I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-417

Gu Changge didn’t have much interest in the Lunar Demon Overlord’s Dao Oath, as she wasn’t that stupid. She had no solid proof in her hands that the Demon Overlords had died at Gu Changge’s hand. Furthermore, it would be hard to explain as well, so it was better to continue keeping it a secret. Besides, the consequences of offending him were already made abundantly clear.

While she wouldn’t gain anything from here, she was the only Demon Overlord left in the Demon World. This would be advantageous for Empress Yao Xi since she could use her status in order to intimidate those beneath her and put down riots. However, it would be suspicious in the long run.

“Wait for me at the Gates of Life.” Gu Changge didn’t let the Lunar Demon Overlord accompany him as he headed to the crevice where the World Source was.

“Okay.” She nodded, breathing out in relief after watching him leave. It was previously unimaginable that she would be so afraid of someone so much younger than her, and now she didn’t dare to disobey him. She transformed into a divine rainbow and headed for the Gates of Life. She was also worried that going with him to the location of the World Source would arouse his suspicion. [This is for the best.]

[This is thanks to Yao Xi. The Young Master of the Gu Family clearly let me go because of her.] She sighed, not sure whether to feel thankful or bitter.

Gu Changge paused before the crevice, raising his eyebrows as the void in front of him started to collapse due to the enormous surge of energy from within. Wisps of divine mist expelled from within the void, forming strange beasts as well as beings who had set foot in the place. However, these were all scenes from a long time ago that no longer existed in the current time period.

[Is that the power of the World Source ?] Gu Changge was surprised, feeling his cells quivering with excitement.

Each cell contained the urge to consume any extremely powerful Source, which never happened with the Sources belonging to Quasi-Nirvana or Nirvana Realm beings. This meant that the World Source was truly extraordinary and one of the most astounding powers in this world which could give rise to strange energies. The power was extreme and all-encompassing, emitting the rumbling sounds of turning worlds which made the void vibrate. The vibration caused the nearby hills to collapse.

The Crimson Cloud Demon Overlord and the others had shown great improvements in their cultivation after meditating here for thousands of years. When the World Source matures, the Demon World might mutate and start evolving into a higher plane world. Gu Changge wasn’t going to wait until then, as it was the fate of the Demon World and had nothing to do with him. The only thing he cared about was the benefits the World Source had for him. Naturally, improving cultivation level was the most direct benefit to him.

[If any ancient beings watch me, they will think I am just wasting a good thing.] Gu Changge couldn’t help but smile. The World Source was making loud vibrating noises now, with wisps of Celestial Energy coming out of it towards the outside world. The Mirror World didn’t seem able to continue holding it. Thus,.Gu Changge didn’t hesitate to quickly move forward.

The void formed an open door which led down to the crevice below. His body glowed brightly, including his hair strands, which shone with a golden light. An intense five-coloured light shone downwards to counter the energy emitted by the World Source. Even the likes of the Crimson Cloud Demon Overlord wouldn’t have dared enter while withstanding this much pressure, choosing to act only when the Source had matured and its power reduced to the lowest level. It wasn’t a problem for Gu Changge though. He could move as soon as he found the hole in the space, which connected directly to the deepest part of the crevice.

*Buzz!*

Soon, the land exploded with unimaginable energy. Ancient worlds seemed to rotate below while emitting a rumbling sound, accompanied by Chaos Qi being expelled. It was even followed by the movement of the moons and stars. The void cracks had appeared but they were hard to maintain and collapsed immediately.

Meanwhile, Gu Changge moved quickly and instantly found the exact location of the World Source.

The tips of his fingers glowed, projecting Dao runes one after the other to break through the World Energy surrounding it. Soon the hovering giant ball of light surrounded by Chaos Qi was revealed, resembling a large star. Dao energy permeated the air around it, while great Principles that formed chains were wrapped around it.

Gu Changge opened his mouth and roared, releasing black-coloured light to enclose the ball of light. Soon, the place was drowned in darkness like the night sky had fallen.

The World Source did not have its own consciousness and only defended itself using its instincts. However, Dao Runes transformed into chains which bound the World Source to the area, preventing it from escaping.

…

A powerful quake was occurring in the Demon World outside the Mirror World. Terrifying and strange phenomena appeared in the sky, including flames and skies collapsing and falling like comets.

“What…what’s this…”

“Are we going to be exterminated by a disaster brought on by the heavens?”

Those in the Nine Domains were shocked and terrified, feeling like they were facing the apocalypse. They were like tiny bugs before the display of such terrifying energy. The sky looked ready to collapse and crush all beings in the Demon World.

Empress Yao Xi appeared in the sky above the imperial palace to watch this with a frown. Countless of her men kneeled on the ground in fear, desperation, or reverence.

