I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1293: The Xian Chu Haotu was erased from all worlds, and this reason alone was enough

The disciples from the Xian Chu Haotu royal lineage, along with Chu Gucheng's loyal aides, displayed expressions brimming with profound grief, fury, and unwillingness.

Within just one day, the immense Xian Chu Haotu had crumbled entirely into ruin.

Those kin and followers who attempted to aid their getaway all met their ends en route, perishing miserably.

Ruins stretched out before their eyes—tumbled walls and broken debris everywhere. From their former heights of power, commanding myriad cultivators and creatures, they were reduced to wretched wanderers, desperately running for survival.

“Jilang, starting today, we'll depend on you completely. Staying in the Xiyuan Civilization is no longer possible for us. Our sole hope lies in reaching the Xudan Civilization and finding shelter in the Free Immortal Heaven.”

“The powers from the Dao factions across the Xiyuan Civilization will no doubt hunt us down relentlessly, erasing every last one.”

Aboard the flying boat, Chu Xinyue gripped the jade bottle firmly in her grasp. She cast a look back at the numerous siblings and fellow Chu descendants trailing her, then turned to Ouyang Ji at her side with an apologetic tone. This remained the sole strategy she could devise at present. The disaster struck with such abruptness that preparation time was nonexistent.

Being the second princess of Xian Chu Haotu, Chu Xinyue understood well that numerous eyes were already fixed upon them. Consequently, she was compelled to devise a means for all to disperse and flee. She planned to lead a group, including Ouyang Ji and others, toward the Xudan Civilization to claim asylum in the Free Immortal Heaven.

Survival meant the possibility of retribution someday.

“They arrived with such speed. My concern right now is getting intercepted before we return to the Xudan Civilization,” Ouyang Ji remarked, his features etched with concern as he voiced his helplessness.

Chu Xinyue clenched her teeth and declared, “Should that happen, we'll have no option but to arrange for some to remain and delay the foes, allowing those with superior aptitudes to break free. I bear most of Xian Chu Haotu’s heritage with me. These individuals represent Xian Chu Haotu's tomorrow and must not perish lightly.”

While uttering these words, Chu Xinyue surveyed the companions she had chosen to accompany her. A good number possessed exceptional aptitudes and fortunes. Provided they avoided demise in this spot, attaining the Dao Realm might lie ahead for them. Such would form the bedrock of her vengeance to come.

Ouyang Ji shook his head in response.

Chu Xinyue realized their new reality of depending on outsiders, so she held back from further words to Ouyang Ji. She could surmise that the Free Immortal Heaven might hesitate to harbor Xian Chu Haotu's remnants.

For once accountability arose, the Free Immortal Heaven would surely face entanglement. Yet at this juncture, beyond the Free Immortal Heaven, no other sanctuary or alternative existed for her.

Amid the war's onset, the Starling Elder from Yinxu Cave vanished entirely. The White-browed Star Lord may have clung to certain ties, opting not to escape at once but to battle beside the officials and celestial warriors. Still, their fate—alive or fallen—remained a mystery.

Chu Xinyue harbored her private schemes as well. Permanence in the Free Immortal Heaven was not her aim. When conditions eased a bit, she intended to depart with the group, seeking a fresh haven elsewhere.

The Free Immortal Heaven served merely as her temporary haven.

“Jilang, my father prepared multiple time-space concealed artifacts. Within them, he stored the invaluable legacies of Xian Chu Haotu spanning over a hundred eras. These stood as backups for an eventual revival.”

“During my flight this time, I managed to seize numerous treasures from Xian Chu Haotu. Upon our secure arrival at the Free Immortal Heaven, should we wed, they shall serve as my bridal gifts.”

“I realize requesting your aid for Xian Chu Haotu in this ordeal places a weight on you, yet my affection for you is genuine…”

Chu Xinyue's eyes grew tender upon fixing them on Ouyang Ji, her voice laced with warmth. Renowned as a peerless beauty, her complexion gleamed like fresh snow, her form elegant and statuesque. In conversation, her delicate fingers lightly swept aside stray locks, enhancing her allure.

Her statements moved Ouyang Ji, surprise and softness flashing across his visage.

“Xinyue, rest easy. As I stated before, Xian Chu Haotu's concerns are mine too. I'll exert all efforts to assist you.” He vowed without delay, thumping his chest for emphasis.

These assurances brought a delighted grin to Chu Xinyue's lips.

“Hearing that from you, Jilang, puts my mind at rest.”

She uttered this on purpose to steady Ouyang Ji.

Chu Xinyue harbored no illusion that Ouyang Ji would aid her indefinitely.

Should the Free Immortal Heaven covet those time-space treasures, their protection would be assured. Until securing them, the group would remain under guard, shielded from chasers.

