I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1279:

1640. The Art of Substituting the Pillar, How Did the Saintess End Up in Such a Miserable State?

“Father, do not be concerned.”

“Your daughter understands the path forward.”

Immediately after Chu Gucheng finished speaking, the form of Chu Xinyue materialized from the void.

As she stepped toward them, her features, voice, and even her Cultivation aura began to dissolve. Eerie vapors swirled around her frame, cloaking her in a mysterious veil.

Moments later, as the fog retracted, she had shifted entirely into the visage of the Xiyuan Saintess.

Whether it was her temperament, her stance, or her minute habits, she was a perfect replica of the Xiyuan Saintess they recognized. This was no mere illusion or superficial mask; it was a fundamental reconstruction of her very being, as if she had undergone a literal reincarnation into a new shell. Even ancient experts of deduction would find it impossible to find any trace of Chu Xinyue’s original karma or fate in this new form.

“The medicinal pill bestowed by Senior Xing Ying is truly as miraculous as rumored. With Xinyue and the Xiyuan Saintess standing side by side, telling the genuine from the counterfeit is an impossible task.”

Witnessing this transcendent metamorphosis, the Law Saint, Chu Gucheng, and the others could not suppress their wonder.

“Have I truly become the Xiyuan Saintess?”

Chu Xinyue herself looked on in astonishment, feeling a flood of hazy memories surfacing in her mind.

While these were not the authentic experiences of the Saintess, they provided enough context to bolster the facade, ensuring no one could pierce her cover. In that instant, she felt as though she actually was the Xiyuan Saintess—her every movement and thought aligned with the supreme figure of the Xiyuan Civilization.

“The Easy Rebirth Creation Pill crafted by my Master is naturally flawless. It was forged from the Dao Fruit of the Scaly Ancestor, a priceless treasure. Even within my Yin Xu Cave, such items are exceedingly rare,” the elderly Xing Ying remarked, nodding her approval.

“How can this be?”

The true Xiyuan Saintess, currently bound at the center of the Lock Dragon Pillars, was struck with profound disbelief.

Initially, she assumed Chu Xinyue was merely using a sophisticated illusion or a high-level shapeshifting technique.

Usually, no matter how perfect a disguise is, the internal essence remains unchanged. Even if the appearance and aura are flawless, a minute discrepancy always exists. A powerhouse at the Ancestor Dao realm can typically peer through the veil of causality to identify a person's true source.

Yet, the Chu Xinyue standing before her was, for all intents and purposes, the genuine Xiyuan Saintess.

Was this the motive behind Chu Xinyue’s recent visits? By consuming the pill from the blind crone and spending days mimicking her, she had achieved a perfect transformation.

Watching her double, the Xiyuan Saintess felt a surge of dread. While she remained imprisoned, this imposter could roam the world, wreaking havoc upon the Xiyuan Civilization. This was especially dangerous given Chu Gucheng’s obsession with the Mirror of Reincarnation.

With a few well-placed lies, the fake “Xiyuan Saintess” could shift the political landscape or even hand the Mirror of Reincarnation directly to Chu Gucheng.

Noticing her distress, Chu Gucheng let out a booming laugh. “Do not fret, Xiyuan Saintess. Xinyue is merely borrowing your status for a time. It shall be returned eventually. This will not harm you; in fact, it will benefit the Xiyuan Holy Hall immensely.”

“In time, you might even find yourself thanking me and Xinyue.”

The Xiyuan Saintess regained her composure, offering only a frigid stare in response. She shut her eyes and resumed her cross-legged meditation, focusing on mending her internal injuries.

Indifferent to her silence, Chu Gucheng sneered and gestured. The Lock Dragon Pillars began to radiate a soft, multicolored light, generating a hazy domain that shielded the prison from the outside world.

He then ripped through space, departing with the Law Saint, Elder Jin, and Xing Ying.

“A masterful substitution. The Lord of Xianchu Haotu has earned his reputation; this plot is truly seamless.”

Meanwhile, in a tranquil courtyard within the capital... as the imagery on the golden parchment flickered out, Gu Changge offered a genuine word of praise.

Beside him, Wu Xuan, Chu Bai, and Chu Kui stood like frozen statues, unable to process the revelation.

Their minds were in chaos, struggling to accept what they had seen. When they first saw the assault on the Xiyuan Saintess, they suspected it was a hallucination, but now the horrifying reality had set in.

They never dreamed they would be witnesses to such a terrifying conspiracy.

If this truth ever leaked, Xianchu Haotu would be plunged into a catastrophic downfall. Who would believe that Chu Gucheng was bold enough to kidnap the Xiyuan Saintess and replace her with his daughter?

This went beyond mere defiance of the Xiyuan Holy Hall; it was a bid to seize total control of the Xiyuan Civilization and its major powers. It was a gamble on the edge of a sword, where any failure meant total annihilation.

“Gu... Young Master Gu, will you not intervene to rescue the Xiyuan Saintess?”

While Chu Gucheng’s ambition was shocking, Wu Xuan and the others were even more terrified of Gu Changge’s capabilities.

With nothing more than a simple sheet of golden paper, he had exposed the deepest secrets of the Law Saint and Chu Gucheng. What was more chilling was that the conspirators had no idea they were being observed like insects under a lens.

Such power was incomprehensible. It made the group tremble with a renewed sense of awe and fear toward Gu Changge.

“Why should I save her?” Gu Changge asked with a thin smile as he tucked the paper away.

