I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1692. The morning dew dampened my clothes, and the promise given by Gu Changge

Was it thousands of years, or tens of thousands?

Lin Qiuhan couldn’t remember the last time she met Gu Changge. It seemed to have been when he wore a celebratory red robe, marrying the Saintess of the Human Ancestor Temple in the grand palace of the Divine Kingdom.

She only remembered standing in a corner, feeling a bit dazed, melancholic, lost, and confused as she watched everything, then slowly retreating, trying not to be noticed. She gripped her sleeve with one hand, hid in a corner where no one noticed, and then quietly left.

No one noticed her presence, nor her departure. She was like an unnoticed breeze, gently passing by and then vanishing.

The unexpected joy of their reunion after so many years dominated her emotions. Especially since Gu Changge had come alone and especially to see her.

At least in this moment, Lin Qiuhan felt content and happy. Just earlier, she had even done something she’d never dared to do before: she touched and sensed his warmth and inhaled his scent, which was as warm as spring.

Even if the world were to collapse tomorrow, if the end were to come, she would have no regrets.

In the spotless courtyard, although the moonlight was cold, to Lin Qiuhan, it felt unusually gentle now.

She sat upright, meticulously, her hands propping up her chin. Her gaze seemed to reflect the moonlight. She was very close to Gu Changge and could hear his voice, smooth as jade, as soft as clear spring water. It felt like his voice was right beside her ear.

The tea steamed gently, its fragrance filling the courtyard, fresh and rich, like wildflowers blooming in the cold spring.

Lin Qiuhan wasn’t very skilled at making tea, but she had learned from Su Qingge about Gu Changge’s preferences, so she secretly remembered them and practiced.

She even specifically prepared many rare ancient teas. Perhaps in Gu Changge’s eyes, they were now commonplace and insignificant, but they were carefully selected by her and kept for him.

Fortunately, Gu Changge didn’t dislike it. After tasting it, he even praised her for her good skills.

With Gu Changge’s praise, Lin Qiuhan became even happier, her face full of smiles as she looked at him closely.

She listened to him recount some of his recent experiences, his stories about many people, things, and places outside the vastness, even though she didn’t fully understand, she didn’t feel bored. Just hearing his voice was enough for her.

She also shared her experiences from these years in the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, talking about various alchemy techniques and some interesting things she had encountered.

For example, several years ago, there was an old monster who seemed to have awakened from a time in the long river. He visited many alchemy sects in the Dao Chang True Realm, wanting to make three lost ancient pills. However, he only knew the names of the pills, not the formulas.

The alchemy sects he visited were distressed and tormented. Some who accidentally angered him were wiped out overnight. His notorious reputation spread among the alchemy sects in the Dao Chang True Realm, and even the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect heard of it and became worried, fearing that he might come to cause trouble.

Many alchemy sects, seeing this, secretly plotted to lure the old monster to the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, diverting the trouble eastward.

As expected, when the old monster found out that the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect was now the top alchemy sect in the Dao Chang True Realm, he quickly arrived, his cultivation comparable to that of an Immortal Emperor, directly intimidating the entire Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect.

At that time, the strongest in the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect was only barely at the True Immortal level, far from reaching the Immortal King realm. If you compare their real foundations, they were certainly not as strong as the many alchemy sects that had first established themselves in the Immortal Domain.

Of course, there were many Immortal Kings who had good relations with the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, but facing an old monster who was comparable to an Immortal Emperor, no one dared to intervene rashly, let alone offer help.As the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect was about to face disaster, Lin Qiuhan, who was in seclusion to study alchemy deep within the sect, was called out by many elders and ancestors. They wanted her to go to the Destroying Heaven Alliance to request help from a powerful figure, as the people in the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect knew about her connection to Gu Changge.

She had no choice but to prepare to head to the Destroying Heaven Alliance, hoping to secure some help from a strong ally. However, no one expected that the old monster, having somehow caught wind of the situation, thought she was Gu Changge’s woman. He was so terrified that his soul nearly left his body. Without a word, he knelt outside the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, claiming that he had no intention of offending her.

This incident stirred quite a commotion in the Dao Chang True Realm at the time.

An old monster whose power was comparable to an Immortal Emperor would be highly regarded even within the Destroying Heaven Alliance, but who could have imagined that he would kneel outside the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect in such a disgraceful manner?

This just showed that even though Gu Changge had disappeared from the Dao Chang True Realm, the fearsome reputation he left behind still struck terror into everyone, including even the old monsters who had returned from the river of time.

This event also made many forces and cultivators feel a sense of awe, and it further solidified the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect’s position.

Aside from recounting these interesting events, Lin Qiuhan also shared the story of her relationship with her master, Ziyan.

