I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 435

Chapter 435: She will naturally stop when she is tired of killing enough, push the scapegoat clean

“Is this the truth of the matter?” Above, divine streaks pierced through the sky with incredible speed.

After the earth-shattering events in the Demon Burying Abyss, Gu Changge and the others hastily fled, wasting no time lingering. Hearing the explanation now, Jiang Chuchu was profoundly shocked.

She didn’t doubt Gu Changge’s words but hadn’t anticipated such a revelation. Back then, she had sensed impure motives in Jin Chan’s actions. Now, it turned out her suspicions were correct. This explained why Jin Chan had insisted on everyone splitting up—he had other plans, intending to release the sealed female demon from the Abyss.

At the time, she had doubted Jin Chan’s resolve to carry out such a daring act, but she had clearly underestimated him. Furthermore, it was the first she had heard of Buddha Mountain harboring such a long-hidden secret.

It was unbelievable that the former eminent monk of Buddha Mountain had been bewitched by the female demon in the Demon Burying Abyss, which had swayed his Buddha’s heart, leading to his betrayal of Buddha Mountain and the theft of its treasures. If this became known, it would surely cause a massive sensation and shock numerous sects and factions.

In light of this, Jin Chan’s actions began to make sense.

“How powerful is the demon in the Demon Burying Abyss?” Jiang Chuchu asked, recalling another crucial detail. If the demon’s strength was not overwhelming, there might be a chance to unite various Daoist forces to seal it away again.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changge glanced at Jiang Chuchu, shook his head, and replied, “Her strength is formidable. Ordinary enlightened beings would likely not be her match. It’s best not to intervene now. Given her power, it could take a considerable amount of time for the Inner Realm to find peace.”

Even though Chan Hongyi had not yet emerged from the Demon Burying Abyss, Gu Changge was certain she would soon make her presence felt across the world. The Hanging Buddhist Temple near the Abyss would undoubtedly bear the brunt of her wrath.

During this period, Gu Changge could afford to be less concerned, knowing that other sects and forces would also be grappling with this impending threat. However, he needed to strategize how to mitigate her inevitable retaliation against him. While targeting Chan Yi at Buddha Mountain was a step, it alone would not suffice.

“Chan Hongyi’s hostility will eventually subside; this is our opportunity. Based on what happened, it was the power of the formation that drained her energy and allowed her to regain her composure.”

“So as long as Chan Hongyi exhausts herself from enough killing, she will naturally take a break.” Gu Changge already had a plan in mind, so he remained calm. As for the potential havoc Chan Hongyi might wreak in the upper realm, he didn’t dwell on it. He simply let her emerge earlier than expected, and fundamentally, little changed.

“Ordinary enlightened beings aren’t her match?” Jiang Chuchu furrowed her brow, feeling increasingly uneasy. Even Gu Changge’s acknowledgment of this fact underscored the female demon’s terrifying and unimaginable strength. His immediate evacuation order upon leaving the Demon Burying Abyss spoke volumes about his fear of her.

Previously, Gu Changge had always been composed, never flinching even in the face of calamity. However, a dark and formidable figure now stood beside him like a constant bodyguard. Though curious, Jiang Chuchu sensed it involved Gu Changge’s secrets and refrained from further inquiry.

Judging by its power, it likely surpassed even the Supreme Realm. The mere leakage of its aura could shatter a person’s body, an utterly terrifying prospect.

“During this time, return to the Human Ancestor Hall and focus on your cultivation. Ignore everything else,” Gu Changge advised softly, looking at her intently.

Jiang Chuchu nodded softly in compliance. She was naturally obedient and understood the gravity of the situation—it was not the time for her to act willfully. Gu Changge’s concern for her safety was evident in his request for her to stay hidden.

Meanwhile, outside the Demon Burying Abyss, the demonic presence was overwhelming, exuding a chilling hostility that permeated the air. Amidst this, a faint snowflake drifted delicately between heaven and earth, crystal clear yet tinged with both divine light and blood—a surreal and terrifying sight unfolded in the sky.

Mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and heaps of bones lay scattered around. Amidst this gruesome scene, blood-red lotus flowers bloomed, their beauty stark against the carnage.

Emerging from this nightmarish tableau was a stunning woman clad in crimson robes, her black hair billowing and her bare feet dusted with snow. Her aura was frigid and devoid of mercy, her eyes sharp as blades.

