I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1835. It Must Be Done First and Reported Later — Then I Shall Accompany You into Eternal Damnation

“Third Princess has returned…”

“That aura just now was indeed the Third Princess.”

“Wonderful…”

This was the ancestral land of the Ji Chan Clan. Yet now, only a single ancient tree remained standing here, towering into the heavens. The tree had been severed by some unimaginably vast and terrifying force, leaving behind only half of its trunk.

Even that remaining half was still boundless beyond measure. Its edge could not be seen. Every branch and leaf flourished magnificently, supporting endless chaos energy and rivers of stars. Its roots alone stretched through countless universes and dimensions of space-time.

Within the palaces scattered throughout the canopy, members of the Ji Chan Clan sensed the approaching aura and revealed looks of joy.

Ripples spread through the void. Within ancient palaces hidden inside it, figures opened their eyes one after another.

“Azhi…”

“I thought you would never return to the Ji Chan Clan in this lifetime.”

Inside the great hall, upon hearing those words, the woman in colorful robes seated there slowly opened her eyes. Within her dreamlike, glass-like pupils seemed to be reflected in countless heavenly realms and worlds. Her voice was extraordinarily pleasant, like celestial music, enough to make any man lose himself within it and never wish to awaken.

“This is the place where I was born and raised. How could I never return?”

“There are even fewer clansmen now than before.”

The complicated expression on the black-robed woman’s face softened somewhat. Her journey from the Heaven-Defying Alliance back to the Ancient Hidden Civilization had been quite smooth. Aside from needing to avoid certain dangerous regions while crossing the Boundless Vastness, it had not delayed her long.

Moreover, now that the Heaven-Defying Alliance had established a unified dominion, aside from the Dark Clans invading and occupying the Nine Heavens Lands, the various regions throughout the Vast Expanse were actually quite stable, with no major wars or slaughter breaking out.

Given the current tense and chaotic situation throughout the Vast Expanse, this could already be considered a rare peace. During her return to the Ancient Hidden Civilization, she had seen many ancient warships wrapped in divine radiance and chaos energy. Led by Dao Realm experts, they crossed the Vast Expanse, attempting to migrate toward the territories controlled by the Heaven-Defying Alliance.

Yet the boundless Vast Expanse contained countless indescribable dangers. She had personally witnessed an ancient True World being swallowed whole by an unknown colossal beast during its migration.

Billions upon billions of living beings perished instantly. It sounded simple for the Ji Chan Clan to relocate to the Heaven-Defying Alliance, but in reality, countless unforeseen dangers remained.

Nor was she certain she could persuade her Second Sister to bring the entire Ji Chan Clan away. Not to mention the clan elders, who remained stubborn and inflexible. Despite clearly understanding the Ji Chan Clan’s fate, they refused to face reality and insisted on staying within the Ancient Hidden Civilization.

The woman in colorful robes smiled gently.

“The last time I saw you leave with such determination, I truly believed you would never set foot in the Ancient Hidden Civilization again.”

“Seeing that you are safe puts my mind at ease.”

There were nine sisters in this generation of the Ji Chan Clan, each named after one of nine colors.

The black-robed woman, ranked third, was named Ji Ziyi. The woman in colorful robes was the second sister, Ji Xiangmiao.

“I made Second Sister worry.”

Ji Ziyi looked somewhat guilty.

Then, recalling something, she asked, “On my way back, I noticed far fewer clansmen than before. What happened?”

As a clan entrusted with guarding the Epoch Mother Tree, the Ji Chan Clan held a highly special status within the Ancient Hidden Civilization, far beyond ordinary factions.

Even the Five Royal Clans treated them with courtesy. Yet after returning, she could clearly sense a gloomy atmosphere throughout the clan, and the population had decreased significantly. She had only been away for a few thousand years.

For cultivators of great realms, that was merely the span of a finger snap.

How could such enormous changes occur in so short a time?

Could it be that the High Priestess of the Temple of Sacrifice was still suppressing the Ji Chan Clan because of that incident from the past?

Ji Xiangmiao seemed somewhat helpless and shook her head.

“The Ancient Hidden Imperial Family appears to be planning something. They are recruiting manpower.”

