I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1840. A Dead End After All — Transcendence Is Merely a Form. Then What Should I Call You?

The war between the Dark Race and the Land of Nine Heavens had constantly drawn the attention of all worlds across the Vast Expanse. As the Dark Race retreated, the Land of Nine Heavens was finally laid completely bare before all realms.

This also meant that the mysterious veil that had shrouded the Land of Nine Heavens throughout countless ages was finally lifted.

After the Dark Race withdrew, the Land of Nine Heavens did not choose to retreat back into the depths of spacetime as it had in previous eras. Instead, it fully revealed itself beyond the Vast Expanse.

The Nine Heavens resembled nine immense continents stacked atop one another. Each heavenly layer was boundlessly vast, surrounded by rings of nebulae.

The several heavenly layers that had collapsed and been destroyed during the battle were rapidly restored through the combined efforts of numerous supreme beings.

All races and living creatures within the Land of Nine Heavens also received news that the Land of Nine Heavens might soon abandon its previous stance and directly confront the coming Great Calamity of Reckoning.

The news swept through the entire Land of Nine Heavens like a hurricane, throwing countless cultivators and living beings into fear and unease. Even the Land of Nine Heavens, which had always stood detached from worldly affairs, was now forced to face the Great Reckoning?

In truth, many of the supreme figures within the Nine Heavens were equally helpless about the matter. If there were any other choice, who would willingly face an Epochal Reckoning? One misstep meant body and soul destroyed, with almost no chance of survival.

Within such a reckoning, Immortal Realm existences and Dao Realm existences were no different. The will of heaven acted like a blade, mercilessly harvesting all life.

In the past, Path’s End beings still possessed methods to conceal themselves and evade the calamity. But now that they had personally intervened, traces of karma had already been left behind. Even if they hid themselves away, they would still be found when the reckoning arrived.

There was no longer any retreat.

Deep within the Land of Nine Heavens, many overwhelmingly powerful auras returned from various spacetime domains, apparently discussing how to deal with what lay ahead.

“The ancient mirror should be one of the six primordial civilization treasures we’ve been searching for all this time—the Mirror of Reincarnation.”

“I never expected Saintess Xiyuan to actually appear within the Land of Nine Heavens. How did she even enter it? Now that the Mirror of Reincarnation has been reclaimed by the Dark Race, how are we supposed to seal the Lord of Substitute Heaven in the future?”

“The Lord of Substitute Heaven had only just revived, yet he already possesses such terrifying and inconceivable power.”

Within the central hall of the Heaven-Defying Alliance, vast and majestic beyond measure, Dao rhythms intertwined through the air. Shocked discussions echoed everywhere.

Many high-ranking leaders and powerholders had gathered there, using various methods to observe the battle between the Land of Nine Heavens and the Dark Race.

This conflict had attracted the attention of countless civilizations, and naturally the Heaven-Defying Alliance was no exception.

Although the Dark Race and the Heaven-Defying Alliance currently maintained a vaguely cooperative relationship and generally avoided interfering with one another, this did not lessen the vigilance and caution the alliance’s leadership felt toward them.

The Eternal First God and Lord Luo were both present. As the strongest figures in the Heaven-Defying Alliance aside from Gu Changge, whenever Gu Changge appeared, the two would invariably follow behind him.

This led many alliance leaders to speculate that the lives and deaths of these two supreme figures must have been controlled by their Alliance Master; otherwise, how could Path’s End beings be so obedient and respectful? After all, beings at that level stood at the true pinnacle of power within the Vast Expanse.

Other than Supreme Shattering or True Path existences, who could contend with them?

Yet witnessing the terrifying foundation of the Land of Nine Heavens firsthand also left the alliance’s upper echelons deeply shaken. The world only knew that the Land of Nine Heavens was transcendent, but its true power had always been only the tip of the iceberg.

“Still, revealing its foundation can at least deter the Dark Race. The future situation in the Vast Expanse should improve considerably.”

“Judging from what we saw just now, the two beings who appeared outside the Land of Nine Heavens were both Path’s End existences. In the past, it would have been impossible to encounter such figures so casually.”

Many sighed with emotion while simultaneously feeling much more reassured. The strongest person in the Heaven-Defying Alliance was unquestionably Gu Changge.

Being able to command two Path’s End beings with such obedience finally gave the alliance leaders a somewhat clearer understanding of his strength.

Previously, no matter what enemy he faced, he would suppress them with a casual palm strike.

As a result, everyone’s perception of his true strength had always been vague, as though hidden behind a curtain of mist.

Now they finally understood why the Dark Race dared not invade a Heaven-Defying Alliance guarded by Gu Changge. After all, he was certainly a True Path or Supreme Shattering existence.

Without the revival of the Lord of Substitute Heaven, how would the Dark Race ever have dared to invade?

Thinking of this, the alliance leaders gazed toward Gu Changge, seated at the center of the hall, with even greater reverence.

