I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-385

A multicoloured palace that looked to be constructed from celestial jade floated above the crack with brilliant divine light against the heavenly fog.

Jiang Luoshen, Jiang Chen, Monk Pu Du, and the others dashed into the crack without hesitation, ignoring the floating palace entirely. They didn’t even look towards it, in fact.

After suffering a major loss, they understood the so-called palace was nothing but a fake tomb. Thus, it was filled with booby traps that led to everyone’s demise, whereas the actual tomb was deep underground.

Since Jiang Chen could talk to the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation, he knew the terrain and many arrays set up to confuse people. Thus, he knew that the true tomb of the Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor wasn’t in the palace above.

Moreover, he had his own plans. If he could find the actual tomb, he could gain some plus points from Jiang Luoshen and thereby continue living. But if he couldn’t, he could use the Artifact Spirit’s power to leave through the secret tunnels here. Hence, it was why he would enter without barely a hesitation.

[I hope you’re not screwing with me this time, or you and I both will be staying here forever.] Jiang Chen said to the Artifact Spirit in his head. [Best that we can find where the Godly Illusion Prime Ancestor’s tomb is, or you’re going to have to locate and lead me to that secret tunnel one way or another.]

<Relax. I’ve already sensed it. There might be full of tunnels here, but they all lead to the main burial chamber. As for the secret tunnels, they can allow you to leave this place covertly… Either way, we have an escape route already, and I wouldn’t screw you up now, would I?> the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation guaranteed.

Jiang Chen heaved a sigh of relief and continued searching the path with Monk Pu Du in front.

“I hope this isn’t just some trick, or you can stay here and keep my Ancestor company forever,” Jiang Luoshen threatened impassively as she led a group of cultivators behind.

Many quaint, oddly shaped bronze statues were erected by two sides of the tunnel, and as they went further down the path, glimmers of light seemingly flashed across their hollow eyes. It looked like they would come to life.

However, Jiang Luoshen had seen it coming. The golden token in her hand emerged, forming faint golden lines that flashed across the void to return silence to the area.

The super-powerful statues were forged using secret techniques by the Godly Illusion Clan tasked to guard the tomb. Thus, she began believing Jiang Chen.

“The tunnels here are complicated and well-connected. So even if someone comes in now, they won’t be able to find the right route; I can assure you of that, Princess,” Jiang Chen vowed exceptionally calmly and indifferently.

Monk Pu Du chuckled. “I knew you’re something, Kind Sir Jiang. I sure was right about you.”

Jiang Luoshen nodded but said nothing else. Right now, she just wanted to find the Prime Ancestor’s relic and get out of there as soon as possible. The oppression and fear Gu Changge gave her were seriously too deep, and it made her extremely uneasy.

With Jiang Chen leading the way, they traversed the area filled with booby traps in no time, and a massive collapsed ruin appeared before their eyes.

Though there were many forked roads, Jiang Chen ambled confidently ahead like he had been here in the past, not worrying about taking the wrong path, and it stumped the Godly Illusion Clan. The man suddenly became enigmatic despite his low-level cultivation.

Outside, the immensely powerful cultivators and Sect Masters of various forces looked towards the crack.

“Looks like the Godly Illusion Clan are really confident when they still insist on entering after what happened,” a member from the Gu Family couldn’t help commenting as they looked towards the crack where the talisman glowed and scrutinised the situation over there.

“Are we to just wait out here, Young Master?” The other members of the Gu Family, too, spoke up.

“There’s no rush,” Gu Changge said plainly. “Since the Godly Illusion Clan dare to enter, then they must have some tricks up their sleeves. Let them pave the way for us.”

Of course, he knew Jiang Chen was actually the Godly Illusion Clan’s best bet. Without him, they probably wouldn’t dare enter the tomb at this time. Still, even a Fortuitous One like Jiang Chen was only worthy of being a treasure-seeking rat.

“Are you so certain that the Godly Illusion Clan will find it, Brother Gu?” Wang Zijin asked with great interest, believing the man must know something, or he wouldn’t be so composed right now.

