I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 410

Chapter 410: The big net is up, won’t Miss Ruoxi show up?

“You’re quite mature, but I often advise you on many matters that you may not always heed. You have your own strong convictions.”

“However, it’s crucial to understand the gravity of this situation. I sense that Her Majesty the Queen is merely a pawn in this game. The true instigator behind the plot to harm Jun Bufan is Gu Changge.”

“You must carefully consider the profound consequences… Once you’re caught in this whirlwind, everything can unravel in an instant.”

The Demon Master sighed, knowing he couldn’t sway her, yet as a father, he felt compelled to impart his wisdom, fearing her potential regrets due to impulsiveness.

“Father, I understand. Please don’t worry, I have a plan.”

Song Youwei nodded solemnly.

From the moment she first laid eyes on Gu Changge, she sensed his impeccable facade was almost surreal. How could such perfection exist in reality? This so-called flawlessness was clearly a guise for outsiders; no one knew the true Gu Changge.

Later, Song Youwei hastily departed from the imperial capital, following the message left by Jun Fan to a designated rendezvous point. However, in the forest outside the capital, she unexpectedly encountered someone—a surprise given her efforts to evade the capital’s cultivators by seeking refuge in remote mountains and forests.

Seeing the familiar face, Song Youwei approached and asked, “Sister Jun Yao, what brings you here?”

It was Jun Fan’s second sister, Jun Yao, whom Song Youwei knew quite well. Jun Yao appeared startled to see her and quickly inquired, “You Wei, why are you here? Do you know what’s happened in the capital? There are rumors that my father and others have been imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison… What’s going on?”

Upon hearing this, Song Youwei was initially stunned, then sighed inwardly. It seemed Jun Yao had been absent from the capital when the events unfolded, thus managing to escape. Fearing to reveal herself upon hearing the dire news from the capital, Jun Yao had sought refuge deep in the mountains and ancient forests, coincidentally crossing paths here.

“I’m not sure what exactly happened. Her Majesty the Queen seems extremely upset about it, but the details elude me. By the way, what brings you here?”

Song Youwei sighed and nodded towards a nearby pavilion. “Let’s discuss this there.”

Jun Yao’s face darkened with anguish. “I’m clueless myself. I left the capital to search for a rare flower tea, and on my return, I heard the news… I have no idea how Xiao Fan is faring.”

Song Youwei empathized with Jun Yao’s distress, sensing her plight. Yet, she hesitated whether to disclose the truth.

“In any case, she should ask Jun Fan directly,” Song Youwei reasoned silently, opting to keep silent as an outsider.

Eventually, Song Youwei informed Jun Yao that Jun Fan had invited her to explore an ancient ruin, omitting further details. Upon hearing this, Jun Yao hesitated briefly before deciding to accompany Song Youwei to Jun Fan’s location.

Song Youwei welcomed Jun Yao’s decision without hesitation, and the two swiftly set off. As they vanished into the distance, a figure cloaked in Immortal garments emerged from the void.

“I mentioned before, Song Youwei seems to attract fortune effortlessly, yet she behaves like an outsider…” Gu Changge mused aloud. “I wonder what role she plays in this affair.”

With intrigue mounting, Gu Changge had already set a sprawling, invisible trap, awaiting the opportune moment to ensnare his targets. As the grand game of the demon world unfolded, he had made his move—now, it was a question of how the Six Emperors would respond.

A million miles away from the imperial capital, Jun Fan found himself in a remote region of rugged mountains and deep ravines. The atmosphere here was peculiar, shrouded in an eerie black wind that howled relentlessly through the air.

The ominous black wind swept across, thick fog enveloping everything, rendering the sky a dark void devoid of color. Jun Fan pondered the nature of this black gale—was it formed of cosmic laws, or perhaps the remnants of a shattered divinity? Its presence was unsettling, its aura alternating between chilling cold and intense heat, permeating every inch of space.

“Just as Father described,” Jun Fan muttered to himself, taking a cautious step forward. A deep rumbling echoed through him as he activated a secret treasure to counteract the oppressive atmosphere. He sensed the proximity of death in this place.

The demon world harbored many perilous locales, but this area, once dubbed the Heavenly Extinction Abyss, surpassed them all. Here, even the soil bore a blood-red hue, black clouds roiled above, creating a scene of profound terror. Legends spoke of this place being transformed after an ancient entity from the enigmatic Nine Heavens’ Burial Ground fell long ago.

“The place where the corpse flower thrives is saturated with death… It’s likely the gateway to the realm of death.”

Despite the allure of the location, Jun Fan refrained from rushing in. The area harbored numerous treacherous runes, and stories circulated of a quasi-supreme being who ventured here in an attempt to breach realms, only to become hopelessly lost and eventually reduced to bones upon discovery.

Jun Fan decided to await Song Youwei’s arrival. She possessed extensive knowledge of such matters, having inherited the power of a demon world entity renowned for constructing formidable divine formations that once vanquished quasi-emperor-level beings from the upper realms—an obscure fact known to few.

