I Am the Fated Villain

376: This mission has ten deaths and no lives, so why is Mr. Gu here?

Although Zhuoyou and the others had agreed to serve him, Gu Changge would not allow them to remain idle. A few streams of light flew from his raised hands and entered the depths of their brows. This light resembled a drop of ink—extremely dark and imbued with a gloomy, icy aura.

It took root like a seed as soon as it entered their foreheads. Strands of root-like matter penetrated and spread into their spiritual sea, as if nourishing and growing.

“This…?”

The expressions of Zhuoyou and the others changed suddenly; they became extremely pale and shocked. They could clearly feel their spiritual sea being eroded and occupied, as if it were being used to nourish the growth of this black seed.

It seemed that the day the black seed germinated would mark the end of their lives.

“My… my lord, please forgive me…”

The clansman from the immortal civilization who had knelt on the ground felt an even deeper terror, sensing his spiritual sea being eroded constantly. It felt as if a small bug had suddenly burrowed into his mind, gnawing away at his very existence. The immortal civilization had abandoned the physical body and focused on spiritual power, which could be entrusted to all things in the world.

Gu Changge’s action was akin to completely seizing their lifeline; with a single thought, he could determine their life and death. Fear and trembling gripped everyone present.

“I said I like smart people. As long as you are wise, you need not worry. This demon may threaten your life, but on the contrary, it can greatly benefit your cultivation. Of course, if you act foolishly, then you can’t blame me…” Gu Changge smiled lightly, offering little explanation about what it truly was.

Zhuoyou and the others understood his meaning and hurriedly agreed one by one; they would not joke with their own lives.

“That’s good.”

He nodded slightly with a faint smile at the corner of Gu Changge’s mouth, though the emotion in his eyes remained unchanged. Naturally, he couldn’t trust these people completely. Still, by planting a demon seed, he ensured that if they ever had intentions or actions against him, he could immediately stop the threat without consequence.

In the main hall, Wan Yanxiu, Ling Huang, and the others watched the scene, startled and chilled to the bone. If Gu Changge chose to deal with them as he had with those from the immortal civilization, they would likely find themselves unable to refuse or resist. Thinking of this, they felt a sense of relief.

Gu Changge’s approach to them seemed, in comparison, somewhat gentle. Ling Huang, in particular, felt extremely fortunate at that moment.

Not to mention Gu Changge’s respect, the two of them had shared a “heart-to-heart” conversation before. She believed she understood him far better than anyone else there. Moreover, Gu Changge had given her a mysterious substance, which she expected would help her survive the second catastrophe in the coming days.

Although I don’t know what the young master has experienced, as long as I respect him, I will achieve even more in the future.

These people are foolish; the young master’s actions have left plenty of room for maneuver.

Ling Huang thought secretly as she glanced at Zhuoyou and the others. Her gaze shifted back to Gu Changge, and a bold thought emerged—one she had never considered before. However, it was only a fleeting notion; she dared not dwell on it for fear that Gu Changge might notice and be displeased.

She understood that Gu Changge’s current respect for her was due to her determination during their initial encounter. Even if she were to offend him, she didn’t want to become a mere tool for her ancestors to curry favor with him. Only under that premise could she be truly appreciated by Gu Changge. If she appeared too useful now, she risked incurring his hatred.

Especially since her bold idea just now was disrespectful. Gu Changge had once stated that he was not interested in her. Throughout her years of cultivation, Ling Huang had never entertained the thought of wanting to be with someone forever; she had never considered it in that way.

Outside the ancestral hall of the Spiritual royal family, many immortals who Ling Huang had summoned were waiting. Soon, these individuals were called forward and informed that they needed to accompany Zhuoyou and the others to the immortal civilization to uncover its true nature.

These individuals were primarily from the Spiritual civilization, comprising high-ranking and powerful ancestors from various races. Their strength was formidable, with the weakest among them comparable to true immortals. However, upon learning about this mission, their complexions changed drastically, and they were filled with terror.

The level of danger associated with this task was no less than venturing deep into a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, where they could easily meet their end. However, a group of ancestors from the Spiritual royal family had gathered here, and a single thought could determine their life and death. Though they were terrified and panicked inside, they didn’t dare refuse and reluctantly accepted the mission.

