I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1402: The Longer You Live, the More You Cherish Your Life, Elder Zhuowu’s Apprenticeship CeremonyOne option is to surrender to me, though I doubt you’re interested in running the family.

In the future, I could let you oversee the immortal civilization and even show you a broader world.

Gu Changge’s figure materialized in the empty, seemingly non-existent space, his tone remaining unchanged.

The second option is to stand against me like this, trying to stop me, in which case I will personally wipe you and your family out.

These two choices were quite straightforward—one meant choosing life, the other meant choosing death.

“Do we have any other options?

”Both Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun smiled bitterly.

After living for countless years, they fully understood what Gu Changge was implying.

Surrendering to him meant they could live, but it also meant they would have to follow his orders from then on, with him being their only master.

If they chose to stand in his way, the outcome was clear and inevitable.

Even if the Zhuo clan and the Hun clan fought against Gu Changge, shaking the entire immortal civilization, it would be futile.

With Gu Changge’s power, he could easily escape.

Moreover, in such a scenario, they would most likely be killed by him.

As this thought crossed their minds, both Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun felt conflicted and torn.

Beings like them, who only appeared once in countless ages, had hearts higher than the sky and talents that surpassed the past and present.

Few could rival them.

Submitting to someone else was almost more unbearable than death itself.

Yet, sometimes, the choice was not theirs to make.

In the face of life and death, dignity and pride seemed insignificant.

Especially when Hun Yuan Jun recalled the black-robed old man he had fought against the day before.

That old man had been a formidable figure, with terrifying strength that allowed him to act freely across the boundless world.

Yet now, wasn’t he also submitting to Gu Changge, becoming nothing more than a tool in his hands?

Thinking of it this way, Hun Yuan Jun didn’t feel as uncomfortable anymore.

If it had been during the early days of their enlightenment, when they were young and full of pride, like an unyielding pine, they would have rather died than surrender to anyone.

But they had lived far too long, seen and experienced countless things, and their mindset had changed over time.

The road ahead was endless, and if they sought to ascend to greater heights, survival was the key.

What was the point of being unyielding and proud if it meant they wouldn’t live to see the light of tomorrow?

“It seems the two of you have already made your decision,” Gu Changge said with a faint smile, noticing the changes in Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun’s expressions.

It wasn’t surprising to him.

At their stage of cultivation, the only things that truly mattered were realm and power.

But the foundation of all that was survival.

In most cases, no one was willing to risk everything unless absolutely necessary.

The longer one lived, the more they cherished life.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Gu Changge had anticipated that they might choose to fight him to the death.

If that happened, he had already planned to refine them into puppets, even if it meant wasting time and energy.

However, the immortal civilization’s unique cultivation methods made refining them into puppets more difficult.

“The two of us have made up our minds.

From now on, we are willing to serve Mr.

Gu as our master and look forward to a future under his leadership,” Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun said in unison after exchanging glances.

In the pavilion, Ling Huang and the Bone Ancestor, following Changge’s instructions, were taking steps to conceal any trace of aura in the area.

At this moment, unless someone of equal power arrived, it would be impossible to detect anything unusual.

Hun Yuan Jun and Zhuo Fengxie stood dazed, their expressions vacant and sluggish, with glazed eyes.

If not for the strong life force still emanating from them, anyone who saw them might think their souls had been lost.

But soon, they snapped out of this state, shaking their heads and exchanging looks filled with lingering fear.

They knew that relying on their own strength, they would never have been able to break free from that space of thought.

Even if Gu Changge had spared their lives, he could have easily trapped them there for countless years.

The sheer terror of this realization struck them deeply—it was like being exiled to an endless realm of time and space.

This overwhelming power stirred a sense of awe within them, leaving them yearning for such strength.

?åɴ??Ëʂ“My lord…”Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun, having regained their composure, now addressed Gu Changge with much greater respect than before.

Gu Changge’s expression remained unchanged, though he smiled slightly and said, “With the help of you two, this trip will save me a lot of trouble.

”Ling Huang and the Bone Ancestor watched the scene with some surprise, unsure of what had just transpired.

