I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-390

The place was in utter chaos. Everywhere one looked, disciples were wailing and sobbing, looking absolutely distressed, for many Sects’ Elders and disciples discovered their Sect Master’s life plaques were broken.

What did it mean? It meant that their Sect Master faced unimaginable horror and had died tragically inside the underground tomb. The revelation left them shell-shocked, reeling in bewilderment. Many, even more so, turned jelly-legged, feeling as though their world was about to collapse.

To them, the death of their Sect Master was something unimaginable, as mighty figures like them were supreme existences in the Upper Realm. They governed a Sect, and their territory spanned across the horizon, they had horrific power and influence, and they could even live up to tens of millions of years. So, just what kind of being could possibly kill them!?

Worst, it wasn’t just one Sect Master who died but many, and it could only mean that they had encountered unimaginable tragedy within the underground tomb.

“It must be the Godly Illusion Clan! They must’ve set traps to make all the forces who had come pay the price…”

“Blasphemy! They intend to make enemies of us! How dare they kill our Sect Master?!”

“Aargh! Justice must be served! How dare they kill our Sect Master!”

Many Elders trembled in anger, and their faces were even enveloped in burning animosity and rage, as they thought of such a possibility. They now wanted nothing more than to crush the Godly Illusion Clan to dust.

“Can it be that they encountered some sort of danger in the underground tomb? After all, this is the tomb of the Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor. For all we know, it could be the deceased Ancestor’s doing.” Some assumed such a possibility as well, believing the Godly Illusion Clan weren’t so bold as to do something like this.

They would most certainly anger the world to have killed so many Sect Masters at once. Do they really want to make enemies of so many forces!?

“That Ancestor from the Godly Illusion Clan had reached a cultivation level beyond the Sacred Emperor Realm! Even if it wasn’t him, he must have something to do with this. None of the Godly Illusion Clan members had come out even up till now. They must’ve taken the relics and escaped through another exit!” An Elder caterwauled with bloodshot eyes at once, filled with nothing but animosity. However, no matter what reason, the Godly Illusion Clan were held responsible, and they would certainly see that justice was served.

Many young prodigies of the Immortal Academy looked at the crack with grimness.

With the underground tomb collapsed, the area became ruined for good. Though rays of light still came from within the place, it no longer looked as majestic as before.

“Just what the heck is Gu Changge doing in there?” The King with Six Crowns seems to want to look through the ruins and find out what was going on inside. However, despite having collapsed, there were still many working arrays preventing those from entering.

“Young Master still hasn’t come out. I know he’s powerful and all, but so many Sect Masters had died inside the tomb…”

“Please don’t tell me Young Master Changge’s in danger…”

A few from the Immortal Gu Family locked their brows into a tight furrow, worried about Gu Changge’s fate when they saw the other force’s Sect Masters had fallen.

*Boom!* Just then, a strange noise came from the rubbles, and everyone looked towards it reflexively, only to be shocked as a figure burst out from within.

The figure was composed, and with a single graceful step, this figure landed on the ground in no time.

“It’s Gu Changge!”

Many young prodigies then shook their heads, feeling disappointed/ They believed it would be a good thing for them if Gu Changge died along with the other Sect Masters. After all, they genuinely felt stressed out and suffocating when such a massive mountain, far too difficult to overcome, hung above their heads constantly. But alas, they had been disappointed. Gu Changge looked to be alive and kicking despite his slightly pale face and blood-stained clothes.

“Gu Changge’s hurt too?! What in the world happened in there?!”

Many Elders looked at Gu Changge’s injuries with shock as they were baffled by the fact that he would also get hurt despite seeming to be all-powerful.

Now, practically everyone wanted to know what had actually gone down inside the tomb.

Meanwhile, Yue Mingkong took a profound gander at Gu Changge before approaching him. “Are you okay?”

Though she knew well that the man was more than fine, it wasn’t his first time deceiving the public with fake injuries. Nonetheless, it was still best that she acted along with him and appeared concerned, especially in front of everyone at this time, or people would see through the lie.

“Are you alright, Young Master?” Those from the Immortal Gu Family asked with concern as they gathered around Gu Changge, who nodded after glancing at them. “I’m fine. It’s just some minor injuries. I’ll live.”

At that, everyone heaved a sigh of relief, no longer troubled.

“Sorry for making you worry.” He smiled at Yue Mingkong.

“What matters is that you’re okay.” After taking an icy look at him, she pulled out a clean handkerchief from inside her sleeve and gently wiped away the faint bloodstain on the corner of his lips.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chuchu, who had wanted to go up to him and express her concern, froze on the spot with stupefaction after watching the scene.

“How lucky of you to have such an understanding fiancée, Brother Gu,” Wang Zijin commented with a smile despite having to witness this public display of affection out of the blue. The way she saw it, Gu Changge had obviously also killed the other Sect Masters, in addition to the four inside the main burial tomb.

