I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1379: Brought about a terrible disaster, at least in the ancestral Dao realm

Although the Zhuo clan had many elders, only a few truly held power, and they were collectively known as the Elders of Heaven. Zhuoyou was one of these heavenly elders, and she had a significant chance of undergoing the fourth spiritual transformation. In the civilization of the Immortal Dao, this transformation signified entry into the True Dao Realm, an existence capable of roaming across endless time and space, unrestrained.

Zhuoyou’s return to the clan was naturally a major event for the entire Zhuo family, especially since she and her companions had narrowly escaped death and experienced a true life-and-death encounter. Many within the clan were eager to learn what Zhuoyou and the others had faced.

What kind of terrifying being could kill an elder with a single palm strike?

“The Elders of Heaven have discussed this matter. Regardless of the circumstances, we must ensure Elder Zhuoyou returns home safely,” a voice declared.

“As for what she has gone through, it must not be shared with the Zhuo clan, lest it be leaked to other families.”

In the Elder Temple, the leader, clad in silver robes shimmering like moonlight, gazed flatly at the many clan members gathered below as he spoke.

He was an elder of the Zhuo clan, named Zhuoxiu, who had already successfully undergone the fourth spiritual transformation and was closely tied to Zhuoyou’s lineage. The other Heavenly Elders also nodded in tacit agreement. The most pressing task was to bring Zhuoyou and her companions back safely.

As for what Zhuoyou meant when she mentioned having the clan prepare, they would need to wait until her return to inquire further.

The immortal civilization had deep roots, with its inheritance spanning over tens of millions of epochs, securing its position in the vast, boundless world. In addition to the Zhuo clan, several other great clans existed within the immortal civilization, each with strength and background rivaling that of the Zhuo clan, and they often found themselves in competition with one another.

Together, these powerful clans of the immortal civilization had established the Cabinet of Elders.

Each clan selected esteemed elders to take on crucial roles within the Cabinet of Elders, overseeing the entire immortal civilization. It could be said that the Cabinet represented the pinnacle of power in the immortal world. Every million years, new candidates were chosen to serve in the Cabinet.

Among those who held such a prestigious position was an elder from Zhuoyou’s lineage—her current grandfather, Zhuo Fengxie. He was highly ranked within the immortal civilization and was rumored to be on the path to rivaling, or even surpassing, the Zhuo clan’s ancestors, potentially becoming an existence on par with them.

Even some of the Heavenly Elders, who maintained a distant relationship with Zhuoyou’s lineage, harbored a deep respect and fear for Zhuo Fengxie. As for Zhuoxiu, who was addressing the group, he was closely aligned with Zhuo Fengxie.

It was at Zhuo Fengxie’s behest that Zhuoxiu convened this meeting of elders to arrange Zhuoyou’s return to the clan.

In the Elder’s Temple, as everyone quietly discussed the matter, several figures suddenly rushed in from outside the hall and reported, “Elders, I bring news: Elder Zhuoyou has returned to the clan grounds. Under the guidance of the clan’s strongest members, she has arrived safely. Elder Zhuoyou and the others are on their way here.”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the Elder’s Temple shifted. Those close to Zhuoyou’s lineage couldn’t suppress their smiles, visibly relieved as they sighed in relief. The rest remained impassive, their faces expressionless as though indifferent to the news.

Zhuoxiu smiled faintly and said, “It’s good that Elder Zhuoyou has returned safely. We will wait here for her. Perhaps this journey to seek out the newborn real world will bring unexpected surprises.”

Though Zhuoyou’s strength was only at the threshold of the Heavenly Elders and slightly weaker than the others, her talent was immense. She was expected to make significant progress in the future and, as a direct descendant of Zhuo Fengxie, held a prestigious position within the clan.

Soon, outside the magnificent palace, several bright lights appeared as if conjured from thin air, rushing straight toward the hall. Leading the group was Zhuoyou, who strode in confidently alongside several other clan members.

Her expression was remarkably calm; rather than displaying joy at her safe return, she appeared burdened by something weighing heavily on her. In the Elder’s Temple, all eyes were on her, and many noticed the unusual look on her face. Several individuals exchanged perplexed glances, sensing that Zhuoyou had indeed been profoundly affected by her experiences during this outing.

In the past, Zhuoyou had been fearless, always bold and confident, often acting with reckless abandon.

“It seems this dangerous journey has taught Elder Zhuoyou some hard lessons,” someone whispered with a mocking smile.

“Elder Zhuoyou has endured much, but now that she’s returned safely, there’s no need to worry anymore,” another person chimed in.

“Here, on our Zhuo clan’s territory, she won’t face any more danger.”

“Still, it’s puzzling,” someone else added.

“Why did Elder Zhuoyou urge the clan to prepare for an imminent catastrophe upon her return? What did she experience out there?”

Zhuoxiu and the other Heavenly Elders, while outwardly concerned, refrained from saying too much. They simply inquired about Zhuoyou’s ordeal, as the entire Zhuo clan was paying close attention to the matter. After all, Zhuoyou had nearly lost all the clansmen she brought with her, including an elder—a considerable loss for her lineage.

