I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 225

Chapter 225: Let you know how high the sky is, and young people shouldn’t cross the line

Jiang Yang paid no mind to the reactions of the people before him. It seemed to him the proper course of action. As a human ancestor who stood at the pinnacle of all races, he possessed a demeanor and inclination of aloofness and indifference to life and death, deeply ingrained within his soul.

What right did a mere individual from the upper realm have to pay him a visit? He reminisced about the numerous gods, demons, beasts, and prominent figures of all races who once knelt before him. Each one was a being capable of unraveling worlds with a mere breath!

In Jiang Yang’s perspective, the cultivators venturing into the lower realms likely sought him out. Before he regained his peak strength, they sought to display loyalty, hoping to accompany him back to the upper realm, securing a prestigious position by his side in the future. He could discern the intentions of the immortal at a glance. Why else would the immortal be so kind to his sister residing in the Northern Mountain Village? Wasn’t it all to curry favor with him? With all the benefits laid out, anyone with sense would understand what was expected of them.

The Human Ancestor Hall he established in the past held a profoundly distinguished status in the upper realm. At this moment, it likely sensed his presence and came seeking him out. Jiang Yang was well aware of this.

“Jiang Yang, your cultivation may have clouded your judgment. Don’t let the immortal catch wind of your words. You can’t simply act without regard, especially if it risks implicating our Immortal Lun Sect.”

Several elders reacted at this point, their expressions shifting dramatically as they reprimanded Jiang Yang sternly. This caused them to break out in a cold sweat, fearing that their conversation might be overheard by the immortal, potentially bringing unwarranted disaster upon the Immortal Lun Sect.

These words caused a slight furrow in Jiang Yang’s brow, though his face remained impassive. In his eyes, these elders were no more significant than ants, so he disregarded their ignorance and foolishness naturally.

At this juncture, Jiang Yang spoke lightly, “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so foolish. Before making such assertions, one should first inquire whether the so-called Immortal dares to keep me waiting.” The phrase “dares to keep me waiting” exuded an unmistakable self-assurance, indicating his complete disregard for the immortal.

This abrupt statement caused the elders’ expressions to shift dramatically once again, staring at Jiang Yang incredulously. Was he either insane or foolish to possess such confidence?

“Let’s heed Jiang Yang’s words,” Zhao Yi interjected calmly, appearing amidst the elders. She chose to place her trust in Jiang Yang. In him, she perceived a confidence that was convincing beyond doubt. Thus, she harbored a faint anticipation regarding his words.

In light of Zhao Yi’s endorsement, the elders dared not protest further. Their faces drained of color, they sought to retreat to the safety of the hall. They had come to summon Jiang Yang, only to find themselves instructed to wait for the immortal instead. While Jiang Yang’s words seemed simple, who among them possessed the courage to utter such a challenge to the immortal?

Their hearts heavy with apprehension, the elders departed hastily, their hopes pinned on the efficacy of Jiang Yang’s words. Should the immortal lay blame upon them, who would dare shield them from his wrath?

Shortly after, the elders departed in haste.

“You still have some insight. Though your talent may not be exceptional, you’ve managed to cultivate to the sacred realm after many years,” Jiang Yang remarked, casting a disinterested glance at Zhao Yi. “In the future, however, you shall serve as a swordsman by my side.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi’s expression froze. Having lived for hundreds of thousands of years, she was once a revered goddess in the Heavenly Domain. Her peers from that era had all met their demise at her hands.

Consequently, in Jiang Yang’s estimation, her talent didn’t seem particularly noteworthy? A swordsman? What in the world was this about? Nonetheless, considering Jiang Yang’s unwavering confidence as he spoke, Zhao Yi found herself momentarily unable to rebuff him, sensing that Jiang Yang was inscrutable.

Simultaneously, another voice rang out in Jiang Yang’s mind, brimming with indignation. “I must see Yaoyao. That Immortal treats Yaoyao so kindly. How can you be so dismissive?”

In response, Jiang Yang replied nonchalantly, “I will meet Yaoyao, but you’re overthinking it. Without my presence, do you truly believe that Immortal would be so benevolent to Yaoyao?” To him, it all seemed like a ploy to appease him. That Immortal was no fool.

Meanwhile, on the other side, several elders knelt on the ground, their faces drained of color, trembling as they spoke. “Jiang Yang… he said it then, it’s not our concern! We hope the Immortal won’t hold us accountable.”

