I Am the Fated Villain

In the mountains, Chu Lian, clad in armor, strode ahead with a sturdy horse. His junior Ming Xiu rode behind him, observing a desolate mountain veiled in clouds. Faintly visible were the outlines of pavilions, which upon closer inspection appeared dilapidated and deserted. Many had succumbed to ruin long ago, overgrown with vines, moss, and shrouded in miasma.

“Ghost clan? Could Chu Lian be a member of the ghost clan?” Ming Xiu mused.

“I’ve heard the ghost clan excels in forging weapons. All the artifacts here are said to be crafted by them,” she added.

Behind them, Ling Huang, her face veiled with a light scarf, rode a white horse. She seemed surprised, unable to contain her curiosity.

Accompanied by maids and guards, Ling Huang possessed an air of authority, resembling a young lady from a prominent family on a training excursion.

Her intention was clear – she sought to uncover Chu Lian’s secrets. To allay any suspicion, Ling Huang concocted a tale of a chance encounter, claiming to be heading in the same direction as Chu Lian.

Unbeknownst to Chu Lian, Ling Huang had been observing him closely. However, he paid her words little heed. In his eyes, Ling Huang’s cultivation was merely mortal, and her guards posed no threat. As he neared the threshold of immortal Dao, Chu Lian remained unconcerned with Ling Huang’s opinions.

Now filled with both the thrill of encountering beauty and the joy of advancing in cultivation, Chu Lian was elated. His journey had brought him to the ancestral home of the ghost clan to absorb the residual luck concentrated in this place using the Orb of Ambitions.

The Orb had the unique ability to capture the world’s luck and distill it into the optimal energy for Chu Lian’s cultivation, promising swift progress. However, the process was fraught with danger. Constant vigilance was required, as powerful Daoist factions possessed divine or ancestral weapons specifically designed to suppress stolen luck. Any indication of theft would surely provoke their wrath and prompt an investigation.

Despite his rapid advancement, Chu Lian was keenly aware of his limitations. He knew he was no match for the formidable factions. The consequences of being caught could spell disaster, potentially exposing the secret of the Orb of Ambitions. While the Orb was a relic of an ancient and powerful civilization, Chu Lian viewed it merely as a supplementary tool, offering little in terms of defense against enemies.

Therefore, utmost caution was necessary to conceal the Orb’s existence. After careful consideration, Chu Lian determined that the family of the ghost clan, his childhood home, was the ideal location for his endeavors.

Originally, this land was a flourishing paradise. Majestic pavilions, towering immortal mountains, ancient forests stretching tall, and numerous small worlds and dimensions of time and space adorned its landscape. However, with the decree of the Spiritual Royal Family, a large contingent of the ghost clan was forcibly taken away, stripping the land of its guardians and causing it to gradually fall into desolation. Subsequently, it endured the pillaging of remaining ethnic groups, dwindling into a wasteland. Yet, as long as the ghost clan persisted, so too did the vitality and luck of the land.

Chu Lian had come to this place seeking the assistance of the ghost clan in his cultivation. Leading the way, he turned to address Ling Huang. “I won’t conceal this from you, Miss Huang. I am indeed a member of the Ghost clan. My parents were summoned by the Spiritual Royal Family to the palace, ostensibly to repair an ancient formation. However, they vanished without a trace. I suspect they fell victim to the machinations of the Spiritual Royal Family, their souls consigned to oblivion.”

His expression darkened with pain and resentment as he recounted the tragic loss. Though young, the memory was etched deeply in his mind, unforgotten.

Ming Xiu, seated behind him on the horse, mirrored his somber mood, her thoughts drifting to her own parents.

Beneath her veil, Ling Huang’s brow furrowed slightly, her complexion momentarily strained before composing herself. She was well aware of these events, not merely by knowledge, but by her own directive.

However, the recruitment of members from the ghost clan and the Heavenly clan by the Spiritual Royal Family to repair the ancient formation was not solely Ling Huang’s decision; it was a decree passed down by numerous ancestors. Ling Huang, feeling the weight of the burden, had voiced her objections and suggested alternative approaches, but her counsel fell on deaf ears. She was instructed to comply unquestioningly, bearing the brunt of criticism from all quarters.

The impending approach of the Spiritual Royal Family toward the location of the new real world, the realm of mountains and seas, necessitated the preemptive repair of the grand formation and initiation of the grand sacrifice. The ghost clan and the Heavenly clan possessed unparalleled expertise in formation casting, making them the most suitable candidates for this task. Furthermore, given the billions of sacrifices required and the need to draw upon the essence of life and the vast coordinates of the Spiritual Realm, the revelation of this undertaking would undermine the authority of the Spiritual Royal Family.

Thus, to prevent the leakage of information and ensuing chaos, the ancestors of the Spiritual Royal Family resolved to eliminate those involved in repairing the grand formation.

“While the Spiritual Royal Family continues to recruit members of the ghost clan and the Heavenly clan for the construction of ancient formations, it is regrettable that I lack the power to lead a rebellion against them,” Chu Lian lamented, leading the way with resolve evident in his bright eyes and righteous words. Had anyone been present, they would have surely admired his determination and sensed his potential as a future leader.

