I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 280

Chapter 280: Even if the Demon Lord is gone, the world dare not leave my name

The reappearance of the inheritor of demonic arts within the True Immortal Academy swiftly sent shockwaves through all its disciples.

In this period, whether they were elders, candidate disciples, or quasi-candidates, both inner and outer sect members were gripped by panic and an inexplicable dread.

The sudden disappearance of a young genius with a unique physique from his cave sent shivers down many spines, instilling fear in their hearts.

The presence of an inheritor of demonic arts lurking among them left everyone questioning their safety. Who could be certain that they wouldn’t be the next victim of a brutal murder?

Even esteemed candidate disciples like the Heavenly Phoenix maiden remained on high alert, wary of the sinister presence concealed in the shadows.

After all, the inheritor of demonic arts proved elusive even to Gu Changge’s grasp. With numerous powerful means and a formidable weapon at their disposal, facing off against the inheritor of demonic arts was a daunting prospect. Who could guarantee their safety?

“Ying Shuang once hailed from the Heavenly Emperor Mountain lineage, but now he has turned to forbidden demonic arts, betraying our sacred mountain. As descendants of the Emperor Mountain, it is our duty to locate him and restore peace to this realm,” declared the Son of the divine emperor as he rode past in the sky atop the four spirit chariots, radiating brilliance like a young deity.

His proclamation aimed to quash the threat posed by the inheritors of demonic arts.

Meanwhile, other young geniuses from the Emperor Mountain, including Ying Shuang’s younger sister, Ying Yu, embarked on a widespread search throughout the True Immortal Academy, following any leads that might reveal Ying Shuang’s disguised whereabouts.

However, even the elders of the True Immortal Academy found themselves at a loss, and their efforts to locate Ying Shuang proved fruitless.

“Ying Shuang has strayed into the path of darkness. In his eyes, you are no longer his sister…” The Son of the divine emperor’s voice carried a tinge of sorrow as he observed Ying Yu’s silver eyes.

“Do you think he’ll spare you when you confront him?”

His tone grew colder, leaving no room for interpretation.

Upon hearing this, Ying Yu’s expression mirrored her inner sadness.

“If I encounter him, I won’t hold back,” she affirmed, acknowledging the Son of the divine emperor’s warning, understanding his concern for her emotional state.

“I’m glad you grasp the gravity of the situation. I’d rather not have to intervene and tidy up the mess again,” the Son of the divine emperor remarked casually.

His lineage was no less noble than Prince Ying’s or even the Ying emperor’s. Were it not for Prince Ying’s betrayal of the Emperor Mountain, he might not even have come into existence, still bound by seals.

Furthermore, his father outranked Emperor Ying among the ancient clans, solidifying his elevated status.

The Son of the divine emperor’s appearance and warning brought a sense of relief to many young geniuses.

Afterward, as the most acknowledged strongest figure among the younger generation, Gu Changge naturally stepped forward and voiced his stance.

“Anyone practicing the demonic arts will face consequences. I will collaborate with the elders to track down their whereabouts and seek justice for the young genius who was brutally slain,” he declared.

His words were a soothing balm for many young geniuses, alleviating their worries. After all, Gu Changge had already faced the hidden inheritor of demonic arts before, presumably quelling his apprehensions to some extent.

For many, the inheritor of demonic arts’ recent actions seemed like a direct challenge to them. Gu Changge’s response was seen as a direct retort.

“This guy is stealing my thunder. I was the one who brought it up first…”

The Son of the heavenly emperor couldn’t help but furrow his brows slightly. He entered the scene later and didn’t shine as brightly as Gu Changge.

During this period, he often heard comparisons between himself and Gu Changge from various young geniuses, always finding himself coming up short.

Though he acknowledged Gu Changge’s strength, relegating to a secondary role was irksome.

“This time, I must uncover Ying Shuang’s whereabouts. I refuse to let Gu Changge overshadow me,” he resolved. “His power must exceed the Sacred realm, and I may not be able to match him at the moment.”

The Son of the heavenly emperor’s expression darkened, betraying his inner turmoil and lack of confidence, a far cry from the composed facade he presented to outsiders.

The prince’s uncharacteristic demeanor overtook Ying Yu and the others behind him.

After the Son of the Heavenly Emperor’s birth, his methods were notably severe, and the line of Emperor Ying faced severe suppression. Even Ying Yu was obliged to adhere to the Son of the Heavenly Emperor’s directives and couldn’t act independently.

Subsequently, the atmosphere at the True Immortal Academy grew increasingly restless.

Many elders had foreseen such an occurrence, considering Emperor Ying Shuang’s insidious methods. As long as he concealed his true identity, he could infiltrate undetected.

