I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Gu Xian’er’s inexplicable jealousy, she is the younger sister, okay?

In the heart of the Upper Realm, within the domain of the Ancient Immortal Gu family, Gu Changge guided Yaoyao away from the Heavenly Star Realm. They traversed numerous realms along the way, finally arriving at the gates of his own mountain.

Along their journey, Yaoyao was awestruck by sights she had never before witnessed or even heard of. The vastness and wonder of the universe unfolded before her, especially as she witnessed the temple pick up and lead them through the chaotic cosmos. It was a phenomenon beyond mere explanation—it was nothing short of miraculous.

Had it not been for Gu Changge patiently explaining these marvels to her, she might never have comprehended the existence of such divine artifacts that allowed one to traverse the world at will.

The Heavenly Star Realm, she learned, was situated in an extremely remote location, countless billions of miles away from the prosperous areas Gu Changge spoke of. In that moment, Yaoyao grasped why so many cultivators strove to ascend to the Upper Realm.

Throughout their journey, Gu Changge also shared much about the Upper Realm with her, ensuring she felt at ease upon their arrival.

“Master, will you be very busy once we return to the Upper Realm?” Yaoyao inquired softly.

Through this period of enlightenment, Yaoyao came to understand the preciousness of Gu Changge’s identity in the entire Upper Realm—it was indescribably valuable. He had myriad responsibilities to attend to each day, unlike in the lower realm where he could afford to spend more time with her. Yet, she could discern the underlying reasons behind his busy schedule.

“It doesn’t matter,” she reassured him. “Master won’t be too busy. You’re special, and during this time, we might be able to glean some clues by having someone to investigate.”

Gu Changge smiled gently at her words, fully aware of Yaoyao’s concerns. Despite her youth, she possessed a wisdom far beyond her years. He even felt that she surpassed Gu Xian’er in maturity.

With Gu Changge’s response, Yaoyao couldn’t help but smile. And soon enough, he escorted her all the way back to the Gu family residence, disappearing from sight with the young girl in tow.

The clansmen patrolling at the mountain gate exchanged puzzled glances.

“When did the young master leave the mountain gate?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Why did he bring a little girl back this time?”

“What kind of status does this little girl have to be treated like this by the young master?”

They were perplexed by Gu Changge’s sudden appearance, especially since he had claimed to be in seclusion. It was clear that he was not. However, as servants, they hesitated to inquire further, their curiosity gnawing at them.

Soon, word spread among the Gu family members that Gu Changge, supposedly in seclusion, had reappeared with a young girl at his side. This revelation sparked surprise and speculation throughout the clan.

Many pondered the identity of the girl, but none dared to suggest she might be Gu Changge’s daughter. Was she perhaps a newly hired maid? The idea of her being a disciple never crossed anyone’s mind—after all, how old was Gu Changge? How could he possibly take on disciples?

Gu Changge, unperturbed by the clansmen’s thoughts, understood their reactions. Unlike his previous departure, which had been discreet, his return through the mountain gate naturally attracted attention. He had no desire to sneak back quietly and risk Yaoyao misconstruing the situation, thinking he was ashamed of her presence among the clan.

The little girl’s mind was likely to dwell on a certain detail for quite some time.

Soon after, Gu Changge escorted her back to the island where he resided and instructed a maid to organize Yaoyao’s daily life. It was simply not feasible for the young girl to live with him.

Yaoyao, being well-behaved, followed the guidance of the kind maid to her designated living quarters. As they reached the mountain gate of the Ancient Immortal Gu family’s domain, she was taken aback by the scene before her.

For the first time, she realized the immense power that could be wielded, akin to a vast world opening up before her very eyes.

“Sister…” Yaoyao began, addressing the maid.

However, her words caused the maid to go pale with fright, nearly stumbling to the ground.

“Little Ancestor, please don’t call me that,” the maid implored urgently. “If others hear you, I’ll be in serious trouble. You can just call me by my name…”

The maid’s face remained ashen, her body trembling slightly at the thought of potential repercussions.

The maid could discern that Yaoyao’s identity was far from simple, especially given Gu Changge’s unusually gentle demeanor toward her. It was a stark contrast to his usual aloof and indifferent attitude, which looked down upon everything.

