I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1279:

1640. The Art of Substituting the Pillar, How Did the Saintess End Up in Such a Miserable State?

“Father, do not be concerned.”

“Your daughter understands the path forward.”

Following Chu Gucheng’s statement, the form of Chu Xinyue manifested from the thin air. As she stepped toward the group, her facial features, voice, and even her very aura began to shimmer and fade. An unnatural fog enveloped her, granting her a cryptic and ghostly presence.

Moments later, as the vapor cleared, she had been entirely replaced by the visage of the Xiyuan Saintess. Whether it was her subtle expressions or her regal posture, she was indistinguishable from the Xiyuan Saintess they once knew.

This was far beyond a mere illusion or a change of face; it was a fundamental reconstruction of her very being, as if she had been born anew into a different vessel. Even the most ancient sages, renowned for their mastery of deduction, would find it impossible to uncover the true roots or destiny of Chu Xinyue at this moment.

“The medicine provided by Senior Xing Ying is truly as miraculous as claimed. With Xinyue and the Xiyuan Saintess standing side by side, even we can no longer tell the genuine from the imitation. It is impossible to tell them apart.”

Witnessing this nearly divine metamorphosis, Chu Gucheng, the Law Saint, and the others could not suppress their wonder.

“Have I truly become the Xiyuan Saintess?”

Chu Xinyue herself looked on in shock, feeling a flood of hazy memories entering her consciousness. While these were not the authentic experiences of the Xiyuan Saintess, they provided enough mental scaffolding to perfect the ruse, ensuring no observer could pierce her veil. In that instant, she felt as though she actually was the Xiyuan Saintess, embodying the supreme authority of the Xiyuan Civilization in every movement.

“The Easy Rebirth Creation Pill crafted by my Master is naturally flawless. It was forged using the Dao Fruit of the Scaly Ancestor, a treasure of immense rarity. Even within my Yin Xu Cave, such items are scarce,” the elderly Xing Ying remarked, nodding her approval.

“How can this be?”

The real Xiyuan Saintess, currently bound and suppressed at the heart of the Lock Dragon Pillars, watched the scene with profound disbelief. She had initially dismissed this as a simple trick of light or a high-level disguise by Chu Xinyue.

Usually, no matter how perfect a transformation, the inner essence remains unchanged. Even if the appearance and demeanor are flawless, a discrepancy always exists. For a master at the Ancestor Dao realm, a single thought is usually enough to trace the threads of karma and identify a person's true origin.

Yet, the Chu Xinyue standing before her appeared to be the legitimate Xiyuan Saintess in every sense.

Was this the hidden motive behind Chu Xinyue’s constant visits? By consuming the pill from the blind elder and spending days imitating her, she had achieved a perfect duplication. The Xiyuan Saintess felt a surge of dread. While she remained imprisoned, this double would walk the world, potentially bringing ruin to the Xiyuan Civilization.

This was particularly dangerous now that Chu Gucheng was obsessed with seizing the Mirror of Reincarnation. A few words from this fake “Xiyuan Saintess” could shift the balance of power and hand the artifact to him.

Noticing her distress, Chu Gucheng gave a boisterous laugh. “Do not fret, Xiyuan Saintess. Xinyue is merely borrowing your status for a time. She will return it eventually. This will not harm you; in fact, it will ultimately benefit the Xiyuan Holy Hall.”

“In time, you might even find yourself thanking me and Xinyue.”

The Xiyuan Saintess regained her composure. She met his words with a freezing stare and remained silent, closing her eyes to resume her meditation and recovery. Chu Gucheng, unbothered, sneered and signaled with his hand. The Lock Dragon Pillars began to glow with a soft, multicolored light, creating a hazy domain that shielded the prison from sight. He then tore a rift in space and departed alongside the Law Saint, Elder Jin, and Xing Ying.

“A masterful strategy of substitution. It is no wonder the Lord of Xianchu Haotu is so famous. This plot is truly without a leak.”

In a tranquil courtyard within the capital of Xianchu Haotu, Gu Changge watched the images on a golden paper fade away and offered a genuine word of praise. Beside him, Wu Xuan, Chu Bai, and Chu Kui stood like frozen statues, unable to process what they had seen. Their minds were in chaos.

When they first saw Chu Gucheng and his allies move against the Xiyuan Saintess, they suspected it was a hallucination. Now, the reality had left them paralyzed. They never dreamed they would witness such a terrifying conspiracy. If this truth were ever revealed, it would bring an absolute disaster upon Xianchu Haotu.

