I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 203

Chapter 203: But you are born with a devilish nature. If your husband dies, you will become a widow

In the main hall, numerous guests had gathered, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere. Many influential figures suspected of undergoing transformations were also present to personally congratulate Mother Gu. Among the Ancient Immortal families, the Gu family held a reputation for being the most mysterious and enduring, seemingly immortal since ancient times.

Despite enduring countless catastrophes, it always exuded an aura of resilience, leaving others with a sense that while the world might teeter on the brink of collapse, the Gu family would remain unscathed. The depth of the Ancient Immortal Gu Family’s background was shrouded in mystery, instilling a sense of awe in all who encountered it.

Even Wang Zijin couldn’t help but feel a tinge of surprise, noting the presence of formidable individuals within the Human Ancestor Hall. However, as she ventured deeper into the Gu family’s main hall, she carried herself as though visiting an old friend. These observations left her duly impressed. Despite being part of the Ancient Immortal Wang family, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the Gu family surpassed them in stature.

“Regarding their background,” she murmured to herself, shaking her head as she realized the limitations of her perception. As a transmigrator, she had believed herself capable of comprehending the entirety of the world, yet now she found her vision to be narrower than she had anticipated. This realization dealt a significant blow to her confidence, as she had always prided herself on her foresight and understanding.

“You’ve underestimated the talents of this world, Miss,” Xiu’er chimed in, her eyes shining with admiration for Gu Changge, whom she revered like a devoted fan. “Many believe that aside from the emperors and ancient princes, or the young prodigies who once dominated the world, there’s no one in the younger generation who could rival Lord Gu Changge.”

Wang Zijin smiled at Xiu’er’s words. “I do hope those renowned emperors will emerge soon. I too am curious to witness the strength of Brother Gu.” As she gazed upon Gu Changge, a newfound desire to compete stirred within her—a sentiment she had never experienced before.

Feeling the pressure emanating from Gu Changge, she found herself unable to see through him at all. If it weren’t for the fear of revealing her identity, she would have been tempted to challenge him.

In the grand hall, guests reveled in conversation and exchanged congratulatory messages. Gu Changge’s father, Gu Lintian, made an appearance, his formidable cultivation base shrouded in mystery, leaving everyone wondering about its extent. Despite his blurred visage, he engaged in conversation with the guests, eventually turning the discussion toward the younger generation.

Gu Changge naturally emerged as the most prominent figure of his generation. Even the older generation of powerhouses couldn’t help but show respect when his name was mentioned. The feats of the Ancient Immortal Continent shocked the world, with nobody daring to imagine that such accomplishments could be achieved by a young man.

As the heir of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace, the master of the divine sect of the absolute beginning, and the heir of the ancient heavenly lord of reincarnation, Gu Changge exuded an aura that left others speechless. His power surpassed that of anyone in the younger generation, leaving even Yue Mingkong trailing behind.

Gu Changge represented the face of the Ancient Immortal Gu family, and hearing such praise, many Gu family members and clan elders couldn’t hide their delight. Who wouldn’t enjoy hearing compliments and flattery? Despite some of Gu Changge’s questionable methods, the members of the Gu family were exceedingly satisfied. Moreover, Gu Xian’er’s reunion with the clan, orchestrated by Gu Changge, helped mend many rifts within the family.

Gu Changge’s position as the young master, in their view, was rightful and expected. With such a capable young master, why fret over the family’s happiness? Their initial assessment… had been mistaken indeed.

“Sister Mingkong…” Gu Xian’er whispered from the corner of the hall.

With a strikingly beautiful countenance, Gu Xian’er wore a flowing fairy skirt, her demeanor exuding an aura of cold arrogance, akin to a flawless elf. She was engaged in a hushed conversation with Yue Mingkong.

“Xianer…” Yue Mingkong’s expression softened with nostalgia. The two reminisced about their past days. Since their separation upon entering the Ancient Immortal Continent, they hadn’t seen each other until now, and there was much to catch up on.

Upon her return to the Ancient Immortal Gu family, Gu Xian’er found herself treated with utmost reverence, her status and treatment instantly elevated to that of a cherished gem within the Gu family. It took her some time to adjust to this newfound reality, but she soon grew accustomed to it. Nonetheless, she remained steadfast in her original intention—to uncover the hidden secrets of Gu Changge that no one else knew about.

She discreetly probed various clan members, particularly elders from her lineage, inquiring about past events. Eventually, she stumbled upon some leads. The midwife who attended Gu Changge’s birth had long since disappeared from the Gu family, her whereabouts unknown. It was evident that Gu Changge’s lineage had orchestrated this disappearance.