“All races throughout the Ancient Hidden Civilization have been ordered to send their elites. Even our Ji Chan Clan has been included among those being conscripted.”

“Recruiting manpower?”

Ji Ziyi froze.

A cold expression appeared on her beautiful face.

“Could it be that the Ancient Hidden Imperial Family intends to wage war against the Heaven-Defying Alliance and is gathering troops?”

Ji Xiangmiao shook her head. “I do not know.”

“Perhaps they intend to start a war, or perhaps they are constructing or repairing something…”

“Fifth Sister tried to question the Imperial Family’s intentions and blocked their people. As a result, she was injured by members of the Imperial Family and is still recovering.”

“I cannot leave the clan territory, and the elders continue advising us to endure.”

“The Imperial Family and the Five Royal Clans are all plotting something.”

“The Ancient Hidden Civilization is no longer as peaceful as it once was.”

“Especially since I have a premonition that the great tribulation of this era is about to descend.”

“If we cannot survive the Epoch Winter, our Ji Chan Clan may face extermination.”

Hearing this, the chill on Ji Ziyi’s face deepened. No matter what, the Ji Chan Clan had guarded the Epoch Mother Tree for generations. Even now, they still hold an irreplaceable position within the Ancient Hidden Civilization.

Yet the Imperial Family had injured Fifth Sister.

Did they truly think the Ji Chan Clan was easy to bully?

“What did Mother and the Ancestor Court say?” Ji Ziyi asked.

“Mother also advised us to endure.”

Ji Xiangmiao shook her head once more.

Yet a trace of helplessness appeared in her eyes.

Ji Ziyi clenched her jade-like hands tightly.

“Why must we endure?”

“Just because the Epoch Mother Tree was severed, does our Ji Chan Clan become a clan of sinners, forced to yield at every turn?”

“Why can the races of the Ancient Hidden Civilization not see the merit of our generations-long guardianship?”

“Can a single mistake truly erase all of our clan’s contributions?” Ji Xiangmiao sighed softly.

She said nothing more. Only a faint sorrow remained in her eyes.

“Ziyi, your temperament has always been strong and unyielding.”

“But you must understand that the harder something is, the more likely it is to shatter upon impact.”

Ji Ziyi felt a wave of melancholy and helplessness. She no longer argued.

“Enough about that.”

“How have you been all these years?”

“I’ve heard many rumors about the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

“Sometimes I wonder whether you were too impulsive when you left.”

“But at other times, I wonder whether your choice was actually the correct one.”

“I’ve even had clansmen gather information about the Heaven-Defying Alliance, hoping to hear news of you.”

Ji Xiangmiao smiled softly.

Ji Ziyi had not expected the always-transcendent and calm Second Sister to care about her so much.

Because of the Ji Chan Clan’s extremely long lifespans, the bonds between sisters were generally much weaker than in other races.

Yet regardless of how distant they seemed, they were still family by blood.

They could never truly abandon one another.

“I’ve been doing well in the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

“It’s just that the Alliance is filled with experts now.”

“I can hardly be considered important there.”

“And since I joined later as an outsider, I have little opportunity to interact with the upper echelon.”

Ji Ziyi shook her head.

“Even with Ancestor Dao Realm cultivation, you cannot reach the upper levels?”

Ji Xiangmiao was surprised.

The Heaven-Defying Alliance seemed even more powerful than she had imagined.

Ji Ziyi spoke frankly on the matter, her tone carrying traces of admiration.

“From what I know, the Heaven-Defying Alliance possesses dozens of Ancestor Dao Realm experts.”

“There are also many who have survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations.”

“Beyond that are some extremely ancient figures.”

“For example, the Piaomiao Saint Ancestor of the Piaomiao Sacred Domain is already very close to the End-of-the-Path Realm.”

“Furthermore, two mysterious figures who seem to have already stepped into the End-of-the-Path Realm follow the Alliance Leader.”

“As for the Alliance Leader himself, his strength is unfathomable.”

“He may very well be an existence beyond supreme shattered realms.”

“The End-of-the-Path Realm…”

A trace of longing appeared in Ji Xiangmiao’s eyes.

Then she sighed softly.

“If Eldest Sister had not taken Ninth Sister’s place and been sacrificed to the Other Side, then with her talent, she probably would have reached that realm by now.”

