I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Regarding the plan of releasing the devil, if you want to die, don’t die in front of me

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed. The entire Southern Heaven was gripped with unease due to the inheritor of demonic arts. The two major forces, the Qilin Clan and the Endless Fire Nation, seethed angrily. They had been tirelessly dispatching their clan members to scour the Southern Heaven for the whereabouts of the inheritor.

Despite the initial appearance of the three significant sacred realm entities, it was believed that Prince Ying had yet to stray far. Yet, his hiding spot remained a mystery, leaving the Southern Heaven in turmoil. Prince Ying had become a fugitive, like a street rat, with cultivators and creatures relentlessly searching for him.

Although Emperor Mountain had disassociated itself from Prince Ying, the heinous act of his using the golden ancient bell to slay numerous young supreme beings still reverberated across the lands, sparking widespread outrage. Mere denial couldn’t absolve them of this connection.

Heavenly Emperor Mountain was under siege during this tumultuous period despite its revered status. Despite being worshipped by the ancient clans, they were targeted by numerous forces seeking justice. Heavy losses were incurred, and reconciliation seemed distant.

The wounds inflicted upon Heavenly Emperor Mountain ran deep, further fueled by their resentment towards Prince Ying. During this tumult, another prince emerged from Heavenly Emperor Mountain, known as Prince Huang.

On the day Prince Huang emerged, the road to immortality witnessed the emergence of hundreds of millions of paths. Thousands of divine splendours illuminated the sky, and phantoms resembling real dragons, white tigers, and immortal phoenixes descended simultaneously. Countless golden divine lotuses bloomed in the ethereal space, painting a majestic scene.

Amid this celestial display, an ancient emperor’s chariot descended from the heavens like a young emperor gracing the mortal realm!

Prince Huang was no stranger to many cultivators. His father, revered as Emperor Huang by the ancient clans, wielded authority surpassing Emperor Ying’s. Prince Huang inherited his lineage, eyes ablaze with colorful hues, known as the eyes of gods, capable of discerning all truths.

Upon Prince Huang’s birth, he immediately ordered the suppression of Emperor Ying’s lineage. Through various powerful means, he exerted overwhelming pressure on all fronts. Furthermore, he vowed to personally subdue Prince Ying and cleanse the stain on Emperor Mountain’s honor.

This proclamation sent shockwaves throughout the realm. There was no doubt about Prince Huang’s formidable power, and his words carried unparalleled conviction.

Meanwhile, an ancient sage delved into the heavenly extinction battlefield at the True Immortal Academy’s location, sensing discrepancies in the unfolding events. Despite his profound insights, he found no conclusive evidence, unable to penetrate the veil shrouding the truth.

This only underscored the inheritor of demonic arts’ meticulous caution. Were it not for the Qilin’s inadvertent clues, Prince Ying’s true identity might have remained veiled, eluding detection by all.

Such news spread far and wide, finally prompting the True Immortal Academy to open its doors to the outside world. Any young aspirant who vanquished heavenly extinction creatures within the battlefield could accrue points for admission to the academy, marking a pivotal moment in its history.

A massive upheaval swept across every corner of the Southern Heaven for a moment. Initially perturbed by the presence of the inheritor of demonic arts in the heavenly extinction battlefield, young beings now hastened to depart the area after dispatching the heavenly extinction creatures. Their fear of drawing the attention of the demonic art inheritor was palpable.

Meanwhile, in the desolate expanse of the absolute heavenly extinction land, Gu Changge materialized from the void. It had been three days since his parting from Yue Mingkong. In this interim, his cultivation soared to the middle stage of the Sacred Realm. The Reincarnation Seal and the Dao Treasure Bottle catalyzed his breakthrough, accelerating his progress far beyond the norm.

Ordinarily, advancing even a single realm within the quasi-sacred realm would require tens of thousands of years. Yet, Gu Changge’s breakthrough defied convention, thanks to the unique attributes of his artifacts.

During his time with Yue Mingkong, he gleaned valuable insights into current affairs, enriching his understanding of the unfolding events.

The matter concerning the witch in red intertwines with the looming emergence of the Demon Burying Abyss.

As the name suggests, the Demon Burying Abyss was the final resting place for the True Demons of Nine Heavens. Throughout history, countless powerful demons met their demise within its depths, giving rise to its ominous moniker.

The exact location of the Demon Burying Abyss remained elusive. Its ever-changing nature rendered it difficult to pinpoint, with some ancient beings suggesting that an enigmatic space seal shrouded its depths. Legend held that even the fabled Depths of Hell paled compared to the unfathomable depths of the Demon Burying Abyss. Once trapped within its confines, not even the most venerable immortals could escape.

