I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Returning from the nine heavens, the elder brother, even if you sit at home and the blame comes from the sky

Star Ancestor.

This name wasn’t unfamiliar to many veterans in the True Immortal Academy; it even signified a formidable presence at one point.

Rumble!

From another direction, similar kinds of fluctuations also emerged, each representing immensely terrifying beings from the True Immortal Academy’s era.

Even the hunched, somber older man transformed by the ancient stone was among them.

His sudden appearance caught the attention of the white-clad girl named Star Ancestor.

The other ancient figures appeared even more astonished and paid their respects to him.

“Good day, Old Man Shi!”

The white-clad girl nodded slightly towards the aged stone.

Lao Shi offered a faint smile. “No need for formalities, Star Maiden. After so many years, you’ve regained your youth.”

Star Ancestor smiled wryly and replied, “Elder Shi, don’t jest with the junior. You know well enough about the limitations of this body.”

Old Shi chuckled softly, choosing not to dwell on the matter.

His gaze shifted to the peculiar stone below as he remarked, “Speaking of which, this odd stone and I share a common origin – we’re both stones. However, it has remained secluded from the world, and even I cannot discern its origins.”

“Elder Stone, you jest. If even you can’t fathom it, what hope do we have?” Star Ancestor replied with a helpless smile.

“I didn’t say it’s inscrutable,” Old Shi chuckled.

He wouldn’t have ventured here if not for this particular reason.

Apart from them, this place had attracted numerous ancient beings from the power dao lineage, including many supreme beings, almost all of whom had come to witness the birth of this peculiar stone.

For a moment, nearly every eye was fixated on it!

All eyes turned towards it!

Click!

In the next moment, the crystalline and resplendent strange stone suddenly quivered, imbued with a mysterious aura, and various dao vein runes surfaced intermittently, appearing enigmatic and unpredictable.

The stone began its descent from above.

A crack emerged on its surface.

A dazzling light, accompanied by a chaotic aura, appeared peculiar and extraordinary.

A mysterious rune danced in the air.

As if in a trance, onlookers seemed to glimpse the visage of a mysterious and vast world where immortal birds and beasts, divine mountains, and ancient trees appeared unimaginably ancient.

“The commotion of this birth is truly awe-inspiring; could it indeed be an heir of the true immortal…”

“Even if it’s not, it’s estimated to be nearly as significant… It’s bound to have profound ties to immortality; just this upheaval alone rivals the emergence of many supreme beings… Could this world be the fabled nine heavens?”

“But I’ve heard that when it comes to the birthing commotion, the genius maiden of the Wang family is the most formidable; it’s just that the Ancient Immortal Wang family has kept it well concealed.”

“After all, being the heir of the human ancestor hall, born as a saint, is truly incomparable…”

The crowd deliberated on this, their eyes collectively brimming with anticipation, astonishment, and curiosity.

No one intervened in the process; they all awaited the emergence of the being within the strange stone.

Boom!

And soon, as the final crack split open, a divine talisman shot into the sky.

Immediately afterwards, only a figure enveloped in runes, incredibly indistinct, impossible to discern his true visage, sat at the centre.

What drew the most attention was the radiant, immortal aura emanating from his body.

He seemed like a long-forgotten ancient immortal from a demon’s past.

The man wore garments from long ago, but pinpointing the exact era proved challenging.

“I’ve finally emerged into the world…”

“This familiar aura of heaven and earth, these familiar laws of nature, I’ve finally escaped that infernal place in the Nine Heavens.”

“It wasn’t easy enduring three hundred years there; it truly was torture.”

At this moment, the man within the strange stone appeared to be speaking to himself, his emotions wrought with excitement and nostalgia.

His speech was archaic, not of this era.

Even the old stone and others struggled to make out his words.

Vaguely, it seemed he spoke of the Nine Heavens.

This realization filled the old stone with awe; could this language be from that forbidden era long buried by the river of time?

Could this man be a contemporary of his?

His expression became profoundly complex, his mind swirling with various thoughts.

“At last, daylight returns. I wonder how much time has passed in the outside world now.”

“Three hundred years have elapsed in the Nine Heavens; it shouldn’t have been too long in the outside realm.”

The man within the strange stone continued to speak to himself, seemingly oblivious to the onlookers nearby.

His focus remained entrenched in the memories flooding his mind at this moment.

Back in the day, his name was Qin Wuya, and he still held the esteemed title of Eldest Senior Brother within the Endless Dao Sect.

His talent was exceptional, earning favor from his master and admiration from his disciples, and he had a devoted sister committed solely to the Dao, along with a loving partner.

Everything was blissful.

But one fateful day, during his training excursion, he inadvertently stumbled upon a crevice and tumbled into it.

Little did he anticipate the ill fortune that awaited him within the legendary realm of the Nine Heavens.

Initially, he hadn’t imagined such misfortune, but fate led him to this mythical realm coveted by countless aspirants.

