I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 288

Chapter 288: The destiny quest related to life experience, I have experienced the depth of it many times

“What’s the matter, are you not feeling well?”

On the ancient warship speeding toward the kingdom of Vermilion Bird, the palace brimmed with an aura, and rays of light soared into the sky. Gu Changge asked casually, seemingly in good spirits.

“No, I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt a strange sensation.”

Su Qingge leaned against his arms, adjusted to a more comfortable position, and gently shook her head. “Young Master, do you still remember what happened when you were in the lower realm?”

“What happened in the lower realm?” Gu Changge raised his eyebrows slightly, recalling that when he inquired about Su Qingge’s whereabouts from Yan Ji, she mentioned that Su Qingge was going to find her mother. Was her question now related to that?

“You mean your background?” Even though it had been a while, Gu Changge still recalled it. Su Qingge’s mother was a noblewoman from the upper realm who had accidentally ended up in the lower realm. After giving birth to Su Qingge, she was taken back to the upper realm.

Su Qingge’s father had hoped that she would find her mother once she returned to the upper realm.

“So, Young Master still remembers.” Su Qingge sounded somewhat pleased. “I thought Master had forgotten all about it.”

“If you hadn’t reminded me, I might have forgotten,” Gu Changge said casually, his expression somewhat enigmatic as he remembered the sudden reminder from the system in his mind.

“Trigger the Su Qingge Destiny questline?” These random quests usually only occurred when encountering the Son of Luck. Could it be that he would encounter a Son of Luck on this journey to the ancient kingdom of Vermilion Bird? And was it related to Su Qingge, or was it her life experience?

One body and two souls, yet the body remained unswayed by the other soul, showcasing Su Qingge’s remarkable willpower. However, the system had never mentioned it, and Gu Changge couldn’t easily pass judgment. But now, Su Qingge could be dubbed the daughter of luck, her luck points soaring each day.

As Gu Changge observed the lower realm’s progression step by step, Su Qingge’s luck points climbed from over 300 to nearly breaking through 10,000 in the blink of an eye. Who would’ve thought that a once obscure beauty in the Eastern Wilderness would now emerge as the inheritor of demonic arts capable of instilling terror in the upper realms?

“She truly is a remarkable individual,” Gu Changge couldn’t help but smile.

“Master, what’s amusing you?” Su Qingge stared at him, sensing a newfound humanity in him, bridging the gap that had always seemed insurmountable.

“We’ve reached the ancient kingdom of Vermilion Bird,” Gu Changge replied, rising to his feet. His consciousness, vast as the sea, swept down, taking note of the majestic imperial city below.

In this trial, Gu Changge sensed that things might become much more intriguing. Most of the ancient kingdom of Vermilion Bird had fallen, as had the ancient country to which the rest of the disciples hurried.

Although he was certain he could resolve the disaster of absolute heavenly extinction, he didn’t particularly want to. After all, the downfall of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom would serve his interests well. The more tumultuous the situation, the more he could exploit it to undermine Zi Yang. It would be even better if Jiang Chuchu could uncover the source of absolute heavenly extinction for him.

“Gu Changge.” Upon seeing Su Qingge and Gu Changge exiting the palace, Jiang Chuchu, who had been meditating nearby, opened her eyes with a mix of shame and anger, yet maintained a cold demeanor.

“Did Holy Maiden Chu Chu rest well last night?” Gu Changge approached, offering a casual greeting.

“You…” Jiang Chuchu’s intended retort was swallowed, stifled by her own resolve.

Soon after, she regained her composure before everyone, masking any sign of abnormality. “Looks like a good rest,” Gu Changge remarked casually. “In this trial, I’ll need the Holy Maiden’s cooperation. As a descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall, I expect you have many means to handle the Heavenly Extinction Creatures.”

