I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 216

Chapter 216: Feeling that something big will happen, Gu Changge rushes to Heavenly Star Realm

“Brother, what’s been going on with you lately? Many clan elders are really disappointed, thinking your training has made you slow in the head,” Ying Shuang pondered various strategies within the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace.

Outside the palace gates, a striking girl with silver hair emerged, radiating an otherworldly glow. It was Ying Yu. Frowning, she wore an expression of both dissatisfaction and suspicion.

“I have my own reasons for what I’m doing. You don’t need to concern yourself with it,” Ying Shuang replied, his demeanor flat.

Despite his current predicament, it was somewhat comforting to see his brotherly authority still held sway in front of Ying Yu. She may appear strong, but she remained obedient in his presence. When he insisted on returning to the mountain, Ying Yu had resisted every step of the way, but ultimately relented, acknowledging his authority akin to their father’s.

Now, with only Ying Yu by his side, he found himself relying on her. He had no recollection of his father’s followers, hesitant to issue orders without careful consideration.

“Since you say so, I won’t press further. But there’s talk that you’re afraid of Gu Changge, avoiding a direct confrontation and the chance to clear your name…” Ying Yu trailed off, her disappointment evident. “Gu Changge is at the heart of this matter. If he were to speak, it would certainly ease your situation, brother. I’m not sure what your plan is.”

“But being falsely accused, especially of being the inheritor of demonic arts, is unacceptable for Heavenly Emperor Mountain,” she continued, her disappointment deepening.

At Ying Yu’s words, Ying Shuang’s expression shifted subtly, understanding her implication. She intended to confront Gu Changge herself, seeking to clear Heavenly Emperor Mountain’s name of the accusation of harboring the inheritor of demonic arts.

“No, you can’t trust Gu Changge’s motives. You’re not going,” Ying Shuang’s expression darkened, feeling a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He couldn’t be certain if Gu Changge was aware of his secret, but one thing was certain: Gu Changge was not to be trusted.

Ying Yu, with her simplicity, might easily fall into a trap this time. “Why not? Brother, are you afraid of Gu Changge?” Her voice was sharp, devoid of politeness, reflecting her recent discontent.

“Despite his formidable strength and current influence, he’s still of the younger generation. It’s unbecoming for you, as father’s most important son, to be falsely accused and lack the courage to confront it,” Ying Yu continued, her disappointment palpable. “To be honest, I’m very disappointed in you. This is not like the brother I know.”

Ying Shuang’s face paled at her words, feeling the sting of her criticism. Yet, he forced himself to maintain composure, offering a wry smile. “Ying Yu, you misunderstand. I have my reasons.”

“What reasons?” Ying Yu’s suspicion lingered, though Ying Shuang’s demeanor seemed somewhat convincing.

Taking a deep breath, Ying Shuang glanced around the hall before speaking in hushed tones, “During my recent cultivation, I inadvertently severed some of my memories.”

“What?!” Ying Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Brother, are you being honest?”

“It’s true. I confided in you because you’re the person I trust the most,” Ying Shuang sighed, a hint of helplessness in his tone. It was part of his plan; sooner or later, his facade would crumble, so he chose to reveal his supposed memory loss. He believed Ying Yu would buy into it, given that his spiritual aura remained unchanged, and even his spirit weapons detected no abnormalities.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Ying Yu’s eyes took on a complex expression. Though feeling somewhat perplexed, her simple nature kept her from worrying too much. Yet, she began to understand why Ying Shuang had been acting differently lately.

“I’ve been trying to regain those memories, so I kept it to myself,” Ying Shuang responded, relieved that his explanation seemed to satisfy Ying Yu, at least for now.

“It’s alright. Since there’s an issue with your cultivation, brother, you should focus on restoring those memories in the temple. I’ll handle clearing the suspicion of being the inheritor of demonic arts,” Ying Yu declared firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

Ying Shuang’s expression shifted slightly, wanting to protest but realizing he had no legitimate reason to do so. Objecting further would only raise Ying Yu’s suspicions.

“Alright, but be cautious of Gu Changge. Given his actions framing Heavenly Emperor Mountain, he’s likely not a good person. You need to be careful,” Ying Shuang cautioned, masking his inner unease with a sigh.

Deep down, he feared something significant would transpire with Ying Yu’s departure. He could only hope she wouldn’t easily believe Gu Changge’s words, lest trouble ensue.

“I understand. Don’t worry, brother,” Ying Yu replied lightly before leaving the hall, summoning her followers in preparation to confront Gu Changge.

Outside the gates of Purple Immortal Pill Sect, Gu Changge stood with hands clasped behind his back, accompanied only by old Ming. With his status and power, he had no need for additional attendants. Wherever he went, none would dare to disregard him.

“Compared to my last visit, the Purple Pill Sect seems to have flourished a bit more. It appears there’s been a prosperous relationship with strong incense in recent years,” Gu Changge remarked, nodding as his gaze swept across the grandeur of the mountains before him.

