I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-457

The Sky Deer Goddess was captivatingly beautiful. Her body was slender and glamorous, as though she was a tall Buddha Lotus, and her arching brows were elegant beyond compare. Her entire body was covered in divine light such that no one could resist ignoring her existence.

Yet, unlike Lin Wu, everyone else on the streets didn’t seem to notice her presence. Essentially, there was a unique field around her body. Except for those whom she wanted to meet, no one else would be able to see her. Not only was this an exceptional display of her abilities, but it also showcased her wondrous mastery over the Great Dao.

Sky Deer City’s history stretched way back in time. It was said to have existed since the Upper Realm and Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains’ separation. The Sky Deer Goddess’s tracks, on the other hand, were even more impossible to find. For the past countless epochs, there were hardly a handful of living beings who had ever laid eyes on her.

“I wish to know why you are helping me. Every Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains force thinks that Lu Luo can no longer be saved now that she is in the hands of the Upper Realm. No one would ever choose to help me at such a moment.”

In Lin Wu’s eyes, the Sky Deer Goddess’s attitude didn’t seem pretentious but was genuine instead. Gradually, he calmed himself down and bitterly chuckled. Though, suspicion remained in his mind.

Retaining her smile, the Sky Deer Goddess replied, “Let’s talk as we walk.”

“It has always been our duty to shield Sky Deer City and protect all living beings of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains from danger. There’s nothing confusing about it, is there?”

The tranquil streets were spacious. Amid the hazy grey fog, there were traces from past battles. In some spots, figures without the faintest Lift Force could be seen sitting, yet it was as though they were subtly moving.

For countless years, Sky Deer City had unwaveringly stood at the front, resisting the Upper Realm’s every invasion.

“I see.” Lin Wu nodded. As he quietly followed the Sky Deer Goddess, he suddenly felt a heavy weight on his shoulders.

There weren’t many people on the streets, but many of them were faces familiar to Lin Wu. Nonetheless, when they saw him, they couldn’t help but feel sympathy and pity for him.

After the Upper Realm’s seized the Immortal-Killing Gourd, it stirred up quite a commotion in Sky Deer City. Many thought that Lin Wu’s actions were selfish. He chose to save the few while rendering significantly more of them to be sacrifices.

Nevertheless, some individuals were aware that the matter was out of Lin Wu’s control, as the outcome wouldn’t have been any better even if he didn’t surrender the Immortal-Killing Gourd. After all, Gu Changge was too powerful, and many inferred that his strength had surpassed the Sacred Emperor Realm. Under such a massive disparity, Lin Wu simply had no other choice. Furthermore, his beloved was captured as well.

“What a pitiful man. I wonder what he will do now…” The street-walkers heaved a sigh after they watched Lin Wu’s fading away, but they didn’t seem to have seen the Sky Deer Goddess, who was walking in front of him.

Very soon, Lin Wu and the Sky Deer Goddess arrived at a pavilion—one of the most popular pavilions in Sky Deer City. Beside it, there was a fluid spirit spring, in which its water vaporises into Immortal Mists as it wafted around.

There, a young woman had been waiting.

Lin Wu was baffled to see the young woman, who seemed to be around his age, but he had never seen her before. Though, tactfully, he didn’t ask any questions.

“Come sit with me.”

Upon the Sky Deer Goddess’s invitation, he sat on the other side.

At the same time, as she raised her arm, faint, clear gleam dispersed and surrounded the ancient pavilion, entrapping every motion within.

Sceptically, Lin Wu peered at the Sky Deer Goddess as he wished to know what her plan was, given how it needed such caution.

“It’s not exactly safe within Sky Deer City. The Upper Realm planted many spies among us without us knowing, so it is best for us to remain prudent,” the Sky Deer Goddess smilingly explained after seeing his puzzled look.

Hearing that, Lin Wu was stunned. He never expected Sky Deer City, which he thought was the safest place, to contain spies from the Upper Realm. Since it was the Sky Deer Goddess who made such a claim, it must not be false. After all, no one was more knowledgeable about Sky Deer City than her.

“I see. So, what do you need me to do?” Lin Wu revealed a stern expression and asked.

