I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1283:

1644. The brutal collision at the Zudao Realm: A terrifying and unending struggle

A collective shiver ran through the crowd as they realized Chu Gucheng was truly a man who had clawed his way from obscurity to the pinnacle of power. The sheer coldness and precision of his schemes were enough to make anyone’s blood run cold.

Han Feng and his companions had clung to the hope that reaching the former Grand Tutor’s estate would allow them to find the Yuanyang Jade Pendant and expose the individual who murdered the Champion Marquis’ wife. They hadn't anticipated that Chu Gucheng had prepared for every contingency. Even if the assassins failed to kill them, he had ensured the destruction of the jade pendant. Consequently, even if Han Feng’s group survived against all odds, the trail to the real killer would be permanently erased.

“I cannot fathom who is being protected at the expense of the Marquis. They must truly value the Nation Lord’s favor,” Han Feng hissed, his voice dripping with bitterness. Although he had dispatched a message to Champion Marquis Chu Heng regarding the chaos in the capital, he was now plagued by the fear that the correspondence had been intercepted.

The faces of the others were equally grim. Their influence was a mere shadow compared to the royal family; they possessed no leverage for resistance. They had spent the last few days in a state of high alert, terrified of a repeat of the previous night’s slaughter.

Chu Bai was consumed by a similar sense of indignation. He had narrowly escaped death the night before, saved only by Gu Changge’s intervention. He was certain that Xian Chu Haotu would not stop until they were all silenced, wiped from existence without a trace.

Xian Chu Haotu was no longer a sanctuary; it had become a death trap.

“After the way Xian Chu Haotu has discarded you, you still think only of hiding? You truly are pathetic,” a mocking voice vibrated in Chu Bai’s consciousness—it was the artifact spirit of the Shooting Sun Bow.

Chu Bai’s complexion turned sickly pale before he sank back into a pit of hopelessness. He felt the sting of humiliation from his own cowardice, yet he felt paralyzed. How could he possibly challenge the might of Xian Chu Haotu or Chu Gucheng on his own?

Even the formidable and enigmatic Gu Changge was currently being swarmed by numerous masters of the Zudao Realm.

The sounds of a world-shaking slaughter echoed from the heavens, vibrating through the annals of time and making the hearts of all who heard it tremble with the urge to prostrate themselves before the overwhelming pressure.

In that distant sky, following the opening move by Zhen Xian Hou Chu Yuan, the Nation Lord Chu Gucheng and several others lunged into the fray. An unspeakably violent conflict erupted, making the entire capital seem to pulse with life. The collective will of billions surged upward like a golden dragon, gathered from every corner of the realm.

The heavens roared as if a primordial god had been stirred from its slumber, inhaling the very essence of the world.

Countless universes vibrated in sympathy, creating a sound as deafening as a cosmic tsunami. This massive influx of power bolstered Chu Gucheng, making him appear like a divine emperor descending to the world of mortals. His battle gear radiated an unbreakable light as he led the charge against Gu Changge.

The impact of their clash felt like a tidal wave spanning billions of miles; the ancient firmament shook, and billions of laws were swallowed by a boundless sea of energy.

Several Elders from the Yuxian Palace were hurled back by the aftershocks, unable to keep their footing. Lesser disciples were instantly reduced to a bloody mist. The surrounding architecture crumbled into dust, creating a zone of absolute vacuum where even the Great Path was erased, leaving nothing but a hollow void.

The theater of war soon shifted to the outer realms, beyond the sight of the common people. No one could witness the specifics, yet every second brought terrifying ripples that washed over the minds of every Cultivator like a crushing tide.

Beyond the borders of the capital, the region was plunged into a perpetual darkness. Stars were shaken from their orbits and ground into powder, and the very progression of time became warped.

A single look from a Zudao Realm expert could annihilate countless universes. A battle at this magnitude was beyond human comprehension, capable of shattering the foundations of heaven and earth and severing the link between the past and the future.

Such a display of power left Chu Bai feeling utterly insignificant, like a mere insect beneath the boots of giants.

He had no response to the biting insults of the Shooting Sun Bow’s spirit.

He was but a minor Cultivator who hadn't even reached the heights of an Immortal Emperor—how could he hope to influence a clash between such titans? “If I possessed the strength of the Zudao Realm, I would certainly fight back. But as it stands, I am powerless,” Chu Bai admitted with heavy heart.

