I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 420
Chapter 420: Gu Xian’er’s younger sister, Heavenly Lan Realm, Shen clan’s waste
During this time, Gu Changge thought about the matter of the Demon Burying Abyss. He wanted to visit Peach Village to ask Tao Yao about it and, as a master, check on his apprentice Yaoyao. However, it seemed somewhat inappropriate for him to go alone since Gu Xian’er wasn’t part of their family. Even though he could use the excuse of seeing Yaoyao, who knew how those old guys would feel if they didn’t see Gu Xian’er?
Therefore, Gu Changge decided to wait in the family’s land for a while longer, giving Gu Xian’er time to return after handling her own affairs and allowing him to arrange everything at hand.
However, Gu Changge received some surprising news.
“Young Master, Miss Xian’er has been away from the clan for half a year, and there is still no news,” a subordinate reported respectfully.
“No news from her in the past six months?” Gu Changge frowned slightly, puzzled by what she was doing.
When he was at the Supreme God’s Tomb some time ago, he sensed that she had something on her mind, but she hadn’t mentioned it, and Gu Changge hadn’t pressed her about it. Given Gu Xian’er’s character, if it was something she could handle, she probably wouldn’t trouble others, especially when it came to her parents.
“No, when Miss Xian’er returned to the clan, she didn’t give any orders and left alone, not wanting the clan to send powerhouses to follow her,” the subordinate replied.
“Okay, you can go back,” Gu Changge nodded and tapped the table with his fingers unhurriedly.
He had planned to wait for Gu Xian’er to return and then take her to Peach Village, giving him a suitable excuse. Now, it seemed he couldn’t wait any longer. It had already taken her half a year to deal with such a small matter—who knew how much more time she would waste?
“Heavenly Lan Realm is not far from the Boundary Monument Sea. This time, the battle with the Eight Desolations and Ten Regions may be affected. Her grandfather went there to find her, attempting to refine her precious blood, but unfortunately, he encountered the wave of the boundary monument, was severely injured, and finally disappeared. It just so happens that Heavenly Lan Realm is the lower realm where Gu Xian’er’s mother’s family lives. Her parents went to find her grandfather and haven’t returned to the Gu family for over ten years.”
Gu Changge remembered the news he had received when he instructed his subordinates to search for Gu Xian’er’s grandfather’s trace. Normally, when Gu Xian’er went to find her parents and grandfather, there shouldn’t have been so many twists and turns.
After all, behind her was the Ancient Immortal Gu family. Even though her parents held grudges about what happened in the past and were unwilling to return to the Gu family, it was impossible for Gu Xian’er to stay there forever.
Thinking of this, Gu Changge suddenly sensed a familiar pattern. Even if it wasn’t directly related to Gu Xian’er, it was certainly connected to her.
“Come here, prepare to depart for the Heavenly Lan Realm,” Gu Changge ordered, his eyes narrowing slightly and his expression intriguing.
He felt that in the upcoming battle with the Eight Desolations and Ten Regions, the Heavenly Lan Realm was bound to bear the brunt. Among the many lower realms adjacent to the Boundary Monument, the Heavenly Lan Realm was exceptionally advanced.
The Heavenly Lan Realm was an ancient world with outstanding people and boundless territory. Although it was far less vast than the upper realm, among the many nearby lower realms, it was definitely one of the best.
In this realm, the mountains and rivers were magnificent, and the towering peaks were endless. Looking down from the sky, one would find that in the many giant cities, spiritual energy was transpiring, and immortal mist lingered, creating a scene reminiscent of a sacred place on earth.
Particularly, the gathering places of many beings were extremely prosperous. Divine cities floated in the air, silver waterfalls cascaded like cultivation, colorful mists lingered, and clouds steamed.
In the Heavenly Lan Realm, besides numerous ancient clans, there were sacred places with long traditions, high above and overlooking all living beings. In every ancient city, wisps of different-colored mists could be seen lingering. Masters sat in the towns, powerhouses were numerous, and many young geniuses abounded.
The level of cultivation in this realm was extremely high and, in some respects, comparable to certain remote places in the upper realm. However, when truly compared to the upper realm, the Heavenly Lan Realm fell far short. The gaps in heritage and the rules of heaven and earth were immense.
Over the years, many powerhouses had risen to the upper realm from the Heavenly Lan Realm, leaving behind numerous legends that inspired countless creatures and cultivators. Occasionally, powerhouses from the upper realm would come to this realm to find cultivation seedlings with outstanding talents and bring them back to the upper realm for further cultivation.
As a result, the upper realm was no longer considered mysterious by the inhabitants of the Heavenly Lan Realm, though it still held supreme significance.
