I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Brother Gu, why don’t you withdraw from the marriage contract? You are unfathomable

Wang Ziji’s demeanor exuded a sense of blandness and loneliness, tinged with nobility—a temperament reminiscent of Gu Xian’er. Much like Gu Xian’er, who appeared cold and aloof to outsiders but transformed into a simple girl in Gu Changge’s presence, Wang Ziji displayed similar traits.

Gu Changge was well-acquainted with dealing with such characters and had ample means to handle them. Unaware that Gu Changge was also a transmigration, Wang Ziji’s every action undoubtedly brought forth unique perspectives and insights from a transmigrator’s point of view.

With these thoughts in mind, Gu Changge’s smile deepened. His current task was to accompany Wang Ziji and perform convincingly, portraying himself as a somewhat distinctive native genius. After all, her interest in him posed a potentially fatal allure for a woman.

However, Wang Ziji remained oblivious to these considerations. Gu Changge wouldn’t allow anyone to pose a threat to him, but he also had ways to leverage Wang Ziji’s potential without revealing his status as a transmigrator. Ultimately, her gender made her susceptible to manipulation, and Gu Changge was confident in his ability to guide her toward his ends.

As minutes passed, the mountain remained shrouded in fog, with dense ancient trees and flourishing sacred herbs lending the surroundings an ethereal quality akin to paradise. Initially, it was Wang Wushuang who had come to visit Gu Changge, with Wang Ziji merely tagging along to witness the encounter. However, to everyone’s surprise, including Wang Wushuang and his companions, they soon found themselves relegated to the sidelines.

Gu Changge and Wang Ziji conversed animatedly, clinking their tea cups in camaraderie. Wang Ziji wore a smile on her face, engaging Gu Changge in discussions spanning various aspects of cultivation and life, seemingly oblivious to their presence.

This turn of events left Wang Wushuang, Xiu’er, and the others shocked and bewildered.

Although Wang Ziji typically presented herself as easy-going, she was, in fact, proud and arrogant, viewing most young supremes with disdain. Once, even the son of an ancient emperor from the heavenly domain, with his noble status and entourage, came to visit her, only to be dismissed without a word. Wang Ziji’s sudden change in attitude towards Gu Changge—from regarding him as an insignificant sidekick to actively engaging him in conversation—left Xiu’er wide-eyed in disbelief. Despite the reactions of the Wang family members beside her, Wang Ziji remained indifferent.

At that moment, she had sensed the difference between Gu Changge and the other indigenous geniuses. They shared similar views on cultivation and many other matters, sparking Wang Ziji’s interest even more. After spending over twenty years in this world, she finally found a sense of familiarity with Gu Changge—a coincidental and confidant-like feeling amidst the unfamiliarity of the Fantasy world.

Gu Changge possessed a refreshing insight, whether in speech, perception, or opinion, setting him apart from other young talents and even seasoned cultivators. While Wang Ziji initially entertained doubts about Gu Changge sharing her origin, his words and actions quickly dispelled them.

While they shared some commonalities, Gu Changge’s viewpoints often aligned closely with those of the indigenous geniuses, albeit with slight distinctions. Yet, these differences only heightened Wang Ziji’s interest, spurring her desire to delve deeper into Gu Changge’s experiences. Today marked the first time she had felt such a strong inclination towards someone.

“Although it may not seem proper, it’s certainly preferable to those who constantly tout righteousness and virtue,” thought Wang Ziji, her admiration for Gu Changge growing stronger by the moment. For her to be so intrigued upon their first meeting was no small feat.

“Miss Ziji’s insights are truly enlightening,” Gu Changge exclaimed with genuine admiration. “Meeting you today has given me a newfound understanding of what it means to feel ‘good to see you.'”

Wang Ziji nodded in agreement. “Likewise, Brother Gu. I doubt you’ll rise to become a prominent figure, standing atop this world and surveying all beneath.”

Her words sent shockwaves through the Wang family, especially the old demon among them. Wang Ziji’s destined path to immortality made her assessments of others especially significant.

She didn’t even regard those with ancient emperor bloodlines as noteworthy, yet she held Gu Changge in such high esteem from their first encounter. If word of her praise were to spread, it would undoubtedly cause a stir among the geniuses of the heavenly domain.

This revelation hinted at Gu Changge’s true strength, far surpassing what they had initially perceived. The old demon of the Wang family couldn’t help but feel a surge of restlessness.

“How can Miss Ziji bestow such praise upon Changge’s virtue?” Gu Changge responded with a wistful smile, then added with a hint of regret, “It’s a shame we didn’t meet sooner. That’s a great regret in my life.”

Wang Ziji’s smile widened as she quipped, “Oh, Brother Gu, are you not afraid your fiancée might overhear? It’s not too late to rescind the engagement. How about marrying me instead?”

Her playful words revealed her understanding that Gu Changge’s previous remarks were merely courteous.

