changge, once deemed invincible, now seemed vulnerable in her eyes. It was a disquieting realization. If someone like him could be wounded, even killed, then what hope did ordinary mortals have? And so, despite her reservations, Gu Xian’er couldn’t shake the nagging worry that gnawed at her mind.

According to gossip, Gu Changge suffered severe injuries, with even his core being damaged, leaving him as fragile as a leaf in the wind. Initially, Gu Xian’er brushed off the rumors with a laugh. After all, she had once stabbed Gu Changge without eliciting a reaction or any sign of weakness. It seemed implausible that the demonic arts inheritor could so severely hurt him. But the more she pondered it, the more uneasy she became.

Considering Gu Changge’s strength and resolve, she doubted he would let his enemy escape if he could defeat them. The only explanation was that neither he nor the inheritor could deliver a decisive blow, leading to a stalemate. Gu Changge’s injuries were likely more severe than they appeared.

Reflecting on this, Gu Xian’er lost interest in seeking opportunities elsewhere. Her recent progress had been remarkable, obtaining the Eight Holy Bananas and stumbling upon a Dao Fruit. She had also slain many young supremes of the Ancient Immortal Continent, advancing rapidly to the late stage of the Conferred King realm, far surpassing her previous strength.

Confident in her newfound power, she believed she could withstand Gu Changge’s might if they crossed paths again.

“I’m not concerned about his injuries,” she reasoned, “but I fear if he dies now, I’ll never have my chance for revenge.”

Gu Xian’er convinced herself with this resolve, crafting justifications for her actions. If Gu Changge were to rebuff her visit, she could save face by having a valid excuse. Moreover, she was curious to witness firsthand how Gu Changge sustained his injuries.

Was the inheritor of demonic arts truly as fearsome as the rumors suggested?

A few days back, I came across a miraculous healing elixir, intending to offer it to Gu Changge as a token of gratitude for rescuing me. However, my lingering grudge against him for past transgressions remains unsettled; this gesture is merely an act of kindness on my part.

Gu Xian’er mused aloud before transforming into a divine light, mounting her heavenly weapon, and soaring into the heavens. With that, she departed from the area.

Meanwhile, amidst the turmoil caused by the demonic arts inheritor among the major factions of the Immortal Ancient Continent and beyond, Gu Changge led his followers to discover a secluded ruin ideal for cultivation and healing.

Secretly, however, he continued to stoke tensions between outside cultivators and immortal races, intent on escalating their animosity to its peak—a signal for the key players on both sides to make their moves. Gu Changge had no qualms about stirring up trouble. During this period, he gradually faded from public view, attracting only the attention of ancient beings seeking information, all of whom vanished without a trace.

Seizing this opportunity, Gu Changge made numerous acquisitions from the system store, including three pieces of transcendental bone—an opposite-hand bone, a foot bone, and a fragment of a right-hand finger bone.

With these, he refined the laws of void and swordsmanship from the Endless Immortal Judgment, merging them into a supreme sword bone. His intention was simple: to appear formidable. With a swift sword finger, he could unleash a devastating sword aura, decapitating foes instantly.

Furthermore, he effortlessly advanced his cultivation from Dao Heavenly Immortal to Technique’s level, officially reaching the middle stage of the False God realm. Yet, secretly, he employed the Immortal Devouring Demon Technique to hunt down solitary powerhouses ruthlessly. As traces of the demonic arts inheritor resurfaced, spreading panic among beings and cultivators alike, Gu Changge dismissed their fears as overblown.

Even if a group of young creatures were to offer their origins to Gu Changge, he might not accept them. Currently, only beings of Heavenly God realm status or higher, such as those in the God King realm, were used for his cultivation advancement. The higher his cultivation, the more substantial the origin required unless it was an exceptionally potent physique or bloodline.

During this period, Gu Changge contemplated tightening his grip. He deployed the Immortal Binding Demon Art to trap the Black Heavenly Eagle clan, and it was time to close in on them. In his perception, the entire clan resembled a vast cobweb, and with a mere thought, he could obliterate all its members in an instant—a prospect far more terrifying than mere enslavement.

As time passed, after a few days, Gu Changge found himself in a magnificent ancient temple, holding a white jade pendant. He looked at it with a mixture of disdain and disappointment. “So it’s just an old turtle… all this time, I thought it was some divine tortoise,” he remarked casually.

The pendant emitted a dense light, revealing the image of an old turtle. Its pure white appearance exuded a strange fragrance, detectable only by Gu Changge, the successor of the Immortal Devouring Demon Technique. This aroma hinted at a divine soul within the turtle, perhaps an elixir.

“Gu Changge, don’t try to belittle me,” the old turtle retorted defiantly from within the pendant.

If you wish to kill me, go ahead. But if you dare to threaten me, I will shatter my true spirit!