In the Nine Heavens, he encountered myriad perils and opportunities, facing life and death, enduring both hardship and fortune and grappling with suffering as he struggled to survive for three hundred years.

Eventually, he stumbled upon an immortal origin stone and endeavored to seal himself within it.

He knew this stone was the sole means to breach the barrier separating the Nine Heavens from the outside world.

Qin Wuya understood that this was his only escape from the Nine Heavens.

His sole purpose in departing was to seek out his sect, to reunite with his master, his Daoist partner, his junior brother, and his dear sister.

Thus, lost in contemplation, Qin Wuya remained unaware that many nearby observers regarded him with various expressions.

“This bloodline, something seems off…”

Amidst the old stone’s scrutinizing gaze, dao runes flickered, and he furrowed his brow. “This aura, it feels distinctly human. And not just any human, but an exceedingly ordinary one. What’s happening? Did I misjudge?”

Even the young girl named Star Ancestor nodded in agreement and voiced her confusion. “Indeed, his aura is undeniably human, and his cultivation level isn’t particularly high. Could it be a mistake…?”

They were taken aback, finding it difficult to believe.

Upon the dissipation of the light surrounding the man’s body, they realized he appeared entirely ordinary.

There was nothing remarkable about him except for his antiquated attire.

His features were plain, his physique average and his cultivation level seemed to merely reach the Heavenly God realm.

He was the epitome of an ordinary cultivator, nothing more, nothing less.

The earlier spectacles seemed solely attributed to the strange stone, augmented by the various aura materials amassed by the True Immortal Academy over the years, creating such a spectacle.

“Is this truly an heir of the true immortal?”

“This is quite underwhelming.”

Even among the nearby peaks, numerous young female disciples expressed disappointment; it was far from what they had envisioned.

“I thought he’d be on par with Young Lord Changge, but instead, he’s just… ordinary. This guy doesn’t even come close to a true immortal.”

“Indeed, Young Master Changge seems more in tune with immortality. The rumors about his talent as the true immortal’s heir might not be just hearsay…”

Whether it was the young prodigies or the ancient experts, their expressions stiffened, finding it hard to believe.

After all the anticipation, the appearance of such a man was a stark contrast, leaving them somewhat bewildered.

It felt like a complete letdown compared to the expectations harbored within their hearts.

As the saying goes, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

If only his cultivation had been impressive, they might have been able to overlook other shortcomings.

But neither his aura nor demeanor resonated with immortality; instead, he seemed inexplicably intertwined with the peculiar stone.

“This…”

The Heavenly Phoenix maiden, once full of anticipation, and even the divine Emperor, wore somewhat stiff expressions, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events.

“This strange stone, purportedly fallen from the Nine Heavens by the True Immortal Academy, is rather underwhelming,” remarked the divine Emperor, shaking his head gently, harboring doubts about its origins.

The Heavenly Phoenix maiden remained silent, her eyes revealing her disappointment.

She had anticipated a formidable adversary, only to find someone disappointingly ordinary.

Granted, this individual might be deemed ordinary within the confines of the True Immortal Academy, but outside, he’d likely be considered a genius.

“Logically, it shouldn’t be this straightforward…”

The old stone scrutinised Qin Wuya earnestly, sensing that the man harbored many secrets.

His cultivation seemed peculiar; his current state appeared anomalous despite being sealed for so many years and bathed in various heavenly energies.

Could it be that he was purposefully concealing his true abilities?

At that moment, Qin Wuya finally became aware of the scrutiny directed his way by the onlookers.

Realizing the doubts and disdain directed towards him, he remained unfazed.

Having spent three hundred years in the Nine Heavens, he had learned many truths, one of which was maintaining a low profile.

Furthermore, his strength was certainly not as simple as the Heavenly God realm; that was merely his realm before inadvertently entering the Nine Heavens.

In the Nine Heavens, his realm had soared dramatically, and he had also acquired numerous immortal objects unique to that realm.

So, he paid little heed to the opinions of others unless they dared to provoke him directly.

“Next, I need to determine my current whereabouts and how much time has passed since I entered the Nine Heavens; that’s the most crucial aspect.”

Qin Wuya whispered to himself, contemplating his next course of action.

Meanwhile, activity bustled deep within the True Immortal Academy as numerous geniuses and seasoned experts congregated with fervor.

Gu Changge stood atop another majestic peak, his formidable divine consciousness spanning out like a vast galaxy, ensuring no nearby entities could detect his presence, granting him relief.

“Now is the perfect opportunity for me,” he thought, a cryptic smile gracing his lips.

His gaze shifted, quickly landing on Ying Shuang, meditating in a nearby cave.

For now, Gu Changge had no intention of interfering with Ying Shuang, as the latter still served a purpose.

However, the water needed stirring.

He required clandestine assistance.

Subsequently, Gu Changge’s attention shifted to a cave not far from Ying Shuang’s, separated by a secluded forest and the dwellings of several other geniuses.