Observing Chu Lian, Ling Huang couldn’t help but wonder about the source of his confidence. Even she, as the queen, was uncertain about the true extent of the Spiritual Royal Family’s heritage and the prowess of its Dao realm ancestors.

Despite being ancient clans of the Spiritual Realm with profound legacies and even Dao realm existences, the ghost clan and the Heavenly clan had dwindled in power. Once formidable, they were now reduced to a mere shadow of their former selves, their ranks depleted to a handful of individuals. Nevertheless, Chu Lian, as a wildcard, possessed the potential to change this trajectory. Yet, his bold declarations, given his current strength, risked inviting disaster, as Dao Realm beings could swiftly eliminate any potential threats.

Although Ling Huang harbored dissatisfaction and resentment toward the ancestors of the Spiritual Royal Family, as the queen, her foremost concern was the family’s interests. She admired Chu Lian’s courage and audacity, contemplating the possibility of sparing his life once she learned the secrets of his potential.

“The actions of the Spiritual Royal Family are indeed intolerable. Retribution will inevitably come,” Ling Huang reassured Chu Lian, her tone measured. She suggested that perhaps his parents were not in imminent danger but merely trapped somewhere.

Currently, the members of the ghost clan and the Heavenly clan enlisted by the Spiritual Royal Family were not in jeopardy as long as they remained obedient. Ling Huang explained that they were detained in a specific location, required for the maintenance of the grand formation and the forthcoming grand sacrifice.

Although Gu Changge’s intervention halted the Spiritual Royal Family’s plans to reach the “Real World of Mountains and Seas,” their efforts to revive the Spiritual Realm persisted.

Chu Lian, however, remained resolute in his acceptance of his parents’ fate. “Miss Huang, there’s no need to console me. I’ve come to terms with reality. I received news of my parents’ demise long ago,” he asserted, surprising Ling Huang, who had failed to uncover any information regarding Chu Lian’s master among the personnel she dispatched. This revelation prompted her to keep a closer watch on him.

As Chu Lian approached the homeland of the ghost clan, standing atop a hill, his emotions churned as he gazed upon the dilapidated relic before him. The remnants of the past had vanished, leaving only crumbling walls, overgrown with vines, and a temple reduced to rubble and charred beams.

“Is this where you lived as a kid, Brother?” Ming Xiu, perched on the horse’s back, couldn’t help but inquire, her curiosity piqued by the sight of the relic.

Ling Huang, though taken aback, remained silent, observing Chu Lian intently, eager to discern his intentions. She pondered the potential consequences of attacking him, wary of invoking an unforeseen backlash of luck.

Knowing the risks, Chu Lian was cautious not to reveal his true purpose. The Orb of Ambitions was his most closely guarded secret, essential for his ascent. He couldn’t afford to divulge it, even to his sister. Despite their seemingly close bond, Chu Lian hesitated to place complete trust in Ling Huang, whose background remained shrouded in mystery.

“I left behind something of great importance from my parents before departing our homeland. I wonder if it’s still here after all these years. I intend to retrieve it,” Chu Lian explained, a hint of regret coloring his tone. “It holds significant sentimental value to me.”

Understanding his plight, Ming Xiu offered her assistance eagerly. “I’ll help you find it, Senior Brother. What are we looking for?”

Chu Lian shook his head. “There are too many venomous insects there. It’s best for you to stay here and save me the trouble.”

At the mention of venomous insects, Ming Xiu’s face paled, clearly apprehensive.

Ling Huang remained skeptical of Chu Lian’s words, but she was in no rush to uncover his true intentions. She believed that in her presence, his motives would eventually become apparent.

“Why don’t I send some people to assist Chu Lian in the search? The area here is quite vast. With just your strength, it might take a while to find it,” Ling Huang suggested, despite her doubts.

Chu Lian waved off her offer. “This matter doesn’t require your assistance, Miss. Only I can sense its presence. Even if you send help, it won’t be of any use.”

Chu Lian’s ability to perceive luck was a result of the Orb of Ambitions, a treasure of immense power.

Accepting his decision, Ling Huang signaled for her maids and guards to stand down. Soon, Chu Lian transformed into a luminous figure and darted ahead, leaving Ming Xiu and the others waiting atop the mountain.

Meanwhile, Ling Huang returned to her carriage, closing her eyes to focus on Chu Lian’s movements. To her surprise, his aura vanished completely after he disappeared from her sight, as if evaporating into thin air.

“It seems he truly possesses a remarkable treasure, capable of concealing not only his own presence but also celestial opportunities. It’s truly remarkable,” Ling Huang mused, her eyes betraying a hint of intrigue.

Just as she contemplated her next move, a transmission reached her ears from a distant source.

“What… The lord has left the palace and is coming to see me in person…”

Ling Huang’s initial displeasure morphed into intense agitation and disbelief. She struggled to comprehend the news, her expression reflecting her inner turmoil.