I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-418

After returning to the Upper Realm, Gu Changge separated from Jiang Luoshen without giving her too much trouble. He had been ordering her around like a maid during this period but she was still the Princess of the Godly Illusion Clan and the future Godly Illusion Empress, which meant she had to go back eventually.

Jiang Luoshen was taken aback by his decisive attitude and felt somewhat sceptical. While she had gotten used to being ordered around by Gu Changge, freedom was still better.

“Don’t renege on our promise.” Her gaze was full of doubt. She had managed to understand this man during their journey to the Demon World; he might have made promises verbally, but he should never be trusted to follow them. Jun Bufan was an excellent example of that.

“When have I ever reneged on a promise?” Gu Changge asked, feeling that she was far too suspicious of him. [I might be distrustful on several occasions, but that is just how I treat my enemies.]

Jiang Luoshen’s expression said, “Do you think I believe you?”

“You are still my lowly maidservant. Why should I lie to you?” He sounded slightly disappointed.

“Lowly maidservant? Why am I lowly?” She sounded irritated before realising how strange her words were. It was like she was indirectly admitting to being his maidservant.

He laughed carelessly. “Obviously because there are Senior maidservants.”

She felt she had been mocked and quickly corrected him. “Who’s your maidservant? Gu Changge, don’t you dare think that way just because you had ordered me around for a while. It’s only because of our deal.”

“Okay, lowly maidservant.” He nodded.

“You—” She felt enraged and had the urge to seal his lips shut. However, she knew she couldn’t win against him and begrudgingly accepted that nickname.

“Let’s go.” Her expression became frigid once more as she led her entourage back to the Godly Illusion Clan.

After that, Gu Changge ordered Tian Ze and several others to return to the Chaos Star Territory and the different races of the Celestial Ancient Continent while he brought Bai Lianer and Bai Hua back to the Immortal Gu Family Residence.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already agreed to release your father and will never go back on it,” he said.

Bai Lianer appeared in the void with a bang and snorted. “I hope so.”

She had already experienced Gu Changge’s schemes and means before. Thus, she knew she could only hope that he would fulfil his promise. After all, she couldn’t do anything if he didn’t.

Bai Hua followed behind them while cowering. He might not have experienced any torture at Gu Changge’s hand, but he still quivered with fear.

“I want you on my side so I won’t lie to you so easily. Why don’t you have some basic trust in me?” Gu Changge sounded regretful.

Bai Lianer said mildly, “You can get me on your side, but you need to be more sincere.”

She wasn’t stupid; on the contrary, she was intelligent, powerful, and cunning, without any fear of death. She wouldn’t believe those empty words of his.

“That can be done. I will let your father go, and also send reconnaissance for any information which the Nephrite Bronze Pavillion most lacks,” he replied carelessly. By now the Tang Family from the Alliance of Thousand Merchants should be almost entirely infiltrated, so it was time to let Yin Mei take charge of the Alliance. That way, most of the power would fall into her hands. As for Tang Wan, he did not trust her. She was merely a chess piece to trigger the misunderstanding between Chu Hao and Qin Wuya.

“Information?” Bai Lianer’s expression shifted. This was exactly what the Nephrite Bronze Pavillion most lacked. While she had been developing her spy network in recent years, it was still far too short a time compared to the millions of years any other forces had the chance to develop. The other assassin guilds such as the Pagoda and Neraka had already lasted for millions of years, spanning multiple millennia.

“If you plan on training apprentices, I have some suitable candidates.” Gu Changge continued. He held a lot of power at the surface level, but he didn’t really have much in terms of underground forces. He could take this opportunity to control the Nephrite Bronze Pavillion too.

She was somewhat attracted by that idea since the Killing Emperor Legacy had given her hope at the darkest time of her life. The former Killing Emperor had been a powerful expert who founded the famous Killing Dao Holy Land but for multiple reasons, it had fallen apart. Thus, she wished to fulfil the dying wish of the Killing Emperor and rebuild the top Killing Dao force in the world. The founding of the Nephrite Bronze Pavillion was mostly because of the Killing Emperor Legacy too.

“I have no problem with that, but it depends on whether you are sincere or not.” She was extremely wary of him since this was someone who would betray his subordinates if they weren’t alert or sufficiently useful.

Gu Changge merely smiled without saying anything. He knew that she would agree to it. He had many things on his plate right now and he could only let her deal with the Nephrite Bronze Pavillion. Many things had transpired in the Upper Realm, which he already knew of despite being in the Demon Realm because of his spies. He didn’t plan on heading to the Immortal Academy for now, since he didn’t have to go there anymore with his current strength.