The mountains and woods stood silent, with only sparse sunlight piercing through the canopy.

Outside, ancient herbs flourished, emitting a rich purple mist that wafted through the air.

Within the cave, cultivation energies pulsed, indicating someone was at a critical juncture in their training.

One young genius sat cross-legged, immersed in cultivation, possessing a unique physique.

Unaware of Gu Changge’s watchful gaze, he remained focused on his practice.

Buzz!!

Gu Changge strode forward atop the mountain and instantly vanished into the void.

“You…”

A voice of astonishment and disbelief echoed within the cave, followed by silence.

Before long, Gu Changge reappeared, his expression betraying no hint of emotion.

An eerie silence prevailed Inside the cave, devoid of aura or movement.

There was no trace of arrogance.

Afterwards, Gu Changge cast another glance at the cave housing Ying Shuang, his smile inexplicable yet fleeting before vanishing altogether.

“Master, I have news to report. The strange stone at the True Immortal Academy has given birth, but the circumstances are peculiar. Despite the ancient and mysterious origins of the genius born from it, their cultivation base is surprisingly low.”

“It appears they only possess the Heavenly God Realm cultivation, leaving many disappointed.”

Upon returning to the palace, Gu Changge was taken aback upon hearing the report from his followers.

“Heavenly God Realm cultivation? Yet it drew such a crowd. Is this the outcome they expected?” he mused, raising an eyebrow.

Gu Changge was well aware of the news but had opted not to witness it firsthand.

After all, he needed to capitalize on this opportunity to assist Ying Shuang in “proving” his identity as the inheritor of demonic arts.

“Yes, at the time, numerous venerable figures and prospective disciples hurried forth, only to be left disheartened. The enigmatic genius was eventually escorted away by the elders, suggesting they have inquiries,” respectfully reported the followers below.

Gu Changge nodded thoughtfully, then waved his hand, dismissing them.

For some reason, he always had a lingering suspicion that the genius sealed within the strange stone wouldn’t be as straightforward as it seemed. Wasn’t the Heavenly God Realm too low a cultivation level for someone in the True Immortal Academy?

Adding to the intrigue, news spread like wildfire among the disciples of the True Immortal Academy in recent days, causing a commotion: a young genius with a special physique had vanished without a trace!

Indeed, while cultivating in his cave, he disappeared into thin air, leaving no residual aura or fluctuations behind. Even the elders who investigated the scene found no clues, leaving them at a loss.

Upon hearing the news, shock rippled through many, inciting widespread panic. Combined with recent events, many immediately suspected the involvement of the inheritor of demonic arts!

After all, past incidents had shown that the hallmark of the inheritor of demonic arts was targeting geniuses with exceptional physiques, leaving no trace behind.

Consequently, numerous geniuses and elders arrived at a grim conclusion: the young genius had fallen victim to the sinister machinations of the inheritor of demonic arts.

This incident revealed that the inheritor of demonic arts had infiltrated the ranks, concealing themselves among the geniuses by altering their appearances, rendering their true identity unknown.

Once again, this event stirred widespread sensation and panic, prompting heightened vigilance among some geniuses.

Many elders embarked on investigations to uncover the identity of the inheritor of demonic arts.

“This time, you acted impulsively and recklessly. It hasn’t been long since you joined the True Immortal Academy, and already you’re causing trouble. While your concealment methods are impressive, it’s too risky at this juncture,” Mo Lao’s figure materialized in the cave imbued with an immortal aura, wearing a solemn expression tinged with concern.

A genius had fallen victim to poisoning by the inheritor of demonic arts, prompting Mo Lao’s immediate concern for Ying Shuang.

After all, Mo Lao had brought Ying Shuang into the academy. Though Ying Shuang had never exhibited the forbidden demonic arts in his presence before, combined with various deeds and rumors circulating, Ying Shuang couldn’t shake off the identity of the inheritor of the forbidden demonic arts.

And this time, with the reappearance of the inheritor of demonic arts, Mo Lao couldn’t help but suspect it was Ying Shuang.

That’s why he sought out Ying Shuang; his worry was evident, and he feared that Ying Shuang’s true identity would be exposed.

Upon hearing Mo Lao’s concerns, Ying Shuang remained calm. “I know in my heart, there won’t be any issues.”

Yet, beneath his robe, his fist clenched tightly, harboring anger and frustration.

While he needed the protection of being recognized as the inheritor of demonic arts, he couldn’t shake off the sense of injustice at being once again blamed.

It seemed that no matter what, trouble found its way to his doorstep.

He hadn’t even left the confines of his cave, yet he found himself accused once more of the young genius’s demise—and worse, he had to accept it.

Was there anything more infuriating in this world?

“If that’s the case, then be cautious and don’t get too confident,” Mo Lao advised before departing, his mind somewhat eased.

“I loathe you…”

“You’ve wrongly accused me again!”

Once Mo Lao had left, Ying Shuang’s expression contorted into fury and bitterness, his emotions reaching their boiling point.