A tense silence descended upon the entire hall, so profound that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard. “It’s all over,” was the collective sentiment among everyone present, including Holy Master Xian Lun. Their faces blanched, bodies trembling with cold fear, their souls quaking within them. They were eager to condemn Jiang Yang to oblivion.

“Rather, you should inquire whether the so-called Immortal dares to keep me waiting.” This sentence reverberated in everyone’s minds. Though they couldn’t see anyone, they could sense Jiang Yang’s arrogant demeanor and confidence.

However, this time, it wasn’t just any ordinary person standing before them. It was the formidable being capable of demolishing False God Mountain at will, his cultivation base shrouded in mystery. Should they offend this Immortal, could the Immortal Lun Sect endure?

Their ancestors may have resided in the supreme realm, but could their legacy truly contend with this Immortal’s power?

“Did Jiang Yang truly say that?” Holy Master Xian Lun’s expression shifted abruptly, his disdain for Jiang Yang swelling within him. Once optimistic about Jiang Yang, he now regretted his earlier optimism.

“Elder Taishang was also present when Jiang Yang spoke,” several elders interjected, quick to shift the blame onto Elder Taishang. In their minds, a dead accomplice was a poor one. They couldn’t afford to provoke the Immortal.

In the midst of this tension, Gu Changge finally spoke, his demeanor calm yet with a hint of intrigue in his tone. “Dare to make him wait? Now, that’s intriguing.”

The elders of the Immortal Lun Sect below felt suffocated, their legs trembling, on the verge of collapse.

“Master…” “Brother…” Yaoyao, standing beside Gu Changge, was equally astonished, her expression betraying disbelief. She feared Gu Changge’s reaction to Jiang Yang’s audacity. Her brother, once known for his honesty, now uttered such brazen words. Of course, he had changed.

In such an environment, maintaining composure proved challenging, leading to arrogance.

“Oh, how did Jiang Yang come to this…” Granny Yinhua sighed deeply. As Jiang Yang’s relative, she felt profoundly disappointed and incredulous. The honest and kind Jiang Yang of yesteryears had transformed into this.

“Don’t worry, Master won’t be upset because of you,” Gu Changge reassured Yaoyao with a gentle expression. “But it appears your brother has grown somewhat arrogant.” His words were direct, causing distress among the members of the Immortal Lun Sect, who wore forced smiles.

Returning to their lives, several elders harbored an intense desire to rebuke Jiang Yang. How could they handle this situation? Initially dismissing him as foolish, they hadn’t anticipated that even the elders would entertain his madness, potentially dooming the entire Immortal Lun Sect.

“I’m sorry, Master…” Yaoyao felt deeply touched that Gu Changge was still considering her welfare amidst this chaos. Under different circumstances, anyone daring to speak as Jiang Yang did would likely face Gu Changge’s wrath.

“This isn’t your fault,” Gu Changge reassured her with a slight smile. In truth, he wasn’t surprised by Jiang Yang’s actions. It could be attributed to his reincarnation memories awakening, or, in a less favorable light, to a complete rebirth. This situation mirrored the rebirth routine of the god king’s remnant soul encountered in the lower realm. By now, the reincarnation of the Human Ancestor must have regained numerous memories, explaining his bold statements.

“He’s really putting on a show…” Gu Changge remarked, his smile carrying a hint of amusement. “Acting all tough in front of me, is there something amiss?”

Gu Changge’s demeanor seemed playful, understanding the concept of the human ancestor’s reincarnation quite well. Typically, the cultivators seeking him out hailed from the upper realm. The reincarnation of the human ancestor likely assumed they sought to ingratiate themselves, hoping to benefit from his future success.

However, this time, the human ancestor’s reincarnation probably hadn’t anticipated Gu Changge’s true intentions. Gu Changge harbored intentions of devouring him, extracting his luck, and ultimately supplanting him.

“System, does the luck source of the human ancestor’s reincarnation relate to the fate of the Heavenly Star Realm?” Gu Changge inquired within his mind.

The system responded, “Yes, the fate of the Heavenly Star Realm is intricately linked to the trajectory of the human ancestor’s reincarnation. When he reincarnated into this world, he became entwined with the realm’s luck.”

Gu Changge’s understanding crystallized upon receiving this answer, aligning with his suspicions. Luck, by its nature, was nebulous. The human ancestor’s luck not only affected the Heavenly Star Realm but also various karmic ties and consequences, including Yaoyao’s fate, and even the beliefs of countless beings across the cosmos.

Now, with his memories still incomplete, the portion of luck tied to the beliefs of millions remained uncertain for the human ancestor’s reincarnation.

