I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1282:

While the Zhenxian Army campaigned and tempered themselves within the deep folds of space-time, they frequently clashed with primordial monstrosities from the ancestral domain, accumulating vast combat expertise.

When Chu Gucheng deployed the Zhenxian Army this time, he did not actually expect them to defeat Gu Changge. His true objective was to use this confrontation as a stage, allowing the gathered dignitaries and guests to witness Gu Changge’s true power and grasp just how catastrophic a threat he posed.

Through this display, he intended to forge a grand coalition with them to stand against Gu Changge’s influence.

“If Saintess Xiyuan insists that I am a remnant of the Black Calamity, why does she not step forward and identify me directly, or at least present some undeniable proof to justify her claim?”

“Making baseless accusations serves no purpose; it is difficult for anyone to find such words credible.”

“Is this the strategy the Heavenly Chu Territory has chosen to deal with me, or perhaps their method of handling the Yuxian Palace? One must wonder if it is actually the Heavenly Chu Territory that is covertly allied with the Black Calamity remnants.”

Standing amidst the debris of the shattered palace, Gu Changge remained poised, his attire clean of any grime. He offered a thin smile in response to the declarations of Zhenxian Marquis Chu Yuan, appearing entirely unbothered by the unfolding situation.

High above, numerous figures descended, observing the confrontation from a distance with looks of shock and doubt. Even now, many remained skeptical about the validity of the news they had received.

Not long ago, Saintess Xiyuan had publicly stated that the Heaven Severing Alliance had no ties to the Black Calamity, yet today she had completely reversed her position.

This inconsistency was beginning to erode the confidence of many. Despite her exalted status, her shifting narrative made her words feel less trustworthy than they once were.

“Even someone of Saintess Xiyuan’s standing cannot throw such heavy accusations around without restraint. If she makes these claims, she must provide hard evidence.”

“When the Yuxian Palace was battling the very heart of the Black Calamity countless eons ago, she hadn't even been born. What right does she have to challenge the integrity of our Yuxian Palace?”

At that moment, Ling Yuxian spoke up sharply. Her robes snapped in the wind, and her beautiful, jade-like face was set in a frigid mask of anger.

Ling Yuxian was known for her bluntness and lack of patience for schemes. Having nearly faced humiliation earlier, her internal fury had grown into a raging blaze.

To her, Saintess Xiyuan was merely a junior. Ling Yuxian’s own master, Xiyu, had been a contemporary and ally of the Saintess’s predecessors in a bygone era.

“Our Little Ancestor is correct. Where is Saintess Xiyuan? Let her show herself. We acknowledge her rank, but evidence is required. If she can prove Gu Gongzi is linked to the Black Calamity, we will not only break ties with him but will actively assist in his capture.”

Ling Yuxian’s words emboldened several Yuxian Palace Elders who had been wounded earlier, fueling their sense of indignation.

With the ancestor of the Yuxian Palace on the verge of rebirth to reclaim dominance over the realms, they found the Heavenly Chu Territory’s arrogance intolerable. This blatant disrespect toward the Yuxian Palace was something they could no longer ignore.

The disturbance had already drawn the gaze of the entire imperial capital. Countless cultivators were flocking toward the site, stunned by the day's unbelievable developments.

With the Demon Court and Zixia Mountain already invading, was the Heavenly Chu Territory truly intent on antagonizing the Yuxian Palace as well?

The crowd was desperate to understand Saintess Xiyuan’s sudden change of heart. Did she truly possess proof that the Heaven Severing Alliance was tied to the Black Calamity?

“Evidence? The Heaven Severing Alliance didn't just invade the Immortal Spirit Civilization; they seized numerous neighboring territories, drowning those lands in a black fog of eternal shadow.”

“Now, their leader has infiltrated the Xiyuan Civilization, conspiring with the Demon Court to destabilize the Heavenly Chu Territory. They intend to plunge our entire civilization into the same darkness.”

“These actions are plain for all to see. Do I really need to elaborate? How dare you question the word of Saintess Xiyuan?”

Knowing he was no match for Gu Changge in a direct fight, Chu Yuan acted decisively. His voice was resolute, and as he finished speaking, the Zhenxian Army behind him snapped into a battle formation.

A terrifying, murderous intent surged into the heavens, feeling as though it had been summoned from the deepest hells. The sheer weight of it struck terror into the hearts of onlookers, who could only guess how many lives had been extinguished by those soldiers.