“If Youwei comes, things should proceed more smoothly,” Jun Fan mused, his eyes gleaming with determination as he now knew the whereabouts of the key mentioned by Jun Ruoxi—it resided within his own sea of consciousness.

Years ago, his imperial father bestowed upon him the Xuan Yang Heavenly Sword, withholding details about the key until the appropriate time. After meticulous searching in recent days within his sea of consciousness, Jun Fan finally unearthed the long-hidden key tucked away in a forgotten corner.

“Are you absolutely certain that the gate of death your sister spoke of is here?”

From the void, a dense black mist drifted and coalesced into the figure of Bai Lian’er. Ethereal and elusive, her form seemed composed of wispy smoke as she casually surveyed the crimson ground before her.

Jun Fan glanced at her with a confident smile. “I’m certain.”

Unspoken was Jun Fan’s awareness of this place’s significance, amplified by the newfound key’s resonance within him. However, his expression suddenly shifted as a communication talisman on his person lit up.

Delving into its message, Jun Fan’s initial shock turned swiftly to grim dismay. “What’s this?” Bai Lian’er queried, noting his abrupt change in demeanor.

Jun Fan fixed her with a cold stare. “Have you betrayed me?”

Bai Lian’er sneered, meeting his gaze evenly. “I’m not beholden to you. How can you accuse me of betrayal?”

Jun Fan seethed with anger, his fists clenching involuntarily. He never expected such a betrayal from his childhood sweetheart at this critical juncture. Unbeknownst to him during his absence, the entire Heavenly King’s Mansion had been imprisoned. Without his covert network outside the imperial capital, he would have remained unaware of this significant upheaval.

Since the failed assassination attempt, Empress Xi Yao had launched a sweeping purge both within and beyond the capital. Many of Jun Fan’s informants had been eliminated, leaving him blindsided to the unfolding events in the imperial court.

Jun Fan interpreted the situation as clear evidence that Empress Xi Yao not only knew his true identity but also possessed ample proof. Besides Bai Lian’er before him, there seemed no one else who could have provided such damning information.

“Did Xi Yao order you to do this?” Jun Fan’s expression darkened, his vigilance palpable as he prepared to deploy numerous contingencies against Bai Lian’er.

Bai Lian’er remained silent, regarding him with a mixture of pity and detachment. “At this point, you still don’t know who my master is? How pitiful you are.”

“Is it Gu Changge?!” Jun Fan’s voice was edged with bitterness, his teeth clenched in resentment toward the person who repeatedly thwarted his plans.

“It seems you’re not completely clueless,” Bai Lian’er remarked coolly. “Don’t worry, I have no intention of fighting you, so lower your defenses. You’ve made enemies you shouldn’t have, Jun Bufan. I look forward to the day Gu Changge ends you…”

In response to her words, Jun Fan’s fury burned hotter, overshadowed by a profound sense of betrayal and impending confrontation with his arch-nemesis.

Boom!!

In the next instant, accompanied by a chilling laughter, Bai Lian’er’s form dissolved into a deep black mist, vanishing without a trace.

“Damn it, you won’t escape,” Jun Fan muttered through gritted teeth, his expression dark and fists clenched tightly.

Hidden within his sleeves was a pale golden parchment adorned with intricate divine runes, pulsating with unparalleled power, poised to be unleashed at a moment’s notice. If Bai Lian’er hadn’t vanished just now, he would have already struck. This parchment was one of his trump cards, granting him confidence even against adversaries of unfathomable cultivation.

“When Bai Lian’er delivered that bag to me, she seemed uneasy and unusually kind. It’s possible Gu Changge tampered with it—if not to open it, then to leave a trace that could reveal my location…” Jun Fan’s voice trailed off, his caution evident as he meticulously worked to dispel his aura and deploy multiple secret treasures to conceal his actions.

With his identity compromised, Jun Fan knew Empress Xi Yao would stop at nothing to hunt him down once she pinpointed his location. He was certain of this inevitability.

Transforming into a streak of divine light, Jun Fan sped towards the crimson terrain, intent on investigating the location of the gate of death while awaiting Song Youwei’s arrival. Despite informing Song Youwei of his whereabouts, he trusted her character enough to maintain secrecy.

In the vast demon world today, there were few individuals Jun Fan trusted as deeply as Song Youwei.

“My sister is in peril now. If Gu Changge is truly orchestrating everything from behind the scenes, he must already be aware of the gate of life. I can only pray that my elder sister has the means to conceal her whereabouts and thwart Gu Changge’s pursuit.”

Despite these concerns weighing heavily on his mind, Jun Fan remained anxious and apprehensive about another matter.

“The location of the gate of life seems to exert an extraordinary influence. Ordinary people who step into this place are immediately caught in its pervasive aura…”

Meanwhile, atop a mountain peak, Gu Changge stood with eyes ablaze with divine light, as if countless runes were evolving around him, scanning the profound landscape below.