Henceforth, estranging Jiang Yang from his relatives had always been part of Gu Changge’s strategy. However, that plan no longer required consideration. Yaoyao and her grandmother’s distrust toward Jiang Yang had deepened significantly. They no longer placed any faith in him.

Gu Changge’s next step was to persuade Yaoyao that the current Jiang Yang was not the same brother she once knew. This task, he believed, would be relatively straightforward.

“You brought this upon yourself. This supposed reincarnation of the human ancestor appears to be nothing more than a pretentious troublemaker,” Gu Changge remarked, doubting that a human ancestor who had not yet returned to the upper realm could fathom the consequences awaiting him.

“Don’t fret, Mr. Immortal. I will personally ensure that the arrogant Jiang Yang offers a sincere apology to you,” Holy Master Xian Lun interjected hastily, his expression shifting in concern. At this moment, Jiang Yang’s status as Yaoyao’s brother held little significance. Having offended the Immortal directly, Jiang Yang was beyond saving.

With those words, Holy Master Xian Lun’s form blurred momentarily before transforming into a divine being, his face pale as he hastened to Jiang Yang’s location. The remaining elders followed suit, determined to bring Jiang Yang along, even if he resisted.

In the hall, Gu Changge remained composed, calmly sipping his tea.

“Yaoyao, after this incident, you should return to the upper realm with your teacher,” Gu Changge advised.

“Hmm, I will follow Master’s guidance,” Yaoyao affirmed. Her longing for her brother had waned considerably. It no longer mattered whether she saw him or not. Witnessing him now was merely a form of closure, an explanation for her prolonged yearning.

Gu Changge nodded, his attention drawn to a clear prompt from the system.

“Ding, Yaoyao is profoundly disappointed in her brother. Jiang Yang, the fortunate son, has suffered a blow to his luck. You have gained 8,000 luck points and 40,000 destiny points,” the notification rang out.

It appeared that Gu Changge no longer needed to intervene. Despite Yaoyao’s youthful appearance, her discernment was sharp. Gu Changge chuckled inwardly, though his demeanor remained serene.

Shortly thereafter, Jiang Yang, visibly shocked, was subdued by several elders and escorted to the main hall. Following behind him were Holy Master Xian Lun, his countenance filled with fury, and Zhao Yi, the Supreme Elder, displaying disbelief and confusion.

“Reporting to the Immortal, Jiang Yang has been apprehended,” several elders announced respectfully, their expressions darkening as they glanced at Jiang Yang with contempt. Their quasi-sacred realm cultivation enabled them to overwhelm Jiang Yang, who was merely in the divine power realm, rendering him powerless to resist.

With Holy Master Xian Lun leading the charge, Zhao Yi, the Supreme Elder, dared not speak out. Even she appeared bewildered, grappling with the disparity between her expectations and reality.

The enigmatic high immortal hadn’t come to pay Jiang Yang a visit, as anticipated. Instead, he sanctioned Jiang Yang’s capture. Reflecting on Jiang Yang’s confident and indifferent demeanor earlier, Zhao Yi couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. Had Jiang Yang’s earlier expression been nothing but a facade?

“Ding, you’ve figuratively slapped Jiang Yang, the fortunate son, in the face, earning 1,000 luck points and 5,000 destiny points,” the system prompted once more, but Gu Changge paid it no mind.

If he dared to put on a show of forcefulness in front of him, he should expect repercussions.

“Elder brother,” Yaoyao addressed the young man standing before the main hall, her small face reflecting a myriad of complex emotions.

From his appearance, he still resembled the brother she once knew, yet the atmosphere surrounding him was vastly different. Draped in opulent robes adorned with extraordinary accessories, it was evident he led a privileged life within the Immortal Lun Sect. Though he maintained a calm expression, his furrowed brow hinted at inner turmoil. However, he didn’t acknowledge Yaoyao or the grandmother beside her; instead, his gaze fixed upon her master.

This gesture left Yaoyao feeling unsettled. Her brother was no longer the kind and honest man she once knew. Unbeknownst to her, a peach-like pattern briefly flashed across the center of her eyebrows, then vanished.

Gu Changge, who had been observing Yaoyao closely, noticed this peculiar occurrence. However, he redirected his attention to Jiang Yang below.

This towering figure, meeting him for the first time, was believed to be the fortunate son reincarnated. Or, rather, the son of reincarnation’s luck. Despite the circumstances, Jiang Yang maintained an impressive composure. If Gu Changge hadn’t known the truth, he might have been fooled by Jiang Yang’s demeanor.

