I Am the Fated Villain

366: She is more qualified to be a Daoist. Whose tribulation is this?

“This time, thanks to the lord’s intervention, otherwise, with our strength, it would have been impossible to stop these foreign invaders,” someone said, their voice filled with gratitude and relief.

“Indeed, we are still too weak. We’ve grown too comfortable in our daily lives and lost our sense of crisis,” another added, reflecting somberly.

“This catastrophe should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.”

Divine lights shot into the sky, illuminating the aftermath of battle. The sounds of fierce fighting echoed throughout the universe, and blood saturated the star fields. The battle had finally reached its conclusion. Armies, led by Immortal Kings, surged forward, relentlessly hunting down the remnants of the defeated immortal civilization.

The powerhouses of the Dao Chang Realm stood amidst the devastation, shaking their heads in solemn reflection as they surveyed the widespread destruction. The losses had been heavy; many had fallen, leaving no trace behind.

Among the fallen were friends, acquaintances, and even former enemies. The battlefield was a grim reminder of the fragility of life and the high cost of war.

Some ethnic groups and forces had declined severely in the aftermath of the war, with some even facing extinction. It would take millions of years for them to recover, if at all. Nevertheless, the catastrophe in the Dao Chang Realm had finally subsided.

Since the onset of this vast battlefield, countless interconnected universes and worlds had been destroyed or annihilated, leaving them steeped in decay and ruin. Though the most powerful members of the immortal civilization managed to escape, they left behind at least 70% of their army, which had fled and scattered across various regions.

In response, all ethnic groups and sects began dispatching their clansmen and disciples to hunt down the remnants of this army, clearing them out and restoring temporary peace to the worlds. However, the task of fully eliminating the lingering forces would take time, and the process of cleaning up the aftermath was still far from complete.

At the conclusion of the war, all ethnic groups suffered losses to varying degrees, and it would take time for them to recover. However, the conflict also saw the rise of many exceptional talents. These individuals gained fame across various battlefields, slaying numerous invading enemies, which served as a small consolation amid the great losses suffered by the ethnic groups.

“The foreign enemies have been defeated, but many internal issues within the Dao Chang Realm remain unresolved,” one leader remarked grimly.

“During this invasion, some ethnic groups didn’t contribute troops to the fight at all. Worse, they took advantage of the chaos, launching attacks from behind. I must report this to the deputy leader and others, so they can decide what action to take.”

The leaders of various ethnic groups and forces were visibly angered when discussing the matter. While they had sent their elite warriors to the front lines, sacrificing much to defend the Dao Chang Realm, certain groups in the heartland had used the opportunity to loot and stir up civil strife. In the urgency of the war, they had no time to address these betrayals, but now they could not ignore them any longer.

Now that they had some breathing room, the leaders were determined to deal with those who had betrayed them in their time of need.

“This time, the Daoist Wang Wushang did not show up during the battle against the foreign enemies. He secluded himself on an island under the pretense of being in deep retreat. When we sent people to request his aid, his subordinates injured our envoys and refused to allow any disturbance,” one leader said bitterly.

“This must be addressed by the deputy leader and the others. Wang Wushang is indeed a talented figure, but let’s not forget that he rose to prominence thanks to the resources provided by us and other ethnic groups. His purpose was to take a leading role in this catastrophe, to stand against the foreign invaders.”

“And what did we get instead?” another leader chimed in angrily.

“A man greedy for life and afraid of death. Even the geniuses of our own clans risked their lives in this battle, fighting desperately. And yet, Wang Wushang, with all his fame, did nothing.”

The leaders of the various immortal forces were filled with resentment and dissatisfaction toward Wang Wushang’s actions. Although Wang Wushang was normally domineering and wielded significant power, often with the ability to influence outcomes single-handedly, he had previously avoided harming the interests of the other ethnic groups. This time, however, his selfishness in the face of disaster had crossed a line.

However, now that he had gathered considerable power for himself, Wang Wushang had chosen to remain on his island, entirely disregarding the desperate struggles of the various clans and sects during the war. His inaction was intolerable to the leaders.

Yet, some voices of caution emerged amid the outrage. “After all, Daoist Wang Wushang was established by the leader himself and was bestowed with many treasures. Many believe he is being groomed as the next successor. What good will it do to impeach him in front of the deputy leader and the others?”

“Exactly. The deputy leader and the others are likely to be in league with the leader, making it difficult to voice our concerns. We might have to abandon this effort hastily,” another leader cautioned.