“In three days, I will leave Sky Deer City with you to rescue your beloved from the Boundary Marker Sea. During that time, you must not disclose my whereabouts, nor should you mention this matter to anyone else. I need you to swear that you can do that,” the Sky Deer Goddess stated as she looked outside the ancient pavilion, seemingly towards the Boundary Marker Sea.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Wu nodded and assured, “I can do that.”

“I trust you.” The Sky Deer City’s expression was warm. She then continued, “In that case, we shall rendezvous three days later. In the meantime, you may gather help from people you deem trustworthy.”

Finished, she raised her snowy hand once again. As faint, clear light reemerged, Lin Wu disappeared and reappeared outside the ancient pavilion.

Such an enigmatic ability left him in a daze.

(She is really not that simple.) With that in mind, he grew somewhat more confident.

“Wait for me, Lu Luo… I am going to rescue you!”

With that, Lin Wu speedily departed with excitement throbbing in his heart. He was headed to the Lin Family’s base to gather help. Simultaneously, he sent a message to Lu Cui to invite her to participate in his attempt to rescue Lu Luo.

…

After Lin Wu’s figure disappeared, the Sky Deer Goddess, who remained in the ancient pavilion, revealed a pondering look as the warmth on her face vanished.

“Master, are you really intent on going to the Boundary Marker Sea?” The young woman behind her visibly grew restless and confused. She was deeply distressed.

In response, the Sky Deer Goddess nodded as an unusual Dao Energy surged on her face, after which she heaved a sigh and said, “This journey holds an uncertain fate for me. The future is undecided. If I don’t make it back, the safety of Sky Deer City shall lie in your hands.”

“If the worst thing happens, don’t you dare avenge me. If I’m unable to resolve this disaster, there’s no use in you trying to avenge me. It’s best if you remain in the city and focus on cultivating.” Her tone was ever so serene, as if she had foreseen what was to come.

Upon those words, nothing but reluctance and sorrow arose on the young woman’s face as she shakingly asked, “Master, are you not confident as well?”

She understood her Master well enough to know that she wouldn’t speak as though those were her last words if she had the confidence to survive. In other words, even the Sky Deer Goddess herself was not fully optimistic towards her venture to the Boundary Marker Sea.

Retaining her usual calm, the Sky Deer Goddess feigned a subtle smile, as if she had predicted what she would be facing very soon.

“Out of the ten predictions you have made on Gu Changge, nine of them backfired. Even the one time you succeeded, you could only see darkness. Despite knowing how strong he is, why do you insist on defying him, Master?” The young woman turned pale as she shivered.

The Sky Deer Goddess shook her head and answered, “As the Sky Deer Goddess, this has always been our destiny. Don’t mope over it. Frankly, I should have passed down the role of Sky Deer Goddess to you years ago, but you were merely a child back then. Your cultivation level was still insufficient. Furthermore, given the Upper Realm’s invasion back then, I couldn’t bring myself to do that. However, given how things are now, we no longer have a choice. You’ll have to gradually grow up, and eventually shoulder these huge tasks and fulfil our very calling. The city lives with its people, and dies with them too.”

“I understand, Master.” Hearing that, the young woman understood that her attempts of persuasion would only be futile. Her eyes unknowingly reddened, her voice grew hoarse as she sternly nodded.

Tenderly, the Sky Deer Goddess caressed her head. “No need to be sad. What if I make it back?”

Despite saying that, she remained unconfident. Back when the True Daoist from an Ancient Royal Family attacked Sky Deer City, she easily took him down.

Yet, for some reason, she felt overwhelmingly helpless and pessimistic against a mere young prodigy of this epoch. Furthermore, the shore of the Boundary Marker Sea was now a lion’s den, given the number of formidable cultivators from different forces that set up camp there.

Therefore, should her whereabouts be exposed, her enemies would definitely charge towards Sky Deer City. However, this was also the only opportunity to take out Gu Changge. Since a head-on approach was out of the question, she could only resort to taking him by surprise.

…

In a flash, three days had passed. Outside Sky Deer City, Lin Wu gathered innumerable people at an ancient, spectacular altar. Everyone present were shrouded in heavenly lights as they were clad in battle armour. Their auras, too, were formidable.

