I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1267:

1628. Big Brother, you’re drunk

This plan was meant to remain confidential, yet Chu Xinyue realized that if she intended to eliminate the Xiyuan Saintess, she would likely require the assistance of the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace soon. Thus, revealing the truth to Ouyang Ji at this moment was a calculated move.

“This isn't about targeting the Xiyuan Saintess; it is a simple act of self-preservation. We are merely forced to react to her provocations,” Chu Xinyue explained, shaking her head as a profound light flickered in her eyes.

Ouyang Ji’s brow knit together in visible concern. “Regardless of the justification, the Xiyuan Saintess possesses immense authority within the Xiyuan Civilization. By striking against her, aren't you effectively insulting the Xiyuan Holy Hall and making enemies of numerous orthodox Sects?”

“Won't such a move make the survival of the Xianchu Haotu significantly more perilous?” he asked with gravity, clearly analyzing the risks for the sake of the Xianchu Haotu.

“Could the situation truly become more dire than it is now?” Chu Xinyue’s gaze turned frigid, her voice laced with a trace of resentment.

“During my father’s birthday celebration, Zi Wanha, the Master of Zixiao Mountain, had the audacity to present a black coffin before every guest. This humiliation has already transformed the Xianchu Haotu into a global laughingstock,” she stated sharply, her words cutting through the air.

Ouyang Ji parted his lips as if to argue, but ultimately chose to remain quiet.

“Zixiao Mountain is acting without restraint, showing zero respect for the Xianchu Haotu. That man named Gu is the true architect behind my brother’s demise. With Zixiao Mountain’s sudden aggression, I suspect a hidden alliance. Under these pressures, we have no choice but to gamble,” Chu Xinyue added, her voice softening with a touch of desperation.

“I sympathize with your pain, Xinyue, but…” Ouyang Ji sighed, his anxiety still lingering.

Chu Xinyue turned toward him, her expression turning tender. “I know you understand, Ji Lang. You are the Young Master and the future leader of the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace. You’ll stand by me, won't you? Once the crisis of the Xianchu Haotu is resolved, I will request my father to finalize our marriage.”

The mention of their "marriage" caused Ouyang Ji’s eyes to light up with immediate joy. Casting aside his earlier hesitations, he nodded fervently. “Don't worry, Xinyue. Your burdens are mine, and the fate of the Xianchu Haotu is my concern as well. I will support you with everything I have. Just give the command. Whether it requires crossing a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, I will not flinch if you ask it of me.”

Touched by his devotion, Chu Xinyue’s face softened. “I knew my trust in you was well-placed.”

“Still, Xinyue, the Xiyuan Saintess is no ordinary target. You know her status better than anyone. Have you considered the fallout if this fails?” Ouyang Ji asked. Though his delight was visible, he forced himself to remain cautious.

Chu Xinyue expected this reaction. She maintained her gentle tone, “Are you frightened, Ji Lang? The Xiyuan Saintess has no legitimate reason for her actions. She clearly fears the rapid growth of the Xianchu Haotu and worries we might overshadow the Xiyuan Holy Hall. That is why she publicly antagonizes us. Since she has already moved against us, should we simply sit back and watch?”

Ouyang Ji nodded, offering no further rebuttal. He followed Chu Xinyue as she led him deeper into the palace complex.

The Star Ying Old Woman from Yinxu Cave had already departed from the main feast and was currently situated in the private inner chambers.

Bai Mei Xingjun was also present.

Chu Gucheng was engaged in a discussion with them, his usually stoic face masked by a rare look of gravity.

“The assault by Zixiao Mountain caught me off guard. I suspect a deep conspiracy. Beyond Zixiao Mountain, there must be other shadows at play. If my deductions are correct, the Tianmeng is likely backing that man named Gu,” Chu Gucheng remarked in a low, heavy voice.

“It is indeed a suspicious coincidence. However, for Gu to walk into the Xianchu Haotu alone suggests he possesses immense confidence. The real question is: how certain is Your Majesty of successfully capturing or killing him here?”