“Yeah, this time I’ll need to rely on Holy Maiden Chuchu,” Su Qingge chimed in. “Along the way, it’s become evident that this disaster isn’t simple…”

“There are plenty of quasi-sacred realm creatures in the Absolute Heavenly Extinction realm,” another disciple added. “We’ll have to rely on Master Changge and Holy Maiden Chuchu.”

The other disciples nodded along, oblivious to the tension between Jiang Chuchu and Gu Changge.

“Young Master Changge is extremely powerful. With him around, I fear I won’t stand a chance to intervene,” remarked one disciple.

“That self-awareness is commendable,” Jiang Chuchu replied calmly, shaking her head.

However, many disciples perceived her humility as mere modesty. After all, her strength was widely recognized, especially after she recently displayed her formidable cultivation in the sacred realm. Rumors had it that the two descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall had been trained to surpass their peers.

“You shouldn’t underestimate yourself. Holy Maiden Chuchu is genuinely humble. Gu has witnessed your capabilities on numerous occasions,” Gu Changge interjected with a smile.

Upon hearing this, most simply regarded it as friendly banter between the two. However, a few individuals looked pensive. Could it be that these two had actually clashed before? Was that why Jiang Chuchu made such a statement, knowing she couldn’t match Gu Changge? The idea garnered more admiration for Gu Changge. It seemed that he had already subdued the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall without anyone knowing, showcasing a strength beyond mere invincibility.

Yet, Jiang Chuchu, a direct party to the conversation, didn’t share this sentiment. She sensed an ulterior motive in Gu Changge’s words, causing her to secretly grit her teeth in frustration. Could he really utter such words in front of everyone? Shameless!

Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.

Before the gates of the imperial city, numerous cultivators and creatures who had already caught wind of the news gathered. They hailed from various clans within the ancient country of Vermilion Bird. With the calamity of absolute heavenly extinction looming, they deliberated on how to confront it, paying little heed to the return of the third prince.

“It’s the third prince! The third prince has truly returned, this is fantastic!”

“Amidst the crisis, the sudden return of the third prince might just be our salvation. Perhaps we won’t have to abandon our homeland.”

Suddenly, everyone rushed to greet him. At that moment, seeing the handsome figure before the imperial city, excitement rippled through the crowd.

Any resident of the ancient kingdom of Vermilion Bird would have heard of the talented third prince, Chu Hao. Legend had it that on the day of his birth, the heavens burst open, golden lotuses bloomed, springs gushed from the earth, immortal flowers blossomed, and the shadow of an ancient celestial cave materialized above the palace.

Following this spectacle, cranes emerged from all directions, shrouded in immortal mist. Though they bore no immortals, they presented a gift of immortal grass, over a million years old.

This event caused quite a stir at the time, sparking widespread discussion throughout the ancient country of Vermilion Bird. Many cultivators believed the third prince to be the reincarnation of an immortal. Even geniuses born alongside him seemed dim in comparison to his radiance.

“I can’t fathom that Senior Brother was born in such a remote place, where even the aura of the ancient country is steadily declining. It’s difficult to imagine how it nurtured and supported someone like Senior Brother.”

The girl, tall and slender with skin as white as snow, possessed exquisite facial features and a cold, quiet temperament. Her long dress, woven from silk spun by fire silkworms over a million years old, was adorned with various mystical and ancient patterns.

With disbelief and surprise evident in her words, she expressed her incredulity that a master of such immense talent could emerge from such a locale. From their perspective, a talent like Senior Brother could only be cultivated by factions like the Immortal Sect or Ancient Immortal Families.

However, Chu Hao remained unfazed by her words, simply smiling and replying, “I’ve mentioned before, don’t be too astonished when you accompany me. The forces backing me aren’t particularly formidable. Nonetheless, I’m deeply grateful for their guidance and support, as well as for my homeland, the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.”

“Even when the treasury was depleted, Emperor Father still provided me with numerous cultivation resources. However, they were insufficient for my needs at the time, so I ventured beyond the borders of the ancient country of Vermilion Bird and traveled extensively.”