The scene grew increasingly majestic. In the high sky, the sun’s rays illuminated the aura of Immortal Pills, creating various dazzling visions. Magnificent mountains, elegant palaces, and pavilions stretched before him, painting a picture of splendor.

As Gu Changge contemplated, a disciple approached. “Young Master Changge, please wait a moment. The Sect Master and others are on their way.”

The disciples who had gone to report returned, their expressions sincere. After all, standing before them was Gu Changge—the most astonishing and formidable young man in the upper realm. His presence stirred a sensation throughout the Purple Immortal Pill Sect, prompting every elder to hastily abandon their tasks and greet him.

Gu Changge acknowledged their words with a nod, unperturbed. “It’s indeed an honor for the Purple Pill Sect to host Young Master Changge.”

Suddenly, several divine lights illuminated the area. With gentle words, a resplendent woman in palace attire led a group of elders toward Gu Changge. It was Zi Yan, the current Sect Master of the Purple Pill Sect, accompanied by Elder Crazy Fire and others.

Among them stood a woman in a serene blue dress, her striking beauty matched only by her gentle demeanor. Her eyes sparkled with surprise as she gazed at Gu Changge—it was Lin Qiuhan, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Now, her cultivation had reached the level of a king. Though she might not be as formidable as many young supreme beings, she wasn’t certain how much stronger she’d become since her time in the lower realm. However, her most notable achievement was in her alchemy cultivation. She had advanced to the point where she could refine god-level medicinal pills.

God-level medicinal pills catered to the needs of cultivators in the god realm, encompassing false gods, true gods, heavenly gods, and god kings, despite their general titles. With the guidance of elders, she even had a good chance of refining elixirs of the quasi-sacred realm, showcasing her exceptional talent in alchemy.

At her age, most other alchemists were still grappling with basic medicinal materials, refining simple pills. Refining pills of the god level typically required thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years of experience.

“Sect Master Zi Yan, may I see Qiu Han?” Gu Changge nodded with a warm smile.

Turning his gaze to Lin Qiuhan within the crowd, he maintained his smile. “Qiuhan, it’s been a while. It seems your cultivation has made great strides.”

Lin Qiuhan gazed at him tenderly, pleasantly surprised by his presence. She had never anticipated Gu Changge’s personal visit to the Purple Pill Sect. This gesture dispelled any notions she had of being forgotten by him. Despite her occasional self-pity and feelings of inadequacy, Gu Changge’s visit erased those doubts.

“Master Changge, please!” Sect Master Zi Yan smiled, leading the way for Gu Changge. During his previous visit, only one elder had greeted him, but now, it was Zi Yan leading the entire sect to welcome him, highlighting the vast difference in Gu Changge’s power and status.

While her smile appeared forced, it was a reflection of the immense pressure and attention Gu Changge commanded in the Upper Realm.

In Sect Master Zi Yan’s view, Lin Qiuhan was sent by Gu Changge, and it was clear to everyone the purpose he held at that time. However, Lin Qiuhan’s exceptional talent in alchemy made it difficult for them to refuse her. Initially, they had planned to cultivate Lin Qiuhan for a few years, hoping she would develop an allegiance to the sect. Yet, they soon realized they had misjudged her intentions. Lin Qiuhan’s heart always prioritized Gu Changge, with her master and the sect coming second. It left them speechless.

No wonder Gu Changge had confidently sent Lin Qiuhan over, claiming to have already enchanted her. The elders of the Purple Pill Sect found themselves helpless and reluctantly accepted the situation. They hoped Gu Changge would forget about Lin Qiuhan, allowing her to see that Gu Changge wasn’t a good person and redirect her loyalty to the sect. They all secretly wished that Changge wouldn’t come, but when he did, they had no choice but to extend a warm welcome. This left the elders feeling uneasy and disheartened.

“During these days, I’d like to express my gratitude to Sect Master Zi Yan and the elders for their concern and care for my Qiuhan. I’m very thankful,” Gu Changge expressed sincerely as they made their way deeper into the Purple Pill Sect.

Gu Changge couldn’t help but smile, noticing the thoughts of the elders, but he paid them no mind. Beside him, Lin Qiuhan blushed at the mention of “my Qiuhan,” her head spinning with a jumble of thoughts she wanted to express to Gu Changge.

“What can I say, Young Master Changge, Qiuhan is a descendant of my Purple Pill Sect after all, so I should take care of her,” one of the elders stated, his expression slightly strained as he prepared to reprimand Gu Changge for his audacity. Zi Yan deliberately emphasized Lin Qiuhan’s belonging to the Purple Pill Sect, wary of the possibility that Gu Changge might whisk her away after they had invested so much in her cultivation.

The other elders’ expressions mirrored the unease, a stark contrast to their initial warm welcome. Gu Changge merely smiled in response, engaging Lin Qiuhan in conversation about her time there. Despite now being considered a descendant of the Purple Pill Sect, Lin Qiuhan seemed unchanged to Gu Changge. She appeared simple and somewhat clueless, which both amused and saddened the elders.

