I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1273:

1634. The primordial civilization’s treasures

“Hehe, if my intuition serves me, Zixiao Mountain has likely established a connection with the Celestial Court already. That dark coffin currently causing chaos within the Immortal Chu Hao Earth could only be a creation of the Celestial Court—no other power possesses the capability to forge such a thing.”

The old Taoist became lost in thought upon hearing those words. “The sage who established the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall spent ages battling the Celestial Court and the Eight Follower Sect. Most kingdoms and civilizations that joined that conflict have been wiped out by the Celestial Court’s vengeance, though a few surviving lineages remain hidden within various chaotic dimensions, making them nearly impossible to track down.”

“On that note, if we manage to eliminate the sage of the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall and claim the Mirror of Reincarnation, the Eight Follower Sect will no longer find itself in such a disadvantaged state against the Celestial Court.”

The Coffin of the Burial World had remained under the Celestial Court's authority since the beginning. Furthermore, the physical remains of the former Lord of the Celestial Organization had been imprisoned within that very coffin for countless years.

As time passed, the Celestial Court utilized the power of that entity, which likely tainted numerous unknown void realms, giving rise to grotesque and horrific beings such as the Shèn and Shadows. Their intentions were far from simple.

Incredible creative and destructive powers were contained within the six primordial civilization treasures. Even the once-invincible Lord of the Celestial Organization, who possessed the audacity to challenge the Realm of Truth, was eventually suppressed because of these six artifacts. Consequently, the Eight Follower Sect would never permit the Celestial Court to collect the full set of primordial civilization treasures.

Inside the serene and sophisticated pavilion of the Immortal Chu Hao Earth, the Xi Yuan Saintess remained oblivious to the fact that the Mirror of Reincarnation belonging to the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall was already being stalked by several terrifying, clandestine powers. She sat motionless behind a translucent veil, her silhouette so faint and indistinct that her features were impossible to discern.

“Was it Chu Gucheng who sent you?”

The Xi Yuan Saintess was not wearing a veil over her face. Her elegant brows were slightly knit together, and her pale, graceful hands held an ancient book, as if she were lost in deep reflection or study.

With her other hand, she softly stroked a wine cup as pure as flawless jade, appearing to enjoy a refined beverage.

On the other side of the screen, white vapor rose in the air. Chu Xinyue knelt with deep respect as she answered, “Actually, this was not my father's command. I personally wished to pay my respects to the Saintess. I was unable to slip away during the feast to see you, and I hope the Saintess can find it in her heart to forgive me.”

The audience with the Xi Yuan Saintess proceeded smoothly without any complications. Upon learning that Chu Xinyue was the one seeking a meeting, the Saintess did not turn her away immediately.

“Your natural gifts are truly impressive. Back when you were Cultivating at the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall, you had only reached the quasi-Immortal Emperor realm. After so many epochs, you have already attained the True Dao realm,” the Xi Yuan Saintess’s voice drifted out from behind the veil as she set down the ancient tome.

Her tone was gentle and serene, resembling the melody of heaven itself. It possessed a soul-cleansing quality that caused anyone listening to involuntarily lose themselves in its depth.

Chu Xinyue had previously spent time Cultivating at the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall, where the Xi Yuan Saintess had personally mentored her. In the Saintess's eyes, Chu Xinyue was a gifted and driven woman whose future potential was immense. This admiration was one of the reasons she granted her an audience, even though many other guests had been rejected during this period.

“I have been blessed for a lifetime thanks to your teachings, Saintess,” Chu Xinyue replied with great deference.

The veil, resembling a bank of mist or clouds, stood between them, offering only a ghostly glimpse of the Xi Yuan Saintess’s lithe and elegant form. She lifted her slender white wrist to her lips, taking a soft sip from the jade vessel.

The Saintess did not give a direct response to Chu Xinyue’s praise.

