I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1786. Related to the Dream Ember Era — Parting After We Met

Of course, when Gu Changge sent Jing Tianyuan into the Nightmare Demon Domain, it was not for him to enter in a high-profile manner; it would be enough for him to infiltrate in secret.

This time, the Heavenly Race would face an unprecedented crisis. After careful consideration, Gu Changge still decided to give Wuyue a reminder.

Given his current identity, it was impossible for him to meet Wuyue directly.

So he thought of Jing Tianyuan, letting him carry that item into the Nightmare Demon Domain.

Based on Gu Changge’s understanding of Wuyue, she would definitely be able to guess his intention.

“However, perhaps I am overthinking it. So many years have passed—Wuyue cannot possibly have made no progress. One should look at a person with new eyes after three days apart, let alone her…” Gu Changge’s gaze carried a trace of nostalgia.

As his thoughts drifted, he still remembered when he first found Wuyue.

Back then, she was just a weak and sickly little beast abandoned by the Nightmare Race, lying prone in the barren and desolate ice plains, quietly awaiting her fate of becoming food for other demonic beasts.

That day, the wind and snow were endless, the world was pure white. Around the ice plains, many beasts were drawn by the scent, circling like wolves, staring at the little beast and waiting for it to die.

The Nightmare Race was a clan that fed on nightmares, born with powerful demonic energy, and rarely left their tribal spacetime to fall into the demon domain.

For ordinary beasts, even a small, insignificant Nightmare beast possessed terrifying demonic power.

As its aura grew weaker, the demonic energy it released became more and more, like drifting purple mist—brilliant and dreamlike—covering the snowy sky.

Just like its life: born from heaven and earth, and returning to heaven and earth after death.

The snow grew heavier, and more and more beasts gathered.

All were waiting for the beginning of this feast.

Gu Changge himself did not know what he felt at the time—perhaps he simply noticed that the little beast’s gaze in the face of death was unexpectedly calm, or perhaps it was a trace of pity and curiosity.

Maybe he did not understand why life was so fragile, or maybe he simply found it interesting.

So he walked over and picked it up.

“From now on, you will follow me…”

His thoughts returned.

Gu Changge watched Jing Tianyuan disappear, then slightly sensed something. He was somewhat surprised inwardly.

“Has Mingkong come out of seclusion?”

“She has already broken through to the Dao Realm.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He was not surprised at all that Moon Mingkong could achieve such a breakthrough speed.

Because long ago, Gu Changge had already noticed her special nature. Moreover, the Mysterious Dream Immortal Technique she created contained profound mysteries that even Dao Realm existences could hardly perceive.

One must know—that was a technique she created only at the level of the Immortal Dao. However, Gu Changge did not probe deeply or investigate further, nor did he ask. To him, since they were already married, they should learn to trust and respect each other first. He had never actively chosen to trust anyone before, but this time, he wanted to try—to start with those around him.

Of course, Gu Changge also knew that Moon Mingkong would eventually tell him everything.

Soon, space-time ripples appeared before him, and Gu Changge stepped forward, disappearing in an instant.

At the same time, in the Patching Heaven Alliance, Purple Heaven Mountain.

“So much time has passed, and it seems the master of Purple Heaven Mountain still has not given us a satisfactory answer. Do you really think dragging things out will solve everything?”

Within the great hall, a mass of purple mist, indistinct and shifting, rose and fell unpredictably.

Within it, terrifying and eerie auras surged, as though countless demonic shadows stood upright.

The voice that came from within was cold and stern, filled with killing intent, causing the entire spacetime to feel as if it was about to freeze.

Cold sweat appeared on Zi Wanhe’s face as he cupped his hands and said:

“Sir, it is not that I am deliberately delaying, but I truly cannot find Daochang’s whereabouts. The boundless expanse contains countless spacetime layers, yet there is not a single place or faction named Daochang. It is as if an unknown terrifying force has erased these two words from the entire expanse.”

“The Dream Ghost Clan possesses vast and unfathomable abilities—even they cannot find Daochang. How could I possibly find it?”