“My lord is kind; he knows that your mission this time is fraught with dangers, so I will bestow a treasure upon you. It will provide substantial protection for your bodies and ensure your safety.”

“You need not worry; those before you, who are comparable to the Dao realm, are the young master’s subordinates. When the time comes, you will follow them, and your lives will be secure.”

Ling Huang wore a simple long dress, her high temples adorned with light makeup, and a sheer gauze covering her face, exuding an air of majesty in her gentle eyes. She swept her gaze across the gathered individuals, nodded slightly, and then waved her slender hand.

Several treasure chests enveloped in immortal light appeared out of thin air and landed in the hall.

At the same time, to reassure these individuals, she also clarified the identities of Zhuoyou and the others.

“Thank you, my lord…”

“Thank you, Your Majesty…”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Hearing these words, those who had felt frightened and apprehensive suddenly found themselves much more at ease. As they looked at the radiant treasure chests, they expressed their gratitude.

Previously, they had vaguely heard that a mysterious figure had appeared within the Spiritual royal family, one whose identity was unknown and whose strength was unfathomable, commanding deep respect from all the ancestors. Now that they saw him in person, it felt as if they were witnessing the true face of that figure with their own eyes.

In their eyes, Gu Changge’s figure was shrouded in endless fog; they couldn’t even see his face clearly, as if he didn’t exist in any time, space, or latitude. However, since they served such an enigmatic individual, they believed their lives must be guaranteed.

Gu Changge observed this scene from his elevated seat, slightly surprised. He naturally didn’t care about the life and death of these people, let alone their safety. Ling Huang’s words were clearly self-serving. The treasures she offered were merely part of her daily collection. By presenting them now and speaking those reassuring words, she aimed to calm their hearts.

It’s acceptable to do so. To become the emperor of a clan does require some ability and skill. She is worthy of my regard.

Gu Changge thought, showing a hint of appreciation.

Her actions not only comforted and won people’s hearts but also encouraged them to accept his kindness and, in turn, pledge their loyalty.

“After completing this mission, you and the ethnic group behind you will receive countless benefits. I would not give you this opportunity if I didn’t see that you are reliable in your daily affairs. You must understand that many ethnic groups are eyeing these rewards. This mission allows for no mistakes.”

Ling Huang maintained the image of a majestic and indifferent empress as she spoke. Once she finished, she dismissed the gathered individuals and returned to Gu Changge’s side, asking respectfully, “My lord, is there anything else you need me to do?”

Gu Changge nodded slightly, a smile of appreciation on his lips. “Good job.”

Pleased by his praise, Ling Huang couldn’t help but smile. Wan Yanxiu and the other ancestors looked on with envy as they observed Ling Huang—a junior they had previously overlooked—being so highly regarded by Gu Changge. However, they didn’t linger for long and soon departed with Zhuoyou and the others.

They also had plans to capture the immortal civilization this time. Since Zhuoyou and the others held significant status within the immortal civilization, they could obtain essential information from them first. Wan Yanxiu and the others did not expect to uncover any secrets from Zhuoyou and the others. Matters related to the heritage and secrets of civilization were deeply protected and could not be easily disclosed. Even attempting to probe into Zhuoyou and the others’ spiritual consciousness would prove completely futile.

Meanwhile, in Juxian Village, a jade chariot descended from the sky, taking away Chu Lian and the other “guests” who had been summoned to join the rest of the younger generation on their missions. No matter how unwilling Chu Lian felt, he could only grit his teeth and go along with it.

“In this mission, there will be ten deaths and no survivors. The focus is on saving your life…”

Chu Lian had been pondering how to survive in the past few days. As for the spirit of the Ball of Ambition, it claimed that this was a trial for him, which Chu Lian found utterly mocking. From his perspective, having won the Ball of Ambition, he and its recognized master did not require such unnecessary training at all.

The Heavenly Son couldn’t sit still; with the Ball of Ambition, he was certain to have a smooth journey ahead, free of twists, turns, and many dangers. While other cultivators needed to endure countless battles and hardships to grow, he felt he did not require such trials. This kind of meaningless training was utterly useless to him.

