I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1818. The Uncrowned Emperor Appears, the Current Way to Break the Deadlock

“Jiang Yun greets all fellow Daoists.”

After the incarnation of the Uncrowned Emperor appeared, he first glanced at Jiang Weiyang before quickly understanding the situation before him.

“I already know what has happened at the Immortal Dao Alliance.”

“It is only that I am currently unable to communicate directly with my true body, so I do not know the plans being carried out on the side of the Zhengyi Alliance.”

“But please believe me. The Boundless Expanse is now in chaos, and an even more terrifying existence is about to enter the stage. That person has been plotting since ancient times, seeking to harvest the Dao Fruit of the Epochal Calamity. Aside from the Zhengyi Alliance, he also has deep ties with the Dark Race.”

“Many years ago, my true body fell victim to his schemes and was corroded by dark matter. I had no choice but to feign submission to him.”

“By now, no one knows how many of that person’s pawns are hidden within the Zhengyi Alliance.”

“In today’s Boundless Expanse, only the Heaven-Defying Alliance has the ability to resist and withstand this calamity. That is also why I instructed my daughter to flee to the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

He looked towards the guests and honored figures gathered there. His black hair hung loosely over his shoulders. His bearing was majestic and heroic, and within his deep eyes lingered a natural authority that inspired awe. He truly carried the demeanor of a peerless Human Emperor.

His words were like rolling divine thunder and the tolling of a great bell at dawn and dusk, containing a terrifying power that shook people’s hearts and spirits.

Many ancient beings remained skeptical and attempted to probe his aura. However, they quickly discovered that this truly was the Uncrowned Emperor. Within the incarnation was even a strand of his own origin essence. There was no possibility of forgery.

After their shock and astonishment, many people finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Truthfully, when those high-ranking members of the Zhengyi Alliance had questioned Gu Changge earlier, everyone present had tensed up.

If the Black Lotus Cult truly had been orchestrated entirely by Gu Changge himself, then who among those gathered here could possibly escape?

The Ethereal Ancestor remained silent, staring intently at the Uncrowned Emperor, trying to discern any abnormalities.

In truth, he still felt something was amiss.

The appearance of the Black Lotus Cult had indeed been strange, and from beginning to end Gu Changge had remained calm and composed. More accurately, he had been indifferent.

He should have known about the Black Lotus Cult’s emergence long ago.

So why had he reacted with such an attitude?

What was he planning?

Whether the Uncrowned Emperor’s words were true or false, the Ethereal Ancestor was certain that there were problems surrounding Gu Changge.

The only reassuring thing was that Gu Changge currently seemed to harbor no ill intent.

“If what the Uncrowned Emperor says is true, then the person behind the Zhengyi Alliance truly has grand ambitions.”

“To cooperate with the Dark Race for this purpose and wallow in the same mire with them.”

“We had already suspected that there was another mastermind behind the Zhengyi Alliance. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to gather so many powerful experts in such a short time.”

“Among them are even numerous beings who have survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations.”

“Nowadays, most of the beings in the Boundless Expanse who have survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations are unfamiliar faces. Yet how many people can truly identify those few individuals from the Zhengyi Alliance?”

Many ancient beings let cold light flash in their eyes as they looked toward the Zhengyi Alliance’s high-ranking members.

They still did not know that outside, the Zhengyi Alliance and Heaven-Defying Alliance had already begun an all-out war.

At present, the Ethereal Sacred Domain had been completely isolated from the outside world.

The entire region of spacetime had been severed.

Some Ancestor Dao Realm beings attempted to send their divine sense outward through the River of Time.

Yet they quickly failed. A terrifying force intercepted them midway.

If they had not withdrawn their divine sense in time, they would likely have suffered severe backlash in that very instant.

“Do you still have anything to say now?”

“Even your own alliance leader is standing here. How can you continue trying to argue your way out of this?”

The high-ranking members of the Heaven-Defying Alliance sneered coldly.

Especially when they looked at those who had questioned Gu Changge earlier, murderous intent surged from them.

The terrifying aura of slaughter became almost tangible, as if it could freeze and shatter the surrounding space.

