I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 303

Chapter 303: The recovery method of the heavenly palm bottle, everything points to Zi Yang Heavenly King

The ancient Qinglong country was not experiencing peace at the moment. There were disturbances in the void, and after a ripple, a portal emerged.

The elders of the True Immortal Academy, upon receiving the news, finally broke through space and rushed over. There were three individuals, two men and one woman, all of them remarkably old.

At the palace gate, Gu Xian’er, the King of Qinglong, and others had been waiting for quite some time.

“Three individuals have arrived?” Gu Xian’er was slightly taken aback, casting a glance at the distant sky yet still failing to spot Gu Changge.

“Greetings, elders,” the King of Qinglong and the others hurriedly stepped forward to offer their respects.

“No need for excessive politeness,” one of them, an old woman, waved her hand and spoke lightly.

Her name was Granny Yinhua. She wore a floral robe and leaned on a cane adorned with a dragon’s head. Her silver hair was neatly arranged, giving her a meticulous appearance. However, her expression at that moment was rather grim.

She had held high hopes for Qing Xiaoyi and had even engaged in conflict with several other elders in a bid to secure her. The sudden news left her momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend who would dare to abduct Qing Xiaoyi during their trial.

The other two elders shared Granny Yinhua’s sentiments. Although they were deeply shocked, worried, and angered by the situation, they refrained from laying blame on Gu Xian’er.

In such a situation, even though Gu Xian’er, as Qing Xiaoyi’s senior sister, couldn’t protect her, Gu Changge had her back. Who would dare to lightly blame her? But it didn’t sit well with her either.

Gu Xian’er naturally understood the situation, but she couldn’t be bothered to explain. Her demeanor was cold.

She had done everything expected of her. In her efforts to save Qing Feng, she sacrificed several precious divine medicines.

Later, everyone gathered at the palace where Qing Feng was recuperating. Despite the efforts of many renowned doctors from the ancient Qinglong country, Qing Feng remained unconscious, grasping forward subconsciously as if trying to save his sister.

Gu Xian’er, with a cold and composed expression, noticed this detail and raised her eyebrows slightly.

The scenario was that Qing Feng had realized Qing Xiaoyi was being taken away abruptly and had attempted to chase after her. The mysterious individual had then struck him with a powerful blow, shattering the bodyguard provided by the elders and nearly killing him. The fluctuation she had sensed at that moment was indeed from that palm strike.

Due to her timely arrival, the mysterious individual refrained from further aggression but swiftly took away Qing Xiaoyi without much ado.

“What a shame…” one of the elders remarked.

“With such injuries, it’s a wonder he survived.”

The three elders sighed and quickly examined Qing Feng’s injuries, astonished at his survival yet finding no explanation.

“The old man’s got a Rank Nine Resurrection Pill in his possession, quite a steal for this kid,” remarked one elder as he produced an elixir with nine hues, the size of a thumb, with evident discomfort.

But the moment it appeared, an aura permeated the air, causing pores to dilate. Not only that, various visions emerged in the vicinity of the medicinal pill—immortal birds soared, divine mountains stood majestic and indescribable.

“It seems you’ve hit the jackpot, old man,” the expressions of the two nearby elders changed, prompting them to draw a deep breath.

The Rank Nine Resurrection Pill was a rare elixir that could prove invaluable in times of serious injury. However, they soon realized the elder’s intentions. If Qing Feng were to be saved because of this, and then they managed to locate Qing Xiaoyi, she would undoubtedly feel indebted and might even choose to become his disciple.

This realization left them somewhat regretful, having missed out on such a promising opportunity.

Soon, the Rank Nine Resurrection Pill was ingested, accompanied by a burst of colorful clouds and numerous visions intertwining. Even Qing Feng, in his unconscious state, appeared bright and translucent.

“This Rank Nine Resurrection Pill truly works wonders,” the elder couldn’t help but express his joy. Though his body ached, the elixir’s efficacy was undeniable.

At that moment, Qing Feng’s weakened body visibly began to recover, his once pale and bloodless complexion gradually turning rosy and vibrant.

“It truly deserves its reputation as a nine-rank resurrection pill. With such remarkable effects, it’s truly a life-saving elixir,” Granny Yinhua couldn’t help but admire.

