I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 286

Chapter 286: After being eaten clean, wipe your mouth and leave. Isn’t your behavior very sincere?

When Gu Changge announced he held the Candidate One jade sign, the expressions of the other candidates shifted subtly, each glancing down at their own jade sign.

Even the enigmatic six-time champion cast a glance at his crystal-clear jade stick, a departure from his usual calm and silence. There was a hint of change in his eyes, suggesting a departure from his usual demeanor.

Teaming up with Gu Changge would undoubtedly offer numerous advantages, increasing their chances of survival in the trial. After all, with Gu Changge’s strength, many young geniuses in True Immortal Academy coveted the opportunity to become his followers. Several elders had already warned of the trial’s difficulty, predicting a high likelihood of casualties.

“It’s a shame…” The six-time champion shook his head softly, his voice carrying a mysterious allure. His jade sign indicated he was Candidate Three. “Truly a pity.”

On the opposite side, the Heavenly Phoenix Maiden withdrew her gaze, wearing a slightly regretful expression as she traced the numbers on her jade sign. “Fortunately, I’m Candidate Three.”

Zi Yang breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing his sequence numbers. The weight on his chest finally lifted. He had feared being on the same team as Gu Changge, fearing it would be a nightmare. After all, if there was a conflict with Gu Changge after his senior brother went to fetch water from Reincarnation Lake, he would be left without assistance.

“Candidate Two,” the announcement rang out.

Yue Mingkong glanced at Gu Changge, shaking her head gently, her demeanor remaining steady.

Gu Changge chuckled, “Why, don’t we seem to have an understanding?”

Yue Mingkong rolled her eyes lightly, offering no response.

“I’m also Candidate Two. How about we switch?” On the opposite side, Wang Ziji smiled at Jiang Chuchu, who maintained a composed facade.

“Since it’s the rule of True Immortal Academy, we can’t simply switch,” Jiang Chuchu replied casually, squeezing her jade slip tightly. “Princess Mingkong’s strength is not as straightforward as you assume. Being on the same team as her could be advantageous.”

Wang Ziji chuckled, “You didn’t see her expression; clearly, she’s not thrilled about being with me.”

Jiang Chuchu fell silent. Though outwardly calm, she was inwardly conflicted. She hadn’t anticipated drawing the same candidate number as Gu Changge. Would this mean she’d be teamed up with him for the trial? What would happen? Would Gu Changge remain indifferent, or would he… treat her as he had before?

Jiang Chuchu found herself in a whirlwind of emotions—apprehension, unease, nervousness, concern over outcomes, and anticipation. Perhaps all at once.

On the high platform, a group of elders materialized, with a tall, red-haired elder commanding silence. He began announcing the trial’s details, capturing the attention of all the disciples.

“This trial remains connected to the absolute heavenly extinction,” the elder continued, his voice grave. “In several areas where the absolute heavenly extinction has erupted, there are suspicions of the emergence of the Heavenly Extinction Kingdom. Within this kingdom, the Heavenly Extinction Emperor has awakened with consciousness, commanding numerous heavenly extinction creatures to launch attacks on major ancient cities. So far, the Vermillion Bird Ancient Kingdom has been besieged by these souls, resulting in tragic deaths of many cultivators and the loss of vast territories.”

“In addition to the Vermillion Bird Ancient Kingdom, other affiliated ancient nations such as the White Tiger, Green Dragon, Xuanwu, and Chi Long have also suffered heavy casualties.”

These ancient nations were all closely affiliated with the True Immortal Academy and held significance for many of the present generation’s sects.

Upon learning of the attacks on these ancient kingdoms by the heavenly extinction creatures, many individuals’ expressions turned to righteous indignation. Fists clenched, and surges of killing intent emanated from them.

The appearance of the absolute heavenly extinction not only consumed the surrounding world and heavens but also birthed these creatures, posing the greatest threat to all races. While cultivators might find ways to escape, for ordinary people, it spelled catastrophe.

“The absolute heavenly extinction has erupted once more. I wonder what the source of this calamity is this time…”

“Last time, it was Wang Ziji who led me to it. Could it be that this time, I must rely on Jiang Chuchu?”

Hearing this, Gu Changge appeared pensive, his mind never straying far from this rare source. The last time he had only devoured and refined a portion of it, he felt his Great Dao treasure bottle purify like washing away impurities, infusing it with new vitality.

“Why isn’t Gu Changge teamed up with Princess Mingkong? When did the descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall reappear? And why are there so many women surrounding Gu Changge?”

“I hadn’t noticed before,” Gu Xian’er muttered from her spot at a distance.

She suddenly felt she had underestimated Gu Changge’s allure to other geniuses. Not only did he have his fiancée Yue Mingkong, but also the celestial daughters like the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall seemed drawn to him. Even the girl Qing Xiao Yi, rumored to possess an immortal body, appeared to hold him in high regard.

