I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1378

Chapter 1378: False Fabricated Destiny, Immortal Civilization Base Camp

The strange aura around Chu Lian has diminished significantly. If I want to, I can easily discern his fate now.

I didn’t expect such a dramatic change in his fate in such a short time.

Ling Huang had returned to her usual composure in the valley, though a faint glow still lingered on her face. She gazed in the direction where Chu Lian had departed, surprise evident in her expression.

Initially, she had hesitated to confront Chu Lian because of his unusual fate. But now, he seemed to have lost the protective aura of that fate and was no longer as unpredictable as he had once been.

Ling Huang was unaware of the method Gu Changge had used to alter the fate of a variable. This left her feeling both astonished and impressed.

“There still seem to be some issues. Although his fate can be explored, I still can’t fully grasp what treasure he possesses. It feels incomplete,” Ling Huang said suddenly, her surprise growing even more.

She had intended to take advantage of Chu Lian’s loss of the variable’s protection to gain insight into the opportunities and fortunes he had obtained. However, she found herself stuck and unable to continue her deductions.

“The fate you perceive doesn’t belong to Chu Lian’s true fate; it’s merely a false fate I fabricated. Thus, what you see is naturally incomplete,” Gu Changge explained with a casual smile.

Upon hearing this, Ling Huang’s astonishment deepened. A false fate fabricated so easily? Yet, this false fate resembled a genuine script of life that Chu Lian would experience in the future.

This was a power she could hardly fathom at that moment—the ability to fabricate fate at will and alter a person’s future, especially for someone considered a variable, who could not be easily discerned by fate.

Gu Changge chose not to elaborate further. Among the countless living beings, some were born with extraordinary fates, favored by the heavens. Though their lives were often filled with ups and downs, they ultimately managed to turn dangers into blessings. Such individuals were known as children of luck.

In Gu Changge’s view, the lives of these children of luck followed a predetermined path. If not for human interference, they would develop along the original trajectory laid out by destiny, effectively playing the leading role in their own life stories.

Everyone had their own fate—ordinary people’s destinies were typically straightforward: a simple life that culminated in old age, or a life interrupted by illness. In contrast, those with good fortune often encountered numerous adventures throughout their lives.

These adventures would bestow upon them benefits far beyond what ordinary people could attain. For cultivators, this might manifest as skills, spiritual objects, or treasures from heaven and earth; for common folk, it could mean the favor of n.o.bles, wealth, and fame. Regardless of the form it took, these benefits were predetermined from birth.

From the moment of birth to the moment of death, the experiences one would have were already etched in the long river of fate. This applied equally to both ordinary people and children of luck. Only beings at the Dao realm, possessing profound cultivation, could truly survey fate and gain insight into this river. They alone could accurately control their own destinies, escaping the constraints of fate and remaining untainted by cause and effect.

Their fates, which existed solely in their hands, had long been determined. It was nearly impossible for others to spy on or manipulate the changes in their paths. Beings at the realm of immortality—such as quasi-immortal emperors and immortal emperors—had pasts obscured by fog, making them difficult to perceive. Yet, their fates did not truly belong to them.

In the eyes of those with even deeper cultivation, who existed beyond the reach of fate, it was relatively easy to discern everything about such beings, including their pasts and futures. While the luck of the child of luck was remarkable, those who attained the stage of Daoism had often undergone numerous opportunities and fortunes themselves. Thus, it could be said that no one understood the existence of the Son of Destiny better than they did.

Before one could truly control their own destiny, no matter how extraordinary that destiny appeared, it could be calculated and seen through by others. Those who could perceive such fates might even rob the individual of their opportunities or eliminate them before they could flourish. Chu Lian, as an existence with a concealed real fate, qualified as a true variable.

His fate was shrouded in mystery, meaning that if it didn’t inherently belong to him, it couldn’t be doomed. Consequently, no one could predict how far he might grow in the future or what adventures and fortunes awaited him. Gu Changge’s intent was to dismantle the peculiar aura that surrounded Chu Lian.

In reality, Chu Lian’s true fate had never been predetermined or open to scrutiny. Instead, Gu Changge had crafted a narrative specifically for his interpretation, simulating a false fate for Chu Lian’s evolution. This fabricated fate effectively obscured his genuine destiny. Within this false fate, the script for Chu Lian’s future had already been meticulously written.

As long as he advanced step by step, Chu Lian could seize numerous opportunities. With the support of various factions within the Spiritual civilization, he would eventually succeed in overthrowing the rule of the Spiritual royal family. Ultimately, he would establish a peaceful new nation and emerge as the new ruler of the Spiritual civilization.

