I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 350
Chapter 350: There is such a vicious person in this world, kill all and leave none
The pavilions lay in ruins, the palace towers stood majestic, and a magnificent divine glow enveloped them.
“You don’t need to worry. I’ll arrange for someone to escort your companions to safety. As you mentioned, although they can’t cultivate, living as mortals isn’t so bad,” reassured Gu Changge.
“Everyone thinks immortals have it easy, but how would they know about our concerns?” Gu Changge approached.
He spoke with a warm smile, as if urging her to release her burdens.
“What Young Master Gu says is true; the gulf between immortals and mortals is predetermined. Since they lack the ability to cultivate, being mortal isn’t a terrible fate. I believe they’ll understand. This world… it’s indeed harsh,” nodded Xiao Ruoyin, her tone resigned. She moved to Gu Changge’s side, her gaze reflecting a mix of emotions, though she appeared composed now.
Though she felt a pang of sadness moments ago, delaying matters would only exacerbate the situation. It wouldn’t be beneficial for her, Jiang Chen, or the others. Now, as she embarked on the path of cultivation, she had to resolve her mortal affairs.
“Starting today, you’ll study cultivation under Yan Ji. She’ll guide you through everything you need to know about the cultivation world.”
“I’m confident that with your beauty, you’ll quickly rise to prominence in the celestial realm and become a prodigy,” declared Gu Changge, a hint of intrigue flickering in his eyes. He had noticed significant changes in Xiao Ruoyin’s aura, confirming her identity as the reincarnation of the High Priestess of Destiny. Her dedication to the Dao surpassed that of ordinary individuals. With her mortal ties severed, her mental fortitude had notably strengthened.
“Um,” Xiao Ruoyin nodded, her expression noticeably more at ease. Perhaps for her, severing this dusty relationship was a relief of sorts.
At that moment, she appeared more aloof than before, her attire elegant, and a glint seemed to dance in her eyes.
Just then, Yan Ji Lian approached with graceful steps, her face flawlessly beautiful, her demeanor cool and composed, betraying no emotion at the presence of others.
“From today onward, you’ll be under my tutelage. I’ll impart to you the basics of cultivation in this world, along with some simple and easy-to-grasp techniques,” she stated, her voice steady.
Having once been a master, teaching a disciple was second nature to Yan Ji. Moreover, Gu Changge had already briefed her on Xiao Ruoyin’s background, so she anticipated that awakening her memories from her past life wouldn’t be a prolonged process. It would essentially be a formality of playing the role of a master.
“Thank you, Master,” Xiao Ruoyin expressed her gratitude promptly, showing great reverence towards Yan Ji and harboring anticipation for her cultivation journey.
With a slight nod from Gu Changge, Yan Ji led Xiao Ruoyin away, ostensibly for the purpose of instructing her in cultivation techniques.
In the distance, Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, and the others continued calling out Xiao Ruoyin’s name. Despite hearing them, Xiao Ruoyin remained impassive, refusing to look back.
As Gu Changge had asserted, their destinies had diverged; they were no longer part of the same world. Millennia later, she would still retain her beauty, while Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, and their companions would have long turned to dust, their final resting places unknown.
“At this point, it’s best to put an end to this,” Gu Changge decided.
“Someone,” he called out, casting a glance towards Jiang Chen and the others, then gestured to summon several formidable beings, issuing a casual order.
“Yes, Master,” the group of creatures responded solemnly, showing respect.
With that settled, Gu Changge departed the scene, reappearing in a pavilion where Hei Yanyu was preparing tea—a delicate brew with light green hues and a lingering mist, exuding an elegant fragrance.
“Prepare the troops and heighten our alert status; the Purple Mansion contingent should be arriving soon,” Gu Changge instructed casually, taking a sip of his tea.
Though he had not directly participated in the immortal war, he was privy to many frontline reports. Gu Changge was well aware that Purple Mansion had clandestinely dispatched a sizable army to rescue Zi Yang, the Heavenly King. Despite the Ancient Vermillion Bird Country teetering on the brink of collapse, it was not yet beyond salvation.
Gu Changge’s main aim was to manipulate a confrontation between Chu Hao and Qin Wuya. Otherwise, he wouldn’t bother with the trifling Ancient Vermillion Bird Country.
“Yes, Master,” Hei Yanyu acknowledged before departing to relay the orders.
Left alone, Gu Changge contemplated another matter: the Ji family, lurking behind Su Qingge and Ji Qingxuan. With the right approach, he could potentially bring them under his sway. Regardless, they represented a formidable force.
During this time, Gu Changge observed that Ji Qingxuan harbored a distinct thirst for power, and her methods were on par with her sister’s.