After all, it would mean that the Godly Illusion Clan would take all the relics away if they were slow to enter the tomb, and Gu Changge didn’t seem like the type who would let treasures slip away from his hands.

“Not at all. It’s just that anyone who enters the tomb at this time might fall into their trap. Who knows if they had laid out some kind of trap waiting for us to walk right into it?” Gu Changge explained with a casual smile.

Many’s hearts skipped a beat upon hearing his words, thinking the chances of it being true were likely. However, Wang Zijin didn’t believe his bullshit. Nonetheless, despite having no real interest in the Godly Illusion Tomb, she would still like to follow Gu Changge if he were to go in.

Meanwhile, various emotions enveloped everyone’s faces as they looked towards the crack the Godly Illusion Clan entered.

Divine lights flashed and runes evolved within many Sect Masters’ eyes. Various divine abilities were being performed, wanting to see through what was going on.

The sudden change of events shocked everyone. Nothing of those who had entered came back out, and no one knew what they had encountered.

That scream was still ringing in everyone’s ears, and many were shaken up by it. Thus, no one dared approach it but only watched the Godly Illusion Clan enter the crack with blazing eyes.

“The Godly Illusion Clan has a token that can activate this land’s array and terrains. That’s why they dare to enter the crack… If we’re to enter without caution, we might eventually meet our demise. It’s still best to act with prudence and see what the Godly Illusion Clan does,” advised a hunchback Elder with a violet-gold geomantic compass.

It was he who affirmed the danger of the place earlier and didn’t immediately enter the tomb when strange activity came from within. Thus, surviving it. Now that he had made such a statement, many were taken aback and thought the possibility was likely.

After all, this was the Godly Illusion Clan’s lost tomb. Who knew just what information they had with them!? If they entered carelessly only to be slaughtered by one of them, who could they even blame!?

At that, many chickened out, no longer having the thought to enter.

On the other hand, many young prodigies from the Immortal Academy looked at the crack with various expressions.

Though a few Elders had already advised them not to go lest they wanted to die, they were in their youth after all, and as youths, no danger in the world could douse their will to strive and rival.

After witnessing Gu Changge’s powers for themselves, they naturally couldn’t help refusing to admit they were lesser than him.

If this lost tomb contained a supreme opportunity, it would be a chance for them to catch up to Gu Changge, and it was precisely what the King with Six Crowns was thinking.

Rows of divine runes flashed across his eyes right then, and he pulled out a frayed charm from within his sleeve before flying straight towards the crack.

“Sigh… Why can’t he just listen…” A few Elders shook their heads but didn’t stop him. As a Ranked Disciple, he was an influential existence in the first place and thus wouldn’t need to do everything as told. So if he were to die there, it wouldn’t be their problem either. After all, everyone saw them dissuading him. It was he who decided to go against it.

On the other hand, many were shocked when they saw the King with Six Crowns dash into the crack as a divine rainbow.

“That was the King with Six Crowns from the Immortal Academy, right? Word is that he is peerless. He used to dominate the world, was peerlessly gifted, and even extremely powerful. Too bad Young Master Changge crushed him for good this life…”

“To think he’d dare to go in at this time.”

Many young prodigies whispered to each other in shock as they glued their eyes to the splendid floating palace.

“Looks like many dare not approach it… Even all the Sect Masters were just watching. The Phoenix Lady and others were tempted by the King with Six Crown’s decision, debating for themselves if they should follow after him.

That said, they decided against the inchoate thought very quickly, as a thunderous noise came from within the crack, like a horrifying energy would erupt the next second.

Followingly, the splendid palace exploded under everyone’s terror-stricken gazes, and a horrifying aura instantly surged like layers of clouds, enveloping the sky, shrouding everything.

Then, odd-looking demi-humans ran out one after another. The sheer mass was unimaginable. Their desire for bloodshed was through the roof, and their aura was beyond horrific. It was as though they had experienced countless battles.

Death filled the air, and many were horrified as it was as though vicious, blood-thirsty beasts had broken through their cages.

“To think there’s this! Seems like things are getting interesting…” Gu Changge quirked a brow without as much as a change in his expression.