Identifying the inheritor of demonic arts proved exceedingly challenging; even the Human Ancestral Hall, which frequently clashed with descendants of forbidden demonic arts, struggled to uncover them.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Three chimes resonated, filling the air with an immortal haze and enveloping the high platform. There, an elder with flowing white hair and a beard sat cross-legged, his form blurred and surrounded by chaotic energy.

This elder held profound wisdom, addressing the gathered disciples below.

A symphony of enchanting sounds echoed through the realm as golden lotuses blossomed and immortal flowers illuminated the void, casting an aura of mystery.

Figures flickered on the nearby mountain peaks, densely packed, creating a vibrant scene.

Many disciples found themselves captivated and entranced by the bell’s resonance, feeling the True Immortal Academy’s profound heritage and its elders’ wisdom.

The truth embedded in the sound of the bell was unparalleled.

Numerous geniuses experienced profound insights and witnessed their cultivation base soaring as they listened.

Previously, they couldn’t dream of encountering beings as revered as the Supremes, but now, almost every day, a Supreme delivered teachings for them.

Such treatment was a world apart from their prior experiences, solidifying the desire of every young disciple to be a part of the academy.

“Changge, why is the descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall keeping an eye on you?”

“Did something happen between the two of you?”

Perched on a massive piece of bluestone, Gu Changge, with his slender frame and handsome visage, stood with hands behind his back, attentively listening to the elder’s bells on the high platform.

The daily teachings were an integral part of their practice regimen for newly arrived disciples.

Though Gu Changge remained nonchalant, the influx of disciples gave him ample opportunities to assess potential allies.

In response to Yue Mingkong’s inquiry, he casually remarked, “Perhaps he’s aware of my identity and is contemplating how to expose me.”

Yue Mingkong, standing beside him, regarded him with suspicion. “Really? It seems different to me, though.”

Among the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall were Wang Ziji from the Ancient Immortal Wang family and Jiang Chuchu.

Having encountered Wang Ziji earlier, Yue Mingkong knew she was merely a pawn manipulated by Gu Changge, so she paid her no mind.

However, the other descendant, who almost exposed Gu Changge’s identity in a past life, seemed to be observing him closely. Had she noticed something?

Her expression was complex and evasive as if she didn’t want Gu Changge to catch on.

This left Yue Mingkong feeling puzzled and suspicious.

“However, the Human Ancestor has disappeared, so there’s no need for the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall to worry,” Yue Mingkong reassured herself, relieved once more.

“What’s on your mind? Concerned about my actions towards her?” Gu Changge glanced at Yue Mingkong with intrigue, then inquired. Both Jiang Chuchu and Wang Ziji were present in the True Immortal Academy, but Gu Changge had no intention of approaching them. Their value had diminished significantly, and Gu Changge couldn’t utilize them effectively. Their luck points paled in comparison to Zi Yang Heavenly King’s appearance. Neither Wang Ziji nor Jiang Chuchu required much of his attention.

“That’s a possibility,” Yue Mingkong admitted without refuting.

Gu Changge chuckled. “She’s a descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall. How could I have the power to harm her?”

Yue Mingkong didn’t buy his explanation. Gu Changge’s insistence only fueled her suspicions.

However, she chose not to voice her doubts.

Recently, she had been investigating Qing Xiao Yi and Qing Feng’s cultivation habits, knowing that numerous old monsters surrounded them. She needed to bide her time if she aimed to seize the bottle in Qingfeng’s possession. Additionally, she was unclear about Gu Changge’s plans. He seemed content to let Ying Shuang take the fall and had no further intentions.

With the elders concluding their teachings on the high platform, many young geniuses expressed regret, feeling unsatisfied.

“In two weeks, True Immortal Academy will hold its first trial since admission. Your cultivation resources and potential will be determined by this test,” the elder announced before departing.

Upon entering the mountain gate, many young geniuses were grouped based on their cultivation realm, although their actual combat prowess didn’t always align with their realm. This introduction marked the beginning of the trial. Upon hearing this, there was a moment of stunned silence, followed by a wave of excitement that swept through the crowd. The younger generation, brimming with energy and ambition, saw this trial as an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Many had been holding back, eager for a chance to prove themselves. The trial news spread rapidly, sparking a flurry of preparation among the young geniuses, including the candidate’s disciples.

“Even though the specifics of the trial haven’t been revealed, this could be another chance for me,” Gu Changge remarked, his gaze shifting to a distant mountaintop where a figure in purple robes stood amidst a swirling purple aura like a miniature sun – Zi Yang Heavenly King. Recently, Gu Changge dispatched individuals to investigate Zi Yang’s background. Formerly known as Zi Yang, he hailed from the Purple Mansion, an immortal sect. Rising to prominence in the upper realm, he became unparalleled, asserting himself as the foremost figure of his era. Logically, there should have been no connection between him and Gu Xian’er. However, according to the information Gu Changge had unearthed, on the day Zi Yang Heavenly King was born, purple energy spread across 30,000 miles, and he seemed accompanied by a mysterious Dao bone. His talent was extraordinary, surpassing his peers in maturity and stability.

