I Am the Fated Villain

Although Ling Huang was puzzled by Gu Changge’s orders, she refrained from questioning him. To her, Chu Lian was an anomaly, and thus he couldn’t be treated like an ordinary person. Gu Changge’s current actions seemed to suggest he was plotting something.

He felt pleased with Ling Huang’s efficiency and intelligence, which reminded him of Yin Mei. Back in the upper realm, she had similarly anticipated his needs without requiring extensive explanations or instructions, so wise women found it easier to gain his favor.

I have a substance here that will significantly benefit your cultivation. Once you return, thoroughly refining it will increase your chances of successfully surviving the second heavenly decline by 80%.

With that thought, Gu Changge gestured, and a crystal jade bottle the size of his palm appeared in his hand.

The speckled starlight permeated the sky, evoking a sense of magnificence and mystery. This was the immortal substance and good fortune essence that Gu Changge had condensed some time ago, capable of helping those in the Dao Realm break through their bottlenecks and enhance their cultivation strength.

However, both immortal substances and good fortune essences were scarce, with only a tiny amount able to be extracted from the vast power of luck. Given Gu Changge’s current capabilities, condensing these substances required considerable time and was tedious. He bestowed a wisp upon Ling Huang because he believed she was brilliant and would prove valuable in the future.

“Young master?”

Ling Huang was momentarily taken aback. She looked at him with confusion, still unsure of the meaning behind his earlier words. Her puzzled gaze fell upon the crystal white jade vial.

A substance that could increase her chances of surviving the second decline by 80%? Ling Huang had never encountered such mysterious substances in this world. All those who reached the Dao Realm were formidable figures with peerless talents, having overshadowed entire epochs.

On this path, they had sought to grasp the essence of Dao and methods of detachment, enduring countless hardships and catastrophes. She had never heard of any mysterious substance that could aid Dao Realm beings in their cultivation, as they typically needed to continuously accumulate spiritual energy and breakthrough numerous restrictions and shackles.

Gu Changge was not surprised by Ling Huang’s reaction.

The existence of the Dao Realm could not fully grasp Dao’s essence and development, nor matter’s evolution. This understanding was inherently a cognitive process tied to Dao cultivation.

Only by transcending the limitations of their life levels could they attain the inconceivable wisdom necessary to comprehend what Dao was and how matter functioned. At that point, even the most elaborate explanations would only confuse and disorient them.

“The substance in the vial is essential for cultivation in the Dao Realm. It doesn’t matter if you don’t fully understand it; simply refine it, and you’ll naturally experience its benefits.”

“Do you think I’m going to harm you?”

Gu Changge smiled, his expression easygoing.

Ling Huang didn’t believe Gu Changge would hurt her, but she pursed her lips and smiled, “Of course, I don’t think the young master will harm me. I just feel a bit touched by how patiently you explain things.”

She took the white jade vial but hadn’t opened it yet. Even without touching the substance, an instinctive urge within her compelled her to consume it. This sudden sensation caused the smile on Ling Huang’s face to fade as she stared at the vial in her hand, her expression shifting to shock, surprise, and disbelief.

It was an indescribable feeling, akin to a person who had been hungry for a long time suddenly encountering a delicious meal. Or like someone who had wandered in a desert for ages without water, only to find a shimmering lake before them. This instinct, which seemed to arise from her soul, was beyond containment or explanation; it felt innate.

“Young master, what kind of substance is in this vial? Why do I feel such an urgent instinct to refine it? My consciousness tells me it’s incredibly important to me.”

Ling Huang’s voice trembled slightly, filled with disbelief.

Those in the Dao Realm could completely obscure their cause and effect, free themselves from fate or karma, and detach from all thoughts and ideas. So why was she unable to control this instinct? She struggled to rein it in, desperate not to act impulsively. At that moment, she finally grasped the meaning behind Gu Changge’s earlier words.