Moments ago, Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun had been filled with wariness and hostility, yet now, they appeared eager to serve Gu Changge.

However, they wisely refrained from asking questions—Gu Changge’s methods were far beyond their comprehension.

“Young Master, you jest.

It is our honor to be able to assist you in any way we can,” Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun responded, cupping their hands as they spoke, as if fully aligned with Gu Changge’s will.

Within the space of consciousness, they had sworn by their true souls to submit to Gu Changge willingly.

Breaking this oath would mean the complete destruction of their souls, vanishing into nothingness.

Let’s go.

By now, it should be time for Elder Zhuowu’s apprenticeship ceremony.

She had someone send an invitation, and I suspect this one will be quite interesting.

Gu Changge smiled but said nothing more.

As his words faded, the space before him blurred, and he took the lead, stepping out of the pavilion.

Zhuo Fengxie and Hun Yuan Jun followed closely behind, both somewhat surprised by this revelation.

While Elder Zhuowu was indeed a Heavenly Elder of the Zhuo Clan, holding great status and authority, they couldn’t understand why her apprenticeship ceremony would intrigue Gu Changge.

Typically, ceremonies of this kind wouldn’t warrant their personal attendance; at most, they would send gifts on behalf of their clans.

Yet Gu Changge seemed genuinely interested this time, leaving them both curious about what might unfold.

In the oasis where Elder Zhuowu held the apprenticeship ceremony, numerous pavilions and temples dotted the landscape, with a majestic sacred mountain looming in the background.

The lotus pond, enveloped in white mist and fragrance, served as a picturesque setting, while beautiful fairies danced gracefully in the distance, their movements captivating and enchanting.

Guests mingled, softly discussing the events they had witnessed and heard about during this period.

Many ethnic groups and forces from the major universes of the immortal civilization had sent powerful representatives, all eager to honor Elder Zhuowu.

Among the various forces, the most prominent was the Eternal Protoss.

Although the Wu Clan and the Gou Clan also sent some strong individuals, their presence seemed somewhat detached.

Elders from the other lineages of the Zhuo Clan had only sent their juniors to offer gifts, while only those closer to Elder Zhuowu attended the ceremony in person to present their congratulations.

The atmosphere was lively, but Elder Zhuowu, the host, had yet to make an appearance; she had simply instructed her clansmen to prepare a banquet.

At that moment, the topic on everyone’s lips was Elder Zhuowu’s mysterious apprentice, sparking excited discussions among the younger generation of geniuses from various ethnic groups and forces.

Some speculated that Elder Zhuowu might have accepted her apprentice long ago, but for reasons unknown, this had not been made public.

Following the death of her most valued junior, she chose to reveal her apprentice, showcasing her courage and resolve.

This bold move left many feeling envious.

Elder Zhuowu’s tactics are truly formidable.

By announcing her apprentice’s identity to the world, she demonstrates genuine fearlessness, unafraid of attracting the attention of hidden adversaries.

Elder Zhuowu’s apprentice must possess extraordinary strength.

I fear there will be significant upheaval among the younger generation.

Many cultivators and beings murmured amongst themselves, their voices filled with admiration.

When Wang He heard these comments, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

The animosity between Elder Zhuowu and her apprentice was beyond what most could imagine.

It was precisely this situation that sparked an idea in Wang He’s mind to get closer to the future Empress Pingtian.

After arriving, Wang He didn’t remain with Hong Gui; the two separated almost immediately.

Wang He chose to stay in the outer area, where he appeared extremely inconspicuous among the group of cultivators.

Although he had one foot in the Dao realm, few people paid him any attention.

Additionally, this was Elder Zhuowu’s territory, a stronghold she had built over a long time, which meant that no one dared to act presumptuously.

As a result, there were not many patrolling cultivators around.

With this in mind, Wang He’s eyes shifted slightly as he planned to seize the opportunity to venture deeper and find the future Empress Pingtian first.

He had once acquired an ancient aura restraint technique, which allowed him to effectively conceal his aura and fluctuations.

It would be challenging for anyone to detect him unless they actively sought out his presence.

Moreover, since Elder Zhuowu was not currently there, Wang He felt no concern about being discovered by others.