“Besides, Wang Wushang’s cultivation has reached the level of a quasi-immortal emperor, and he could break through to the immortal emperor level soon. At that point, even the deputy leader and the others might fear him. As much as this situation irks us, offending him could lead to retribution that outweighs any potential benefits of confronting him.”

The leaders of the various ethnic groups were divided on the issue, grappling with their frustration while weighing the potential consequences of challenging someone as powerful as Wang Wushang.

Some leaders considered it wise to endure the current situation, as offending Wang Wushang could lead to disastrous consequences. They were not particularly afraid of Wang Wushang himself, but rather the powerful figure behind him.

However, one leader suddenly had an idea, his eyes lighting up as he spoke up.

“Speaking of this, there might be a solution. You’ve all seen how fearless and brave Miss Xian’er was during this battle. She has reached the pinnacle of the Immortal Emperor realm.”

He continued, “In terms of talent, she is not too far behind Wang Wushang. Moreover, Miss Xian’er is still young, and her achievements are a testament to her own efforts. Her potential for the future is bound to be even greater. Throughout the war, despite the dangers, she never forgot to help her companions. Her character shines in comparison.”

“Given these qualities, she is far more qualified to be the Daoist of the Dao Chang Realm than Wang Wushang.”

His words created an immediate stir among the leaders, igniting a wave of discussion and speculation about the possibility of elevating Xian’er’s status.

Many leaders exchanged glances, contemplating the implications of the previous statements.

“Indeed, we’ve all witnessed Miss Xian’er’s pure-hearted nature. She embodies innocence and was born in response to this calamity. She would be the perfect choice as the Daoist of the Heaven Slaying Alliance,” one leader affirmed.

As the sentiment spread, others echoed the sentiment that Gu Xian’er was far more suitable than Wang Wushang for the role of new Daoist. For the various ethnic groups, the benefits of this choice clearly outweighed the drawbacks. Given the prestige Gu Xian’er had garnered during the battle, it was clear that she would attract substantial support should she choose to lead.

Most importantly, her identity played a crucial role in their decision. “That’s right, I also agree. We should make Miss Xian’er the new Daoist,” another leader added.

“If everyone is in agreement, then once the war concludes, we will unite to impeach Wang Wushang at the headquarters of the Heavenly Slaying Alliance. I believe the deputy leader and others will be receptive to our proposal.”

With that, the leaders of all the ethnic groups quickly reached a consensus. They resolved to wait until the end of the war before putting their plan into action.

All ethnic groups had long-standing grievances against “Wang Wushang,” so it was only natural that they wished for his removal.

I think I understand the leader’s intention behind making Wang Wushang the Daoist.

One Of them mused, a smirk forming on his lips.

Hehe, having Miss Xian’er as the Daoist would be a perfect fit.

Meanwhile, in a distant part of the universe, Gu Wuwang, Hei Ming, and others observed the unfolding situation. As the deputy leader, Gu Wuwang preferred to remain silent, not wanting to provoke any unnecessary conflict. However, Hei Ming had harbored dissatisfaction with “Wang Wushang” for quite some time and was eagerly waiting for the right opportunity to act against him. The discussions among the leaders of the various ethnic groups provided the perfect chance he had been looking for.

On the other hand, Ni Chen was unaware that the battle outside the boundless battlefield was nearing its conclusion. At a critical moment in his attempt to seize control of the Dao Chang Realm, most of the seventy-nine lights above his head had been extinguished. Although the true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm was no longer present in this world, the imprint it had left behind was not so easy to erase.

The true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm, at its peak, was stronger than most in the Dao Realm, comparable to the second-lowest existence in that realm. Initially, Ni Chen had believed that the true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm would only be at the threshold of the Dao Realm. However, he was taken aback to discover that its strength had reached such a remarkable level.

After all, the Dao Chang Realm had only recently been conceived and born, categorizing it as a Newborn Realm. How strong could its foundation truly be?

Ni Chen speculated that this must be the true strength of the Dao Chang Realm’s true spirit today. The remaining mark it left behind was significantly tied to the essence of the true spirit itself.

So what if the Dao Realm is the second lowest? If it stands in my way, I will erase your mark.

Ni Chen’s eyes gleamed with madness as he bit the tip of his tongue, channeling his original essence and blood into an innate secret technique. This transformed into a surging soul mist aimed at obliterating the mark.

At this moment, he could no longer afford to concern himself with the outside world; all his energy and focus were directed toward this task. Moreover, Ni Chen could sense that the connection between the true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm and the realm itself was growing weaker. This indicated that the true spirit was not in a good state; it was quite fragile. Otherwise, if the true spirit were strong, it would surely act to defend its mark against any intrusions.

Boom!!!