Though she had already left and didn’t witness what happened herself, she wholly believed her gut instincts.

Given Gu Changge’s abilities, he would barely need any time to kill all those Sect Masters, even during a confusion. However, Wang Zijin couldn’t understand why he would kill all the Sect Masters. [Is it to frame the Godly Illusion Clan so as to stir up a fight between them?]

“Gu Changge? Injured? He’s not only acting like he had the last time, is he?” Scepticism laced Gu Xianer’s eyes as she covertly tucked her handkerchief back into her sleeve.

She no longer believed Gu Changge would receive any injury at this point, as every time she got worried for him, she’d end up finding him alive and kicking. In fact, he could even continue bullying her!

“What in the world happened, Young Master Changge? Why would the tomb suddenly collapse? Also, did you find the Godly Illusion Clan?” Many Elders of different forces gathered from afar, wanting to know what exactly went down inside the crack.

No matter the reason, they needed to know their Sect Masters’ cause of death, or they wouldn’t even have a good reason to retaliate.

At that, Gu Changge looked towards them and shook his head with a sigh. “Jiang Luoshen and her Clan have most likely already escaped. As for what happened, I don’t really know either, as I was focused on fighting Jiang Luoshen over something. Then, suddenly, the tomb began collapsing. I suspect the mysterious man and the mysterious monk by her side did it. At that time, many arrays inside the chamber suddenly activated. The Godly Illusion Clan broke through the disaster and left under Jiang Luoshen’s lead, while I only managed to come out by annulling the arrays one after another.” He recounted the event briefly.

As for the Sect Masters, how would he know how they died?! After all, no one saw it.

Despite still having many questions after hearing Gu Changge’s recount, no one asked any more questions. Although he only said he was fighting Jiang Luoshen over something, many already figured out it was the Divinity Crystal the Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor had left.

As for who got it in the end, it wasn’t a question they were concerned about at the moment.

“I did take notice of the mysterious man and monk by Jiang Luoshen’s side and thought the young man had a deep understanding towards the terrains. From the looks of it, he must’ve activated the arrays back then and caused the tomb to collapse, burying everyone beneath it.” The hunchback Elder with the geomantic compass couldn’t help sighing after hearing Gu Changge’s words, agreeing with him.

Many on-site recognised the hunchback Elder and knew he was an expert in explorating. If even he put it that way, then there couldn’t be another possibility anymore.

“So that’s why. No wonder I thought it was strange for Jiang Luoshen to have a man with such a low cultivation level by her side,” someone sighed at the revelation.

How would their Sect Master be tragically murdered if they had noticed it sooner!?

“The Godly Illusion Clan will pay for this! And that mysterious man and monk too!” vowed someone as animosity began flashing across the eyes of many older cultivators.

Meanwhile, Wang Zijin watched the scene unfold with shock. [My goodness, the Godly Illusion Clan is accused of mass murder just like that!? There’s no way they can clear their name now!]

This was her first time witnessing Gu Changge shifting the blame onto someone else so bluntly, and she couldn’t help feeling somewhat alarmed. But she was actually more curious than alarmed. At this point, she was extremely certain the Mortal One had already died in Gu Changge’s hand at some point in time.

[Just how did he do it?] She fixed her narrowed gaze at Gu Changge without barely a blink.

Just then, Jiang Chuchu took a baffling gaze at the young woman. “What are you looking at, Wang Zijin?”

“I’m looking at the man I’ve fallen for,” Wang Zijin looked toward Jiang Chuchu with a smile after coming to herself.

Followingly, many Elders and disciples from the various forces left in their steeds and ancient battle chariots, intending to report all that had happened to their force. One could imagine the uproar it would cause if word travelled.

The fact that eight Sect Masters died a tragic death in the Godly Illusion Tomb was enough to shake the Upper Realm. Not even during the Immortal War had such a tragedy occurred. After all, beings like Sect Masters represented a Sect, and would rarely die of unnatural causes. A situation like this would most certainly only end with death and blood, and many believed the Upper Realm would turn upside down.

No doubt, the Godly Illusion Clan would be facing a great storm in the coming weeks.

The members of Skyward Scholass had also come to bid Gu Changge farewell before leaving.

Xiao Ruoyin’s dedication and aspiration deepened after witnessing Gu Changge’s horrifying powers for herself. But she was also aware that her current self had no advantages in front of Gu Changge. Thus, she decided not to look so useless in front of him the next time they met. At the very least, she wanted to make him think that she was worthy of making him look at her in the eye.

Following Skyward Schloss’ departure, the members of the Immortal Gu Family also returned home one after another. This time, Gu Xianer intended not to return to the Immortal Academy but home to deal with her parents’ and grandfather’s issues.

Though Gu Changge had sent members of the Family to help her locate her family’s whereabouts, because of some issues. Her parents were stuck in that world, unable to reunite for decades. To make things worse, a recent piece of news made her glum. However, she didn’t tell Gu Changge about it. She didn’t want to trouble him and involve him.

