I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1258:

“Among the world’s countless karmic laws, Young Master, I must ask you to wait a moment.”

Was it possible that he had detected the Reincarnation Mirror's simulations? Could he truly have captured those fleeting, projected images?

The mere thought felt utterly inconceivable.

Saintess Xiyuan dismissed the notion with a silent shake of her head, convinced it was an impossibility. As an artifact of the First Civilization, the Reincarnation Mirror possessed power that no one in the world should be able to intercept or perceive.

She suspected instead that Gu Changge possessed a frighteningly potent divine sense. Perhaps he was so in tune with the will of heaven that he could sense the ripples of causality as the mirror re-evaluated the threads of fate surrounding him.

Regardless of the reason, this sudden, direct encounter with Gu Changge left Saintess Xiyuan profoundly shaken. She remained on high alert, her mind clouded with suspicion and caution.

“The myriad karmic laws of this world are strange indeed—even though this is our first meeting, I feel as if we are old acquaintances.”

“And may I ask who this lady is?”

Veiled and speaking in a gentle tone, Saintess Xiyuan stepped through the pavilion. She acted as if she had only just noticed Ling Yuxian’s presence, inquiring about her identity and purpose.

She was certain Gu Changge was not a disciple of the Yuxian Palace.

As for the woman standing before her, she exuded a peculiar aura that made the Saintess feel strangely uneasy, yet she couldn't quite place her origins.

Ling Yuxian had been lost in thought, trying to decipher the connection between Gu Changge and the Saintess. Startled by the question, she regained her focus, introduced herself, and then asked about the current location of Saintess Xiyuan’s master.

Following the guidance of her elder sister, Ling Yuling, she had come specifically to uncover information regarding that legendary figure.

The master of Saintess Xiyuan was the architect of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and a pivotal leader in the ancient alliance that resisted the Da Tian Organization. It was only natural that such a person would be the one to safeguard the Reincarnation Mirror, that precious relic of the First Civilization.

“My master? She vanished many epochs ago. Since I took up the mantle of Saintess for the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, I haven't seen her. I cannot say if she still resides within the various worlds or if she is drifting through the distant reaches of time and space…”

Saintess Xiyuan was surprised by the inquiry; it wasn't a question she heard often.

In truth, this wasn't a guarded secret within the Xiyuan Civilization.

Currently, the Xiyuan Civilization was under her jurisdiction, and even the Reincarnation Mirror was in her possession.

“It appears my sister’s intentions may be thwarted.”

Ling Yuxian felt a wave of disappointment. She knew her sister desired to contact the ancient sage to discuss the impending catastrophe threatening the Xiyuan Civilization.

Aware of her own limited Cultivation, she refrained from asking for more details about the coming disaster.

Saintess Xiyuan, however, became curious about why Ling Yuxian was searching for her master.

“It is primarily for my sister. She wishes to pay her respects to Senior Xiyu. There are matters that likely require Senior Xiyu’s counsel.”

As she spoke, Ling Yuxian stole a glance at Gu Changge. He was calmly drinking the tea served by the maid, appearing entirely indifferent to the conversation. The founder of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall was named Xiyu, though her true beginnings remained a mystery.

Rumors suggested she was unimaginably ancient, perhaps even dating back to a primordial era.

To have commanded the First Civilization’s treasure against the Da Tian Organization and emerged as a leader, she was clearly no mundane figure.

“Who exactly is your sister?”

Saintess Xiyuan was visibly taken aback.

She hadn't heard the name 'Xiyu' mentioned in ages. Even the general public was largely ignorant of her master's true name.

Her curiosity regarding Ling Yuxian and this mysterious sister intensified.

“My sister is the founding ancestor of the Yuxian Palace,” Ling Yuxian stated plainly.

“What?”

Saintess Xiyuan was stunned into silence. She initially wondered if she had misheard, but the weight of the words soon sank in. Her mouth parted slightly in shock beneath her delicate veil.

The founder of the Yuxian Palace was this woman’s sister? That would mean she was a contemporary of her own master.

She had assumed Ling Yuxian was merely a talented Young Miss from the current generation of the Yuxian Palace, sent on an errand by her Elders.

Never did she imagine such a staggering background.

To have a figure from her master's era standing before her, looking so youthful, felt like a scene from an impossible myth.

Nevertheless, Saintess Xiyuan quickly regained her composure, though her gaze toward Ling Yuxian became significantly more complicated.

“Then it seems I should refer to you as Senior,” she remarked.

Despite her youthful looks, if Ling Yuxian truly hailed from that era, she must have utilized reincarnation to restore her physical form and essence.

Furthermore, her association with Gu Changge suggested she was anything but ordinary.

“There is no need for such titles,” Ling Yuxian said with a dismissive wave. Seeing that the Saintess had dropped her subtle air of superiority, she didn't care for the formalities.

After all, in her current reincarnated state, her Cultivation was far below that of Saintess Xiyuan.