He was inwardly full of misery. He should never have made a transaction with the Dream Ghost Clan. Now he was bound by constraints, constantly fearful and uneasy.

Even the Dream Ghost Clan could not find Daochang—how could he possibly do so?

“According to prophecy, Daochang is connected to the Patching Heaven Alliance. You are a high-ranking member of the alliance, yet you cannot even investigate this matter.”

The voice within the purple mist grew colder, seemingly angered.

Zi Wanhe was startled. The Dream Ghost Clan had not told him any of this before—how could he have known Daochang was connected to the alliance?

Did they expect him to ask the Alliance Master?

At that moment, the voice in the purple mist seemed to sense his thoughts and said coldly, “Master of Purple Heaven Mountain, this is your final chance. If you still cannot accomplish it, do not blame us for breaking the agreement.”

As the words fell, a purple symbol appeared on Zi Wanhe’s forehead, as if it had come alive. It began to glow brilliantly, wriggling as if trying to burrow into his sea of consciousness.

Zi Wanhe’s face immediately filled with fear and pain.

Even an existence who had survived eight heavenly tribulations could not withstand such agony; cold sweat poured down his body, soaking his robes. If that symbol entered his sea of consciousness, no one knew what would happen.

The Dream Ghost Clan came and left quickly, not giving Zi Wanhe any chance to refuse. He did not even know how they had silently entered the Patching Heaven Alliance.

Could they truly exist within the dreams of all beings?

“This method is truly overbearing… hateful. If I had been more cautious at the start and not agreed to the contract, I would not be in this situation.”

Zi Wanhe’s expression was grim, filled with resentment.

A figure who had survived eight heavenly tribulations, overlooking countless worlds—when had he ever been so humiliated?

All of this was because his true life essence had been seized through a contract.

“In ancient records, there was once an era called the Dream Ember Era… and the Dream Ghost Clan seems to be related to it.”

“The one who opened the Dream Ember Era once made all beings live within dreams. Even Dao Ancestor Realm existences could not distinguish illusion from reality. If the Dream Ghost Clan is truly related to that person, then such methods are not surprising…”

“Back then, I should not have underestimated them…”

His expression flickered between light and darkness, filled with regret.

Unfortunately, by the time he realized this, it was already too late.

Afterward, Zi Wanhe summoned several elders of Purple Heaven Mountain and issued instructions before transforming into a streak of divine light and leaving.

He did not know whether Gu Changge was currently in the Patching Heaven Alliance. With the Immortal Dao Alliance’s invitation ceremony approaching, he had no idea which existences would attend or what the alliance’s stance was.

Even the Zhengyi Alliance had already sent several high-level members with gifts.

Could it be that the Patching Heaven Alliance had other plans?

“Forget it. What does any of this have to do with me? The priority now is to preserve my cultivation.”

Zi Wanhe sighed and shook his head.

Because of the Dream Ghost Clan matter, he was already overwhelmed and had no energy to consider anything else. Even the treasures he longed for in the Merit Hall, he had no time to accumulate merit to exchange for.

If he could not resolve the Dream Ghost Clan contract, even if he did not die, he would lose a layer of skin—or even lose his cultivation entirely.

“Speaking of which, what exactly is the Dream Ghost Clan searching for Daochang for? Is there something there they desire?” Zi Wanhe pondered.

Meanwhile, after returning to the Daochang True Realm, Gu Changge did not immediately go see Moon Mingkong and the others.

Because the moment he stepped into the Daochang True Realm, the Ancestor of the Gu Family sensed his presence and transmitted a message, asking him to return to the Gu Family first.

Gu Changge did not conceal his aura. Apart from the Gu Family Ancestor, the other Dao Realm existences in Daochang True Realm could more or less sense his arrival.

After some thought, he did not refuse and stepped back into the Gu family grounds where he had once stayed.

The Gu Family was still prosperous and powerful, the strongest clan in the entire Daochang True Realm—without exception.

Apart from Gu Changge, over the years the Gu Family had also produced many individuals with deep fortune and great destiny.