He actually happened to be looking for a chance to muddle up the water. After all, one could only catch a fish in troubled waters. He not only wanted the Divinity Crystal the Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor had left behind but also the Sources of all the mighty figures here.

It wasn’t very convenient for him to make a move out in the open. It was only after entering the crack that he’d have the chance to do something. By then, he could very easily frame the Godly Illusion Clan for whatever happens.

That said, the sudden chaos provided him with a sweet opportunity.

“It’s obvious that the Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor had left this tomb for his descendants. These are tomb-securing beasts. Any being that isn’t of the Godly Illusion Clan is seen as an enemy to be killed,” mentioned a Sect Master, who turned grim as he witnessed the shocking and horrifying scene.

Followingly, he waved his arm and had the young ones retreat to the battle chariot behind him, protecting them.

The weakest of these tomb-securing beasts were already in the Partial-Enlightened Realm, while the strongest of them were, in fact, as powerful as that Sect Master.

Bloodlust filled the air as the desire to kill shook the ground, and everyone couldn’t help feeling trepidatious, reflexively stepping back out of fear. Those who failed to run away fast enough were eventually torn to shreds amidst their screams by the tomb-securing beasts that caught up.

For a time, the place became a killing ground with the smell of fresh blood and cries of horror in the air.

“Run! Get away!”

“These beasts are too powerful! We’re no match for them!”

Faces of many young prodigies blanched as they stood petrified when they witnessed a Sacred Realm Elder explode in the air from a tomb-securing beast’s slap.

Who’d have thought such a massive turn of events would occur so abruptly when they were just stretching their necks moments ago.

For a moment, numerous divine rainbows pierced through the sky, and everyone began fleeing, no longer daring to think this place was filled with opportunity as they had so casually believed to be so earlier.

Many young prodigies, who were just seconds slower, were caught up by the tomb-securing beasts and swallowed up amidst their horror and desperation. Fresh blood filled the air as terror continued to strike. Many, even more so, wished that they had more than just two legs to help them flee the scene.

Apart from the young prodigies of the many powerful forces, none else dared to stay.

“I want to know if the Godly Illusion Clan knows about this!? How can they not say anything when they clearly know there are tomb-securing beasts!?” an Elder stormed grimly, having no choice but to watch his disciples die in the hands of a tomb-securing beast when he failed to save them.

Very quickly, chaos filled the air, and many began thinking of giving up this venture, only wanting to leave with their disciples alive and in one piece.

The Elders of Skyward Schloss, too, stood out and protected Xiao Ruoyin and the others during their escape.

“Young Master, are we to continue waiting or retreat for now?” Someone from the Gu Family asked, worried about the fate of their young ones. After all, who knew just what other dangers were looming here!?

“You guys take the rest of them out of here. Don’t get yourselves involved in this,” Gu Changge ordered as he swept his gaze across the members of the Gu Family, where the majority were the younger generation. Though there were many direct disciples, most of them were from the side branches, all unfamiliar faces he wouldn’t even come in contact with.

“Yes, Young Master.” After receiving Gu Changge’s order, many members of the Gu Family began fleeing.

Since such chaos broke out, the crucial thing was to stay alive. No opportunity in this world was worth risking one’s life for.

Meanwhile, Wang Zijin, the Phoenix Lady, and the others ordered their Families or Sects to flee, wanting them to stay as far away from this as possible.

Very quickly, nearly all the young prodigies flee the place, leaving only those acknowledged as the best of the best, the likes of Chosen Monk Jin Chan and the Phoenix Lady.

Apart from that, many Sect Masters stayed to watch the scene unfold. Given their powers, they naturally wouldn’t need to fear these tomb-securing beasts.

“Looks like the real tomb is the one underground…” said an Elder. Slivers of golden light glowed beneath his eyes when he opened them. Followingly, he broke up the tomb-securing beasts around him with shockwaves and charged towards the crack.

Likewise, the other Sect Masters broke up the tomb-securing beasts around them with shockwaves enveloped in divine light and rushed towards the crack.

[Looks like Jiang Chen is getting close…] Gu Changge narrowed his eyes and began moving, seeing it was about time. However, the disciples of the Immortal Academy followed after him, clearly seeing him as their leader. That said, he didn’t make anything of it. They would eventually split up after reaching underground anyway.