[What happened? Why did this suddenly happen?] She was confused by their behaviour. She could see that the terrifying scenes were merely images due to her cultivation level. They weren’t actual real phenomena, but just images of strange scenes happening somewhere else which had been projected in the sky. That was what the Demon World people were seeing.

[Is this related to Gu Changge’s purpose for coming to the Demon World?] Her first reaction was that this had something to do with Gu Changge. He had already disappeared for half a month, during which she had followed his advice and dutifully managed her country as well as her memorandums without interfering in anything else. However, she couldn’t help her shock, getting the faint feeling that this had something to do with the secret of the Demon World.

The strange phenomena appeared very quickly and continued for half a month. Fear spread throughout the Demon World during that time, since many were worried that a terrible catastrophe was about to befall the Demon World. As the people began to discover that these weren’t real but merely projections, many began getting used to the event and instead became curious about what had caused it.

At the Gates of Life, Jiang Luoshen, Bai Lian’er, Tian Ze, and several others were already waiting. They had already noticed the phenomena and also sensed a violent and terrifying vibration from below the Gates of Life. It was ancient and powerful, with the ability to reach beyond the sky and into heaven.

In the next moment, a murderous energy spread from deep within the ancient well as if a Supreme True Demon had awakened and was about to emerge to rule over everything. This surprised them and had caused their souls to tremble. Even Bai Lian’er, at the Peak Sacred King Realm, felt tiny and fragile before such a frightening show of energy.

They couldn’t help but wonder what Gu Changge was doing inside. After all, they didn’t see him leave after waiting at the Gates of Death. Thus, they went to the Gate of Life, thinking he might show up here eventually.

Still, due to the energy, none of them dared to approach the ancient well, retreating as far as possible from it.

“Ruoxi, what is under that ancient well? Is that really the exit of that world?” Jun Fan was pale and dismayed. All his attempts at escaping had been discerned easily by Bai Lian’er, and he felt something ominous had happened to his father.

“Father handed over this place to me and told me to guard this place. I think he will leave via this location if he wants to. Let’s wait a little longer.” Jun Ruoxi was calm.

She had already removed the bindings placed on her by Gu Changge because he hadn’t really put that much effort into it. She had been able to secretly do so by relying on the unique powers of the land; even Jun Fan didn’t know about it. Now, she was just waiting for the opportunity to spring a sudden attack and rescue Jun Fan.

Jun Fan nodded, but he was already feeling desperate because he couldn’t think of any other way.

As they were immersed in their thoughts, a vibration suddenly came from under the ancient well, accompanied by beams of light shooting into the air. It was a sight for sore eyes, giving both Jun Fan and Jun Ruoxi some hope as they looked towards the source.

“Is he coming out already?” Bai Lian’er raised her eyebrows. She had been waiting here for nearly a month; Gu Changge should’ve come out by now according to her estimations whether or not he succeeded.

Jiang Luoshen, Tian Ze, Song Youwei, Jun Yao, and the rest all looked towards the ancient well too, feeling the force starting to fade away and terrifying energy surrounding them retreating like the tide. An elegant and stately figure emerged first, wearing robes the colour of the moon and bearing the frightening force of the Quasi-Nirvana Realm.

“The Lunar Demon Overlord…” Jun Fan and Jun Ruoxi recognised her at once and were delighted. If she had come out, their father, the Solar Demon Overlord, wouldn’t be so far behind.

“Jun Ruoxi…” The Lunar Demon Overlord hadn’t expected so many people to be waiting at the ancient well, including Jun Ruoxi. [The youth beside her must be Jun Bufan then.]

She sighed internally before her cold expression returned like she hadn’t seen them at all. This made Jun Ruoxi and Jun Fan shocked, realising that something was wrong.

“This is Empress Yao Xi’s mother, the former Lunar Demon Overlord.” Jun Yao and Song Youwei looked taken aback as well as they didn’t know what was inside the ancient well. But now, the Lunar Demon Overlord who had disappeared for more than six thousand years had come out of it.

“What is it? Are you shocked?” Gu Changge appeared behind the Lunar Demon Overlord, having just left the ancient well too. He glanced around at everyone present before his gaze landed on Jun Ruoxi and Jun Fan.

“Gu Changge, where’s my father?” Jun Fan’s pupils contracted while his expression became cold. The uneasiness inside him was intensifying. Why had the Lunar Demon Overlord emerged but not his father?

“How would I know? Didn’t the Solar Demon Overlord pass away six thousand years ago?” Gu Changge shook his head slightly, sounding regretful and sad. “Too bad you didn’t have the chance to see him, since you could have witnessed his unrivalled strength and how he had overseen the entire Demon World.”