The artifact spirit of the Ball of Ambition chose not to comment further on Chu Lian’s attitude. On the jade chariot, he noticed some familiar faces from Juxian Village, who had also been summoned to join the mission to the immortal civilization.

However, Chu Lian was quite surprised to see that these so-called colleagues seemed unafraid and appeared calm and composed. Their demeanor resembled that of slayers trained by major families, who had long since set aside concerns about life and death.

This observation sparked a new idea in Chu Lian’s mind; perhaps he could leverage the strength of these colleagues to ensure his own safety.

Soon, the jade chariot brought Chu Lian and his young companions to a steep hill.

“After a while, the powerhouses sent by the Spiritual royal family will arrive and take us along,” one of the young people explained.

“Actually, we don’t need to do anything; we just have to follow them. Our cultivation base is low, so we won’t attract the attention of that civilization. When the time comes, we’ll rely on our own means to gather information.”

As they waited, several young individuals began to clarify the details of the mission for everyone present. Chu Lian paid little attention; whether the task succeeded or failed was of no real concern to him. His primary focus was on how dangerous the mission might be.

Then, before the eyes of everyone waiting, an ancient warship, bearing the marks of time, broke through the void and swiftly descended from a high altitude. A golden pathway extended downwards, enveloping Chu Lian and the others.

At that moment, the immortal beings who had been summoned in the ancestral hall of the Spiritual royal family, along with Zhuoyou and the others, were all aboard this ancient warship.

After bringing Chu Lian and the others aboard, the powerful beings merely glanced at them without much interest and instructed them to find their own caves or courtyards to rest. In their eyes, these younger generations could only play a limited role; at most, they could serve to confuse the eyes and ears of others. They were uncertain why the Spiritual royal family had arranged for these younger generations to come along. If it was for tempering, it seemed unlikely.

Chu Lian and the others did not dare to voice any objections and left one after another.

“Our strength isn’t particularly strong, so we won’t attract the attention of those truly powerful in this civilization…” one of the younger individuals remarked.

“So when the time comes, we need to cooperate with these adults.”

The immortal beings continued to chat in low voices, discussing how to address the challenges ahead.

Zhuoyou and the others remained expressionless. In the past, these individuals would have seemed no different from ants in their eyes—there would have been no reason to care about them, let alone collaborate. But now, their fate was entirely in their hands.

The ancient warship quickly left that space, returning to the shuttle of the immortal civilization where Zhuoyou and the others had previously been. When the Bone Ancestor captured them, he did not disturb the other occupants of the shuttle. After all, Zhuoyou and the others held special identities and strengths and typically stayed together. The rest of the creatures from the immortal civilization were not deemed worthy of meeting them unless there was something important to report.

Upon returning to the original cabin, Zhuoyou and the others felt a sense of warmth, akin to basking in sunlight. Yet, the broken crystal wall in front of them constantly reminded them that everything they had experienced was not merely a dream but a stark reality. Their lives were now entirely out of their control.

“Fix the crystal wall first, then return to the family to discuss the rest,” Zhuoyou instructed, his complexion shifting as the spiritual ocean deep within his brow surged up and down. A persistent, tingling pain reminded him of his precarious situation.

At that moment, as Chu Lian searched for a cave within the small world of the ancient warship, planning to wait and see what unfolded, he was shocked to discover two familiar figures.

“Why are Miss Ling Huang and Mr. Gu here? Shouldn’t he be at the Spiritual Royal Family?” Chu Lian’s complexion changed as disbelief washed over him.

Not far from his mountaintop, he noticed a serene valley filled with the fragrance of birds and flowers. From a distance, the layout in the center appeared scattered yet harmonious, featuring pavilions, flowing water, wind corridors, and rockery lakes, all surrounded by lush green bamboo and billowing white mist, creating a scene reminiscent of paradise.

Miss Ling Huang, the girl he had often spoken about, and the handsome, elegant man in white appeared to be engaged in conversation, both smiling as they covered their mouths. Their faces were stunningly beautiful.

This was the first time Chu Lian had seen her true face, and he was momentarily taken aback. The visage beneath the veil was so exquisite that it seemed almost otherworldly, almost too beautiful to be real.