I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1304: Daoist forces of Xiyuan Civilization

“We hope you won’t turn down our plea.”

The faction heads from the different Daoist groups there froze in astonishment at his statement. Shock and incredulity filled their gazes as they stared.

Xiyuan’s Saintess, approaching the scene, creased her forehead a bit, struggling to accept the words reaching her ears.

Without running into these two along the path and detecting their origins from outside the immense wilderness, she could have thought Gu Changge had sent them as spies.

Proposing entry into the Destroy Heaven Alliance right in front of all the visitors amounted to a bold insult to the entire assembly.

“Well put, talking about the mighty scheme to shatter the heavens. The Destroy Heaven Alliance truly requires sharp minds such as yours. Why would we ever deny your inclusion?”

A faint smile crossed Gu Changge’s face as he listened. He realized these two had hidden motives for approaching him, but speaking them openly amid the crowd wasn’t feasible. Still, the Destroy Heaven Alliance truly required such mighty Dao Realm powerhouses to build its core strength.

“Haha, excellent! From the moment I encountered you both, I sensed a strong connection. We share the same vision, no doubt. Your support will make the Destroy Heaven Alliance even more formidable,” Jing Tianyuan boomed with laughter, his joy overflowing.

The Destroy Heaven Alliance’s chiefs, from Zixiao Mountain’s Zi Wanhe to the past victor of Xianchu Haotu, Chu Heng, all displayed pleased expressions. They recognized the two as extraordinarily strong, well beyond typical Dao Realm beings.

Everyone could witness the Destroy Heaven Alliance’s swift rise, and in the present circumstances, gaining two Dao Realm experts represented a huge boost. Yet this only deepened the discomfort among the Daoist faction leaders, their features etched with utter disbelief.

“We in the Destroy Heaven Alliance follow the path of humanity and bolster the realms. Numerous ancient societies and True Realms have pledged themselves to us, willingly aligning with the Destroy Heaven Alliance to contribute their power toward the ultimate vision,” Emperor Kun from the Demon Court declared, his tone carrying commanding weight.

“Rest easy, fellow allies. The Demon Court’s swift growth and progress since merging with the Destroy Heaven Alliance stand plain for all to see. Bringing back the splendid age when the Ten Thousand Clans offered homage isn’t out of reach.”

“Aligning with the Destroy Heaven Alliance and forging this bond will bring gains to every Daoist faction here, without any downsides,” Emperor Kun continued, his eyes scanning the gathering as if piercing their innermost doubts.

Today’s assembly of Daoist factions ranged from grand, immortal-tier powers like Guangming Temple and the Buddha Kingdom of the Tathagata, boasting several Dao Realm guardians, to lesser groups such as Tuoyang Mountain, lacking their own Dao Realm defenders and barely enduring by navigating the spaces between larger influences.

The Destroy Heaven Alliance’s fast spread and bold engulfing of nearby powers had cornered them, driving this meeting to find a way out.

Emperor Kun’s claims rang with some overstatement; recreating the ancient Demon Court’s splendor seemed unattainable. Nevertheless, over the years, the Demon Court’s fusion into the Destroy Heaven Alliance had sparked remarkable advancement. Backed by this colossal force, the old and vast demon groups in the Endless Demon Domain had one by one yielded.

As the proverb states,

With no alternatives left, allying with the Destroy Heaven Alliance could prove the sole path. Plenty of attending cultivators showed clear inner conflict, their looks revealing how Emperor Kun’s speech had begun to influence them.

A handful of immortal Daoist sect chiefs traded glances before advancing, their voices icy as they declared,

“Spare us these hollow promises. You’re just like the others. The Destroy Heaven Alliance seeks to slowly consume and dominate the Xiyuan Civilization. Stop fooling us with such lofty excuses.”

“Xianchu Haotu’s collapse serves as clear proof. Do you believe we’re blind to it? The downfall of Xianchu Haotu—everyone present understands its true reasons.”

“Our purpose today is to halt this madness. From the dawn of Xiyuan Civilization, it has endured endless disasters. Races and sects have thrived, built their might, and coexisted without meddling. Yet the Destroy Heaven Alliance’s emergence has wrecked that harmony. When the next massive catastrophe strikes, the Destroy Heaven Alliance will bear the blame first. If you choose to follow them into ruin, count us out.”

“To utter ‘Destroy Heaven’ so lightly—aren’t you fearful of the backlash it invites? Do you really suppose you can dodge the endless repercussions?”

Such statements came from various Daoist sect leaders steeped in profound cultivation.

Some among them hailed from the Dao Realm, their features shrouded in Dao mist, eyes shimmering with stellar sights like falling stars, fading moons, and fractured streams. The overwhelming aura they radiated made nearby cultivators shudder.

As these powerhouses voiced their stance, the other cultivators and entities around felt a wave of ease, suggesting the peril wasn’t as overwhelming as imagined. It appeared the Daoist forces of Xiyuan Civilization had long opposed the Destroy Heaven Alliance, determined to thwart its schemes.

“How utterly shortsighted you are,” a voice echoed, laced with sharp scorn. “When disaster descends, its wrath will engulf every world. No civilization or True Realm can evade it. Your resolve and spirit fall short of even the fledgling True Realms’ Destroy Heavens, who dare to resist despite perishing like moths drawn to fire.”

“You’ve trained for ages, through centuries or thousands of years, but as the grand catastrophe looms, you merely cower. What more are you capable of?”

