I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1783. One Day It Will Be Taken Back— The Replacement of the Lord of Substitute Heaven

Yao Yao returned in disappointment, and Jiang Weiyang shared the same sense of loss.

In the following days, Yao Yao repeatedly went to Gu Changge’s courtyard, but each time she found it empty—there was no sign of him, and no one knew where he had gone.

Helpless, she could only bring Jiang Weiyang and the others to temporarily stay within the Heaven-Defying Alliance.

Jiang Weiyang, beyond her curiosity about Gu Changge, was also deeply intrigued by the Heaven-Defying Alliance itself—a force the outside world feared like a venomous serpent and spoke of in terror.

Though she had not met Gu Changge, since she had finally entered the Heaven-Defying Alliance, she was not willing to miss the chance to explore it.

During her stay, she would bring several maidservants every day, wandering through the ancient cities of the alliance, observing its strange and extraordinary cultivators, trying to understand what made this force so feared by the outside world.

Yet she gradually realized something surprising.

There was nothing particularly different from ordinary ancient cities.

The order was strict. Everything was well-regulated and orderly.

The only difference was that the cultivators and beings living within the Heaven-Defying Alliance seemed entirely unconcerned about the coming Black Calamity or external invasions.

This peaceful, settled life even gave Jiang Weiyang a dreamlike feeling.

Was this really the Heaven-Defying Alliance, described by the world as a demonic abyss more dangerous than dragon pools or tiger dens?

Especially now, when the entire vast world was in a state of chaos—various orthodox factions were overwhelmed and had no time to maintain order.

Even within the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, news of uprisings and wars had spread everywhere. Many powerful lords with deep foundations had seized territories, proclaimed themselves kings, and even attempted to overthrow imperial rule.

“Is the Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Defying Alliance truly going to usher in a completely new era? If I could witness it myself, how wonderful that would be…”

Jiang Weiyang’s crystal-clear eyes were filled with longing and anticipation.

Within the depths of the Zhengyi Alliance.

The Weiyang Emperor sat at the center, wearing imperial robes and a crown, his gaze deep and unfathomable. Behind him stood massive primordial heaven-pillar structures.

Each pillar was forged from rare mother metals and engraved with ancient, complex runes that emitted dazzling light. At their center was a flawless round mirror—pure, ancient, and vast.

The mirror radiated boundless light, covering the entire territory of the Zhengyi Alliance like the eye of a heavenly emperor, surveying all realms.

Any living being that entered the territory would be reflected within it without exception.

Below the Weiyang Emperor stood several deputy alliance leaders and high-ranking officials.

“Alliance Leader, it seems the Heaven-Defying Alliance does not intend to act, nor interfere with the formation of the Immortal Dao Alliance. Our plan to sit back and watch them fight each other has failed. I didn’t expect the Heaven-Defying Alliance’s leader to actually choose restraint at such a time,” one deputy said slowly.

“If he is not foolish, he would know that obstructing the formation of the Immortal Dao Alliance now would provoke public outrage, leading to attacks from all factions,” another said thoughtfully. “But I previously thought this was unwise. Even though their withdrawal gives us breathing room, the Heaven-Defying Alliance is still stronger than us on the surface. It won’t be long before they return.”

A third person frowned and retorted, “There’s no need to boost others’ morale and belittle ourselves. The Heaven-Defying Alliance has already angered many factions. They are merely waiting for an opportunity to rise against them. The Heaven-Defying Alliance will eventually destroy itself.”

“Perhaps the formation of the Immortal Dao Alliance will be our chance to stand on equal footing with them.”

The thoughts of the Zhengyi Alliance’s upper ranks were in turmoil.

Originally, they had all expected to watch a spectacle—waiting for the Heaven-Defying Alliance to provoke public anger and fall.

But unexpectedly, the Heaven-Defying Alliance’s leader had not acted as arrogantly as they assumed. Instead, he chose to step back.

