I Really Am A Villain

“Lock and bind.”

As the chains shot toward him from every direction, Xu Zimo showed no sign of panic.

He slowly raised his right hand, and one of the Ten Primordial God-Scriptures, the Creation-Devouring God-Finger, appeared.

The Power of Creation, might to devour the heavens.

A streak of light shimmered at his fingertip, gleaming with endless brilliance and divine refinement.

Before the finger even struck, the surrounding void had already begun to collapse.

It was as if the eyes of the entire world focused on that one finger. Spirit energy from all directions surged toward it.

Any chain that came near was instantly obliterated, erased into nothingness.

At the very tip of his finger, a shadowy black hole began to form, boundless, deep, and capable of swallowing everything.

Demon Minister Wei’s face changed drastically. The chains around him quickly intertwined, forming the shape of a massive shield.

Then his figure blurred as he leapt backward, retreating with all his might.

But no matter how fast he moved, how could he possibly outrun the Heaven-Devouring Power of Creation?

The light at Xu Zimo’s fingertip shot forward faster than sight itself, piercing through the chain-shield and striking Demon Minister Wei right in the forehead.

A bloody hole appeared, and his body stiffened before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

But the next instant, his God-Soul roared in defiance, struggling to escape, only to find itself still suppressed beneath the Heaven-Devouring Power.

“What are you idiots staring at? Help me!” Demon Minister Wei’s voice echoed from within the collapsing aura.

Only then did the others of the Dragon God Imperium snap out of their shock.

But before anyone could move, the Dragon God Saint Sovereign struck first.

With a wave of his right hand, all the fruits and delicacies on the table floated into the air, then shot toward Xu Zimo like a storm of light.

Even something as small as a grape radiated immense, world-shaking power.

“Oh? You are a true Saint Sovereign?” Xu Zimo looked at him with newfound respect.

“Only a Supreme Giant,” the Dragon God Saint Sovereign said with a humble smile. “The Path of a Saint Sovereign is like the far shore, distant and unreachable. We fools can only chase it with all we have.”

Though he spoke modestly, even attaining the first stage of the Saint Sovereign Realm was no small feat.

The grapes, infused with immense energy, instantly enveloped Xu Zimo.

“I have no desire to fight,” said the Dragon God Saint Sovereign, still smiling. “Please, do not make things difficult for my subjects.”

He waved his hand again, and a dragon’s roar echoed faintly through the air. The Heaven-Devouring Power around Xu Zimo was dispersed in an instant.

Demon Minister Wei’s God-Soul broke free as well, floating into the air to begin reconstituting a new body.

At their level, the physical body was merely a vessel, the true essence lay in the God-Soul, which communed directly with the laws of heaven and earth.

Xu Zimo made no move to stop him, instead observing the Dragon God Saint Sovereign with a curious smile.

The man was clearly far more formidable than he appeared.

“You truly don’t have the Dragon Beach Grass, then?” the Dragon God Saint Sovereign asked with an easy laugh. “In that case, I’ll seek it elsewhere. Bring in the Grand Elder of the Vast Heaven God Realm.”

No one dared make another move against Xu Zimo. After all, even Demon Minister Wei had fallen to him.

Grand Tutor Vast Cloud, standing to the side, secretly sighed in relief, thankfully, he had never pissed off Xu Zimo.

Watching as Demon Minister Wei’s new body slowly formed, Xu Zimo asked, “Where is the Ancient Demon Race’s base of power these days?”

“If you have the ability, find it yourself!” Demon Minister Wei replied.

“I will,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “But tell your two patriarchs what I said before remains the same. If there’s to be a meeting, they will come to me, I will not go to them.”

“What message do you want me to deliver?” Demon Minister Wei asked, his tone now far more cautious.

“Tell them this,” Xu Zimo said, enunciating each word clearly, “After the Heavenly War, their lord has returned. Whatever grudges remain, and whatever unfinished visions, they will all continue.”

“Fine. I’ll make sure they hear it,” Demon Minister Wei said after a brief silence.

“I may stay with the Vast Heaven God Realm for a while,” Xu Zimo added. “If they wish to see me, they can find me there.”

Demon Minister Wei said nothing further, though his face betrayed his irritation at Xu Zimo’s arrogance.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase beyond.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the sound.

Led by several guards, an elderly man wearing a robe embroidered with the twin symbols of yin and yang approached with a genial smile.

His robe swayed gently with the breeze as he walked.

“Greetings, Your Majesty the Dragon God Saint Sovereign,” the old man said, bowing slightly in courtesy.

Normally, anyone meeting the Dragon God Saint Sovereign would kneel in full respect.

But given the Vast Heaven God Realm’s exalted status, the Dragon God Saint Sovereign didn’t press the matter.

“Elder Bi, what brings you to my Dragon God Imperium?” the Dragon God Saint Sovereign asked in a calm, measured tone.

“I heard there’s been conflict between the Vast Heaven Imperium and your Dragon God Imperium,” Elder Bi said with a smile. “I’ve come to mediate.”

“Prepare a seat for Elder Bi,” the Dragon God Saint Sovereign ordered with a wave, unwilling to show even the slightest discourtesy.

“Conflict? Is that so? I hadn’t heard of any,” the Dragon God Saint Sovereign said in apparent surprise.

He turned to his ministers. “Who among you has been fighting the Vast Heaven Imperium?”

“Your Majesty, none of us,” one of the officials quickly replied. “For years, our relations with the Vast Heaven Imperium have been friendly. Trade flows freely, and there are even marriages between our people. We’re practically one family now, how could there be conflict?”

“Is that so?” the Dragon God Saint Sovereign said, nodding with satisfaction. “You hear that, Elder Bi? Where did this rumor of yours come from?”

As the two continued to probe each other’s intentions, Xu Zimo sat nearby, bored, and turned to Wu Zhaodi.

“What’s the story with this Vast Heaven God Realm?” he asked.

“The powers of the Southern Region are easy to classify,” she explained. “The Dragon God Imperium, the Vast Heaven Imperium, the God Beast Imperium and the Celestial Luan God Realm are all on roughly the same level. But the Vast Heaven God Realm was once no different from them. It’s just that in the past one million years, the sect produced two Saint Sovereigns. Together with their original Saint Sovereign, they now have at least three within their ranks. Their power has grown so much that they’re now considered the number one sect in the Southern Region of Godfiend Abyss Heaven.”

Xu Zimo nodded slightly.

“I’ve also heard,” Wu Zhaodi continued, “that a few centuries ago, the Vast Heaven God Realm received a decree from the Ancient Demon Race, granting them authority over the entire Southern Region. So, on the surface, even nations like the Dragon God Imperium must operate under their influence to some extent.”

“How much do you know about the sect?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Why?” Wu Zhaodi replied curiously.

“Have you ever heard of someone named Qi Haoran?” Xu Zimo asked.

“You mean the Primordial Sword, Qi Haoran?” Wu Zhaodi said, eyes widening in surprise. “Of course! Who in the Southern Region hasn’t heard of him?”

“He’s from the Vast Heaven God Realm?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Of course. The sect wouldn’t be what it is today without him. He’s responsible for at least half of its rise. His story’s a long one,” she added. “I’ll tell you about it when we have more time.”

Xu Zimo nodded and focused again on Elder Bi and the Dragon God Saint Sovereign’s conversation.

“Your Majesty, it seems you’re unaware,” Elder Bi said. “The Vast Heaven Imperium’s general has been killed.”