Jing Tianyuan let out a cold huff at this, casting a contemptuous look toward the Daoist sect leaders.

Yet the sect leaders stayed composed, their faces steady. They grasped the dire implications of ‘Destroy Heaven’ fully. Besides, they doubted the Destroy Heaven Alliance’s professed motives were genuine.

“‘Destroy Heaven,’ what a ridiculous title. It’s merely a band of presumptuous insects. The catastrophe will strike only the emerging True Realms and the primordial ones, sparing Xiyuan Civilization. As a paramount True Realm, Xiyuan has risen above such dangers long ago. This pact dates back to antiquity. Jing Lao, as a senior, you must be aware?”

“By defying the heavens and proclaiming ‘Destroy Heaven,’ the Destroy Heaven Alliance has violated a grave prohibition. Retribution will come eventually. Should the Destroy Heaven Alliance’s presence pull Xiyuan Civilization into the disaster, it will stand as the everlasting culprit.”

“Rivers of the vast sea surge from antiquity to now; to us, all this is merely an instant. Existence is a vast, illusory reverie. The Dao alone endures, our ultimate quest.”

“In the endless cosmos, myriad realms, how many fates shatter in a heartbeat? The calamity’s vengeance forms the timeless decree of the heavens. Servants of heaven accept their fate, while heaven’s destroyers face its rejection.”

“Leader of the Destroy Heaven Alliance, are you ignorant of this?”

The figures glanced across Jing Tianyuan, Emperor Kun, Zi Wanhe, the aged Daoist, and the rest, before locking their stares on Gu Changge, as though aiming to weigh him down.

“If you’ve already decided your stance, why seek my view?”

“The Destroy Heaven Alliance follows its own creed. Believe in it if you will; if not, that’s on you.”

Gu Changge offered a subtle smile, meeting their eyes without flinching. His gaze remained serene and detached, betraying no hint of doubt.

“I just wonder what ties exist between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the ancient Tian group that once ravaged the boundless realm?”

A Supreme Elder who had spoken earlier fixed his stare on Gu Changge, chaos churning in his eyes, a subtle chaotic energy leaking forth, followed by a disdainful snort.

Those versed in the ancient Tian group’s history usually knew the Black Calamity period well, realizing all origins traced to the primal Tian group. Even post the Black Calamity’s end, the lingering Black Calamity forces basically consisted of ex-Tian group affiliates.

The Tian group’s founder created it to usurp the Heavenly Dao’s power and operate under heaven’s guise. Now, Gu Changge’s Heaven-Slaying Alliance, while professing to champion human dao’s justice, fundamentally sought to seize the Heavenly Dao’s control, mirroring the original Tian group.

To these timeless entities, no amount of acclaim for the Heaven-Slaying Alliance could mask its likeness to the chaos-spreading Tian group of old.

The gathered cultivators and beings, though not grasping the Tian group’s full backstory, recognized its dreadfulness and that the Black Calamity era arose from it. They knew too of the dark blood times, the realm-wide upheavals, and other horrors linked tightly to this group.

To this day, the Black Calamity survivors dreaded across the vast realm originated from the Tian group’s survivors.

Prior to now, certain cultivators had guessed at Gu Changge’s links to the Tian group’s survivors, suspecting an effort to revive it. But none had voiced it openly.

This Supreme Elder’s direct query before the crowd sent shivers through all. Many fixed their eyes on Gu Changge, watching for any shift in his demeanor.

“The Tian group remains the Tian group, and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance stands as the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. How could anyone mix them up?” Gu Changge replied with a mild smile.

“Our Heaven-Slaying Alliance champions human dao, sets forth the noble vows for all sentient life, and strives for tranquility across the vast realm, absent conflict, battles, and tribulation’s pains. Yet in your view, we’ve turned into unforgivable villains?”

“Ridiculous—when did a malignant growth begin claiming to be a redeemer? How amusing.”

“The realm may be deceived, but do you suppose we’re unaware of your real aims?”

The Supreme Elders responded with icy sneers, their stares glacial, chaotic radiance flashing in their eyes. With each blink, waves of ruinous intent surged.

“Outrageous—how dare you interrogate the leader? Do you intend to provoke us over and over this day?”

At these words, multiple Heaven-Slaying Alliance members stepped up, their countenances stern, unleashing fearsome auras as they faced off against the Supreme Elders.

“Hold back. As visitors today, we’ll honor the host’s customs.”

Gu Changge raised his hand lightly, his sight passing over the Supreme Elders before turning to the Yuxian Palace’s inner sanctum.

“Miss Yuling, as the hostess, we’ve lingered in anticipation, while you only observe from afar. Doesn’t this seem somewhat unfair?” he remarked with a soft chuckle. As Gu Changge finished speaking, a ray of sacred radiance burst from his fingertips, streaking toward that spot.

The Yuxian Palace, nestled deep in swirling mists where chaotic forces churned like a nascent heaven’s birth, abruptly revealed a flawless, radiant holy light. Myriad luminous strands converged into a sea of brilliance, clarifying the hazy borders of the domain.

Within this glow, a transcendent, poised silhouette materialized. She perched at a lofty precipice’s brink, her beauty and poise beyond mortal bounds.

Celestial vapors and Dao harmonies swirled about her, her spotless white garments pristine as fresh snow, raven tresses cascading to partially obscure her jade visage. She appeared ready to ascend on the breeze to the upper immortal domains, bound for the Nine Heavens’ divine halls.