This was indeed a wise decision. Yet it also rendered many of the Zhengyi Alliance’s plans useless, forcing them to reconsider.

Although the Black Source catastrophe still loomed above all beings, the greatest concern of the Zhengyi Alliance remained the Heaven-Defying Alliance itself.

As long as it existed, they could not rest easily.

At that moment, a deputy stepped forward and said, “Alliance Leader, may we ask that mysterious white-robed senior to act again? The Heaven-Defying Alliance’s deputy leader Ling Yuling has been exiled into the void of nothingness and has yet to return. Apart from their leader, there are not many capable individuals in the entire alliance.”

“The forbidden zone beings are not loyal enough to die for the Heaven-Defying Alliance. In this war, they retreated when things turned unfavorable. If we can restrain their leader, the Heaven-Defying Alliance will collapse into chaos.”

“Once it falls, everything will scatter. Even those forbidden beings won’t risk their lives for it. The newly formed Immortal Dao Alliance will also be insignificant compared to us. At that time, all forces will naturally submit to the Zhengyi Alliance.”

“After unifying all civilizations of the vast world, we can then deal with the Black Calamity and the source of darkness.”

“And above all, is not that mysterious existence behind you still there? Why not ask him to act when necessary?”

This was no secret within the Zhengyi Alliance.

Everyone knew the Weiyang Emperor was merely a chosen figure supported by that mysterious existence.

The Weiyang Emperor sat unmoving, his expression deep. “To launch a counterattack against the Heaven-Defying Alliance at this moment… is it truly appropriate? Their foundation has only revealed the tip of the iceberg. Their leader is equally mysterious. Dealing with him requires careful consideration. One wrong step, and the Zhengyi Alliance will be doomed.”

“Do you think I do not wish to act? Without the Heaven-Defying Alliance, would the world be in such chaos today? Countless civilizations are on the verge of extinction. The one behind me will act—but not now.”

“Yes, Alliance Leader is wise,” the deputy quickly replied, slightly fearful.

At the same time—In the Small Western Sacred Region, a vast expanse of endless waters stretched across the land.

Waves surged like worlds colliding. Every ripple seemed like the birth and destruction of universes.

At the center stood a majestic palace complex shrouded in mist, resembling the heavenly court of ancient myth.

Four enormous gates stood in the cardinal directions—North, South, East, and West—piercing the heavens.

Streams of light from across the world converged here into the palace depths.

“This is an imitation of the legendary Heavenly Court. Truly, what ambition.”

A luxurious carriage emerged from spacetime ripples. A woman in a red dress stepped out—her figure graceful and alluring. It was Qi Luo.

Beside her, an old man in a Taoist robe said calmly, “The ancestor is merely imitating the Lord of Substitute Heaven. He once tried to establish ‘Heavenly Dominion,’ later renamed ‘Heavenly Court.’ It is not the same as the ancient legend.”

Qi Luo said nothing.

The ancestor they referred to was Ancestor Xu—once a follower of the Lord of Substitute Heaven.

“Why has Ancestor summoned me?” Qi Luo asked indifferently.

“You will know when you see him,” the old man replied smoothly.

Soon, Qi Luo entered a vast hall where mist filled everything. At the center sat a vague, shapeless figure. His face constantly changed, finally becoming featureless.

“Long time no see, Qi Luo,” the voice echoed from all directions.

Qi Luo felt immense pressure, though she kept her expression calm.

“As expected of Ancestor Xu…” She thought inwardly.

Then Xu said softly, “I want to make another deal.”

“What deal?”

“I have already studied the flesh fragments of the Lord of Substitute Heaven.”

His tone turned faintly meaningful.

“Those fragments are meaningless to me. They are not his. One day, they will all be taken back by him.”

“I now understand why he is so powerful… Why does he exist at a level beyond our reach.”

Qi Luo’s pupils contracted violently.

If true—Then the goal of replacing the Lord of Substitute Heaven was not madness.

It was… truly possible. Her mind trembled, shaken to its core.