The Shooting Sun Bow’s spirit let out a cold, mocking laugh. “I thought you possessed some backbone, but I clearly overestimated you. With such a weak spirit, you actually expected me to submit and recognize you as master? What a delusional dream.”

Chu Bai’s face darkened at the ridicule, but he spat back, “Then tell me, what is your suggestion? Do you honestly believe I can step into a Zudao Realm battle? A single glance from them would erase me ten thousand times over.”

The artifact spirit was actually surprised by the defeatism in Chu Bai’s voice. Usually, those blessed with immense Providence like Chu Bai were not so easily broken; they were typically restless and defiant.

It realized that the suffocating pressure of the Zudao Realm had truly crushed Chu Bai’s spirit.

Under the circumstances, however, the spirit could hardly blame him.

Even those at the Dao Realm would feel like ants in this storm.

“Do not forget that you are not the only victim of Xian Chu Haotu’s tyranny. You could unite with others to fight back. Since Xian Chu Haotu abandoned justice first, why should you show them any loyalty?”

“If you lack even the bravery to demand what is fair, then you might as well abandon your Cultivation entirely,” the spirit sneered, clearly trying to goad him into action.

Though the situation was chaotic, the spirit knew it wasn't over yet. It just needed to fan the flames of discord a bit more.

Chu Bai understood the spirit's point, yet he doubted that a ragtag group could actually damage the foundation of Xian Chu Haotu. At this stage, even the arrival of the Champion Marquis might not change the outcome.

Nevertheless, the words struck a chord. Rather than living like a fugitive in the shadows, it would be better to stand tall and demand the justice he deserved.

His path of Cultivation required a clear mind. If he allowed himself to be consumed by fear and hesitation, he would develop a heart demon, ending his journey forever.

“I see it now.”

As this realization dawned, Chu Bai’s eyes sparked with a newfound brilliance. He understood the intent behind the artifact spirit’s scorn. His mental state felt refreshed, as if a layer of grime had been wiped away.

“Brother Han Feng, we must find a way to get word to Champion Marquis Chu Heng about the situation here. Let him know the truth. Xian Chu Haotu has betrayed us and sought our deaths. We owe them no mercy. We must force the capital to give us an answer.”

Chu Bai’s frame vibrated with energy as his resolve returned. He began to strategize with Han Feng and the others.

While the members of the Talent and Exceptional Talent Manor were technically subjects of the empire, many were free spirits who held little reverence for the throne.

Chu Kui, Bi Xin, and the others were not people who took insults lightly. They had been hunted by Chu Gucheng’s elite guards the previous night, and the fire of revenge was still burning within them.

Emboldened by Chu Bai’s words, they roared their agreement, united in the belief that the imperial family must be held accountable.

Han Feng’s status as the Champion Marquis’ most trusted aide was well-known throughout the capital.

They intended to use the previous night’s assassination attempt to spark a massive controversy, forcing the royals to surrender the body of the Marquis’ wife, return the jade pendant, and reveal the true culprit.

“No matter who took my daughter’s life, I will drag them into the light,” the former Grand Tutor declared. His eyes were fixed on the chaotic battlefield in the distance, and a powerful Confucian aura began to radiate from his form.

The determination of Chu Bai and the others had moved him. He had spent his life nurturing talent for the state, only to have his daughter murdered and the killers protected by the very crown he served.

The Grand Tutor’s endorsement was a massive boost for Han Feng and the rest. Though he rarely took part in physical combat, he was a true Confucian Sage whose words carried the weight of the heavens. He had taught countless officials; many of the empire’s ministers were his former pupils. His influence was woven into the very fabric of the nation.

With the Grand Tutor on their side, the political landscape shifted instantly.

“With your support, Grand Tutor, we have a real chance,” Han Feng said, his hope renewed.

“I have remained distant from politics for years, but today, the imperial family will answer to me,” the Grand Tutor stated firmly.

Before long, letters bearing the Grand Tutor’s personal seal were being ferried from his estate to the homes of various high-ranking ministers. Messages were also dispatched to the territories beyond the capital.

An undercurrent of rebellion began to churn within Xian Chu Haotu.

Meanwhile, in the Prince’s manor, Chu Wushang listened to reports with a mask of indifference.

