I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1249

Chapter 1249: Intrigue and Deception

The might of the Underworld clan was formidable and capable of dominating any living beings in the world. Whether tangible or intangible, it served as their physical vessel. Without this strength, the clan would not instill fear in the mortal world and would inevitably succumb to the flow of history.

At the forefront stood Ni Chen, recognized as the most tyrannical genius the Underworld Clan had witnessed over many eras. Despite his exceptional talent, he came close to surpassing the emperor’s realm but ultimately fell short.

Time was insufficient for him to grasp an upper realm and reach that level due to a catastrophic event in the Underworld Realm. External powerhouses from other realms attacked, shattering the Underworld Realm and reducing it to ruins.

Ni Chen recalled his father, the last emperor of the Underworld clan. Who, during the decisive battle, lured the most potent enemies to a distant expanse to sacrifice himself. This act allowed Ni Chen to survive, preserving vitality and hope for the Underworld clan.

“My life has improved, though still distant from the true spirit. The average immortal cultivator doesn’t match my prowess. The Mountain and Sea Realm, Yin Realm— I’ll make all our enemies pay for their pain and hatred,” declared Ni Chen with deep-seated animosity.

Seated in a desolate star field, Ni Chen harbored a profound hatred in his eyes.

Sooner or later, this world will be our new homeland. I’ll guide you to rediscover the outside world.

The remaining Underworld clan members resided in an isolated small world, fearing discovery by the powerhouses that once decimated the Underworld Realm. Ni Chen implemented a Yin-Yang reincarnation formation around the small world. This creation formed an impenetrable vortex, designed to thwart deduction and traces.

However, the small world was on the verge of decay. If Ni Chen couldn’t seize the world of mountains and seas within a hundred years, he would be forced to evacuate all the clan members. Failure to do so would destroy them, entombing them alongside the small world’s ruins.

Despite appearing calm, Ni Chen felt the urgency of time and realized the impending fate of his clan.

Hundred years – ample time for me, don’t worry. Yan’er, father, mother, brothers – we’ll reunite soon.

Regaining composure, he waved his sleeve, absorbing the soul fires before him – remnants of the Underworld Clan’s ancestors. Through a secret technique, they lingered in the world and were ready to aid Ni Chen in times of crisis. Although their strength was a mere fraction of the peak, when united, they could contend with an Immortal King—a crucial trump card for Ni Chen.

Raising his right hand, Ni Chen conjured a vortex of a starry sky. Gazing into it, he recognized it as his current incarnation realm, equal to the immortal realm. Closing his eyes, Ni Chen immersed his spiritual thoughts into the vortex, connecting with every corner of the star field and making it an extension of himself.

A peculiar sensation enveloped Ni Chen; feeling like the vast starry sky was an extension of his being. Though immobile and lacking divine powers, this Dao avatar held dominion over all life in the world, with every outsider becoming his subject – his realm.

Yet, as Ni Chen contemplated expanding this world, his expression shifted. Frowning, he detected a disturbance from the end of the star field, akin to footsteps in the vast sky.

Who approaches?

Ni Chen’s face betrayed uncertainty, a sudden uneasiness gripping his heart as if he had become the target of something.

“At this moment, who ventures into this desolate star field?” he questioned, quickly regaining composure. Even a true immortal posed no threat to him within this star field.

Ni Chen’s initial suspicion fell upon the enemies who had relentlessly pursued and slaughtered the Underworld Clan. Their relentless pursuit aimed to eradicate the Underworld Clan from existence.

However, the mortal world of mountains and seas lay shattered, challenging their pursuit. Ni Chen himself had navigated numerous crises to end up in this desolate location.

As Ni Chen contemplated these thoughts, his expression grew increasingly severe. A distant figure began to laugh, seemingly aware of Ni Chen’s concealed presence.

“You’re adept at hiding, but I’ve uncovered you,” remarked the handsome young man with wide sleeves in a white robe. His face bore a calm and confident smile as he advanced slowly. The starry sky under his feet created ripples that swiftly enveloped Ni Chen.

