I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1281:

The Heavenly Chu Empire was plunged into chaos as thick plumes of smoke and mist billowed into the firmament. From the shadows emerged a succession of formidable, high-ranking battalions, their vital blood energy radiating outward. Shrouded in primordial fog, they advanced with terrifying velocity.

Their aura was savage, carrying the stench of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. The galloping of their mounts kicked up massive dust clouds, effectively encircling the palace complex where the delegates of the Yu Xian Palace were currently staying.

Commanding this host were Dao-level powerhouses, their massive frames encased in armor that shimmered with an eternal radiance. One general gripped a heavy spear that felt as dense as the primordial chaos itself; its cold tip seemed capable of piercing through the very fabric of time and space.

“By the Emperor's decree, the Zhenxian Army has arrived to purge the lingering filth of the Black Calamity.”

These Dao-level figures stared coldly at the buildings ahead, poised to order a total assault at a moment's notice. Their voices were pitiless, vibrating with an aura of iron and blood that made the entire imperial capital shudder.

The gathered nobles and guests were gripped by terror. Many figures took to the sky, gazing down in shock. They were bewildered by the sudden arrival of such a powerful force and why it was laying siege to the Yu Xian Palace.

At that moment, several Dao-level Elders from the Yu Xian Palace, who had been attending the festivities, emerged alongside their disciples. Their expressions were grim as they confronted the surrounding military force.

Many among them were equally baffled, unable to comprehend why the Heavenly Chu Empire would deploy such a massive army against them, radiating such a murderous intent.

Exterminating the remnants of the Black Calamity?

“What is the meaning of this, gentlemen? Are you suggesting that the Yu Xian Palace has ties to the Black Calamity remnants?”

A Dao-level Elder from the Yu Xian Palace stepped forward, his voice low and heavy as he surveyed the soldiers.

“We are acting on the Emperor's orders. We are simply fulfilling our duty. The Yu Xian Palace has conspired with the Black Calamity remnants to destabilize the Xiyuan Civilization. The entire world must join forces to wipe them out.”

The army's commander—a Dao-level expert nearing the Ancestral Dao realm—spoke with a freezing tone. His gaze was as sharp as lightning, causing the atmosphere to vibrate. He was a high-ranking general of the Zhenxian Army, a division under the direct control of Chu Gucheng.

The Zhenxian Army was one of Chu Gucheng’s most elite units, established during his campaign to form the Heavenly Court.

To put it plainly, wherever the Zhenxian Army marched, a trail of blood surely followed.

“Heh, the Heavenly Chu Empire claims we are in league with the Black Calamity. If that is so, produce your proof. Such baseless slander is nothing short of ridiculous.”

The Elder who had spoken previously sneered in fury, his eyes turning cold as a terrifying pressure began to leak from his body. Although the Yu Xian Palace’s influence had diminished over the years, it was not an entity that a rising power like the Heavenly Chu Empire could easily trample upon.

Furthermore, the Ancestors of the Yu Xian Palace had already made their return, recovering their strength in the palace depths as they prepared to return to their former glory.

Ling Yu Xian and the other Elders stood in unison, their robes snapping in the wind, their faces equally stony.

The Yu Xian Palace had once been at the forefront of the war against the source of the Black Calamity, making them legendary pioneers in the resistance.

“Evidence? It is an open secret that the Yu Xian Palace has been allied with those remnants all along. Do you still intend to play the victim?”

The Zhenxian Army commander swept his cold gaze over the members of the Yu Xian Palace.

Shifting his attention to the onlookers in the sky, he continued, “The Fatian Alliance was created by the Black Calamity remnants, and the Immortal Spirit Civilization has become their stronghold. You, the Yu Xian Palace, are fully aware that the individual named Gu is one of those remnants, yet you chose to plot with him to incite chaos within the Xiyuan Civilization.”

“You are talking nonsense! Do you have a single shred of evidence connecting the Fatian Alliance to the Black Calamity? Do you believe that because we are on Heavenly Chu soil, you can act with such impunity?” The Yu Xian Palace Elder was livid.

During the previous birthday banquet, the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had already settled this matter.

He had been in secluded meditation for the past few days and had not been tracking current events, so he was oblivious to the rumors spreading today.

Ling Yuxian frowned as she listened. When she had received the news earlier that day, she had already sensed that something was wrong.

The Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had reversed her position, negating all the clarifications she had made during the banquet. Ling Yuxian had been anxious since then, wondering what had transpired between the Holy Maiden and Gu Changge.