The Vast Expanse, once hidden beneath layers of fog, now seemed to be gradually revealing its secrets.

“Ju… Si… and that distant ancestor of the Gu Clan…”

Gu Changge’s gaze deepened as he withdrew his attention.

From the auras he had sensed moments ago, he already had a clear understanding of the current foundations of the Land of Nine Heavens.

Within the Vast Expanse, beings who controlled heavenly authorities were commonly referred to as True Path existences. But in Gu Changge’s eyes, True Path and Path’s End were essentially the same.

There had never been any road to begin with.

No matter which road one chose, it ultimately led to death.

Rather than True Path, it would be more accurate to describe such a state as mastery over authority beyond the Ancestor Dao. There could only ever be nine strands of Heavenly Authority.

Each represented a portion of heaven’s power.

Nine was the ultimate limit. Across the immeasurably long history of the Vast Expanse, only nine such strands had ever appeared.

Path’s End itself already represented the utmost limit of growth, transformation, and advancement. The power that heaven and earth could accommodate reached only that level.

The later emergence of Supreme Shattering and True Path realms had indeed been directions discovered by ancient predecessors after endless ages of exploration.

As for transcendence?

In truth, transcendence was merely a way of understanding things.

There was no actual realm called Transcendence. From the perspective of Ancestor Dao beings, perhaps reaching Path’s End meant touching that realm.

But in the eyes of Supreme Shattering existences, perhaps only by continuing the path and journeying even farther could one truly transcend. Thus, in their eyes, transcendence itself was a deception—a dead end.

For Immortal Dao beings, perhaps leaving the world that nurtured them and entering a broader realm with an infinitely longer lifespan was transcendence.

But what exactly was transcendence?

Even the Three Progenitors did not believe themselves to be transcendent. Transcendence was merely a form.

A concept. At least in Gu Changge’s view, whether one was transcendent depended upon one’s original realm and perspective.

It was a matter of thought and perception. The transcendence sought throughout the Vast Expanse had always been nothing more than a grand deception. Even if one truly crossed the Other Shore and arrived at the Real Land, could that truly be called transcendence?

Gu Changge’s eyes became increasingly profound.

After the Creation Calamity, pure qi rose and turbid qi sank, forming heaven and earth.

The accumulated pure qi evolved through the unimaginable means of the Three Progenitors into the Real Land. Meanwhile, the sinking turbid qi became the Vast Expanse itself—a fertile soil that nurtured all worlds, universes, and living beings.

Everything existed merely to sustain the Real Land.

Of course, this was only the philosophy of “God.”

Each of the Three Progenitors possessed different ideals.

If nothing interfered with them, then after endless ages of uncertainty, disorder, and unknowable futures, perhaps the Vast Expanse and the Real Land would eventually merge and reunite.

They would return to the most primordial state—the Great Chaos. Everything would condense into a single original point and begin evolving anew.

Again and again.

Until the answer they sought was finally found.

“Alliance Master, from just now onward, the Vice Alliance Master’s expression seems rather strange…”

A respectful reminder came from a high-ranking member nearby.

Gu Changge glanced at Ling Yuling.

Dressed in spotless white robes, her silky hair falling to her waist, her flawless beauty resembled a painting. Yet now her eyes seemed clouded by mist.

Countless scenes and images flickered through her gaze.

Ever since he had taken away the Mirror of Reincarnation under the identity of the Lord of Substitute Heaven, she had remained in this state. He merely looked once before withdrawing his gaze.

As for why she was like this, he knew perfectly well.

Explaining it would involve events from many years ago.

Back when they were still in Xiyuan Civilization, at Mount Wondrous Mysteries, Saintess Xiyuan had secretly approached Ling Yuling during the negotiations of the Peace Alliance Pact.

She told Ling Yuling of certain futures she had witnessed through the Mirror of Reincarnation and expressed her suspicions regarding Gu Changge’s identity.

As one of the ancient sages who had once fought against the Dark Calamity, Ling Yuling knew the location where the Sixfold Heavenly Abyss Armor had been sealed after the Dark Calamity ended.

If Gu Changge truly was the Lord of Substitute Heaven, then she absolutely could not allow him to learn that location.

To preserve those memories and karmic ties, she severed that portion of herself and entrusted it to Saintess Xiyuan.

Still worried, Saintess Xiyuan sealed her own corresponding memories within the Mirror of Reincarnation as well.

After the Peace Alliance Pact concluded, Gu Changge saw that future. He deliberately loosened a gap in the barrier, allowing Saintess Xiyuan to escape with the Mirror of Reincarnation.

From that point onward, every one of her movements remained within his sight. He personally watched as she lost part of her memories, encountered Gu Xian’er, recuperated within the Crescent Moon Sect, and eventually arrived at the Land of Nine Heavens.

Saintess Xiyuan had always believed that severe injuries to her soul origin were responsible for her memory loss.

