I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1298: The Xiyuan Covenant was established. Are you gambling on this?

Yet, without Gu Changge's meddling to drastically shift Chen Jinhang's destiny, she wouldn't have perished in the Wanmoyuan anyway. At this point, she had merely returned to her predestined course. Thanks to Gu Changge's involvement, a minor twist had crept into her original fate. Having navigated past that slight alteration, Chen Jinhang reclaimed her destined storyline once more.

Within the “Fatening Shrine,” akin to a divine palace in the heavens, Chen Jinhang remained stunned, as if she couldn't yet pull herself from the events unfolding around her.

A veil of ethereal white mist emerged anew in the shrine, while the statue, previously fractured, now shimmered with a subtle radiance coursing over its surface. The broken fissures started mending themselves, and immense waves of faith energy rushed forth, gathering like mighty rivers and oceans.

“The statue has healed, but I can no longer feel the presence of the deity…”

“I have been abandoned by the deity.”

Chen Jinhang whispered under her breath, her slim fingers clutching the strewn garments on the floor. She couldn't fathom the thoughts swirling in her head right then, yet an almost primal impulse pushed her toward an act that profaned the divine.

Once her senses cleared and she grasped what she'd just committed, remorse and terror overwhelmed her, leaving her baffled by her own actions. Even as she prostrated herself before the statue now, offering apologies and mourning her prior blasphemy, such efforts held no significance anymore.

Gu Changge observed Chen Jinhang bowed low before the statue, his expression devoid of any feeling.

Regardless of the circumstances, Chen Jinhang meant nothing more to him than a minor pawn among his myriad devotees. Though she held some uniqueness, it posed no threat or influence over him in the present.

Gu Changge's greater interest lay in the Tai Xuan Ancestor God that had imprinted itself upon Chen Jinhang.

The divine civilization's framework subtly emerged, promising unforeseen shifts and upheavals across the expansive and limitless landscape before them.

Prior to his departure, a strand of pale golden heavenly radiance descended, imprinting its essence onto Chen Jinhang too.

Amid the emptiness, specks of golden luminescence scattered, and his form faded away, vanishing without a hint.

Back in the celestial civilization's domain, within a serene pavilion, Gu Changge's eyes fluttered open again. He ignored the intrigued Mu Yan nearby, who gazed at him fixedly, and instead delved deeper into contemplating his forthcoming strategies.

Mu Yan chose not to disturb him, shifting her focus to the chessboard ahead, propping her chin as she pondered. Gu Changge had assured her that solving the ongoing stalemate on the board would herald her ascent to Immortal Emperor. Yet, over these years, Mu Yan had advanced not a step, endlessly mulling ways to shatter the impasse.

To a common observer, it might seem like a simple game of strategy, but to her, it embodied the heavenly paths and infinite Daos, perpetually transforming and fluctuating with each passing instant.

Decades flew by in an instant.

Deep within the Xiyuan Civilization, atop the Yu Xian Palace's lofty summit, Ling Yuling ascended gracefully. She exuded an otherworldly elegance, radiant and elevated beyond the mortal coil. Innumerable Dao patterns swirled around her, twirling and manifesting at her fingertips with delicate poise.

Following millennia of recovery, she had reclaimed seventy percent of her former prowess.

Even at seventy percent capacity, it fell short of challenging the supreme elites, yet in the contemporary Xiyuan Civilization, such power sufficed amply. It positioned her at the pinnacle, commanding dominance over all below.

“It’s about time to emerge. Based on the development momentum of the Fatening Alliance, if it’s not curtailed soon, the entire Xiyuan Civilization will likely be consumed,” Ling Yuling murmured.

Though she had stayed confined to the Yu Xian Palace, she remained fully informed of the occurrences across the Xiyuan Civilization lately. She also recognized the alarming surge in the Fatening Alliance's expansion.

With the Demon Court, the Jing Clan, and various other Daoist sects aligning with the Fatening Alliance, even mighty entities like Zixiao Mountain had yielded, integrating fully into its fold.

