I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 427

Chapter 427: You stupid girl, Tao Yao’s test

The black, terrifying sword light swept through, and Li Xiu’s body collapsed and exploded, turning into powder in the sky, his death now final.

Despite having reached enlightenment and traversed this path extensively, his formidable cultivation rendered him motionless in death, a corpse shrouded in green hair. There was no escaping Gu Changge once she pinpointed his location.

“You killed him just like that?” Gu Xian’er asked in astonishment, expecting Gu Changge to interrogate War Immortal for information.

However, Gu Changge didn’t hesitate; upon finding him, she dispatched him without a word. It seemed unlike her usual mercenary approach.

“Shouldn’t we have waited for him to recover to full strength before dealing with him?” Gu Xian’er questioned further.

Glancing at her incredulously as if she were naive, Gu Changge retrieved the Xuan Yang Heavenly Sword. At this point, Li Xiu held little value beyond being a means to gain experience points; Gu Changge saw no reason to spare him.

“You’re not allowed to look at me like that,” Gu Xian’er snapped, feeling belittled in Gu Changge’s eyes.

At that moment, Gu Changge had no time for arguments. He unleashed another palm strike, obliterating the sluggish old man, then turned his attention to the bronze palace.

Were it not for Li Xiu, finding such a place would have been nearly impossible.

“A perfect spot for soul cultivation. It couldn’t be more ideal,” he remarked, nodding with a hint of satisfaction. The area teemed with life origins, and over time, even the corpses here could gain spiritual wisdom.

In this rich spiritual energy, he could set up defenses to conceal any remaining aura.

“Why are you looking for a place to cultivate souls?” Gu Xian’er asked, eyeing the surroundings. Was Gu Changge planning to resurrect someone?

“Naturally, I’m preparing for unforeseen circumstances. If I were to die one day, I must have a way to return,” Gu Changge said casually, glancing at her.

He couldn’t possibly disclose anything about the red-clothed witch to Gu Xian’er, so he invented an excuse on the spot.

“How could you just suddenly die…” Gu Xian’er trailed off, momentarily puzzled. But then she remembered Gu Changge’s unresolved demon heart and realized he might be planning for that eventuality.

Her mood dampened. If his demon heart flared up again one day, what would Gu Changge do? If she were by his side, would he take her immortal bone, or would he choose to sever his own heart?

As these thoughts raced through her mind, Gu Xian’er already knew the answer. Just like when he had faced the Nirvana Pond, he had sacrificed his arms rather than harm himself again.

A wave of sadness washed over her. Beneath Gu Changge’s striking appearance lay hidden perils that only he understood.

“If that day comes, I will give you my immortal bone. I can live without it…” Gu Xian’er lifted her gaze, staring at Gu Changge earnestly, hoping he would understand.

“What are you hitting me for?” Gu Xian’er protested, but Gu Changge cut her off with a knock on her head, bringing tears to her eyes.

Shaking his head slightly, he chided, “You fool, what have you been dwelling on all day?”

He naturally understood Gu Xian’er’s thoughts well; his mental acuity was among the best.

Glaring at him, Gu Xian’er was thoroughly dissatisfied. “I’m doing this for your own good, you arrogant man. You always act like you refuse to bow down or dirty your hands. Will you ever appreciate others’ kindness?”

Gu Changge sighed softly, then playfully grabbed her cheek, rubbing it firmly. Her beautiful eyes flashed with murder as she tried to swat him away.

“Fine, I get it, you silly girl,” he said with a smile, releasing her.

“Eh…” Gu Xian’er expected to be teased by Gu Changge, but his response caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily stunned. Quickly recovering, she sniffed dismissively, “You’re the silly one, you just realized it.”

“Don’t overthink it. I simply don’t like owing favors. This time, dealing with Li Xiu would’ve been tricky without your help,” he admitted.

After all, Li Xiu wasn’t an ordinary person; his status as a War Immortal added complexity to the situation.

Although Shen Xian’er was a direct descendant of the Gu family, her surname wasn’t Gu, and she had never ascended to the upper realm or paid homage to the Gu ancestors. Consequently, the Gu family might not involve themselves in this matter.

Afterward, Gu Changge settled in and meticulously inscribed numerous enigmatic runes, displaying an unprecedented level of caution and precision. This location served another purpose: it was aimed at the impending burial of the red-clothed witch. Thus, he allowed no room for error, knowing a mistake could derail his plans and lead to further complications.

