I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1803. The aura of the ancestral true spirit from years ago—absolute certainty

As this old man awakened, deep within the Gu Clan, several more extremely powerful auras emerged. One after another streaks of rainbow light shot out from various mountain peaks and palaces, descending here.

Some were old men, some old women; there were also handsome young men and peerless beautiful women. Yet each of them carried a profoundly ancient aura of vicissitudes, not at all matching their outward appearance.

“Just now… the ancestral shrine really did tremble…”

“What happened?”

One after another figures appeared from different temporal regions, gathering at this mountain peak.

Following their gaze, deep within the Gu Clan, within mist-shrouded mountain ranges, a vast force seemed to be surging. That region of terrain was more majestic than any other mountain range, shaped like an inverted plateau.

The plateau stretched across endless mist. Within it, an ancient ancestral shrine could faintly be seen, as though it was looking down upon all heavens and universes. A supreme and vast aura permeated the space. Chaotic waterfalls poured down like the sea, distorting the surrounding laws of space-time.

At the same time, that place seemed to be the origin of all life across the heavens. Even though thick deathly energy lingered, one could still sense a faintly gestating vitality.

This aura far surpassed any ancestor-level Dao existence. Even those who had passed nine Heavenly Decline Tribulations and were close to the “Path-End level” would have their spines crushed upon arriving there, unable to take even half a step further.

Buzz!!!

The void twisted and shattered repeatedly. Ripples spread out as several figures silently appeared, all looking toward that direction together with the others.

“The ancestral shrine trembled just now. Could it be that the Fore-ancestor is returning?”

Someone asked in a deep voice, his eyes shining like infinite suns evolving within his pupils.

“Not certain. But the ancestral shrine would not tremble without reason. Something must have happened,” said an old man in gray-white robes nearby, his voice unable to conceal his excitement. He was precisely the one who had just awakened from a pile of weeds on the mountain peak.

“Greetings, Fifth Ancestor.”

Only then did the surrounding Gu Clan members recognize the old man’s face and identity. Many immediately bowed respectfully.

However, at this moment, the Gu Clan Fifth Ancestor had no mind to care about them. He stared ahead, his entire body trembling with excitement. Even his beard shook along with him.

That ancestral shrine enshrined the coffin of the Gu Clan’s Fore-ancestor. Generations of Gu Clan disciples had come here to kneel and worship.

When they were still young, they had heard from their elders countless heroic legends related to the Fore-ancestor, all filled with reverence and pride.

For the Gu Clan’s old ancestors, the Fore-ancestor represented both the Gu Clan itself and the meaning of their existence.

In the great catastrophe of the past, the Fore-ancestor died protecting all living beings. Since then, the Gu Clan had been trying by every possible means to revive him.

Over this long period of time, the Gu Clan had sent many ancestors, leading parts of the clan, to various True Realms in search of remnants of the Fore-ancestor’s scattered true spirit.

After endless ages, the long-silent ancestral shrine suddenly trembled. How could this not cause the entire Gu Clan to erupt in excitement?

“The ancestral shrine cannot tremble without cause. There must be a reason…”

The Fifth Ancestor of the Gu Clan forced himself to calm down. His eyes shone brightly as he scanned the ancestral shrine, but due to its special nature, he could not see through the chaotic mist covering it, nor determine whether any change had occurred inside. He took a deep breath, as though making a decision.

“The ancestral shrine has undergone an unprecedented change. We cannot miss this opportunity. A moment of heavenly chance flashes by in an instant. With my own strength alone, I likely cannot deduce the full cause and effect.”

As this thought flashed through his mind, he no longer hesitated. His robes moved without wind as a vast aura erupted, like an ancient primordial beast awakening from eternal slumber, sweeping across the Nine Heavens.

At that instant, the pitch-black sky of the universe seemed to be swept by a beam of eternal daylight, illuminating everything. Even the barriers between each layer of heaven became clear and transparent.