However, the Demon Burying Abyss’s location held ties to the mysterious Golden Crane Temple, perched atop Buddha Mountain. Only a select few had laid eyes upon the temple’s grandeur throughout the ages. Yet, those who emerged from the Golden Crane Temple invariably achieved renown in the outside world.

Each generation of the Golden Crane Temple appointed Abyss Guardians to oversee the Demon Burying Abyss’s fluctuations from the town situated above. These guardians bore the weighty responsibility of safeguarding against disturbances within the abyss.

From Yue Mingkong, Gu Changge gleaned unsettling news: an impending upheaval within the Demon Burying Abyss threatened to obliterate the Abyss Guardian Town. This imminent catastrophe would ensnare the current generation of guardians, unleashing chaos upon the world.

Though Yue Mingkong didn’t explicitly state it, Gu Changge intuited the dire implications of this revelation.

“It’s likely that the upheaval in the Demon Burying Abyss is connected to the witch in red,” Gu Changge speculated. “Her first order of business upon emerging will probably be seeking revenge against me. With my current strength, I stand little chance against her, but with such power backing me, I need not fear.”

According to the usual pattern, such female demons wouldn’t be fully awakened upon birth. This presented a prime opportunity for Gu Changge. Various thoughts raced through his mind as he entertained a daring notion: release the devil.

The notion of restraint seemed futile now. Gu Changge knew in advance the likely birthplace and timing of the red-clothed witch. Why not take the initiative? After all, he was markedly different from his past self. He harbored no fear of catching the witch’s attention; his primary concern was finding a suitable pretext for his journey.

A destination like the Demon Burying Abyss was beyond the reach of ordinary individuals. Even if they ventured there, they would surely attract the notice of Golden Crane Temple cultivators. Hence, Gu Changge pondered his approach, weighing the risks and benefits.

The consequences of unleashing the demon hadn’t crossed his mind; the inevitability of the red-clothed demon’s emergence overshadowed any concern for sealing her again. Did he have any luck or destiny points to rely on if things went awry? Gu Changge hadn’t contemplated it.

Attempting to reseal her posed potentially catastrophic outcomes. The red-clothed witch harbored a deep hatred that seemed to emanate from the abyss. Now, Gu Changge entertained the notion of resealing her? Such thoughts gave him pause as his contemplations circled back.

After surveying the space before him, visibly corroded by the aura of Heavenly Extinction, Gu Changge’s gaze darkened. This area lay deep within the Heavenly Extinction Battlefield, spanning a distance of millions of miles. Despite the majestic mountains dotting the landscape, their vitality had been snuffed out by the pervasive aura.

The remnants of a once-grand power lingered here, evident in the crumbling ruins of buildings, pavilions, and palaces. Yet, they now lay in decay, succumbing to the relentless assault of Heavenly Extinction’s energy. No cultivators roamed these desolate grounds; only formidable Heavenly Extinction creatures prowled, some even attaining the realm of heavenly kings or quasi-sacred beings. Any unwary young aspirant who ventured here faced certain death within minutes.

Gu Changge’s purpose, however, differed from mere creature slaying. Sensing the imprint left on Wang Ziji’s body, he knew she had ventured deeper into the abyss.

“As a descendant of the Human Hall, she’s likely headed towards the core of Absolute Heavenly Extinction,” Gu Changge mused. “She may inadvertently pave the way for me.”

This notion required verification; Gu Changge sought to refine a portion of the Heavenly Extinction to bolster his understanding. Though his aspiration to refine the entire phenomenon seemed improbable, a partial refinement offered a feasible starting point. These experiences would fortify his resolve when seeking the true heart of Absolute Heavenly Extinction.

With a swift disappearance, Gu Changge concealed himself within the void, confident in his ability to elude detection by Wang Ziji.

…..

In the depths of the Absolute Heavenly Extinction land, tranquility was a distant memory. Mountains trembled, and the sky seemed on the verge of eruption. The turbulent, vast aura of Heavenly Extinction permeated the air like a dense fog while cracks marred the sky’s expanse.

Brilliance erupted, runes blossomed and intertwined in the heavens, and formidable methods and supernatural powers unfolded. The quasi-sacred realms might surge, crashing upon the Heavenly Extinction creatures like a relentless tidal wave.

Amidst this chaos, a pale golden tower bobbed in the void, emitting a terrifying divine light that exerted pressure in all directions. Beneath the tumultuous sky stood a figure, her skirt fluttering in the wind, her expression icy, and her blue hair streaming behind her. She battled against the countless souls swarming towards her, determined to defeat them.

“Jiang Chuchu, are you out of your mind? You can’t close this crack with your current strength,” Wang Ziji shouted, joining the fray behind Jiang Chuchu. She fended off the oncoming ghostly creatures while voicing her concern.