If Ji Qingxuan were to control the secretive Ji family, it would greatly benefit him. After all, Ji Qingxuan harbored a deep fear and reliance on him.
Furthermore, Gu Changge had nearly infiltrated the Tang family within the Wan Dao Business Alliance. The hidden move he’d placed on Tang Wan’s brother, Tang Tian, was likely to yield results now.
Such a string of coincidences seemed too convenient—a pie from heaven that was, in reality, a meticulously laid trap.
The dread of the immortal binding art had the potential to manipulate entire clans across the ancient continent. Thus, controlling a business alliance like the Tang family would suffice for his plans.
Yin Mei’s assumption of control over the Tang family within the business alliance would consolidate most of the authority within the Wan Dao Business Alliance.
As for Tang Wan, Gu Changge had no intention of granting her any power. She served merely as a catalyst for the conflict between the fortunate siblings and held no value to him.
“During this period, Yue Mingkong must be occupied collecting the seven artifacts of heavenly palms. Apart from the heavenly palm bottle and jar in my possession, she likely has numerous others,” Gu Changge mused.
“When matters here are resolved, I’ll need to summon her,” he decided, a faint smile playing on his lips. Yet, he suspected that even without his request, Yue Mingkong would eventually deliver the artifacts to him.
Subsequently, Gu Changge’s thoughts shifted, and with a wave of his hand, a black-robed figure cloaked in mist materialized behind him—an expressionless divine puppet exuding the formidable aura of the Great Sacred Realm.
“Divine puppet!”
“Greetings, Master,” the puppet addressed Gu Changge respectfully, a growing sense of alertness flickering in its eyes.
Gu Changge nodded in acknowledgment, then waved his hand once more. The black mist enveloping his face dispersed, revealing an ordinary middle-aged visage. A faint smile graced his lips as he contemplated his next move.
“Go and find him,” he instructed.
In an instant, the puppet’s countenance began to shift. Within moments, it transformed into that of a somber old man with a prominent, eagle-like nose, instilling a sense of unease.
“Yes, Master,” the black-robed old man affirmed before swiftly disappearing.
Meanwhile, on the ancient warship, Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, and their companions were being escorted off, their fate sealed.
“You still harbor delusions? You’re a laughable lot. With your lack of cultivation talent, staying here will only invite trouble,” taunted one of the creatures surrounding them.
“You and Miss Xiao are no longer in the same league. It’s time to move on,” added another, their tone harsh and unforgiving.
Several menacing beings loomed around them, emanating terrifying pressure that drained the color from their faces, leaving their souls quivering with fear.
In their eyes, the politeness shown by the creatures aboard the ancient warship had been solely due to Xiao Ruoyin’s presence. Now that their lack of talent was confirmed, the true nature of these creatures was laid bare—cold and merciless.
Truly, the world could be unforgiving.
It was one of them who spoke, his mockery and sneer undisguised as he waved his hand, unleashing a terrifying aura. Jiang Chen and the others were about to be driven away from the ancient warship.
“Ruoyin…” Jiang Chen’s expression sank with sadness and helplessness, his heart heavy with worry. He dared not challenge the creature’s taunts, fearing a swift punishment for any rebuttal. With his current frail state, a single blow could leave him incapacitated.
“Not going to speak, huh?” the creature sneered, his demeanor returning to indifference.
Jiang Chen’s expression darkened, silently vowing to exact revenge on the creature before him.
Though Xiao Ruoyin seemed indifferent to their plight, Jiang Chen understood her hands were tied. She didn’t believe the test stone was manipulated by Gu Changge; she simply thought he lacked cultivation talent.
“If only Ruoyin would listen to my explanation. But when that young master Gu appeared, he didn’t give me a chance,” Jiang Chen muttered through clenched teeth, struggling to contain his frustration.
He knew that defying Gu Changge now would be suicidal. If Xiao Ruoyin were to be separated from them, she’d be vulnerable to Gu Changge’s schemes in the future. He didn’t even have the opportunity to confide in her.
In Jiang Chen’s view, Xiao Ruoyin was oblivious to Gu Changge’s true intentions, a perilous situation beyond words.
The danger was greater than he could articulate.
“What should we do? Master is with that terrifying man right now. She could face unforeseen dangers at any moment, Jiang Chen. We can’t abandon her,” fretted the artifact spirit of the immortal boat, consumed by unease and worry.
Jiang Chen, now composed, responded calmly, “I believe the priority is to enhance my strength. Once I’m stronger, I’ll be able to reunite with Ruoyin, disclose everything to her, and expose the true nature of Mr. Gu.”