On the grounds of the Yu Xian Palace itself, preachers of the Fatening Alliance's teachings had started to proliferate among the ascetics. Numerous sects and groups had invested vast sums to erect Fatening Shrines.

Though the Immortal Chu Haotu lay in ruins, a far more ominous force was steadily ascending from its ashes.

From the outset, she had harbored these fears, and recent events confirmed that her apprehensions were well-founded.

Without intervention, it seemed probable that within the coming thousands or even tens of thousands of years, the Xiyuan Civilization would entirely fall under the Fatening Alliance's sway.

If the Fatening Alliance genuinely adhered to its principles of aiding humanity, she would refrain from meddling.

However, judging by the escalating scope and nature of the Fatening Alliance, it was evident they sought to resurrect the ancient entity that once served as heaven's proxy, merging the expansive realms and casting the worlds back into obscurity.

Ling Yuling remained ignorant of Gu Changge's origins or true nature, but prior to the Immortal Chu Haotu's downfall, he had stirred chaos in the opposing real realm, attracting notice from that side and evidently evading pursuit. From these inferences, it was plain that Gu Changge linked directly to that bygone heavenly organization.

In truth, Ling Yuling harbored an even more alarming and inconceivable suspicion deep within.

Shortly thereafter, every elder and disciple in the Yu Xian Palace learned of the Palace Ancestor's impending emergence, set to proclaim it across the realms. A wave of profound elation and thrill swept through them all.

Streams of brilliant divine rainbows arced through the skies, soaring over sacred peaks and hallowed isles, broadcasting the announcement far and wide.

This revelation, without question, ignited a massive uproar throughout the Xiyuan Civilization.

The Yu Xian Palace Ancestor had played a key role in battling the Black Calamity's origin long ago. She ranked among the most venerable sages of the Xiyuan Civilization.

From a neighboring peak, Ling Yuxian caught wind of the tidings too. Bound closely to her sibling, she dimly perceived Ling Yuling's motives. A tangle of mixed feelings stirred within her.

The Fatening Alliance's growth in recent times had grown excessively formidable, filling her sister with unease.

This reemergence, heralding her worldly return, was poised to hinder the Fatening Alliance's advance and forge pacts with diverse Daoist groups.

While she comprehended her sister's mindset, acceptance eluded her.

The Fatening Alliance had committed no harm to the Xiyuan Civilization. Despite its territorial expansions, absorbing sects and folding them into the Alliance, no widespread clashes or wars had erupted.

What exactly was her sister worried about?

If she was worried that Gu Changge would do something detrimental to the Xiyuan Civilization or to the world, then why had she accepted his help in the first place?

“Senior Brother Gu, where have you been all these years? What have you been doing?” Ling Yuxian muttered, her heart full of complex emotions.

In the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, the Xiyuan Saintess sat cross-legged before the Mirror of Reincarnation. Her entire focus was on it, as though she was immersed in a vast universe of swirling clouds.

“The Ancestor of the Yu Xian Palace is emerging… The matter that the woman named Ling Yuxian mentioned in the Immortal Chu Haotu must be this one?” she suddenly opened her eyes. Her gaze was as clear as the moonlight, with a faint glow flickering in her eyes.

“Master hasn’t returned yet. If Master were here, she would probably be happy about this, as this person belongs to the same era as her,” Xiyin’s figure appeared in the distance as she gently shook her head and spoke.

They had received the news from the outside world as soon as it broke.

Now both of them are guessing what the purpose is behind the appearance of the founder of the Yuxian Palace at this moment. Could it be related to the matters of the Pojian Alliance?

“As the current master of the Reincarnation Mirror, you should know some things. What do you think about it?” Xi Yin looked at Xi Yuan, the Holy Maiden, her gaze falling on the crystal-clear, ancient Reincarnation Mirror, with a somewhat complex expression.

