I Am the Fated Villain

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Little Moon Guardian initially emerged from the Purple Mountain alongside Gu Changge’s quest for the Seven Heavenly Palm Artifacts concealed within the immortal palace. However, Gu Changge had many tasks during that period, leaving him with insufficient time to attend to the little guardian.

Considering Gu Qingyi’s relatively unoccupied schedule, he entrusted Little Moon Guardian to her care. Time passed, and the guardian continued under Gu Qingyi’s nurturing until now. Gu Qingyi took Little Moon Guardian along when she departed the Upper Realm.

Encountering Gu Changge unexpectedly in this location seemed coincidental yet rational. However, when Little Moon Guardian eagerly approached, her expectations were shattered as Gu Changge restrained her.

Master!

At this moment, Little Moon Guardian’s eyes reddened, her nose twitching as she felt deeply wronged. Anticipating a joyous reunion, she had sprinted towards Gu Changge, only to be held back and prevented from drawing near.

Gu Changge, observing her, shook his head slightly and remarked, “I’m not your master. Have you mistaken me for someone else?”

“No…” Little Moon Guardian gazed at him plaintively, tears welling up, and sniffled.

How could she admit an error? If he genuinely intended to abandon her, why would she have followed Master Qing Yi?

Onlookers Luo Yanxi and Moon King were taken aback, surprised that this silver-haired girl not only knew Gu Changge but also addressed him as her master. Though curious, they refrained from probing further, silently observing the unfolding scene.

Gu Changge, unaffected by Little Moon Guardian’s emotional turmoil, pressed on with a more pressing inquiry, “Where is Qing Yi? Where can I find her now?”

He understood this individual quite well. If Gu Qingyi were present, she would undoubtedly prevent Little Moon Guardian from addressing him as such. She would stay hidden at a distance, avoiding any confrontation. This feeling of grievance was entirely his own.

Perhaps it was because she could no longer endure residing in this place and wanted him to take her away; hence, she displayed such an expression. Little Moon Guardian sniffled and explained, “After Master Qing Yi brought me here, she entered a deep slumber, and there has been no sign of awakening for hundreds of years.”

“Fell into a deep sleep?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, Master Qing Yi is currently resting in that palace, and even I cannot easily disturb her. I don’t know when she will wake up.” Little Moon Guardian continued, gesturing towards the towering ancient tree deep in the Reincarnation Lake. Though only a vague outline could be discerned from this angle, the majestic and expansive nature of the chaotic aura descending made it appear as though it were unveiling the entire world—an awe-inspiring sight.

Luo Yanxi, having once been a quasi-immortal emperor with remarkable vision, could perceive the hints.

“Could that be the seedling of the World Tree or the Epoch Tree?” She was inwardly astonished.

The Epoch Tree and the World Tree were identical; different worlds referred to this innate divine tree by distinct names. According to legend, the Epoch Tree gave rise to all creatures, with each leaf supporting an ancient world. Yet, this remained mere speculation.

In Luo Yanxi’s original world, the Epoch Tree had long withered, defying all attempts to revive it. Thus, seeing a suspected Epoch Tree seedling in this place shocked her. Though Moon King hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, he could deduce its identity.

Rumors said the immortal palace guarded the eternal domain’s era tree. However, following the Forbidden Era’s collapse of the Immortal Palace, the Epoch Tree, suspected to have been destroyed or stolen, vanished.

The sight of the Epoch Tree seedling, combined with the revelations from the silver-haired girl, further amazed Moon King. He seemed entwined in an ancient secret involving many aspects of the immortal palace.

Gu Changge, upon hearing this, nodded and peered into the depths of the Reincarnation Lake, finding his suspicions confirmed.

Unexpectedly, Gu Changge hadn’t anticipated Gu Qingyi falling into a deep slumber. Initially, he believed Qing Yi had a strategic plan, choosing to refrain from being born and walking in the world for the time being. If she were to manifest herself, it would be based on her former status as the Lord of the Immortal Palace. A mere gesture from her would summon the lurking remnants of the Immortal Palace.