It was clear that even Zhuoyou would face consequences for this.

Zhuoyou gazed at the people in the hall with a complicated expression, her fear barely concealed. It was clear she did not wish to relive the events, but after a heavy sigh, she began her explanation.

“I never imagined what transpired could have happened. I believed we were only dealing with a weak newborn real world. There was a lingering aura of the Immortal Dao civilization’s fire, and I thought we could recover the remaining ashes and extract the original material of the Immortal Dao civilization.”

“It seemed like a battle we were certain to win. The strongest figure we encountered was only on par with me, and the cultivators on other levels were far weaker than the army I led.”

She paused briefly, her voice trembling slightly. “But at the critical moment, a terrifying figure descended, wiping out countless powerhouses with a single hand. That’s when I realized something was terribly wrong. I fled as quickly as I could, but many were not so fortunate and remained there… forever.”

Zhuoyou’s face darkened as she continued. “That figure wasn’t even their true form—it was just a dharma body. If the real body had descended, none of us would have escaped. From what I could sense, I believe its true form is comparable to an existence at the ancestral realm of the Immortal Dao civilization.”

The mention of the Ancestral Dao Realm caused a ripple of unease in the hall. A being of that caliber meant they had passed at least six Heavenly Declines. Even within the boundless world, such figures were the most powerful—those who established ancestors and created civilizations, with unfathomable strength.

A single thought could open up the space and time of the universe, born from chaos, and create endless worlds. Such a being’s real body could break free from the shackles of fate, no longer subject to its control. Merely by perceiving the countless beings and phenomena in a single world, it would become omniscient and omnipotent, mastering time and space. If its strength increased further, it could truly command fate and control the threads of cause and effect. With a snap of its fingers, it could create a world from a speck of dust, evolve creatures and races, and bring forth infinite derivatives.

The former ancestor of the entire Zhuo Clan was rumored to have undergone nearly six spiritual transformations, almost reaching the heights of the Ancestral Dao Realm.

Zhuoyou’s words sent shockwaves through the Elder’s Temple. The mere mention of the “Ancestral Dao Realm” was like an immense mountain pressing down on everyone’s heads, suffocating them under its weight. Only those who had truly entered the Dao Realm could grasp just how terrifying and awe-inspiring an existence of this level was.

Even the Heavenly Elders found it hard to comprehend the powers wielded by beings far beyond their own strength. It was like a frog at the bottom of a well; only upon leaving the well did it realize the true vastness of the world. Likewise, they had just begun to step beyond their limited perspective and glimpse the infinite expanse of the universe, only to realize how small and insignificant they truly were.

“If we’ve truly offended an ancestor in the Dao Realm, we must prepare ourselves for the consequences. The wrath of such an existence is not easily soothed,” Zhuoxiu said, his tone grave. The other Heavenly Elders also wore serious expressions.

Although the Zhuo Clan was one of the most powerful families within the immortal civilization, the possibility of confronting an ancestor from the Ancestral Realm filled even them with dread. Despite the strength of their clan, an encounter with an existence of such immense power could shake them to their core.

While a civilization with an ancestor in the Dao Realm had the potential to ascend into a supreme civilization, that only marked a threshold, not the full measure of its strength. The presence of a single ancestor did not define the complete might of a supreme civilization, and there were likely multiple ancestors within such realms.

Similarly, the immortal civilization, though ancient and powerful, had not yet reached the heights of a supreme civilization. Nonetheless, this did not mean it lacked the power or methods to contend with beings of the Ancestral Realm. Even without supreme status, civilizations like theirs could still possess the means to counter such forces.

“This matter requires careful consideration, but we shouldn’t worry excessively. The existence of an ancestor in the Dao Realm, without the vast coordinates of the immortal civilization, would find it difficult to locate us,” Zhuoxiu said, trying to reassure the group.

“Perhaps I was too anxious. If they truly desire it, it may be challenging for Elder Zhuoyou to return safely,” he continued. “However, even if they do find us, I’ll be prepared. I wonder who will truly suffer in the end.”

While the elders in the hall expressed some concern, they ultimately felt that the likelihood of such an occurrence was slim and remained optimistic.

Zhuoyou, however, felt a bitter pang in her heart. She couldn’t voice her worries in the face of the elders’ seemingly unfounded optimism. The calamity was imminent, yet they remained unaware of it. Moreover, this impending disaster was a consequence of her actions for the entire immortal civilization.

Quickly, a group of elders from the Zhuo clan relayed the news back to their respective branches and began preparations. On the bright side, the Zhuo clan had several elders managing daily affairs, but in reality, the true decision-making power lay with a few senior members of the clan. Among them was Zhuoyou’s grandfather, Zhuo Fengxie.

“Initially, when Zhuoyou asked me to perform a divination, it clearly indicated there would be no danger. So why did this happen?” Zhuoxiu pondered aloud.

“Could it be that when the divination was made, an accident had already occurred, and someone knew in advance and concealed the truth?”

He continued, “If that’s the case, Zhuoyou’s return to the Zhuo clan may not be so straightforward, and a hidden crisis looms in the shadows. I always suspected that the real world associated with the fire of the Immortal Dao civilization was far from ordinary.”

