I Really Am A Villain

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“He’s dead?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.

“How did he die?”

“No one knows,” the Ancestral Warden replied. “The Violet Mist Holy Lands only announced that he was dead, but the cause of death was never revealed. Without that peerless figure, the Violet Mist Holy Lands became a phoenix fallen into the water, its former glory vanished overnight. The surrounding major forces joined together, seizing its treasures and nearly wiping the sect out entirely.”

“Since then,” the Ancestral Warden continued, “the Violet Mist Holy Lands has closed its gates and withdrawn from the world. Over time, people simply forgot about it.”

“You remember it quite clearly,” Xu Zimo said.

“To tell the truth,” the Ancestral Warden said with a bitter smile, “I was one of those who tried to recruit that peerless man. Back then, I was arrogant and proud. As a member of the Ancient Demon Race, I represented the ruling power of the entire Godfiend Abyss Heaven. Countless people wanted to join us. I thought his recruitment was a sure thing, but he turned us down. I never expected that after so many years, the Violet Mist Holy Lands would still exist, hidden from the world, forgotten by most, and yet somehow reemerge to build this Skywind City.”

“Then tell me,” Xu Zimo said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought, “why would they build Skywind City?”

“My lord suspects… they’re scheming something?” the Ancestral Warden’s eyes brightened as he caught on. “Could it be they’re also after the Ancient God’s inheritance?”

“That, I don’t know,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile. “After we finish eating, we’ll go pay a visit to Skywind City’s lord.”

Ancestral Warden nodded.

They tasted a few dishes, then left the tavern.

The service had been excellent, but the price was equally astonishing.

Still, for the likes of Xu Zimo and the Ancestral Warden, such expenses were nothing.

They arrived at the City Lord’s mansion, though the lord was not someone ordinary visitors could see.

Finally, after the Ancestral Warden had given a sound beating to the guards at the gate, they learned that the city lord, He Changkong, had gone to the Azure Dragon Altar.

The two set out for the altar.

The Azure Dragon Altar was within Skywind City, not far away.

When they arrived, they saw a huge crowd gathered, perhaps not a literal sea of people, but close to it.

“The Azure Dragon Altar has opened, who knows what treasures we might obtain this time?”

“I heard that long ago, the Scarlet Blood Saint Sovereign obtained a divine artifact from the Azure Dragon Altar and used it to ascend to the Saint Sovereign Realm. Maybe we’ll get lucky too.”

“I don’t dare dream of becoming a Saint Sovereign. I’d be content with even the smallest opportunity, as long as I don’t go home empty-handed.”

“Exactly, just don’t come up empty.”

Listening to the chatter, the Ancestral Warden asked around to learn more about the altar.

Though the Azure Dragon Altar wasn’t widely known, every time it opened, it was a grand event for Skywind City.

Legend said the altar was connected to the Celestial Realm, a paradise filled with treasures. From time to time, treasures would emerge from the altar.

These items varied in kind and power; some were so extraordinary that even Saint Sovereigns coveted them.

But the Azure Dragon Altar belonged to no one, anyone could compete for its treasures.

“Interesting,” Xu Zimo said with a nod.

He didn’t lack treasures himself; the sword on his back, Shadow Tyrant, was already unmatched among countless divine weapons.

He looked up. The area below the altar was crowded, but fewer people stood near the altar itself.

The altar was built with dozens of ascending steps, flanked by two dragon statues.

The statues were vivid and lifelike, one poised to soar skyward, the other coiled in a majestic spiral.

At the top stood a large pavilion, ancient in design. Every beam and pillar radiated a timeless aura; one glance was enough to know it was of great antiquity.

“I heard Skywind City was built less than ten thousand years ago,” the Ancestral Warden said, narrowing his eyes. “This altar must predate the city. Someone must have moved it here through great magical power.”

“More than mere magic,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile as he studied it. “It’s an extraordinary thing, though, to me, it’s useless.”

With that, he started walking toward the steps.

He Changkong was inside the pavilion.

But before Xu Zimo could ascend, a man in white stepped in front of him.

“Friend, you must not be from Skywind City,” the man said politely.

“What of it?” Xu Zimo asked.

“When the Azure Dragon Altar opens, everyone is allowed to try for the treasures, but the high-ranking figures go first. Only after they’re done can the rest of us common cultivators step up. If you rush in now and offend them, you might not leave here alive,” the man said kindly.

“I appreciate your concern,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head, “but those people hardly qualify as high-ranking in my eyes.”

He continued up the steps.

The onlookers, seeing someone new approach, began murmuring again.

They assumed he must belong to some powerful faction.

Yet no one recognized him.

“Who’s that?” someone asked.

“Never seen him.”

“Neither have I. Maybe just some fool pretending to be important.”

Inside the pavilion, several gazes turned toward Xu Zimo as he entered.

“May I ask which Daoist brother graces us with his presence?” a young man with a sword across his chest said coldly, his eyes as sharp as blades.

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know me,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.

The swordsman’s eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of killing intent flashing within them.

Xu Zimo ignored him and found a seat. the Ancestral Warden noticed the young man’s expression and realized trouble might be brewing.

He gave a cold snort.

The sound cracked like thunder, shaking the swordsman’s very soul. His mind reeled, his spirit nearly split apart, and blood rose to his throat, but he forced it down and swallowed it hard.

“Third Brother, step back,” a voice said calmly from nearby. “The Azure Dragon Altar is open, anyone may come here.”

The swordsman’s angry expression vanished at once, and he retreated quietly.

Only then did the Ancestral Warden notice the blue-robed young man behind him.

The man leaned casually against one of the pavilion’s pillars, a painted folding fan covering his face. His robe was ocean-blue, and a faint fragrance drifted from him.

Now he stood and lowered the fan, revealing a faint smile.

“The Azure Dragon Altar draws all manner of hidden dragons and crouching tigers,” he said pleasantly. “My brother may have offended you, please don’t take it to heart, Fellow Daoist.”

“He’s not qualified to offend me,” Xu Zimo said evenly.

The swordsman’s face changed, but he held his tongue.

“The Azure Dragon Altar has opened,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “Which of you will go first?”