She had almost become the owner of the Reincarnation Mirror back then, but in the end, she failed by a hair’s breadth. However, she also knew some of the mysterious divine powers of the Reincarnation Mirror, which could predict and deduce future movements, and even allow one to personally experience the future, never making the wrong decisions.

This time, Xi Yuan, the Holy Maiden, did not choose to assist the Xian Chu Haotu and let it perish. This was probably because she had foreseen the fate of Xian Chu Haotu through the Reincarnation Mirror and did not want to bring disaster upon herself.

Thus, when they went to rescue Xi Yuan, she remained calm and unconcerned, clearly knowing that she would not be in danger and that someone would come to save her later. Moreover, Xi Yuan thought that the person who would come to save her was likely to be Gu Changge, not them, which was why she showed a bit of surprise at the time.

This also made Xi Yin wonder about the relationship between Xi Yuan and Gu Changge.

“The founder of Yuxian Palace is a former sage like our master. Since she has chosen to announce her reappearance to the world, there must be something important she wishes to tell everyone. As juniors, we should go to pay our respects,” said Xi Yuan, the Holy Maiden, as her sleeve flicked lightly. A dazzling, brilliant silver light emerged, and the ancient Reincarnation Mirror immediately revealed a blurry image.

She stared intently at the image.

“The future of the Xi Yuan civilization is likely to be even more chaotic than it was a thousand years ago…” she said softly. The calm surface of the lake suddenly rippled, and she stood within it, extraordinarily transcendent, peaceful, and graceful, her presence otherworldly, as if draped in moonlight or mist.

Xi Yin was silent for a moment before nodding. “Since the destruction of Xian Chu Haotu, I have felt uneasy. Recently, I’ve been investigating the affairs of the Yinxu Cave. Bai Mei Xingjun’s words are probably not wrong.”

“Xian Chu Haotu didn’t actually collude with the remnants of the Black Calamity; it was just that Chu Gucheng’s ambitions were too great. Someone took advantage of the opportunity and struck him down.”

Bai Mei Xingjun is currently still imprisoned in the Void Prison of the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall. Xi Yin and the others have not made things difficult for him, intending to wait until their master, Xi Nv, returns to deal with him. Perhaps their master will know the origin of the Yinxu Cave.

Xi Yuan, the Holy Maiden, nodded slightly without speaking further. Her gaze seemed to shimmer with subtle light, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, the news of the reappearance of the founder of Yuxian Palace caused a great stir in the outside world, with all factions in the Xi Yuan civilization being shocked. Many ancient clans and forces were alarmed, deeply shaken. Upon learning of this news, many of the most ancient beings among these factions also chose to make their reappearance.

Since Yuxian Palace had made the announcement to the world, it must be intending to summon all factions and paths to unite and discuss major matters.

Though the Xi Yuan civilization appeared peaceful on the surface, there were actually hidden undercurrents.

Many of the faction leaders were secretly concerned, wondering how the Pojian Alliance had managed to swiftly subdue immortal forces such as the Demon Court, the Jing Clan, and Zixiao Mountain. Many cultivators even suspected that the Pojian Alliance had some secret method to brainwash people, making them unknowingly convert and submit.

The Pojian Alliance was growing rapidly, rapidly devouring surrounding universes, causing the neighboring factions to be filled with fear.

At the same time, deep in the chaotic Time Sea, an expansive floating island stood still in the vastness. The wind howled, and the pines swayed. It was a majestic and boundless primeval ancient forest.

The great wind rolled through the mist, swirling like smoke and clouds over the pine trees, drifting through the mountains and scattering before a towering mountain.

On the mountain stood imposing structures, spanning across the land, enveloped in celestial mist, with three grand characters written in iron and silver strokes, ancient and dignified, containing an unspeakable Daoist aura.Sacred Ancestor Mountain.

Ling Yuling once again set foot here. A delicate and cool-looking woman in green, as slender as bamboo, seemed to have already anticipated her arrival. She was waiting in the mountains, making tea, gently fanning away the rising steam with a reed fan.