Still in a kneeling position, Chu Xinyue noticed the Saintess seemed preoccupied with her wine. She lowered her voice and continued, “I once happened upon a bottle of Daoist Immortal Brew that had been preserved for several epochs. If it is to your liking…”

Hearing this, the Xi Yuan Saintess turned her gaze toward Chu Xinyue, as if trying to read her hidden thoughts. She gave a faint smile and cut Chu Xinyue off, saying calmly, “There is no need for that. Speak freely; what is the purpose of your visit? If you are here to act as a messenger for your father, Chu Gucheng, then you may save your breath.”

Chu Xinyue shook her head with a look of slight resignation before turning serious. “Saintess, you have misjudged my intent. As his daughter, how could I presume to interfere in my father’s affairs? I came to see you not just because of the long years since our last meeting and my desire to reconnect, but also because I have encountered obstacles in my Cultivation that I hoped you could clarify.”

Having lived at the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall for a time, Chu Xinyue was well-acquainted with the Xi Yuan Saintess’s temperament. She knew that at this stage, any hesitation or attempt to mask her goals would only irritate the Saintess. Therefore, she decided to be direct about her intentions.

“Obstacles in your Cultivation?” The Xi Yuan Saintess tilted an eyebrow, her eyes searching Chu Xinyue through the mist of the veil.

She suspected this was merely a pretext. Given Chu Xinyue’s current rank and status, what manner of Cultivation problem could she possibly have that required outside help? The Immortal Chu Hao Earth was teeming with experts and beings who had attained the Grand Dao.

In the Saintess's mind, this was likely just a tactic for Chu Xinyue to get close and foster intimacy, perhaps waiting for a better time to advocate for her father, Chu Gucheng.

“I have recently run into some complex issues during my Cultivation. I have sought advice from my father, my ancestors, and others, yet no solutions were found. That is why I took the liberty of seeking your guidance, Saintess. If this is a bad time, I shall not disturb your peace,” Chu Xinyue explained respectfully.

She had meticulously rehearsed this explanation beforehand.

The Xi Yuan Saintess was known to prize talent, and she had mentored Chu Xinyue several times during her stay at the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall. The Saintess had even toyed with the idea of making her a formal disciple, but she eventually abandoned the notion because of Chu Xinyue’s specific role and her inevitable return to the Immortal Chu Hao Earth.

“It is no disturbance. I plan to remain in the Immortal Chu Hao Earth for several days. During this period, you are welcome to come to me with any Cultivation inquiries you may have,” the Xi Yuan Saintess nodded slightly, her eyes shining with a faint, clear light from behind the veil.

Since the Immortal Chu Hao Earth was attempting a diplomatic approach through her, she decided to play along. This would help pacify them and prevent them from making any desperate moves.

Naturally, the Xi Yuan Saintess felt no real anxiety. She was entirely confident in her own power and did not believe the Immortal Chu Hao Earth would have the nerve to move against her.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xinyue’s face lit up with joy as she said gratefully, “I am truly thankful to you, Saintess.”

While her expression radiated gratitude and excitement, she was even more triumphant internally.

Everything was proceeding much better than she had envisioned. This was only the first day; if she could maintain this for three more, the Yi Tai Zao Hua Da Wu Dan she had ingested would fully record the Xi Yuan Saintess’s every movement, look, aura, destiny, and karmic ties.

At that point, her transformation into the Xi Yuan Saintess would be perfect. The Saintess detected nothing out of the ordinary, and seeing Chu Xinyue’s enthusiasm, she even wondered if she had been too cynical about the girl's motives.

Chu Xinyue wasted no time and immediately presented the Cultivation dilemmas she had prepared, seeking the Saintess's wisdom.

The Xi Yuan Saintess’s expression grew kinder, and shimmering lights appeared around her ears as she focused on Chu Xinyue’s queries. The two began a deep discussion regarding the Dao.

The problems Chu Xinyue raised were not faked; they were genuine hurdles she had faced. Setting aside her ulterior motives, resolving these issues would not grant her an instant breakthrough, but they would certainly pave a smoother path for her future growth.