“You…” Jun Fan’s expression turned ugly. Jun Ruoxi didn’t look happy either, even verging on desperation. She hadn’t expected their father to not appear with the Lunar Demon Overlord. What had happened in those six thousand years that the Lunar Demon Overlord refused to acknowledge them? Had their father died inside the well?

Nevertheless, she had the feeling that Gu Changge had seen through what she was about to do and did not dare move recklessly.

“Let’s go back to the capital.” Gu Changge looked at Bai Lian’er, Jiang Luoshen, and several others. After consuming the World Source, his cultivation level had drastically improved to Peak Sacred Emperor Realm, which was just a step away from the Quasi-Nirvana Realm. The process was somewhat difficult and exhausted a lot of time and effort, but the results weren’t disappointing.

Bai Lian’er had clearly noticed that Gu Changge was several times more powerful than before. If his power had been too powerful to detect before, it was now as mysterious and indiscernible as the sea.

Jiang Luoshen didn’t have the instinct Bai Lian’er had but she also knew Gu Changge had acquired something amazing inside. Gu Changge had been unrivalled among his peers and very few in the older generation could fight him. [Could he have reached the Quasi-Nirvana or even the Nirvana Realm?]

“Does Empress Yao Xi know that you came here with Jun Bufan, Lady Youwei?” Before setting out, Gu Changge looked towards Song Youwei with a careless smile. The girl went pale, as she wasn’t dumb despite her soft and generous character.

She had come to meet Jun Bufan despite knowing his identity and accompanied him to find the ruins. If Empress Yao Xi knew about this, she wouldn’t be the only one punished since her father would be affected by it as well.

“Young Master Change, I…” She was about to explain herself but didn’t know how to go on. No matter how she explained herself, there was no escaping the fact that she had met up with Jun Bufan in secret.

“Lady Youwei, you don’t have to explain. I know what happened, as you had a hand in the capture of Jun Bufan. I will report this properly to Empress Yao Xi myself.” Gu Changge smiled and waved a hand to stop her.

She froze before smiling internally with helplessness. She didn’t say much even after opening her mouth, smart enough to understand what he meant. He wouldn’t tell Empress Yao Xi about this but said she had been the reason for Jun Bufan’s capture. That way, she wouldn’t just be innocent but also perform a great deed. This went against her morals but she couldn’t refuse the offer.

“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Changge. I will be happy to let you visit if I have the opportunity for it.” She regained her calm and bowed towards him.

“You’re welcome. It’s something easy to do anyway.” He waved his hand while glancing at Jun Fan. Seeing how pale and stunned he looked, his smile became meaningful.

“Youwei… I can’t believe even you have betrayed me…” Jun Fan looked pained as he stared at her. He didn’t expect her to eventually submit to great power and felt like his heart had been cut with a sharp blade. She didn’t look at him though, acting like she hadn’t heard him.

“If you have anything to say, do it only when we’ve gotten back to the capital.” Gu Changge looked towards Jun Yao, who looked ready to say something but was hesitant. His expression didn’t change as he spoke.

Jun Yao lowered her head then, gaze dimming. She found it hard to accept that the man she admired was now so different from when he was in the capital and now felt so unfamiliar and frightening. He had been so serene, charming, and attractive back then, and the great disparity made her confused and anxious.

…

Empress Yao Xi was working on national matters in the capital of the Demon World and hadn’t expected Gu Changge to bring someone she never anticipated.

“Mother…” She sounded to be in disbelief, as it had been six thousand years since she last saw the Lunar Demon Overlord.

“Yao Xi, you’ve gone through so much during these years. I feel so guilty…” The Lunar Demon Overlord sounded close to tears as well, sensing that Yao Xi was so much different compared to six thousand years ago. Her daughter had been so innocent and a little cunning in the past. Yet, now, she had the cold and regal look of someone who had ruled for a long time. It was clear so much had happened during all this time that made her this way.

Empress Yao Xi didn’t really feel overjoyed at her mother’s sudden reappearance, feeling more confused than anything. She had so many questions which needed answers.

“I’m not going to ruin your reunion.” Gu Changge noticed her looking at him and left the palace since he had no intention of staying.

Empress Yao Xi looked at him resentfully before her expression became calm again. She could guess what had happened. Her mother’s reverent attitude towards him showed that she had been close to death when facing him.

[He definitely had thought of me when he brought my mother back.] This made her suddenly feel much better and she smiled. [So, I really do have a place in his heart.]

Empress Yao Xi and the Lunar Demon Overlord began reminiscing. The Lunar Demon Overlord had already told her everything she needed to and kept quiet about everything she shouldn’t. Empress Yao Xi was tactful as well, knowing that she couldn’t ask about many things and so did not inquired further. The past six thousand years had been a worthy experience, showing that she could support the Demon World even without her mother. This made the Lunar Demon Overlord feel reassured yet tormented.