On the contrary, Gu Xian’er noticed peculiar markings on Qing Feng’s small bottle. Soon after the pill was ingested, Qing Feng coughed up blood, and his shattered organs and bones began to mend. Immortal energy intertwined around him, a purplish hue drowning him, his complexion steadily improving.

“Younger sister… Let go of my sister,” Qing Feng suddenly exclaimed upon opening his eyes, his words instinctive as he attempted to rise, only to be met with searing pain as he aggravated his wounds. His complexion turned pallid, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

It was then that he realized he was no longer in the courtyard from that fateful night.

“He’s truly alive,” Gu Xian’er breathed a sigh of relief upon witnessing the scene. The nearby elders shared in their relief that the one who had administered the Rank Nine Resurrection Pill couldn’t help but smile.

It’s alright, it’s alright!

My sister was kidnapped!

However, Qing Feng remained dazed, failing to recognize his surroundings. He continued to mutter anxiously, his unease palpable.

Observing his distress, Granny Yinhua frowned. “His spirit is in turmoil; he needs some time to center himself.”

With a wave of her sleeve, she cast a gentle light upon Qing Feng. Gradually, he regained his composure, his mind growing calm.

This was the tranquility magic in action.

“Thank you, elders, Senior Sister Xian’er, for your life-saving grace,” Qing Feng expressed his gratitude, understanding that he couldn’t afford to speak carelessly at this moment. He proceeded to recount the events of that fateful night.

After finishing his cultivation and preparing to retire for the night, he suddenly sensed an unusual disturbance in his sister’s courtyard next door. Though he didn’t perceive the disturbance directly, his celestial palm bottle alerted him to it, prompting him to investigate.

Upon arrival, he witnessed a mysterious figure cloaked in black runes, clutching Qing Xiaoyi who lay unconscious, intending to depart. This sight spurred him into action instinctively, moving to rescue Qing Xiaoyi without hesitation.

However, the mysterious figure struck him with a swift palm, shattering the protective object bestowed upon him by the elder. His consciousness scattered instantly.

“If it weren’t for this mysterious bottle, which intervened to shield me, both my body and spirit would likely have been annihilated,” Qing Feng lamented bitterly, realizing he could no longer conceal the existence of the enigmatic little bottle. The three elders had already taken note of it during his treatment.

With his abilities, he couldn’t have withstood that palm strike; there was no other explanation.

“This bottle?” Granny Yinhua exclaimed in surprise, examining the small vessel closely.

The unremarkable lines on the bottle were exceedingly simple, covered in rust, and lacked any notable features.

“This bottle, could it be the heavenly palm bottle?” remarked another elder nearby, his eyes sharp as he scrutinized it closely. After a few moments, he spoke in a deep voice, confirming its identity.

“The heavenly palm bottle of the seven heavenly palms?”

Gu Xian’er, too, felt a twinge of surprise. She had heard of the Seven Heavenly Palms, rumored to lead to the former Immortal Palace and countless precious opportunities. The seemingly inconspicuous bottle in Qing Feng’s possession turned out to be a heavenly palm bottle, surpassing her expectations.

However, Qing Feng took the initiative to claim it, ensuring that even if the elders were impressed, they couldn’t claim it for themselves.

After a brief inspection, the bottle was returned to Qing Feng.

“The mysterious man acted decisively. He likely anticipated that Qing Feng wouldn’t withstand his blow and would perish instantly. This complicates our efforts to reconstruct the scene,” explained one elder.

“Nevertheless, let’s attempt it,” another added. “Qing Xiaoyi’s soul lamp still burns, indicating she’s not in mortal peril.”

Subsequently, the three Supreme Realm elders ventured to the courtyard where Qing Xiaoyi had been abducted, employing their methods to recreate the scene.

A hazy, chaotic mist enveloped the area, accompanied by various beams of light and rules. It felt as though they had been transported to the dawn of creation, with vague signs manifesting in the sky, sending shivers down their spines.

Just as they were about to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man, a terrifying gray fog swept in. The three elders grimaced, their faces drained of color as if struck by lightning. They hastily retreated from the scene.

Despite their efforts, they needed more insight.

“What’s the deal with that mysterious person? Either he’s got some secret treasure on him, or he’s got some supernatural power that can mess with heaven’s secrets,” remarked several elders, their expressions grave as they pondered the situation.

Regardless of the possibility, it was evident that the culprit had significant backing, and the abduction of Qing Xiaoyi must have been meticulously planned.