But that was not the truth. The moment she escaped the barrier, the Mirror of Reincarnation awakened according to preparations she had made beforehand and sealed away those memories.

Now that Gu Changge had reclaimed the mirror under the identity of the Lord of Substitute Heaven, those memories naturally returned to both Saintess Xiyuan and Ling Yuling.

The mirror’s resistance had simply been too weak to attract anyone’s attention. The Eternal First God and Lord Luo glanced at Ling Yuling.

They could vaguely guess the truth. But the situation had already reached this point. Even the True Path existence who had acted within the Land of Nine Heavens moments ago had chosen to remain silent.

Whether the Heaven-Defying Alliance learned the truth or not would make no difference.

The two were still puzzled by how the Lord of Substitute Heaven had managed to intimidate the Land of Nine Heavens. After all, Gu Changge had remained inside the hall the entire time without making any visible move.

Was the current Lord of Substitute Heaven merely a strand of his will?

A projection?

Or something else entirely?

“No need to worry. She has merely remembered some things from the past. She’ll recover shortly.”

Gu Changge spoke calmly.

“Sister…”

Nearby, Ling Yuxian suddenly felt her own head becoming heavy and swollen, as though forgotten memories were emerging.

The two sisters shared a unique spiritual connection and could often sense each other’s thoughts. Now that Ling Yuling’s memories were surging back, Ling Yuxian also began receiving fragments of blurred recollections.

Gu Changge lightly pointed a finger.

Silver-white ripples spread from between her brows, stabilizing her soul.

“I… I seem to have regained some memories…”

Ling Yuling’s previously vacant eyes finally regained clarity.

Looking at Gu Changge, she spoke softly, though her gaze contained complicated emotions. The recovered memories included both those she had severed and entrusted to Saintess Xiyuan, as well as experiences from her ancient life as one of the sages.

Only now could she truly be considered complete. Back then, she had acted solely out of fear that Gu Changge might uncover those memories and karmic connections.

Looking back now, her worries had been entirely unnecessary.

Without those memories guiding her, she had gradually forgotten her suspicions regarding Gu Changge’s identity. Now, the Lord of Substitute Heaven had already returned to the world.

Whether there was some hidden truth behind everything no longer mattered. She had become Gu Changge’s person. She stood firmly on his side.

That was already an undeniable fact. Even if she regained all her memories now, what could she possibly change?

Even at her peak, she had still been far from reaching Path’s End.

“It seems you’ve remembered some important things.” Gu Changge spoke.

Ling Yuling hesitated before nodding gently.

“It’s related to the sealing of the Lord of Substitute Heaven in the past.”

Gu Changge showed no surprise.

He merely nodded and did not ask further.

The leaders within the hall, however, were all startled.

Looking at Gu Changge, Ling Yuling thought for a moment before deciding to speak honestly.

“It concerns clues related to the Sixfold Heavenly Abyss Armor once refined by the Lord of Substitute Heaven.”

“Now that the Lord of Substitute Heaven has revived, he will likely reclaim both the infamous Eight Desolation Demon Halberd and the Sixfold Heavenly Abyss Armor.”

“The whereabouts of the Eight Desolation Demon Halberd remain unknown.”

“But there is a way to locate the Sixfold Heavenly Abyss Armor…”

The Eternal First God and Lord Luo exchanged slightly startled looks.

The way they looked at Ling Yuling became rather strange. Then they glanced toward Gu Changge.

Yet his expression remained calm and utterly unmoved. He offered no response.

Ling Yuling wanted to continue speaking, but after parting her lips slightly, she ultimately fell silent. The various alliance leaders soon prepared to leave.

Before departing, however, someone brought up the war between the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and the Ancient Hidden Civilization.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty had already submitted to the Heaven-Defying Alliance and was considered one of its affiliated powers.

Now that war had suddenly erupted, should the alliance send reinforcements?

Originally, many of the leaders gathered here had come precisely because of this matter. But the sudden revival of the Lord of Substitute Heaven had drawn everyone’s attention toward the Land of Nine Heavens.

Compared to that conflict, the battle involving the Ancient Hidden Civilization seemed insignificant.

“Observe for now.”

Gu Changge simply waved his hand dismissively.

Soon, only Ling Yuling remained in the hall. She had not left. Standing with her back towards Gu Changge, head lowered, she seemed immersed in endless thoughts. Her usually calm and detached face now revealed traces of melancholy and inner struggle.

Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back.

After glancing at her, he said, “If there’s something you want to say, then say it.”

“You’ve followed me for quite a long time now. Over the years, you’ve devoted considerable effort and energy to the growth of the Heaven-Defying Alliance.”

“In front of me, there’s no need to hesitate or hide your thoughts.”

“That isn’t your nature.”

Ling Yuling looked at him blankly.

His words seemed to calm her turbulent emotions.

She brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and softly asked, “Then… what should I call you?”