At this moment, the Shen Clan was gathered in a majestic and ancient palace. Many old men with powerful auras were discussing various matters. As one of the ancient clans with a long heritage in the Heavenly Lan Realm, the Shen Clan wielded unimaginable power within a radius of tens of thousands of miles. Even the other sacred places in the Heavenly Lan Realm, with their long histories, were wary of them.
The Shen Clan’s connection to a certain terrifying force in the upper realm was well-known, and even those from the upper realm treated them with respect, not daring to slight them. This was no secret among the major forces in the Heavenly Lan Realm.
In the palace, several old men with strong auras and solemn expressions were in heated discussions, their anger barely contained. Violent quarrels erupted from time to time, causing many members of the Shen Clan to tremble in the distant mountains.
“Since Xian’er is unwilling, then the matter can be dismissed. Can’t my dignified Shen family get some compensation? It is true that he saved Xian’er’s grandfather, but that was more than ten years ago. Now, Xian’er is an adult and can decide on her own regarding marriage. Do you want to force her? Let me ask you, do you dare? You know that the blood of the Gu family flows in her veins. Which one of you dares to make a decision on such matters?”
“If Xian’er had been born in the upper realm, she would be a goddess renowned throughout the world. How can a mere wastrel from nowhere be worthy of the daughter of our Shen family?” The old man who spoke had a commanding presence, his lips slightly thin, and his words sharp. But the points he raised were irrefutable by everyone in the hall.
“But this matter was promised in front of others more than ten years ago, and there is a letter written by Xian’er’s grandfather. If this spreads, won’t it be a shame for our Shen family?” said another old man with a kind face and a bitter smile, looking equally helpless.
“What’s there to be ashamed of? Three years ago, that man came to our doorstep himself. Our Shen family treated him as the savior of Xian’er’s grandfather. We showed him utmost respect, knowing his unique condition with a broken spiritual sea. We provided him with numerous heavenly treasures, divine medicines, and longevity fruits. Did we ever mistreat him?”
“Back then, it was agreed that if his health didn’t improve after three years, the marriage contract would be null and void. Our Shen family doesn’t owe him anything, right?”
“Now that three years have passed, has his condition improved at all?” The old man with a stern face was visibly furious.
The others in the room couldn’t help but smile at his words. Three years ago, this agreement had seemed like a mere formality. With the Shen family’s resources, how could they not resolve such a minor issue?
Their point was simply that if the problem couldn’t be solved, there was no need to honor the marriage contract. At the time, they believed the person behind Li Xiu was exceptional and deserving of their gratitude. But that person was peculiar—despite using all sorts of treasures, his broken spiritual sea showed no signs of improvement.
They were left clueless about his condition. Their agreement at the time had been verbal, with no written evidence. Now, even if they wanted to acknowledge it, the other party was behaving unreasonably, leaving them powerless to act.
On the contrary, they feared being criticized, accused of betraying trust and turning their backs on agreements. Shen Xian’er’s refusal to marry someone she deemed unworthy only added to their headaches, complicating the resolution.
Yet, the matter had been decided by her grandfather from the outset.
“You need not say more, elders,” Shen Xian’er interjected calmly. “I have chosen to pursue the Dao in my life and have no intention of marrying or having children. Even disregarding the events of three years ago, I would not agree to this engagement. When my grandfather returns, I will explain this to him personally.”
At that moment, a young girl emerged from the hall, appearing only thirteen or fourteen years old. She wore a long white dress and possessed striking beauty, with a snow-white complexion and a tall figure. Her demeanor exuded a cold, serene aura, seemingly untouched by worldly concerns, her voice unwavering.
Witnessing her arrival, everyone in the hall fell momentarily silent before smiling wryly. The elderly man who had spoken earlier offered a gentle smile and reassured, “Do not worry, Xian’er. Your sister is also here in the clan. With her support, no one will coerce you into anything. As for marriage contracts or any such matters, we can tear them up and be done with it. How can someone with a shattered spiritual sea be worthy of you?”
Shen Xian’er nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you, Second Grandpa. I understand.”
Seeing the resolve in Shen Xian’er and the support she had, the others in the hall chose not to press further on the matter.
“Then it’s settled regarding Li Xiu, correct? I’ll personally go and inform him later,” the elderly man reiterated, his dissatisfaction evident towards Li Xiu.
Everyone present nodded in agreement, opting not to dwell further on the matter.
Meanwhile, in a misty place akin to a valley from a fairyland, a man, a woman, and a girl engaged in soft conversation.
The man exuded a heroic air, his face resolute and strong-willed.
The woman possessed remarkable beauty, her gaze filled with tender affection as she looked at the girl.