But the sheer number of Heavenly Extinction creatures overwhelmed them. The sky above crackled with gray fog, cascading down like an ominous gate. Against such odds, the duo stood little chance, especially with numerous sacred-level creatures among their adversaries.

A potent aura stirred behind the crack as they struggled, hinting at an even greater threat awakening.

The formidable presence of the Heavenly Extinction land loomed over them, a force beyond their reckoning. Yet, Jiang Chuchu’s actions baffled Wang Ziji. Instead of pursuing the reincarnation of the human ancestor or confronting the inheritor of demonic arts, Jiang Chuchu ventured into the Absolute Heavenly Extinction land.

Jiang Chuchu believed that slaughtering Heavenly Extinction creatures was the only way to cleanse the world and restore the honour of the Human Ancestral Hall. This perplexed Wang Ziji; she couldn’t fathom why Jiang Chuchu had taken such drastic measures.

“As a descendant of the Human Ancestral Hall, you shouldn’t bear this burden alone,” Wang Ziji argued, trying to dissuade her companion. “You don’t need to face this alone.”

Jiang Chuchu’s response was firm. “Wang Ziji, you should go back. This is my affair, and I will handle it.”

Though Jiang Chuchu’s demeanor appeared calm, the exhaustion etched upon her face and the bloodstains on her attire betrayed the toll of the relentless battle. Wang Ziji struggled to comprehend Jiang Chuchu’s resolve. With the Human Ancestor deceased and the inheritor of demonic arts unchallenged, Jiang Chuchu felt powerless. Killing Heavenly Extinction creatures seemed to be her only recourse, a means to validate her status and efforts in her teacher’s sect.

Wang Ziji’s frustration mounted. “Why do you insist on facing this alone? We are both descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall. You don’t have to bear this burden alone. Can’t you see the futility of this? Do you wish to perish here?”

But Jiang Chuchu remained unyielding, reminiscent of the stubborn girl Wang Ziji once knew. Despite Wang Ziji’s pleas, Jiang Chuchu remained resolute in her mission to combat the Heavenly Extinction creatures, her resolve wavering under the mounting pressure.

“Now that we’ve found the inheritor of demonic arts,” Wang Ziji began, her tone laced with urgency, “you’re wasting your energy and time here. What are you thinking?”

Despite Wang Ziji’s continued efforts to reason with her, Jiang Chuchu remained steadfast in her resolve. Wang Ziji contemplated forcibly subduing her companion and taking her away, but their strengths were too evenly matched. Resorting to her trump card might backfire, as it was difficult to control.

“If only I had reached out to Gu Changge earlier, things might have been different,” Wang Ziji lamented. “But it seems he cares little for Jiang Chuchu’s fate. Shouting to him would likely be futile.”

Wang Ziji grappled with distress. Her character compelled her to act, unable to pay any heed to the situation.

At the mention of the inheritor of demonic arts, Jiang Chuchu, engaged in battle with a sacred realm Heavenly Extinction creature, froze. A chilling hatred flashed in her eyes, almost palpable as she clenched her teeth in fury.

However, her confrontation with the sacred realm Heavenly Extinction creature proved costly. Struck by its attack, Jiang Chuchu hurtled through the void, blood staining the space around her. Though her injuries appeared superficial, her spiritual energy was utterly depleted.

Aware of the inheritor of demonic arts Wang Ziji referenced, Jiang Chuchu knew Prince Ying was merely a scapegoat. The true inheritor, Gu Changge, remained elusive, his role in the demise of the Human Ancestor concealed from the world.

Jiang Chuchu’s feelings toward Gu Changge were complex, tinged with a deep-seated hatred yet impossible to ignore. She couldn’t shake the memory of his demeanor that fateful day: indifferent, irresponsible, and unfazed by the repercussions of his actions.

In a daze, Jiang Chuchu stood oblivious to the Heavenly Extinction creatures converging upon her from behind. Wang Ziji’s complexion shifted, realizing the imminent danger. Hastily, she produced a crystal-clear mirror to shield Jiang Chuchu from the next onslaught.

However, Jiang Chuchu’s prolonged battle against the Heavenly Extinction creatures saturated her with extinction’s aura. With red-eyed creatures swarming her in a frenzy of hatred, Wang Ziji’s efforts to defend her proved futile. Overwhelmed, they were both sent flying, sustaining further injuries in the process.

Boom! The sky above erupted once more as the Heavenly Abyss stirred, unleashing an even more terrifying aura. Suddenly, an enormous gray giant palm descended, shrouded in thick fog, its non-humanoid form belying its immense power—a force from the great sacred realm.

