I Am the Fated Villain

In the grand and serene palace, the curtain resembled a cloud that floated like a mist.

Upon hearing Qing Feng’s call, the older man on the bed moved his fingers. His closed eyes shifted, but they remained shut. His dry lips opened and closed, whispering weakly, “Qing… Qing Feng, you are here…”

Respectfully standing by the bed, Qing Feng wore a complex expression. He spoke softly, “Master, as you anticipated, many of the enchantment formations around the Floating Realm have been breached.”

“There is an influx of aura from the outside world, and some formidable individuals may use this to discern our location.”

“Additionally, the demonic energy outside the City of No Return has intensified during this period. Numerous powerful demons have emerged but were swiftly dealt with by the leaders of several great commanders.”

“You need not worry excessively.”

Qing Feng detailed the various occurrences outside the City of No Return to the old city lord. In truth, he understood that the ancient city lord was gradually entrusting all the City of No Return affairs to him, intending for him to assume leadership fully.

With time running out for the old city lord, even Granny Yao could only shake her head and sigh. The ancient city lord should have perished thousands of years ago, but he had prolonged his life through various secret techniques and herbs.

Faced with such a situation, he hadn’t entirely handed over the City of No Return to Qing Feng, expressing genuine concern before his eventual departure.

Upon hearing this, the old city lord lying on the bed released a weak sigh after a prolonged moment and stated, “Is the continued support for the core origin of the City of No Return insufficient?”

Unable to conceal this matter from him, Qing Feng nodded and replied, “At most, ten years.”

Ten years.

The old city lord fell silent, then sighed softly, “It’s too late.”

“There are some things I want to tell you directly while I am still conscious. However, that girl Cen Shuang is not in the City of No Return right now.”

“I’ll share this with both of you when she returns.”

Respecting the old city lord’s words, Qing Feng stood quietly, recognizing that there were separate matters the old city lord wanted to convey.

At this moment, the old city lord appeared immersed in some memories.

After a while, he slowly spoke, “Actually… I have always known that you resist the role of City Lord in the City of No Return.”

“You aren’t from the Floating Realm. If given the chance, you truly wish to venture into the immortal domain outside to uncover your past…”

“You often tell me that you are a person without a past, and all your memories exist within the City of No Return.”

“Thinking about it, I realize I have been selfish. I wanted to keep you in the City of No Return, to pass on the leadership to you. I hoped you’d shoulder some of the burdens alongside that girl Cen Shuang.”

Listening to the old city lord’s meandering words, a fleeting expression of contemplation crossed Qing Feng’s face.

Indeed, he was a person without a past or memory. Since waking up, he had been in the City of No Return. Over the subsequent thousands of years, it became his home. While initially desiring to leave, explore the outside world, and uncover his identity and past, his perspectives had evolved considerably. Simultaneously, the weight on his shoulders and the challenging responsibilities had increased.

Especially in the moments before entering this palace, we observed the children learning Daoism and cultivating Dao-building expertise in those schools.

Every face radiated innocence and joy. When they saw him, they respectfully addressed him as Lord Qing Feng. His lone junior sister was also exuding confidence and a belief in her strength.

“Master, you needn’t say more. The City of No Return is my current home, and I won’t let it be destroyed,” Qing Feng reassured the old city lord.

In his current perspective, his history held less significance. Occasionally, he experienced peculiar dreams where he seemed engaged in ceaseless combat, but he considered those moments fleeting.

Although the old city lord tightly closed his eyes upon hearing this, a contented smile lingered.

He continued, “If such a day arrives, I still hope you can pursue your past.”

“Qing Feng, you are the most unique individual I’ve ever encountered. The power within you exceeds my imagination. I contemplated taking you as a disciple then, but it was also my selfishness.”

“In truth, I’m not Cen Shuang’s grandfather. I’m just an old servant, tasked by my master to protect Cen Shuang as she grows.”

“Cen Shuang’s father was once one of the most formidable figures in the Immortal Domain. He led the Four Great Star Lords in the Immortal Palace, known as the Ancient Immortal Star-Lord.”

“Even in my master’s eyes, I’ve never witnessed such immense power…”

Qing Feng was taken aback by these revelations, previously undisclosed by the old city lord.

Cen Shuang wasn’t the granddaughter of the old city lord? Her father held a prestigious position in the Immortal Palace, heading the Four Great Star Lords.

The old city lord continued, his words filled with emotion, “Don’t doubt my words. Your origin is highly mysterious. Even if you can only unleash a fraction of your power presently, you’ve nearly touched the threshold of the Fairy King.”

“Consider, in the peak era of the Immortal Dao, the Immortal King was a formidable existence—one that could emerge once in many eras.”

“This time, Xiao Yu and others expended significant resources to awaken the true bones of those Immortal Kings, intimidating outsiders.”

“In the current era, Immortal Kings are even rarer, each one an invincible being overlooking the past and present. But I believe that once you comprehend your origin, you will surpass the Immortal King, reaching an unimaginable realm.”

He had intended to share these words with Qing Feng later. However, sensing his diminishing lifespan, he couldn’t wait any longer. If he had failed to clarify everything now, Qing Feng might never have grasped these truths in his lifetime.

The “little Yu” the old city lord spoke of was a child he had adopted many years ago. Now known as Mr. Yu, his cultivation approached the Immortal King Realm, and he had enjoyed an exceptionally long life. Mr. Yu had also become one of the esteemed elders in the City of No Return.

Still processing the old city lord’s revelations, Qing Feng remained stunned for a considerable time. “Do I truly have such a background? Can I surpass the Immortal King?” he questioned aloud.

Based on the dreamlike scenes he had experienced recently, he deduced that he must have possessed an unknown identity before. Otherwise, engaging in relentless combat within that gray and misty space would be inexplicable.