There were indeed substances in this world that could aid Dao Realm cultivators in their cultivation. Such treasures could incite fierce battles among those in the Dao Realm, as even a mere wisp could lead to devastation, staining the boundless world with blood across endless time and space.

“Even if I explain it now, you might not fully grasp its essence. Think of it as the spiritual energy perceived by mortals and the immortal energy recognized by cultivators. Spiritual energy can aid cultivators in their practice and allow mortals to be reborn or prolong their lives. Immortal energy enables cultivators to comprehend the transformations within the immortal Dao and undergo incredible changes.”

Gu Changge’s gaze remained calm as he smiled lightly. His explanation was simple; common understanding could not adequately capture the mysterious nature of immortal and creation substances.

However, Ling Huang grasped the significance of this substance, understanding its preciousness, albeit somewhat vaguely. Unable to hide her excitement, a glow of anticipation lit up her beautiful, fair face.

“Thank you for providing me with such invaluable material. I am truly grateful and will do my utmost to serve you and live up to your respect.”

Her sincerity was evident, and it was difficult for her to remain composed. She and all the ancestors, including the Bone Ancestor, struggled to contain their excitement.

What worried those in the Dao Realm most was the threat of insurmountable catastrophe. While there were five declines for mortals, Daoists faced nine, each capable of triggering earth-shattering changes in their strength. If they failed to survive the catastrophe of heavenly decline, they would lose both body and spirit, their physical forms would perish, and their Dao would vanish.

Among those who faced decline, most turned to dust and simply dissipated. Without a fortuitous opportunity or a way to alter her fate, Ling Huang would likely meet her end before the second catastrophe. Thus, upon learning that Chu Lian possessed a treasure, she was determined to find a way to obtain it.

“You work hard for me, so naturally I won’t treat you poorly,” Gu Changge said with a smile.

At that moment, Ling Huang was excited, eager to return and refine this mysterious substance. As a result, Gu Changge did not insist on having her stay by his side. Although it was merely a wisp of immortal and good fortune substance, it would keep her occupied for a considerable time.

For Gu Changge, this was just the beginning. The developments and transformations that would follow were what he truly valued. Once Ling Huang refined this strand of immortal substance, her strength would undoubtedly experience a significant leap. While it wouldn’t be enough for her to immediately confront the second Heavenly Decline or advance to the middle stage of the Void Dao Realm, it would provide her with greater confidence and a higher probability of success.

All the ancestors of the Spiritual royal family, as long as they weren’t blind, could see the changes in Ling Huang. Similarly, the Bone Ancestor, who had devoted his life to pursuing strength, would also notice them. These changes in Ling Huang had emerged only after she began to follow Gu Changge and serve him faithfully.

What did that imply? The Bone Ancestor and all the ancestors of the Spiritual royal family should be able to piece it together.

“Next, they will certainly seek ways to test Ling Huang,” Gu Changge mused.

“But with her intelligence, she would never reveal anything. They can only approach it from my side. The only route available is that those whom I value and who serve me faithfully are the ones who can be rewarded…”

Gu Changge let out a chuckle, its meaning shrouded in ambiguity.

A wisp of immortal and good fortune substance was sufficient for the entire Spiritual royal family to be fully under his influence, proving far simpler and more effective than any threats or oppression. After all, what could be more important than enhancing one’s strength to sustain the legacy of the Spiritual Realm?

Time passed swiftly, and half a month had passed since Ling Huang received the immortal and good fortune substances from Gu Changge and returned to the palace to refine them. Although Gu Changge resided in a simple place at Juxian Villa, he remained attentive to the overall movements of the Spiritual royal family.

Currently, he lacks the energy to extract and condense more immortal and creation substances. Therefore, he can only wait for Ling Huang to emerge from her retreat, ready to harness the power of luck that the Spiritual royal family has accumulated over the years.