“Huh? Hold on a second…”

“Maybe there’s a way to track down that mysterious man from before…”

In their moment of uncertainty, Granny Yinhua spoke up with sudden confidence, her gaze fixed on the heavenly palm bottle.

“There’s a rumor that the palm sky bottle is called the heavenly palm bottle because it’s crafted from a special material that absorbs rebound energy as much as possible…”

Her words captured everyone’s attention.

“At the time, the heavenly palm bottle saved Qingfeng. Maybe we can try to push it and restore the palm then.”

“It’s likely that the mysterious person didn’t anticipate that Qing Feng would have something like the heavenly palm bottle.”

“By analyzing the aura contained in this palm, we might be able to trace its origin!”

The two elders nodded in agreement, their admiration evident in their gazes toward Granny Yinhua.

Gu Xian’er also found this method feasible, recognizing its significance.

Qing Feng possessing the palm bottle was indeed an unexpected development.

Subsequently, the three elders collaborated to coax the heavenly palm bottle into restoring the palm it had absorbed during the incident.

Buzz!!

The formidable laws of the Supreme Realm descended, even a mere trace inducing terror to the extreme, altering the sky’s hue, compelling cultivators and creatures within a ten-thousand-mile radius to kneel and bow involuntarily.

An immense aura surged in this place, creating a monstrous atmosphere.

Subsequently, the rust on the surface of the palm bottle sloughed off as if washed away, revealing its rhythmic brilliance.

Shortly after, a large dark palm print materialized in the void, its reflection shimmering on the heavenly palm bottle.

The supernatural power fluctuations from above caused Qing Feng’s expression to change drastically, his deep-seated hatred surfacing.

“That’s right, it was this aura…” he muttered bitterly.

Just a slap like that, and it nearly killed me.

Hatred and anger burned in Qing Feng’s eyes as he remembered the casual yet devastating blow that had nearly taken his life.

“Though it’s shrouded in dark runes, the original aura is different,” Granny Yinhua observed, her sharp eyes quickly discerning the anomaly within the large, pitch-black palm print. However, as a troubling thought crossed her mind, her expression shifted, and she hesitated to continue speaking.

This is…

The other elder’s face also underwent a sudden change, opting to remain silent, visibly flustered as they attempted to regain composure.

“How is this possible…”

The last elder wore a grim and uncertain expression as he glanced at Qing Feng, sighing deeply. He seemed torn and helpless.

“What’s happening? Elders, why the sudden change?” Qing Feng, filled with anticipation, was suddenly taken aback. Anxiety gripped his heart as he observed the elders’ expressions.

Could it be that the identity of Qing Xiaoyi’s abductor was so prestigious that they were rendered speechless with fear? Or perhaps they simply couldn’t believe it?

“How can this be…”

Staring at the large pitch-black palm print, Gu Xian’er’s eyes flickered with runic patterns as she deduced various possibilities. Finally, a look of surprise crossed her features.

“This aura is nearly identical to that of Zi Yang Heavenly King, who clashed with Gu Changge that day. Such primordial power, aside from him, should be beyond anyone’s reach, right?” she stated, her tone cold and matter-of-fact.

Glancing at the silent elders, Gu Xian’er continued, “It seems the three elders must have noticed it, too.”

Zi Yang Heavenly King was the prospective disciple of the True Immortal Academy, backed by the formidable Immortal Great Sect, Purple Mansion. It was understandable that the elders would be reticent to discuss such a significant figure.

Even Gu Xian’er was taken aback, momentarily considering if Zi Yang Heavenly King had been wrongly accused. However, upon reflection, she speculated that it might have been the machinations of an ancient powerhouse.

Furthermore, the fact that the abductor had deliberately avoided her suggested a deeper level of planning and calculation.

As Gu Xian’er pondered Zi Yang Heavenly King’s behavior towards her during their previous encounters, she began to piece together the puzzle.

“Why would Zi Yang Heavenly King kidnap Qing Xiaoyi?” she mused aloud, though the answer eluded her. Nevertheless, she voiced her thoughts.

The three elders exchanged uneasy glances, refraining from elaborating on the formidable enigma that was the Purple Mansion. It was clear that delving into such matters would be unwise.

This time, a powerful ancient entity within the Purple Mansion had taken an interest in Zi Yang Heavenly King’s prospects within the True Immortal Academy and had pledged protection.