“Without encountering those cranes at birth, I likely wouldn’t have been able to find the sect’s whereabouts.”

“There’s actually a backstory to this, one I hadn’t heard from Senior Brother before.”

“The father of Senior Brother must have been a remarkable individual,” the girl remarked, her eyes filled with admiration.

“So when you encounter everyone in the ancient Vermilion Bird country, don’t put on airs, especially in front of my father,” Chu Hao’s expression turned serious, concerned that his younger siblings might develop a sense of superiority and look down on the cultivators and beings in the ancient Vermilion Bird country.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother, how could Junior Sister and I ever do such a thing? This time, we didn’t leave the mountain to cause trouble for you…” The carefree young man quickly flashed a smile upon hearing Chu Hao’s words, assuring him of his continued respect and deference to his elder brother.

However, the girl simply cast a light glance in his direction without uttering a word.

Chu Hao understood the personalities of his siblings well enough to guess what they were thinking at that moment.

The girl’s name was Ji Qingxuan, and behind her was the enigmatic Ji family, which had existed for a very long time, yet remained shrouded in mystery and maintained a low profile.

While everyone was familiar with the Ancient Immortal families and the Immortal Sects, few had ever heard of the ancient hidden world.

The Ancient Hidden Clan was a diverse group, even though it had endured across eras, yet it still dared to claim itself as such.

However, the Ji clan was unique because its origins could be traced back to the time when the human race first emerged.

This so-called human ancestor wasn’t associated with cultivation; rather, it was due to the great deeds they had performed for all beings in heaven and earth.

Hence, the secretive Ji family was also referred to as the descendants of the human ancestor. The young man named Wang Xiao was a prodigy from the royal lineage of the hidden world.

While the Hidden Royal Family naturally paled in comparison to the Ji Clan, before the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country, it still loomed as a formidable entity, one not easily provoked.

Wang Xiao’s arrogance often led him to look down upon the ancient Vermilion Bird country. This time, he had ventured down the mountain to follow Ji Qingxuan, adding to Chu Hao’s astonishment.

However, Wang Xiao found himself somewhat restrained in the presence of Chu Hao, his senior.

“Hao’er, Hao’er…” At that moment, on the central street of the imperial city, the ruler of the Vermilion Bird kingdom, adorned in a bird robe and accompanied by a retinue of ministers, approached with great excitement.

“Father,” Chu Hao greeted with a smile, hastening to meet him.

“The emperor of the mortal world…” Wang Xiao muttered disdainfully under his breath.

“Do you truly believe your senior brother can’t hear you?” Ji Qingxuan frowned, her expression icy. “Idiot.”

Quickly, Wang Xiao plastered on a smile. “Elder brother won’t mind. After all, if Master wants to ascend to the position of palace master this time, he still requires the support of my royal family. Senior brother will turn a blind eye…”

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxuan shot him a cold glance but said nothing.

Boom!

Suddenly, a terrifying rumble echoed from the sky!

“An ancient warship is approaching…” Ji Qingxuan’s gaze shifted, and when she looked up, she beheld a daunting apparition blotting out the sky and sun in the distance, descending upon the ancient Vermilion Bird country.

This spectacle stirred immense awe as it rolled across the sky, captivating many cultivators and creatures below.

Meanwhile, the Vermilion Bird King and his entourage, who had been conversing with Chu Hao, displayed expressions of delight.

“Father, what’s this?” Chu Hao’s surprise mirrored in his eyes as he glimpsed the imposing flag on the ancient warship.

The words “True Immortal” adorned the flag, simple yet resonating with an ancient aura.

The existence of the True Immortal Academy was familiar to nearly everyone in the Upper Realm, Chu Hao included. Naturally, he couldn’t help but be curious. How could the True Immortal Academy take notice of a place like the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country?

“It seems the geniuses from the True Immortal Academy have all arrived,” the Vermilion Bird King explained. “Upon learning of the absolute heavenly extinction disaster, the True Immortal Academy dispatched disciples to intervene and halt the calamity.”