There was no chance that a man like him would easily be swayed by a woman’s words, no matter how alluring she may be—expressing a “big regret”? It was merely a casual remark, easily forgotten in an instant. Even if the woman in question were as captivating as she was, it wouldn’t change a thing. This demonstrated the unwavering determination of his dao heart, unlike the easily influenced minds of other geniuses.

Seeing Wang Ziji’s playful comment, intended to tease him a bit, Gu Changge’s response was not immediate. Before he could react, Wang Wushuang, the old demon of the Wang family, and the others behind her were stunned, their expressions betraying shock and disbelief. They hadn’t anticipated Wang Ziji would be so audacious as to utter such words in public.

If overheard, it could incite suspicion from the Peerless Immortal Dynasty, making it seem as though the Ancient Immortal Wang Family was intentionally provoking them. Even if Wang Ziji truly admired Gu Changge, voicing such sentiments openly was highly inappropriate, especially considering her esteemed status as a descendant of the human ancestral hall.

The Wang family members, along with the powerhouses from the Divine Sect of Absolute Beginning behind Gu Changge, were left dumbfounded by Wang Ziji’s boldness.

Gu Changge, too, wore a mildly surprised expression as though genuinely taken aback. Then, gathering himself, he shook his head with a wry smile and replied, “Miss Ziji’s words are difficult for me to accept. Even if I were inclined to agree, I doubt the powers behind you would permit it…” He knew full well that Wang Ziji’s statement was merely playful banter, a form of flirtation. It was highly unconventional for a woman to speak so boldly, and Gu Changge didn’t take it seriously.

So she used those words to see if she could glean some information about the forces behind Wang Ziji. Upon hearing Gu Changge’s polite rejection, Wang Ziji responded with a smile, “Brother Gu, you turned me down so politely. It’s truly disheartening.”

Gu Changge’s reaction wasn’t surprising to her. She didn’t expect him to dissolve a marriage contract easily. While she did find Gu Changge intriguing, she wasn’t interested in pursuing him to that extent. As a transmigrator with ancient power backing her and possessing formidable talent, she didn’t hold young supremes in high regard, not even the youngest son of an ancient emperor.

Moreover, Gu Changge’s mention of the forces behind her and his apparent awareness of her identity caught her off guard. Even many members of the Ancient Immortal Wang family were unaware of this fact.

“Brother Gu, you needn’t concern yourself with the forces behind me. They can’t dictate my actions,” Wang Ziji asserted confidently, downplaying the significance of her status as a descendant of the Ancestor Hall.

Gu Changge’s expression flickered with a hint of curiosity upon hearing this. He hadn’t investigated the forces behind Wang Ziji, so his earlier comment was baseless. With numerous factions in existence, he couldn’t pinpoint where Wang Ziji had cultivated previously.

However, Wang Ziji’s assertion that her actions weren’t influenced by external forces, particularly those opposing him, raised suspicions. Were they enemies of the Ancient Immortal Gu family? Unlikely. It was more probable that they were related to his other identity—the inheritor of demonic art.

In an instant, Gu Changge speculated about Wang Ziji’s hidden identity.

A descendant from the Ancestral Hall? Besides the Ancestral Hall, Gu Changge couldn’t think of any force that consistently opposed this identity. It was intriguing; even the Human Ancestral Hall had come to intervene.

With this thought in mind, Gu Changge maintained a calm expression, concealing any hint of surprise. He nodded and smiled, “Miss Ziji, with your talent and power, you needn’t concern yourself with the forces behind you.”

This response caught Wang Ziji off guard. She couldn’t gauge Gu Changge’s true strength, but his words suggested he had seen through her. She had always considered herself as talented as any genius from ancient times, but now she found herself shrouded in uncertainty regarding Gu Changge’s abilities.

“Brother Gu is truly enigmatic!” Wang Ziji acknowledged, realizing she had underestimated the geniuses of this world, with Gu Changge serving as a humbling example.

AtGu Changge heard the system prompt: one thousand Luck Points and Destiny Points were added. Wang Ziji, like a leek, proved easier to harvest than other fortunate individuals. The abundance of luck points surprised Gu Changge, yet he maintained his composed demeanor, his smile unwavering.

The accumulation of Luck Points and Destiny Points aside, Gu Changge saw another role for Wang Ziji. As the Wang family prepared to depart, today’s events left them viewing Gu Changge in a new light. His methods, talent, and cultivation base were unfathomable and unpredictable, leaving everyone with lingering thoughts.

“Brother Gu, until we meet again,” Wang Ziji waved lightly, her smile free and easy as she turned to depart.

“Take care, Miss Ziji,” Gu Changge replied with a smile, standing atop the mountain, the wind tousling his hair, lending him an ethereal air.

Once the Wang family had departed, Gu Changge’s smile vanished, replaced by a contemplative expression.

“Someone,” he called out lightly.

In the void behind him, several powerful cultivators in the Heavenly God realm emerged, all loyal confidants of Gu Changge.

“Young Master,” they responded respectfully.

“Go and monitor Princess Mingkong’s activities closely. Report her whereabouts to me regularly,” Gu Changge ordered, deciding to focus on Yue Mingkong, not out of any desire to harm her but because he believed she held knowledge of the future as a regressor. Monitoring her movements would help him anticipate future events.