The girl herself wore an ethereal wide-sleeved immortal dress, exuding breathtaking beauty. Her hair cascaded like clouds, her facial features delicate and flawless, her skin as pristine and smooth as flawless suet jade. Her expression held a cold aloofness, an aura of immortality detached from worldly concerns—it was Gu Xian’er.
Although Shen Xian’er was born into the Shen family, she carried half the blood of the Gu family’s direct lineage. If the Gu family were aware of this, they would certainly not allow her to remain here. For special reasons, Shen Xian’er’s parents kept her existence hidden from the Gu family. Otherwise, she would have long departed for the upper realm to cultivate, making staying in the Heavenly Lan Realm impossible.
“Then it’s settled regarding Li Xiu, correct? The old man will go and inform him personally later,” the elderly man continued, his dissatisfaction evident towards Li Xiu.
Everyone nodded in agreement, and no further words were exchanged.
Meanwhile, in a mist-shrouded location resembling a fairyland valley,
A man, a woman, and a girl were engaged in soft conversation in this misty, fairyland-like place.
The man exuded a heroic demeanor, his aura strong and his face resolute.
The woman possessed striking beauty, her gaze filled with tender affection as she looked at the girl.
The girl herself wore a breathtaking wide-sleeved immortal dress, her hair flowing like clouds, her facial features exquisite and flawless, her skin as flawless and delicate as suet jade. Her expression carried a cold aloofness, an immortal aura detached from worldly concerns—it was Gu Xian’er.
“This matter was decided by your sister herself, so don’t worry about it,” the woman said gently, addressing Gu Xian’er.
“Your sister’s personality is very similar to yours, but she only has cultivation in her eyes. Your grandfather shouldn’t have made this marriage contract for her back then,” added the man, Gu Xian’er’s father.
At these words, both sighed, reassuring Gu Xian’er that she need not concern herself with the matter involving Shen Xian’er.
“I understand. Xian’er’s decisions are her own, and no one can force her,” Gu Xian’er responded, nodding maturely. In front of her parents, she appeared steady and reliable, like a dependable elder sister.
Despite her outward composure, Gu Xian’er still harbored some worries in her heart.
Half a year ago, she received news of a family emergency on her mother’s side. Concerned, she ventured alone to the Heavenly Lan Realm.
After Gu Changge had previously tracked down her parents’ whereabouts, she learned that during the years she was missing, her parents had believed something had happened to her and were devastated. Wanting to preserve their family, they had even welcomed a younger sister for her, born three years her junior, named Shen Xian’er.
Despite this bond, her parents harbored a deep resentment towards the Gu family due to past grievances, which had kept them from returning home all these years. They had even chosen to name their youngest daughter Shen instead of using the Gu surname.
This matter had never been disclosed to the Gu family.
If it hadn’t been for Gu Xian’er coming to the Shen Clan personally, she would never have known about her younger sister’s existence. Her parents had instructed her to keep this information from the Gu family.
As for Shen Xian’er’s temperament, while it bore similarities to hers, Shen Xian’er was solely dedicated to the Dao of cultivation, with no other distractions. Her own talent in cultivation was exceptional, surpassing her peers. Even in the upper realm, she could shine brightly and become an unbeatable young prodigy.
Many details about the Shen Clan and the circumstances surrounding the marriage contract had only come to Gu Xian’er’s knowledge after her arrival.
The marriage contract had originated more than ten years ago when her grandfather ventured near the Boundary Monument to hunt beasts with special talents, intending to use their precious blood for cultivation. Unexpectedly, he encountered the Boundary Monument’s upheaval and sustained severe injuries. Upon learning of this, Gu Xian’er’s parents mobilized their clan in search of him.
Despite their efforts, they couldn’t locate him. Devastated by the news from the Gu family, her grandfather returned to the Shen family in despair, choosing seclusion as his refuge.
On the Shen family’s side, after Gu Xian’er’s father emerged from seclusion, he learned of the situation and led a group of powerhouses in a frantic search for her grandfather. It was during this tumultuous time that Shen Xian’er was born.
Unfortunately, they eventually located her father and grandfather, but the two had been ensnared together, their lives hanging by a thread. For many years, they faced imminent danger until a critical moment when a mysterious old man suddenly appeared. He rescued them and administered life-saving treatment, accompanied by a young boy named Li Xiu, who exuded an air of mystery.
Deeply grateful for the old man’s intervention and impressed by Li Xiu’s extraordinary abilities, Gu Xian’er’s father and grandfather discussed how to express their gratitude. They recounted their lineage and pledged to repay the old man’s kindness in the future. Additionally, they proposed that the newly-born Shen Xian’er be taken under the old man’s tutelage as a gesture of respect.