Several days passed before Empress Yao Xi knew Gu Changge had plans to leave the Demon World. She had already gone to visit the Jun family siblings currently locked in the prison; Jun Bufan naturally hated her intensely, yet that feeling was a little complicated.

Empress Yao Xi had no intention of finding out the truth of what had happened six thousand years ago, ignoring everything else and leaving quickly. After all, she knew that Gu Changge had other plans.

The Quelling Chaos King and his companions had been released, but regaining their former greatness wouldn’t be such an easy task. Nonetheless, the Quelling Chaos King and other members of the Jun Family were still thankful for the Empress’s kindness.

Jun Fan had thought that Empress Yao Xi would lock him up forever and felt dejected, thinking that he would spend the rest of his life in prison. He didn’t expect to see Gu Changge once again though.

“Why are you here?” Jun Fan looked hateful. The person he most loathed was Gu Changge, as he wouldn’t have ended up this way if the other man hadn’t assisted the cruel Empress Yao Xi.

“I’m here to send you off for a visit to your father, of course. Don’t keep him waiting.” Gu Changge looked serene.

“What did you say? What do you mean by that?” Jun Fan’s pupils contracted in disbelief. He had already thought of this possibility but still felt hopeful. Now that he heard Gu Changge say it, his brain went blank and began to ring as if it had been hit with a giant bell.

“You wanted to know where your father is. I’m just fulfilling your desire.” Gu Changge couldn’t help but smile.

“You promised to never make things difficult for me. Is your Dao Heart a joke to you, Gu Changge?” Jun Fan couldn’t believe that Gu Changge would kill him while bearing the risk of his Dao Heart collapsing.

“Oh. Do you think a promise is going to ensure your life?” Gu Changge smiled lightly as if he was looking at a fool. A promise was something useless, so expecting him to stand by it was laughable. He had never cared about such things anyway.

After he finished speaking, his palm struck forward and crushed a shocked and desperate Jun Fan into a cloud of bloody mist, thus killing him, destroying both his body and soul. He narrowed his eyes as he listened to the System’s notification before a light purple treasure box sprung out.

[Nothing too surprising here…] Gu Changge opened it to reveal its shimmering contents, There was the sound of rustling which resembled that of two tiny worlds colliding, and then a shiny green seedling swirling with ethereal light floated into the air silently.

[A World Tree seedling…] He was astounded as the Zero Fortuity Rule only gave him a World Tree seedling besides a wealth of Fortuity and Fatum. Since he had the feeling it was linked to the World Source , he planted it in his Inner World immediately before leaving it alone to grow.

It was already an item at the same level of rarity and importance as the World Seed, so it could give rise to many small worlds with careful cultivation, not to mention its other amazing uses.

He had resolved the problem involving the Fortuitous One as well as reaped the Sources of five Demon Overlords and the World Source during this trip to the Demon World. While it took some time, it was worth it at the end combined with all the miscellaneous benefits he had gained. There would be no disruptions in the unification of the Demon World as the plottings of the Six Demon Overlords had collapsed on their own.

Gu Changge did not expect to see Empress Yao Xi waiting for him when he was leaving the prison.

“You are leaving the Demon World.” Her gaze was fixed on him, speaking in a certain tone rather than a questioning one.

He approached her and smiled. “I have finished my business here, so I shall return to the Upper Realm.”

She suppressed the longing inside her heart and replied mildly with an ‘oh’ sound. “Then take care.”

“If you want me to stay, I may consider it.” Gu Changge smiled at her.

“Really?” She felt pleased and raised her head to stare at him with bright eyes.

“Of course not,” he replied carelessly. “Why do you believe such things?”

“You—” Empress Yao Xi was slightly annoyed but did not say anything else, her expression dimming.

“I’ve decided to stay a little longer for you, though.” Gu Changge smiled and grasped her hand.

“Just leave if you want to. The Demon World and the Upper Realm aren’t that far apart; the teleportation array would bring you here and there in a flash. Stop playing around with me.” She was delighted by his words but returned to being an Empress. Her words were cold and authoritative,

“Women. Why are they always so dishonest.” He shook his head.

…

Half a month later, Empress Yao Xi stood outside the palace against the wind, watching Gu Changge and the others enter the teleportation array to the Upper Realm from a distance. She only looked away when she could no longer see him.

“You may have gotten pregnant with his child during this time.” The Lunar Demon Overlord appeared behind her, sounding conflicted.

“Of course not. He’s a heartless man who would never allow such a thing to happen.” Empress Yao Xi shook her head briefly, an indescribable emotion in her voice. Her heart felt somewhat dejected and empty.