Chu Hao’s brows furrowed involuntarily. Initially curious, he now felt only disgust. After all, the True Immortal Academy exuded an air of aloofness.

The disciples who cultivated within its walls boasted extraordinary backgrounds. Even an outer disciple hailing from there was not someone the Ancient Vermilion Bird Kingdom could afford to offend.

Thus, while this trial seemed to suggest concern for the ancient country of Vermilion Bird and the resolution of the absolute heavenly extinction calamity, if any mishap befell the True Immortal Academy’s disciples here, their powerful backers wouldn’t dare confront the academy. Ultimately, blame would fall squarely on the ancient Vermilion Bird country.

Even if the absolute heavenly extinction calamity were resolved, the ancient Vermilion Bird country would find no solace in the aftermath.

It was even rumored that the group of geniuses could depart at any moment if they faced danger, while the ancient Vermilion Bird country couldn’t. Instead, they were obliged to allocate a portion of their troops and resources to protect them. Considering these factors, Chu Hao felt that this group of geniuses was only exacerbating the chaos. Their elevated status mandated careful attention from the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.

“It’s truly a difficult situation,” Chu Hao sighed lightly. Observing the helpless expression on his father’s face, he realized that this wasn’t a decision the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country could make.

“True Immortal…” Ji Qingxuan frowned. For some inexplicable reason, upon seeing the ancient warship, she experienced a peculiar sensation—a strange familiarity coursing through her blood, as if someone important to her was on board.

“Could it be that the geniuses of this generation’s True Immortal Academy have come to a place like Vermilion Bird Ancient Country for battle?” Wang Xiao also noticed the immensely ancient and colossal ancient warship, radiating chaotic energy, leaving him profoundly stunned.

In his capacity, entering the True Immortal Academy wasn’t difficult. However, he cultivated in an ancient Dao sect known as Supreme Dao Cave.

Supreme Dao Cave was shrouded in mystery, rarely accepting disciples unless they were destined to be there. Even locating the cave was a challenge few could overcome.

Wang Xiao lacked the qualifications to enter Supreme Dao Cave. Yet, a member of his hidden royal family, who had committed a grievous error and been exiled, somehow transformed his destiny, rising to become a formidable elder within Supreme Dao Cave.

This clan member harbored a fervent desire to return to the royal family. To achieve this, the hidden royal family agreed to reintegrate him into the family tree, enabling Wang Xiao to naturally to worship it.

“I heard that this generation of True Immortal Academy is teeming with talent, with numerous geniuses emerging, marking a golden age…” Ji Qingxuan spoke softly, her eyes tinged with fascination. “Many ancient prodigies have arisen, each possessing boundless power.”

Though Ji Qingxuan revered the Supreme Dao Cave Heaven heritage and its disciples, she couldn’t deny the scarcity in their numbers. Apart from members of the Hidden Ji clan, the only geniuses she encountered were from Supreme Dao Cave.

While Wang Xiao’s strength among Supreme Dao Cave disciples was formidable, Ji Qingxuan couldn’t help but feel they paled in comparison to renowned geniuses.

The sole individual deserving of her admiration was Senior Brother Chu Hao. Despite his seemingly ordinary demeanor, one thing stood out as extraordinarily peculiar—he perpetually believed his strength was insufficient, despite outclassing many peers. He often secluded himself for year-round cultivation, seldom seen by others.

Some elders claimed that Senior Brother Chu Hao wouldn’t emerge from seclusion unless a crisis of annihilation befell Supreme Dao Cave. If not for the crisis in the ancient Vermilion Bird country, Ji Qingxuan speculated that Senior Brother Chu Hao would have chosen to remain in seclusion.

Nevertheless, this opportunity allowed her to venture beyond the mountain gate, witnessing numerous young talents. The mysterious and low-profile nature of the Hidden Ji clan was not without reason. Members of the Ji clan rarely ventured into the outside world. Ji Qingxuan could recall few instances when she had left the mountain gate.