This was the fate that Gu Changge had meticulously arranged for Chu Lian long ago, ensuring that from that point forward, his life would be smooth sailing—devoid of the necessary trials and tribulations that often accompany significant growth. Gu Changge had devised this plan in part due to his prior experience with his apprentice, Barbara.

Though Barbara was a variable, she had been trapped within a fate script created by someone else, undergoing continuous reincarnation without the ability to break free. Her true destiny had never been shattered or controlled by anyone. The individual behind her sought to manipulate or dismantle her strange fate. Given Gu Changge’s current strength, orchestrating all of this was exceedingly easy for him, allowing him to operate undetected.

Therefore, in the eyes of the artifact spirit of the Ball of Ambitions, Chu Lian’s fate had taken a drastic turn for the worse. The mist that once obscured his destiny had dissipated, revealing a clearer, less extraordinary path. What once appeared to be an enigmatic and unpredictable fate now seemed like a fleeting illusion. The spirit began to question whether Chu Lian had ever truly been a variable at all.

It lamented its decision to choose Chu Lian as its host, realizing that it had made a grave mistake. However, at this point, even if it wanted to change the situation, it was already too late. With the fog of fate cleared, Chu Lian’s fortune was no longer as protective as it once seemed. His every move, including the fact that he possessed the Ball of Ambitions, could now be easily discerned by those more powerful than him.

What once made him special—his luck—was now a liability. The treasure he carried was no longer hidden, and it would inevitably attract unwanted attention. Figures like Mr. Gu and the mysterious old servant, with their vast insight and strength, would undoubtedly see through Chu Lian’s secrets with ease.

At that moment, the artifact spirit of the Ball of Ambitions felt an impending sense of doom. If things continued this way, not only would Chu Lian lose his life, but the Ball of Ambitions itself would also collapse, its power disintegrating into nothingness. As the spirit of the artifact, it would be left with no choice but to vanish, consumed by the smoke of failure. It knew that it had to find a way to preserve itself, to protect its existence, even if Chu Lian was unaware of the turmoil raging within the artifact.

Unaware of the Ball of Ambitions’ inner turmoil, Chu Lian himself, having regained a sense of calm, made the decision to stay far away from Gu Changge and Ling Huang. He sought out a quiet mountain peak, where he could carve out a cave and find temporary refuge. Despite the humiliation he had endured at the hands of Gu Changge, Chu Lian harbored no thoughts of retreat. In his heart, he vowed that one day he would repay the disgrace he had suffered.

Meanwhile, in a distant and desolate universe, a streak of azure light shot through the vast emptiness, carrying a group from the immortal civilization. The flying shuttle, tasked with resisting the descent of the immortal civilization, surged forward through the void. Within the cabin, Zhuoyou and the others watched the scenery outside the crystal wall without much enthusiasm. The return to their civilization didn’t fill them with joy or antic.i.p.ation.

The territory of the immortal civilization was vast and ancient, a realm unlike the birthplace of many other life civilizations scattered throughout the boundless universe. It was a place of great power and mystery, separated from the chaos and decay of the outside world.

From a distance, the scene was breathtaking—thousands of magnificent crystals standing tall throughout the universe, emitting a kaleidoscope of colorful light. These crystals, immense and extraordinary, appeared like giant crystal diamonds, stretching endlessly across the cosmos. Each crystal spanned hundreds of millions of miles, with their refracted brilliance shimmering like a gathering river of galaxies, surging with vibrant energy.

These awe-inspiring crystals, resembling ancient life stars, were known as “life source crystals” by the immortal civilization. Each complete life source crystal symbolized a place where life had originated within the immortal civilization, holding immense significance.

However, within each life source crystal lay something even more unique—a vast, hollow s.p.a.ce filled with a network of small worlds, layered and stacked upon one another. These stacked worlds, organized like goose eggs, extended infinitely in all directions, creating a complex and intricate structure that seemed to defy the normal laws of s.p.a.ce and time.

In this grand expanse, one small world stood adjacent to another, separated by void turbulence and world barriers. Without a certain level of strength, it was almost impossible to break through these barriers and cross over into other small worlds. Each of these worlds was the cradle of an ancient civilization, and within every universe, countless creatures belonging to the immortal civilization thrived.

Yet, despite the vast population, only a few ethnic groups truly held control over the peak power of the immortal civilization. The societal structure was like a pyramid, layer upon layer, with power concentrated at the top. The Zhuo Clan, to which Zhuoyou and the others belonged, was among the most powerful factions within this hierarchy.

At this very moment, in the base camp of the Zhuo Clan, stood the imposing ancient structures of the Glazed Temple. These temples stretched endlessly into the sky, their tops obscured by the heavens, radiating an overwhelming sense of grandeur. Surrounding these towering edifices were various ethereal and fantastic phenomena, floating like rivers of fire, divine light, and bolts of lightning. The air shimmered with vibrant hues—gold, yellow, orange—creating an illusion of celestial starlight, endlessly interwoven and radiant.