Soon, a subtle fluctuation rippled through Wang He’s body, rendering his appearance even more unremarkable.

His figure flickered as if merging with the void around him, and he vanished from the outermost area.

The cultivators nearby were all at the level of the Immortal Realm, with the strongest among them no more than an Immortal King in cultivation.

Naturally, they couldn’t detect anything unusual.

However, at the moment Wang He disappeared, the Eternal Saintess, who had been quietly sipping wine in a magnificent palace enveloped in immortal mist, sensed a shift.

A strange expression crossed her face, hidden beneath the haze that shrouded her features, as she turned her gaze toward the direction he had just occupied.

“Interesting…” A flicker of curiosity appeared on her face.

“Xiang Jun, what did you just say?

”Li Yang, the Eternal Son of God, inquired during the banquet not far away, where they were drinking wine and awaiting Elder Zhuowu’s disciple acceptance ceremony.

Miss Luo Xiang glanced at him briefly before turning her gaze away, showing no intention of responding as she continued to sip the immortal wine before her.

Li Yang hadn’t anticipated that Luo Xiangjun would ignore him again.

His expression faltered, and he felt a bit embarrassed, choosing not to press the matter further.

Instead, he took a dull gulp from his glass.

Nearby, some powerful cultivators and beings noticed this exchange, pausing in surprise before shifting to a more attentive stance.

The dynamic between the Son of God of the Eternal Protoss and the Saintess appeared less harmonious than it had seemed at first.

Moreover, the several elders of the Eternal Protoss who accompanied them seemed aware of the tension, accepting it without question.

“Elder Zhuowu hasn’t shown up yet?

How long are you planning to make me wait here?

”An elder of the Eternal Protoss, under the scrutiny of various powerful beings, felt a bit embarrassed.

He coughed dryly and attempted to change the subject.

It was difficult for them to intervene in the matter between the Saintess and the Son of God.

Even the patriarch was troubled by this situation.

If Li Yang were to adopt a firmer stance in front of the Saintess, they could step in to offer support.

However, no one could blame Li Yang for his shortcomings.

He was clearly hoped for by many within the clan, seen as someone who could lead the Eternal Protoss into a more glorious era.

Yet, time and again, he faced setbacks in front of the Saintess, leaving him unable to hold his head high.

In the depths of the oasis, a greater number of pavilions and palaces stood, each more magnificent than the last.

At that moment, beside a clear lake, a stunning woman sat on a large bluestone.

Her jade boots had been discarded, and beneath her skirt, a pair of crystal-clear jade feet dangled, occasionally splashing in the water as she appeared bored.

Even though this filthy old thing has left this place, people are still watching me, and I’m not allowed to leave this area.

I wonder if she has other means to keep track of my every move.

This woman was naturally Mu Yan.

Compared to before, her face looked noticeably thinner.

Her hair was simply coiled, and her neck was slender and fair, flawless as snow.

While speaking to herself, her gaze was heavy with gloom and disinterest.

After idly splashing in the water for a while, Mu Yan eventually stood up, slipped on her jade boots, and sat cross-legged on the bluestone, obediently absorbing the spiritual mist as she practiced.

She knew that Zhuowu’s insistence on her cultivation was not driven by good intentions.

Not long ago, Mu Yan had been lazy and unwilling to pursue her cultivation seriously.

However, she did not expect Zhuowu to discover her neglect so quickly.

As punishment for her lack of diligence, Zhuowu subjected her to a method of torture that was excruciatingly painful, claiming it was meant to encourage her to take her cultivation seriously.

As a result, Mu Yan had no choice but to cultivate diligently, following Zhuowu’s instructions step by step.

Zhuowu would periodically check on her progress, and if she was found to be slacking, the spell she had previously endured would be activated.

The torment felt like thousands of ants gnawing at her heart, soul, flesh, and bones—an unimaginable agony.

Even Mu Yan, who had always prided herself on her determination and perseverance, would break out in a cold sweat from the pain, nearly losing consciousness.

It was a million times more torturous than anything she had experienced in the hell of ice and fire.