Gu Changge gave a soft laugh. “The Heavenly Chu Territory seems remarkably eager to dispose of me. Isn't this a bit rushed? I have interacted with Saintess Xiyuan before; she is not the type of person to be so cold-blooded and ungrateful.”

“I find myself wondering if she is being coerced by you, and if her current words and deeds are no longer her own.”

He spoke clearly, his voice carrying to every corner of the capital. To the average cultivator, this suspicion seemed plausible. However, many doubted that the Heavenly Chu Territory would ever have the nerve to lay a finger on someone as prominent as Saintess Xiyuan.

The guests watched with flickering eyes, still finding the idea unlikely. The truth would soon be revealed: either the Heavenly Chu Territory was spinning a web of lies, or Gu Changge was merely maintaining a facade of composure.

Within the palace, Chu Gucheng’s brow darkened. He realized that moving against Gu Changge today was a hasty decision. Yet, he feared that any delay would ruin his plans, especially after the agents he sent to kill the Champion Marquis's confidant vanished. He suspected Gu Changge’s involvement and decided it was better to eliminate the threat immediately.

Without a word, Chu Gucheng glanced at the ‘Saintess Xiyuan’ standing at his side.

He was uncertain of the history between the Saintess and Gu Changge, suspecting Gu Changge might be bluffing. Regardless, he needed her to step forward now to unify the crowd against their target.

The fake Saintess immediately understood the command. She glided into the air, exiting the palace grounds and appearing before the ruins in a single, graceful stride.

Created through the miraculous ‘Great Creation Dan’, her existence was a mystery. Her mind held only fragmented memories of the real Saintess Xiyuan—just enough to maintain her disguise without being caught.

Consequently, Chu Xinyue was unsure of the exact nature of the relationship between the Saintess and Gu Changge. However, the hazy memories she did possess suggested that Gu Changge’s claims of a past connection were indeed true.

Before the wreckage of the Yuxian Palace’s base, she descended like moonlight. Clad in white, she looked as ethereal as a blossom in winter, detached from the mortal realm. Behind her veil, her eyes were cold as she stared at Gu Changge.

Thinking of her deceased brother, a flash of suppressed rage crossed her features, but she quickly regained her composure and spoke in a flat tone:

“The Heaven Severing Alliance is a plague born of the Black Calamity, steeped in sin. For their own greed, they have brought ruin to the world, ended countless lives, and shattered the homes of many. They are cursed by the Heavens themselves.”

The appearance of Saintess Xiyuan and her harsh words left the audience paralyzed with shock.

“On what proof do you base these claims? The status of the Heaven Severing Alliance cannot be determined solely by your testimony,” Ling Yuxian challenged, refusing to be intimidated by the Saintess’s aura.

“Whether it is true or not is not for you to decide. If my words today are false, I am prepared to face eternal damnation, the shattering of my Dao heart, and the ultimate judgment of the Heavenly laws,” the Saintess replied coldly, her expression unyielding.

Ling Yuxian was stunned that the Saintess would swear such a soul-binding oath before the world. She glanced back at Gu Changge, only to find him still wearing that same faint, enigmatic smile.

Even with Saintess Xiyuan personally condemning him, he remained entirely unfazed.

“Could what she says actually be true?” Ling Yuxian wondered, her mind racing.

“Who do you choose to believe? Me, or her?” Gu Changge asked with a chuckle, as if reading her internal conflict.

Ling Yuxian looked into his eyes and answered without a second thought, “I believe you, of course.”

Gu Changge’s laughter rang out as a colossal, terrifying energy erupted from him. It felt as though a localized, chaotic black hole was manifesting around his body.

“The Heavenly Chu Territory is blinded by greed, twisting the truth and reversing right and wrong. It is they who have long been in league with the Black Calamity. Today, I will unmask you all,” he declared loudly.

“All factions of the Xiyuan Civilization share a common fate. I hope all Dao friends recognize this and join me in striking down this evil.”

Chu Yuan’s rage boiled over at these words. With a thunderous roar, his hair radiated golden light, and he expanded into a massive, god-like entity, his armor shining with an immortal brilliance.

He launched his attack, his Dharma body spanning the sky and reaching into the void. His eyes contained the rotation of celestial bodies, and he radiated the light of space-time, appearing like a supreme being looking down upon the mortal world from the peak of the Great Dao.

He unleashed the full power of a Dao Realm expert who had survived six Heavenly Calamities, an overwhelming pressure that forced many to their knees in involuntary worship.