[Chaos has ensued in the Demon-Burying Abyss, exuding high levels of Demonic Qi which nearly destroyed the Floating Buddha Temple. Many monks of Buddhist Mountain had gone there but ended up dying inside. A great demon is awakening inside the Abyss, which caused a catastrophe. Even an enlightened Buddha nearly died inside. Seems like you are finally awakening, my good apprentice.]

Gu Changge’s gaze was distant as thoughts raced through his mind.

He ended up focusing on a red-clothed nervous girl pulling at his sleeve at the foot of a green mountain. He had been preparing for this since some time ago, but the chance of success wasn’t that big.

That hatred that was as deep as the abyss. Even going through hell would not be able to quell it. It was obvious she wanted to consume him after tearing him apart and crushing his bones to powder. Thus, this was an extremely complex problem. Nonetheless, he still had some ideas on how to resolve this since that was his apprentice from when he had been the Demon Lord. They were bound to have things in common that might be an ace to help him resolve this issue.

After returning to the Gu Family residence, he ordered his servants to release Bai Kun. He no longer wanted to trouble him since he had a promise to fulfil and besides, Bai Kun wasn’t worth the time. Furthermore, this was an easy act to pull off since it only needed an order.

It would be impossible for Bai Lianer and Bai Kun to not be overjoyed at their reunion. She did not elaborate on what happened in the Demon World and Bai Kun tactfully did not ask any further. Surviving was something he wouldn’t have dared believed and so he didn’t hope for anything else.

“Thank you, Young Master Changge.” Bai Kun thanked Gu Changge profusely. Bai Lianer then took him away so she could settle him down somewhere and discuss the Nephrite Bronze Pavilion with Gu Changge.

Gu Changge had some enquiries for his father but after some consideration, he decided to head to the world where Gu Qingyi was first.

Soon, he found her meditating on a stone on top of a mountain. She didn’t look like she had ever moved, remaining unchanged for millennia. Her black hair was like a waterfall, while her entire body exuded an ethereal and otherworldly beauty which was indescribable yet cold. Her perfect skin was like flawless jade with a gorgeous glow as well. At closer observation, her features weren’t so distinct as if shrouded by mist, except for her cold and wise eyes which seemed to contain the world’s sadness and loneliness.

“You’re here.” She already knew the moment Gu Changge entered her world but did not move, choosing to wait for his arrival. He nodded and sat serenely on a rock next to her.

“I came to see you as well as that little beast.” He smiled and looked into the distance, where Xiao Bai frolicked in the faraway sea of clouds, looking happy and free. Its sleek and beautiful body glowed like the moon.

“I’m not worth seeing.” She shook her head, her expression unchanging as if she was being serious.

However, he knew her very well and did not mind that. “Of course you are.”

Gu Qingyi looked sideways at him without speaking before stroking the hair which fell in front of her shoulder. That tiny gesture only occurred when she was in a good mood. He chose not to mention that, looking towards Xiao Bai again. “Xiao Bai has improved by leaps and bounds. You must have been working hard.”

“She eats plenty and so grows very fast. She was probably starving back then.” Gu Qingyi shook her head. “I only watched her eat and did not really keep an eye on her.”

“She, eh. It’s fine. Let her eat.” Gu Changge smiled. “How can one such beast impoverish us because of its giant appetite?”

The ancient texts mentioned an event where a Wang Yue had managed to impoverish a Sect due to its eating habits, but that was only an anecdote that few believed. However, a Wang Yue’s True Body was equivalent to that of a galaxy which showed how enormous it was. An ancient deity controlling the stars would be like dust to her.

As Gu Changge and Gu Qingyi were talking, Xiao Bai seemed to have noticed him. She did not have any fear like before and transformed into a silver beam to head towards them. Right before she landed before Gu Qingyi, a white light flashed across her body as she transformed into a silver-haired girl who reached halfway below Gu Changge’s waist. Her features were delicate and fine, with thin eyebrows, a small elegant nose, and light crimson-coloured eyes like amber. Her skin was like porcelain and her golden veins were visible. Her entire being exuded a regal and cold air.

While Gu Changge studied her, she did not cower like before, choosing to bare her small and slightly sharp teeth at him in a show of ferociousness.

“I’m your master.” Gu Changge did not get annoyed but remained relaxed.

“Sister Qingyi.” She snorted and refused to look at him. However, he moved in front of Gu Qingyi to get close to the girl. Her voice was melodic and sounded as cold as jade, just a little like Gu Qingyi.

“Don’t think I will forget the way you frolicked when you act like this,” he said directly to her.

The silver-haired girl gritted her teeth, a faint flush on her cheeks as she sounded frantic. “I wasn’t! I was just being happy.”

“What’s the difference?” Gu Changge asked.

“Why not?” She glared at him. “Do you think you can use that to describe a girl?”

“You are merely my pet. Why do you have so many girl problems?” He shook his head, still looking laid-back.