Over the years, remnants of the Immortal Palace persisted even in the Floating Realm and other ancient worlds and smaller realms.

“Come on, let’s go see your master,” Gu Changge said, shaking his head slightly, and gestured for Little Moon Guardian to lead the way to the Epoch Tree seedling.

The original Epoch Tree in the Immortal Domain had been stolen by the Eight Desolation and Ten Regions, leading to epochs of conflict between the Upper Realm and the Eight Desolation and Ten Regions. However, after breaching the Eight Desolation and Ten Regions, Gu Changge planted the Epoch Tree in his inner universe. The presence of the Epoch Tree was intricately linked to the grim event of him annihilating the entire Upper Realm.

The Epoch Tree was planted in the Upper Realm, within the Lake of Reincarnation, and created by Gu Changge himself. Although the Upper Realm’s Lake of Reincarnation differed from its counterpart elsewhere, it held jurisdiction over a distinct form of reincarnation.

Gu Changge sensed Qing Yi aimed to re-evolve and bring forth the actual world. The process was lengthy, and the current Epoch Tree was a prototype. The place of reincarnation marked the initial phase of evolution.

Qing Yi was strategically planning for the future of the natural world of mountains and seas. If she faced destruction during the third calamity, there would still be a glimmer of hope. Gu Changge’s gaze deepened.

In reality, he had little interest in investing time in these matters. To him, the world of mountains and seas was a disposable tool. However, Qing Yi was willing to pay a significant price for it, using her own slumber as the cost to nurture the Epoch Tree’s seedlings.

Soon, Little Moon Guardian guided them, and the silvery lake fell silent. Thousands of light spots converged and drifted, submerging into the lake’s center. This calmness starkly contrasted with the desolate scene they had encountered earlier.

In the depths of the Reincarnation Lake stood the saplings of the Epoch Tree. Though not fully grown, they emanate an ancient majesty, harboring the essence of new laws of heaven and earth. It seemed they were patiently awaiting the day of their full bloom.

The vast canopy stretched across the sky, and chaotic energy cascaded like a waterfall. Each leaf contained a miniature world. Amidst the collisions, a thunderous resonance echoed, creating an astonishing spectacle.

Moon King sensed an unprecedented Dao aura, distinct from the one he had encountered in the Immortal Realm. Beneath the tree, Gu Changge looked up at the flourishing palace.

Despite being only a seedling, this Epoch Tree exuded a coercion capable of oppressing beings at the level of Immortal Kings, rendering them breathless. The branches, ancient and intertwined, radiated an immortal glow..

As Gu Changge stepped forward, a golden path extended, reaching all the way to the tree’s crown. The formidable coercion dissipated, proving ineffective against him. Moon King and Luo Yanxi swiftly followed.

Little Moon Guardian clung tightly to Gu Changge, disregarding his unconventional appearance. In her eyes, only Gu Changge held the key to escaping this eerie place.

She had no desire to linger there any longer. Inside the palace, Gu Changge gazed upon the slumbering Qing Yi. She lay peacefully on the bed, curtains fluttering gently. Thin, beautiful facial features and precise, clean eyebrows and eyes adorned her like a figure in a painting. She exuded an otherworldly tranquility, seemingly detached from everything in the world.

“Master Qing Yi…” Little Moon Guardian softly called, standing by, uncertain about how long Qing Yi would remain in her slumber.

Moon King refrained from approaching, utterly stunned by the scene unfolding before him, overturning her prior understanding. The one sleeping in the palace was the Grand Palace Master of the Immortal Palace. Rumors had circulated that he perished at the hands of Gu Changge during the Forbidden Era, with not even a trace of bones left behind. Yet here he was, seemingly unscathed and alive, peacefully sleeping.

According to various speculations, the Grand Palace Master of the Immortal Palace was once the confidante of the Demon Lord. However, the reasons for their eventual falling out remained an eternal mystery, shrouded in uncertainty.

