I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1281:

The Heavenly Chu Empire was plunged into chaos as thick plumes of smoke and mist billowed toward the heavens. From the shadows of the realm, elite battalions emerged, their blood energy radiating with such intensity that it distorted the surrounding fog as they mobilized at breakneck speeds.

Their presence was suffocating, carrying the stench of a thousand battlefields. Mounted on ferocious steeds that kicked up massive dust clouds, they rapidly encircled the palace complex where the delegation from the Yu Xian Palace was currently staying.

Commanding this force were several Dao-level powerhouses. Their towering forms were encased in armor that shimmered with an undying radiance. One general gripped a massive spear that felt as heavy as the primordial chaos itself; its tip glittered with a cold light capable of tearing through the fabric of space and time.

“By imperial decree, the Zhenxian Army has arrived to purge the lingering filth of the Black Calamity!”

These Dao-level figures stared down at the residence with icy indifference, prepared to launch a total assault at a moment's notice. Their voices, steeped in a ruthless aura of iron and blood, thundered across the capital, making the entire imperial city shudder under the weight of their words.

The gathered nobles and guests were gripped by terror. Numerous figures took to the sky, gazing down in shock. They were baffled by the sudden arrival of such a terrifying military force and why the Yu Xian Palace had been targeted for encirclement.

At that moment, several Dao-level Elders from the Yu Xian Palace, who had traveled there for the festivities, emerged alongside their disciples. Their expressions were grim as they confronted the vast army blocking their path.

Many among them were utterly bewildered, failing to understand why the Heavenly Chu Empire would deploy such a murderous force against them without warning.

Exterminating the remnants of the Black Calamity?

“What is the meaning of this? Are you suggesting that our Yu Xian Palace is in league with the Black Calamity?”

A Dao-level Elder of the Yu Xian Palace stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous as he sized up the surrounding troops.

“This is the Emperor’s command. We are simply following orders. The Yu Xian Palace has conspired with the Black Calamity to destabilize the Xiyuan Civilization. The entire world must join forces to wipe you out.”

The army’s commander—a powerhouse whose cultivation had nearly reached the Ancestral Dao—spoke with a chilling finality. His sharp, electric gaze made the air crackle. He was a high-ranking general of the Zhenxian Army, a specialized unit answering only to Chu Gucheng.

The Zhenxian Army represented the peak of Chu Gucheng’s military might, established during his ambitious attempt to found the Heavenly Court.

To put it simply, whenever the Zhenxian Army moved, rivers of blood were destined to follow.

“Hmph, the Heavenly Chu Empire claims we are allies of the Black Calamity? If that is the case, produce your proof. Such ridiculous, baseless slander is beneath contempt.”

The Elder who had spoken earlier let out a furious sneer. His eyes turned bone-chillingly cold as a terrifying pressure began to leak from his body. Even if the Yu Xian Palace had seen better days, it was not a sect that a rising power like the Heavenly Chu Empire could simply trample upon.

Furthermore, the ancient Ancestors of the Yu Xian Palace had already returned and were currently recovering their strength in the depths of the sect, preparing to return to their former glory.

Ling Yuxian stood alongside the other Elders, her robes snapping in the wind, her face masked in a layer of frost.

The Yu Xian Palace had historically been at the forefront of the war against the source of the Black Calamity, making them legendary pioneers in the struggle for survival.

“Evidence? It is an open secret that the Yu Xian Palace has long been in bed with the Black Calamity. Do you truly intend to play the victim?”

The commander of the Zhenxian Army scanned the members of the Yu Xian Palace with a look of pure disdain.

Shifting his gaze toward the spectators in the sky, he announced loudly, “The Fatian Alliance was created by the Black Calamity remnants, and the Immortal Spirit Civilization has already become their stronghold. You, the Yu Xian Palace, are fully aware that the man surnamed Gu is a creature of the Black Calamity, yet you continue to plot with him to throw Xiyuan into chaos.”

“You are spouting nonsense! Do you have a shred of proof connecting the Fatian Alliance to the Black Calamity? Do you think that just because we are on Heavenly Chu soil, you can act with such lawless arrogance?” The Yu Xian Palace Elder was shaking with rage.

During the recent birthday banquet, the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had already cleared up these misunderstandings.

He had spent the last few days in secluded meditation and hadn't been tracking the latest rumors, so he was oblivious to the news that had broken today.

Ling Yuxian’s brow furrowed as she listened. In truth, she had sensed something was wrong the moment she heard today’s reports.

The Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had suddenly reversed her position, retracting all the clarifications she had made at the banquet. Ling Yuxian had been uneasy ever since, wondering what could have transpired between the Holy Maiden and Gu Changge.