Chu Xinyue had weighed this angle carefully. Though the Free Immortal Heaven waned in strength, how could they ignore such a tempting, accessible boon right before them? “Fubao, calming the others falls to you now. With Xian Chu Haotu fallen and my father alongside the rest likely gone, I'm the sole survivor of Xian Chu Haotu left. Henceforth, I'll rely on you more than ever…”

Next, Chu Xinyue directed her attention to a hunched, aged silhouette amid the gathering.

Fubao had trailed her father from his modest origins, beholding myriad tales and wonders as he ascended to lordship over Xian Chu Haotu. Therefore, in her escape, Chu Xinyue brought him, anticipating his support.

“Miss Xinyue, fear not. Entrust these duties to this old retainer.”

Fubao's countenance bore the marks of time, creased deeply, appearing far older in mere moments. At Chu Xinyue's plea, he replied promptly.

A touch of ease washed over Chu Xinyue. She then addressed the rest on the flying boat.

“Xian Chu Haotu endures a calamity unlike any before. The sovereign and companions battled to stall the invaders, granting us this escape window. Likely, they have fallen now. This enmity of the realm, we etch into our souls. Someday, every foe shall face our wrath, settling this score.”

“Here and now, I, Chu Xinyue, swear upon the Great Dao: should vengeance elude me, heavenly lightning shall smite me, my soul plunge into infernal depths, denied rebirth eternally.”

Her words seethed with intense loathing, her delivery iron-willed and unyielding.

Across the cosmic void, a solemn Dao resonance seemed to boom, chaotic thunder rumbling in echo to her mighty oath. The flying boat's passengers, mired in despair and rage over Xian Chu Haotu's fall, found clarity in their countenances at these declarations. Sorrow shifted to ignited passion and zeal.

“Unavenged, we'll extract toll in kind, blood matching blood.”

Others echoed her, swearing parallel oaths.

Chu Xinyue gave a faint nod of approval, fingers squeezing the jade bottle. Their flight pressed onward rapidly. Beyond this zone, they'd soon depart Xian Chu Haotu's domain, venturing past the Xiyuan Civilization's bounds.

Ouyang Ji observed the resolute Chu Xinyue and gave a subtle head shake.

Setting aside various elements, Chu Xinyue proved remarkable, on par with her sire, Chu Gucheng. Amid mortal peril, she still rallied the group and courted the Free Immortal Heaven's favor.

Yet Ouyang Ji discerned her motives too. The existence of those time-space hidden treasures eluded his knowledge.

In earlier times, temptation might have stirred him to probe their whereabouts and claim them. But presently, with Chu Xinyue barely clinging to life yet dreaming of reprisal, it struck him as utter folly.

A subtle scorn glinted in Ouyang Ji's gaze.

The flying boat cleaved through the starry expanse, hurtling along the boundless temporal currents, leaving expansive stellar realms in its wake.

“Henceforth, Xian Chu Haotu vanishes from existence.”

A voice arose abruptly—serene and devoid of feeling, like an eternal divinity decreeing fate upon the realms.

From the frigid void, a beam lanced forth toward them. Its radiant glare resembled a luminous shaft, piercing the dark, profound universe.

Chu Xinyue, fresh from uplifting the morale, savored a fleeting calm. Yet this voice twisted her features utterly, disbelief flooding her look.

“Impossible?”

She leaped upright, advanced to the vessel's prow, divine radiance blooming on her fingertips as she charged to meet the approaching beam.

A cataclysmic surge erupted in the void at once, akin to eons of chaos detonating with world-shattering force.

Chu Xinyue reeled under the assault, blood spraying from her lips as her form hurled backward, slamming into the flying boat and crumpling down. The limb she'd extended against the blow dangled limp, drenched in crimson.

“Second Princess…”

Expressions aboard the flying boat shifted in alarm collectively. Potent cultivators among them hurried to aid Chu Xinyue.

“Flee now!”

Chu Xinyue's pallor deepened as she forced herself erect, though that single blow had crippled her arm; she sensed the foe had restrained their might deliberately.

This adversary transcended the Dao Realm without question. Matching them proved impossible for her. Reluctance and hopelessness gripped her core.

They'd fled this far already—

Furthermore, this flying boat ranked as a supreme artifact, veiling Heavenly Secrets to thwart divination or pursuit of their path. 

“As of this day, Xian Chu Haotu is expunged from every realm. None shall evade.”

A silhouette materialized soundlessly on the flying boat, its stare flat and detached while regarding Chu Xinyue.

“You?”

Chu Xinyue's eyes bulged, locked on the form, incredulity etching her face. The culprit behind her brother Chu Xiao's demise, the nemesis she'd yearned to slay, stood present.