Recognition flashed in Ni Chen’s eyes. The young man before him was none other than Wang Wushang. He was the contemporary descendant of the Immortal King family’s Wang lineage. Ni Chen, with his keen eyesight, perceived the deceptive nature behind Wang Wushang’s humble appearance.

Ni Chen’s pupils were constricted.

“It’s you…”

Wang Wushang, who Wang Ziji had once saved on a vast battlefield, had stayed with the Wang family for a time. Ni Chen’s sharp vision had discerned Wang Wushang’s ruthlessness, especially in his willingness to sacrifice his cousin Wang Ziji and Luo Xuan to befriend Luo Wang Mansion.

With a composed demeanor, Ni Chen inquired, “How come you are here?”

Concealing any disturbance, he maintained a flat tone. Despite having a plan to infiltrate the Wang family through Wang Ziji, Ni Chen had not expected Wang Wushang to expedite this strategy.

Wang Wushang explained calmly, “You’re hiding here, so naturally, I had no choice but to find you.”

His indifferent expression and calm demeanor conveyed a predatory gaze as he regarded Ni Chen.

“Do not fret; I discreetly marked you when you were in the Wang family. As long as you remain within the Immortal Domain’s scope and not too far from me, I’ll have a way to locate you,” he added with calculated assurance.

Hearing Wang Wushang’s revelation, Ni Chen’s heart sank as memories of his time in the Wang family resurfaced. Though he couldn’t have made such a mistake, he meticulously assessed his situation. Wang Wushang’s method of leaving a mark proved more terrible than Ni Chen had anticipated.

Indifferently, Ni Chen stood up and confronted Wang Wushang directly.

“Are you so confident in dealing with me?”

Wang Wushang, walking calmly, responded, “Naturally. Without this confidence, I wouldn’t dare to approach you. You might be puzzled as to why I would target you, but now that we’re here, I’ll enlighten you.”

He continued, “You shouldn’t have been rescued by Ziji’s cousin, and you shouldn’t have offended Brother Luo, becoming an obstacle to the marriage between my Wang family and the Luo family. Therefore, I must eliminate you, the obstruction in our path.”

Wang Wushang’s smile faded, replaced by a chilling expression. Ni Chen, initially taken aback, quickly grasped the situation. Was he being targeted because he stood in the way of the marriage between the Wang family and the Luo family?

The realization dawned on Ni Chen, and he began to understand the implications of his connection with Wang Ziji.

Reflecting on his limited interactions with Wang Ziji, Ni Chen sensed her uniqueness and unpredictability. During his recovery at the Wang family, Wang Ziji’s assistance had accelerated his healing. Observing her displeasure during Luo Xuan’s visit, Ni Chen couldn’t resist intervening. He scolded Luo Xuan when he persisted in bothering Wang Ziji.

Ni Chen had indeed offended Luo Xuan by intervening in the matter of the Wang family and the Luo family’s marriage. However, Wang Ziji’s attitude toward him remained unchanged – casual and natural. This demeanor extended to everyone around her, including the maids, Luo Xuan, and even Wang Wushang. It seemed as though everyone was equal in her eyes. Ni Chen found her attitude impressive, and the mere thought of her could quicken his heartbeat.

Observing a subtle shift in Ni Chen’s expression, a smirk crossed Wang Wushang’s face as he walked. His earlier explanation about Luo Xuan was a casual diversion intended to distract Ni Chen. His true motive for coming here was rooted in Ni Chen’s identity – the Underworld Clan.

Wang Wushang sought the divine powers of the Underworld Clan as the Immortal Domain teetered on the brink of chaos. Acquiring such powers could secure his position in the uncertain future.

Guided by the clan’s records and information from the immortal king’s ancestor, he had confirmed Ni Chen as the last survivor of the Niming clan. An nearly extinct and eradicated race in the vast heavens. Despite their scarcity, the Underworld Clan’s name was etched into the Underworld Realm’s history, underscoring their power and terror.