Behind him stood Jiang Luoshen, Tian Ze, and numerous other formidable beings he had brought from the upper realms. They found themselves amidst a boundless, lush ancient forest blanketed in thick fog, where vibrant clouds encircled many areas. Massive, gnarled trees towered like mountains, shrouding the landscape. Everywhere, spiritual herbs, fruits, flying springs, and waterfalls dotted the scenery, while dense thickets hinted at vast hidden depths.

“This place harbors secrets indeed. The shifts in the demon world’s fortunes appear intricately tied to the Six Emperors’ disappearance. They have evaded detection for years, and the information we have may not be entirely accurate…” Jiang Luoshen’s brow furrowed, her eyes shimmering as she utilized the Supreme God Clan’s techniques to probe the surroundings.

“Princess, I propose we conduct a thorough search of this area together. I believe that with our combined efforts, we can uncover this elusive location,” suggested a stalwart member of the Supreme God Clan behind her, confident that this ancient and expansive mountain would yield its secrets to them.

Jiang Luoshen remarked casually, “If it were that simple, Gu Changge would have acted long ago. He wouldn’t have waited until now.”

Hearing her words, Gu Changge turned to look at her, his gaze steady. “Indeed, it’s not that straightforward. Unfortunately, we didn’t capture Jiang Chen. Having him here would make things much more convenient.”

His statement was factual. Despite his formidable abilities, Gu Changge could only discern the unusual nature of the area. Every inch of the terrain was ensconced in ancient divine formations, pulsating with formidable runes and potent energies.

Lamentably, there was a noticeable absence of a skilled treasure hunter to navigate these intricate pathways. Gu Changge regretted that Jiang Chen, currently fleeing in the upper realms, wasn’t with them. He would have been invaluable in deciphering the secrets of this place.

“I refuse to believe you’re incapable,” Jiang Luoshen retorted, her gaze piercing. “I suspect you find it bothersome…”

Gu Changge chuckled softly. “It seems you understand me quite well. I do have a solution, though. Since you’re here, I can’t simply toss you aside. I can discern the locations of the formations with a glance.”

Jiang Luoshen fixed him with a cold stare, her eyes conveying a lethal intensity that could have slain Gu Changge countless times over.

Buzz!!

Suddenly, ripples of fluctuation emanated from the void, distorting the air until a deep black mist materialized.

From within emerged Bai Lian’er’s figure. Gu Changge glanced at her casually. “It seems Jun Bufan already knows.”

“He does,” Bai Lian’er replied nonchalantly.

“Very well, lead the way,” Gu Changge nodded. He possessed a method to track the path. When Bai Lian’er had previously accompanied Jun Bufan into this place, despite its complexity, narrowing down the location was feasible once they established a general direction.

Without further ado, Bai Lian’er transformed into mist with a resounding boom, filling the void as she surged forward.

Gu Changge followed closely, his eyes’ runes shimmering with a black-and-white brilliance akin to reincarnation, deciphering the evolving patterns around him.

“The well where the gate of life resides is a convergence of life forces. Therefore, finding it shouldn’t be too difficult…” Gu Changge analyzed as he scrutinized the surroundings.

Under the clarity of his reincarnation-like vision, every detail became evident—the celestial laws, the terrain’s patterns, the currents of air, and the interplay of vitality.

Though Gu Changge maintained a deliberate pace behind Bai Lian’er, he sensed a shift in the atmosphere, suggesting she had detected his approach and might attempt to obstruct him while concealing her own presence.

“If you recklessly intrude into this place, you’ll surely become lost,” Jiang Luoshen warned, noticing the shifting dynamics with a frown.

Gu Changge paid her no mind. He had already pinpointed the location of the well.

Perched upon a low mountain, an ancient well emanated radiant beams of light, exuding boundless vitality and immortal energy. As the most elusive “gate of life” in the demon world, the surroundings underwent profound transformations. Wisps of dawn emerged, intertwining with the void.

Within the well sat a woman with flowing white hair cascading like a waterfall over her face. Jun Ruoxi remained motionless, her presence ethereal, as if sculpted from flawless ivory. Even her attire, a long skirt, exuded purity without blemish.

At this moment, Jun Ruoxi furrowed her brows, her eyes seemingly open to a looming, terrifying aura drawing near. She couldn’t discern the intruder’s appearance, but the sheer dreadfulness of their aura was unmistakable. It carried chaotic yet majestic power, tinged with an overwhelming sense of order that made her feel insignificant, like an ant before a titan.

It was her first encounter with such an overwhelming sensation. Despite her efforts to cloak the area’s aura and impede the intruder, she found herself powerless against their advance.

Buzz!!

Jun Ruoxi’s tightly closed eyes finally opened, attempting to discern the identity of the approaching figure.

“Gu Changge is not far away, hundreds of millions of miles distant. Won’t Miss Ruoxi come out to greet him?”

Suddenly, a voice echoed from above the ancient well, causing Jun Ruoxi’s composed expression to shift, a chill running down her spine.