“Are you Jiang Yang?” Gu Changge inquired aloud, his expression betraying no hint of the myriad thoughts racing through his mind.

“I am Jiang Yang,” Jiang Yang replied calmly, his voice cutting through the tension in the hall. Despite the myriad of terrifying auras swirling around him, he appeared unfazed, his gaze fixed earnestly on Gu Changge.

Observing Jiang Yang’s mysterious appearance, obscured by a veil of fog, many wondered about his origins. His calm demeanor in the face of Gu Changge’s scrutiny only deepened the mystery surrounding him. Could there truly be something extraordinary about Jiang Yang?

“Hmph, what arrogance. Were it not for his sister, I doubt he’d have the audacity to stand here,” Holy Master Xian Lun muttered inwardly, relieved that Gu Changge had yet to cast blame upon the Immortal Lun Sect. However, he remained wary of Jiang Yang potentially disrespecting Gu Changge.

Gu Changge set down his teacup, fixing his gaze upon Jiang Yang. “Do you still remember Yaoyao?” he questioned slowly. “She’s come all this way to see you, yet you greet her with such indifference. As her brother, don’t you think that’s improper?”

At Gu Changge’s words, Jiang Yang’s brow furrowed as he glanced at Yaoyao standing beside Gu Changge. Today’s events had caught him off guard, completely unexpected. The immortal before him seemed oblivious to his true identity, rendering his earlier assumptions utterly mistaken and leaving him feeling slighted.

Would he have dared to act so boldly if Gu Changge knew his true nature? Would Gu Changge not have recoiled in fear upon realizing who he was? These thoughts left Jiang Yang feeling uneasy, irritation simmering within him as he found Gu Changge increasingly vexing.

From beginning to end, Jiang Yang had believed he held control. Yet, with Gu Changge’s arrival, everything spiraled out of his grasp.

“Yaoyao is my sister, of course I remember her. How could I forget?” Jiang Yang remarked lightly. “As for your demeanor, Your Excellency should consider reflecting on it. I detest being addressed from such a lofty position as yours, and you’ll regret your actions today.”

Jiang Yang’s words elicited a shift in everyone’s expressions. Even Supreme Elder Zhao Yi, who had previously viewed him as enigmatic and unpredictable, now regarded him with a mix of disbelief and apprehension, sensing that Jiang Yang’s sanity was slipping.

A heavy silence blanketed the hall as no one dared to speak, their pallid faces betraying their inner turmoil. Interceding on Jiang Yang’s behalf seemed tantamount to inviting their own demise. The expectation hung heavily that Gu Changge would unleash his fury.

Even Yaoyao remained silent, recognizing that Jiang Yang’s earlier bravado now bordered on outright provocation.

Gu Changge’s response was devoid of anger, yet his expression exuded disdain and indifference as he regarded Jiang Yang as one would a pesky insect. This look prompted a faint chill to creep into Jiang Yang’s expression.

Before Jiang Yang could retort, Gu Changge intervened. “Let it be. Today, I’ll help Yaoyao teach you a lesson, so you understand the bounds of your audacity, young man.”

With a thunderous boom, Gu Changge’s palm erupted with power, tearing through the facade before him. The sky seemed to split apart as the entire hall was engulfed in a celestial spectacle, runes flashing and cosmic laws descending.

The sheer force of Gu Changge’s palmprint, akin to the weight of millions of tons, sent shivers down everyone’s spines, leaving them trembling, their resolve crumbling as they collapsed to the ground in fear.

“You…”

The facade of calmness on Jiang Yang’s face shattered. Instinctively, he sought to activate the luck terrain, hoping to summon the shadow of the Immortal Lun Sect’s ancestor and withstand the impending blow, just as he had done on that fateful day.

However, before he could execute his plan, the strike landed with lightning speed. Jiang Yang’s body convulsed violently as he collapsed to the ground, blood spilling from his lips and bones shattering under the force of the impact. Were it not for Gu Changge’s restraint, he might have been obliterated outright, leaving behind only remnants to fuel his reincarnation and hasten his recovery.

Many carefully laid schemes crumbled to dust in that moment.

“It’s best for young folks to remain grounded and forsake pretense,” Gu Changge remarked with a resigned shake of his head, offering no further explanation. Yet his words struck Jiang Yang like a blow to the gut, leaving him with a visage as unsightly as a pig’s liver.

Jiang Yang hadn’t anticipated Gu Changge’s lightning-fast response, leaving him no opportunity to retaliate. The humiliation of his defeat gnawed at him, serving as a harsh reminder of his own limitations.