When Gu Changge brought her to the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, it sparked a fierce competition among many elders, all eager to take her as their disciple. However, in the end, it was Ziyan, the Sect Master of the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, who appeared in person and took Lin Qiuhan as her disciple, also giving Gu Changge a token that allowed him to summon all the alchemists of the sect.

After that, Lin Qiuhan followed Ziyan closely, devoting herself to alchemy, progressing rapidly. From a young woman with little foundation from the lower realms, she gradually became the Sect Master’s top disciple and a renowned alchemy genius within the sect, gaining some fame in the surrounding alchemy sects.

Without her master, Ziyan’s selfless teaching and guidance, she would not have achieved her current progress and status.

Ziyan, knowing that Gu Changge had sent her to the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect for a purpose, still devoted herself to training and teaching Lin Qiuhan everything about alchemy, from medicinal theories to ancient techniques, pouring countless resources into her.

For Lin Qiuhan, Ziyan was both a teacher and an elder sister, and she would never be able to repay her kindness in this life.

Time passed quickly, and soon a pale light appeared on the horizon, signaling the rising sun. Lin Qiuhan suddenly came to her senses. She and Gu Changge had been talking all night until dawn, yet she still felt energized and didn’t notice the passage of time.

Aside from feeling some sadness and longing when talking about her master’s passing, the entire night of conversation had been full of joy and happiness. It had been a long time since she had spoken so freely with Gu Changge, sharing sorrow and joy, sharing her thoughts and feelings.

“Take me to see your master’s grave.”

Gu Changge stood up and looked at the sky where the first light of day appeared, thought for a moment, and then spoke with a smile.

Lin Qiuhan was shocked but then nodded. She stood up, returned to the room, and grabbed a bamboo basket.

“Please wait for a moment, young master. I’ll prepare some of the dishes and drinks my master used to love.”

She picked up the bamboo basket, not caring about the dew still covering the paths beside the vegetable garden. With the corner of her skirt lifted, she crouched down in the garden and began picking leaves.

These plants were ones she had planted herself when she had free time, and next door was a medicinal herb garden. She had taken care of it, and the plants were growing remarkably well, bathed in a misty, ethereal light.

The cool breeze blew, bringing with it the sweet aroma of herbs and the earthy fragrance of the soil.

Gu Changge watched this scene from outside the garden. His gaze was calm, but in his mind, it overlapped with another familiar scene.

Back when they were in Qingshan Village, Su Qingge had often done the same. Early in the morning, she would carry a vegetable basket, head straight into the garden, and pick various fresh vegetables and vines, smiling happily with a natural, carefree joy on her face.

“Morning breaks, and I tidy up the wilderness, returning with the hoe under the moonlight. The path is narrow, and the grass grows long. The evening dew soaks my clothes…” Gu Changge couldn’t help but softly recite the poem.

This scene of harmony between man and nature, where all things in heaven and earth are united, might be the ultimate rule of evolution and development in the world.

Heaven follows its own principles, humans have their laws, and when heaven and humanity align, it is nature.

Soon, Lin Qiuhan took her bamboo basket and went to the kitchen, tying an apron around her waist, rolling up her sleeves, and began to busy herself. Gu Changge did not hurry her.

After bringing Lin Qiuhan to the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, he had always left her care to Ziyan, and to Lin Qiuhan, Ziyan was not just her master. So, Gu Changge understood her sentiments.

Several hours later, in a scenic area nestled within the mountains, where clouds and mist enveloped the region, Gu Changge arrived at the grave of Lin Qiuhan’s master, Ziyan.

The grave was simple and unadorned. On the jade-green tombstone, about a person’s height, a few elegant lines were inscribed, “Tomb of Master Ziyan,” and nothing more.

Around it, there was no thick overgrowth. Lin Qiuhan often came here to tend and clean it. She had also left behind some array formations to ensure the area remained clean and undisturbed.

Her master, Ziyan, had always been a lover of cleanliness and serenity, so after her passing, Lin Qiuhan didn’t want anyone to disturb her resting place.

“Master, today, the young master and I have come to see you…” Lin Qiuhan gazed at the tombstone, a wave of sorrow and longing filling her eyes. She then carefully placed the dishes and wine she had prepared.

Gu Changge observed the scene but said little. He was not familiar with Ziyan, having only met her once when he first arrived at the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect. After that, they had no further interactions, and he no longer remembered her face or voice. Of course, if he wished, he could easily revisit that moment, even make time rewind to that very instant.

However, life and death were natural laws, the inevitable cycle of all things in the world. Although Ziyan was Lin Qiuhan’s master, her passing made Lin Qiuhan deeply sad, but Gu Changge did not want to interfere with these natural processes.

The revival of a small figure may not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, but when it comes to the laws of life and death, attempting to alter the natural cycle could lead to unpredictable consequences and mistakes.

Gu Changge didn’t want to see the Dao Chang True Realm, which was now on the right path, veering in an unintended direction.