Who am I?

Qing Feng couldn’t help but question himself.

A long time ago, during the peak of the Immortal Palace, the Floating Realm’s existence served to obstruct those peculiar ethnic groups from the boundless overseas world. The old city lord continued, revealing the secrets of this place, attempting to elucidate everything he could to Qing Feng.

Despite the names Floating Realm and Cangming Realm sounding complementary, their histories told a different story. Initially, the Cangming Realm, like the Floating Realm, was a sacred and pure land. However, for reasons unknown, a strange ethnic group from the original world infiltrated the Cangming Realm through cracks in the boundless sea, transforming it into a demonic land where monsters thrived. These so-called demons evolved from the yin and death aura permeating the original world.

The pervasive yin and death aura from the original world could corrupt and taint all beings in this realm. Throughout the years, the inhabitants of the Floating Realm had continuously struggled against the demons that emerged from the cracks in the Cangming Realm. Yet, only some comprehended the depth of these secrets.

As the old city lord revealed these hidden truths, a radiant light sparked in Qing Feng’s eyes. It felt as if some ancient memory had been rekindled within him. His heart, touched by an unseen force, carried the weight of old recollections.

“Is there a passage outside Cangming leading to the original world?” he murmured, acknowledging a memory engraved in his mind that refused to fade away—the haunting remnants of monstrous hatred that time couldn’t erase.

I will break through the original world one day, dismantle its enigmatic depths, and quell the darkness that has persisted through the ages

Qing Feng resolved within himself. Though the details were unclear, he sensed this might be his future course of action.

Sensing Qing Feng’s determination, the old city lord suggested, “When Cen Shuang returns, why not formalize a marriage contract between you two? I can see that you’ve always harbored feelings for Cen Shuang. Although I’m not her true grandfather, I’ve watched her grow up.”

“If I have my say, Cen Shuang would likely agree as well. I can see she regards you more than just a senior brother, despite her occasional sentimental words,” the old city lord continued, attempting to draw a final connection between the two before his impending departure.

Stunned by the unexpected proposition, Qing Feng’s expression quickly shifted to awkwardness. Waving his hands hurriedly, he protested, “Master, please stop joking… Cen Shuang sees me only as a senior brother, and I’ve always treated her as a junior sister, never considering anything beyond that.”

Unfazed by Qing Feng’s response, the old city lord smiled, reading through his denial. However, before the conversation could progress further, the heavens and earth violently trembled.

A terrifying aura, distant yet approaching rapidly, caused the sea below the City of No Return to churn with tumultuous waves, submerging the sky in chaos.

The entire city shook as if in the throes of a significant earthquake. Shocked cultivators and creatures peered outside, while some took to the skies, nearly falling due to the seismic disturbance.

“The laws of the outside world are colliding… This is the Dao-building expert attempting to merge two worlds. After countless epochs, is the immortal domain set to unite with the once-separate world?” remarked the old city lord, his eyes still closed but wise to the unfolding events.

Initially perturbed, Qing Feng’s face shifted to seriousness as he gazed toward the distant horizon. Within the confines of the Floating Realm, they couldn’t witness the changes in the external world, but they could sense the shifts in the laws of the immortal domain.

“Master, are you suggesting that the immortal domain outside is converging with the realm of origin that was separated?”

Qing Feng inquired, recognizing that, in their terminology, the realm of origin referred to the higher realm, with little distinction between the two.

A tall and heroic figure emerged in the distance, wielding a blood-stained spear and accompanied by an ancient gray beast resembling a giant wolf. She approached the palace swiftly, and no guards dared to impede her progress.

Junior Sister Cen Shuang.

Qing Feng couldn’t conceal the complex emotions on his face as he observed her arrival.

“There are issues in the Cangming Realm as well. Numerous demons, stronger than before, have appeared and seem to be crossing the border,” Cen Shuang reported, wasting no time in detailing the problems that had surfaced in the Cangming Realm.

Before she could finish speaking, her gaze shifted to the scene unfolding on the distant horizon. Her brows furrowed, revealing her deep-seated resentment.

Reflecting the heavens.

Cen Shuang articulated these words meticulously.

At the farthest reaches of the expansive heavens and earth, an eruption of boundless celestial radiance unfolded—an unpredictable display of lights. A vague figure appeared to be seated amidst the Daoist sounds, offerings, and the enveloping cosmos. The heavens and myriad realms around him undulated, attaining an almost sacred state.

Even though it wasn’t the tangible body but merely a manifestation across endless distances, countless universes, and boundless spaces, it compelled cultivators to kneel in worship. Witnessing the scene, they felt an instinctive urge to bow and pray to that celestial point—a supreme majesty akin to the true Dao-building expert of heaven.

In the profound realms of the Divine God in the upper realm, after meticulous preparations, Gu Changge materialized at the cosmic center, standing amidst the heavens and myriad realms.

Seated in meditation, countless immeasurable lights emerged behind him, accompanied by grand sacrificial sounds, world sounds, melodies, and reverential prostrations filling the universe. Every creature and cultivator knelt, devoutly offering prayers in that direction.

Hum!

The universe quivered at that moment as Gu Changge’s aura extended to every nook, filling every inch of emptiness. His figure blurred, resembling a fiery conflagration. The radiant light of immortality illuminated the world, bringing forth manifestations in every universe and dispelling the encroaching darkness.

The Immortal Domain, lost across countless epochs, finally began its descent into the present world. Vast lights and shadows manifested in the sky, and the upper realm’s myriad immortal forces and cultivators watched in astonishment and excitement. They could sense the formidable aura of heaven and earth pouring in as the two ancient and boundless universes harmoniously overlapped.