“It appears he was born with innate wisdom and a mysterious Dao bone,” Gu Changge mused, his expression tinged with complexity. Various thoughts raced through his mind. While such occurrences were rare, they were not unprecedented. Zi Yang Heavenly King might have had a connection to Gu Xian’er from a previous life.

In this life, if he hadn’t unearthed Gu Xian’er’s bones, Gu Xian’er might have awakened some kind of past life memory.

“Gu Xian’er seems to have some sort of peculiar background. Could she have been a major figure in her previous life?” Gu Changge’s smile held a hint of intrigue. There were indeed various twists and turns, and it seemed that fate enjoyed throwing challenges his way.

However, as the leeks (unaware individuals) came knocking on his door again, he couldn’t help but smile.

“System, the template on Zi Yang Heavenly King’s body actually aligns with the criteria of a lucky individual, and his own luck points are sufficient.”

“But why hasn’t the corresponding quest been triggered?” Gu Changge asked the system, expressing his concern.

Logically, the presence of Zi Yang Heavenly King should classify him as the reincarnation or reborn Son of luck, fitting the typical template. However, compared to the common saying “thirty years east, thirty years west,” it was relatively unusual. Could this be the reason?

Gu Changge pondered.

The system responded proactively, “Zi Yang Heavenly King lacks the necessary luck points to trigger the system quest. Currently, luck is so weak that many individuals possess great luck.”

“The lucky individual the master needs to trigger the quest is actually someone else.”

“Someone else?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, revealing his thoughts.

The system’s prompt suggested that this so-called lucky individual was not far from him – possibly within the True Immortal Academy.

“That strange stone that fell from the Nine Heavens?”

Soon, Gu Changge locked in on the target. After all, aside from the strange stone, he perceived no other genius whose luck points were relevant to his conception of the lucky individual.

Even the Son of the Divine Emperor, Jin Chan Buddhist, Heavenly Phoenix maiden, and others fell into this category, possessing at most great luck.

“Could it be a formidable individual who returned from the Nine Heavens?” Gu Changge couldn’t help but shake his head slightly. This routine typically involved pretending to be weak while being assertive. He was all too familiar with it.

Therefore, the man emerging from the strange stone was not merely in the heavenly god realm; he likely wielded immense power. Yet, outwardly, he seemed ordinary, inviting ridicule and disdain.

“So, he was originally meant to be a figure in this world, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, he ended up in the Nine Heavens, where he stayed for many years before being sealed within a strange stone, and then falling out…” Gu Changge’s smile held a hint of intrigue as he swiftly analyzed the situation.

With this understanding, things became much clearer.

A returnee powerhouse?

Such a scenario often involved the so-called return of an Immortal Emperor, discovering his daughter living humbly and single, prompting a massive influx of heavenly soldiers from the Immortal Realm.

Of course, Gu Changge wasn’t dealing with an Immortal Emperor this time, but the strength of that mysterious man shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Ding, triggering the quest for the senior brother who has returned from the Nine Heavens, the son of luck of the return stream.”

As Gu Changge pieced everything together, the system prompt arrived as expected.

“Eldest sibling who returned from the Nine Heavens?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow slightly.

He inquired, “What does the system prompt say this time?”

Buzz!

As Gu Changge’s words echoed, the familiar sensation enveloped him again, with light and shadow dancing before him as the scene unfolded.

Before him stood a tall and magnificent mountain gate bearing the ancient inscription “Endless Dao Sect,” exuding an aura of age and antiquity.

Though these words belonged to a bygone era, Gu Changge recognized them instantly, sparking a moment of puzzlement as he recalled something.

“Master, it’s been so long since Big Brother left. There must have been many trials. Please accept my condolences,” expressed a young disciple in a purple robe, his tone laden with sorrow.

“Impossible. Wu Ya’s soul lamp hasn’t dimmed. He can’t be in mortal peril. He must be ensnared somewhere, and he’ll surely return. I’ll wait for him here!” rebutted an old man, his demeanor resolute, refusing to entertain the notion of Wu Ya facing danger.

After all, Wu Ya was his cherished disciple and had been his adopted Son since childhood. Steadfast and responsible, he bore the weighty task of reviving the Endless Dao Sect. It seemed inconceivable that he could be in harm’s way.

“Father, if Big Brother is fine, he’ll find his way back. Don’t lose hope,” consoled a gentle woman with striking features and a compassionate demeanour. Yet, sorrow flickered in her eyes beneath her calm exterior whenever she mentioned her brother.

“If Big Brother isn’t here, you still have your little sister…”

“Senior Sister, Master, don’t despair. I believe Big Brother will return safely,” the young disciple in the purple robe interjected, attempting to offer some reassurance.