This revelation alarmed Gu Xian’er. She was far from foolish and could discern the implications. Gu Changge’s birth must have been accompanied by significant circumstances, prompting such drastic measures. All individuals privy to the event had been quietly eliminated. While the cover-up appeared flawless, the discerning eye could easily spot the conspicuous gap, revealing that Gu Changge’s lineage was harboring a hidden truth.

In Gu Xian’er’s view, the matter they sought to conceal was likely Gu Changge’s most significant secret. Without delay, she discreetly informed Yue Mingkong of these findings. It seemed that aside from Yue Mingkong, the entire Ancient Immortal Gu family would likely keep this matter under wraps, unwilling to discuss it openly.

Upon hearing this revelation, Yue Mingkong fell into a profound silence. “Are you suggesting that Changge had some issue at birth…?” she queried, her brow furrowing as she struggled to find the right words. She pondered whether Gu Xian’er’s disclosure could be intricately tied to the shifts in Gu Changge’s temperament between her previous and current lives, and whether his journey to the lower realm was connected to this undisclosed matter.

In that moment, a revelation struck Yue Mingkong like lightning. It felt as though unraveling this single mystery could unlock the answers to all their questions. This was a pivotal piece of the puzzle.

Clearly, Gu Changge’s parents were withholding information, unwilling to divulge the truth. Gu Xian’er’s revelation must pertain to this concealed secret.

“Yes, I’ve been feeling that Changge had a calculated plan from the start, particularly when he sought to retrieve my dao bones,” Yue Mingkong mused. “First, he incited my animosity towards him, then orchestrated the return of the dao bone, all while maintaining an aloof demeanor towards me. It was a deliberate attempt to provoke my ire.”

“He aimed to challenge me, yet my strength still fell short, leaving him disappointed,” Gu Xian’er affirmed, nodding along as she relayed her speculations. She delved into her analysis of Gu Changge’s actions and conduct.

Despite her apparent naivety, Gu Xian’er was not unintelligent. She had received careful guidance from several wise elders, though her encounters with Gu Changge had often left her feeling outmatched and inexperienced.

At that moment, Gu Xian’er’s eyes flickered with a myriad of thoughts. She harbored no doubt regarding her assessment. Since her return to the Ancient Immortal Gu Family, she noticed a significant change in treatment for members of her own lineage. They were not only no longer suppressed within the Gu Family but also received a greater allocation of cultivation resources. While this could be attributed to efforts by Gu Changge’s lineage to make amends, it also hinted at a sense of guilt and a need for explanation regarding past events.

The Gu family itself harbored no animosity towards Gu Xian’er. “Now, if only we could uncover what transpired during Gu Changge’s birth that year, setting off these subsequent events…” Gu Xian’er mused, her brow furrowed in deep concentration.

Though the fog surrounding the mystery would soon dissipate, an overwhelming sense of vagueness lingered, driving her to near madness. She yearned to dissect Gu Changge’s thoughts and motives. Meanwhile, the members of the Gu family appeared bewildered, as if they were unaware of the truth. This suggested that Gu Changge’s lineage had concealed their secrets with great skill.

“During the master’s time atop the mountain, he mentioned that Gu Changge was born with a demonic nature. Could this be connected to the matter at hand…?” Gu Xian’er muttered, recalling the words spoken by the Great Elder during his encounter with Gu Changge on the mountain. She vividly remembered those words, etched into her memory.

“Born with a demonic nature?” Yue Mingkong echoed, momentarily stunned by the revelation. She recalled Gu Changge’s possession of the Immortal Devouring Demon Technique. However, she had not heard of any peculiar traits among previous inheritors of demonic arts. It seemed merely coincidental that he acquired this inheritance before embarking on his path of cultivation and bringing chaos to the world.

Nevertheless, Yue Mingkong felt compelled to delve deeper into the matter. The concept of an innate demonic nature intrigued her, prompting her to undertake a thorough investigation.

Numerous phenomena could harbor an innate demonic nature, such as geniuses possessing an innate demonic soul or aura. This fact likely served as the primary reason for the meticulous concealment by the lineage behind Gu Changge, both from the clan and the outside world. The motivations behind Gu Changge’s initial attack on young Gu Xian’er and the extraction of her Dao bone remained shrouded in mystery, deepening Yue Mingkong’s doubts as she returned to her seat.

Meanwhile, Gu Xian’er found herself disinterested in the unfolding scenes within the hall. Observing Gu Changge engrossed in conversation with numerous young supreme beings, she chose to depart, intending to adjust her cultivation state and prepare for the next awakening of the Gu family bloodline at the Nirvana Pond.