“But did the Xiyuan Saintess not take your side?” Wu Xuan asked nervously.

He remembered the birthday feast where the Saintess cleared the Fatian Alliance of any ties to the Black Calamity, effectively shielding Gu Changge from suspicion.

Gu Changge chuckled. “She was never on my side. She only spoke those words because she had no other choice. Today’s predicament is the fruit of her own choices. Arrogance always demands a price.”

Gu Changge certainly had the power to help, but he saw no reason to. To him, the Saintess being locked in a void prison was a development that served his interests perfectly.

Wu Xuan and his companions didn't dare guess Gu Changge’s true motives, but they realized his depths were bottomless. It was clear to them that the fate of Xianchu Haotu was already written.

A hidden disaster was creeping toward the empire. Despite the surface-level peace and wealth, the foundations were rotting. Chu Gucheng’s actions were rapidly draining the loyalty of his subjects.

Upon returning to the mansion of talents, these men would surely share these secrets with their trusted allies. Escalating the tension was their only hope; if the situation became public enough, the hidden conspirators might hesitate to act.

Furthermore, the fallout of Chu Gucheng’s crime against the Saintess was too massive for them to even comprehend.

Gu Changge watched their faces, knowing the situation had reached a point of no return. The coming storm over Xianchu Haotu was now inevitable.

“The Xiyuan Saintess’s Master is the Xiyu. Her long absence suggests she has her own agenda. Meanwhile, the Yin Xu Cave... its roots are worth a closer look,” Gu Changge pondered while drinking.

Han Feng and the others, having calmed down, exchanged heavy looks. They felt a deep sense of mourning for their home.

Raised by Xianchu Haotu, they couldn't help but feel pained by its impending doom. However, they were not fools. The royal family had just tried to have them killed. If the sovereign was heartless, the subjects owed no loyalty.

“The Marquis entrusted me with the mandarin duck jade pendants he shared with his wife. If we find the other half, we can recreate the night of the murder and identify the killer,” Han Feng whispered.

“Madam Qing Lan was the daughter of the former Grand Tutor. Even though he is retired, his influence remains massive. Many high-ranking officials and the Champion Marquis himself were his students,” Chu Bai added.

“I fear our enemies realize this. After failing tonight, they might target the Grand Tutor to destroy that jade,” Han Feng said, his worry growing.

He now understood how ruthless his opponents were. He felt the urge to beg Gu Changge for assistance, convinced that the man’s power far exceeded the Ancestor Dao realm.

“I know what you are thinking,” Gu Changge said, catching Han Feng’s eye with a smile. “But this is a grudge between your Marquis and Xianchu Haotu. I have already assisted you tonight without asking for payment. That is enough.”

Han Feng looked embarrassed, his hidden hope easily read. However, he quickly bowed. “If Young Master Gu could help the Marquis through this, we would owe you an eternal debt. We would serve you through fire and water.”

“Can you truly speak for the Champion Marquis?” Gu Changge asked playfully.

After a pause, Han Feng replied, “If he knew of tonight’s events, I am certain he would say the same. I know his heart.”

“We shall see. I will consider it if the Marquis asks me himself,” Gu Changge said, waving them off. “Besides, why are you so sure I can help? I am currently struggling to protect myself.”

The group looked confused, not taking his last comment seriously.

“You are joking, Young Master. With your power to cross time and space, who could possibly threaten you?” Han Feng said.

“Chu Gucheng has the 'Saintess' now. He will likely target me soon. I wanted a few more quiet days here, but it seems that is no longer an option,” Gu Changge laughed softly.

His casual tone confirmed to the group that he wasn't actually worried. If Gu Changge was in danger, then no one in the Xiyuan Civilization was safe. His ability to spy on the Law Saint so easily had given them absolute confidence in him.

Eventually, Han Feng and the others, seeing they couldn't sway him further, thanked him and departed. They intended to head to the Grand Tutor’s mansion to find the truth behind the Madam’s death.

The capital was now a powder keg, and no one knew when it would explode.

Once they were gone, Gu Changge finished his wine and stood up.

“Thousands of void seals... it seems Chu Gucheng intends to keep her buried for centuries.”

He flicked his wrist, and the golden paper appeared again. A black vortex formed in the air, large enough for a man to pass through. Gu Changge stepped inside, vanishing like a plume of dark smoke.

Deep within the void prison, the shackled Xiyuan Saintess suddenly felt a shift in the atmosphere. Her calm expression wavered.

“What is this?” she whispered, sensing a massive presence within her own personal space.

She extended her divine sense and saw a brilliant, sacred golden light erupting. The golden paper she had previously suppressed was now glowing with holy power, carving out a path through time and space.

“I sealed that paper with my own hands. How is this possible?”

She was baffled. She hadn't thrown away Gu Changge’s gift, but she had locked it away behind countless prohibitions and ancient artifacts. Yet now, its aura was so overwhelming that it made the Lock Dragon Pillars vibrate.

“Did he actually mean to help me when he gave me this?”

The thought sent a ripple through her heart. A moment later, a tall, misty figure stepped out from her storage space into the prison cell.

“You...”

Her eyes widened as Gu Changge appeared before her. Her voice caught in her throat.

“It has only been a few days, Saintess. How did you end up in such a miserable state?”

Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back, looking her over with a mocking, amused glint in his eyes.

“You truly are wicked, leaving such a trap within that paper,” the Saintess replied coldly, her voice regaining its icy neutrality as she met his gaze.