Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 343 Returning to Desolate Heaven Empire!

A moment later, an enormous Flying Ship ascended through the clouds.

The very air trembled as the vessel came to hover above the ruined Imperial Palace, blotting out the light of the sun.

Bai Zihan didnʼt wait for a coronation or anything like that-he simply declared that Princess Sun Yaoqing would become the Empress.

As for whether she could continue to be one, well, that was in her hands.

His word should serve as a good deterrent to many, but there would obviously be others who would see this as an opportunity.

After all, he had clearly shown that he didnʼt care much about who ruled the Falling Star Empire-nor was he interested in their empire at all.

So, it wouldnʼt be strange if someone tried to seize the throne after he left. Still, Princess or rather, Empress Sun Yaoqing seemed capable enough; she might be able to stabilize the position that was suddenly given to her.

Perhaps the Falling Star Empire would undergo a drastic change in the coming days.

Bai Zihan had only two tasks for her: one was to keep an eye for Elder Shuhai, and the other was to monitor Chong Sheng.

Sun Yaoqing understood the first request. After all, his entire trip to the Falling Star Empire had been to find Elder Shuhai, who possessed information about their headquarters.

However, his second request confused her.

She remembered Chong Sheng, the slave who had used a Teleportation Formation to escape the Quan Clan.

A demonic cultivator, talented for his age.

But she hadnʼt thought that someone like Bai Zihan would pay attention to such a person, let alone ask her to keep watch for him.

While she didnʼt understand the reason, she had no reason to refuse either.

Since it was only two requests and nothing more, it was fine. Becoming Empress in exchange for such small favors seemed like a good trade.

She was also relieved to find out that Bai Zihan really had no interest in controlling the Falling Star Empire or treating her like a puppet Empress. That was the end of it-Bai Zihan left immediately after stating his demands. Now, it was time for him to return to his own empire.

At the border, the same thing happened as before, the Falling Star Empireʼs guards were nervous but also relieved to see the Bai Clan finally leave.

Judging by their expressions, they didnʼt seem to know what had happened in their capital or about the change in their ruler.

Though, in the coming days, they would definitely find out.

Not only them, everyone in the Falling Star Empire would learn that Princess Sun Yaoqing had ascended the throne and became their Empress.

Invitations would also be sent to the powerful clans and neighboring empires for her coronation.

In any case, Bai Zihan didnʼt think any of that had anything to do with him. ***

The journey back to the Desolate Heaven Empire was peaceful-too peaceful. The wind brushed past the Flying Ship, whispering across the deck. Below, mountains and rivers stretched endlessly, their beauty serene yet lifeless.

Bai Zihan leaned against the railing, his chin resting on his hand, red eyes half-lidded.

Only a few hours had passed since the bloodbath at the Falling Star Empire, and already, boredom gnawed at him like an itch he couldnʼt reach. ”Am I... becoming a Battle Maniac?”

He murmured lazily, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

The thought almost amused him.

Previously, when his talent and cultivation were at rock bottom in the Bai Clan, he would avoid direct fights whenever possible.

But it was the opposite now. He likes to handle things with his fist whenever he can.

Moreover, fewer people dared to criticize him, meaning fewer people he needed to deal with. ”No, no... letʼs not let my guard down. Who knows what danger lies ahead.”

He certainly couldnʼt afford to be satisfied with his current strength.

He hadnʼt forgotten his identity as a Villain.

Below, the clouds parted as the Flying Ship crossed into the Desolate Heaven Empireʼs airspace.

The border patrols, spotting the Bai Clanʼs insignia etched upon the shipʼs hull, stiffened in nervousness.

They bowed as the enormous vessel passed overhead, whispering prayers of gratitude that he did not stop.

Bai Zihan didnʼt even glance their way.

But just as the ship began to glide deeper into Desolate Heavenʼs territory, a faint plume of smoke caught his eye.

It rose from the horizon-dark, curling, and thick. The smell of burning reached even the upper skies, faint but distinct.

Bai Zihanʼs lips curved slightly. ”Smoke?”

He murmured. ”Now, thatʼs interesting.”

Without hesitation, he straightened and flicked his wrist. ”Turn the ship,” he ordered lazily. ”Head toward the smoke.”