“Thank you for taking care of Qiuhan all these years.”

“Because of your kindness, the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect will pass it down for generations, its legacy will never fade.”

Looking at the melancholic Lin Qiuhan, Gu Changge stood up and poured the wine, calmly sprinkling it onto the tombstone.

This was his promise to Ziyan and to the entire Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect.

“Young master…” Lin Qiuhan turned to look at him, slightly startled.

Gu Changge did not explain further but simply told her, “In twenty years, you will see your master again…”

He did not go into detail about how this would happen. After checking Ziyan’s fate, he knew that although she had passed away thousands of years ago, she would inevitably reincarnate and meet Lin Qiuhan again in twenty years.

“Young master, is… is this really true?” Lin Qiuhan was stunned by his words, her face filled with disbelief and joy. Her voice trembled slightly.

She didn’t know how Gu Changge could know this, but considering his extraordinary powers, she could not doubt his words.

“It’s true,” Gu Changge nodded.”That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful…”

Lin Qiuhan threw herself into Gu Changge’s arms, her face beaming with joy and excitement, almost moved to tears.

Twenty years, twenty years…

For her current cultivation, twenty years felt like the blink of an eye, just the time it would take to complete a retreat.

The day she would meet her master again was not far away.

A few days later, under Lin Qiuhan’s reluctant gaze, Gu Changge left the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect. He left behind many alchemical formulas and ancient books, records that didn’t belong to the Dao Chang True Realm. If Lin Qiuhan wanted to fully study them, it would take a long time.

However, the time she spent studying them would be enough for her strength and alchemy skills to undergo a tremendous transformation.

Gu Changge didn’t expect Lin Qiuhan to forge her own path in alchemy within the Dao Chang True Realm. Though she had good talent, it was still far from enough to create her own way.

And if Lin Qiuhan wanted to help him, it might only be when she reached a level where she could touch the Dao Realm.

Gu Changge didn’t expect any return from her. Whether this act was in some way a compensation for how he had once used her, only he knew.

Back in the Divine Kingdom, Yao Yao was still refining her foundation, but in just a few days, her power had changed almost beyond recognition, transforming completely.

From being a little girl with no cultivation, she now had the foundation of the Saint Realm, astonishing even Wang Zijin, who was watching, who couldn’t help but exclaim that she was ‘cheating.’

When Yao Yao was born, she had absorbed the energy from several star domains and had only a barely adequate foundation in the Saint Realm.

Now, in the early stages of refining her foundation, she already showed such miraculous results, a testament to the immense fortune and benefits Gu Changge had bestowed upon her.

Naturally, during the process of refining her foundation, Yao Yao’s body was also growing. From a porcelain-like little girl, she had transformed into a young girl about thirteen or fourteen years old.

Her bone age was hard to calculate, but reshaping her foundation essentially overturned her previous age, giving her a new start. If anyone tried to calculate her age, they would find that she now appeared similar to a few-month-old infant.

This was a method that defied the natural order, and aside from Gu Changge, no one else would dare to do such a thing.

As Yao Yao grew, her appearance began to resemble Gu Xian’er and Tao Yao, but with a mark like a peach blossom petal near the corner of her right eye. It wasn’t very big, more like a teardrop-shaped mole, which gave her a mysterious, somewhat broken beauty despite her young age.

After seeing Yao Yao’s condition, Gu Changge left the Divine Kingdom once again. He visited the families of the followers who had once followed him, and some of the younger generation had perished or died in battle during their pursuit of the Dao. Some had become great heroes, commanding respect from all sides.

The young master of the Yasha Clan, Ye Han, who had once been highly favored by Gu Changge, had become the clan leader of the Yasha Clan, which was now one of the top thousand families in the Dao Chang True Realm.

After Gu Changge’s betrayal of the upper realm, large parts of the universe had collapsed, and many ancient clans had either perished or declined. Only a few had survived.

The Yasha Clan, having followed Gu Changge all this time, had expanded and grown stronger, and it wasn’t surprising to see them with such strength now.

After observing the Yasha Clan, Gu Changge left without making an appearance. Meanwhile, Ye Han, sitting in the clan’s palace, conversing with his descendants, seemed to feel a strange sensation. He glanced toward the outside with a hint of confusion.

“Strange…”

He shook his head, feeling as though someone was watching him, but it felt like just an illusion.

Ye Han didn’t pay much attention and continued chatting with his descendants, reminiscing about the past, when he had followed Gu Changge through battles and conquests.

Although he had once been Gu Changge’s follower, after the Eight Wilderness and Ten Domains campaign, he hadn’t seen Gu Changge again and felt he had no right to do anything for him.

Years had passed, and the one he had once followed had become an existence beyond the reach of all, while Ye Han, enjoying the benefits of his past association, had reached his current position and was content with his fate.