Beneath the heavens, she raised her voice in a piercing scream.

All the anger and demonic energy within a radius of ten thousand miles surged, shrouding the sky and sun like swirling smoke, all drawn into her mouth and transformed into a vast, surging energy.

Lowering her indifferent gaze, the red-clothed woman surveyed the numerous cultivators and creatures who had gathered due to the disturbances in this place. These were no ordinary beings; they represented prominent figures from various immortal sects and ethnic groups. Yet now, they stood frozen, their backs chilled as if facing their natural enemies.

“Who is she? Could she be a fierce demon born from the depths of the Demon Burying Abyss…” murmured a group of trembling powerhouses, momentarily mesmerized by the flawless visage of the female devil in crimson. Slowly, they realized an instinctive urge to retreat.

“Has the seal of the Demon Burying Abyss been broken… but something feels amiss!” exclaimed others, their voices tinged with fear and uncertainty, their bodies trembling with the desire to flee.

The woman’s presence was unnerving, her aura strange and her strength unfathomable, akin to an endless abyss.

“No, she’s pursuing us… Quickly, this place is too dangerous. We can’t linger here!”

“It’s definitely the demon sealed deep within the Demon Burying Abyss, she… she’s been unleashed!”

Many came to this chilling realization, feeling the female demon’s gaze like a piercing blade from the heavens. It seemed she could see through them to their very souls, threatening annihilation.

Understanding this, they dared not remain a moment longer. Some, driven to terror, ignited their life essence, activated secret techniques, and transformed into divine light, fleeing with desperate speed.

“Who released this demon? If I find out, I’ll tear them apart! I’ll regret ever stepping foot in this world!” cursed one, filled with regret and fear, struggling to escape with all their might.

Had they known the horrors that awaited, their curiosity surely would have kept them away. As they pondered this, boundless hostility and demonic energy once again darkened the sky, casting a grim shadow over the land.

“Not good…”

Terrified and desperate, all the fleeing cultivators and creatures found their souls nearly frozen, unable to escape the grasp of this demonic energy.

The red-clothed witch’s eyes remained cold and emotionless, devoid of any flicker of humanity. With a simple raise of her palm and a pointed finger, a crimson glow flooded the sky, resembling stars of blood cascading downward.

In an instant, it felt as though the world itself split apart, a wave of terrifying murderous intent sweeping across the entire region, causing countless hearts to tremble in fear.

Boom!

With a single gesture, chaos erupted across the world. It was terrifying beyond measure, instantly piercing through everything in its path. In a thunderous explosion, despair engulfed all as they were turned to blood mist, their bodies and spirits obliterated.

The vicinity of the Demon Burying Abyss was now saturated with unfathomable slaughter and bloodshed. Emerging from it, the red-clothed female devil stepped into the void, her flawless face framed by fluttering black hair. Her movements were deliberate, each step altering the laws of the nearby world, causing mountains to quake and rivers to shift within a short distance.

She seemed to sense Gu Changge’s presence and proceeded unhurriedly in the direction he had departed, indifferent to all around her. Along the way, every creature unfortunate enough to cross her path met a swift and brutal end, until she arrived at the gate of the Hanging Buddhist Temple.

Here, she paused, listening to the rhythmic sound of wooden fish and the illuminating Buddha light that radiated a sense of holiness and peace. Yet, her frown revealed displeasure with this sacred atmosphere. Rolling up her sleeves, she unleashed a surge of demonic energy that swept toward the temple gate.

The brilliance before the Hanging Buddhist Temple erupted into dazzling light, as figures of ancient monks and Buddhas materialized to withstand her assault.

All the monks rushed out with expressions of alarm, but within moments, they were reduced to ashes, crumbling into nothingness in the void. Even the protective formations of the Hanging Buddhist Temple flickered briefly before collapsing in a violent explosion.

One elderly monk, steeped in profound Buddhist teachings, managed to resist momentarily. However, in the next instant, he coughed up blood and fell, his body and spirit utterly destroyed.

Against such overwhelming power, their years of cultivation proved futile. They were as helpless as ants in the face of this terrifying force.

Buzz!