In the unseen dark space, the original imprint left by the true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm continued to dim. The soul mist spread across the sky like a living entity, producing a cold whistling sound as it erased the imprint’s light. Ni Chen’s gaze burned with ambition and determination as he spat out another mouthful of original blood. The surging soul mist thickened once more, roaring like a tidal wave, drowning everything in its path.

It’s almost done.

When I succeed, I will transform into the new true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm. From that point, I will leap into the Dao Realm in one fell swoop, becoming invincible in this world, unafraid of anyone.

Ni Chen’s eyes were bloodshot and wild as the soul lamp above his head flickered rapidly, consuming his vitality. Of the forty-nine true lives he had, most were now expended, a testament to his unwavering resolve to put all his eggs in one basket.

“It’s just the last thread… I’m so close to finishing.”

Ni Chen roared, his excitement mingling with impatience.

He could already feel the majestic power belonging to a real world—thick, surging, vast, and endless. The entire essence of his being was undergoing a transformation, and he could sense the beginnings of Daoism within him.

From outside the Dao Chang Realm, one would witness a massive and boundless misty soul fog rising from all directions, permeating the unknown space and striving to completely envelop this realm. This was the culmination of years of meticulous planning by Ni Chen, and at this moment, everything was finally coming to fruition.

Boom!!!

At that moment, from the boundless expanse, a terrifying muffled thunder echoed through the void. A thunderous light, entwined with the immortal glow of the Dao, embodied the true essence of creation and destruction. The nine-colored chaotic energy descended, thick and boundless, as if it had chiseled through the ages, splitting chaos and penetrating time itself as it fell directly toward the Dao Chang Realm.

This thunderous light carried an aura of ultimate destruction, with countless worlds born and annihilated in its wake, revealing the horrifying spectacle of collapsing universes. The instant it made contact, the endless soul mist erupted with a searing sound, evaporating like snow meeting the scorching sun.

“Ahhhh…”

Ni Chen had never anticipated that at such a critical moment, a destructive chaotic thunder would strike down upon him.

All vitality was wiped out, and his last hope was severed. Ni Chen let out a desperate scream, his figure trembling violently as several mouthfuls of blood spewed forth. The true soul began to disintegrate, and the remaining soul lamps flickered before being instantly extinguished.

As he felt the last soul lamp nearing its end, Ni Chen fought against the overwhelming anger, unwillingness, and disbelief in his heart. In a final act of desperation, he severed the connection with the remnants of his true souls, thereby preserving his own life. However, even in this attempt to save himself, a wisp of extreme destructive energy still fell upon him, coursing through the remnants of his true soul.

Click!

Ni Chen heard a sharp, crisp crack as his quasi-immortal emperor Dao Fruit began to fracture. A wisp of black air wrapped around it, dark and foreboding, with dense cracks spreading ominously, threatening to collapse at any moment.

Irreversible wounds on the Dao! Why is this happening?

Ni Chen stood frozen in the hall, his eyes bloodshot with disbelief. He had meticulously planned every detail, ensuring that all arrangements were flawless. Yet, at this most critical juncture, he found himself facing divine punishment and the rare chaos of true thunder.

Though it was only a single strike, under the power of chaotic true thunder, even the most formidable evil spirits retreated, and everything was laid to waste. How could he possibly resist such overwhelming force?

Especially since he was still in the state of a true soul, at the most critical stage of seizing the Dao Chang Realm, Ni Chen was on the verge of success. The thought of failure filled him with deep resentment, and he longed to scream at the heavens, denouncing the injustice he faced.

“Why? Why?”

He growled lowly, his eyes burning with fury. He clenched his teeth tightly, his fists turning white from the strain.

Ni Chen couldn’t comprehend it. As a member of the Underworld clan, the art of seizing houses was a divine gift, so how could he be subjected to such a catastrophe? He hadn’t followed the usual cultivation path, step by step toward the Dao Realm; he should not have been forced to endure this kind of trial.

Chaotic true thunder was a force that even those who had broken through to the Dao Realm dared not underestimate. How could he, with only a trace of the Dao Realm’s aura, provoke its descent?

This catastrophe does not belong to me. Whose catastrophe does it belong to?

A chilling thought struck him: could this be a trial meant for the true spirit of the Dao Chang Realm? Was he merely inches away from victory when an unforeseen accident occurred?

Filled with unwillingness, Ni Chen teetered on the brink of madness. His meticulously crafted plan to seize the Dao Chang Realm had crumbled. Not only had he lost forty-eight true lives, but even his quasi-immortal emperor Dao Fruit now bore irreversible damage.