There was no trace of urgency, no heroism in his voice.

He wasnʼt going there to help.

He was just bored.

The Flying Ship veered sharply toward the rising smoke.

As they approached, the scene below came into view-A town. Fairly large, though now half-engulfed in flames.

Screams and roars echoed through the streets as buildings collapsed under the rampage of Demonic Beasts.

They poured in from the surrounding forest like a dark tide-Grade-3 beasts in hordes, their claws and fangs glinting in the firelight.

Above them, several massive silhouettes loomed-Grade-4, even Grade-5 beasts, their auras suffocating the battlefield.

The defenders-cultivators, guards, and townsfolk, fought desperately, forming barriers and Qi walls, but their lines were breaking fast.

Bai Zihan stood silently, watching from above.

The scene was chaos-blood, fire, destruction.

And yet, in that chaos, something within him stirred.

It wasnʼt pity. It wasnʼt anger.

He tilted his head slightly, crimson eyes glinting faintly. ”Well,” he murmured, ”I suppose thatʼs one way to kill time.” ***

The town of Willowshade had always been a quiet place-small, humble, and peaceful.

Nestled between the low mountains of the Desolate Heaven Empireʼs southern frontier, it was the kind of town travelers passed through without remembering its name.

And yet, for those who lived there, it was home.

Farmers tended spirit herb fields in the misty valleys, merchants bartered in the town square beneath the old willow tree, and children ran barefoot through the streets, laughing as their parents scolded them gently.

There werenʼt many cultivators in Willowshade-a few Foundation Establishment guards, a handful of Core Formation elders respected by the younger generation.

But even so, life here was steady. Predictable. Safe.

At least, until that night.

From the roof of his burning apothecary, Gu Yiming could see everything.

The horizon-once a calm sea of stars-was now devoured by flames and black smoke.

The forests that bordered Willowshade howled with unending roars, and from them poured a nightmare-hundreds of Demonic Beasts, their eyes glowing crimson in the dark. ”Grade-3... so many of them!”

One of the townʼs guards shouted before a shadow pounced upon him, tearing him apart mid-sentence. ”When is reinforcement coming?” ”I-It would probably take an hour for them to reach here.” ”Damn! There would be nothing left in an hour!”

Gu Yiming staggered backward, clutching his chest as his barrier talisman. flickered weakly.

He wasnʼt a warrior-just a simple Qi Refining cultivator, a healer who brewed pills and poultices for fevers, broken bones, and injuries. Never in his life had he seen a Beast Tide this size.

Grade-3 beasts were already as powerful as Core Formation cultivators. But leading them towering above the others-was something far worse. From the heart of the burning forest emerged a hulking beast with scales black as obsidian, its eyes molten red.

Flames licked its massive frame as it roared to the heavens. ”A... Grade-5 Flame-Scaled Rhino...”

Gu Yiming whispered in horror.

The earth trembled as the beast stomped forward, crushing homes beneath its steps. They had no Golden Core cultivator who is Grade-5 Demonic Beast equaivalent in Willowshade-the strongest among them, the town chief, was merely at late Core Formation.

He had already fallen, his body lying near the plaza, crushed beneath debris.

In mere minutes-no, seconds-the defensive formation shielding the town collapsed.

Once the barrier shattered, the beasts surged in like floodwater breaking a dam.

Women and children screamed as they were herded toward the underground shelters-the only place they thought could be safe.

Gu Yiming turned, breath ragged, sprinting toward the central well. Beneath a false stone slab was the passage leading to the shelters. ”Go! Hurry!”

He shouted, waving his hand as several spirit-light talismans flared to guide the fleeing townsfolk.

Then -

A terrible crash.

The ground shook violently. A pillar of flame burst through the cobblestone street, the air filling with the stench of burning flesh.

When the smoke cleared, Gu Yiming froze. The Demonic Beast had already found the shelter.

And the one before him was a Grade-4 Demonic Beast. It easily tore through the Metal entrance like paper.

No...”

Gu Yiming whispered, falling to his knees in despair. There was nothing that he or anyone here could do against such a powerful beast. ”No... this canʼt be...”

He could feel despair spreading through the shelter like poison.

There was no salvation. No escape. Only death!