The Phoenix Lady and the lot naturally weren’t idiots. They knew Gu Changge was all-powerful. Meanwhile, they had no idea what dangers loomed within the crack. Thus, it was without a doubt much safer being with Gu Changge.

In no time, the group entered the crack that stretched to the horizon, and headed deep underground.

Just as they had assumed, the place looked like a ruin. Furthermore, they had to traverse further down a little more to find an ancient city buried deep underground.

It was evident there used to be many powerful arrays that were now annulled, and Gu Changge could tell it was Jiang Chen’s handiwork.

Everywhere they looked, it was just remains of a site. The place smelled ancient, with many broken pillars and debris. Who knew just how long had this place been forgotten!?

Meanwhile, the group of Sect Masters showed off their great techniques to illuminate the place and flew up ahead, moving deeper into the ancient city.

“Looks like this is the graveyard that Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor had left behind. There are so many paths here. Who knows just which one will lead to the main burial chamber…” A young disciple looked at the many forked roads that suddenly appeared with shock, unsure of which path to take for a moment.

“This place is filled with danger. Though it is much safer to explore in groups, no one knows which path leads to where. It might all just be a waste of time and effort in the end.” Gu Changge shook his head, seemingly also troubled by the forked roads that suddenly appeared.

Many Sect Masters were checking the level of danger of each path with their powers up ahead. After arriving here, even Sacred Emperor Realm beings would have to be careful every step of the way, so they would be even more so on guard.

Yue Mingkong took a gander at him and couldn’t help nodding, knowing what he meant at once. “In that case, let’s split up. There are far too many forked roads here. The chances of us finding anything will be slim if all of us take the same path. It’ll be every man for himself who can obtain the opportunities here,” she said plainly.

The other disciples turned somewhat glum upon hearing her words.

They could very naturally shamelessly stick to Gu Changge if Yue Mingkong said nothing. As if any of them cared about whatever opportunities there were in here anymore! But if even she insisted on splitting up, they dared not speak up either.

Wang Zijin, on the other hand, glanced at Yue Mingkong with a smile but said nothing despite knowing what the latter had in mind.

“Sounds good to me.” For someone who loved being alone, Gu Xianer wanted to explore the place by herself even more so after arriving. If Gu Changge hadn’t been dead set on keeping her by his side, she’d have long come in by herself.

With that, she headed into a forked road straight ahead and disappeared in no time.

Gu Changge glanced at her with a barely noticeable smirk but said nothing.

Seeing this, the Phoenix Lady, the Chosen Monk and the others sighed inwardly, then also tactfully each chose a path and headed in, leaving the rest behind.

“Well, it’s just these few paths left. I’ll just follow Brother Gu then. I’ll go wherever you go, Brother Gu,” Wang Zijin said with a smile, not thinking there was anything inappropriate.

Yue Mingkong took a profound glare at her in response. She had already known this was how Wang Zijin normally behaved back during the previous Trial.

Thus, she headed into a different forked road, having no intention of sticking to Gu Changge.

The Divinity Crystal of that Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor might be important to Gu Changge, but to her, the other opportunities in the other forked road suited her better.

“I’ll take this path then.” Jiang Chuchu, too, took a glance at Wang Zijin, feeling somewhat vexed about her friend’s boldness, but at the same time, frustrated with herself when she just couldn’t bring herself to shamelessly invite herself.

“So, which path are you taking, Brother Gu? I intend on following you.” Very quickly, the only people left were Gu Changge and Wang Zijin, who smiled with gorgeous, crystal-clear eyes that reminded one of the morning forest dew, looking like she was looking for bigger drama to watch.

Gu Changge naturally knew what she was thinking.

As another transmigrator, Wang Zijin’s thoughts were drastically different from other people. While others came in search of opportunity, she had obviously come for fun.

“I’ll head this way then.” Gu Changge picked out one of the forked roads after sensing Jiang Chen’s location, actually looking pretty calm.

Wang Zijin, on the other hand, couldn’t help smiling with pursed lips when she noticed his expression. “Brother Gu, since we’re already so familiar, can I ask you a question?”