I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1265:

The elite divine generals were his personal disciples and most trusted inner circle. Among them, the Heavenly God General reigned supreme as Xianchu Haotu’s premier warrior, possessing terrifyingly vast power.

“The Lord of Zixiao Mountain personally executed the Heavenly God General. He led his invincible army from the front; even when our divine generals combined their strength, they were utterly crushed by him.”

“Furthermore, an unidentified third party is covertly interfering, with hidden masters constantly sabotaging our efforts.”

The messenger delivering the frontline report was visibly shaken, his face drained of color and his voice trembling with terror.

“Zixiao He! I vow that the sky will not hold both of us! One of us must fall!”

Chu Gucheng’s complexion turned a sickly iron-blue. He ground his teeth in a fury so intense that his murderous aura seemed to pierce the heavens. He had never harbored such deep-seated hatred for anyone in his life.

The gathered guests were equally stunned by this revelation.

A Dao-formed clone had been sent to deliver a coffin as a personal insult to Chu Gucheng, while the true body was simultaneously leading a campaign on the frontlines, seemingly bent on the total annihilation of Xianchu Haotu.

“Where is the Champion Marquis?”

As a ruler of great pedigree, Chu Gucheng suppressed his rage and regained his composure, calling out to his ranks.

“Your Majesty, I am here.”

From the assembly of officials and warriors, a towering figure clad in radiant golden armor—shining with an immortal luster—stepped forward.

His life force was incredibly potent. Standing there, he resembled an eternal furnace of vitality; his blood and bones surged with power, and he was shrouded in chaotic light that made onlookers shudder.

Vague images of the cosmos seemed to orbit him, as if three thousand worlds paid him homage and he held dominion over the universe.

The guests watched the newcomer with wide-eyed shock, realizing that this was another individual blessed with immense fortune.

The depths of Xianchu Haotu’s foundation were truly staggering.

Beyond the legendary divine generals who had long been household names, other commanders possessed extraordinary pedigrees and strength. Over the eons, the empire had nurtured many individuals of great destiny.

If these chosen ones were allowed to reach their full potential, they would undoubtedly become the future sovereigns of the Xiyuan civilization.

The Champion Marquis’s mere presence was more overbearing than many of the experts in attendance.

It appeared that even most masters at the Dao Ancestor realm would struggle against him.

The title of Champion Marquis was not easily earned; it was reserved only for those who achieved the most magnificent of military triumphs.

The ministers and generals were well aware of his capabilities, and their expressions shifted subtly.

In normal times, Chu Gucheng would never deploy the Champion Marquis so readily.

Unlike others like the Heavenly God General, the Champion Marquis’s true strength lay in his peerless command on the battlefield and his ability to lead legions.

Throughout the expansion of Xianchu Haotu, he had accumulated a mountain of military achievements. Wherever his banners flew, enemies knelt in submission, terrified to resist.

“I entrust you with the Dragon and Tiger Seals. Deploy the Dragon and Tiger Armies to the border and ensure every last invader is put to death.”

Chu Gucheng spoke with a voice like ice, his intent chilling to the bone.

Two beams of light—one shaped like a dragon and the other a tiger—shimmered in his palm, letting out world-shaking roars before being handed over to the Champion Marquis.

“The Emperor’s wrath is absolute; he has even relinquished the Dragon and Tiger Seals to the Champion Marquis.”

The hearts of the officials trembled. They knew the weight of this command. The issuance of these seals signaled the start of a total, scorched-earth war.

“By your command, Your Majesty.”

Gripping the seals, the Champion Marquis made a swift exit.

The remaining leadership quickly organized their forces to head toward the site where the black coffin had crashed. They intended to contain the black miasma that was leaking across the provinces. If this dark fog continued to spread unchecked, it would poison the entire realm of Xianchu Haotu. Furthermore, that coffin was a replica of the legendary ‘Coffin of the World-Burying Civilization.’ No one knew what horrors were trapped inside, and none dared to open it without caution.

Inevitably, the grand birthday celebration fell apart. With a crisis of this magnitude unfolding, Chu Gucheng and his court lost all desire for festivities.

