I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1280:

1641. The final judgment, once again stirred up a storm

She was well aware that her current appearance must be a total disaster. Usually, she maintained a meticulous standard for her looks and aura, making this unprecedented situation even more jarring. Her dark tresses were messy and loose, blood stained the corner of her lips, and her gown was ruined by crimson blotches. Layers of grime clung to her, as if a celestial being had been cast down from the heavens to tumble through the dirt of the secular world.

For someone as detached and obsessed with purity as her, this state was simply intolerable.

Regrettably, she was pinned down by the Dragon Lock Chains, leaving her with no choice but to focus on mending her internal damage. At this moment, she was utterly powerless.

“I arrived with the best of intentions to visit the Saintess, yet you respond with immediate accusations?” Gu Changge let out a soft laugh before strolling straight toward the Xiyuan Saintess.

The Xiyuan Saintess was initially stunned to see Gu Changge approaching. However, the realization that she was immobilized by the Dragon Lock Chains quickly set in, and a flicker of dread crossed her mind.

She possessed numerous hidden trump cards to safeguard her virtue, which she would only deploy in the direst circumstances. Yet, Gu Changge was a different breed than Chu Gucheng. The defensive measures she relied on would likely prove useless against him.

“What do you intend to do?”

The Xiyuan Saintess spoke with a hint of alarm, attempting to pull herself up. However, the surrounding Dragon Lock Pillars vibrated, and the rattling of the heavy metal links drowned out her struggle. The suppression intensified, forcing her to remain down.

“Do not move.”

Gu Changge shook his head slightly, producing a pristine white handkerchief to offer her.

The sight of the handkerchief caused the Xiyuan Saintess to freeze. She realized her previous alarm might have been an overreaction. During Gu Changge's prior visit, he had used threats and intimidation, yet he hadn't actually crossed any lines afterward. With this in mind, she instinctively tried to reach for it.

But her limbs were bound fast by the chains, making it impossible for her to even lift a finger toward the cloth.

“I had forgotten you are currently unable to move.”

Noticing her predicament, Gu Changge spoke in an apologetic tone. He reached behind her ear, gently pulling away her blood-soaked veil, and used the handkerchief to dab the stains from her mouth.

The Xiyuan Saintess was dazed, her thoughts coming to a standstill. She could sense the warmth radiating from Gu Changge’s hand, even without direct skin contact.

Yet, as the soft fabric moved across her lips, the pressure of his palm was unmistakable.

Once the blood was cleared, Gu Changge used his magic to effortlessly cleanse and dry her veil before refitting it over her face.

The interaction was brief, and Gu Changge’s touch wasn't exactly tender; in fact, he seemed rather detached. Nevertheless, the Xiyuan Saintess remained motionless, staring at him without a word of protest or resistance.

In that moment, an inexplicable sense of warmth blossomed in her chest.

It was clear that Gu Changge was the ultimate adversary she had glimpsed in her Reincarnation Mirror—the foe of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and the entire Xiyuan civilization.

And yet, this very enemy had come to her side to wipe away the blood, saving her from her state of disgrace.

“It is a shame you didn't have a wooden comb on you.”

Gu Changge gave a thin smile and retreated, putting distance between them again.

Hearing those words, a strange sense of agitation rose within the Xiyuan Saintess. She averted her gaze, her voice tinged with annoyance. “Are you suggesting you would have combed my hair as well?”

Since the dawn of time, such intimate acts were reserved for Daoist partners or wedded couples.

She and Gu Changge, however, were foes.

“I wouldn't comb your hair even if you begged me to. Now that the blood is gone, you at least look more presentable.”

Gu Changge chuckled, moving past the subject.

His answer left the Xiyuan Saintess feeling even more unsettled. Was he saying he only helped because her appearance had been an eyesore?

She let out a faint, nearly silent huff and remarked coldly, “If you had brought a fresh gown, would you have insisted on changing me too?”

Gu Changge took a glance at her blood-marked robes and smirked. “If that is your wish, I suppose I could reluctantly assist you with that as well.”

“That won't be necessary.”