In the next instant, a vast Buddha light illuminated the sky, casting a radiant golden glow that exuded solemnity. Sitting cross-legged, an old monk with white eyebrows appeared, his kind eyes filled with compassion as he opened them to address the scene.

“Amitabha, it would be better for the lady to release her anger…” he began, intending to persuade the red-clothed female demon to let go of her hatred. However, before he could finish, a slender, flawless finger swiftly pierced through his brow, silencing his words forever.

The white-browed old monk’s eyes registered astonishment and shock as his life force faded. He had no time to comprehend how the demon had appeared beside him before the last light in his eyes dimmed, his body and spirit vanishing.

Passing by his lifeless form, the red-clothed demon’s eyes remained sharp and cold, indifferent as if squashing a bothersome insect. She paused briefly amidst the sea of blood and corpses at her feet, her jade-like feet stark against the carnage, before turning her gaze toward the distance and continuing her relentless stride.

That day, chaos reigned in the Demon Burying Abyss, the overwhelming demonic energy darkening the starlit sky within a radius of tens of thousands of miles. Ancient life stars and cities alike turned barren and lifeless in an instant.

This news spread swiftly across all factions, causing profound shock among cultivators and creatures alike. The origins of the Demon Burying Abyss were shrouded in mystery, ancient beyond reckoning, spanning countless epochs. Many ancient beings speculated that its existence predated many of today’s immortal forces in the upper realm, possibly even stretching back to the taboo eras buried deep in history.

Now, a terrifying aura emanated from the Abyss, as if an unparalleled demon had awakened, thirsting to drench the world in blood. The impact of this event surpassed all expectations.

Cultivators who once ventured into the Demon Burying Abyss seeking answers met tragic ends, perishing before uncovering its secrets. Over time, the Abyss had become akin to a forbidden zone in the eyes of many creatures and sects.

With the birth of the demon, the Abyss’s ancient and unchanged nature became starkly apparent. Her cultivation was rumored to surpass even the realm of emperors. None who ventured there to investigate survived; the demon’s methods were described as merciless and indifferent.

Most sensational of all was the swift demise of the Hanging Buddhist Temple, tasked with guarding the Abyss. In just one day, it was submerged in a sea of blood and reduced to ashes, its monks slaughtered without mercy.

Even an old monk who had reached the quasi-emperor level met a tragic end, pierced through the center of his brow and slain in an instant. When news of this incident spread, it caused an immediate uproar, shocking everyone who heard it.

Behind the Hanging Buddhist Temple stood Buddha Mountain, an ancient entity responsible for guarding the malevolent forces adjacent to the Demon Burying Abyss. Overnight, it crumbled to ashes and vanished, adding to the sense of dread. The death of the quasi-emperor monk, who had devoted countless years to Buddhist cultivation, underscored the terror and power of the red-clothed female demon.

Many feared the demoness would bring about world-ending calamity now that she had been unleashed, and they struggled to devise a means to confront her. Yet, they were perplexed as well—why had the demon been born prematurely, when the seal of the Demon Burying Abyss was believed to endure for at least half a year? What had precipitated this catastrophe?

With the birth of the Demon Burying Abyss’s chief demon, figures like Gu Changge, the holy maiden of the Human Ancestor Hall, Jin Chan, and others ventured forth to subdue her, hoping to avert disaster. Questions and suspicions abounded among many, pondering if these events were somehow connected to them. Surely, such coincidences could not be mere chance.

Moreover, very few cultivators managed to escape from the Demon Burying Abyss this time, and many powerful individuals who ventured there perished in a sea of blood. Buddha Mountain suffered tremendous losses; it was said that only Jin Chan survived. The turmoil caused by this event was immense, but the factions backing Gu Changge, the holy maiden of the Human Ancestor Hall, Jin Chan, and others were formidable, and no one dared to speak recklessly.

Despite the gravity of the situation, there had to be a way to address it and uncover the reason behind the red-clothed female demon’s escape. Soon, however, a piece of news emerged, causing another wave of shock.

“What?”

“The red-clothed female demon in the Demon Burying Abyss was released by Jin Chan?”

This revelation left many cultivators and creatures stunned, unable to fathom the possibility. The news caused an immediate uproar among numerous sects, especially because it was spread by the Human Ancestor Hall. Such an accusation from the Human Ancestor Hall could not be taken lightly, as they had no reason to falsely implicate Buddha Mountain without substantial evidence and rationale.