This realization left her feeling somewhat disgruntled.

Now, finding herself on the same team as Qing Xiao Yi and Qing Feng, she wondered if she would need to tend to these two weaker members.

“If Gu Changge proposed an exchange with the Qing siblings, they might agree…”

With this thought in mind, Gu Xian’er gazed at Gu Changge with anticipation practically written on her face.

Gu Changge, however, opted to ignore her, as if he hadn’t noticed her gaze. Bringing Gu Xian’er along would only invite trouble. As the daughter of luck, she possessed deep blessings and needed to learn to navigate her own path and seize opportunities independently.

Gu Changge was still contemplating what surprises she might bring him, such as returning from a trial with some sort of celestial treasure. Yet here she was, still expecting him to take her back? She must be dreaming.

“Damn, he clearly saw me and ignored me,” Gu Xian’er muttered angrily, shaking her fist at him.

Naturally, Zi Yang noticed this scene. His fists clenched tightly, his heart brimming with jealousy. How could his once cold and arrogant little junior sister display such an expression toward a man? Yet Gu Changge continued to ignore her. What kind of allure did he hold over her?

This thought made Zi Yang grind his teeth, comforting himself with the notion that his little junior sister’s memories of their past life had yet to awaken. It was all Gu Changge’s fault for concealing his true nature so well.

Soon, several elders finished outlining the requirements of the trial, which ultimately revolved around combatting the absolute heavenly extinction led by the disciples of the major candidates. With Qin Wuya temporarily absent, many quasi-candidate disciples, including Yue Mingkong, Gu Xian’er, and others, had the opportunity to participate in the lot drawing.

While their realms were all at the level of the god-king realm, their true strengths remained a mystery, even to the elders. After all, no one knew the extent of each young prodigy’s capabilities. It remained to be seen what cards they held until the very end.

In the end, the teams for the trial were decided: the six-crown king and Zi Yang’s team, Prince Sheng and Jin Chan’s team, and Yue Mingkong alongside Wang Ziji. Gu Xian’er found herself grouped with Qing Xiao Yi and Qing Feng.

“Holy Maiden Chuchu,” Gu Changge greeted as he approached, and Jiang Chuchu returned the greeting with a calm expression.

“Young Master Changge is polite,” Jiang Chuchu nodded, maintaining a calm demeanor.

It was the first time they had exchanged greetings since their departure from the Land of Heavenly Extinction, and neither of them showed any signs of tension. Gu Changge made no mention of their past encounters, and Jiang Chuchu didn’t offer much conversation either.

To the others, everything seemed normal. However, Yue Mingkong couldn’t shake the feeling that Jiang Chuchu’s composure was slightly forced, a subtle observation she made during the elders’ preaching earlier that day.

Meanwhile, Wang Ziji approached Yue Mingkong with a friendly smile. “Is Princess Mingkong worried that her fiance will be snatched away?”

Yue Mingkong’s expression remained neutral. “No, I’m just concerned about Holy Maiden Chuchu’s safety.”

Wang Ziji was momentarily taken aback, maintaining his smile. “Oh, it seems Princess Mingkong knows Brother Gu quite well.”

Yue Mingkong felt a mix of emotions towards the woman before her, whose beauty rivaled her own. She seemed overly involved in matters that didn’t concern her. Despite being a descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall, she exuded an aura of mischief.

“It appears that Princess Mingkong trusts Brother Gu implicitly, but I have a feeling he’s not the type to remain idle,” Wang Ziji continued with a smile.

“Regardless, it wasn’t me who ended up devoured and wiped away,” Yue Mingkong replied, her expression serene and tranquil, akin to flawless jade.

This response left Wang Ziji momentarily stunned, finding it hard to believe. Was Yue Mingkong, as Gu Changge’s fiancee, truly this tolerant towards him? Or perhaps she was exceptionally confident in him? He couldn’t quite grasp her thoughts, wondering if she doubted Gu Changge’s sincerity as a sea king.

Subsequently, a group of disciples began selecting the teams they wished to join, though it wasn’t compulsory. The elders understood that the True Immortal Academy’s main disciples would accompany the Candidates and Quasi-Candidates, essentially filling in the numbers.

To put it bluntly, most of the disciples were here merely to follow along. Therefore, it came as no surprise that the majority wanted to align themselves with Gu Changge. Whether they were Quasi-Candidates, Inner Disciples, or Outer Disciples, they eagerly chose to join his team.

Despite Gu Changge’s strong personality, he had always treated his followers well. This was evident from the fact that his followers were far superior to those of other geniuses.

Additionally, there were teams led by the Six Crown Prince, Prince Sheng, Yue Mingkong, and others.

Conversely, Gu Xian’er, Qing Xiao Yi, and Qing Feng found themselves in an awkward situation as no disciples opted to follow them, not even the Outer Disciples. Many were aware of Qing Xiao Yi’s limited experience, and at the time of the trial, she would only be a burden.