During this period, the Spiritual royal family continued to recruit forces. In the vast world, light streams shone brightly, energy clouds soared into the sky, and flying boats and warships traversed the space, converging continuously.

The mighty army was assembled, gearing up for the monumental battle ahead. This force was formidable, comprising nearly a hundred Immortal Kings, capable of sweeping away many emerging civilizations.

However, this army differed from the one currently engaged in combat with the Dao Chang Realm. On this ancient warship, the full might of the Spiritual Realm was gathered. In addition to the hundred Immortal Kings, there were many Immortal Emperors and other powerful figures.

This was a command issued personally by the oldest ancestors of the Spiritual royal family, and all the mighty forces across the eight great worlds dared not defy it. Over the years, the Spiritual royal family had supported countless fighting groups, numbering in the hundreds of millions.

These groups lacked wisdom; they simply required enough food and resources to flourish, growing rapidly like leeks—each harvest allowing for another. Countless such groups existed in the small worlds under the jurisdiction of each Great World. Unless a small world was destroyed or its resources completely depleted, these groups could develop and multiply at an astonishing rate in a very short time.

In the Civilization War, these mobilized groups often served as the foremost weapons of war. Gu Changge was quite satisfied with the current overall situation of the Spiritual royal family. He was now merely waiting to pinpoint the boundless coordinates of the immortal civilization, ready for a large-scale invasion and capture.

He was also keeping a close eye on Chu Lian. Through the many actions the latter had taken recently, Gu Changge suspected that the treasure Chu Lian possessed might be linked to the power of luck. For a powerful civilization in the boundless world, when it reached the zenith of its prosperity, it typically cast one or several treasures to stabilize the long river of luck and prevent decline.

The treasures of each civilization varied, each possessing its mysteries and focusing on different aspects, resulting in distinct strengths and weaknesses. Some treasures prioritized offense, while others were geared toward defense. Treasures associated with the power of luck were exceedingly rare.

Furthermore, Chu Lian’s acquisition of such a treasure was no small feat. Based on what Gu Changge had learned, the Spiritual royal family lacked the qualifications and background necessary to cast such treasures.

Judging by the current situation, it seemed that neither Chu Lian nor the precious weapon spirit he possessed had reacted yet. Their vigilance against Gu Changge was not particularly strong; they likely viewed him as a young disciple from an ancient civilization participating in the trial.

Initially, Gu Changge had not intended to adopt such an identity. However, during his interactions with Chu Lian’s junior sister, he had gained some insights and formed a few hypotheses. While Chu Lian remained cautious and guarded around him, his junior sister appeared quite innocent.

Gu Changge had sent someone to provide her with some trivial items to show his concern, which she appreciated. In their subsequent conversations, she often mentioned things that Chu Lian had shared with her, including speculations about Gu Changge’s origins.

Of course, it wasn’t that Ming Xiu was foolish. It was simply that her senior brother, Chu Lian, had been sent away by Gu Changge for some reason, tasked with leading the remaining disciples to subdue some troublesome demons in a certain area. As a result, Ming Xiu was left alone in Juxian Village, where, aside from her cultivation, she often found herself quite bored.

Recently, to establish his authority, Chu Lian gathered a group of disciples to publicly recognize him as “The Heavenly Guest,” which involved considerable effort and resources. This move also led to Ming Xiu being somewhat sidelined in Juxian Village, leaving her with few friends. Given her age, she was naturally lively and sociable, and she was not particularly wary of Gu Changge, especially since he had showered her and her brother with wealth.

Upon learning all this, Gu Changge took cues from Chu Lian and the weapon spirit, sending people to arrange tasks for them. These insights sparked inspiration in him. Given his current strength and the power of the army he commanded, capturing the supreme Realm that the next party had noticed would be quite challenging. Just as Wan Yanxiu, the patriarch of the Spiritual royal family, had mentioned regarding the Xudan Realm, a direct assault would not be ideal. Why not change his angle and approach?