“These words came directly from the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan herself. The leaders of various Daoist sects are currently meeting with the Emperor in the inner city to discuss this. If you doubt it, go and see for yourselves.”

The Zhenxian Army commander gave a mocking smile.

Their true objective today was Gu Changge.

The Heavenly Chu Empire did not wish to escalate tensions with the Yu Xian Palace further if it could be avoided. Thus, they used these words to intimidate the Yu Xian Palace into withdrawing and staying out of the conflict.

“What?”

The previously enraged Elder was suddenly speechless upon hearing this.

The Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had actually made such a claim?

“The Holy Maiden did indeed say those things today, but I suspect there is a hidden agenda behind it…”

Ling Yuxian looked at the stunned Elder and sent a private transmission. “If Brother Gu were truly linked to the Black Calamity, why would he have assisted us in saving our ancestors?”

She refused to believe Gu Changge was part of the Black Calamity. Instead, she suspected the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan had struck a deal with the Heavenly Chu Empire to trap him.

“This…”

The Elders of the Yu Xian Palace were left in a state of utter bewilderment.

They knew Ling Yuxian’s true identity and recalled that in the Jing Clan’s territory, it was Gu Changge who had aided them in retrieving their ancestors safely. However, the accusation was coming from the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan herself.

For the Xiyuan Civilization, her word changed everything.

“Even the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan would not dare to accuse someone of being a Black Calamity remnant without proof,” Ling Yuxian said coldly, her eyes fixed on the commander.

“Heh, you are just a naive junior. What do you know? Do you dare to challenge the Holy Maiden’s word and stand against the entire Xiyuan Civilization?”

The commander of the Zhenxian Army sneered, his eyes as vast as the ocean. With a mere look, the heavens seemed to shift, and a crushing pressure fell upon Ling Yuxian, attempting to force her to her knees.

“How dare you!”

Seeing this, several Yu Xian Palace Elders immediately reacted, their hesitation vanishing.

Ling Yuxian’s status was paramount—they could not allow her to be insulted in such a manner.

Their Qi erupted as they unleashed vast amounts of spiritual energy. They struck out in unison, launching an attack against the army commander.

“Do not be so stubborn. You have rejected our mercy, so you shall face the consequences.”

The commander’s expression turned icy, and his presence suddenly seemed to span the horizon.

A terrifying manifestation of Law surged forward, filling the sky as his palm descended with power nearly reaching the Ancestral Dao level.

The colossal energy sent the Elders of the Yu Xian Palace flying back, coughing up blood as they crashed through the surrounding structures. This commander, Chu Yuan, had survived six Heavenly Decline Tribulations and was a peer of the Champion Marquis Chu Heng. He was one of the most brilliant stars of the House of Extraordinary People from that era.

While perhaps not as legendary as the Champion Marquis, his talent and fortune were immense, marking him as one of the rarest geniuses in history.

The Yu Xian Palace Elders, though Dao-level experts, had only survived two or three tribulations; they were no match for him.

Witnessing this, the guests and nobles watching from afar felt a shiver down their spines. They had assumed Chu Gucheng had displayed the full might of the Heavenly Chu Empire during the banquet, but they were wrong.

“The Zhenxian Army Commander, Chu Yuan… he once vied for supremacy with the Champion Marquis and the Celestial General. He was a beacon of his generation…”

Officials of the Heavenly Chu Empire who knew of him spoke with voices full of awe and pride.

After a hundred thousand years, the Champion Marquis and others had reached the Ancestral Dao realm.

While Chu Yuan had not yet crossed that threshold, it was clear he was on the cusp of doing so.

With that single strike, everyone felt a boundless aura, as if an Ancestral Daoist were standing between the heavens and earth, commanding the Great Dao itself.

Clad in heavy plate with only his face visible, his expression was frigid. His eyes seemed to contain the fall of stars. As he stood there, immortal light radiated from his form, creating a pressure so immense that many onlookers felt a primal urge to bow.

It was an absolute, kingly aura—the presence of a man who believed himself to be the sole ruler of the world.

Within the imperial city, Chu Gucheng, the Law Sage, Old Jin, and representatives from the Guangming Temple, the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, and the Ling Divine Cave were all observing the confrontation.

The guests were visibly shaken.

Typical Immortal Daoist sects with ancient histories and several Ancestral Dao Elders were already considered incredibly powerful. Yet, in a relatively short period, the Heavenly Chu Empire had produced multiple Ancestral Dao and near-Ancestral Dao figures.

This level of foundation was staggering, instilling a sense of dread in everyone present.