“Father was correct. The Grand Tutor would not remain idle. That is why I was tasked with monitoring his residence,” Chu Wushang whispered.

“Fortunately, Father prepared for this. The capital is currently under total lockdown; no information can leave. If any ministers attempt to defect now, we will simply execute them under the charge of conspiring with the remnants of the black disaster,” he added coldly.

“It is a painful purge, but necessary for the future of our nation.”

He turned his gaze toward the ruins near the Yuxian Palace’s embassy.

The moment Chu Gucheng, the Sage of Laws, and Old Jin had converged on Gu Changge, a battle that defied space-time had commenced. The Zudao Realm was a domain where reality itself broke down. The conflict unfolded across infinite dimensions.

The atmosphere there was a chaotic mess of shattered laws. It was a primordial soup of energy, more disordered than the state of the universe before its creation.

Even Chu Wushang could not discern the details, though he could feel the fabric of reality tearing as entire worlds collapsed in hidden folds of space.

The sky above the capital remained as black as ink, an unending night.

The stars were extinguished, their remains falling like a shimmering pink mist. The shockwaves rippled through the past and future, blending all of time into a singular void. Countless observers watched the sky, yet saw nothing but shadows. Only those nearing the Zudao Realm could catch glimpses of silhouettes or a massive hand reaching from the end of time to crush the world.

The witnesses were filled with dread. The Zudao Realm represented the ultimate foundation of the great Sects—beings who stayed hidden for eons. To see several of them teaming up against a single opponent was an event without precedent in the history of the Xiyuan civilization.

The terror wasn't confined to Xian Chu Haotu; across the entire Xiyuan civilization and into the vast void beyond, every living being felt the sky-shattering aura of this battle.

“Everyone, join me in purging this demon!”

Suddenly, Chu Gucheng’s enraged roar boomed across the realms, sounding like a thunderclap from the void. The sound was so violent it threatened to burst the eardrums of those listening.

Then, those Dao Realm experts who had tried to enter the fray were seen coughing up blood and retreating in shame. One particular figure, drenched in blood, came crashing down from the heavens.

His armor was in pieces, revealing a face marred by white bone—it was Zhen Xian Hou, Chu Yuan. He was mutilated beyond recognition. His skull was cracked, his chest caved in by a massive impact. Eerie, dark laws wreathed his wounds, hungrily draining his essence.

It appeared he had been nearly killed by a single, devastating punch. The sight of such a powerful master falling from the sky in such a state sent a wave of horror through the onlookers. They had assumed Chu Gucheng’s side held the absolute advantage. Yet, in a shockingly short time, one of their primary fighters had been brought to the brink of death. It was clear why Chu Gucheng had roared in such fury.

“I hope he is safe…”

Ling Yuxian, unable to help due to her own level of power, felt her heart race with concern for Gu Changge.

She noticed that the Xiyuan Saintess, who had remained on the sidelines, appeared even more distressed than she was. The Saintess’s usual mask of detached calm had completely shattered.

“If my sister, Ling Yuling, were here, she could end this madness.”

Ling Yuxian sensed something strange about the Saintess’s behavior but couldn't focus on it. She could only pray for her sister’s intervention. This conflict had already sent shockwaves through the entire Xiyuan civilization, drawing the attention of every ancient power in existence.

A thunderous sound from the outer reaches of the world tore through the void, becoming the only sound in the universe.

Fragments of the Dao, laws, and cosmic order danced through the air, manifesting the supreme truths of all eras for all to see.

Each rune glowed with blinding intensity, carrying a destructive force that threatened the very continuity of time. The siege continued for what felt like an eternity, yet also like a mere heartbeat.

In the heart of the storm, time had no meaning. For those at the Zudao Realm, fatigue was a foreign concept. They were at the apex of existence, able to replenish their Qi and essence instantly, making the idea of running out of energy impossible.

Their power was truly infinite—eternal and undying.

Suddenly, a massive tremor rocked the cosmos, as if the sky itself had been breached. The outer battlefield cracked open, and a rift allowed light to pour into the dark void like a bolt of primordial lightning.

In the center of the devastation, a blurred, terrifying figure stood firm. With a simple wave of a sleeve, a monumental surge of energy descended, carrying the weight of all paths, as if the true sovereign of all worlds had finally revealed himself.