“How dare you! I’m the great celestial beast, Wang Yue!” She sounded irritated.

“You’re still my pet, though. I’m your master,” he said carelessly.

“I don’t have a master like you.” She still had many complaints about him. He had persuaded her back at the Purple Mountains with elaborate lies and promises but then abandoned her here. She was a weak, lonely, and helpless Wang Yue cub who had a great appetite. How could he be so cruel by abandoning her without a word? Besides, he gave her an ugly name too!

Gu Qingyi watched them quarrel, stroking the hair on her shoulder silently.

“You visited me for a purpose, right?” she finally asked. She knew Gu Changge well since this man would never do anything without a reason.

“It’s nothing big. I just want a favour from you.” He smiled. He hadn’t mentioned anything before this because he was waiting for her to ask first.

“What’s that favour?” she asked.

“I want you to go to the Demon-Burying Abyss to check on the seal there.” He observed her reaction as he spoke, yet she didn’t show any emotion other than slight shock. This disappointed him somewhat.

“Okay.” She nodded. She had never refused a request for him before and wasn’t going to do that now.

“I’m leaving, then. Oh, yes. I found some interesting trinkets when I went to the Demon World. You’ve probably never seen them since you’ve always stayed here.” Gu Changge got up to leave, but not before he pulled out myriad trinkets. These were tassels, hanging belt ornaments, hair combs, face powder, and rouge which were unique to the Demon World. They weren’t actually rare and precious; however, they could only be found in the Demon World since their materials were sourced from it and couldn’t grow anywhere else.

“Mmm.” Gu Qingyi watched him disappear before looking at the trinkets laid before her and picking up a wooden comb. She wouldn’t leave this place except to cultivate, so she wouldn’t be acquainted with anything from the outside world. In that sense, she resembled a deity which isolated itself from the mortal world. Thus, Gu Changge would always bring her some trinkets from time to time. She wasn’t born a mortal, so she didn’t have the habit of acquainting herself with the world of mortals.

After leaving the world, Gu Changge went directly to the main palace to see his father. Gu Lingtian sat on the throne, his energy was powerful and all-encompassing. His will dominated the entire space.

“You’re back.” Gu Lingtian opened his eyes, a gentle expression on his face.

“Father.” Gu Changge nodded. ” I want to know what happened in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.”

The Upper Realm hadn’t been calm lately, which Gu Changge already knew about in the Demon World. In a nutshell, the Boundary Marker Sea outside the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains were showing signs of drying up, where the All-Repelling Force it contained was slowly weakening. Many forces had made their move and started to send master cultivators to invade the area. The event had a wide impact, affecting every family and sect in the Upper Realm.

The Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains was a realm similar to the Upper Realm in the sense that it was enormous and extremely old. The difference was that the former had lost in the great war between the two sides many millennia ago and had to retreat, leaving behind many territories. Some supremely powerful beings had worked together to set up the Boundary Marker Sea which contained the All-Repelling Force, making it difficult for even True Daoists to cross. This made the Boundary Marker Sea a natural barrier which had protected the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains for many years.

The two sides had had some quarrels in the past which resulted in some casualties, but the Upper Realm held the upper hand for the most part. The name itself—Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains—showed that the environment was inferior to the Upper Realm due to the incompleteness of the World Principles, at least compared to the latter. The consequences were that any extremely powerful being, even after reaching the Nirvana Realm, couldn’t live for an infinitely long time and thus had a shorter lifespan than those who cultivated here. The environment for cultivation there was much more difficult as well, which made it hard for master cultivators to be produced.

However, the two worlds had been born together, making their nature, Principles, social system, and races very similar. Some in the Upper Realm even believe that they could break the curse of not being able to become Immortals by combining the two worlds. They believe it might cause the Immortal Path to reappear. The drying up of the Boundary Marker Sea was the best opportunity for the Upper Realm to do so, even if they had to defend themselves against the Eternal Overcast Scourge at the same time.

Gu Lingtian wasn’t surprised by this question. “The Boundary Marker Sea showed signs of drying up some time ago, which was reported by the factions standing guard at the border. This shocked everyone and many forces began gathering an army to invade.

“Many have already declared war and sent their military forces, including the Immortal Academy, Sky Emperor Mountain, Mortal Palace, Immortal Wang Family, Ancient Ye Family, and the Supreme Cave Heaven, who had sent their special forces. Some young prodigies even went there so they could join in the invasion. This is an unavoidable situation which we can take advantage of.”

Gu Changge nodded thoughtfully. Many events were happening simultaneously, including the chaos at the Demon-Burying Abyss and the Eternal Overcast Scourge which weren’t even minor issues. But now, the Boundary Marker Sea was drying up and every single force was gathering to invade the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.