The eldest sister had been both the oldest and strongest among them.

Ji Ziyi’s gaze dimmed.

When Eldest Sister was still present, she treated all of them extremely well.

Back then, even when facing the Five Royal Clans, the Ji Chan Clan possessed confidence and dignity.

But after Eldest Sister’s sacrifice and their mother’s decline, the clan’s status had fallen dramatically.

“Second Sister, you should be close to undergoing your Ninth Heavenly Decline Tribulation as well…” Ji Ziyi observed. She could not see through Ji Xiangmiao’s cultivation completely.

The mist-like substances surrounding her seemed capable of blocking all attempts at observation. She only felt her Second Sister had become increasingly unfathomable.

“It should be soon.”

Ji Xiangmiao smiled.

Ji Ziyi nodded.

Although the sisters appeared to be reminiscing, both silently avoided the topic that truly mattered.

Only after a long while did Ji Ziyi finally sigh inwardly and reveal the true purpose of her return.

“Second Sister, the real reason I’ve come back is to persuade the Ji Chan Clan to migrate away from the Ancient Hidden Civilization.”

Ji Xiangmiao was not surprised at all. She understood her sister’s character well. If she had returned at such a time, there had to be a reason.

Calmly, she asked, “Where?”

“To the Heaven-Defying Alliance?”

Ji Ziyi lowered her head beneath those colorful eyes that seemed to contain countless worlds.

“Other than the Heaven-Defying Alliance, there is nowhere else left to go.”

Ji Xiangmiao sighed.

“But you should know.”

“Our Ji Chan Clan may go anywhere.”

“Except the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

“And you know why.”

The Ji Chan Clan existed because of the Epoch Mother Tree.

The Epoch Mother Tree was regarded as Heaven’s blessing upon all living beings.

If they migrated to the Heaven-Defying Alliance, then fundamentally speaking, they would be abandoning the faith they had upheld for countless generations.

Ji Ziyi understood this. But her resolve remained firm.

“Right now, our Ji Chan Clan has no other choice.”

“I do not want generation after generation to repeat the same fate.”

“Eldest Sister was sacrificed to the Other Side.”

“And Ninth Sister still remains beside the Sea of Reincarnation, suffering day and night from freezing poison and torment.”

“I want to change the destiny of the Ji Chan Clan.”

Her voice was deep and resolute.

Ji Xiangmiao stared at her silently.

“Second Sister, I know that you too are unwilling to accept this fate.”

“Now we finally have an opportunity before us.”

“The Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Defying Alliance has already promised me that he will personally provide assistance during the migration.”

“Perhaps you do not know this, but Ninth Sister and the Alliance Leader were acquaintances from long ago.”

“For Ninth Sister’s sake, he will help us.” Ji Xiangmiao sighed softly.

“Ziyi, how can you guarantee that the Ji Chan Clan will truly escape its destiny after reaching the Heaven-Defying Alliance?”

“By overthrowing the Real Land.”

“By overthrowing the so-called Heaven.”

“Only then can we break free.”

Ji Ziyi’s voice was firmer than ever.

After a long silence, Ji Xiangmiao finally said, “In that case, I will not stop you.”

“Go to the Ancestor Court and speak with Mother and the elders.”

“If they agree, then I shall have no objections.”

“Eldest Sister is gone.”

“Mother’s vitality is declining.”

“I must consider the welfare of the entire clan.”

“If I were alone, I would naturally stand by your side.”

Ji Ziyi looked at her seriously.

“Second Sister, you know perfectly well that Mother and the elders are stubborn beyond reason.”

“They would rather have Ninth Sister kneel before the High Priestess and accept punishment than display the slightest intention of rebellion.”

“Do you really think they would consider my proposal?”

“No.”

“They would only believe I had been bewitched by the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

“They might even join forces to capture me and imprison me so I could ‘reflect on my mistakes.’”

“Right now, only you can help me.”

“I must act first and report later.”

Her voice carried unwavering determination and willpower.

Ji Xiangmiao was stunned. She had not expected the Third Sister to have considered every consequence and possibility beforehand.

This was completely different from the impulsive Third Sister of the past. Clearly, her years within the Heaven-Defying Alliance had changed her.