Apart from Lin Wu himself, there were also Lu Cui and members of the Lu Family who had escaped with him back previously.

Nevertheless, the strongest among them were merely two Sacred Emperor Realm Elders. Lu Cui and an old monster from the Lin Family who was sent to protect him.

Their mission to rescue Lu Luo was extremely precarious. Initially, none was willing to partake in it, given that even those in the Sacred Emperor Realm would most likely get themselves killed.

Nevertheless, after taking Lin Wu’s identity into consideration, the Lin Family dispatched some men for him. Currently, those that joined had faces filled with gloom. After all, they could already see the outcome.

Since Lin Wu, bound to the promise, did not disclose about the Sky Deer Goddess’s existence, they saw no hope in this venture. Naturally, if he were to reveal her existence, it would be a trump card which they could pin their hopes on. Unfortunately, it was also a trump card he could not afford to rashly reveal.

Around the teleportation altar, many other people stood as they peered at the sight with complicated feelings. Among the bystanders, there were young prodigies of Ten Domains and Barrens with exceptional Talents, and some of them were even on par with Lin Wu. Their entire bodies were covered in divine light and there were golden flames pulsating above their shoulders.

Indubitably, they had the desire to join Lin Wu’s venture to the Boundary Marker Sea. However, they were advised against it by their respective Elders. Hence, they could only silently send Lin Wu and the rest away.

All of a sudden, a faint disturbance in the void, shrouded in divine light as a strange Dao Energy swirled. From within, the Sky Deer Goddess appeared.

Nonetheless, no one noticed her arrival except for Lin Wu.

As usual, she wore an unstained white robe. Her appearance was ambiguous and ethereal as her body was covered in blinding lights and a subtle fragrance. It was as if she was an invaluable vessel of an Immortal.

She shot Lin Wu a smile. She was standing right there, yet nobody else could see her.

Seeing such an ability, Lin Wu grew even more assured.

“Let’s go.”

Very soon, the teleportation altar lit up with dazzling lights, after which Lin Wu and the rest stepped onto it.

Upon a gush of fluctuations in space, it was as if everyone was travelling through a tunnel between universes. They could see the floating stars and silver glimmers arising from the Milky Way. In the sky, one could perceive the radiant divine light that seemed to tear the universe apart before forming a tunnel that was directed towards the distant Boundary Marker Sea.

…

On a grand ancient battleship at the shore of Boundary Marker Sea, Chaos Mists whirled around palaces and pavilions, as if the realm of gods had descended upon the mortal world.

There, daunting, vigorous armies filled with overbearing murderous intent set up their camps. Their terrifying aggression formed a banner that swayed in the air.

It was a terrorising power. Its aggression alone was enough to overwhelm the entire world. Regardless of distance, even the forces of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains far away dared not to approach it as they could only watch from afar while bracing themselves for the sudden attack.

Although many forces chose to take up camp here as they awaited for the Upper Realm Army, some formidable cultivators chose to charge on fearlessly instead, and their presence resembled a violent waterfall that could irresistibly wipe out everything in the world.

Nonetheless, they halted their advancement right before the boundless chaotic Aether Abyss. After all, even a True Daoist couldn’t afford to lower their guards as they might possibly get lost in there. Besides, within the Aether Abyss, there were infinite storms due to the chaotic void and oceans, striking fear in all hearts as they could easily disintegrate one’s body.

As the first greatest barrier of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, the Aether Abyss posed innumerable threats, and it would take one a lot of time to figure out the correct path through it.

For the past countless years, Aether Abyss had inconsistently undergone changes. Even the cultivators of Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains would have to be wary as they tried to locate and travel through the right path.

In this instant, the vast army stopped before the Aether Abyss as the powerful experts began deduction in an attempt to find the right path.

Meanwhile, somewhere within the Aether Abyss, an ambiguous light flashed across as a number of individuals appeared on an ancient altar. Accordingly, space was ripped apart before disappearing, all while making not a sound.

At the same time, in a murky underground dungeon, Lu Luo’s face lightly blanched as she watched Gu Changge entering the dungeon and felt a chill up her spine.

“I’ve given you three days’ time. Have you thought it through ?” Gu Changge casually glanced at her, thinking that it was about time Lin Wu was on his way.