Upon hearing this, the older man sighed, shaking his head before gazing into the distance.

Perched on a nearby bluestone, a woman clad in blue garments sat in deep meditation, her countenance aloof, devoid of emotion as she diligently cultivated.

“Dao Xian hasn’t disappointed her teacher,” the old man remarked with relief and pride in his eyes.

Boom!

Suddenly, a roar reverberated across the distant cosmos, causing the group gathered at the mountain’s base to startle.

In the ensuing moments, the sky ruptured, vast chasms rending its fabric as if it were made of delicate porcelain crumbling to pieces. Within these rents materialized scenes of the Great War of Ten Thousand Immortals, each more horrifying than the last, causing even the heavens to tremble.

Asgard, the celestial citadel at the heart of the infinite cosmos, disintegrated and collapsed into dust, its destruction foreboding and catastrophic.

A figure adorned with a crown of purple-gold, emanating an aura that spanned epochs, was impaled by a halberd, rent asunder, and bathed the cosmos in its celestial blood.

“What… what is happening?”

“The immortals are bleeding, Asgard has fallen, and even the Immortal Lord has been vanquished…”

This harrowing sight plunged the onlookers into despair, fear, and profound horror.

In the vision, they beheld a colossal hand ensconced in myriad tendrils of demonic energy, a sight of unparalleled terror that seemed to span the infinite expanse of the universe. The sky rose asunder, and the cosmos collapsed under its devastating force. Even the fabled river of time ran dry, disintegrating into countless shards. Entire lineages and clans were reduced to zero beneath its palm. Countless lives were extinguished in an instant. With one fell swoop, it razed eight thousand realms, leaving naught but desolation in its wake. Then, the scene faded away.

Despite witnessing this cataclysmic vision, Gu Changge remained steadfast, his expression unwavering.

“Endless Dao Sect? No wonder those ancient characters seemed familiar. They hail from an era lost in the annals of time…” he murmured, piecing together the fragments of memory gleaned from the prompt.

The woman immersed in her cultivation atop the bluestone was undoubtedly Gu Xian’er in her past life. As for the purple-robed disciple, he was none other than Zi Yang Heavenly King. And the vanished senior brother, who traversed the Nine Heavens before emerging from the strange stone in this life, completed the puzzle.

With this newfound clarity, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

“The system prompts, it seems, are dredged from the depths of my own memories. Perhaps even the origins of this system are intertwined with my own,” Gu Changge pondered, delving deeper into his thoughts.

From these memories, it was evident that the Demon Lord’s obliteration remained a lingering spectre, its cause a matter of inconsequence to him.

Reflecting on the tumult his Demon Lord’s vest had stirred, Gu Changge couldn’t help but acknowledge the extensive entanglements it had brought upon him in this life. It was no wonder that even Lao Shi, the stone monster who had once served as his seat cushion, harboured jealousy and feared toward him.

“The ultimate adversary of the forbidden era of audacious love is the Demon Lord. Time may pass, but my name remains a source of dread across all realms,” he mused as the memories flooded back.

“The downfall of the Endless Dao Sect merely ripples the surface… But why concern oneself over squashed ants,” he added, with a dismissive wave of his hand.

As the visions coalesced, Gu Changge sensed a stirring deep within his soul, as if a dormant memory was on the verge of awakening. The Eight Desolate Demon Halberd within his weapon space quivered faintly, emanating an aura of anticipation and exhilaration.

“Those destined to return will do so in due time,” he murmured, feeling the Devil’s heartbeats gradually subside.

With that, he assumed a divine form and departed the scene, turning his attention to the next phase of his plan. Harvesting the Child of Luck was imperative, but the involvement of the return stream this time presented a far greater challenge.

Dealing with Zi Yang Heavenly King was straightforward enough, but the astute individual was not one to incite direct conflict with Gu Changge. Moreover, Gu Changge couldn’t act overtly against him without just cause.

Regardless of whether success was achievable, another hurdle lay in the form of the elders of the True Immortal Academy and the Purple Mansion immortal sect backing Zi Yang Heavenly King. Gu Changge knew he must navigate this obstacle with finesse, maintaining the guise of justice to avoid interference while tarnishing Zi Yang’s reputation enough to nullify any potential protection from the Purple Mansion.

Meanwhile, Gu Xian’er, having absorbed the preaching, hurried to her cave with a look of comprehension, opposed to Gu Changge’s departure. Only after witnessing his departure did she rise from her spot.

In recent times, she had actively avoided encounters with Gu Changge, who, in turn, seemed indifferent to her presence. While this eased her mind, it also stirred a sense of loss and resentment toward Gu Changge. Clearly, he had gained the upper hand, yet he appeared to have suffered no losses.