Since Master Fu’s transition to a less active role, Bai Mei Xingjun had ascended as Chu Gucheng’s primary confidant. Clad in white robes with a serene demeanor, his long beard drifted in the breeze. A whisk was tucked into his sleeve, glowing with an ethereal light that manifested visions of seasons and storms.

“I cannot gauge the true depth of Gu’s power. He radiates a terrifying aura that makes my skin crawl,” Chu Gucheng admitted, his brow furrowing as he spoke.

There was a detail he kept to himself: during their encounter at the city walls, he felt as though Gu Changge viewed him as mere prey. That lingering sense of dread was something Chu Gucheng found difficult to reconcile with his own status.

“That youth named Gu possesses unfathomable Cultivation. I doubt I am his match. Lord Chu, you should avoid a direct confrontation until we are prepared to fully sever ties. Even if we manage to restrain him, the price the Xianchu Haotu would pay would be catastrophic,” the Star Ying Old Woman warned, her silver eyes shimmering with starlight and caution.

Hearing such a warning from a figure as prominent as the Star Ying Old Woman made Chu Gucheng’s heart sink. He clenched his fists, feeling a rare sense of impotence.

“I hear you, Senior. I understand the weight of the situation and will not act impulsively,” Chu Gucheng replied solemnly.

The Star Ying Old Woman nodded. “While Gu’s origins are a mystery and his strength is vast, he is not invincible. If you can convince your Master to intervene, these complications will vanish instantly.”

“The Master of Yinxu Cave?” Chu Gucheng was startled. He had considered the idea, but the Yinxu Cave was a place of extreme mystery, its very existence shrouded in legend.

The Master of Yinxu Cave was undoubtedly a peerless powerhouse, but how could such a figure be persuaded to interfere in worldly disputes?

Reading his thoughts, the Star Ying Old Woman commented, “Your Master is selective with his disciples. Throughout countless epochs, he has taken very few under his wing. The fact that he sent Bai Mei Shi Di to assist you proves he sees great potential in you. He even gifted you that brocade pouch personally. If you were to formally petition to become his disciple, he might very well accept.”

Chu Gucheng hesitated, a spark of ambition lighting his eyes. He was clearly tempted. He still possessed the mysterious brocade pouch, having not yet discovered its contents.

“That is impossible. I have already sworn my loyalty to Master Fa Sheng. A disciple’s bond is for life. How could I betray my first teacher to join another? Despite my reverence for the Master of Yinxu Cave, I cannot abandon my Sect…”

Recalling his principles, Chu Gucheng shook his head firmly, his resolve hardening.

The Star Ying Old Woman didn't take offense. She merely smiled faintly. “Let us put that aside. Lord Chu, why not open the pouch your Master gave you? There may be a solution within to deal with the man named Gu.”

Chu Xinyue arrived at the inner chambers just in time to catch the tail end of the conversation. She had been debating whether to personally provoke Gu Changge, but the sheer terror he instilled in the experts around her gave her pause. Even the Star Ying Old Woman spoke of him with dread.

However, if the gift came from the Master of Yinxu Cave, it had to be extraordinary.

Chu Xinyue stepped inside quietly, taking her place behind her father without interrupting. Ouyang Ji and his followers from the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace remained outside, respecting the privacy of the inner sanctum.

“Senior Star Ying is right. I shall open the pouch now,” Chu Gucheng said, his own curiosity burning.

He reached out, and with a shimmer of light, the modest-looking brocade pouch appeared in his palm.

The Star Ying Old Woman and Bai Mei Xingjun watched intently, eager to see what their Master had bestowed upon the ruler of the Xianchu Haotu.

As the seal broke, a fist-sized pill emerged, radiating a brilliant seven-colored light. A faint, rainbow-colored mist swirled around it like celestial clouds.

The pill featured seven small apertures, each venting a thick, crystalline fog. This mist shifted constantly, taking the forms of men, children, women, elders, beasts, and even landscapes.

It was as if the vapors contained the essence of all living things across infinite star systems. It was a mesmerizing sight.