The bronze palace exuded an ancient aura; its origins lost in time. Intricate murals adorned its four walls, depicting ancestors kneeling before a sacred totem.

Gu Changge continued to work tirelessly. His fingers radiated with light as he punched runes into the surroundings, weaving them together like celestial stars. Simultaneously, he transformed the runes of the Great Dao into chains of laws, securely binding the void around the bronze palace.

“The soul-nurturing effect here could be enhanced a bit more…”

“This way, there will be no anomalies.”

With his aura transformed into a sculpting tool, Gu Changge personally excavated a pool deep within the palace. He placed various restrictions and gathered nearby life origins, meticulously preparing the space.

Buzz!!

Within the pool, brilliance began to radiate, dazzlingly bright, brimming with the essence of life.

In the end, he meticulously painted over the cracks in the surrounding space, acquiring numerous hidden treasures to seal away its secrets, ensuring no aura leaked out. Satisfied, he murmured, “I hope she remains unnoticed, but I also hope it never comes to that.”

Gu Changge’s eyes flickered with myriad thoughts. Satisfied that he now had complete control over the area, he departed from the site.

“You’ve been at it for quite a while…” Gu Xian’er, who had been waiting by the space crack, remarked in surprise as she saw Gu Changge emerge.

Gu Changge nodded without explanation. “Let’s go.”

Transforming into beams of divine light, they ruptured through space and left the location behind.

Meanwhile, a war erupted at the Boundary Monument. All tribes dispatched their finest, intent on crossing the Eight Desolations and Ten Regions. Even from afar, they sensed the terrifying fluctuations.

These tremors emanated from the emperor’s weapon. With the absence of the fairyland, the emperor’s realm stood as the pinnacle of power in the upper realm.

In this battle, many enlightened individuals surged forward as vanguards to carve a path. The inhabitants of the Eight Desolations and Ten Regions, however, were formidable opponents themselves. Confronted with the Upper Realm’s invasion, an unimaginable resistance force erupted.

Both sides reached a stalemate. Countless powerhouses descended near the boundary monument, their distant cries of battle and the scent of blood filling the air.

The scale of this conflict was immense, sweeping through nearly all Dao traditions and forces in the upper realm. Even the Ancient Immortal Gu family mobilized tens of millions of troops to breach the boundary monuments.

Despite this, Gu Changge had no intention of joining the fray just yet. While he would undoubtedly participate in the Battle of the Boundary Monument, now was not the time.

On their way out of the area, he opened the Heavenly Dao Treasure Box obtained after killing Li Xiu. A burst of golden brilliance erupted, revealing a small golden cauldron floating mystically in the virtual space, radiating an aura of profound mystery.

“The Golden Cauldron of Luck gathers all aura and can accumulate luck points,” Gu Changge explained, studying its many attributes with some dissatisfaction. He believed that if this artifact were placed in an Immortal Great Sect or Supreme Dao, it could even stealthily siphon off their luck, surpassing the effectiveness of the World Tree seed he had acquired previously.

In addition to this, he had another method to accrue luck points.

The points obtained from killing War Immortal Li Xiu were substantial, enabling him to exchange for several transcendental bones, thereby boosting his strength.

Gu Changge led his companions away from the war-torn area, leaving the battlefield behind. Along the way, they witnessed ancient warships dominating the skies and iron-clad cavalries thundering past.

Numerous young geniuses from the upper realm eagerly participated in the conflict, leaving no faction uninvolved. Learning that only cultivators with relatively lower cultivation bases could cross the Boundary Monument heightened their excitement. They hurried to join the fray, eager to make a name for themselves by challenging the cultivators of the Eight Desolations and Ten Regions, aiming to establish their reputations across the realm.

“Should we head back to Peach Village now?” Gu Xian’er asked as they journeyed. It had been nearly a year since their last visit, a short time for cultivators, yet she missed her relatives and the masters of Peach Village deeply. Having grown up there, her attachment to Peach Village surpassed that of the Gu family.

“Let’s return to Peach Village. Your involvement in the battle against the Eight Desolations and Ten Regions wouldn’t serve much purpose,” Gu Changge agreed, intending to consult Tao Yao about some matters and knowing he would have to visit Peach Village sooner or later.

With a display of supreme divine power, Gu Changge opened a spatial channel, conjuring a formidable rune that tore through the void before them. They embarked on their journey, effortlessly traversing vast distances within the virtual space.