Who could have imagined that Chu Gucheng would be bold enough to kidnap the Xiyuan Saintess and replace her with his own daughter? This was not just a challenge to the Xiyuan Holy Hall; it was an attempt to seize control of the entire civilization. It was a gamble on a razor's edge where one mistake meant total destruction.

“Gu... Young Master Gu, why do you not intervene to rescue the Xiyuan Saintess?”

While terrified by Chu Gucheng’s boldness, Wu Xuan and the others were even more intimidated by Gu Changge. With nothing more than a simple sheet of golden paper, he had exposed the deepest secrets of the Law Saint and the Lord of Xianchu Haotu. Even more frightening was that Chu Gucheng had no idea he was being watched like a specimen in a jar.

“Why should I save her?” Gu Changge asked with a soft smile as he put the paper away.

“But... did the Xiyuan Saintess not take your side?” Wu Xuan asked nervously.

He remembered how she had defended the Fatian Alliance at the banquet, claiming they had no ties to the Black Calamity, which seemed to support Gu Changge. Gu Changge chuckled. “She was never on my side. She only said those things because she had no other choice. What happened to her today is the consequence of her own choices. Arrogance always demands a price.”

Gu Changge could have intervened, but her imprisonment actually served his interests. Wu Xuan and the others did not dare to guess his true motives, but they realized his power was beyond their comprehension. It was clear to them now that the fate of Xianchu Haotu was already sealed. The peace on the surface was a lie; a great catastrophe was already knocking at the door.

Chu Gucheng’s actions were alienating his own people. Once Han Feng and the others returned to the mansion of capable people and strange talents, they would surely share these secrets with those they trusted. By spreading the word, they hoped to create enough chaos to make their enemies hesitate.

Gu Changge watched their faces and knew the coming storm was inevitable. “The Xiyuan Saintess’s mentor is the Xiyu. Her long absence suggests she has her own agenda. Meanwhile, the background of the Yin Xu Cave is something I should look into,” he mused while drinking.

Han Feng and his companions exchanged heavy looks. Having been raised by Xianchu Haotu, they felt a lingering sadness for the empire, but they were not fools. The royal family had just tried to execute them. If the sovereign was heartless, they owed him no loyalty.

“The Marquis entrusted me with the mandarin duck jade pendants he shared with his wife. If we find the other half, we can recreate the night of the madam's death and identify the killer,” Han Feng whispered.

“Madam Qing Lan’s body was never buried; it remains at the former Grand Tutor’s estate. The pendant might be there,” Chu Bai added. The former Grand Tutor still held massive influence, with many powerful officials being his former students.

“I fear the enemies will move against the Grand Tutor next to destroy the evidence,” Han Feng said worriedly. He looked at Gu Changge, tempted to ask for help. He was convinced Gu Changge’s power exceeded even the Ancestor Dao realm.

“I know what you are thinking,” Gu Changge said with a smirk. “But this is a private grudge between your Marquis and the empire. I have already helped you enough tonight without asking for payment.”

Han Feng felt embarrassed but bowed deeply. “If Young Master Gu helps the Marquis, we will be forever in your debt. We will follow any command you give.”

“Can you truly speak for the Champion Marquis?” Gu Changge asked. Han Feng paused, then nodded. “I know him well. He would say the same.”

“We shall see. Let him ask me himself,” Gu Changge waved them off. “Besides, why do you think I can help? I am currently in a difficult position myself.”

The group looked confused. “You must be joking, Young Master. With your power, who could threaten you?”

“Chu Gucheng now has the 'Saintess' on his side. He will likely target me soon. I wanted a peaceful stay, but it seems that is no longer possible,” Gu Changge laughed. His casual tone made it obvious he wasn't actually worried. His ability to spy on the Emperor so easily gave the men total confidence in him.

Eventually, Han Feng and the others left to head for the Grand Tutor’s mansion. After they departed, Gu Changge finished his wine and stood up.

“With so many void seals, it seems Chu Gucheng wants her locked away for centuries.” He flicked his wrist, and the golden paper created a black vortex. He stepped into it and vanished.

Inside the void prison, the Xiyuan Saintess suddenly felt a strange presence. “What is this?” she whispered. She sensed a powerful aura within her own private storage space. She watched as golden light erupted from the golden paper she had previously sealed and hidden. Despite her many prohibitions, the paper was becoming a gateway.

“Did he actually intend to help me?” she wondered, her heart racing. A figure stepped through the portal into the prison.

“It has been a few days, Saintess. How did you end up in such a sorry state?” Gu Changge asked mockingly, looking her over.

“You are truly wicked, leaving such a trap in that paper,” the Xiyuan Saintess replied coldly, though her eyes betrayed her surprise.