“Heh. Using nothing more than a fabricated incarnation of the Uncrowned Emperor to casually slander us and dump the blame onto the Zhengyi Alliance is truly laughable.”

“Do you really think the world is full of fools?”

Even at this stage, those individuals continued sneering without the slightest concern for the Uncrowned Emperor’s incarnation.

“Everyone’s suspicions are correct.”

“In truth, I had already noticed that the person behind the Zhengyi Alliance indeed has many connections with the Dark Race.”

“And for all these years, he has never truly revealed himself.”

“At this Immortal Dao Alliance gathering, it was the perfect opportunity for that hidden mastermind to launch a counterattack against the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

“He seemed to have anticipated long ago that the Heaven-Defying Alliance Leader would personally attend.”

“That is why he sent us here.”

“In reality, we were merely sacrifices.”

“Only now have I finally realized the truth.”

At that moment, Zhao Tianqi, the Vice Alliance Leader of the Zhengyi Alliance, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

Chaotic energy swirled around his face, but beneath it lay a deep chill.

He looked directly at the people who had spoken earlier and declared, “These individuals have likely long been controlled by that person. Their purpose in saying those things was merely to provoke conflict and sow suspicion among everyone present.”

“That way, while you are distracted, he can more easily carry out his plans outside.”

“Zhao Tianqi, you…!”

No one had expected Zhao Tianqi to suddenly step forward at such a moment and say such words.

Those people were stunned. Then their expressions darkened. Murderous intent erupted from them, and they almost wanted to kill Zhao Tianqi on the spot.

The other high-ranking members of the Zhengyi Alliance were equally incredulous, but they soon began agreeing with him. The assembled guests and honored figures were even more shocked.

Zhao Xiuyan likewise looked at her father in disbelief. Because in her understanding, whether through deductions from the Primordial Golden Book or through other methods, she knew clearly that everything her father possessed today—his status, his authority, and even his ability to survive eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations and reach his current cultivation level—had been granted by the mastermind behind the Zhengyi Alliance.

By betraying him so openly now, was he not afraid of future retribution?

Zhao Tianqi calmly replied, “The Zhengyi Alliance, from top to bottom, along with all its affiliated factions and Dao lineages, has long been under that person’s control.”

“My Yanyang True Realm is no exception.”

“If we had not feared his strength, we would have rebelled long ago.”

“How could we willingly submit to him?”

He understood his situation very clearly. Whether the Uncrowned Emperor’s incarnation was real or fake, everyone in their group was destined to die.

The high-ranking members of the Heaven-Defying Alliance would never let them leave alive. And Gu Changge least of all.

From the very beginning, the Fate Lord had sent them here merely to test the Heaven-Defying Alliance’s attitude.

He himself had long since become a discarded pawn.

Therefore, Zhao Tianqi had to distance himself as quickly as possible.

Gu Changge looked at Zhao Tianqi with interest. Then he lightly lowered his palm.

A terrifying aura descended.

Everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.

Their bones trembled. Even their souls felt as though they were about to kneel in worship.

“Alliance Leader, you…”

Zhao Tianqi’s expression changed abruptly.

Disbelief filled his face. Yet in the next moment, a stream of clear qi burst forth from within him. It vaguely transformed into an ancient Daoist figure with a square, dignified face.

His eyes were tightly closed. His expression was indifferent. As though sensing something, he was about to open his eyes.

But the instant Gu Changge’s palm descended, the Daoist’s expression changed drastically.

Shock appeared on his face. Then, with a muffled pop, he shattered and dispersed into countless particles of dust.

“This is…”

Everyone present, including the Ethereal Ancestor, stared in horror. Their eyes widened and bodies trembled.

“Was that the mastermind behind the Zhengyi Alliance?”

Many ancient beings wore expressions of deep apprehension.

Although only a trace of his aura had appeared, it was powerful enough to suppress them completely.

They would not even have had the ability to fight back.

Yet before Gu Changge, he was still destroyed with a single palm strike. He did not even possess the qualification to open his eyes and act.

Everyone gained a much clearer understanding of Gu Changge’s terrifying strength.

“Run!”

As the stream of qi left behind by the Fate Lord vanished, the Zhengyi Alliance leaders who had questioned Gu Changge earlier immediately tried to flee.