Seeing Ji Xiangmiao remain silent, Ji Ziyi knew she was wavering.

Immediately she pressed further.

“Second Sister.”

“Just give me the jade talisman that grants access to the Epoch Abyss.”

“No matter the consequences, I will bear them alone.”

“If the elders pursue responsibility, simply tell them I deceived you and stole the talisman.”

“What do you intend to do in the Epoch Abyss?” Ji Xiangmiao was startled again.

That place lay at the roots of the Epoch Mother Tree.

It was also a forbidden land guarded by the Ji Chan Clan for generations.

After worlds returned to ruin, countless cosmic remnants ultimately flowed there. Even members of the Ji Chan Clan required special jade talismans to enter.

“I am going to take away the Epoch Mother Tree.”

“Only by acting from there can it be accomplished.”

Ji Ziyi answered.

“It seems…”

“You truly have gone mad.” Ji Xiangmiao sighed.

Radiance gathered in her fair, delicate hand.

A simple yet crystalline jade talisman appeared. It was shaped like an ancient cicada and emitted mysterious fluctuations.

Seeing this, Ji Ziyi understood her sister’s decision.

Emotion flashed across her face.

Without another word, she accepted the talisman.

Her figure flashed and disappeared from the hall.

“Third Sister is right.”

“If that is the case…”

“Then I shall help you this once.”

“If we are wrong this time…”

“Then I will accompany you into eternal damnation.”

After watching her sister disappear, Ji Xiangmiao remained silent for a long while. Then she stepped forward barefoot, transforming into a streak of colorful light and flying toward the Ji Chan Clan’s Ancestor Court.

The elders were all cultivating there.

The clan’s current ruler—their mother—was also recuperating within it.

As Ji Xiangmiao advanced towards the Ancestor Court, multicolored mist rose from her body.

Within it could vaguely be seen a colossal and beautiful multicolored cicada spreading its wings across the void.

From each wing descended endless rivers of stars and chaos energy.

World particles were born within them. The entire territory of the Ji Chan Clan became enveloped and concealed, hiding certain movements and fluctuations.

At that moment, many powerful figures throughout the Ancient Hidden Civilization seemed to sense something and opened their eyes.

Terrifying auras swept across the heavens like tidal waves striking the sky.

Countless universes trembled violently.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Meanwhile, within the vast void outside the Ancient Hidden Civilization, ripples spread outward. A passageway was forcibly opened.

One after another, ancient warships bearing the banners of the Uncentral Immortal Dynasty emerged and descended. A mighty army stretched endlessly behind them.

Standing atop the warships, they resembled a vast torrent capable of shaking hearts and souls. Inside a pavilion aboard one of the warships, Jiang Weiyang stood quietly by the railing.

Her bearing was elegant and dignified. She wore a dark azure gauze dress. Her cloud-like hair was adorned with phoenix hairpins. Her slender neck resembled that of a graceful swan. Her delicate and enchanting figure was like a white lotus beginning to bloom. Her skin shone with flawless crystal-like radiance.

Behind her stood the Divine Martial Grand General of the Uncentral Immortal Dynasty, Zhu Cangning, along with numerous other officials.

There was also the Starbright Imperial Preceptor.

Formerly loyal to Yinxu Cave Heaven, he had disappeared after the collapse of the Orthodox Unity Alliance and had not been taken away by the Lord of Fate.

After the Heaven-Defying Alliance suppressed the great chaos and unified the various regions, he appeared once more within the Uncentral Immortal Dynasty.

There he enlightened Jiang Weiyang and relayed the final decrees left behind by the Uncentral Immortal Emperor.

It was also the Starbright Imperial Preceptor who informed them that he had detected traces of the Lord of Fate’s karmic aura hidden within the Ancient Hidden Civilization.

Because of this, Jiang Weiyang and Ji Hanjing abandoned their investigation of the Nine Heavens Lands and instead shifted their focus towards the Ancient Hidden Civilization.

Thus the entire Uncentral Immortal Dynasty mobilized.

The nation marched to war. Iron cavalry surged like dragons.

Clouds of rosy mist rolled through the cosmos. They raced across the rivers of space-time, shattered open passageways, and descended upon their destination.

The thunderous sound of their arrival shook the starry heavens and countless worlds.