Luo Yanxi, less shocked than Moon King, had heard rumors about Gu Changge, gaining insight into the past’s hidden reasons and secrets. When she decided to follow Gu Changge, she understood that he had his own purpose, and every action he took aimed to achieve that purpose.

Both observed Gu Changge standing beside Qing Yi, silently contemplating the sleeping figure. He reached out as if to straighten the black hair beside her ear but halted midway. This gesture conveyed myriad emotions and complexities.

Was it love and regret? Perhaps guilt or helplessness? Or could it be a blend of these sentiments? Moon King never anticipated that the usually indifferent Gu Changge, who regarded all beings like ants, would reveal such an expression.

This further solidified his speculation. Many unknown events occurred before the Forbidden Era, with numerous secrets concealed and buried over the years. Gu Changge’s handling of the Immortal Domain and the Immortal Palace suggested that there were aspects he managed discreetly.

“You all go outside and wait for me,” Gu Changge suddenly declared, instructing Moon King, Luo Yanxi, and Little Moon Guardian to leave the palace. Though puzzled, the individuals dared not press for answers. Evidently, Gu Changge had something on his mind and intended to share it.

After they departed, Gu Changge retracted his outstretched hand and calmly asked, “How long will you be sleeping?”

As his words hung in the air, Qing Yi, with closed eyes, trembled and gradually opened her eyelashes. Her gaze met Gu Changge’s.

Her eyes were serene and tranquil, akin to warm, clear jade or a bright, flawless moon. “You came.”

Qing Yi sat on the bed, her complexion appearing normal but unable to completely conceal the pallor and weariness. Gu Changge nodded slightly. He understood that Qing Yi hadn’t genuinely fallen into a deep sleep; instead, her consciousness had entered a state of self-cultivation. This state could be awakened by the external world at any moment, similar to the instinct of particular creatures. In dire situations, consciousness would enter this state to gradually cultivate and recover.

As the true spirit of the world of mountains and seas, it was natural for Qing Yi to engage in this cultivation.

“You don’t need to waste your essence nurturing this Epoch Tree seedling,” Gu Changge contemplated for a moment, then shook his head and advised.

Qing Yi didn’t provide a direct answer but tilted her head, fixing her gaze on him.

“Are you going to call me Aunt Qing, or Qing Yi?” she inquired, steering the conversation differently.

“Is there a difference between these two titles?” Gu Changge seemed somewhat helpless.

“Of course, there is a difference,” Qing Yi playfully smiled and explained, “If you call me Aunt Qing, it means you may not have fully recovered your previous memory. If you call me Qing Yi, it means you should have remembered everything.”

Gu Changge shook his head and responded, “Then I’ll call you Qing Yi.”

“It seems that during this period of time, a lot of things should have happened in the Upper Realm and the Immortal Domain.”

“It’s great; I can feel your breath again. It’s so reassuring.”

Hearing this, Qing Yi smiled and then wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against it. Gu Changge looked down at her, and the palm about to fall became slightly stiff. After contemplating, he placed it on her head, gently stroking her blue hair.

“A lot of changes have indeed taken place in the Upper Realm and the Immortal Domain, but they should all be within your expectations. It won’t have much impact on the upcoming events,” he said softly.

Recalling when he transformed into a Demon Lord, traversed the vast heavens as a Heaven Slayer, and saved Qing Yi during the first calamity in the world of mountains and seas, Gu Changge realized that from that moment onward, this gentle and kind woman had experienced a profound change.

Despite regarding her as a mere chess piece, usable or disposable, he played countless tricks and orchestrated elaborate schemes with her, deceiving the world and all its beings.

Even now, she remained oblivious to his manipulation, genuinely believing he was assisting her. He didn’t hesitate to become the villain, carrying the crimes of countless epochs.

Gu Changge never harbored guilt. Yet, inexplicably, he felt a twinge of unease and a sense of loss. Was it because he thought of Yue Mingkong, who had a similar experience? Or perhaps Jiang Chuchu? Maybe even Gu Xian’er?