I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-424

“What wondrous power is this? How could Li Xiu, who has no spiritual energy, pull off such an ability? Is this some kind of trick he had up his sleeve?”

The golden ‘Zhan’ word shone as blindingly as the astral sky, emitting an ancient, mysterious aura.

The members of the Shen Family peered at the occurrence in stupefaction.

But of course, most of the spectators were staring at the golden ‘Zhan’ word as they were trying to figure out what it was. Some of them were even looking at it with greed and passion in their eyes. After all, if Li Xiu the good-for-nothing was capable of using such an ability, they should be able to do so as well.

Another portion of the spectator, on the other hand, sank into contemplation, given that the ‘Zhan’ word felt awfully familiar, as though they had encountered it in certain ancient texts.

Meanwhile, the Ancestor of the Shen Family recognised the Rune of Zhan, which he bumped into in a fateful encounter. And now, he was wondering about Li Xiu’s true identity. If Li Xiu was really who he presumed, Heavenly Tide Realm would grow especially inharmonious, given the Upper Realm’s war with Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. With the emergence of the Rune of Zhan, the rest of the world would surely be shocked.

At that moment, it didn’t matter whether Li Xiu was the owner or successor of the Rune of Zhan. Regardless of his position in the past, once he offended Gu Changge, his efforts would only turn out futile.

Though, the Ancestor of the Shen Family couldn’t tell whether Gu Changge was knowledgeable about the Rune of Zhan or he was deliberately offending Li Xiu.

“Young Master Changge, this old one is too senile to take him down. I have humiliated myself in front of you…” After the Shen Family members helped their Second Elder up, he walked towards Gu Changge and apologised with an embarrassed face, not expecting things to turn out this way.

Not only did he fail to take Li Xiu down, but he was also grievously wounded by the mysterious ‘Zhan (战)’ Rune. A Rune that described War! Hence, he was ashamed, especially after how he swore that he would definitely defeat Li Xiu.

Alas, he was miserably beaten by Li Xiu right in front of the entire crowd, and he couldn’t feel any more disgraced by that.

Then, Gu Changge took a glance at the Second Elder without a change in his gaze, after which he turned back to Li Xiu and replied in fascination, “You are not to be blamed. Indeed, you are no match for him. Even if you reached the Sacred King Realm, you would still be incapable of shattering his defences.”

In that instant, he was already determined about Li Xiu’s identity, which explained the latter’s smugness.

[Hmm, is he still purely the In-Law Fortuitous One, or is he the formidable cultivator who has returned. Perhaps both?] Gu Changge was fascinated. In fact, the Fortuitous One of such a character he met in the past was the Mortal One. However, the current Li Xiu was not some weakling that the Mortal One could rival as the former must have countless followers remaining.

According to the rumours, ever since Li Xiu died, his followers had been living in hiding, and now that he had returned, the disturbance he caused drew the attention of hundreds of thousands of his followers.

Besides, the Rune of Zhan was capable of parrying all attacks of all under the Sacred King Realm, but that was all it could offer.

Hearing that, Li Xiu grew somewhat dazed, but he quickly regained his composure. He never expected Gu CHangge to have seen through him.

As a matter of fact, his purposeful usage of the Rune of Zhan was to let the crowd understand his position. Unfortunately, the Shen Family was too ignorant to recognise him.

Yet, Gu Changge was able to identify the limit of the Rune of Zhan, which certainly took him aback.

Hearing that, the Second Elder of the Shen Family felt ashamed.

Nevertheless, a formidable cultivator behind Gu Changge suddenly handed the Second Elder a round pill surrounded by intertwining Dao Energy and swirling purple energy.

“This is… a Nine-Cycles Great Restoration Pill? Though initially dismayed, the Second Elder of the Shen Family widened his eyes as his breath quickened.

Even the Ancestor of the Shen Family was unable to steer his gaze away from the pill, feeling deeply envious of the Second Elder. As such, the injuries and humiliation he received no longer bothered him.

The Nine-Cycles Great Restoration Pill was a kind of godly pill which was useful even to those in the Sacred Emperor Realm, and it could even be perceived as an additional life.

After carefully observing the pill, the crowd instantly gasped in disbelief before finding themselves incredibly envious of the Second Elder.

Apparently, one’s effort in assisting Gu Changge would always be repaid with luxuries.

In this instant, everyone who didn’t think of helping Gu Changge immediately felt remorseful as they had missed the opportunity to pull off heroic acts before Gu Changge.

“Thank you, Young Master Changge,” said the Second Elder gleefully, after which he respectfully accepted the pill with all the joy in his heart.

Right at that moment, outside the Shen Family Residence, divine rainbows were seen heading towards the courtyard. A great number of alarming auras came from each direction, and they were of individuals with significant positions in Heavenly Tide Realm. They appeared hasty on their way to the Shen Family Residence, eager to meet with a certain being.

“There’s no mistake about it. Master is in the Shen Family Residence!” Their voices were filled with excitement.

As they looked at each other, although they hadn’t met one another for many years, having detected the aura of the Rune of Zhan, they bumped into one another on their way to the Shen Family Residence without prior consultation.