All beings and cultivators within the Nine Heavens, regardless of their cultivation level, felt a chill run through their entire bodies, as though something terrifying had just scanned across them.

Even the Eternal Dao Lord seated high in the Futiān Sect frowned. Though displeased, he could only forcibly endure it.

“Is the Fifth Ancestor doing this…?”

The Gu Clan members here were also shaken.

In the next moment, in a certain place within the Gu Clan that had long been buried at the foot of a mountain, a tomb opened. A blurred figure walked out and arrived beside the Fifth Ancestor.

“Old Five, what has happened?”

The figure spoke. His eyes were ancient and deeply vicissitudinous, seemingly far older than the Fifth Ancestor before him. No one knew how long he had been in slumber.

Even the Gu Clan members here could not recognize who he was. But someone who could address the Fifth Ancestor as “Old Five” must absolutely be of higher generation and strength.

“What is this?”

Before the Fifth Ancestor could speak, the blurred figure’s brows suddenly furrowed. He seemed to sense something—and then his entire body shook in disbelief.

The Fifth Ancestor said nothing. His eyes closed as though sensing and calling out for something.

Buzz!

Silently, space-time collapsed before them. A figure stepped out. She was tall, graceful, and peerlessly beautiful. Countless fragments of time revolved around her.

Under her feet, the shadows of the River of Time and River of Ages intertwined, then gradually faded. She was more agitated than anyone present. If not for the solemnity of the ancestral shrine, she might have already rushed forward.

“This is…?”

“First Ancestor?”

The Gu Clan members were completely shocked, unable to believe their eyes. Some even had trembling voices.

Unlike other Gu Clan ancestors, the First Ancestor was a woman, and her status had never changed. Even if later ancestors surpassed her in cultivation, none could ever compare to her.

Within the Gu Clan, there was even a saying that there was an insurmountable heavenly chasm between the First Ancestor and the Second Ancestor.

Gu Clan ancestors were divided into two types: the First Ancestor, and all other ancestors.

This alone showed her status and strength.

“After disappearing for countless ages, never once appearing before the clan…”

“Today she has actually appeared.”

The Gu Clan members were thrown into shock, their minds unable to calm for a long time. Only now did they realize what the ancestral shrine truly meant to the Gu Clan.

Even if enemies invaded and the Nine Heavens collapsed, it would likely still be difficult to make these ancestors appear.

Over endless years, the Nine Heavens had always remained detached from the world. And for the Gu Clan, it was even more so.

Even within the clan itself, no one knew how many ancestors still existed, nor where they truly were.

“This aura… I cannot be wrong. It is indeed the aura of the Fore-ancestor’s true spirit.”

“And it has already appeared within the Nine Heavens…”

The Gu Clan First Ancestor murmured. Her voice sounded somewhat hoarse, not matching her peerless appearance.

“Is this real?”

The Fifth Ancestor opened his eyes. Though he looked somewhat exhausted, his face was filled with excitement.

“It cannot be wrong,” said the First Ancestor. Her eyes were already deducing and verifying countless scenes.

The Nine Heavens were vast beyond measure. Each layer was separated by spatial turbulence, chaotic star rivers, and other regions.

Even Dao-level existences found it extremely difficult to traverse between them. However, there were inter-layer teleportation arrays controlled by ruling forces of each heaven, rarely activated to avoid disrupting order.

The people of Xianyue Sect, led by Song Yu, had left the domain of the Grave Keeper and were heading toward the first immortal city of the First Heaven.

The city was towering and immense, its walls stretching endlessly. The material used was unknown. Even ordinary stars looked minuscule beside it.

The surrounding mountains truly embodied the phrase “equal to the heavens.” Compared to this Nine Heavens realm, the immortal domains that Gu Xian’er had once seen in the outer world were utterly insignificant.

She could not help but marvel.

Along the journey, she also saw many ancient primordial beasts, their strength overwhelming and infused with immortal energy, as though they had undergone countless transformations.