“This information comes directly from the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan. Leaders from various Daoist sects are currently gathered in the heart of the imperial city, discussing this very crisis with the Emperor. If you doubt me, go and see for yourselves.”

The Zhenxian Army commander gave a mocking smile.

Their true objective today was Gu Changge.

The Heavenly Chu Empire didn't want to completely burn its bridges with the Yu Xian Palace if it could be avoided. Thus, they used these accusations as leverage to force the sect to back down and stay out of the coming conflict.

“What?”

The once-furious Elder was suddenly struck dumb by the revelation.

The Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had actually said those things?

“The Holy Maiden did indeed make such a statement today, but I suspect there is a hidden agenda at play here...”

Ling Yuxian looked at the stunned Elder and sent a private Qi transmission. “If Brother Gu were truly a remnant of the Black Calamity, why would he have helped us liberate our Ancestors?”

She refused to believe Gu Changge was part of the Black Calamity. She suspected instead that the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had struck a deal with the Heavenly Chu Empire to frame him.

“This...”

The Elders of the Yu Xian Palace were left in a state of total disorientation.

They were well aware of Ling Yuxian’s status and remembered that it was Gu Changge who assisted them in the Jing Clan’s territory, ensuring the safety of their Ancestors. However, the accusation now came from the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan herself.

For the Xiyuan Civilization, her word changed everything.

“Even the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan would not dare to brand someone a Black Calamity remnant without ironclad evidence,” Ling Yuxian said coldly, her eyes fixed on the commander.

“Hah! You are nothing but a clueless junior. What do you know? Do you dare to challenge the Holy Maiden’s decree and turn your back on the entire Xiyuan Civilization?”

The Zhenxian Army commander’s eyes darkened like the deep sea. With a mere look, he projected a terrifying pressure that crushed down on Ling Yuxian, intending to force her to her knees in submission.

“How dare you!”

Seeing this, the Elders of the Yu Xian Palace cast aside their hesitation as their expressions shifted to outrage.

Ling Yuxian held an exalted status; they could not allow her to be humiliated in such a manner.

Their Qi erupted, and massive waves of spiritual power flooded the area. They struck out in unison, directing their attacks toward the commander of the Zhenxian Army.

“Since you refuse to accept my leniency, you shall taste my punishment!”

The commander’s face grew frigid. His presence seemed to expand until he stood at the very threshold of the cosmos.

A massive body of law manifested, filling the sky as his palm descended with power that touched the Ancestral Dao realm.

The sheer force of the impact sent the Yu Xian Palace Elders flying. They coughed up blood as they crashed through the surrounding architecture. This man had survived six Heavenly Decline Tribulations and was a legendary genius of the same generation as the Champion Marquis Chu Heng and the Celestial General. He was one of the brightest stars ever produced by the House of Extraordinary People.

While he might not have been as famous as the Champion Marquis, his fortune and talent were immense, marking him as a rare prodigy in the history of the stars.

The Yu Xian Palace Elders, though they were Dao-level experts, had only survived two or three Heavenly Decline Tribulations. They were simply no match for him.

The onlookers and nobles watching from a distance felt a wave of cold dread. They had assumed Chu Gucheng had revealed the full extent of the Empire’s power at the banquet, but they were wrong.

“The Commander of the Zhenxian Army, Chu Yuan... he once stood toe-to-toe with the Champion Marquis and the Celestial General. He was the pride of the House of Extraordinary People back then...”

The officials of the Heavenly Chu Empire who recognized him were filled with awe, speaking of him in hushed, respectful tones.

After a hundred years, figures like the Champion Marquis had reached the Ancestral Dao realm. While Chu Yuan hadn't quite crossed that threshold yet, he was clearly on the cusp of it.

The power he displayed made everyone feel as though an Ancestral Daoist was standing before them, commanding the very Great Dao to rule over the universe.

Clad in heavy armor with his face exposed, his expression remained icy. His gaze seemed capable of making stars fall from the sky. He stood tall, bathed in immortal light, radiating a kingly aura so dominant that many felt an instinctive urge to bow down and worship him.

It was the aura of a supreme sovereign, a ruler who stood alone at the top of the world.

From within the imperial city, Chu Gucheng, the Law Sage, Old Jin, and representatives from the Guangming Temple, the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, and the Ling Divine Cave all watched the confrontation unfold.

Every guest was shaken to the core.

A typical Immortal Daoist sect with millions of years of history and a few Ancestral Dao Elders was already considered a titan. But in a remarkably short span of time, the Heavenly Chu Empire had produced several Ancestral Dao experts and many more who were nearly there.