“I knew the War Immortal didn’t perish in the ambush during the war! How could he? He’s invincible!”

“The War Immortal once dominated Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. With his confidence, how could an ambush have affected him?”

At that moment, these cultivators couldn’t be more thrilled, storming towards the courtyard without waiting for their receiver to report their arrival.

Being the Ancestors of certain forces, they possessed immeasurable cultivation, which even the Shen Family could not resist. Besides, they were now so impatient to meet with the War Immortal.

Once upon a time, Li Xiu earned his title of ‘War Immortal’ back when he dominated Ten Domains and Eight Barren.

Although he wasn’t a true Immortal, his strength surpassed that of ordinary True Daoists. Had the world not forbidden him from attaining the opportunity to ascend to being an Immortal, he would have achieved it.

The conversing cultivators were the War Immortal’s team of followers.

After hearing about the War Immortal’s peril in an ambush in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, they were devastated, after which they had decided to live in hiding.

While some of them remained in Heavenly Tide Realm, the rest moved to either the other Lower Realms or the Upper Realm. Regardless, they had lost the will to ever battle again.

Essentially, only with the War Immortal leading them to war could they be ever so overbearing and powerful.

“Report! Sky Blade Ancestor, Sacred Sun Ancestor, and countless Ancestors from various Holy Lands and ancient Families have barged into the Shen Family Residence!”

Right when Li Xiu was scanning those before him with an emotionless face, from the distant mountains, a member of the Shen Family suddenly turned into a divine rainbow and hastily dashed to the courtyard to report the situation.

“What? What is the purpose of their trespass?” Upon those words, the people of the Shen Family were dazed before finding themselves in confusion and stupefaction as they were baffled as to why the Ancestors of other forces would rush to the Shen Family Residence.

If they were here to meet with Gu Changge, there was no way they would have barged into the territory as they would have obediently waited by the gates.

“How bold of these people to storm into the family residence! Do they not hold any respect for us!?” Many Elders were enraged.

“And so, they have come.” Although there wasn’t much change in Li Xiu’s expression, he subconsciously revealed a subtle grin.

“Why don’t we let this slide, Young Master Changge? What do you think?” He then turned to Gu Changge and slowly asked.

In response, Gu Changge replied with an interested face, “Perhaps it is too late for that now. I reckon my followers are probably done with turning Blazing Moon Holy Land into a wasteland, regardless of how slow they may act. Do you really want to let this slide?”

“You… Once, one of the Gu Family’s Ancestors partnered up with me to conquer the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. Never have I expected the Gu Family would have such an insolent Successor like you.” Visibly vexed, Li Xiu sounded rather discourteous.

Despite his continuous compromise, Gu Changge remained as arrogant as ever, though he couldn’t tell whether Gu Changge was telling the truth.

Regardless, if Blazing Moon Holy Land were destroyed because of him, he definitely wouldn’t let him off easy.

“Master Zhan…” After listening to Gu Changge, Saintess Yao Yue, as well as the others from Blazing Moon Holy Land, grew fearful as their faces blanched. They couldn’t help but wonder if Gu Changge really obliterated Blazing Moon Holy Land without as much as lifting a finger.

*Boom!* From the distant skies, numerous divine rainbows suddenly surged, along with terrorising auras. Menacingly approaching, the cultivators were surrounded by glowing, vibrant mists as they rode on flying clouds with utmost grace.

“Sky Blade Ancestor, Sacred Sun Ancestor, Ancestor of the Bi Family…” The brows of the Ancestor of the Shen Family grew tense as he gazed across those approaching. Those were all eminent forces in Heavenly Tide Realm which existed remarkably longer than the Shen Family.

Nevertheless, they usually kept a low profile and refrained from revealing themselves in the open world. But now, the Ancestors of these forces all appeared at once.

“Ah, friends! What business drives you to the Shen Family Residence?” The Ancestor of the Shen Family deliberately asked as he was warily observing Gu Changge’s face.

“Hmph! Shen Family, how dare you make Master your in-law!? Perhaps the Shen Family no longer has a purpose to exist!”

“Voiding the marriage agreement… Oh, how blind you are!”

The Sky Blade Ancestor, the Sacred Sun Ancestor, and the others yelled with their cold, angry voices. Back when they were on their way to the Shen Family Residence, they inquired their disciples regarding the situation and made inferences about its cause and effects.

Although they never showed themselves in the outside world in the recent years—hence were clueless about the recent affairs—that didn’t mean they were completely oblivious to the events of the world.

Revealing a frown, the Ancestor of the Shen Family was about to argue with the other ancestors, but seeing Gu Changge’s interested expression, he remained wordless.

“War Immortal, Tian Dao, Sheng Ri, and Bi Xia greet you.” Having said that, the Sky Blade Ancestor, the Sacred Sun Ancestor, and the Bi Family Ancestor reverently turned to the calm-looking Li Xiu with their zeal-filled eyes, as if they were meeting with their god.

“There’s no need for courtesy.” Li Xiu nodded with a natural expression as he invited the Ancestors to stand back up.