“Dream on! I will never betray my homeland!” Although Lu Luo’s face bore unconcealable dread, she remained determined without giving in to her enemy.

“Really? In that case, do you plan to watch your hero—Lin Wu—perish as he comes to save you?” Gu Changge let out a leisurely chuckle.

With that, from outside the underground dungeon, a pale, tall woman walked in behind him. There was a golden tattoo on her forehead. Her features were delicate and captivating.

“What are you doing!?” Seeing that, Lu Luo immediately felt distressed, subconsciously stepping back as she couldn’t fathom what Gu Changge’s plan was.

“Begin.” Disregarding her question, Gu Changge then spoke to the tall woman behind her.

“Yes, Young Master Changge.” The tall, slender woman was reverent towards Gu Changge. Upon the order, she walked up to Lu Luo and put her hand on her forehead despite the latter’s dread and restlessness.

*Whoosh!* The next moment, surges of vibrant mists appeared. The figure of the tall woman then became ambiguous as her bones, flesh, and organs were shifting. Even her features, body, quality, and aura were going through changes.

It was not a simple appearance-imitating ability as all the bones and flesh in her body went through thorough reshaping. Almost instantaneously, she donned Lu Luo’s appearance.

Apart from their garments, every part of hers seemed as though they were forged from a mould, and given the precision, no one could spot one difference. Even Lu Luo’s fearful, unnerved expressions were imitated perfectly.

“Who… Who are you? What are you going to do?” Lu Luo peered at her doppelganger with her pale face as the fear in her heart deepened. She could already roughly guess what Gu Changge was planning.

“Not bad. Though, it’s merely a vessel. Perhaps it may not be able to deceive the Mirror of Heaven and Earth. Regardless, it’s sufficient to trick that brat, Lin Wu.” Gu Changge ignored Lu Luo as he carefully observed the woman before him and satisfiedly nodded.

The name of the woman before him was Mi Chun. She was a prodigal damsel of the Shapeshifting Demon Clan. Gu Changge had instructed his men to look for her these past few days. Shapeshifting Demons’ were the best at shapeshifting. Furthermore, those with outstanding cultivation levels were even more proficient at concealing their own auras to thoroughly trick others.

Nonetheless, it would still prove difficult for them to sneak into Sky Deer City as the Mirror of Heaven and Earth, which was levitating in the sky, could instantly reveal someone’s original form, especially if they were from the Upper Realm.

Moreover, as the environment and Great Dao of both worlds were different, the Mirror of Heaven and Earth could discern the differences right away. Nevertheless, this could still be used as a temporary means to deceive Lin Wu.

“Say, do you think Lin Wu would realise that he actually rescued a doppelganger instead of you?” Gu Changge glanced at Lu Luo with a subtle smile on his face. “Though, even if he finds out, he wouldn’t dare to do anything, since you’re still in my hands.”

“You… You devil!” Hearing that, Lu Luo finally realised Gu Changge’s ill intent. Her voice trembled as her heart was overflowing with fear and sorrow.

From the beginning, he had never planned to let Lin Wu rescue her. Rather, his plan was to force Lin Wu into submitting to him through her. And that, to her, was a torment worse than death itself. After all, she could never allow herself to sit back as Gu Changge took advantage of Lin Wu.

Alas, it was as Gu Changge noted—she truly had no choice. Nonetheless, she had never expected Gu Changge to have come up with such a method.

At once, her face blanched even more. However, Gu Changge had already left with Chun Mi, without caring about her, who collapsed to the ground.

[If Lin Wu dares to show himself, it must mean that he has reliable support, and someone worthy to support the Fortuitous One must not be someone simple. After all, Lin Wu is no fool. He wouldn’t come to rescue Lu Luo without a card up his sleeves. Maybe I’ll get myself a big catch this time?”

Very soon, the space before him split apart. As his gaze grew uncanny, he brought Chun Mi into the rift as they were headed to the Boundary Marker Sea.

Honestly, he was eager to know how many True Daoists there were left in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. Similar to the situation of the Upper Realm, True Daoist were the apex forces. As for Remnant Immortals, none had appeared for so long that they might as well not count at this point.