The old turtle, having witnessed Gu Changge’s secrets, remained steadfast. Knowing Gu Changge’s temperament, it was sure he wouldn’t let it off quickly. In such a situation, Gu Changge would resort to coercion and intimidation to extract hidden knowledge about the Ancient Heavenly Lord of Reincarnation nine times out of ten. Eventually, the turtle would be compelled to yield under various pressures.

Despite the old turtle’s thorough contemplation and insight into many matters, it remained uncertain of Gu Changge’s intentions. Therefore, it adopted a tough stance, its beady eyes dignified and unwilling to yield. Despite Ye Ling’s flaws, he was fundamentally kind-hearted. Allowing a villain like Gu Changge, emanating a monstrous aura, to triumph would be an affront to righteousness and justice, contradicting its Dao. Yielding to such tyranny would forsake the duty of protecting the world’s righteousness.

“What do you mean by humiliating you? Merely stating the obvious about your appearance?” Gu Changge chuckled, a hint of mockery in his expression. “Or perhaps your long life has dulled your memory of your true nature?”

Gu Changge believed he had already reached his quota for harboring resentment. What threat could an old turtle pose to him?

“Gu Changge, you are insufferable…” The old turtle’s anger flared at Gu Changge’s remarks, unable to hold back its retort. While it bore the moniker of an old turtle, it was not a turtle; the label was merely a creation of the Reincarnated Heaven Lord. The mention of its supposed species was a sore spot that Ye Ling dared not touch in his lifetime. Now, Gu Changge had exposed it mercilessly.

If not for my powerlessness, I would challenge you to a duel here and now.

The old turtle seethed, its frustration evident.

Too deceiving? Can’t you come up with something more original?

Gu Changge shook his head dismissively as if the old turtle’s anger had no consequence.

In Gu Changge’s eyes, swirling black and white hues seemed to blend, accompanied by faint traces of temporal essence manifesting in the void.

Laws of Reincarnation!

The old turtle murmured in astonishment, its divine soul appearing increasingly ephemeral, as if on the brink of dissipating into wisps of smoke under the influence of Gu Changge’s power. Within just a few days, Gu Changge’s mastery over the laws of reincarnation had far surpassed Ye Ling’s, leaving the old turtle awestruck.

This guy is too terrible. No, even the word ‘terrible’ fails to capture the essence of Gu Changge’s overwhelming presence.

“Share your origin with me. If it piques my interest, I may spare your life,” Gu Changge declared. He could afford to engage with the old turtle leisurely and with ample free time. Though considered a grandfatherly figure to Ye Ling, the old turtle’s role was relatively minor, akin to that of a guide rather than a central figure.

“Don’t delude yourself! I refuse to yield to you and aid in your nefarious schemes…” the old turtle interjected, its expression conveying a mixture of understanding and disdain. It had been anticipated that Gu Changge harbored ulterior motives for keeping it alive.

As a creature that had served the Reincarnated Heaven Lord, the old turtle possessed knowledge of many hidden secrets within the Immortal Ancient realm. Gu Changge, not one to overlook opportunities, understood that keeping it alive could yield more benefits than simply disposing of it.

“I won’t repeat myself.”

Gu Changge remarked with a snort, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone. Did this old turtle truly believe it held such importance? It presumed I would adhere to the usual protocol.

With a swift motion, Gu Changge summoned forth black divine runes that coalesced into a divine treasure bottle. A thunderous boom resonated through the void as tendrils of black light descended, trapping the old turtle.

The old turtle emitted a pitiful cry as the Divine Treasure Bottle’s peculiar nature penetrated its soul, rendering resistance futile. Gu Changge wasn’t particularly interested in uncovering the old turtle’s secrets; instead, he was enticed by its tantalising fragrance—a taste of divine soul essence that he had long been deprived of.

The aura was reminiscent of the divine soul of the last God King, who had been reborn within Gu Changge, explaining the fortunate turn of events he had experienced. However, whether the old turtle divulged this information was inconsequential to Gu Changge; such matters held little significance in his grand scheme.

“Gu Changge, you truly intend to end my existence…”

The old turtle’s cry of despair echoed, disbelief coloring its words as it faced Gu Changge’s merciless resolve.

“Don’t lament your fate prematurely,” Gu Changge retorted, his eyes narrowing with cold determination. Mercy held no place in his heart.

Gu Changge unleashed the terrifying power of devouring from the divine treasure bottle with a flick of his wrist. Overwhelmed by despair, the old turtle transformed into a large black rune and was consumed by the darkness.

It is an elixir divided into three plants, and this is one of them.

Gu Changge murmured as he felt the potent medicinal properties permeate his being, akin to a vast and turbulent galaxy. The immortal intent surged within him, rendering his divine temple a temporary paradise.

A pitch-black treasure bottle materialised in every cell of Gu Changge’s body, causing all sixty trillion cells to quiver with anticipation as they absorbed the majestic medicinal power.

Simultaneously, new insights flooded Gu Changge’s mind, leaving him momentarily stunned. Coinciding with the culmination of his recent endeavours, he ascended to the pinnacle of the God King realm, with only a single step separating him from the quasi-supreme realm.