It was no wonder Chu Gucheng possessed the ambition to lead the Xiyuan Alliance and unify the entire civilization.

“The Zhenxian Marquis has grown significantly since our last meeting. It appears he has the chance to attain the Ancestral Dao fruit and survive the seventh Heavenly Decline Tribulation in this era,” Chu Gucheng remarked with a satisfied smile.

Even though Ling Yuxian was the reincarnation of an ancient sage, her current Cultivation was insufficient to withstand a blow from a man who had conquered six tribulations.

As the Elders were cast aside, the shockwaves from Chu Yuan’s strike caused the void to ripple, threatening to consume Ling Yuxian.

He was merciless. Despite her extraordinary soul, she was currently nothing more than a junior who hadn't even reached the Immortal Emperor level.

“I will spare your life, but I will teach you a lesson in humility and respect for your superiors.”

Chu Yuan modulated his power, intending not to kill her, but to leave her so broken she would pray for death.

“You will live to regret what you have done today,” Ling Yuxian said, her face turning pale with anger. Since regaining her past-life memories, she had never faced such blatant disrespect.

Suddenly, a soft glow appeared on her forehead, indicating that the protective mark left by Ling Yuxian was beginning to stir.

Chu Yuan was momentarily surprised but remained unbothered. He was following Chu Gucheng’s orders. During the banquet, Ling Yuxian had caused the Emperor to lose face in front of his guests.

While Chu Gucheng could be magnanimous, such an insult at his own birthday celebration would not go unpunished.

An Ancestral Dao being—especially a sovereign—could not be mocked without consequence.

A massive explosion rocked the area as if the sky was falling. A surge of energy erupted, shaking the very foundations of the Heavenly Chu Empire.

The expanding chaotic mist rushed toward the Zhenxian Marquis. His expression shifted instantly; the hand he had used to strike felt as if it had hit an indestructible wall of immortal copper. His arm and fingers shattered into fragments, exposing jagged white bone. Yet, the momentum of the impact did not stop, vibrating through his entire frame.

Stunned, Chu Yuan retreated frantically. With a look of grim resolve, he used his other hand to tear off his own mangled arm, sacrificing it like a lizard shedding its tail to escape.

The audience watched in total shock, trembling at the sight.

A man as powerful as Chu Yuan, a near-Ancestral Dao expert, was forced to mutilate himself just to survive an encounter. Back in the palace, Chu Gucheng’s smile vanished, replaced by a dark scowl.

“Perhaps you should be the one to learn the meaning of respect and etiquette.”

As the chaotic mist cleared, Gu Changge appeared. His expression was serene as he caught Ling Yuxian in mid-air. With a casual flick of his other hand, the air trembled.

With a sharp crack, Chu Yuan’s discarded arm disintegrated into a mist of blood.

“Leader of the Fatian Alliance, you finally show your face.”

Chu Yuan’s face was twisted in a mixture of humiliation and spite. He had intended to cow the Yu Xian Palace with his strength, but the situation had spiraled out of control. It wasn't just the junior Ling Yuxian who had defied him.

Now, in front of the entire world, he had been forced to rip off his own arm to escape Gu Changge.

“Are you hurt?”

Gu Changge completely ignored Chu Yuan, turning instead to Ling Yuxian. Her expression remained frosty.

He was somewhat surprised that she had been the one to stand up and challenge the Holy Maiden of Xiyuan.

“I am fine.”

Ling Yuxian shook her head and stepped out of his embrace. She still remembered their last meeting in his courtyard, where he had given her no clear answers. They hadn't spoken since.

She recalled his indifferent, detached tone from that day.

A lingering sense of bitterness remained because Gu Changge had always been wary of her, never truly trusting her. It was a weight on her heart.

Because of this, she had gone out of her way to avoid him, fearing more frustration.

“Leader of the Fatian Alliance, you are in league with the Black Calamity, plotting to destroy the Xiyuan Civilization. You must be put down by the world!”

Seeing Gu Changge treat him as if he were invisible, Chu Yuan’s face darkened further. His voice dripped with venom.

The blood mist in the air didn't dissipate; instead, each droplet shimmered with the light of countless worlds, possessing an almost infinite vitality.

The mist began to flow back toward Chu Yuan’s shoulder, attempting to regenerate his limb.

“The Heavenly Chu Empire is quite fond of making accusations. Is this how you operate? You should at least provide some convincing evidence for me.”

Gu Changge glanced at Chu Yuan with a faint, mocking smile.

As his gaze met—