I Really Am A Villain

New Novel🪶

At this moment, Black Flood Dragon appeared particularly calm. When his blade was caught by Xu Zimo, he did not struggle for control, instead, he abandoned the weapon entirely and swiftly retreated.

Xu Zimo did not pursue. He simply watched him quietly.

Black Flood Dragon steadied himself, his gaze sharpening. He had great confidence in his speed and his knife technique, but from that single exchange, he already sensed the strength of his opponent.

Men like him, who lived on the edge of life and death, often found that every battle ended one of two ways: either they killed, or they were killed.

Without hesitation, Black Flood Dragon pulled out another short blade. With a sharp clang, the two knives crossed in his hands, and a surge of deadly energy split through the air.

Xu Zimo seemed indifferent. He extended his right hand and crushed the incoming knife energy with his bare fingers.

Under cover of that shattered blade light, Black Flood Dragon’s figure vanished again.

The next moment, seven or eight figures of Black Flood Dragon appeared all around Xu Zimo.

“It’s a clone technique?” someone muttered.

“No,” another voice said, shaking his head. “All eight have the same aura. They feel like one being, no difference in strength. You can’t tell which is real or fake.”

Xu Zimo looked around at the encircling figures and let out a faint laugh. His hands moved like lightning, blocking and countering every strike with ease.

The sound of repeated impacts echoed, bang, bang, bang!, as the figures were blown away one by one.

But just as the last shadow dissipated, a massive dragon-like creature suddenly surged upward.

A black-scaled flood dragon roared, its four clawed limbs tearing through the air, striking toward Xu Zimo.

Black Flood Dragon, his name matched his nature.

He was no human, nor was he of the Fire God Race. He belonged to the Ghost Jiao race, a monstrous lineage born of darkness.

The enormous dragon head bellowed in fury, its jaws wide open as it tried to swallow Xu Zimo whole.

Xu Zimo stood unmoving, seemingly frozen in place. In an instant, he was engulfed.

On the arena, Xu Zimo’s figure had vanished. Only the coiling, shadowy form of the Ghost Jiao remained, its monstrous aura filling the air like smoke.

“The winner of this match, Black Flood Dragon…”

The referee hadn’t even finished the sentence when the flood dragon suddenly let out a horrific scream, rolling in agony. Its immense body thrashed violently, shaking the entire platform.

“What’s happening?” someone gasped.

After several moments of chaotic struggle, the creature collapsed, completely still. Blood pooled beneath its massive frame.

Then, a flash of blade light tore through its chest.

Xu Zimo emerged from within, drenched in blood, pulling out the beast’s torn organs, among them, a glowing gallbladder.

“The dragon’s gall,” someone whispered. “A powerful tonic.”

Xu Zimo glanced toward the stunned referee. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

The referee quickly stammered, “Winner of this round, Xu Zimo!”

Xu Zimo stepped down from the arena and tossed the pile of organs in front of the disciples of the Celestial Mortal Holy Lands.

“Use these to make a tonic broth. Your Holy Lord is still weak, he needs nourishment.”

“Thank you!” the disciples said hurriedly, bowing.

“You let him swallow you on purpose, didn’t you?” Shangguan Xian said with a faint smile. “And you even remembered to take the dragon’s gall to heal Holy Lord Zhang.”

Xu Zimo waved a hand dismissively. “Just a small thing. Anyway, we’ve got another round today, don’t we?”

“That’s right,” Shangguan Xian nodded. “Half the competitors were eliminated yesterday, so today’s matches will be more frequent. After today, only a quarter will remain.”

“The sooner it ends, the better,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

Since they had time before their next match, they found an inn nearby and ordered a meal.

A table full of exquisite dishes was soon laid out.

Xu Zimo looked across the table. “You’ve met Bian Shishi before,” he said to Shangguan Xian. “Do you know where she is now?”

Shangguan Xian shook her head with a small laugh. “She’s always the one finding me. I could never find her first.”

Her tone turned teasing. “What exactly is your relationship with her anyway? She seems to care about you. I’ve known her a long time, and I’ve never seen her care for anyone.”

“Our relationship?” Xu Zimo thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. “Let’s just say we’re… old acquaintances. Familiar strangers might be a better term.”

After chatting for a bit, Xu Zimo turned toward Liu Huohuo.

“And you? What are your plans? Your father’s a protector in the Chaos Fire God Realm. You can’t just wander around with us forever.”

“I don’t want to go back,” Liu Huohuo said, shaking her head. “If I return, he’ll just force me to marry that freak, Luo Ji.”

She crossed her arms. “I’ll stick with you for now. If you think I’m in the way, this lady will go off on her own.”

Xu Zimo chuckled. “How about this, once the competition ends, if you really don’t want to go home, stay with Holy Lord Zhang at the Celestial Mortal Holy Lands for a while.”

“I’m afraid I’ll bring trouble to them,” Liu Huohuo hesitated. “If Luo Ji comes after me, I’d drag their sect into danger.”

Xu Zimo smiled lightly. “Don’t worry. Before I leave, I’ll help you one last time.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, startled.

“I’ll kill Luo Ji,” Xu Zimo said simply.

“You can’t!” Liu Huohuo said quickly. “Doing that will anger Phoenix Fire City! You’re already enemies with Stone Flame City, don’t provoke another one! Even Fire Bane City won’t be able to protect you.”

She still believed Xu Zimo’s backing came from Fire Bane City.

Xu Zimo didn’t bother to explain. He just smiled and said nothing.

After the meal, Zhang Hengzhi finally woke up. Supported by his disciples, he came to thank Xu Zimo personally.

“Holy Lord Zhang, you should rest,” Shangguan Xian said gently.

“It’s fine,” Zhang Hengzhi shook his head. “I want to see the rest of the competition. It’s a rare grand event, missing it would be a pity. My life was saved; I won’t fret over a few wounds.”

Seeing his determination, no one pressed further.

By the afternoon, they judged it was about time and headed back toward the arena.

“What if we don’t run into that Spectral Prince?” Shangguan Xian asked uncertainly.

“Oh, we’ll meet him,” Xu Zimo said with confidence.

“How can you be so sure?” she asked.

“Think about it,” he said. “If someone could manipulate the pairings to pit Spectral Prince against Holy Lord Zhang, do you think they’ll let me go untouched? Zhang Hengzhi was just collateral damage. I’m the real target.”

Shangguan Xian’s eyes widened slightly. His logic was sound, and soon proven right.

When they arrived, the new battle list had already been posted.

There, written clearly for all to see: “Xu Zimo vs. Spectral Prince.”

“Well,” Shangguan Xian said with a small smile, “you called it perfectly.”