“You were right about everything you told me before. It has all come to pass,” Ling Yuling said, walking over and sitting at the stone table.

“So, you want to stop all of this? With your current strength, you won’t be able to do that,” Nan Qing raised her eyes to glance at her, her delicate white hand playing with the tea cup. Her tone carried a hint of something more profound.

“But I still want to try. If we don’t restrain it, it might not even take ten thousand years before the Xi Yuan civilization is fully under the control of the Pojian Alliance,” Ling Yuling said stubbornly, her graceful and beautiful face showing a difficult-to-explain determination.

“Since you’ve made your choice, then you should no longer come here. The Floating Island is a rare haven, and I don’t want you to bring trouble here,” Nan Qing shook her head, and as she spoke, she picked up her tea cup and gently blew on the steam.

Her eyes, clear and calm, showed no ripples, as if she were discussing something trivial.

Ling Yuling sighed softly, almost imperceptibly.

She had already visited this Floating Island many times during this period, either reading related books and ancient records or talking with Nan Qing about the past.

As for the daughter of an old friend, she genuinely felt a sense of closeness, even thinking of her as a younger generation, wanting her to call her “Aunt Ling.”

However, Nan Qing, for some unknown reason, had always refused her requests to join forces and was unwilling to leave the Floating Island.

In Ling Yuling’s view, Nan Qing either did not want to get involved in troubles anymore, or perhaps due to knowing too much, she feared the terrifying hidden power lurking in the shadows. Of course, it was also possible that she truly just wanted to quietly protect this sanctuary, safeguarding the lives here.

“You’ve already passed the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation. Such strength is among the top tier in the current Vast World. If you help, our chances of winning will be much greater,” Ling Yuling said after some thought, her voice gentle.

“Your mother paid a heavy price to fight against the Black Calamity. Of course, for us former allies, it was worth it to sacrifice our lives for the cause. Everyone fought with all their might, giving their lives for righteousness. Even before your mother passed away, she was still trying to save those captured allies…”

“I will always honor my mother’s last wish, but for now, I only want to quietly guard this place, this sanctuary, without letting anyone disturb it,” Nan Qing seemed to understand Ling Yuling’s intentions and gently shook her head, still refusing her offer.

Ling Yuling sighed in her heart, but she did not press the matter.

“Several days from now, I will unite the various forces from the outside world to form the Xi Yuan Alliance to restrain the Pojian Alliance. If the alliance is formed, the situation will likely improve greatly. However, if the alliance fails, I’m worried that Yuxian Palace and the Xi Yuan civilization will follow the same fate as Xian Chu Haotu…” she said, looking towards the lush, endless mountains with worry in her gaze.

“Are you gambling on this?” Nan Qing asked, hearing this. She placed her tea cup down and looked at Ling Yuling with some surprise in her eyes. “You want to use this as a test of the Pojian Alliance’s ambitions? If you lose the gamble, are you prepared for war with the Pojian Alliance?”

Ling Yuling nodded, “There’s no more time for me to wait. If we allow the Pojian Alliance to continue expanding unchecked and let it occupy the entire Xi Yuan civilization, the entire Vast World will face the greatest trial of these epochs…”

Nan Qing was silent for a moment, her eyes showing a hint of admiration. “For this, would you be willing to sacrifice even the entire Yuxian Palace?”Ling Yuling smiled gently, “Just as you have your own persistence and stubbornness, this is mine. Cultivators, when their Dao heart is clear, their thoughts become clear as well. Back then, your mother and I, along with others, swore an oath together.”

Nan Qing subtly sighed, seemingly a bit troubled. She then extended her slender, fair hand and gently rubbed her brow. “If that’s the case, then take this ancient manuscript with you. It contains records about the treasures of the first-generation civilization. With the Reincarnation Mirror, you should have a better chance. This is the last bit of help I can