I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1301: It was like an invasive species from abroad, with the winds and clouds converging in the Yu Xian Palace
Previously on I Am the Fated Villain...
Across the expansive cosmos and starry realms, beams of light streaked rapidly through the heavens as cultivators from diverse sects raced in from distant locations.
Myriad silhouettes traversed the icy and profound void, churning ripples across spacetime. Even from a distance, their overwhelming presence instilled terror, causing hearts to shudder in fear.
Within the timeless territories of the Yu Xian Palace, numerous disciples and elders, alerted beforehand, stood ready to receive and escort visitors from all sects.
At the Qian Yun Daochang, an elegant and poised middle-aged woman guided a group of disciples in welcoming the arrivals.
“Long time no see, Qian Yun Elder. You still appear as youthful as always, and your cultivation feels even deeper now.”
A booming voice echoed from afar.
A robust and imposing middle-aged man, clad in a violet Daoist robe topped with a crown, approached alongside several young disciples and elders.
Qian Yun Elder’s eyes settled on him, and she offered a faint smile, replying, “Mountain Master of Tuo Yang Mountain, it’s been ages. I never thought you’d come in person with your group. It’s been millions of years since our last encounter.”
While speaking, a trace of reminiscence crossed her features, showing her clear familiarity with the man before her.
Tuo Yang Mountain served as a secluded sect within the Xiyuan civilization. Though it lacked the might of immortal-tier powers like the Yu Xian Palace, its heritage remained formidable.
The sect housed numerous venerable Daoist experts, and whispers suggested an ancient forebear nearly touching the Grand Dao realm lingered there.
“The Yu Xian Palace’s Grandmaster emerging this time has stunned us all. Had our ancient ancestor not been wandering the realms, his whereabouts unknown, he’d probably have hurried back himself to honor this esteemed senior,” the sturdy middle-aged man chuckled deeply.
Qian Yun Elder gave a subtle nod and responded, “I’ve heard your Tuo Yang Mountain’s ancient ancestor nears the Grand Dao realm. This trip must be for pursuing fortunes, and maybe at our next meeting, he’ll have crossed into it. Tuo Yang Mountain’s power and roots will undoubtedly grow stronger still.”
“Haha, I’ll cherish Elder Qian Yun’s auspicious words,” the middle-aged man boomed with laughter.
Before long, amid their conversation and shared memories, they ventured further into the Yu Xian Palace. Yet along the path, as discussion shifted to the Yu Xian Palace’s Grandmaster, a shadow of unease flickered on the middle-aged man’s face.
“Elder Qian Yun, as old friends, I hope you won’t take offense at my forward question. With the Yu Xian Palace’s Grandmaster showing himself now, what’s truly behind it? Does it relate to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?” The middle-aged man hushed his tone on purpose.
At these words, Qian Yun Elder paused briefly before shaking her head and answering, “We elders lack the full picture too, but the Grandmaster’s comeback appears tied to conferring on a major affair with the sects.”
She too had observed the Heaven-Slaying Alliance’s swift ascent, its progress nothing short of staggering. What’s more, Gu Changge had once posed as the top disciple of Qian Yun Daochang and even issued threats against her.
Though Gu Changge hadn’t troubled her since, Qian Yun Elder recalled that episode vividly.
“Elder Qian Yun, you know our Tuo Yang Mountain’s lands border the ruined Xiang Chu Hao Tu, and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance now controls all of Xiang Chu Hao Tu’s domain. As it keeps expanding, it won’t be long before it encroaches on Tuo Yang Mountain.” The middle-aged man voiced his deep worry. “I’m truly concerned. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance wields some enchanting force that’s made immortal powers like Purple Cloud Mountain and the Demon Court yield without resistance. Already, multiple Heaven-Slaying Shrines have sprung up in Tuo Yang Mountain’s borders…”
“We hesitate to drive them out or block them, dreading potential backlash. Yet if this isn’t addressed, Tuo Yang Mountain could suffer the same fate as other sects, gradually devoured by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.”
As Tuo Yang Mountain’s Mountain Master, his choice to escort the elders and disciples here personally stemmed from this very anxiety, hoping to rally support and devise a counter.