Princess Chu Xinyue and the other royals cast freezing, resentful looks at Gu Changge. They had noted his behavior earlier; his detached, amused attitude—as if he were merely watching a play—offended them deeply. They felt personally insulted and harbored suspicions that he was the hidden hand behind these events.

Previously, many Sects and Cultivators had whispered about links between the Heavenly Alliance and the remnants of the Black Calamity. Now, with Zixiao He delivering a coffin that spewed that exact terrifying black mist, the connection seemed undeniable. It was highly probable that Gu Changge was the architect of this chaos.

Chu Gucheng shared these suspicions, yet he lacked concrete proof linking Gu Changge to Zixiao Mountain. Whether the Heavenly Alliance truly served the Black Calamity was a judgment he could not pass alone at this moment.

“Today’s atrocities have been witnessed by everyone here. Zixiao Mountain, despite being the premier Daoist power of the Xiyuan civilization, has secretly conspired with the remnants of the Black Calamity. They have abandoned all decorum to plunge the world into turmoil and have even allied with the Demon Court against us.”

“Since this involves the eradication of the Black Calamity and the restoration of peace, I ask our guests to consider their stance and support us. Together, we can stabilize the Xiyuan civilization and restore order.”

With these words, Chu Gucheng scanned the room, his eyes lingering on the Saintess of Xiyuan, silently demanding she take a side.

The Saintess of Xiyuan recognized the severity. If Zixiao Mountain had indeed made a pact with the Black Calamity, the entire Xiyuan civilization was on the brink of a cataclysm. No Sect or power would be safe from the coming storm.

She could no longer remain as detached as she had been when only Xianchu Haotu’s interests were at stake.

“Once the Black Calamity is involved, the stakes become absolute. The Xiyuan Sacred Hall was founded with the mission to destroy the Black Calamity and uphold righteousness. My Master taught that while the Black Calamity exists, no world can know peace. If proof of Zixiao Mountain’s collusion is found, the Xiyuan Sacred Hall will immediately issue a decree for their extermination, calling upon all forces to besiege them and restore balance.”

The Saintess spoke calmly, nodding slightly. She avoided promising direct aid to Xianchu Haotu, but she committed to action if the link to the Black Calamity was verified.

The guests were sharp enough to catch her drift. She was still refusing to be drawn into the personal blood feud between the two powers.

Gu Changge found her response intriguing; it was more nuanced than he had anticipated. He had expected someone as rigid as Jiang Chuchu, someone bound by childhood indoctrination. Instead, she had bypassed Chu Gucheng’s trap and made the most tactical choice.

“It seems the Reincarnation Mirror has sharpened her wits,” Gu Changge thought, his smile growing more pronounced.

Back in the pavilion, he had already intimidated her, warning her to stay in her lane. He had done so specifically because he knew she possessed the Reincarnation Mirror.

Now, it was clear that Chu Gucheng was also eyeing that very mirror.

Chu Gucheng understood her refusal perfectly. His expression darkened, and his eyes grew cold. He pressed her, “Is the Saintess still defending them after what we’ve seen? This horrific black mist, which slaughters every living thing it touches, is that not the signature of the Black Calamity?”

At this, Elder Jin, a venerable figure from the Xudan civilization, chimed in, “I have a history with the esteemed Saintess. If she were still at the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, she would never permit Zixiao Mountain to act with such impudence, openly joining the Black Calamity. I urge the Saintess to prioritize the greater good.”

Elder Jin was of immense age; even the ancient monsters of the Cangmang realms treated him with deference. When Zixiao He had attacked Chu Gucheng earlier, it was Elder Jin who had stepped in to save the Emperor’s life.

His words carried the weight of an elder lecturing a junior. He seemed to be offering advice, but he was actually pressuring her by invoking the name of her Master, Xi Nu, the founder of the Sacred Hall.

The Saintess’s face remained hidden behind her veil, but her hand clenched tightly beneath her sleeve.

Elder Jin was using her Master’s legacy to coerce her. She knew that if she became entangled with Xianchu Haotu, the dark future she had glimpsed in the Reincarnation Mirror would become reality. It wouldn’t just be the fall of this empire; it would be the end of the entire Xiyuan civilization.