“Elder Brother, don’t you admire these geniuses?” Ji Qingxuan soon noticed Chu Hao’s expression, puzzled by his apparent indifference.

“Eldest brother appears humble, but he’s actually quite proud. He must harbor some disdain for those geniuses,” Wang Xiao remarked, appearing intrigued as if he had uncovered a hidden truth.

“Shut up,” Ji Qingxuan retorted with a frigid glare, her words sharp and unapologetic. Her voice, refined by centuries of frost, carried a bone-chilling coldness.

Though Wang Xiao was accustomed to Ji Qingxuan’s demeanor, he couldn’t help feeling unsettled by her relentless rebuke.

“Ji Qingxuan, don’t forget that your Ji family’s ancestor has reached the final stage of the five declines of heaven and man. Once he takes his seat, your family’s enemies… hmph…” He smirked, his arrogance evident.

“You’re asking for death!” Ji Qingxuan’s murderous intent surged, reaching its zenith, yet she forced herself to rein it in.

Wang Xiao remained smug, unfazed by her reaction.

“Hao’er, you needn’t accompany me to meet these geniuses. I understand your temperament. Conflict may arise,” the Vermilion Bird King interjected calmly, having observed the dynamics.

Indeed, when faced with those geniuses, even he couldn’t help but adopt a humble and obsequious demeanor. As a ruler, how could Chu Hao tolerate such indignity? In any conflict, they would be the ones to suffer.

“I understand, Father,” Chu Hao replied solemnly, clenching his fists, inwardly lamenting his own powerlessness. If only he were stronger, the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country wouldn’t need to grovel before the True Immortal Academy. His father, the emperor, wouldn’t have to kowtow to other geniuses.

Clearly, he still had much to accomplish in his seclusion. Once he broke through to the Supreme Realm, none would dare to scorn the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.

“I’ll reach that level soon…” At that moment, if anyone were privy to Chu Hao’s true thoughts, they’d be left stunned and speechless.

Supreme Realm! It was a realm that even ancient beings who had cultivated for millions of years struggled to breach. And here he was, on the cusp of reaching it. How old was Chu Hao? Only a few hundred years!

Such talent was beyond description; it was utterly staggering.

“Let’s head to the palace first.” With that, Chu Hao led Ji Qingxuan and Wang Xiao in the opposite direction, deliberately steering clear of the ancient warship approaching Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.

…

“I thought this Vermilion Bird Ancient Country would be affiliated with the Vermilion Bird family, but I didn’t expect it to be such a small nation,” one of the geniuses remarked.

“When I arrived here, I anticipated something grand. Yet, this Vermilion Bird Ancient Country seems to lack anyone in the quasi-supreme realm, with the strongest being only in the great sacred realm,” another genius added with disappointment. “No wonder most of the country has fallen…”

On the ancient warship, the group of geniuses surveyed the scene below, their expressions tinged with dissatisfaction. Compared to the illustrious background they hailed from, the ancient Vermilion Bird country seemed insignificant. Naturally, their disappointment matched their expectations.

“This luck…” Gu Changge murmured, squinting his eyes. “It wasn’t like this when I observed it from the sky before. Could it be that the so-called Son of Luck is closely associated with the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country?”

“Greetings to all the geniuses of the True Immortal Academy,” the Vermilion King spoke, leading a retinue of ministers and several young, beautiful princesses. They awaited the arrival of the geniuses with anxious unease.

Many individuals bowed their heads, displaying caution and fear, devoid of any semblance of joy or surprise. Even the influential ministers and generals of the powerful factions within the ancient Vermilion Bird country trembled, as if walking on thin ice, refraining from even drawing a breath in this tense atmosphere.

Unaware of the temperament of the genius leading the group that arrived at the ancient Vermilion Bird country, they dared not display any form of disrespect. Offending them due to a lack of reverence would constitute a sin worthy of death.