They attempted to tear open space and escape.

However, the Ethereal Ancestor and the others had already been watching them. The instant they moved, they struck.

BOOM!!!

A battle erupted once more. Yet it did not last long.

The few individuals were swiftly killed. Several streaks of silver light dispersed from within their bodies. Their souls were completely annihilated along with them.

“These people were likely under someone’s control.”

“There were restrictions embedded within their souls.”

“It is likely exactly as Vice Alliance Leader Zhao said.”

“The mastermind behind the Zhengyi Alliance used them to manipulate us and provoke suspicion, buying time for his actions outside.”

“The situation beyond this place is probably far from peaceful.”

Many ancient beings frowned heavily. Their hearts felt burdened.

Only Luo Lord and the Eternal Primordial God exchanged glances. They had already noticed that those individuals’ souls had been controlled. However, they could not determine whether Gu Changge himself had arranged it.

They dared not casually speculate about such self-directed theatrics.

Gu Changge casually glanced at the two of them, seemingly aware of their thoughts.

Both immediately shuddered. Then they lowered their eyes and pretended to know nothing.

“Many thanks, Alliance Leader.”

Though Zhao Tianqi was inwardly shaken, he quickly regained his composure and respectfully bowed in gratitude.

For a moment, he had truly believed Gu Changge intended to kill him.

The fear he had felt was unlike anything he had experienced in ages. Even when he had been a minor cultivator in the Immortal Dao Realm competing with his peers for opportunities and narrowly escaping death, he had never felt such overwhelming terror.

At that instant, he had genuinely believed he was going to die. There had been no possibility of resistance.

None whatsoever.

“Recognizing your mistakes and turning back is not a bad thing.”

Gu Changge merely glanced at Zhao Tianqi before withdrawing his gaze. He had not spared Zhao Tianqi because of Zhao Xiuyan.

Rather, he considered that Zhao Xiuyan might need Zhao Tianqi’s assistance in the future. And Zhao Xiuyan herself was one of the pieces he had cultivated. She still had her uses.

“Alliance Leader, do you have a way to deal with the Black Lotus Cult?”

The matter of the Zhengyi Alliance quickly became a minor episode.

Everyone’s attention soon returned to the Black Lotus Cult.

As for the Zhengyi Alliance, they could only think about it after escaping this predicament.

The Black Lotus Cult’s bizarre nature had left even Ancestor Dao Realm beings helpless.

Now all they could do was place their hopes on Gu Changge.

“When the Black Lotus Cult first appeared, I did send people to investigate.”

“At the time, I did not take it seriously and believed it unworthy of concern.”

“I did not expect it to grow and evolve into its current state.”

“Judging from the situation now, we can only first protect the regions that have not yet been corrupted.”

“We must clear them out area by area.”

“The Protectors within the black lotuses are troublesome, but they are not impossible to deal with.”

“As long as everyone joins forces to trap them, the remaining believers are of little concern.”

“However, the process may require considerable time.”

Only after everyone turned to him did Gu Changge leisurely respond. “That is indeed a viable approach.”

Many Ancestor Dao Realm beings secretly nodded. They had considered similar solutions themselves.

But because the black lotuses were so bizarre, they had momentarily lost their bearings. Now that someone was taking the lead, the problem no longer seemed unsolvable.

The Ethereal Ancestor also nodded approvingly.

“Then we shall proceed according to the Alliance Leader’s suggestion.”

“No matter what is happening outside, we must first eliminate the threat of the Black Lotus Cult before us.”

“What concerns us most is our isolation from the outside world.”

“There is no telling what may already be happening beyond this place.”

Many people shared this concern. If the Zhengyi Alliance truly joined forces with the Dark Race while Gu Changge remained trapped here, unable to intervene—then without the Heaven-Defying Alliance to restrain them, how much more chaotic and terrifying would the outside world become?

The Ethereal Ancestor immediately issued orders.

The elders of the Ethereal Sacred Sect would lead their disciples and cooperate with the major clans in conducting a comprehensive purge.

The guests and honored figures did not remain idle either.

One after another, they joined the effort. The safety of all their races and civilizations was at stake.