Understanding Gu Changge’s temperament as a maid, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy and afraid. Yaoyao’s address to her, in the strictly regulated environment of the Ancient Immortal Gu family, could spell trouble if noticed by others.

“Sorry…” Yaoyao quickly apologized upon realizing the implications of her words, feeling a twinge of guilt.

However, this incident served to underscore Gu Changge’s formidable power in the Upper Realm. His every action carried immense authority, and the mere mention of his name could evoke such fear in people. Reflecting on this, Yaoyao’s admiration for Gu Changge only deepened.

Meanwhile, upon returning to the palace, Gu Changge summoned his confidant, Ah Da, and tasked him with reporting all the events that transpired in the Upper Realm during his absence.

“During this period, there were signs of ancient beings sensing absolute heavenly extinction, causing great disturbance. As a result, various ancient clans and Dao heritages negotiated and planned to jointly establish the True Immortal Academy. They were also preparing to commence the Immortal Casting Project,” Ah Da began his report respectfully.

“I hope that someone in this life can achieve immortality and avert the impending absolute heavenly extinction,” he continued, relaying the developments of the era.

“In addition, many ancient monsters and kings emerged during this time, marking the onset of a golden age,” Ah Da added, providing further insights.

“The descendants of Emperor Ying of Heavenly Emperor Mountain remained within the mountain due to suspicions surrounding the inheritor of demonic arts. Likewise, another descendant from the Human Ancestor Hall has been searching for the reincarnation of Human Ancestor,” he concluded.

Gu Changge listened to the report with indifference; everything seemed to be within his control. After all, he had claimed seclusion from the outside world. Consequently, news about him had been scarce during this period.

Without his direct involvement, Ying Shuang, detained as the inheritor of demonic arts, dared not make any rash moves. Similarly, the other ancient figures and sealed young kings refrained from provoking him, aware of the delicate situation.

Despite the unexpected appearance of the absolute heavenly extinction, everything seemed to be progressing according to Gu Changge’s designs.

“By the way, young master, some time ago, the heavenly emperor’s daughter of Heavenly Emperor Mountain paid a visit to you. However, she waited outside the mountain gate for a considerable time before leaving in anger,” Ah Da added, recalling an incident from when Gu Changge had just left the Ancient Immortal Gu family. After all, the ancient princess’s visit had been intended for Gu Changge.

But Gu Changge was absent at the time, and without his presence, who would dare to attend to the ancient princess? No one knew her intentions, so she was left unattended, eventually leaving in frustration.

“It seems she is Ying Shuang’s sister,” Gu Changge mused with interest. He was familiar with the connections behind Ying Shuang, knowing his current patron.

Ying Shuang’s younger sister, Ying Yu, was considered a young Supreme with remarkable talent. From what he knew, she could easily surpass many of today’s young Supremes in terms of strength, given the sealed lineage of the heavenly emperor.

Upon learning of her departure, Gu Changge couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. He had planned to target Ying Yu first, but his trip to the Heavenly Star Realm conflicted with this plan.

To force Ying Shuang, the original horse feeder, to reveal his hand, Gu Changge needed to make some arrangements.

He hadn’t expected the mantle of the inheritor of dark arts to be thrust upon him. At the time, his calculations had been superficial, and he believed it could be resolved with a few tricks and tactics.

He suspected that Ying Yu’s visit likely revolved around this matter. If he intervened, it would greatly increase the chance of Ying Shuang dispelling suspicion as the inheritor of dark arts.

“Aren’t you afraid that the more I clean it, the more dirt appears?” Gu Changge sneered, appearing nonchalant. Despite the disappearance of the human ancestor, his identity remained at risk of exposure. Many ancient entities, well-versed in the ways of dark arts inheritance, still lurked. Additionally, young supremes like Jiang Chuchu, with unique talents, might discern his true nature.

Hence, Gu Changge needed to exhaust Ying Shuang’s usefulness and find another scapegoat. He dismissed Ah Da with a wave of his hand and pondered his next move. Eliminating Ying Shuang, the fortunate son, seemed prudent. Trends often presented opportunities akin to leeks waiting to be harvested.