“What?”

“The War Immortal?”

In that instant, the members of the Shen Family were dumbfounded by the sight, and they could hardly regain their senses.

“War Immortal, the supreme expert who once conquered the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. He was rumoured to be dead and has vanished for countless years.”

When they came to their senses, they still had a hard time trying to connect the War Immortal with Li Xiu, who was right in front of them. [Has he perhaps been resurrected?]

On Li Xiu’s forehead, the golden ‘Zhan’ word glowed with an awe-inspiring battle aura. He turned to Gu Changge and asked, “Young Master Changge, let us drop the matter today. What say you?”

Although he wasn’t willing to draw troubles upon himself, that didn’t mean he was afraid of them.

“War Immortal, he is…” The Sky Blade Ancestor, the Sacred Sun Ancestor, and the others had still yet to realise it. They could never have imagined the War Immortal being courteous to any individual.

“Ah, so this is what ‘the world offers,’ huh? It seems, at the end of the day, I’ll still have to handle things with my own hands.” However, Gu Changge simply shook his head, sounding somewhat remorseful. “I wonder if this barrier of yours can withstand the blade in my hand?”

*Whoosh!* The next moment, a frightening ring sounded in the air. As gleaming runes surged, murderous aura gushed into the sky, engulfing everything.

At once, everyone’s faces were dramatically frozen as they were filled with genuine dread. It was as if they were turned into ashes, erased from the world.

It was an ebony longsword with a dazzling blade. In that instant, the faint pattern of a dragon carved onto it seemed to be awakening as Principles of the World stirred. Instantly, an aura of cosmic devastation rose from the Shen Family Residence to the sky. Even the beings millions of kilometres away couldn’t resist their urge to worship and kneel towards that direction.

“A Nirvana Grade Artifact?” Sensing the overbearing aura, countless formidable cultivators immediately grew anxious and fearful.

[That is an actual Nirvana Artefact!] The forehead of the Ancestor of the Shen Family twitched. It felt as if his soul was about to freeze. Thus, he dared not to get too close.

At that moment, the spectators ran away as far as they could, given that an Nirvana Grade Artifact could easily annihilate any living beings in its vicinity. Thus, any ‘ordinary’ individual should stay far away from it.

Instantly, the confidence on Li Xiu’s face vanished. His heart palpitated as he did not expect Gu Changge to immediately take out a Nirvana Grade Artifact. A young man carrying a Nirvana Grade Artifact was totally out of his imagination.

“War Immortal…”

Meanwhile, the Sky Blade Ancestor and the rest were still clueless about the details of the event. All they knew was that Li Xiu was humiliated in the Shen Family. In that instant, their faces were filled with fear and shock. An attack from a Nirvana Grade Artifact could possibly bring down the entire Heavenly Tide Realm.

“Young Master of the Gu Family, about what happened today, I shall—” Li Xiu intended to surrender. Given his current state, let alone a Nirvana Grade Artifact, he wouldn’t even be able to defend against a Sacred Emperor Grade Artifact. In fact, the reason he managed to survive to this day was thanks to his flexibility.

Nonetheless, Gu Changge did not allow him to finish his sentence.

*Whoosh!* The Solar Heavenly Blade landed amid a black bladelight. The strike was as heavy as a million mountains, and it could even collapse the air.

The Sky Blade Ancestor, the Sacred Sun Ancestor, and the rest were thoroughly stunned. Right away, they fled to distant lands. Unfortunately, those with slower reactions were hit by the bladelight and immediately exploded. Even their souls that didn’t manage to escape disintegration.

Absolutely hopeless, the Ancestors’ souls trembled. They never expected their visit to the War Immortal would draw forth such a calamitic disaster.

In fact, a Nirvana Grade Artifact was almost impossible to be found even in the Upper Realm. Except for the War Immortal during his peak, no one could withstand a blow from such an artifact.

Although Gu Changge wasn’t able to unleash its full strength, a trace of its bladelight was enough to slaughter all lives.

“I am curious. Is this the card up your sleeves? Or should I say… The War Immortal’s command left thousands of his followers murdered,” Gu Changge casually said. He then raised his hand to swing the blade. As the bladelight landed, the void was broken apart while countless lives were executed.

The ‘Zhan’ word on Li Xiu’s forehead glowed once again as the golden runes within evolved. He attempted to resist the attack but he was beaten within a split second as his body exploded.

As he threw up a mouthful of fresh blood, his hair immediately swayed free in the air. Simultaneously, cracks occurred on the ‘Zhan’ word on his forehead, as though it was about to crumble from its failure to withstand the blow.

“*Blargh!* You…” Li Xiu even coughed up bits of his organs.

*Boom!* He then fell on the mountain behind him.

Without a trace of blood on his face, he continuously coughed. There was no telling how many bones of his were broken following the gruesome injury.

Raising his blade, Gu Changge walked over at a steady pace. As Li Xiu was about to lift his head, Gu Changge forcibly stepped on it. “Say, how did you manage to survive for so long? I am actually very interested in your tale.”