“Jin Chan went to the Demon Burying Abyss intending to retrieve a treasure of Buddha Mountain sealed at the bottom. This action loosened the seal, allowing the red-clothed female demon to escape,” the reports claimed. “Furthermore, Jin Chan is the reincarnation of the abbot of the Hanging Buddhist Temple. It is said that he was bewitched by the red-clothed female demon at the bottom of the Abyss, causing his Buddha’s heart to falter. He stole the treasure of Buddha Mountain and attempted to purge the demoness of her malevolence, but ultimately succumbed to her influence.”

Countless cultivators and creatures were stunned, feeling that the news was too explosive. Buddha Mountain, which had always held itself in high regard, had such a scandal hidden for years.

The abbot of the Hanging Buddhist Temple was reputed to be a genius, a rare prodigy in Buddha Mountain seen once in thousands of years. He possessed the heart and wisdom of a Buddha and was destined to become a saint and a Buddha. Yet, he went astray, falling prey to the red-clothed female demon’s allure.

As this news spread, it shocked everyone, and Buddha Mountain, the party involved, remained silent. In the eyes of many cultivators, this silence indicated Buddha Mountain’s culpability.

All of a sudden, righteous indignation surged through many, prompting powerful figures to demand answers from Buddha Mountain. They sought explanations for the tragic deaths caused by the red-clothed female demon, yet refrained from seeking retribution directly from her.

In the face of widespread anger and condemnation from immortal and ancient forces alike, Buddha Mountain maintained a stoic silence. Countless cultivators and creatures rushed to the mountain seeking justice, questioning why the demoness had been prematurely unleashed due to Jin Chan’s actions, catching everyone off guard. They lamented that with a little more time, a solution might have been found.

Amidst this turmoil, many gathered at the resplendent hall of Buddha Mountain, illuminated by sacred Buddha lights and filled with an aura of holiness. Highly cultivated monks, adorned with merits and virtues, looked upon Jin Chan kneeling before the Buddha with a myriad of emotions—compassion, anger, and resignation—yet their demeanor remained serene.

Despite the rumors swirling outside, these monks appeared detached from the accusations.

The one who spoke at this moment was a benevolent old monk, clad in worn monk robes that seemed to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. His presence was so subtle that one might think he didn’t exist in any of the six realms.

His cultivation reached an unfathomable level, defying description in mere words. His calm and clear eyes held depths of wisdom, reflecting the mysteries of the world, the evolution of the universe, and visions of celestial collapse.

“Master…” Jin Chan’s voice trembled with guilt as he bowed his head in reverence, kneeling before the old monk who was none other than Ru Fo, the current abbot of Buddha Mountain.

“I believe you in this matter. You were deceived by Gu Changge once, but you are fortunate to have escaped with your life,” Ru Fo spoke gently, shaking his head slightly. His kind demeanor exuded a sense of tranquility.

Jin Chan felt a wave of relief wash over him at these words, dispelling the unease that had plagued him moments before. He understood that even Buddha Mountain could not shelter him from the need to provide explanations to the many forces and sects now involved.

This matter filled Jin Chan with not just anger but a deep sense of powerlessness. No matter how he defended himself, it seemed futile to change the perception now rampant among the factions. Even if he explained his intention to use an alternate treasure to suppress the situation upon taking the meditation robe, he knew few would believe him. Instead, they might accuse him of being deceitful, further stoking their anger.

In his view, Gu Changge had outmaneuvered him at every turn. Jin Chan couldn’t shake the feeling that the appearance of the red-clothed female demon was a direct result of Gu Changge’s greed for Buddha Mountain’s treasure and his subsequent actions. Gu Changge had not only bested him but also exposed scandals from his past lives, tarnishing Buddha Mountain’s reputation.

Despite the news coming from the Human Ancestor Hall, Jin Chan harbored deep suspicions that Gu Changge orchestrated it all. His adversary’s actions filled him with fury and a chilling realization of Gu Changge’s terrifying nature.

For the sake of a treasure, Gu Changge had unleashed the red-clothed demon upon the world, deflecting blame onto others. By seizing the treasure for himself, he had caused untold calamity while managing to maintain a facade of righteousness and virtue.