I Really Am A Villain

“You must promise me one thing,” the Realm Lord said after a long silence. “The faction you ally us with must be stronger than the Fire Python Holy Lands.”

She had given in.

In her heart, for Bai Ancient Eternal God Realm, the Ancient Eternal God Realm, always came first. Before her master passed away, he entrusted the sect to her care. Having grown up there since childhood, she had deep affection for it. Reviving the Ancient Eternal God Realm to its ancient glory was not just her duty; it was her lifelong dream. The burden she carried was immense.

“Don’t worry,” Xu Zimo said with a wave of his hand. “There are at least ten thousand forces stronger than the Fire Python Holy Lands. Now then, Maid Bai, brew me some tea.”

The Realm Lord was silent for a moment before saying, “I’ll go fetch the tea leaves and utensils.”

Xu Zimo waved her off and found a reclining chair, lying back lazily on the deck, watching the stars in comfort.

The night sky was bright. Over the past few days, everyone had noticed that the weather in the Inferno Crucible Heaven was changing. It was no longer as extreme as before, now it even had hints of distinct seasons. Aside from summer, the Fire God Race disliked the other seasons, so they had been searching for the cause of this shift in climate.

But Xu Zimo was enjoying it, the cool breeze, the night air, and the stars above.

Before long, the Realm Lord returned, carrying a small box of tea leaves. She found a low incense table nearby and carefully arranged the tea set upon it. Kneeling gracefully, she began to brew the tea with practiced hands.

Before long, the fragrance filled the air, so refreshing it seemed to calm the heart itself.

“This girl’s got skill,” Xu Zimo thought with a faint smile. “Seems I chose the right maid.”

“Try it,” she said softly, pouring a cup for him.

Perhaps guessing his thoughts, she explained, “My master taught me this art. He said that tea brings peace of mind, whether you drink it or make it. Whenever I feel lost while handling sect affairs, I make tea to clear my head.”

Xu Zimo took a sip. The flavor was bitter at first, but sweet in its aftertaste, lingering and complex.

That night, he slept peacefully there on the deck.

The Realm Lord, meanwhile, remained nearby, silently keeping watch. She was not someone who agreed to things lightly, but once she did, she fulfilled them to the utmost. That was her way.

The next morning, when the disciples of the Ancient Eternal God Realm awoke, they were shocked to find their Realm Lord sitting beside Xu Zimo, having spent the entire night on the deck.

The younger disciples like Wang Wei didn’t dare say much, but the accompanying elders were furious.

Led by the Grand Elder, they stormed forward, faces dark with outrage.

After hearing roughly what had happened, the Grand Elder demanded, “Realm Lord, even if our Ancient Eternal God Realm has declined, there’s no need for you to serve as some boy’s maid!”

“Enough,” the Realm Lord said firmly. “I’ve made my decision.”

“I can’t understand this,” the Second Elder added coldly. “You must have been deceived by him. We should throw him off the ship at once.”

“Are you trying to rebel?!” the Realm Lord snapped, her tone sharp as a blade.

She had already lowered herself to serve; she would not allow anyone to ruin it now.

“Realm Lord, the Ancient Eternal God Realm must not be humiliated like this,” the Grand Elder protested stubbornly.

“I am still the Realm Lord,” she said sternly. “You will follow my orders. If you disagree, you may strip me of the title once we return.”

Seeing her truly angered, the elders dared not press further.

In truth, everyone respected her deeply. Under her leadership, the sect had begun to rise again.

“Realm Lord… why go so far?” the Grand Elder sighed helplessly.

“I have my reasons,” she replied. “Right now, we must find a way to overcome our enemies. If we continue to do nothing, the only path left to us is destruction.”

As they spoke, a mocking laugh suddenly echoed from nearby.

“Well now, what’s all this arguing about? Maybe I can help settle it,” came a voice.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

The Grand Elder turned and said coldly, “We’re discussing sect matters, outsider. It’s not your place to be here.”

“What’s inappropriate about it?” Wang Yunpeng strolled over with a smirk. “We’re neighbors, aren’t we? If you need help, just say the word.”

Dressed in his gleaming golden robes, he walked as though this were his domain, calm, arrogant, completely uninvited.

“Young Master Wang, what brings you here?” the Realm Lord asked evenly.

“I came to ask about what we discussed before, the alliance,” Wang Yunpeng said. “Today, both the Fire Lion Holy Lands and the Flame Tiger Race came to me asking to form alliances too. I’ve been holding them off, waiting for your answer.”

“If your Fire Python Holy Lands is so popular, then we won’t compete,” the Realm Lord replied coolly. “The Ancient Eternal God Realm is just a small sect now. Let’s drop the matter of the alliance.”

“Realm Lord Bai, that’s rather ungrateful of you,” Wang Yunpeng said, narrowing his eyes.

“Watch your tone, Yunpeng!” Lu Wuming growled beside her, his curved blade humming faintly in his hand.

“I’m giving you a choice, that’s all,” Wang Yunpeng said. “If something unfortunate happens down the road, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The road of cultivation is long, death is common, and sects are destroyed every day.”

“We don’t need you to remind us of that,” the Realm Lord said icily. “When our Ancient Eternal God Realm’s Saint Sovereigns still lived and our might shook the land, your Fire Python Holy Lands were nothing but ants.”

“Good. Very good,” Wang Yunpeng said through clenched teeth before turning sharply on his heel and leaving.

As his figure disappeared, the elders exchanged looks and sighed.

“Realm Lord,” the Grand Elder said quietly, “don’t forget your duty. Take care of yourself.”

They left, and the younger disciples quickly dispersed as well.

The Realm Lord fell into silence.

At that moment, Xu Zimo finally opened his eyes, stretching and yawning.

“All done?” he asked casually.

“I suppose I’m a pariah now,” she said with a faint, bitter smile. “All my hopes rest on you.”

“Relax,” Xu Zimo said with a wave of his hand. “So, how much longer until we reach the Radiant Lands?”

“Look to the east,” she said, pointing ahead.

Xu Zimo stood, following her gaze.

In just one night, a massive, golden sun had risen on the horizon where their airship sailed.

The sun was enormous, its brilliance filling the heavens, yet strangely, it gave off no heat at all.

“The land illuminated by that sun is the Radiant Lands,” the Realm Lord said quietly. “We’re almost there.”

At that, the airship began to accelerate, its speed climbing higher and higher as it raced toward the glowing horizon.