“While Young Master Gu may have designs for Ruoyin, they likely won’t come to fruition immediately. This gives me time to focus on cultivating.”
“And don’t forget, I have you,” he added with determination. “I refuse to believe I can’t stand up to Master Gu when the time comes.”
With a glimmer of hope, Jiang Chen recognized the current situation: he was in the shadows while Young Master Gu was in the spotlight, which could work to his advantage.
“For now, it’s our best course of action. Once we leave here, I’ll seek out a cultivation technique for you. Joining a sect might also be beneficial; as a lone cultivator, your resources will be limited…”
The artifact spirit fell silent, contemplating Jiang Chen’s plan and strategizing for their future. They were now united in their plight.
As they made their way off the ancient warship, Jiang Chen and the artifact spirit discussed their next steps, restoring his calm demeanor.
Meanwhile, Niu Tian, Wang Ning, and the others remained lost, still reeling from the recent blow.
“It’s your move now, Jiang Chen. What are you waiting for? We’re all in the same boat here. In a world where we can’t cultivate, one day we might encounter cultivators whose mere aftershocks could annihilate us countless times over…” Song Ming’s tone turned harsh, his words laced with disdain for Jiang Chen’s apparent indifference.
He harbored resentment towards Jiang Chen for his nonchalant demeanor.
As circumstances unfolded, Jiang Chen maintained an air of indifference, much to the bewilderment of those around him. They speculated that perhaps Jiang Chen was biding his time to unleash some miraculous feat, only to be let down moments later.
Wasn’t it just like with the test stone? Even the stone remained silent. Jiang Chen was left feeling the burning sting of embarrassment at the memory of being ridiculed for the stone’s silence and accused of its malfunction, a shameful moment indeed.
Upon hearing the mocking remarks, the group of companions joined in, their eyes alight with scorn.
“Shut up!” Niu Tian’s deep voice cut through the taunts, silencing the group. Towering and robust, Niu Tian commanded respect, his talents not to be underestimated.
Jiang Chen, unperturbed, brushed off the ridicule with ease. “I warned you about the test stone, but you chose not to believe me. Now you want to place blame on me again. How absurd.”
His nonchalance only fueled their skepticism, but Jiang Chen remained unfazed. He knew his potential for cultivation, and he knew their opinions would soon shift once he proved himself.
Niu Tian glanced at him, shaking his head in disbelief. Yet Jiang Chen, with a reassuring smile, assured him, “Don’t worry. The test stone was faulty. Both you and I possess cultivation talent.”
Perplexed, Niu Tian considered Jiang Chen’s confident assertion. Could the test stone truly have been flawed? Despite his curiosity, he refrained from pressing the matter further.
Considering the presence of the intimidating creatures around them, Jiang Chen understood the importance of treading carefully to avoid provoking any untoward reactions.
“Jiang Chen, is the test stone truly defective?” Wang Ning’s voice interrupted his thoughts, carrying a hint of anxiety.
Jiang Chen sensed her presence beside him and turned to face her. Observing her expression, he detected a flicker of uncertainty mingled with trust.
“Um,” he affirmed with a nod, deciding to confide in her.
Wang Ning, whom he had never particularly noticed before amidst his preoccupation with Xiao Ruoyin, now seemed worthy of trust as an old classmate. Leaning in, he spoke softly, “The test stone was tampered with. It seems the intention was to compel us to leave.”
Wang Ning’s reaction was immediate, her mind jumping to the conclusion that this was Xiao Ruoyin’s ploy, a pretext to remove them from the equation.
“Does that mean we all have the potential for cultivation?” she inquired eagerly, her excitement palpable.
Jiang Chen was about to respond when a nearby creature interjected coldly, “There it is.”
“This is a dense forest. Are you planning to abandon us here? I thought you were taking us to safety,” someone retorted, their dissatisfaction evident.
Caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation, Jiang Chen and Wang Ning exchanged a knowing glance, realizing they were not alone in their suspicions.
Surveying their surroundings, they found themselves surrounded by towering ancient trees, their canopies reaching towards the sky. The landscape was rugged, with mountains stretching into the distance, obscured by thick fog. Vines and thorns littered the terrain, adding to the sense of isolation and danger.
The distant echoes of various beasts’ roars filled the air, accompanied by the unsettling sight of numerous exotic birds taking flight, their collective wingspan resembling a dark, ominous cloud.
Abandoning them in such a hostile environment would be akin to condemning them to death. Ordinary cultivators wouldn’t dare venture into such treacherous terrain, let alone individuals with no cultivation experience.
“Do you finally understand?” the creature taunted, its grin revealing razor-sharp teeth, instilling fear in everyone present.