During their travel, shimmering silver brilliance intertwined around them, the chaotic mist of the virtual space rarely visible. The Upper Realm, expansive and segmented into Inner and Outer Realms, placed Peach Village in the Abandoned Land of Immortals within the Outer Realm—a considerable distance from the Boundary Monument.

“I wonder if even a real Supreme Being wouldn’t be your match anymore?” Gu Xian’er marveled, noticing the distortion of the void ahead. The surroundings blurred as Gu Changge’s immensely powerful presence caused the space around him to collapse—a feat even difficult for a Supreme Being to achieve.

She couldn’t fathom how Gu Changge had cultivated to such extraordinary strength, far surpassing ordinary Supreme Beings. His smile in response said more than words ever could. With his current power, he had little reason to fear even genuine enlightened beings.

However, such statements were nothing short of astounding. Despite someone bearing the title of the demonic arts inheritor, doubts naturally arose due to the staggering speed of Gu Changge’s cultivation breakthroughs—speeds even surpassing the true inheritor of demonic arts.

Gu Changge reflected on this, realizing that perhaps even the genuine inheritor couldn’t match his rapid progress. Such concepts likely confounded most cultivators.

“I hear Su Qingge is facing quite the ordeal. Seems she’s being hunted and pursued everywhere,” Gu Changge added, his smile carrying significant meaning as he recalled various reports.

After half a month, the void rippled once more, the rift vanishing as Gu Changge led the group away, reappearing on a mountain peak.

The terrain was rugged, with lush vegetation and a sprawling, ancient forest visible in the distance.

“Back to the Abandoned Land,” Gu Xian’er sighed, a sense of homecoming washing over her as she took in the familiar scenery.

In the past, she often rode a large red bird across the Abandoned Land, searching for spiritual treasures and rare finds. Here, she had faced countless life-and-death crises, confronting powerful beasts and gaining valuable experience in battle.

Excitement surged within her as she eagerly scanned her surroundings.

The last time she had returned, Gu Changge had accompanied her and endured teasing from uncles and aunts who joked about bringing her sweetheart home. It had embarrassed her for quite some time. Now, with Gu Changge still at her side, she wondered what the elders would say this time.

“Wait here,” Gu Changge instructed his subordinates before guiding Gu Xian’er towards Peach Village.

Crossing the vast wilderness ahead, they soon spotted a mystical peach tree standing sentinel in front of the village.

The village itself was modest, enclosed by fences with spiritual herbs and other plants growing nearby. Colorful clouds drifted lazily overhead, and a gentle mist hung in the air, imbuing the scene with tranquility.

Wisps of aura permeated the surroundings, nurturing the village with a sense of peace and tranquility. Auspicious beasts neighed and birds fluttered their wings, lending an air of paradise to the scene. At the entrance of the village, elders and children played together, embodying a serene picture of community life.

The peach tree standing sentinel at the entrance was a marvel of beauty, its branches adorned with lush foliage that emitted a faint divine glow. Each leaf bore ancient, intricate lines, hinting at its ageless wisdom and sacred significance. Though not yet in bloom, the tree exuded a profound and transcendent aura.

Near the base of the tree sat a little girl, her features delicate and innocent, dressed in a flowing cotton robe. Her soft hair framed her face as she sat barefoot on a bluestone, occasionally gazing out towards the village entrance, as if anticipating someone’s arrival.

Upon noticing Gu Changge outside the village, she blinked in disbelief, rubbing her eyes to dispel any illusion. Realizing it was indeed her master, whom she had thought about incessantly, her surprise turned into joy.

“Master…”

Her voice filled with astonishment, she fixated on Gu Changge’s figure and hurriedly ran towards him, stumbling slightly in her excitement.

“I was just saying how I heard magpies at the village entrance this morning, and here you are, Xian’er,” the girl’s mother exclaimed with delight. “And you’ve brought someone home. It’s been a year, but you’ve finally come back.”

As word spread, not only did she spot Gu Changge and Gu Xian’er, but the rest of the villagers also noticed them, emerging from their homes to greet the returning duo with joyous enthusiasm. Peach Village buzzed with lively activity as aunts and uncles surrounded Gu Xian’er and Gu Changge, their eyes full of curiosity and warmth.

Several elderly women glanced knowingly at Gu Xian’er’s midsection, sighing with mixed emotions, leaving her bewildered and slightly embarrassed. It dawned on her what they were insinuating, a blush creeping onto her delicate features as she shot a reproachful glance at Gu Changge.

Unfazed by the commotion, Gu Changge knelt down, his expression gentle as he patted Yaoyao and inquired about her well-being. Yaoyao was overjoyed to see him and eagerly recounted her experiences in Peach Village during her absence.