Time slipped away, and half a day vanished in an instant.

Around the screen, light pulsed and strange vapors swirled while golden lotuses bloomed, radiating a sense of transcendence and holiness. Each lotus seemed to cradle the light of the Dao. This was the miraculous phenomenon triggered by their shared discourse on the Dao. Though suppressed within the room, it was nonetheless a spectacular sight.

The Xi Yuan Saintess was consciously containing these effects. Otherwise, given their respective power levels, the laws and concepts of the Dao they were exploring would have caused the entire universe to vibrate in response.

Chu Xinyue listened intently, her heart trembling.

It was undeniable that the Xi Yuan Saintess was a masterful instructor. Her talent for Cultivation was frightening, and her grasp of the Grand Dao and the journey toward transcendence was so unique that it granted Chu Xinyue sudden bursts of clarity.

For a fleeting moment, Chu Xinyue felt a pang of guilt and her expression became conflicted. She had no desire to trick or use the Xi Yuan Saintess, but given the current peril facing the Immortal Chu Hao Earth, her duty as the Second Princess was to protect her people and their interests.

It has to be this way, she told herself.

After a silent apology to the Saintess, Chu Xinyue regained her composure.

By now, she could feel a growing resonance with the Xi Yuan Saintess’s essence, gestures, and aura. It felt as though she could replicate her perfectly with just a single thought.

The uncanny power of the Yi Tai Zao Hua Da Wu Dan was even greater than she had hoped. Shortly after, Chu Xinyue prepared to leave, claiming she didn't want to exhaust the Saintess and promising to return the next day.

Behind the veil, the Xi Yuan Saintess remained seated, giving a slight nod of her chin without trying to detain her.

However, as Chu Xinyue was turning to depart, a servant entered suddenly to deliver a message.

“Saintess, Young Master Gu has arrived unexpectedly and is waiting outside the pavilion.”

This news caused Chu Xinyue’s face to drain of color. Her eyes flashed with alarm and a trace of dread.

As the person she blamed for her brother's demise, Chu Xinyue could barely contain her rage toward him and wanted nothing more than to strike him down. But remembering the profound terror the Starling Elder of the Yinxu Cave felt for Gu Changge, she forced her murderous intent and hatred deep down.

“Why has he come?”

Behind the screen, the normally unshakeable Xi Yuan Saintess lost her cool upon hearing the name. Her face shifted with emotion. Remembering Gu Changge’s previous actions toward her in this very building, her voice turned icy, “I have no desire to see him.”

The sudden shift in the Saintess’s mood startled Chu Xinyue. The Saintess’s voice was no longer the detached, heavenly sound she was used to; it was now sharp and hostile, as if she held a deep-seated grudge.

And yet, only a day ago at the celebration, the Xi Yuan Saintess had clearly taken the side of the Celestial Court and the Tianya Alliance.

Before Chu Xinyue could wrap her head around it, a soft laugh filled the room.

“Since I’ve already made my way inside, do you truly intend to kick me out?”

While she was still reeling, Gu Changge’s voice rang through the pavilion. He appeared from the hallway, moving with effortless grace, clad in white like a figure from a masterpiece. His presence seemed to make the surrounding world lose its luster.

Chu Xinyue was stunned. Despite her high level of power, she hadn't detected Gu Changge’s arrival at all. He remained as unpredictable as ever.

“Greetings, Young Master Gu,” she said, quickly regaining her mask. She offered a polite, graceful smile.

“Ah, it seems the Second Princess is visiting as well,” Gu Changge remarked with a smile, acting as if he had only just noticed her. His tone was casual yet civil.

Chu Xinyue maintained her polite smile. “As Young Master Gu has matters to discuss with the Saintess, I shall depart so as not to be an interruption.”

She gave a quick nod toward the Saintess behind the veil and turned to go. She had no wish to be in the same room as Gu Changge. She feared he might sense something suspicious, and she also feared she might lose her grip on the hatred burning inside her.