Around this magnificent complex, numerous streamers of light could be seen darting through the air, gathering from distant places and converging around the towering structures, adding to the sense of power and grandeur that permeated the Zhuo Clan’s domain.

These streamers, though varying in shapes, took on human forms with indistinct facial features and a radiant glow as they approached the building complex.

“I heard from the clan that Elder Zhuoyou encountered an unexpected accident while searching for a new civilization. Nearly the entire army she brought was wiped out,” one figure said with a heavy tone.

“She fears they may have pursuers, which is why she requested the family send reinforcements to meet them.”

“I’m not sure if it’s true, but I heard the same from the clan. That’s why I rushed back.” Another figure added, their expression equally serious.

“Several elders are already convening in the Elder Temple. They’re discussing the situation.”

“Elder Zhuoyou’s faction has suffered significant losses. I heard one of the accompanying elders’ spiritual inscriptions shattered—he died out there.”

“Could it be they stumbled upon a forbidden area of life? I can’t think of any other explanation for a new civilization posing such a deadly threat,” mused another, their voice laced with uncertainty.

The figures descended from the skies, hurrying toward the grand palace complex at the center. Their faces remained solemn, burdened by the grim news and the mystery surrounding the events that had unfolded.

Many conversations buzzed through the air, with shock evident in the hearts of those who had learned of the news. This was the core region of the Zhuo Clan, a place only true core members were permitted to enter. Zhuoyou, with her status as a powerful elder of the clan, was of particular importance, having undergone three spiritual transformations.

In the Zhuo Clan, only those who had completed spiritual transformations were granted the prestigious t.i.tle of “elder” and could take a seat in the Elder Temple at the heart of the clan’s domain.

The Zhuo clansmen who rushed over came from various factions. Some were closely aligned with Zhuoyou’s faction, while others were more indifferent and kept their distance, showing little concern about the unfolding situation. These indifferent members, barely pausing to discuss the events, turned into streaks of light and made their way toward the palace.

Within the palace, many figures had already gathered. Only the elders were allowed to stand at the forefront, commanding respect with their presence. The rest of the Zhuo clansmen followed in strict order, maintaining an atmosphere of solemnity and silence. Upon arriving, none dared to show the slightest hint of disrespect.

In the center of the temple stood a majestic statue of a deity, its face blurred and flat, making it difficult to discern its gender—an embodiment of a supreme G.o.d pa.s.sed down through generations. This statue represented the first ancestor of the Zhuo Clan, one of the oldest figures in the immortal civilization who had founded the clan. Renowned throughout the entire immortal civilization, this ancestor was also celebrated among several ancient and powerful civilizations in the surrounding regions.

However, this ancestor had long since vanished, his whereabouts unknown for countless years. The Zhuo people were oblivious to his current situation, the realm in which he resided, and the ident.i.ty he might now possess.

Inside the palace, numerous elders and important figures had gathered, speaking in hushed tones. Each individual was a formidable powerhouse, comparable to those of the Dao Realm within the Immortal Dao Civilization, exhibiting monstrous strength. This was only to be expected, as the Zhuo Clan was one of the most powerful ethnic groups in an ancient civilization, with a background that exceeded the imagination.

It was certainly incomparable to the newly formed real world like the Dao Chang Realm.

“Almost everyone has arrived. This time, Elder Zhuoyou sent back a message requesting the clan to come pick her up, fearing that pursuing troops would come to attack her,” one of the elders stated.

“I have dispatched some powerful members of the clan to meet her, and it’s expected that Elder Zhuoyou will return to the clan shortly.”

“She went out to search for the newborn real world, aiming to condense the origin material of the immortal civilization, but encountered a life-and-death crisis. As for her experiences, she hasn’t fully relayed them yet; she only asked the clan to prepare for any impending threats.”

Soon, several high-ranking elders in the Elder Temple raised their hands, calling for silence. They exchanged glances before informing everyone of the news they had received from Zhuoyou.

The location of Zhuoyou’s expedition was quite distant from the immortal civilization, and even an ent.i.ty comparable to the Dao Realm found it challenging to relay all events instantly. Before Zhuoyou managed to contact her grandfather, she had already depleted many of her communication resources.

Thus, the Zhuo Clan was left with only a vague understanding of what had transpired. They knew that Zhuoyou and her group had faced a terrifying enemy during their a.s.sault on that new civilization. One elder had been killed on the spot, and Zhuoyou and the others were fortunate to escape quickly, ensuring their survival.