She cherished the peaceful life there, where she was not only liked by the peach demon but also treated like family by the villagers. It was a place where worries seemed to melt away, though she admitted to missing him terribly at times.

Gu Changge smiled warmly, gently patting Yaoyao’s hair. “It’s good that you like it here. I’ll come to visit you whenever I can,” he reassured her, pulling out various accessories he had collected from the mortal world and offering them to her. Originally intended for Gu Qingyi, he had thought of Yaoyao and gathered them together. It seemed that while Yaoyao wasn’t interested in cultivation, she cherished these trinkets dearly.

“Thank you, Master,” Yaoyao beamed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “I really like them. There are many children to play with, and the animals here are so friendly.”

Gu Changge was relieved to see her content, glad that he could bring her some joy.

Meanwhile, on the other side, an elderly woman pulled Gu Xian’er aside for a private conversation. As they spoke, Gu Xian’er’s expression darkened. She felt a mix of shame and anger, her cheeks burning hot. She couldn’t believe the assumptions being made—after all, she was Gu Changge’s cousin.

However, the elderly women paid little heed to Gu Xian’er’s explanations. In their minds, Gu Xian’er had brought Gu Changge back to Peach Village multiple times, and they were determined to believe it. No matter how earnestly Gu Xian’er tried to clarify, their disbelief remained, leaving her feeling frustrated and helpless. Eventually, she resorted to shooting glares at Gu Changge, silently blaming him for the misunderstanding.

Peach Village buzzed with excitement as Gu Xian’er and Gu Changge returned, bearing gifts for everyone—divine medicines, medicinal herbs, and other treasures that promised longevity and enhanced power. Despite her usual frugality and penchant for wealth, Gu Xian’er was generous with the elders and villagers of Peach Village, leaving no stone unturned to make amends.

Soon, several of Gu Xian’er’s masters arrived, inspecting her current cultivation progress with satisfaction. While she couldn’t match Gu Changge’s extraordinary abilities, she surpassed many young supreme beings of her generation. To them, Gu Changge was an enigma, defying conventional understanding, and even they struggled to discern his current cultivation level.

This realization left them astonished and intrigued. More than a year had passed since they last saw Gu Changge—how had he improved so dramatically in such a short time? Despite their curiosity, they refrained from prying into Gu Changge’s secrets.

As Gu Xian’er and Gu Changge settled back into Peach Village, they were treated to a lavish feast prepared by the villagers—delicious and aromatic dishes that, while not on par with the feasts of the Ancient Immortal Gu family, carried a unique and heartfelt flavor.

At the lively banquet, the conversation flowed freely, and several aunts and uncles, unfazed by Gu Changge’s identity, naturally inquired about his relationship with Gu Xian’er. Gu Changge answered their questions tactfully, much to Gu Xian’er’s relief. She had been anxious that he might inadvertently say something embarrassing or frustrating.

However, despite his reassuring answers, Gu Xian’er couldn’t shake a slight sense of disappointment. She felt that Gu Changge’s responses lacked any deeper meaning, leaving her feeling a tad unsettled.

After the banquet concluded, everyone retired to rest, and Gu Xian’er returned to her former home for the night. The villagers had prepared a clean house for Gu Changge, but instead of retiring, he wandered outside the village to the peach tree alone.

He held a cup of wine from the banquet in his hand, seemingly lost in his thoughts as he sat beside the ancient peach tree. The moonlight cast a cold glow, scattering mottled silver fragments across the ground like shards of a shattered lake, lending an air of tranquility to the scene.

The peach tree stood tall and ancient, its branches and leaves lush and vibrant. Under the moon’s illumination, it exuded an aura of profound history and mystery, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Silent and contemplative, Gu Changge sat there, sipping his wine without speaking, his eyes distant as if pondering deep thoughts. Soon, a vast white mist began to form around him, enveloping the vicinity in an ethereal veil.

“You’re so brave in front of me…” A soft, melodious voice resonated like celestial music, carrying an ethereal quality.

In the next moment, a slender figure emerged from within the peach tree. Though her face was blurred, an unmatched aura surrounded her, and her eyes, soft as autumn water, seemed to hold the wisdom of the universe itself.

Tao Yao materialized, gazing at Gu Changge with keen interest, as if trying to unravel him as she had done the first time they met.

Gu Changge continued sipping his wine, unperturbed. At her comment, he looked up with a faint smile. “Does the senior plan to join me for a drink?”