Entering the Nirvana Pond within the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall was an exceedingly rare opportunity, even within the Ancient Immortal Gu Family. Typically, no more than five individuals in each generation had the privilege. The resources required to open the Nirvana Pond were immensely substantial, and even for the Ancient Immortal Gu Family, acquiring them posed a significant challenge. Consequently, the benefits reaped by the young clan members who entered were beyond belief.

As the immortal mist enveloped the hall, a wine feast commenced, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of ancient wine, aged for at least a million years. With a few sips, even the cultivators among the guests began to feel the effects of inebriation, while many sacred realm beings succumbed to intoxication. This was the peculiar allure of Ancient Immortal Wine—it catered to the unique tastes of individuals across different realms.

The banquet featured a plethora of immortal fruits and delicacies, showcasing the rich heritage of the Ancient Immortal Gu family. Among them was the divine king creation fruit, a testament to the family’s profound lineage and resources.

The divine king creation fruit was palm-sized, crystal clear, with a condensed cloud of immortal aura swirling within. It contained the essence of cultivation laws and the Dao, capable of aiding God King realm cultivators in forging their original spirit. Such a rare treasure was exceedingly difficult to find in the outside world. As guests indulged in its taste, they experienced a spiritual awakening, with a mysterious energy permeating their consciousness and purifying their souls.

Midway through the banquet, many young prodigies seized the opportunity to engage in friendly sparring and competition, seeking to impress Gu Changge. Admiring gazes from heavenly maidens, akin to dark autumn waves, followed Gu Changge’s every move. They showcased their skills with grace and finesse, their movements imbued with beauty and elegance, akin to a mesmerizing dance.

Envious and awestruck, onlookers marveled at the sight, expressing envy at Gu Changge’s allure and the attention he commanded. Amidst the festivities, the day progressed swiftly, and discussions turned to the scarcity of individuals demonstrating remarkable capabilities.

“It’s a shame,” lamented one guest, “that despite searching high and low, I’ve yet to encounter someone truly exceptional. My expectations were high.”

“Perhaps I’ve set the bar too high for myself,” another remarked. “Apart from natural prodigies like Wang Ziji, it seems unlikely to find a suitable contender.”

Gu Changge, clad in simple white attire, exuded a godly elegance and upright demeanor. His handsome visage bore a faint smile, captivating the admiration of many young female geniuses who watched him with covert admiration.

Unfortunately, Gu Changge’s regretful words were heard only by Yue Mingkong, who sat beside him. His gaze swept over the young supreme beings nearby, including Wang Zijin, Ye Langtian, and others, his expression betraying disappointment.

Yue Mingkong remained composed, her thoughts still consumed by Gu Xian’er’s revelations. Despite her absolute beauty and flawlessness, her luminous eyes and soft, smooth green silk attire exuding elegance, she sat silently beside Gu Changge. In the past, she would have been wary and alert upon hearing such candid remarks from Gu Changge, recognizing them as a sign of his scheming nature, akin to when he falsely accused Ye Ling of inheriting demonic arts.

Yet, in the present moment, Yue Mingkong felt oddly unperturbed. Gu Changge’s openness seemed familiar to her, as if he were confiding in her intentionally. His actions felt natural, without the usual air of manipulation.

“Mingkong, won’t you help your husband in solving his problems?” Gu Changge’s voice, laced with a smile, broke the silence as he smoothly took her slender hand in his, surprising Yue Mingkong. After their previous estrangement, Gu Changge’s initiative to engage with her, especially in such an intimate manner, left her stunned. Her head spun momentarily, confused by Gu Changge’s sudden change in demeanor.

Had he truly forgiven her for the hurtful words spoken during their last encounter in the Baiheng Mountains of the Immortal Continent? Yue Mingkong couldn’t help but feel a surge of surprise and uncertainty, wondering about Gu Changge’s intentions and the state of their relationship.

“How can I assist you?” Yue Mingkong queried, mustering an effort to compose herself despite her racing heart. In Gu Changge’s presence, maintaining calmness had always proved challenging for her.

She had believed that a divide had formed between them, making it increasingly difficult to regain his understanding and trust. Gu Changge’s enigmatic nature made it impossible to anticipate his thoughts, leaving Yue Mingkong uncertain of her place in his heart. Nonetheless, she remained steadfast in her willingness to wait for the day when Gu Changge would fully open his heart to her.

“Mingkong, you ask your husband what to do now,” Gu Changge whispered with a smile, his voice tinged with teasing. To observers, it appeared as though they were engaging in an intimate exchange typical of a young couple. Yet, beneath the facade, Gu Changge hinted at his predicament, implying that the Human Ancestor Hall would soon target him, putting Yue Mingkong at risk of becoming a widow.

Ignoring his playful banter, Yue Mingkong sought clarification. “Isn’t that ancient anomaly named Wang Ziji the most suitable candidate?” she inquired aloud.