The Xiyuan Saintess fought the urge to glare, replying, “Such tasks do not require your intervention, Young Master Gu.”

She was baffled as to why she had even posed such a question.

In the past, she had used her allure to probe Gu Changge, but now she found it impossible to maintain her usual composure around him.

“Is Young Master Gu here merely to witness my humiliation?”

“As you mentioned before, Chu Gucheng, the ruler of Xian Chu Hao Tu, is driven by ambition. He has conspired with the Sage of Law, Elder Jin, Chu Xinyue, and that blind crone from Yin Ru Cave to entrap me.”

Regaining her typical stoicism, the Xiyuan Saintess changed the subject. “But I am not here to watch you fail. I sensed you were in peril and came to check on your status.”

Gu Changge shook his head with a smile. “Chu Gucheng’s hunger for power is vast; he seeks to dominate the Xiyuan civilization. Since the Xiyuan Sacred Hall blocks his path, he was bound to find a way to neutralize you.”

The Xiyuan Saintess doubted his motives were as selfless as he claimed. Did he truly care for her well-being?

“I am safe for the time being. Chu Gucheng wouldn't dare take my life; he only intends to keep me confined. This formation can only hold me for a few years at most.” She added, “However, Chu Xinyue consumed a mysterious pill provided by the blind woman of Yin Ru Cave. She has fully assumed my likeness and will take my place in the world.”

“Chu Gucheng will undoubtedly exploit this deception.”

Gu Changge was already privy to these developments. Currently, these events didn't threaten him; instead, they were accelerating the internal rot of Xian Chu Hao Tu, pushing it toward a state of betrayal and collapse.

“Oh? It seems Chu Gucheng is even bolder than I suspected. Not only has he abducted the true Saintess, but he is now using his own flesh and blood to impersonate her?”

He acted slightly surprised, as if the news was fresh, then turned his gaze back to her. “Your imprisonment by the Xian Chu Hao Tu might indeed complicate things for me later.”

“Does that mean you intend to free me?” The Xiyuan Saintess looked at Gu Changge, her eyes shimmering with a sudden hope.

Within this void dungeon, Chu Gucheng and his allies had placed tens of thousands of seals. Yet, Gu Changge had breached them silently. She hoped he might lead her out the same way.

“Not at this time.”

Gu Changge shook his head softly, ignoring her hopeful look. “The stars haven't aligned yet. This is not the moment for your escape.”

Her optimism vanished instantly. She hadn't expected such a blunt and immediate refusal.

She had harbored a small hope that he had come for a rescue. What did he mean by the timing being wrong?

“I shall find my own way out. I don't need your help,” the Xiyuan Saintess stated firmly, her voice sharp with irritation.

“Then the Saintess will have to be patient for a while longer. I will return to aid your escape when the moment is right.” Gu Changge smiled, unbothered by her visible displeasure, and said nothing more.

The shimmering rift reappeared, cutting through the fabric of space and time. His form faded like mist and vanished from the cell.

Once he was gone, the Xiyuan Saintess felt her frustration peak.

She had to chant the 'Calming Mind Mantra' hundreds of times in her head before she could regain her center.

There was no denying that Gu Changge’s visit had left her heart in turmoil.

“Why does he act so differently from the version of him I saw in the Reincarnation Mirror?”

“Should I trust the visions of the mirror, or the man I see before my eyes...?” she whispered to herself.

The following day, a bombshell announcement erupted from the capital of Xian Chu Hao Tu, stunning the remaining dignitaries.

It was declared that Xian Chu Hao Tu would form an alliance with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, creating the 'Xiyuan Alliance' to defend against the looming threats to their civilization.

This news sent shockwaves through the representatives of the various Daoist Sects.

Furthermore, it wasn't just a military pact; there were rumors of a political marriage in the works.

Chu Gucheng and the Xiyuan Saintess appeared together before the crowd, standing side by side in an uncharacteristically close manner.

The Saintess had discarded her usual icy distance toward the ruler, appearing to engage in friendly and lighthearted conversation with him.