“I will personally investigate the claims against Zixiao Mountain. The Xiyuan Sacred Hall has fought the Black Calamity for eons; we know how to identify our true enemies. You need not concern yourself with our methods, Elder Jin,” she replied frostily.

She wouldn't be rushed into a judgment. Furthermore, she doubted Zixiao Mountain would be so foolish as to openly flaunt such a connection before the world. She had her own suspicions to manage.

Elder Jin was taken aback by her blatant defiance. The girl he had watched grow up was now speaking to him with such disrespect. His face soured as he retorted angrily, “Very well. I shall see how you manage this disaster. Xianchu Haotu is blessed by the Heavens and the fortune of the Human Emperor; he is the one destined to end this crisis.”

“I crossed billions of years and vast distances from the Xudan civilization to provide warning, yet you repeatedly bar your doors to Chu Gucheng, ignoring the fate of the world. I wonder what your Master would think of your conduct...”

The guests were surprised by this. Many hadn't known the Saintess had repeatedly snubbed Chu Gucheng. They had heard he visited her several times but was always told she was in deep Cultivation.

The Saintess frowned. She hadn't expected Elder Jin to air this grievance publicly to shame her into submission.

While the Elder was respected, his seniority did not give him the right to dictate her actions.

Maintaining her poise, she stated flatly, “My Master is no longer present. I will make my own decisions. The Reincarnation Mirror is the supreme treasure of our Hall. Unless we face an unprecedented catastrophe, it does not leave its place. It is not a matter of refusing the Lord of Chu; it is a matter of following the ancient rules of the Sacred Hall that no one may break.”

Lending the Reincarnation Mirror?

The room went silent as guests processed this. They turned to Chu Gucheng, whose face remained a mask of stone.

The Reincarnation Mirror was said to govern the very luck and destiny of the Xiyuan civilization. Why did Chu Gucheng want it? What were his true goals?

Was he planning to use its power to force a unification of the entire civilization under his rule?

The mood shifted instantly among the representatives of Yuxian Palace, the Buddha Kingdom, and the Temple of Guangming.

The Xiyuan Sacred Hall’s neutrality was the bedrock of balance in the region, largely because they held the Reincarnation Mirror.

The artifact could peer into the past, present, and future, predicting the rise and fall of all things. Its power was nearly boundless.

If Chu Gucheng gained control of it, regardless of whether he intended to return it, the power dynamic of the world would be shattered.

His ambitions were now laid bare for all to see.

“Chu Gucheng’s hunger for power is limitless. This feast was clearly a front to absorb other civilizations and secretly usurp the Sacred Hall’s authority.”

“It is a relief the Saintess stood her ground. Had she agreed, the world would have changed overnight.”

The guests exchanged silent, knowing looks. Even the profound monks of the Buddha Kingdom glanced at Chu Gucheng with renewed wariness.

They were not pawns to be moved by Xianchu Haotu. If the empire acquired such a civilization-defining treasure, every other Sect would become its vassal.

Recognizing that his attempt to borrow the mirror had backfired and sparked public suspicion, Chu Gucheng pivoted.

“Let us put the matter of Zixiao Mountain’s betrayal aside for a moment. I must ask, Saintess, what is your official stance on the Heavenly Alliance?”

He turned his gaze toward Gu Changge, who was once again calmly sipping wine, looking as though the surrounding drama had nothing to do with him.

The Saintess knit her brows. She had looked into the Heavenly Alliance, but besides its arrogant name, she had found no evidence of it being a front for the Black Calamity.

The only anomaly was that whenever she tried to use divination to peer into their affairs, a strange black mist blocked her sight, hiding the truth.

In the endless Cangmang, new powers rose and fell like grains of sand. The Heavenly Alliance seemed to be just another rising force.

To accuse them of being part of the Black Calamity based solely on that was a reach.

Initially, when she first simulated the future, she had suspected the Heavenly Alliance was a tool of the darkness. She had seen Gu Changge as a figure tied to the remnants, leading to the fall of Xianchu Haotu and the ruin of Xiyuan.

However, as she ran more simulations, she noticed the Heavenly Alliance acted more like a traditional Buddhist or Daoist Sect, making vows to save the world and guide souls across the sea of suffering.

Because of this, th