As for Gu Xian’er, while her strength wasn’t lacking, compared to the other young candidates, she fell short, especially with two inexperienced companions.

“What’s going on…” Gu Xian’er, typically cold and aloof, was at a loss and struggled to comprehend the situation. Apart from Qing Xiao Yi and Qing Feng, she had no one by her side.

Thus, she appeared conspicuously deserted, starkly contrasting with the groups forming around other disciples. Even Zi Yang, whom Gu Changge had humiliated, had garnered a following.

Why was she left out? Was she that unpopular? She couldn’t fathom it. Whether in appearance or cultivation, she was on par with, if not superior to, the other Beloved Girls. Yet, why did no one choose to join her team?

This situation caused Gu Xian’er’s delicate and flawless face to flush with embarrassment.

“Senior Sister Xian’er…” Qing Xiao Yi and Qing Feng, though accustomed to such situations, felt embarrassed nonetheless.

It was their actions that had led to this outcome.

Attempting to appear nonchalant, Gu Xian’er replied lightly, “It’s alright. They simply lack discernment. Having fewer people around will save me the trouble of protecting them.”

“We won’t be a burden, Senior Sister Xian’er,” Qing Feng reassured her with a bitter smile, eager to alleviate her discomfort.

Gu Xian’er nodded in acknowledgment, choosing not to dwell on the matter further.

Meanwhile, a group of elders observed the scene from above, unsure of what to say in response to this unprecedented situation at the True Immortal Academy.

Qing Feng and Qing Xiao Yi, once highly promising disciples, had shown remarkable changes in recent times. Qing Feng exhibited signs of chaos within his body, with occasional manifestations of extraordinary power, attributed to his unique physique.

This revelation surprised the elders. Despite Qing Feng’s inability to cultivate, he possessed a mysterious physique, which prompted them to allow both siblings to participate in the trial together.

However, they hadn’t anticipated the candid reactions of the other geniuses, who displayed their true colors vividly.

Gu Changge’s team was already overflowing with followers, leaving little room for anyone else. As Gu Xian’er’s cousin, she found herself in a particularly pitiable position.

“Don’t worry, elders. When the opportunity arises, I’ll look after these siblings,” Gu Changge reassured the elders, sensing their predicament and offering assistance.

Whether it was Qing Xiao Yi, Qing Feng, or Gu Xian’er, they were all individuals blessed with great fortune. How could they easily encounter an accident? The notion of “take-or-pay” was merely casual talk.

However, upon hearing Gu Changge’s words, the elders couldn’t help but smile and breathe a sigh of relief, interpreting his words as a guarantee.

“That’s wonderful. I feel like I have a better understanding of Young Master Changge now.”

“With Young Master Changge’s assurance, I’ll be able to rest easy.”

“Yes, we’ll be relying on Young Master Changge.”

Their expressions were kind and smiling, exuding a sense of relief as they found Gu Changge increasingly pleasing. He seemed to have a knack for handling things well.

The criticisms that had been brewing due to Gu Changge’s recent confrontation with Zi Yang had disappeared in this moment.

“Don’t worry, elders, I’ll make sure they return safely,” Gu Changge assured with a smile.

“Brother, look at how considerate Young Master Changge is, still looking out for us,” Qing Xiao Yi remarked with reverence and admiration, whispering to Qing Feng.

“Young Master Changge is doing this because of Miss Xian’er. Don’t read too much into it, Xiao Yi,” Qing Feng quickly corrected her, smiling wryly.

“I don’t need Gu Changge meddling in my affairs,” Gu Xian’er declared, her face contorted in a cold and disdainful expression. However, inwardly, she felt a sense of pride and contentment. Despite his claim of indifference towards her, Gu Changge’s actions seemed genuinely sincere.

……

Soon, a dazzling brilliance emerged, illuminating the vast and massive teleportation array. The spiritual energy was exceptionally rich, and a series of intertwined runes added to the spectacle, accompanied by a breathtakingly majestic pressure that felt like the opening of an ancient portal.

Gathered around were numerous young geniuses, their figures flickering as they appeared on the ancient warship stationed in front of the teleportation formation. A faint excitement glimmered in their eyes.

“Let’s go!” an elder shouted, his sleeves waving as colorful rays of light erupted.

With that command, the ancient warships vanished, darting straight into the portal and hurtling towards the trial site.

Boom!

One by one, the ancient warships ascended into the sky, traversing through the portal and disappearing into the void, covering immense distances in mere moments.

“I hope we return safely this time, with casualties not exceeding 50%,” some elders sighed with worry etched in their eyes.

Indeed, the trial of the True Immortal Academy differed from other Dao traditions. The dangers were more palpable and immediate.

The outbreak of the absolute heavenly extinction posed a far greater threat than before. Without the strength of the quasi-sacred realm, who could dare to guarantee their safety?