At that moment, deep within the Zhuo Clan, there was a tranquil place, still and undisturbed, as calm as a glassy lake. A magnificent round crystal ball, shimmering with an unusual hue, floated quietly. The mental power within it surged turbulently, akin to a storm brewing on the horizon.

If unleashed, it would easily devastate the world and obliterate all of time and space. This peculiar crystal ball contained the current spiritual power of Zhuo Fengxie, Zhuoyou’s grandfather. To put it simply, he was among the most powerful beings in the Zhuo Clan at that time.

Zhuo Fengxie was not only immensely talented but also one of the most astonishing figures of his time. Having undergone five spiritual transformations, he was nearly comparable to the ancestors of the Zhuo clan from generations past. He excelled in deduction and divination, having acquired the legacy of an ancestor from the Immortal Dao civilization, which granted him profound insights in this area.

However, Zhuo Fengxie’s rise to power wasn’t solely due to that legacy; he had encountered numerous opportunities and actively sought out prospects for the descendants of his family. After his original physical body decayed, he took residence in the body of a descendant. In reality, this physical form belonged to one of his descendants, making his seniority far greater than that of Zhuoyou’s grandfather. Yet, in the context of the Immortal civilization, age and lineage held little significance.

Now that he sensed something amiss, Zhuo Fengxie was cautious and planned to have his clansmen prepare for potential dangers. He feared that if Zhuoyou and the others managed to return to the clan, someone might be orchestrating something sinister behind the scenes, complicating matters further.

It seems I must meet with Zhuoyou and the others in person to assess whether there’s a problem.

He thought.

At that moment, in the base camp of the Zhuo Clan, the shuttle that Zhuoyou had piloted earlier rested on an exceptionally wide flat crystal.

A series of bright portals appeared, and the remnant army that had accompanied Zhuoyou stepped out from within. Numerous Zhuo clansmen were present, tasked with assessing the losses incurred during this ordeal.

High in the sky, a flat, crystal-clear mirror, spanning a thousand feet in width, hung gleaming, reflecting blinding light. This mirror served to display all the creatures exiting the shuttle, ensuring they wouldn’t be confused and inadvertently enter an unknown existence.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chu Lian and the other younger clan members followed behind the immortal figures of the Spiritual civilization, their hearts pounding with anxiety and cold sweat pooling on their backs. He watched in horror as a creature ahead of him was illuminated by the mirror, from which a thick black energy erupted.

In an instant, a pillar of light, as wide as a star, blasted down and annihilated the creature, reducing it to mere ashes. Traveling across such vastness, it was inevitable to become tainted by strange auras. There was even a risk of being possessed or overtaken by unspeakable mysterious substances or beings.

Chu Lian couldn’t shake the fear that, as a creature of the Spiritual civilization, he might be struck down by the mirror at any moment. All he could do was hope that the rare treasure Gu Changge had bestowed upon them would prove effective.

Soon, everyone from the Spiritual civilization, each with their own emotions, walked through the reflected brilliance, their bodies covered in cold sweat. Fortunately, as they passed, they merely felt a gentle warmth enveloping them, with no danger in sight, allowing them to relax.

Chu Lian let out a sigh of relief; it appeared that Gu Changge’s origins were indeed mysterious, and the strange treasure he had bestowed upon them truly protected them from harm. However, he felt a twinge of surprise because he had not seen Gu Changge or Ling Huang.

Clearly, they had not remained on the shuttle of the immortal civilization. Before leaving that small world, Chu Lian had intentionally visited the valley where Gu Changge had been, but found it empty.

It doesn’t matter where he is or what he has to do with me. The most important thing now is to survive.

Chu Lian thought to himself.

The immortal civilization was older and more powerful than the Spiritual civilization. Though this location was merely the base camp of the Zhuo clan, it was far more expansive than any territory Chu Lian was familiar with. The universe and the realms ruled by the Zhuo race were virtually limitless, beyond counting. Inquiring about the Zhuo clan and the entire immortal civilization proved to be extremely challenging.

The territory of this immortal civilization is indeed vast. I can’t even imagine how many times larger it is than our Spiritual realm. The foundation of the Zhuo clan alone is not to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, in the lands of the Zhuo clan, beneath a quiet starry sky, three figures walked slowly: Gu Changge, accompanied by Bone Ancestor and Ling Huang. Upon entering the territory of the immortal civilization, they exited the shuttle and proceeded into Zhuo territory. Although the region was heavily guarded and challenging to navigate, they were sheltered within the Zhuo clan’s shuttles, and few dared to investigate them seriously.

At this moment, Ling Huang spoke, her eyes wide with amazement as she surveyed the scene before her, comparing it to the Spiritual civilization. The world structure of the immortal civilization was markedly different from that of other civilizations. The magnificent crystal formations resembled ancient planets and were imbued with a vibrant life force. Each colossal crystal could be considered a galaxy of life within the immortal civilization.

However, the overall strength of the ethnic groups inhabiting these galaxies was relatively weak, far from the might of the Zhuo clan.