With rumors circulating about the imminent birth of the Human Ancestor, Gu Changge felt it prudent to take precautions. He suspected the Human Ancestor possessed extraordinary luck, making it essential to be prepared. Whether or not the Human Ancestor was the literal offspring of luck was irrelevant; what mattered was their potential to amass significant luck points.

As a descendant of the Human Ancestral Hall, Wang Ziji’s journey signified the impending birth of the Human Ancestor.

Gu Changge wouldn’t dare to leave such a significant threat looming for the future. The enmity between the inheritors of demonic arts and human ancestors ran deep, with many demonic art inheritors meeting their demise at the hands of human ancestors throughout history. Embracing the idea of purifying the world, the return of the Human Ancestor would undoubtedly spell trouble for Gu Changge. Though he currently shifted the blame onto Ye Ling as the inheritor of demonic arts, he knew he couldn’t conceal it forever. Human ancestors possessed the ability to identify demonic art inheritors, posing a significant risk.

Gu Changge planned to eliminate the Human ancestors before they emerged, whether by usurping their position or swiftly dispatching them.

“Yes, Young Master,” his confidants acknowledged, promptly setting out to gather intelligence on Yue Mingkong’s activities.

Gu Changge had previously stationed operatives by Yue Mingkong’s side, but after the incident in Baiheng Mountains, she grew suspicious and purged his agents. However, she eventually uncovered Gu Changge’s infiltration but viewed it as consistent with his character. She then replaced all of Gu Changge’s personnel.

Despite this, Gu Changge maintained trust in Yue Mingkong, regarding her as one of the few individuals he relied on. Though he had initially placed spies around her due to her reluctance to divulge information about the Gate of Immortality, his trust in her remained unshaken. Besides his parents, Yue Mingkong was the person he trusted the most.

In the following days, significant changes unfolded in the Ancient Immortal Continent. Following the Dragon Clan’s defeat, other major clans hesitated briefly before making consequential decisions.

The three significant clans—the Ancient Snake, the Divine Crocodile, and the Black Heavenly Eagle—scattered in all directions, purging the numerous traitors within the Ancient Continent. As for who these traitors were, it mattered little; as long as they didn’t submit to Gu Changge, they were deemed rebels.

Under such coercion, the remaining clans swiftly capitulated to Gu Changge, choosing to align themselves with the Ancient Immortal Gu family. After eons, the entire Ancient Immortal Continent stood unified, with the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace and the Ancient Immortal Gu family supporting.

This decision caused a tremendous commotion, although many Dao heritages and grand sects viewed it as an inevitable development over time. The Ancient Immortal Continent itself traced its lineage back to the ancestor of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace, enduring since the Ancient Immortal Period due to its formidable mana.

With the defeat of the Dragon Clan, the remaining clans could no longer contend against the forces backing Gu Changge. Consequently, Gu Changge’s influence soared to unprecedented heights, earning him the title of the strongest among the contemporary younger generation, which circulated widely among Dao heritage cultivators, sparking great excitement.

Furthermore, the revelation of Gu Changge’s status as the successor of the Ancient Heavenly Lord of Reincarnation caused a sensation. Few had anticipated such an illustrious lineage for Gu Changge, arousing envy and jealousy among many, particularly the younger generation.

As details of the battle emerged, countless cultivators were left speechless, shocked by Gu Changge’s feats. The ancient imperial family and the Vermilion Bird family convened in a grand palace adorned with swirling runes and glittering treasures, their discussions echoing the weight of the recent events.

“Utilizing an imitation of the ancient Wheel of Reincarnation…”

“I never imagined Brother Changge to be the descendant of the Ancient Heavenly Lord of Reincarnation. He truly concealed his identity deeply.”

“No wonder Ye Ling masked his techniques as the power of reincarnation that day. He knew this and intended to lead the trouble to Brother Changge…”

Chi Ling, the descendant of the Vermilion Bird family, maintained a cold expression as she spoke softly.

Since departing from the Ancient Immortal Continent, she had been searching for any sign of Ye Ling, but to no avail. However, recent events, including attacks by the inheritor of demonic arts on numerous young supremes, resulting in the theft of their origins and subsequent deaths, had raised her suspicions.

These occurrences suggested that Ye Ling hadn’t strayed far and likely lurked in secrecy. This realization left Chi Ling unsettled. Despite her efforts, she had yet to uncover any trace of Ye Ling.

Aware of Ye Ling’s extraordinary methods, particularly his ability to obscure heavenly secrets, Chi Ling knew that discovering his whereabouts would be akin to finding a needle in a haystack—a daunting task.

With a sigh, Chi Ling resolved to delve into relevant texts. She refused to believe they were powerless against the inheritor of demonic arts. Only some people possessed Gu Changge’s capability to inflict significant damage upon them.

Faced with the inheritor of demonic arts, survival necessitated a wealth of strategies to evade certain death.