“Your surprise appears profound.”

Gu Changge's gaze stayed cool and impassive, his voice stripped of sentiment.

“I never imagined…” Chu Xinyue let out a wry chuckle. She surveyed her surroundings, noting the shift in those who'd moments before burned with zeal for Xian Chu Haotu's cause. Now they resembled faded blooms, terror seizing their features as they quivered.

The overpowering foe whom her father, Jin Lao, and allies couldn't overcome together had arrived, targeting them precisely.

She held no grudge against their despairing, fearful countenances or refusal to resist. Such an impasse, even with her father's survival, offered no solution.

“Evidently, this vial holds the final remnant of Chu Wushang’s true soul. Your intent is to aid his bodily reconstruction and worldly return?”

“I'd presumed Chu Gucheng capable of such ruthlessness—sacrificing his heir for the broader cause—but evidently, I credited him too highly.”

Gu Changge's attention settled on the pale jade vial clutched by Chu Xinyue, piercing its contents instantly. Prior to this, uncertainty lingered on whether Chu Gucheng had truly slain Chu Wushang in the palace. Though ruthless in ambition, for his junior son, he'd waged conflict against the Demon Court, incurring heavy losses.

Likely, he couldn't steel himself to end his own flesh and blood. Gu Changge's revelation darkened Chu Xinyue's visage anew. Before the Dao factions' alliance struck, Chu Gucheng had arranged Chu Wushang's getaway. He'd drawn out a soul fragment, encased it secretly, and concealed it from all.

Then, in the palace, he'd enacted a display of noble sacrifice, duping the masses. The soul's vessel passed to Chu Xinyue for safeguarding. In due course, she was to facilitate Chu Wushang's rebirth.

Astonishment gripped everyone on the flying boat. None had foreseen the elder prince Chu Wushang's survival via a soul trace. Thus, Chu Gucheng's apparent noble abandonment in the palace emerged as mere theater to mislead.

“Behold, the Xian Chu Haotu you defended, the sovereign to whom you swore fealty? Do you at last perceive his essence?”

Gu Changge observed the shifting looks among the flying boat's occupants, a subtle grin curving his mouth.

With a light gesture, the pale jade vial flew from Chu Xinyue's hold into his grasp.

Facing the collective shock, Chu Xinyue tasted bitterness and impotence. Explanations now rang hollow, futile. Even full disclosure wouldn't halt Gu Changge from ending them in an instant. 

“Young Master Gu…”

Ouyang Ji offered a slight bow. Gu Changge's presence held no shock for him; he'd beheld his immense prowess, inspiring only awe and dread.

Had he heeded the Free Immortal Heaven elders and fostered ties with Xian Chu Haotu, calamity might have engulfed even that haven, breeding ceaseless chaos.

Witnessing Ouyang Ji's deference to Gu Changge, Chu Xinyue froze briefly, comprehension dawning slowly.

For self-preservation, this wasn't the demeanor to adopt. Abruptly, shudders wracked her, truth crashing down. Her complexion drained, quakes of rage and defiance overtaking her.

“Ouyang Ji… You… You've betrayed me from the start…” Trembling, she jabbed a finger at him, eyes blazing with profound bitterness and wrath.

Failure to grasp this now would discredit her as Xian Chu Haotu's second princess. Long had she trusted Ouyang Ji's admiration, his readiness to aid her unconditionally, drawing him into her circle with shared secrets.

Yet Ouyang Ji had played her false throughout. His displayed fondness was pure pretense.

At her accusation, Ouyang Ji merely offered a steady look, declining reply.

Chu Xinyue, deeming herself astute while viewing others as smitten dupes, now reaped the bitter harvest of her own devising.

“My disposition leans merciful, averse to needless slaughter of the blameless. Should you persist in seeking Xian Chu Haotu's vengeance against me, then accompany her into oblivion.”

Gu Changge's demeanor stayed composed as his eyes roamed the flying boat's others. His statement prompted shifts in many cultivators with scant ties to Xian Chu Haotu's royals.

Temptation clearly stirred them. Hitherto, they'd bled dry for Xian Chu Haotu.

But Chu Gucheng had misled them to the last. Over dying in ignorance, embracing life under Gu Changge's dominance seemed preferable.

After momentary doubt, numerous voices rose in submission. Even kin-linked disciples to Xian Chu Haotu's royals joined, all craving endurance.

“Second Princess, forgive this old servant's failing. A lifetime devoted to Xian Chu Haotu yields no honor in closing. At present, self-preservation calls me.”

Guilt flickered on Fubao's face as he opted to yield.

Observing this steadfast elder retainer of Xian Chu Haotu, loyal across years, forsake them now