Tao Yao shook her head gently. “I never drink alcohol. I don’t enjoy the taste.”

“It’s a pity then, senior, missing out on such fine wine,” Gu Changge replied amiably.

Tao Yao fell silent, her gaze unwavering on him. Eventually, she spoke again. “While tending to Yaoyao’s injuries, I recalled some memories…”

“Oh? What memories?” Gu Changge’s interest piqued, a hint of surprise flickering across his expression. He knew Tao Yao and Yaoyao hadn’t fully merged, so her recollection intrigued him. He wondered if the memories he saw last time were his own or intentionally revealed by Tao Yao.

Regardless, he recognized Tao Yao’s long-standing acquaintance with the old stone of the True Immortal Academy. There was no doubt about their shared history.

“And the red-clothed demon, peach demon, and Old Shi clearly belonged to another era, closely intertwined with his identity as the Demon Lord. Gu Changge had long grappled with the feeling that he might not truly be the Demon Lord, yet the threads of fate seemed to dictate otherwise, weaving together the relationships between Tao Yao, Old Shi, the Red Witch, and himself.

As Tao Yao revealed these memories, Gu Changge couldn’t help but wonder if she harbored suspicions about something deeper.

“I remember I had a friend who loved wearing red clothes,” Tao Yao continued, her voice measured as she spoke. Her eyes remained fixed on Gu Changge, as if she were both telling him and searching for understanding within herself. “She used to say she would cultivate diligently, not to disappoint her master, and one day marry him when she grew up…”

“When I was just a peach tree with faint intelligence, she rescued me from a monster. My existence was once that of a heartless peach tree,” Tao Yao recounted softly. “With her, I learned what friendship meant. But alas, it was a fleeting experience, lost in the depths of time. Perhaps I am the only one who remembers it now, after countless eons have passed, relegated to the era of taboos.”

“Later, she brought me to her master. At that time, I met another friend—a stone. I never imagined that an ordinary stone, or a hollow peach tree like myself, could gain wisdom,” Tao Yao continued reflectively. “She was a vague presence then, destined one day to embark on the path of cultivation alongside the rest of the demon clan. Her master was strict, but kind to us, never looking down upon us because of our origins.”

“She taught me to read and write. I once asked her to give me a name, but she insisted that names held great significance,” Tao Yao added wistfully. “So, she taught me the art of spelling…”

Her voice, serene as the melodies of nature, carried a tinge of melancholy. Despite her calm demeanor, there was an unmistakable sense of loneliness in her expression.

“Senior’s friend… does the junior know her?” Gu Changge set down his wine, his expression unchanged as memories from that time flashed before his eyes. He recalled a girl in red, seated alone in an expansive field with a lifeless peach tree behind her. She possessed a striking beauty, with long, dark blue hair that mirrored the sky itself. Though she gazed at distant clouds and mountains, their reflections in her eyes, her expression conveyed profound loneliness, as if she were perpetually waiting for someone.

“I have no idea,” Tao Yao replied, shaking her head with a hint of ambiguity in her words. She observed Gu Changge closely, noting his introspective demeanor. Tao Yao sighed softly, her tone now more serious than before.

“You came to Peach Village this time seeking something from me, didn’t you?” Tao Yao inquired.

Gu Changge nodded affirmatively. “I wonder how much Senior knows about the Demon Burying Abyss?”

Tao Yao paused, momentarily taken aback, before furrowing her brow in confusion. “Are you planning to go to the Demon Burying Abyss?”

Gu Changge’s expression remained stoic. “I was merely curious and remembered some things. I thought someone as venerable as Senior would have insight into it.”

“I know nothing of the Burying Demon Abyss. If you wish to learn more, you should go and see for yourself, shouldn’t you?” Tao Yao suddenly chuckled. Her laughter, once soft and pleasant, now carried an indescribable, almost sinister undertone.

With those words, her voice dissipated like light dust, vanishing into thin air as she returned silently to the peach tree.

Observing this, Gu Changge’s demeanor remained unchanged. He stood up and departed. Today’s encounter hadn’t yielded much. His visit to Tao Yao was primarily to gauge her attitude towards him.

From her responses, he could infer her thoughts and perhaps discern if she harbored any suspicions about his true identity. Old Shi had been visibly shocked upon their first meeting, seeing a resemblance. Now, Tao Yao’s shift in demeanor and her reminiscing about the past—was it a deliberate test?

It seemed inevitable that when the red-clothed witch saw him again, she would recognize him.