Wang Ziji’s expression darkened at the unexpected appearance of a creature from the great sacred realm. She realized they were no match for such a formidable opponent. If they didn’t flee now, their chances of survival would dwindle further.

“Jiang Chuchu, don’t be foolish. If you stay here, you’ll perish,” Wang Ziji shouted urgently, her anxiety palpable as she watched the colossal palm descend, poised to engulf Jiang Chuchu in a crimson haze.

Jiang Chuchu seemed frozen, her reaction delayed as the monstrous palm loomed overhead. The overwhelming aura of extinction cast a pall over her, draining her resolve. Though prepared for death, the reality of facing it head-on left her shaken.

Yet, amid the impending doom, Jiang Chuchu’s thoughts unexpectedly turned to Gu Changge, the object of her most profound loathing. Before she could process further, a sudden sword chant pierced the air, accompanied by a dazzling light that rents the sky.

A surge of boundless sword energy swept through the heavens, dispersing the gray fog and descending upon the giant palm. An infinite aura of vengeance permeated the air, signaling dramatic events.

With a resounding puff and a piercing scream, the fearsome giant gray palm was rent asunder, shattering into nothingness in the void. Like an ancient immortal’s blade hewn from the cosmos, the sword continued its relentless trajectory, its edge sharp enough to cleave the universe itself. It quickly sliced through the terrifying crack, reducing countless Heavenly Extinction creatures to ash before they could cry.

Wang Ziji gaped in shock at the source of the sword-light. A young man with indifferent eyes materialized in the void, his hand still trembling from the exertion. A ray of swordlight vanished into the palm of his hand.

“Gu Changge, why are you here?” Wang Ziji blurted out, astonished by his sudden appearance and the staggering might of his strike. Had Gu Changge ascended to the great sacred realm? Was this his true strength, concealed all along?

“Holy Maiden Ziji…” Gu Changge acknowledged her with a nod before his expression darkened. He did not explain his presence but casually remarked, “The land of Absolute Heavenly Extinction has surfaced. I came to observe, perhaps intervene.”

He had been present for some time, though he hadn’t anticipated Jiang Chuchu’s reckless actions. Her unexpected plight had compelled him to act despite his reservations.

Wang Ziji couldn’t help but wonder if Gu Changge’s sudden appearance was related to Jiang Chuchu. However, before she could delve further into her thoughts, Gu Changge diverted her attention with his cryptic words. Nonetheless, Wang Ziji surmised that he might be here for the Absolute Heavenly Extinction land.

Regardless, Gu Changge’s intervention had undoubtedly saved Jiang Chuchu from inevitable demise.

Though Jiang Chuchu professed indifference to her mortality, her actions contradicted her words. Gu Changge had no intention of disregarding her fate entirely; their past connection compelled him to act. While Jiang Chuchu posed no threat to him, he couldn’t stand by and watch her face imminent death.

However, Wang Ziji remained skeptical of Gu Changge’s intentions. It seemed implausible for someone of his caliber to venture into such dangerous territory without reason. There had to be more to his involvement than met the eye.

Gu Changge’s unexpected presence suggested a deeper connection with Jiang Chuchu. Wang Ziji couldn’t help but wonder what transpired between them. Meanwhile, she found herself immobilized, unable to move amidst the chaos.

Though Gu Changge’s assertion that Jiang Chuchu’s fate was inconsequential to him rang hollow to Wang Ziji, she couldn’t deny the possibility of his genuine concern. After all, his actions spoke louder than his words.

“Gu Changge…” Jiang Chuchu’s voice pierced the air as she finally acknowledged his presence. Her astonishment at his timely intervention was palpable, yet it quickly gave way to a chilling glare. “Didn’t you claim you had nothing to do with my fate? Then why did you save me?” she demanded, her tone icy with resentment.

“I don’t need your assistance,” Jiang Chuchu added, her words dripping with disdain. However, Gu Changge appeared unfazed by her reproach. His gaze remained fixed on the ominous crack in the sky, where an onslaught of Heavenly Extinction creatures continued to pour forth—indicating that they were nearing the entrance to the Absolute Heavenly Extinction land.

Wang Ziji observed the exchange with keen interest, noting the undeniable tension between Gu Changge and Jiang Chuchu. It was evident that their history ran deep, leaving Wang Ziji to surmise that Gu Changge had forsaken her.

“Gu Changge…” Jiang Chuchu’s voice cut through the air once more, her expression now icy with anger, almost to the point of gritting her teeth.

Finally, Gu Changge turned his attention towards her, his demeanor remaining impassive. “If you seek death, do so away from my sight,” he retorted coolly. “Your presence is a nuisance.”