“But first, let’s enhance our strength,” Gu Changge mused, contemplating his next steps.

He began to contemplate the gains from his journey to the lower realm. The influx of Luck Points and Destiny Points was significant, alongside the acquisition of a disciple, Yaoyao.

The various divine artifacts left behind by the human ancestor’s reincarnation were tallied separately. Additionally, the Nirvana Green Lotus had elevated his physical body to an immensely formidable level.

“Now that my realm has reached the sacred realm, my physical strength is estimated to be close to the level of the great sacred, as is my soul,” Gu Changge assessed his newfound power. He understood that realm alone didn’t equate to true combat prowess; he possessed numerous magical tools and other means to bolster his abilities. Even if he encountered a quasi-supreme being, newly ascended to that realm, he had strategies to counter them.

Of course, Gu Changge maintained a superficial cultivation level within the quasi-sacred level of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Codex, keeping it within acceptable bounds. He could adjust his aura at will, ensuring he didn’t draw undue attention.

Afterward, Gu Changge exchanged ten detachment bones with Luck Points. A familiar, enigmatic aura permeated his limbs and bones. The already radiant bones emitted rays of auspicious colors accompanied by ethereal sounds. A profound understanding of the rules and Dao of the various divine powers he’d acquired settled within him, surpassing fellow cultivators of the same realm.

….

Meanwhile, on another majestic and magnificent divine island within the Ancient Immortal Gu family, Gu Xian’er, dressed in flowing robes with billowing sleeves, focused on her cultivation, exhaling slowly.

From her mouth and nose, wisps of immortal aura wafted out, gently permeating her body. In the expanse of the heavens and earth, the power of supreme laws transformed into countless beams of light, swirling around her.

With each breath, these energies seamlessly integrated into her being, bestowing upon her an ethereal and mysterious appearance. Countless Dao insights and inspirations surged from all directions, eagerly absorbed with each inhalation.

A shimmering piece of immortal crystal bone radiated brilliance. Its surface was adorned with intricate patterns of various laws, each etching firmly imprinted with the shape of the Dao.

In the blink of an eye, her cultivation underwent a sudden change, breaking through to the middle stage of the True God Realm, surpassing many older young supremes in one fell swoop.

“Xian’er’s strength has surged once more. How long has it been since her last breakthrough?”

“It won’t be long before she catches up with Changge. She’s endured so much and is more diligent than any other disciple.”

Several clan elders nearby exchanged reassuring smiles, their voices laced with praise for Gu Xian’er.

During the period when Gu Changge claimed to be in seclusion but had actually disappeared, Gu Xian’er sought out her parents, only to find they were occupied and unable to return soon. So she spent some time with them before returning to the clan to resume her cultivation.

Gu Changge’s intentions were not lost on her. Having heard much from her parents, she discerned that those searching for them were connected to Gu Changge. Upon her return to the clan, she received news from her parents confirming these suspicions.

These series of coincidences could only point to Gu Changge’s deliberate preparations and arrangements for her. However, Gu Changge had no intention of revealing this to her.

This revelation left Gu Xian’er both touched and irked. Despite his stubborn demeanor, Gu Changge demonstrated a level of care for others unmatched by anyone else. Yet, he chose to bear it alone, keeping his concerns to himself. This realization motivated Gu Xian’er to intensify her cultivation, driven by the knowledge that Gu Changge feared he might harm her if his demonic nature became unmanageable in the future.

Gu Changge’s dismissive attitude towards her concern, coupled with his refusal to drop his aloof facade, only fueled Gu Xian’er’s frustration. She found herself frequently recalling the difficulties Gu Changge faced in suppressing his demonic nature at the Nirvana Pond, stirring up a mix of emotions within her—distress, guilt, and an unwelcome twinge of jealousy towards the little girl he brought back after his disappearance.

As Gu Xian’er completed her cultivation and prepared to rise, a maid approached with a cautious expression, whispering a piece of news that caught her off guard.

“What?!”

“After Gu Changge vanished, he actually returned with a little girl?”

The words stirred a sudden surprise in Gu Xian’er, mingled with an inexplicable discomfort in her heart. After all, she was Gu Changge’s sister!