This ancient entity, rumored to have faced self-destruction following failed enlightenment, possessed incomprehensible strength and could return to its apex at any moment.

Though they harbored suspicions regarding Zi Yang Heavenly King’s actions, they dared not voice them. Nor did they dare to delve too deeply into his intentions. Without grievances or hatred, why would he abduct Qing Xiaoyi?

After all, no Candidate Disciple came from a humble background, and Zi Yang Heavenly King’s origins were undoubtedly formidable.

“Senior Sister Xian’er, what should I do?”

Qing Feng’s complexion paled, but he was far from foolish. Hearing Gu Xian’er’s speculation and noting the elders’ changed demeanor, he couldn’t help but feel the need for clarification.

Zi Yang Heavenly King was not only backed by the formidable Purple Mansion but also possessed unfathomable strength. His background alone was enough to inspire awe and trepidation.

He and Qing Xiaoyi found themselves utterly powerless, their only leverage being their aptitude and the favor of several elders. But if they were to incur the wrath of Zi Yang Heavenly King, would they not also offend the formidable Purple Mansion backing him? Was it a risk worth taking?

“I…”

Gu Xian’er faltered, stunned by the weight of the situation. She quickly contemplated Zi Yang Heavenly King’s motives. Why would he kidnap Qing Xiaoyi?

Could it be a repeat of the previous incident, where Qing Xiaoyi was initially abducted, only to be released after the orchestrator took credit for her rescue, thereby earning her favor? But such a scenario seemed unlikely.

“It must be for the origin of Xiaoyi’s immortal body. Since when did Heavenly King Zi Yang join forces with the inheritor of demonic arts?”

Gu Xian’er’s expression darkened. While she wanted to help Qing Feng, she knew that she alone would be insufficient to confront the forces behind Zi Yang Heavenly King.

The Ancient Immortal Gu family wouldn’t heed her advice, and the three elders before her seemed hesitant to intervene, preferring to stay on the sidelines. Moreover, she couldn’t be certain of Zi Yang Heavenly King’s ties to the inheritor of demonic arts. If such a connection existed, she could use this opportunity to alert all parties.

After all, there were myriad excuses for Qing Xiaoyi’s abduction. If Zi Yang Heavenly King denied involvement, what recourse would she have?

“Senior Sister Xian’er, please save Xiaoyi,” Qing Feng implored, his face drained of color as he produced the heavenly palm bottle. “As long as you elders can rescue Xiaoyi, I’ll gladly surrender this bottle.”

While the heavenly palm bottle was indeed precious, the elders were not naive.

The elder who had previously administered the Rank Nine Resurrection Pill to Qing Feng winced in pain as he waved his hand, promising, “We’ll find a solution.”

“Qing Xiaoyi will be saved, but we must also consider the long-term implications,” another elder added, their words sounding somewhat perfunctory.

Hearing the lack of reassurance in their tone, Qing Feng’s desperation deepened, and he turned to Gu Xian’er for help.

“I’ll do everything I can to assist,” she replied with a slight nod, though she couldn’t offer any guarantees.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Xian’er,” Qing Feng expressed earnestly, grasping onto hope as he saw a lifeline in Gu Xian’er.

In his mind, there was no doubt that Gu Changge, who held great affection for Gu Xian’er, would surely help.

“How could Gu Changge love me?” Gu Xian’er froze at Qing Feng’s words, her expression turning cold as she questioned.

“Gu Changge treats you so well. When Zi Yang Heavenly King tried to approach you, he intervened…” Qing Feng attempted to clarify, sensing Gu Xian’er’s discomfort.

“Enough,” Gu Xian’er interjected hastily, her embarrassment evident as she cut him off. “Such talk is inappropriate.”

“Oh? Not allowed to speak?” A surprised voice interrupted the conversation, drawing everyone’s attention to the newcomer.

Gu Xian’er was taken aback as she saw Gu Changge stride into the courtyard with a retinue of followers, accompanied by the flattering Qinglong King.

“Gu Changge! When did you arrive?”

The three elders were equally surprised, astonished that they hadn’t sensed Gu Changge’s presence despite being Supreme Realm cultivators.

“It was just a minor illusion,” Gu Changge explained casually, brandishing a simple divine weapon in his hand with a smile.