I Really Am A Villain

“Young Master Xu was a true great man. Compared to him, we are ashamed.”

“No matter what, victory is ours. The monster has been defeated, and though the continent lies in ruins, it will recover, and that will depend on all of you.”

“Everyone, I have a suggestion,” Qin Haoshi said from the side.

“City Lord Qin, please speak,” replied King Wei Jin with a nod.

“Young Master Xu sacrificed himself for the entire continent. He should not fade into obscurity. Let us declare today a Hero’s Day, to commemorate the new life Young Master Xu brought to this world.”

Qin Haoshi continued, “And this divine blade, it was a treasure of the ancient lineage. Though it lies broken now, its meaning is far too great. Let us preserve it, worship it, and perhaps one day, through the will of the people, it may regain its strength.”

“City Lord Qin is right. We must not forget our roots,” Literature Sovereign said in agreement. “We could even forge replicas of the divine blade throughout the land, symbols of fortune. Let people keep them in their homes, both as remembrance and as a blessing of peace.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. In their hearts, they were all grateful to Xu Zimo. If not for him, the monster would have continued to terrorize the world, and no one would have known peace.

Far away, atop a lonely mountain overlooking Flame Stone City, Xu Zimo and Chaos stood together at the summit.

Watching the distant crowds rejoicing, Xu Zimo smiled faintly. “See? This is the tragedy of a hero. People will remember your name, but not your pain.”

“My lord has no need for their sorrow,” Chaos said quietly. “Your purpose has been fulfilled, that is enough.”

Xu Zimo lowered his gaze to Shadow Tyrant in his hand. Streams of willpower from all across the land continued to flow into it endlessly.

From this day forward, the entire God World would worship the legend of the divine blade. And Shadow Tyrant would never again lack for faith power.

“It’s mostly complete,” Xu Zimo said. “But in time, as people grow used to peace, their faith in the divine blade will fade, and with it, the willpower. Still, I’ve left a safeguard. In the Western Mountains lies the Ancient Mountain, where countless ferocious beasts are sealed. When the Myriad Beast Realm emerges, the balance will shift again.”

“My lord is wise,” Chaos replied respectfully.

“If not for the need to sustain the blade, I’d rather not meddle in this world’s course,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head. “The God World’s development is still too young. Otherwise, how could a mere immortal realm beast like you rule over it?”

Having said that, Xu Zimo turned and departed.

During teleportation to the Seven Gods Collegium, Xu Zimo slowly regained consciousness.

“How long has it been?” he asked.

“Young Master Xu, you’ve been in contemplation for over five days,” said Feng Buxiu with a smile. “We’re almost there.”

“Time flies,” Xu Zimo nodded. Then he added, “Chancellor Feng, I’d like to ask you something.”

“Please, ask freely,” Feng Buxiu replied.

“Have you ever heard of the Ancient Gods?” Xu Zimo asked.

“The Ancient Gods…” Feng Buxiu murmured, frowning. “That term sounds familiar.”

“Where have you heard it?” Xu Zimo pressed.

“I remember now!” Feng Buxiu’s eyes lit up. “Old Yang from the academy once mentioned it to me.”

“Old Yang?” Xu Zimo raised an eyebrow.

“He was an old man at the Seven Gods Collegium,” Feng Buxiu explained. “Lived an incredibly long time, and he was… rather odd.”

“Is he still at the academy?” Xu Zimo asked.

“He left long ago. When I was a child, he told me stories about the Ancient Gods, but I can’t recall them clearly anymore,” Feng Buxiu admitted.

“That’s unfortunate,” Xu Zimo said softly.

“I do remember he left behind a miscellaneous book,” Feng Buxiu added. “I’ll retrieve it for you, it might help.”

Xu Zimo nodded lightly.

As they spoke, the spatial coordinates around them began to shift. Waves of spatial energy rippled outward, growing more intense.

“Hold steady, everyone, we’re about to arrive,” Feng Buxiu called out.

He stepped forward, waved his hands, and tore open the void. A powerful suction pulled them through.

When their vision cleared, they were standing atop a mountain peak.

The breeze was gentle, and the dozen or so travelers steadied themselves.

Xu Zimo looked ahead. The scenery resembled that of the Ghost God Collegium, mountains shrouded in mist, divine energy saturating the air, peaks rising like spears through the clouds.

Yet there was a stark difference.

Here, the plants were ghostly in nature, dark trees and flora that could survive without sunlight.

“No-Sea Region,” Xu Zimo murmured.

Feng Buxiu pointed toward the tallest mountain among the thousand peaks. “That is the main academy. Please, follow me, Young Master Xu.”

They ascended into the air, stepping across clouds like solid ground. Their robes fluttered in the wind, and within moments, they reached the summit.

“Changhe, the rest of you may leave,” Feng Buxiu said, dismissing the white-robed attendants.

Xu Zimo stood before the main academy, gazing forward.

It was the complete opposite of the Ghost God Collegium. That place was filled with eerie mists and unpredictable energy; this one radiated divine majesty and solemn order.

In the vast courtyard ahead, towering red columns rose to the heavens, emanating authority and reverence. Above the grand buildings stood statues of gods, each exuding immense divine might as they watched over all below.

Rows of walls surrounded the courtyard like a great mural, painted with scenes of deities in their prime.

Beyond the courtyard grew trees infused with divine energy, their branches moving as though alive, swaying gently as if in acknowledgment.

“Let’s go to the library,” Feng Buxiu said. “Old Yang’s book should still be there.”

Xu Zimo nodded.

They passed through the main gates, where the paths spread wide and open in all directions. Turning left, they entered a shaded avenue leading to another ancient courtyard.

At the entrance stood two statues of sages dressed in scholar’s robes, each holding a scroll.

Inside the academy grounds, students in similar robes moved about, their demeanor calm and dignified. Upon seeing Feng Buxiu, they all greeted him respectfully.

Ahead stood the library tower, its shelves filled with countless blue-bound volumes neatly arranged.

Feng Buxiu led the way upstairs. At the stairwell, he inserted his jade token into a slot, and all barriers dissolved at once.

They climbed all the way to the ninth floor.

From a long-sealed cabinet, Feng Buxiu took out a dust-covered book box.

“I’d nearly forgotten this existed,” he said. “I read it long ago, it’s just a collection of odd tales, nothing noteworthy.”

He handed the book to Xu Zimo. “Take your time reading it. I’ll leave you to it.”