In addition, with the Gu Family Ancestor—who appeared to be only at the Void Dao Realm but whose true strength was unfathomable—sitting in command, the foundation of the Gu Family was on an entirely different level compared to other clans and sects.

“Demon Lord, do you know of the changes in Moon Mingkong?”

The Gu Family Ancestor still lay leisurely on a vine chair in the courtyard. Only after Gu Changge arrived did he slowly rise and pour him a cup of tea.

Gu Changge did not mind his attitude and said indifferently, “I know a little.”

He did know something about Moon Mingkong’s changes, but not much.

Of course, he could also directly probe her, but doing so was no longer appropriate in his current mindset.

After all, she was now his wife—not a tool he could ignore her feelings about.

“You only know a little?”

“You have changed quite a bit yourself…”

The Gu Family Ancestor smiled.

Although he respected Gu Changge as the Demon Lord, from another perspective, Gu Changge was still a member of the Gu Family, and the blood of the Gu Family flowed within him.

What surprised him most was that Gu Changge would actually say he only knew a little.

Was there still anything in this world he could not see through?

It seemed he truly did not wish to investigate Moon Mingkong’s secrets.

Gu Changge asked, “Is that why you called me here?”

The Gu Family Ancestor looked at him and said, “Since you have returned, I need not worry. I am only concerned that Moon Mingkong may be affected, because her breakthrough to the Dao Realm involves secrets of an ancient era.”

“What era?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

The Gu Family Ancestor said solemnly, “Dream Ember Era.”

The Dream Ember Era was an era even more ancient than the Black Calamity Era. In the history of the entire expanse, eras like the Dream Ember Era and the Black Calamity Era were not uncommon, but none were as terrifying as the Black Calamity Era, nor as strange as the Dream Ember Era.

The Gu Family Ancestor had read records about it in the Gu Family’s ancient texts and thus knew some of its secrets.

That was why, upon Moon Mingkong’s emergence from seclusion, he sensed that her aura fluctuations resembled those recorded in the Dream Ember Era.

“Dream Ember Era…”

Gu Changge nodded slightly. He had not deeply studied the history of the expanse, because if he wanted to know, he could directly peer into the river of time.

At the moment those four words were mentioned, his gaze pierced through endless ages, across countless epochs, landing on a hazy and obscured era buried by unknown forces.

Mist surged like a veil across all worlds, as though the entire spacetime universe was wrapped in gray fog, completely isolated from the river of time.

Gu Changge’s brows furrowed slightly.

Another power similar to the “Transcendence Outline.”

“I am worried that during her return-to-dream ancient seclusion, she may have been contaminated by something strange. Of course, I also hope I am merely overthinking it,” said the Gu Family Ancestor.

“With me here, nothing will happen to her,” Gu Changge replied, nodding.

He withdrew his gaze and did not continue probing further.

Since the appearance of the Transcendence Outline, he had already had suspicions. Now even Gu Xian’er had come into contact with “taboo” power.

And now Moon Mingkong had also become entangled with the Dream Ember Era?

It seemed that as he had suspected—besides him, there were others scheming and plotting something.

He was waiting for them to reveal themselves, and they were also laying bait, waiting for him to take the hook.

“Just who among you is it? Or is it all of you?”

Gu Changge’s gaze deepened, his emotions undisturbed.

In truth, he had long suspected this. Even though he could not use the power of the True Realm now, obstructing his perception was not easy.

In today’s expanse—were there still such beings?

After leaving the Gu Family, Gu Changge appeared at the divine capital of Daochang True Realm. Looking at the magnificent palaces ahead, he stepped forward.

Within the divine hall, a tall and graceful figure sat quietly at the throne, head slightly lowered, holding a memorial scroll in her jade hands as she reviewed it.

At that moment, she seemed to sense something and turned around.

On her peerless face, like a painting of immortals, a breathtaking smile suddenly bloomed:

“Changge…”

That smile caused even the light of heaven and earth to fade. Even Gu Changge felt a moment of daze. For a long time, his heart—long undisturbed—was filled with a gentle warmth.

He walked forward and gently embraced her.