As Chu Yuan struck, the flow of time itself seemed to sever. He grasped the very fabric of the years, refining it into a barrage of weapons. The foundations of the world groaned under the strain, threatening to collapse.

Behind him, the Zhenxian Army’s collective killing intent focused into a singular, devastating strike that tore through the atmosphere, obliterating everything in its path.

From within the palace, the guests watched with bated breath. Even experts like Law Saint and Elder Jin, who were in the Ancestral Dao Realm, lacked the confidence to face Gu Changge alone. They could not tell if he was a fraud or a monster, and even the enigmatic Dongxing Ying of the Yin Xu Sect felt a deep, instinctive dread of the man.

“The power of the Heaven Severing Alliance’s leader is evident to everyone. He is not an opponent one can face alone. Even here, on our own soil, I am not certain we can take him.”

“With Saintess Xiyuan here to lead us, we must unite our strengths to capture him and rid the Xiyuan Civilization of this threat.”

Seeing Chu Yuan initiate the battle, Chu Gucheng turned to his guests and bowed slightly. As he spoke, golden Dao light flickered in his eyes. His simple robes transformed, shimmering with the threads of cosmic order as he prepared to enter the fray.

“Lord Chu is correct. Marquis Zhenxian may not be enough. We must seize this moment to strike together,” an ancient cultivator from the Vast Wilderness added solemnly.

Chu Gucheng’s call to action resonated with the various factions. It was clear to everyone that Gu Changge’s power was far beyond the norm; only a united front offered any hope of victory.

“The remnants of the Black Calamity are a plague upon the heavens. Since he is bold enough to show himself here, we must ensure he regrets it,” another expert from the Xu Dan True Realm agreed, his killing intent rising.

This was not merely about justice; it was about politics. The Heavenly Chu Territory was currently the most dominant power, and aligning with them now would be beneficial for their own sects.

The representatives from the Ling God Cave, Guangming Temple, and the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom remained silent, choosing to observe the chaos for a moment longer.

“Excellent. Let us join forces to suppress this demon,” Chu Gucheng announced with a bold smile, raising his hand.

As he moved, shards of divine armor flew from the palace depths, latching onto his body until he was fully encased. In his golden armor, he looked like a sovereign deity at the center of the universe, radiating infinite power.

It didn't matter if some guests remained on the sidelines; he had already achieved the momentum he needed.

As Chu Gucheng stepped out of the palace, a host of powerful figures followed, including Law Saint, Elder Jin, and various Dao Realm guests. They crossed thousands of miles in heartbeats, forming a perimeter around Gu Changge.

Each individual radiated a massive, oceanic aura of energy that defied description.

The imperial capital shook under the collective weight of their presence. Cultivators of all levels trembled in fear, overwhelmed by the raw power on display. With three Ancestral Dao Realm beings and the added power of the Heavenly Chu Territory’s providence fueling Chu Gucheng, the force was enough to shatter the heavens.

“The Heavenly Chu Territory truly believes they can hide the sun with a single hand,” Ling Yuxian spat, her teeth clenched.

Standing beside Gu Changge, she was shielded from the direct pressure, but she understood the terrifying reality of the situation.

“Gu Gongzi was right. The Lord of the territory is finally making his move.”

“And that second princess, masquerading as Saintess Xiyuan, is truly shameless. Not only is she framing the Heaven Severing Alliance, but she’s also trying to marry the real Saintess into this family.”

In the residence of the former Grand Tutor, Han Feng, Chu Bai, and their companions watched the sky with anxious expressions.

They hadn't expected the world to turn upside down in a single night. Chu Gucheng himself had taken the field alongside other Dao Realm masters to hunt Gu Changge.

The former Grand Tutor, a frail but sharp-minded old man, trembled as he watched. Though not a traditional cultivator, his mastery of the Confucian Dao gave him strength comparable to those in the Dao Realm.

“This is madness… pure chaos…” he whispered, his voice shaking.

Han Feng and Chu Bai had already briefed him on the previous night's events. Initially, he had been skeptical, but the news of Saintess Xiyuan’s imprisonment and the use of a double made the current situation clear.

Han Feng and the others remained focused on their mission. They knew they were powerless in a battle of such high-level beings. Their goal was to find those responsible for the death of Champion Marquis Chu Heng’s wife, but they had discovered her body was no longer in the Tutor’s residence—it had been moved to the royal tombs.

Because the Champion Marquis was a hero, Chu Gucheng had granted his wife the posthumous title of a first-rank noble, ensuring her burial in the imperial cemetery. The jade pendants they sought were likely still with her.