Frozen with fear, none dared to utter a word in response to the creature’s menacing presence.
Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, and the others sensed that something was amiss as the creatures around them regarded them with cold, mocking stares.
“Run!” urged the artifact spirit within Jiang Chen’s mind, its voice fraught with urgency. “They intend to kill you!”
Boom!
Jiang Chen barely had time to process the warning before instinct propelled him into action. He bolted towards the ancient forest, narrowly escaping the onslaught of a terrifying aura that erupted behind him.
A crimson glow burst forth, shaking the nearby mountains as if they were on the verge of collapse. Jiang Chen glanced back, his pupils shrinking in horror.
Wang Ning, caught off guard in her excitement, was struck by the crimson blast, her body disintegrating into ashes in an instant. Other companions met a similar fate, some unable to react before being engulfed, their screams silenced as they evaporated.
Those who managed to react were gripped by sheer terror, scrambling to flee as if their very souls depended on it.
“Trying to run? Let’s see how far you get,” sneered the creatures, their eyes glinting with sadistic amusement. “Even if you escape today, you won’t survive outside this forest.”
Their cold indifference was chilling. After dispatching a few victims, they leisurely pursued Jiang Chen and the others, as if toying with their prey.
Jiang Chen sought refuge in the dense foliage, his heart pounding in his chest. Nervous tension gripped him, cold sweat coating his back and his limbs trembling with fear.
Had he reacted any slower, he would have shared the same fate as Wang Ning and the others—reduced to ashes by the merciless crimson light.
The terrifying ordeal left him shaken to his core, his legs weak beneath him. It was a harrowing experience unlike any he had faced before.
In a world where the strong preyed upon the weak, survival often depended on one’s ability to fend for themselves. Without a lifeline, Jiang Chen realized his fate would be no different from that of an ant—crushed without mercy.
Never did Jiang Chen imagine these creatures would be so brazen and merciless, abandoning them in this ancient forest with no intention of allowing them to escape. This had to be the directive of Young Master Gu!!!
The realization sent shivers down Jiang Chen’s spine. Young Master Gu had deceived them all. Despite his outward charm and warmth at the banquet, behind the facade lurked a heart as cold as ice. Dispatching his minions to end their lives was proof enough of his sinister nature.
How could such a vicious individual exist in this world? It was as if he wore a human face but harbored a devil’s heart!
Jiang Chen feared for the fate of his companions, knowing they stood little chance against the creatures with formidable cultivation and aerial prowess.
“Niu Tian, don’t…” Jiang Chen’s heart sank as he noticed Niu Tian heading in a different direction. If anyone could escape, it would be Niu Tian, given his superior strength.
“Gu, I’ll never forgive you! If anything happens to Niu Tian, I’ll make you pay!” Jiang Chen vowed through gritted teeth, his heart heavy with anger and despair.
He realized Young Master Gu was no benevolent benefactor. Despite their lack of animosity, Gu Changge had shown no mercy in condemning them to their demise.
Jiang Chen recalled their initial encounter with Gu Changge, clad in robes as pure as snow. How could someone so outwardly pristine harbor such cruelty? Had he truly left them no chance of survival?
Clearly, there was no grudge between them.
Jiang Chen had never harbored such intense hatred towards anyone before. The thought of Xiao Ruoyin remaining in the company of such a monstrous individual sent shivers down his spine.
“What…” Jiang Chen’s blood ran cold as a distant scream pierced the air. Recognizing it as one of his companions, his complexion paled further. The brutal murder sent a chill coursing through his veins, compelling him to flee deeper into the dense forest without a moment’s hesitation.
Above, divine lights streaked across the sky, casting shadows as they swooped and dove through the clouds and mist, blotting out the sun.
Transformed into their original forms, the creatures pursued with relentless ferocity, their massive figures resembling hills cloaked in rolling black clouds.
The oppressive aura bore down upon Jiang Chen like a suffocating weight, urging him to run faster, deeper into the forest’s depths.
As he fled, the ancient trees loomed taller and denser, their branches and leaves forming a dense canopy overhead.
“To dispatch so many to kill a few mortals…” Jiang Chen’s fists clenched in fury, drawing upon reserves of strength he didn’t know he possessed to keep running.
Further into the forest, the mist grew denser, threatening to corrode Jiang Chen’s body. Gasping for air, he implored the Immortal Spirit within his mind for guidance.
“Immortal Boat, we need a plan, or I won’t survive…and neither will you,” Jiang Chen urged through gritted teeth.
“You must keep moving forward. Once you’re inside, I can manipulate the terrain to block the creatures behind us,” the Immortal Spirit responded urgently, its voice trembling with worry. Never had it anticipated such dire circumstances.
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