Some regional overlords even gave her a sense of danger, likely approaching Dao-level strength.

Gu Xian’er had to admit that the Nine Heavens was indeed extraordinary—far beyond what external True Realms could compare to.

Soon, they arrived at the city gates, where a group of armored soldiers blocked their way.

However, Song Yu had been prepared. He presented his identity, and only then were they allowed entry. Outside each city stretched boundless ancient forests.

It was said these were formed from the ancient battlefield of the war against the heavens, containing countless opportunities. Thus, even cultivators native to the Nine Heavens would often enter to explore ruins and seek fortunes.

Every few eras, terrifying beast tides would erupt from forbidden zones within these forests, attacking surrounding cities and maintaining a strange balance.

Some rulers of forbidden zones possessed strength comparable to the masters of each heaven.

The Nine Heavens, able to remain above all worlds, owed much to this internal self-regulation. Though lacking a complete Heavenly Dao, it maintained balance without external influence and avoided the calamities of other worlds.

Over time, it became the sacred origin land pursued by countless cultivators. However, finding the Nine Heavens was extremely difficult. Without fate or guidance, one could wander their entire life without ever reaching its gate.

“Today, we will rest in the First Heaven. I will visit the ruler of the First Heaven and request him to open the teleportation array to the Second Heaven tomorrow…”

After arriving at the immortal city, Song Yu finally relaxed, revealing a gentle smile as he spoke.

In his eyes, now that they had entered the Nine Heavens, they were in his territory.

No matter how special Gu Xian’er was, he was absolutely certain he would obtain the Confining Heaven Nine Seals from her.

Hearing this, a disciple of the Xianyue Sect could not help but ask curiously:

“Senior Brother Song Yu, what exactly is your background? Along the way, you seem very familiar with the Nine Heavens. It doesn’t seem like you’ve only lived here for a short time.”

The elders of Xianyue Sect were also curious.

Although they had only just entered the First Heaven, they already understood some things about it. Each heaven had a ruler, and ordinary people could hardly ever meet them.

Yet Song Yu, who had not even reached the Dao realm, could directly visit the ruler of the First Heaven. This clearly showed his extraordinary identity. Moreover, they could tell that Elder Lan was actually his protector.

He had merely been temporarily staying in Xianyue Sect under the guise of an elder.

“I am ashamed to say…”

Song Yu spoke with a properly measured tone of embarrassment.

“My real name is not Song Yu, but Ji Yu. My master is the ruler of the Nine Heavens, and also the sect master of the Futiān Sect.”

As he spoke, he seemed worried they might misunderstand and quickly continued:

“Please rest assured, I harbor no ill intent. Bringing you all to the Nine Heavens is purely for your safety. The outside world is now in chaos. The Xianyue Sect has already been destroyed by the Dark Clan. If you continue wandering outside, you will likely die sooner or later.”

“Although the Nine Heavens is mysterious and not well understood by the outside world, its rules are strict and its order is stable. For the time being, you need not worry about external threats…”

He spoke sincerely and earnestly, and his words did not seem false.

Ji Yu truly had no ulterior motives toward the disciples and elders of Xianyue Sect. Bringing them here was more about ensuring Gu Xian’er could not leave the group.

Upon hearing this, the Xianyue Sect members relaxed slightly, as they had already suspected this. Moreover, Ji Yu’s candidness resonated with them.

The outside world was indeed chaotic.

The Zhengyi Alliance was hypocritical, abandoning allies and breaking agreements.

The Fatian Alliance was infamous, ruthless and brutal, akin to demonic sects. The envoy sent to the Fatian Alliance had gone missing, likely already dead.

None of these forces were benevolent. Even the neutral orthodox forces might soon follow in Xianyue Sect’s footsteps if they continued to isolate themselves. Neither the Fatian Alliance nor the Zhengyi Alliance would allow any force that did not obey them to exist.

Thus, the Nine Heavens indeed seemed like the best refuge available.