Qian Yun Elder let out a soft sigh upon hearing this. She’d already seen the strained looks on Tuo Yang Mountain’s elders and disciples, their greetings masking forced cheer amid heavy burdens. Indeed, the recent visitors she’d hosted all carried comparable troubles.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance’s proliferation resembled a predatory invader, swiftly draining the Xiyuan civilization’s riches, bulking up by seizing lands and assets once held by fellow sects. It had morphed into a dominant entity, flourishing off the lifeblood of others.
This trend had sparked widespread alarm among sects, who now dreaded the Heaven-Slaying Alliance’s dark essence. For all its talk of justice and safeguarding mortals, its deeds clashed sharply with such claims.
“Rest easy, all. A solution to this will surely emerge,” Qian Yun Elder comforted them.
The Tuo Yang Mountain group eased somewhat, though their concerns lingered visibly.
All at once, a radiant Buddhist glow erupted from the northwest.
Vast arrays of Buddha and Bodhisattva illusions bloomed in the skies, accompanied by subtle recitals of timeless Buddhist chants. Certain Buddhas grinned while clutching blooms, others Bodhisattvas perched in tranquil poise, as blessed vapors surged like ocean waves.
Qian Yun Elder and her companions glanced skyward, spotting aged monks and arhats from the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom drawing near, ushered by fellow Yu Xian Palace elders.
In yet another quarter, brilliant luminosities flashed, spacetime quivered with unrest. More sects were making their entrance.
Powers such as Ling Shen Cave, Guang Ming Temple, and Chang Sheng Lake had settled in ahead of time.
Everywhere one looked, the firmament shimmered with stellar gleams and Daoist principles, ancient arks and celestial boats slicing the air, borne by Xiyuan civilization’s elite personages.
Far inside the Yu Xian Palace, arriving guests were directed by palace disciples and elders toward misty immortal peaks and sacred isles wreathed in dreamy vapors.
All around, celestial Qi and Daoist harmonies saturated the atmosphere. Spanning bridges and lofty structures linked starry domains, unveiling a grand and majestic interstellar vista.
As one of Xiyuan civilization’s most ancient and steadfast Daoist lineages, Yu Xian Palace dominated immense expanses. Its sweeping holdings, encompassing the Great Universe’s sway, left visitors in awe. Chaotic mists enshrouded revolving stars that thundered in motion, adorned with tiered grand halls and gazebos.
A stellar cascade poured like a heavenly torrent, encircled by swirling pale fog, its roar echoing across the boundless cosmos.
Newly arrived guests exchanged salutes, many bearing timeworn, grizzled visages. Some exuded a primal simplicity, their garb echoing forgotten eras—presences that evoked discomfort and reverence.
These entities resembled fresh exhumes from ancient sepulchers, still dusted with earthen scents, as if roused from eons of slumber. Their gazes bore cosmic gravity, like clashing worlds within.
The emanations they released unsettled even Dao-level experts, quickening pulses and nearly drawing blood from the sheer pressure.
Amid these primordial presences, certain figures seemed mundane and inconspicuous, yet they commanded notice distinctively. A man in plain gray robes, of average stature, looked unexceptional, but his arrival prompted startled reactions from nearby ancients.
“Isn’t that Daoist Changming? Word was he perished during the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation. Who’d have thought, after hundreds of epochs, he’d resurface…”
A Dao-level cultivator murmured in reverence, identifying the gray-robed figure. “Daoist Changming stands as a beacon for us all. Each clash with the Heavenly Decline Tribulation cost him dearly. Legends say an elder sage foretold he’d never attain the Dao realm this lifetime, yet Daoist Changming overturned fate and reached this pinnacle.”
“Looks like Daoist Changming endured the eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation successfully,” another chimed in, tone brimming with respect.
Besides Daoist Changming, various other timeless experts of storied origins, vanished for centuries of epochs, now gathered. Their own Daoist lineages had presumed them gone, scarcely anticipating their return in this setting.
Evidently, the Yu Xian Palace Grandmaster’s reemergence had mobilized them all, drawing these relics from remote spacetime corners to behold the occasion.