Regrettably, the old man declined their offer, stating he would not take on disciples. After deliberation, and with the understanding that both children were growing up swiftly, they proposed a marriage between Shen Xian’er and Li Xiu. Despite initial hesitation, the old man eventually consented.
Thus, the marriage contract between Shen Xian’er and Li Xiu came into existence under these extraordinary circumstances.
Initially, the Shen family nearly forgot about the whole affair after the mysterious old man agreed to the marriage contract and vanished with the young boy. Despite extensive inquiries, they found no clues or traces of their whereabouts. Many in the Shen Clan dismissed the incident as a passing fancy, not taking it seriously.
However, everything changed three years ago when a young man named Li Xiu unexpectedly appeared at their doorstep, bearing a letter jointly written by Gu Xian’er’s father and grandfather. He demanded that the marriage contract be honored. This revelation stunned the entire Shen Clan, as they had never imagined that the past agreement would come to fruition.
Out of gratitude for the kindness shown to Li Xiu earlier, the Shen family chose not to confront him. Instead, they allowed him to stay and endeavored to assist in repairing his shattered spiritual sea.
Regarding the mysterious old man from years past, whom they suspected may have been Li Xiu’s master, no one from the Shen Clan had ever seen him, further deepening the mystery. Despite their reservations, they took their commitment seriously.
However, despite their efforts, Li Xiu’s spiritual sea proved exceptionally unique. It remained shattered and unable to gather even the slightest spiritual energy, despite the administration of countless spiritual medicines. Over time, this situation became a source of neighborhood gossip, labeling Li Xiu as the Shen family’s “waste son-in-law.”
This development caused the Shen Clan considerable embarrassment, but they remained bound by their earlier promise and found it difficult to renege on their obligations.
At this time, outside the valley, a divine light descended.
Gu Xian’er, known for her single-minded dedication to cultivation, expressed her disdain for the situation. She had only encountered Li Xiu a few times over the past three years.
“Li Xiu’s temperament is not ordinary. He spends his days leisurely, tending to flowers and grass in that yard without a care for anything else,” sighed her mother.
“If only his spiritual sea were intact, but he’s a person unable to cultivate. Sometimes, I feel he’s like an ancient being, seeing through the world’s changes…” Her mother’s words reflected a sense of frustration.
“Isn’t this a headache for Xian’er? Your father and the others shouldn’t have made hasty promises back then. While repaying kindness is noble, they should have considered Xian’er’s wishes,” her father lamented with a wry smile.
“It’s too late to say that now. It’s up to the clan to handle it, but no one will dare to force Xian’er anyway,” he continued.
Gu Xian’er nodded, her voice cold and resolute. “Indeed, this matter was mishandled. The Shen Clan has invested heavily over these past three years, and they owe him nothing. Offering some compensation should suffice. If his mysterious master returns and isn’t satisfied with this, he can propose other terms.”
Her decision was straightforward: she wouldn’t allow her sister to suffer for their family’s past mistakes.
At this time, outside the valley, a divine light descended.
It was Shen Xian’er who had left the palace. Upon hearing the discussion, she glanced at Gu Xian’er and expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, sister.”
“By the way, Xian’er, I’ve been managing your sister’s affairs all this time, but we haven’t discussed much about your situation. When you came last time, we didn’t clarify things. What are your plans regarding the Gu family?” Mother Shen asked abruptly, her expression tinged with regret. When the topic of the Gu family arose, she still held some lingering resentment.
Father Gu remained silent beside her, a reminder of the reason they hadn’t returned to the Gu family all these years.
At such a young age, Gu Xian’er had endured so much. If they had the capability now, they would all want to confront Gu Changge directly and ask why he acted as he did.
Upon hearing this, Gu Xian’er shook her head gently and reassured her mother, “Mother, this matter is actually a misunderstanding. You don’t need to worry. Our clan members are living well, and Gu Changge isn’t as bad as you might think. He just has things he needs to keep hidden.”
This issue was tied to Gu Changge’s secret, something she couldn’t reveal to her caring parents to avoid unnecessary complications.
“Sister…” Shen Xian’er glanced at Gu Xian’er. She had known about Gu Xian’er’s childhood experiences and felt deep sympathy for her sister’s tragic past. At times, she had even assumed Gu Xian’er might no longer be alive and planned to excel in cultivation to someday avenge her sister.
Though she had never met Gu Changge and only heard about him from her parents, she harbored a deep resentment. As Gu Xian’er’s cousin and a fellow clan member, she couldn’t fathom how he could have committed such ruthless acts at such a young age.
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Kieleana
It’s time for some progression for chuchu <3