This level of foundation was staggering, causing everyone to feel a deep sense of caution and fear.

It was now clear why Chu Gucheng harbored the ambition to lead the Xiyuan Alliance and unify the entire civilization.

“The Zhenxian Marquis has grown considerably since we last met. It appears he has a real chance to condense the Ancestral Dao fruit and overcome the seventh Heavenly Decline Tribulation in this era,” Chu Gucheng remarked with a satisfied smile.

Even though Ling Yuxian was the reincarnation of an ancient sage, her current cultivation was insufficient to survive a direct blow from someone of Chu Yuan's caliber.

As the Elders were tossed aside, the shockwaves from Chu Yuan’s attack caused the void to ripple, threatening to swallow Ling Yuxian whole.

He was merciless. He recognized her extraordinary origins, but to him, she was currently just a junior who hadn't even reached the level of an Immortal Emperor.

“I will spare your life, but I will teach you the meaning of respect and the proper etiquette one owes to their seniors.”

Chu Yuan carefully calibrated his strike. He didn't want her dead, but he intended to cripple her so severely that she would suffer a fate worse than death for a long time to come.

“You will live to regret this day,” Ling Yuxian said, her voice freezing. Since recovering the memories of her past life, she had never been subjected to such an insult.

At that moment, a soft glow appeared on her forehead—the mark left for her by her previous self was beginning to stir.

Chu Yuan was momentarily surprised but remained undeterred. He had his orders from Chu Gucheng. During the birthday banquet, Ling Yuxian had embarrassed the Emperor in front of all his guests.

An Ancestral Dao being was not to be trifled with, especially one who ruled a vast empire. Such disrespect demanded a price.

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the area, feeling as though the heavens were caving in. A surge of energy erupted, shaking the foundations of the Heavenly Chu Empire.

A chaotic mist expanded rapidly, surging toward Zhenxian Marquis Chu Yuan. His face paled as his attacking hand slammed into what felt like an unbreakable wall of immortal copper. His fingers and arm shattered instantly, leaving jagged bone protruding from his skin. Yet, the momentum of the counter-force didn't stop, vibrating through his entire frame.

In a panic, Chu Yuan retreated. With a look of grim resolve, he used his other hand to tear his own shattered arm away, sacrificing it like a lizard dropping its tail to escape a predator.

The crowd watched in stunned silence, trembling at the sight.

A man as powerful as Chu Yuan, a near-Ancestral Dao expert, was forced to mutilate himself just to survive a single exchange. In the palace, Chu Gucheng’s smile vanished, replaced by a dark, brooding scowl.

“Perhaps you should be the one to learn the meaning of respect and etiquette.”

From within the swirling chaotic mist, Gu Changge appeared. His face was a mask of calm as he reached out to catch Ling Yuxian mid-air. With a casual flick of his other hand, the space ahead of him trembled.

With a sickening pop, Chu Yuan’s discarded arm disintegrated into a cloud of bloody mist.

“Leader of the Fatian Alliance... you finally decided to show your face.”

Chu Yuan’s expression was twisted with humiliation and spite. He had expected to easily dominate the Yu Xian Palace with his strength, but the reality was far different. Not only had a junior like Ling Yuxian defied him, but now he had been forced to tear off his own arm in front of everyone just to escape Gu Changge.

“Are you hurt?”

Gu Changge ignored Chu Yuan completely, focusing his attention on Ling Yuxian, who still looked upset.

He was somewhat surprised that she had been the one to step up and challenge the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan’s claims.

“I am fine.”

Ling Yuxian shook her head and pulled away from his support. She vividly remembered their last encounter in his courtyard, where he had given her no clear answers. They hadn't spoken since.

She remembered his cold, detached tone from that day.

A lingering sense of bitterness remained because he had always been wary of her and never truly trusted her. It was a weight on her heart.

Because of this, she had gone out of her way to avoid him, fearing more frustration and doubt.

“Leader of the Fatian Alliance, you are a traitor who colludes with the Black Calamity to destroy the Xiyuan Civilization. You are an enemy of all living things!”

Seeing Gu Changge dismiss him so easily, Chu Yuan’s face darkened further. He spat the words with venomous intent.

The mist of blood in the air shimmered with divine colors, each droplet reflecting entire worlds and carrying the vitality of a vast realm. The mist began to flow back toward Chu Yuan, attempting to regenerate his lost limb.

“The Heavenly Chu Empire certainly loves to toss around accusations. Is this how you handle things? If you want me to listen, you’ll need to bring out convincing evidence for me.”

Gu Changge glanced at Chu Yuan with a faint, mocking smile.

As his gaze—