The onlookers were flabbergasted, wondering if they were hallucinating. Envoys from the Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, Guangming Temple, Ling Shen Cave, and Yu Xian Palace found the sight nearly impossible to digest.

The Xiyuan Saintess then addressed the crowd herself. She explained that after a night of deliberation with Elder Jin and the Sage of Law, she had experienced a change of heart. She realized the scale of the coming Cultivation catastrophe was beyond what any single Sect could handle. Survival required absolute unity.

She backed this claim with her visions from the Reincarnation Mirror, describing a dark mist that was once again swallowing worlds. She claimed the Xianling civilization had already fallen to this mist, becoming a stronghold for the remnants of the Black Calamity.

She further alleged that Zixiao Mountain was conspiring with these dark forces, and even the Demon Court had been tainted by them. According to her, Chu Gucheng was the chosen one of destiny, carrying the legacy of the ancient human emperor. He was the only one capable of leading them through the storm. To survive, everyone had to rally behind him.

These revelations left the guests reeling. It was a complete reversal of everything she had said at the banquet.

Previously, she had stated there was no link between Xianling and the Black Calamity, and that Zixiao Mountain was still under scrutiny. Now, she was confirming the worst fears of the world.

Though confused, no one dared to openly challenge her. Many wondered why she had shifted her position so radically. And if this was an alliance, why was there a need for a marriage?

While Chu Gucheng hadn't specified the details, most assumed it meant a union between himself and the Saintess.

As the head of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, she was the most exalted figure in the civilization. Her status was peerless.

The idea of her marrying the ruler of Xian Chu Hao Tu was like a mountain falling into the ocean, creating a massive tidal wave. It was an ominous sign for the other Daoist factions.

The Xiyuan Sacred Hall had always been a neutral arbiter. If it tied itself to Xian Chu Hao Tu, would the other powers like Yu Xian Palace and the Buddhist Kingdom be forced to bow to Chu Gucheng?

This threatened to upend the delicate balance of power in the Xiyuan civilization.

Suspicions arose that the Saintess was being coerced. The 'Silent Buddha' of the Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, along with elders from other major Sects, sought a private audience with her to find the truth.

Inside the palace, Chu Gucheng, the Sage of Law, and Elder Jin were prepared for these inquiries.

The Xiyuan Saintess appeared before them, as poised and calm as ever.

“The Xianling civilization has indeed fallen to the dark mist. The leader of the Heaven’s Punishment Alliance is connected to those remnants,” she explained. “During the banquet, I spoke carefully to avoid provoking him while I assessed his power. After consulting with Elder Jin, we decided on this course of action.”

Shrouded in a celestial mist and her veil, she spoke with a detached authority that silenced many doubts.

“My old friend Xiyu, the Saintess's mentor, and I are close. We would never truly quarrel in public over small matters. It was all a ruse to deceive that man named Gu,” Elder Jin added with a smile.

“Fellow Dao brothers, we are all in this together,” Chu Gucheng said, his face grave. “The Black Calamity has been rotting our civilization from within for a long time. Zixiao Mountain is now a puppet for those forces. If we do not act, the darkness will swallow us all. The great tribulation has begun.”

The representatives from the various Sects looked somber. Despite their lingering questions, the recent actions of Zixiao Mountain—specifically the ominous black coffin—lent weight to these claims.

“If the situation is as dire as you say, and you are so wary of this Young Master Gu from the Heaven’s Punishment Alliance, how do you intend to stop him?” asked a weathered hermit, a powerful expert from a remote region.

Other ancient cultivators and Daoist figures looked on, waiting for an answer. If they combined their strength, they would be a force to be reckoned with.

“Do not worry. We would not have gone public if we didn't have a plan to handle him. However, we will need your cooperation when the time comes,” Chu Gucheng replied, though he felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach.

He was troubled. The previous night, the assassins he sent to eliminate the Champion Marquis’s inner circle had vanished. This meant a third party was active in his capital, protecting his enemies. He suspected Gu Changge, but had no proof. Meanwhile, deep within the city, ancient portals began to glow as powerful reinforcements began to arrive from across the stars.