Beyond the Immortal Dao Civilization’s veterans, divine entities also graced the scene, ringed by holy auras and trailed by sacred aides. Their countenances obscured, demeanors impassive, their essence divine. Subtly, ritual hymns and cosmic praises drifted from them.
“Even gods from the Divine Dao Civilization have come… but are these their true selves or mere avatars…”
“The Divine Dao Civilization has secluded itself for endless ages, scarcely glimpsed in today’s boundless realms,” cultivators whispered in wonder.
“Hehe, what a bustling day. I once figured the Xiyuan Civilization fell short of its hype, but clearly we can’t dismiss them. Already over seven Grand Dao-level beings here—not counting the concealed veterans…”
“I warned against rushing in. We should watch and bide. Haste will cost us dearly.”
“The Celestials long knew of Xiyuan Civilization’s Reincarnation Mirror, yet never struck, aware it’s no simple prey. A hard shell to breach.” “Heh heh, but this setup suits us fine today. Easier for us two to blend unseen. Previously, detection risked exposure.”
Upon a barren world, two silhouettes materialized, perched on a ridge overlooking the Imperial Immortal Palace’s immense reaches. They were the Decay Faction’s aged Daoist and Minor Yin Faction’s Elder Han Crow.
As they conversed, their forms blurred, becoming twin luminous trails chasing a silvery lunar craft swathed in immortal haze up front.
“Who trails us?”
Aboard the lunar craft, a ethereal woman seated in meditation at the prow snapped open her eyes. Bathed in lunar glow and misty veils, her brows knit faintly. Her jade palm swept, forging moonlight into a vintage crystal lens that exposed the pursuing duo.
“Their cultivation eludes my sight. Are they masking with some arcane relic? Truly exceptional arrivals at the Imperial Immortal Palace this round.”
Nearby, a breathtaking beauty peered into the lens too, her voice tinged with mild shock.
This craft’s passengers hailed from Xiyuan’s Saint Hall. They hadn’t foreseen pursuit in the Imperial Immortal Palace’s own bounds.
“Lurking with shady aims.”
The Xiyuan Saintess averted her eyes. Her lithe hand rose, dissolving the ancient lens. Simultaneously, she gestured rearward. From emptiness burst slender bands like moonlit threads. They whipped out with a hiss, tearing spacetime with immense force.
“Eh? Friends ahead, no offense meant. We harbor no ill will—just misplaced and seeking to follow your path.”
The trailing old Daoist betrayed astonishment. He hadn’t foreseen such potency in the craft he’d picked at random. That blow alone outmatched typical Ancestor Realm foes.
Even mid-sentence, his voluminous robe billowed, unleashing stellar radiance that bloomed into an expansive galaxy. There, the Great Dao coalesced as a sword, cleaving the invading moonbeam strand.
Elder Han Crow nearly intervened but held back at the old Daoist’s cue. With a frosty huff, he swallowed his ire.
“Typical Ancestor Realm foes couldn’t stand against it. Since when does Xiyuan Civilization boast so many beyond Ancestor Realm?”
The Xiyuan Saintess felt a twinge of surprise. Her strike had been mere test, no full assault—especially not in Imperial Immortal Palace territory. She promptly reined in her power.
“Maybe they stem from elsewhere,” Xiyin pondered.
“Then you must be the famed Xiyuan Saintess. Wielding such profound might so young stirs our awe and a touch of jealousy.”
Soon after, the old Daoist and Elder Han Crow were welcomed onto the craft by Saint Hall maidens.
Observing the shrouded Saintess, they swiftly deduced her role.
In all Xiyuan Civilization, few women matched her singular poise and prowess.
“Might I inquire as to the origins of you two esteemed elders?”
The Xiyuan Saintess tilted her head gently, appraising them in turn.
She spared scant notice for Elder Han Crow’s chilling vibe.
Rather, the old Daoist’s reek and decay marks drew her furrowed brow.
The Five Signs of Heavenly Decay appear as: tattered garb, shriveled locks, body’s rank odor, axillary perspiration, and vital force’s ebb.
Still, the old Daoist showed none of a triggered tribulation or leaking cultivation. Merely his sockets gaped empty, sans orbs, seeping ichor and crimson—a horrific display.