No one could remain detached.

Under Gu Changge’s instructions, the Heaven-Defying Alliance’s high-ranking members also participated.

Every region containing a black lotus was assigned numerous Ancestor Dao Realm experts to lead cleansing operations.

Meanwhile, disciples and elders swept through various regions, sealing and imprisoning all living beings corrupted by darkness and gathering them together.

“If we could locate the Black Lotus Cult’s headquarters, it might be possible to resolve everything far more quickly and directly.”

“But now that we are trapped here, we can only place our hopes on Li Hanying.”

The Ethereal Ancestor thought of Li Hanying, the Sect Master of the Ethereal Sacred Sect.

Before the Immortal Dao Alliance gathering had begun, she had already left the Ethereal Sacred Domain to investigate the source of the Black Lotus Cult.

However, now that the Ethereal Sacred Domain had been completely isolated, he had no idea where Li Hanying was.

The Black Lotus Cult’s momentum was so overwhelming that even he found it difficult to deal with. Whether Li Hanying could discover a way to break the deadlock remained unknown.

Outside the Ethereal Sacred Domain, the Ethereal Sacred Domain had become the focus of countless eyes throughout the Boundless Expanse. Even hidden regions beyond the world had beings observing it closely.

Half a month had passed since the Immortal Dao Alliance gathering began and the Black Lotus Cult suddenly emerged.

During these two weeks, the strange black fog surrounding the Ethereal Sacred Domain had become far denser and more turbulent than before. It had expanded across vast stretches of the cosmos, completely enveloping the entire Ethereal Sacred Domain.

No living being or cultivator could any longer spy upon what was happening inside. The ever-expanding black fog seemed alive.

It continuously repaired itself.

Some beings attempted to tear open rifts within it. Yet the tears would immediately heal.

There was simply no way to rip through it. Moreover, any living being who entered the Ethereal Sacred Domain could almost never leave.

They became trapped within. The endless black fog spread like a curtain that would never again allow daylight to shine through.

The entire region had become a domain of eternal darkness. Such a sight filled countless True Realms and civilizations with fear and apprehension.

Many had assumed that the Black Lotus Cult would be swiftly destroyed by the experts gathered within the Ethereal Sacred Domain.

Yet reality had exceeded all expectations. After all, even the Heaven-Defying Alliance Leader himself was inside.

Could it be that even he had no solution?

Has the Black Lotus Cult proven even more terrifying and bizarre than anyone had imagined?

Meanwhile, the war between the Heaven-Defying Alliance and the Zhengyi Alliance continued to shake the entire Boundless Expanse.

Compared to it, the Uncrowned Immortal Dynasty’s campaign against the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom seemed little more than a minor skirmish. Endless baleful and murderous energy surged into the heavens.

Countless living beings and universes perished in the conflict.

The corpses accumulated during the war floated across heaven and earth like rivers. And that did not even include those whose bodies had been completely obliterated.

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

Within the spacetime regions where the two alliances fought, a crack suddenly appeared. A figure overflowing with boundless malice and killing intent crashed into the battlefield.

The moment his feet touched the ground, stars shattered and the void fractured. The murderous aura surrounding him was enough to make even Ancestor Dao Realm beings tremble in fear.

This figure was a slaughter machine. Wherever he passed, no life remained.

Whether one belonged to the Heaven-Defying Alliance or the Zhengyi Alliance made no difference.

All were targets. In his eyes, every living being deserved death. Every living being should enjoy the boundless glory of slaughter.

Such a person was no different from a madman.

Many Dao Realm experts of the Heaven-Defying Alliance could not even approach him before being obliterated by his terrifying killing aura.

Left with no alternative, several forbidden-zone existences from the Heaven-Defying Alliance personally intervened.

Only together could they resist that terrifying figure. As a result, regions that had previously been maintained in delicate balance were completely overrun.

The Zhengyi Alliance’s armies advanced relentlessly.

Meanwhile, hidden experts who had survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations struck from the shadows. Their massive hands swept across the cosmos.

Countless living beings and worlds disintegrated like bubbles. The barriers separating the myriad realms became blurred and transparent, stained by blood and covered in drifting corpses.