To honor Gu Changge’s visit, the Purple Pill Sect organized a Pill banquet, which was essentially a competition of pill refining. It showcased the hospitality traditions of Pill Dao lineages, with outstanding young disciples demonstrating their alchemical skills. Despite her youth, Lin Qiuhan was revered as a senior sister in alchemy, with many admirers. However, in the presence of Gu Changge, they felt unworthy.

As the banquet concluded, Gu Changge, dressed in elegant blue attire, generously rewarded the top three performers with precious instruments through a lucky draw, stirring envy among the younger generation. This act cemented his reputation as the wealthy young master of the renowned Gu family, prompting some to consider following in his footsteps and assessing their own qualifications. Afterward, they returned to the resting hall.

Lin Qiuhan seized the opportunity to speak with Gu Changge alone, recounting her experiences during her time at the Purple Pill Sect. Gu Changge listened with a smile, displaying genuine concern before revealing his purpose for his visit.

“Purple Extreme Elixir?” Lin Qiuhan’s expression revealed confusion; she had never heard of such a medicine before. Despite practicing at the Purple Pill Sect, the name remained unfamiliar.

“It’s alright, just keep it in mind for the future,” Gu Changge reassured her with a smile, opting not to elaborate further. The Purple Elixir remained a legend, its veracity yet to be confirmed. He had other matters to attend to, including something he intended to entrust to Lin Qiuhan.

Gu Changge produced a page of simple-looking pill recipes from his robes, containing the refining methods for a mysterious ancient pill. “You’ve expressed feeling useless, so I’m giving you something to do now,” he explained, handing her the ancient pill recipe. “It’s time you stopped underestimating yourself.”

“What kind of ancient pill is this? It seems rather ordinary, except for the complexity of its refinement process,” Lin Qiuhan remarked, her demeanor changing when the topic turned to alchemy. While she found the recipes manageable, she sensed that Gu Changge had presented them to offer reassurance.

Gu Changge’s gesture touched Lin Qiuhan, stirring a mixture of emotions within her. She had previously thought Gu Changge had forgotten her, harboring feelings of resentment. However, she now realized her misunderstanding.

“It’s not as simple to refine as you think; otherwise, I wouldn’t have sought you out,” Gu Changge casually remarked, choosing not to divulge further details. Lin Qiuhan’s expertise in refining these ancient pills was crucial, as they were required for a secret control technique involving a treasure bottle. This realization left Lin Qiuhan feeling both valued and purposeful.

In the Purple Pill Sect, Gu Changge could conveniently avoid the troublesome process of sourcing materials.

“Don’t worry, young master,” Lin Qiuhan assured him earnestly, her expression serious as she pledged her trust.

Gu Changge remained in the Purple Pill Sect for a few days, much to the relief of Sect Master Zi Yan and the elders. Lin Qiuhan departed with her retinue, casting a reluctant gaze behind her.

Gu Changge’s objective was the Heavenly Star Realm, where Yue Mingkong had already rushed. However, as it involved the reincarnation of the Human Ancestor, he preferred to keep a low profile to avoid unnecessary trouble. Therefore, he planned to travel alone.

To the outside world, it was announced that he was secluded in cultivation at the Ancient Immortal Gu family, and during this time, he would not entertain any visitors. Even Ying Yu, who arrived from the Heavenly Emperor Mountain with a group of powerful ancient clansmen intending to confront Gu Changge, was turned away at the gates of the Ancient Immortal Gu family.

Ying Yu, known for her stubbornness, persisted at the mountain gate with her entourage for over half a month, but Gu Changge never appeared. This left Ying Yu frustrated and unwilling. As the daughter of Emperor Ying, her status was exalted throughout the upper realm, yet she couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Gu Changge.

In front of the Ancient Immortal Gu family’s mountain gate, Ying Yu dared not overstep her bounds, and reluctantly departed in the end.

During this time, rumors swirled around the Heavenly Emperor Mountain, increasingly linking it to the inheritor of demonic arts. Another individual, rumored to be a descendant of the ancestral hall, also halted outside the Heavenly Emperor Mountain for a prolonged period before eventually retreating. Speculations ran rampant about the reasons behind this decision, but consensus settled on the notion that Heavenly Emperor Mountain was fraught with danger, prompting the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall to sense the impending threat and withdraw.

This revelation incited dismay among the higher echelons of Heavenly Emperor Mountain, who were bewildered by the departure of the Human Ancestor Hall descendants, especially after revealing their token before leaving without explanation.

Various unsettling events troubled the upper realm, with the Sky family, known for their prognostications, spreading word that the Absolute Heavenly Extermination would soon return. This news prompted deep concern among the leaders of Dao heritages, immortal great teachers, and Ancient Immortal families, leading to unanimous agreement on establishing the True Immortal Academy.

The announcement sparked widespread attention and speculation, causing a ripple effect across all factions.

Meanwhile, in a certain domain within the Heavenly Star Realm, a beam of divine light suddenly pierced through the sky, as if tearing it asunder.