She was never one to obsess over such trivialities anyway.

“My master departed the Xiyuan Sacred Hall long ago, and her path is unknown. Since I am the one overseeing the Hall now, any matters the Yuxian Palace wishes to discuss can be brought to me.”

Saintess Xiyuan nodded as she spoke.

Until today, she hadn't even considered that the Yuxian Palace’s founder might still be among the living.

For countless epochs, the Yuxian Palace had maintained a low profile, often appearing to be a fading power.

She wondered if the recent disturbances involving the Jing Clan in the Shengyang Ancient Domain were linked to this ancient ancestor.

Many pieces of the puzzle began to click into place within her mind. Beneath the surface, hidden currents were moving, and monumental shifts were occurring.

Was it possible her missing master would return during this turbulent time?

“I am not certain what my sister intends to discuss with Senior Xiyu. Perhaps she will have to come and speak with you personally,” Ling Yuxian replied, shaking her head.

Saintess Xiyuan responded with a soft shake of her own head. “There is no need to trouble a Senior to travel here. Once the banquet at Chu Gucheng concludes, I will travel with you to the Yuxian Palace to speak with her directly. That would be more appropriate.”

She noticed that Gu Changge’s expression didn't flicker when Ling Yuxian mentioned her sister.

It was obvious he was already privy to this information, and it was highly probable the Yuxian Palace’s founder knew him as well.

“That is acceptable.” Ling Yuxian agreed, preferring to avoid unnecessary complications.

She also knew her sister's current identity wasn't something to be revealed to the world just yet.

Saintess Xiyuan then turned her attention back to Gu Changge. Watching him sip his tea, she was suddenly reminded of the future she had seen in the Reincarnation Mirror, causing her lashes to tremble.

She recalled a simulation where she had served him tea with her own hands, only for him to kill her without a second thought.

A flash of inexplicable resentment flared within her. Even though it was only a simulated future, the experience had felt hauntingly real.

For someone of her noble and transcendent status to be rejected and slaughtered after personally serving him was an outrage.

If such a thing were ever known publicly, it would cause a massive scandal.

“Why has the Saintess’s mood shifted so suddenly?”

Gu Changge set his cup down and looked up at her, appearing genuinely curious.

Saintess Xiyuan realized her emotions had slipped through her mask. She quickly steadied herself and shook her head. “I merely recalled a very unpleasant memory.”

Gu Changge gave a thin smile. “I see. For a moment, I feared I had offended the Saintess and that you were preparing to strike me down.”

Saintess Xiyuan was stunned. Was Gu Changge’s divine sense so overwhelming that he could detect even the slightest hint of her internal turmoil?

She quickly denied it. “Young Master Gu, you are mistaken. Why would I ever attack you? Besides, how could you have possibly offended me?”

As she spoke, a smile graced her lips. Even behind the veil, her radiance seemed to make the world around them lose its luster.

The maid nearby was momentarily dazed by the Saintess's beauty.

“I wouldn't know the answer to that,” Gu Changge replied with a soft chuckle.

Observing the two of them, Ling Yuxian felt a prickle of irritation. Despite being strangers, they spoke with a familiarity that made her feel strangely excluded.

“Senior Brother Gu, if there is nothing else, we should head out. We shouldn't keep the Saintess from her rest,” Ling Yuxian interrupted.

“Very well.” Gu Changge smiled and prepared to stand.

“Young Master Gu, please wait. There is a matter I wish to discuss with you in private.”

Saintess Xiyuan spoke up, clearly intending for him to stay behind.

Ling Yuxian’s brow furrowed. They had only just met; why was the Saintess acting so forward as to request a private meeting?

What could she possibly want with Gu Changge? Did she know something about his true nature?

At that moment, Ling Yuxian felt as though Gu Changge and the Saintess were already well-acquainted.

The Saintess's current demeanor was a far cry from the cold, distant figure the world knew her to be.

“Since the Saintess requires a private word with Senior Brother Gu, I will not intrude. I'll take my leave.”

Ling Yuxian shot Gu Changge a look. Seeing him nod, she gave a silent huff of annoyance and followed the maid out of the pavilion.

Saintess Xiyuan watched her go, contemplating the bond between Ling Yuxian and Gu Changge.

The founder of Yuxian Palace was a legendary figure who had helped end the Dark Calamity.

And it was clear her younger sister held Gu Changge in high regard.

Based on the Reincarnation Mirror’s visions, Saintess Xiyuan had assumed that the downfall of Xianchu Haotu and the crisis facing her civilization were linked to the remnants of that Dark Calamity.

She believed the shadow behind the Alliance to Exterminate Heaven was tied to those ancient evils.

But if Gu Changge were truly part of that darkness, surely the founder of the Yuxian Palace would have sensed it by now.

Of course, there remained the chilling possibility that even the Yuxian Palace’s founder had failed to see through Gu Changge’s true identity.