Gu Changge, on the other hand, glanced at Gu Xianer as the young woman left. Despite having figured out what she had in mind, he didn’t ask her about it either.

Followingly, the disciples of the Immortal Academy and other young prodigies left one after another, returning to their respective forces.

…

News travelled with breakneck speed, and it stirred up quite the storm.

The various Domains of the Upper Realm, too, burst into an uproar towards what happened in the Godly Illusion Tomb, and everyone was shaken up by it.

No one had thought the Godly Illusion Clan would be so audacious as to slaughter many young prodigies and even eight Sect Masters. For a moment, many Ancestor-level beings, covered in heavenly light, intend to head to the Godly Illusion Clan’s territory to seek justice. Everyone was outraged, and animosity filled the air.

Though it wasn’t right of the factions to send their cultivators and Elders to the tomb that belonged to the Godly Illusion Clan’s Prime Ancestor, it was still outrageous of the Godly Illusion Clan to kill their people because of it.

They intended to make bitter enemies of all the factions, were they not!?

Of course, another piece of news left many so stupefied that they couldn’t come to themselves for a long time, Gu Changge’s cultivation level was comparable the Sacred King Realm. Even a Peak Sacred Lord Realm being wouldn’t be able to survive his attacks, without the use of any artifact!

The degree of shock when everyone witnessed him obliterating the Godly Illusion Clan’s Peak Sacred Lord Realm Master in the air was no lesser than when they heard of the eight Sect Masters’ death.

Many felt chills running down their spines towards the news. [Gu Changge’s only in his early twenties!?]

On the other hand, many older cultivators fell silent, thinking that compared to Gu Changge, they had lived years for nothing.

It shocked everyone. It was to the point they questioned how the heck this man cultivated?! Not even the Avatar of a True Immortal could reach such a level in his early twenties! Even for someone born in the Sacred Realm like Wang Zijin, and likewise, Jiang Chuchu, who had the Nine Immortal Souls Talent, along with many other young prodigies, they merely advanced to the Sacred Noble Realm.

Meanwhile, the Successor of the Supreme Cave Heaven, Chu Hao, shocked everyone by reaching the Sacred King Realm at just a few hundred years old, garnering much attention.

If he hadn’t crossed Gu Changge, many forces would want to offer him an olive branch. But now, even his accomplishments looked dull in front of Gu Changge.

‘Just how in the world Gu Changge cultivated?!’

For a moment, it became the talk of the town. Of course, many were also thinking the only person in the younger generation who could fight Gu Changge was probably the mysterious Successor of Demonic Arts.

Though there were signs of the Successor of Demonic Arts disappearing lately, there was still hearsay of people suffering his attacks in some places. Thus, many forces were still searching for his whereabouts.

On the other hand, Jiang Luoshen went to her father, the current Godly Illusion Emperor, immediately after returning to the Godly Illusion Clan’s territory to relate all that had happened during her quest, hiding nothing from him.

Of course, it naturally included how she crossed Gu Changge, suffered a loss to him, and how she managed to escape in the end, among others, and all that was happening to the outside world had everything to do with all of this.

After hearing what she said, even the stoic Godly Illusion Emperor was beyond livid, seething with rage. A horrific aura surged within the chamber, making it seem as though the world was about to change.

“Luoshen, is all you have said true? If so, then that youngling Gu had gone too far. With such evil and despicable behaviour, he’s truly not worthy of being crowned the number one of the younger generation!” The Godly Illusion Emperor was tall and burly, and his eyes were fathomless, like the star-filled universe. Coupled with his golden royal robe, he naturally looked intimidating.

Right then, a terrifying silhouette emerged from behind him, ready to burst through the sky at any time. It was evident he was beyond infuriated.

Now, the entire outside world was saying the Godly Illusion Clan had murdered many Sect Masters in the Godly Illusion Tomb, and their Elders and disciples all wanted to seek justice. In fact, they had already sent envoys to question them about the issue. If this wasn’t dealt with properly, the Godly Illusion Clan would most certainly spark widespread outrage.

“I lied about none, Father. If you hadn’t gifted me a Death Substitution Puppet, I probably wouldn’t still be standing here, recounting the event to you. Gu Changge’s immensely powerful, ruthless, and vile. The fake news must be Gu Changge’s handiwork…” Jiang Luoshen scowled while gnashed teeth, her face still laced with trauma and fear after calming down.

For someone who had been condescending since birth, it was Jiang Luoshen’s first time knowing what death truly was, and that sensation left her shuddering in fear. Even at this point, she would still feel chills running down her spine, and what she felt even more fearful and uneasy was the fact that her legs would turn to jelly just at the thought or the mention of Gu Changge.

She genuinely loathed and feared that man, having never thought that she would one day nearly die in his hands. His heartless, impassive gaze from that day would still pop into her head every now and then, making her feel uneasy.