“What kind of treasure is this?” Chu Gucheng asked, unable to identify the object despite his vast knowledge.

In contrast, Bai Mei Xingjun and the Star Ying Old Woman were frozen in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

“Is this the Yitai Zao Hua Da Wu Dan? The one refined from the Dao Fruit of the Chaos Time Sea’s Shenzu after the Master slew it?” the Star Ying Old Woman whispered, stunned.

Bai Mei Xingjun was equally perplexed, wondering why such a rare but niche pill had been gifted for a birthday.

Noticing the confusion of the Chu family, Bai Mei Xingjun explained, “This is the . It was crafted using the Dao Fruit of a slain Shenzu, blended with countless mystical herbs. Upon consumption, one can mimic any person in existence perfectly. Not even a expert could detect the falsehood.”

The Shenzu was a legendary, lethal entity of the Grand Dao realm that dwelt within the Chaos Time Sea. Killing one was a feat few could imagine. The pill’s value was beyond measure.

Chu Xinyue was amazed by the pill’s rarity but still struggled to see the Master’s intent.

Chu Gucheng, however, made the connection quickly. “The Senior of Yinxu Cave is truly peerless. He must have foreseen the trials of the Xianchu Haotu and provided this divine pill as the solution.”

His face beamed with gratitude. “This kindness is beyond words.”

“The doesn't work instantly. You must first observe the target. Once the change is complete, your aura, mannerisms, and even memories will mirror the original perfectly, though your actual Cultivation strength remains your own,” the Star Ying Old Woman clarified.

“I see,” Chu Gucheng nodded, fully grasping the strategy.

The pill wasn't just about changing one's appearance; it was about a deep, spiritual mimicry that required close-range study of the target.

“Father, this is a gift from the heavens!” Chu Xinyue cried out, her excitement overflowing as she realized the potential of the .

Normally, such an item might be too specific to be useful, but for the current crisis of the Xianchu Haotu, it was the perfect key to resolving their problems.

Both father and daughter were now filled with profound respect and loyalty toward the Master of Yinxu Cave.

“I was plagued by worry, fearing our next move would bring ruin,” Chu Gucheng admitted with a smile. “But it seems destiny is on our side. The Mirror of Reincarnation belongs to the Xianchu Haotu.”

With his confidence restored, he felt the weight of the crisis beginning to lift.

Elsewhere, the departure of Chu Gucheng hadn't dampened the spirits of the guests. If anything, the atmosphere had become more boisterous.

Servants brought out endless rounds of celestial wine, and the nobles toasted one another, losing themselves in the revelry. The looming threats from the Demon Court and Zixiao Mountain seemed to have been forgotten.

Even the public humiliation Chu Gucheng suffered at the hands of Zi Wanha was pushed to the back of their minds.

However, the remaining officials and the Chu royal family did not share this ease; they remained tense and anxious.

The crown prince, Chu Wushang, had been watching Gu Changge warily, expecting him to strike once the Emperor left. To his bewilderment, Gu Changge merely gestured for him to join in a drink from across the hall.

Forced to comply, Chu Wushang offered a strained smile and raised his glass in return.

Following his lead, the other guests also raised their cups toward Gu Changge in a show of politeness.

The wine was incredibly potent. Despite his high tolerance, Chu Wushang felt his vision begin to blur after several rounds.

He attempted to circulate his Qi to burn off the alcohol, but it was futile. This celestial brew was designed to intoxicate even those in the Dao Realm.

The wine contained fragments of the Grand Dao and broken laws, designed to help a cultivator's Dantian and soul reach a state of enlightenment through a drunken trance.

“Is it over at last?” Chu Wushang muttered, looking at the thinning crowd in the now quiet hall.

What was supposed to be a months-long celebration had been cut short by the day's chaotic events, ending in a messy, undignified conclusion.

Chu Wushang tried to stand, but his legs wobbled, and he nearly collapsed.

Several younger princes rushed to catch him before he hit the floor.

“Big Brother, you’re drunk. Let us take you back to your chambers. You’ve had far too much to drink today,” one prince said, supporting him with a worried look.