I Really Am A Villain

The moment that majestic voice echoed through the air, everyone around held their breath and looked up.

Even though the great palace floated a thousand meters above the ground, the pressure it exuded made every heart tremble. It was like an impregnable fortress radiating overwhelming might, wrapped in dazzling multicolored light.

Leading the group was the Light Lord Sage Monarch, followed by the members of the Radiant Court. They all wore identical crimson robes that trailed to the ground, each with a golden sun emblazoned across the back.

The Light Lord Sage Monarch looked down upon the crowd below and said with a faint smile, “All of you have come here for the Fire God Race’s Ancestral Lands. But you should also know that the number of spots available is limited, not everyone can enter.”

“Light Lord Sage Monarch, just tell us the rules!” someone shouted from below.

“This time, only fifty people will be allowed to enter the Ancestral Lands,” the Light Lord Sage Monarch announced. “The six God Realms will each have three guaranteed spots, for a total of eighteen. The remaining thirty-two spots will be determined among all of you present.”

As his words fell, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Most of the discussions came from smaller sects and wandering cultivators.

The larger forces and the six God Realms themselves already knew about this arrangement. The six domains’ quotas were fixed, after all, there were only six of them. But the loose cultivators and independent sects numbered in the hundreds. Thirty-two spots might sound generous, but compared to their vast numbers, it was a mere drop in the ocean.

“Light Lord Sage Monarch,” asked Yin Cuihua of Sword Domain, “how will those thirty-two spots be decided? What kind of competition will there be?”

Sword Domain belonged to the Vermillion Flame Region. Though powerful, it was not the ruling force of that domain, that position belonged to the Vermilion Flame God Realm, which meant Sword Domain still qualified to compete for the open quotas.

It was worth noting that each of the Seven Great God Realms had its own method of selecting its representatives. For example, in the Chaos Fire God Realm, the selection was open to everyone, a grand competition to determine the top three. But in others, things were quite different.

Take the Divine Crow God Realm, for instance, the Shangguan Heavenly Clan had already handpicked its participants long ago, essentially securing their spots.

Each region had its own system, but for the many unaffiliated cultivators, this was their one and only chance to enter the Ancestral Lands.

Smiling, the Light Lord Sage Monarch explained, “The method is quite simple. The Radiant Court you see before you was created by our ancient ancestors. It contains immense power, and throughout history, few have ever managed to enter its depths.

“Our plan is to open the Radiant Court fully. Whoever can reach the deepest part of the palace will earn one of the spots.”

Someone in the crowd frowned and asked, “But what if more than thirty-two people make it inside? How will that be decided?”

A chuckle came from the side. “You’re overthinking it. Anyone who can enter the Radiant Court and come out unscathed will already be a rare sight. Forget thirty-two, if twenty survive, that would already be impressive.”

The Radiant Court was filled with traps and trials. Its dangers were such that even Grand Emperors could perish inside, and even Saint Sovereigns risked injury. Though Saint Sovereigns were not rare within the Inferno Crucible Heaven, they were hardly as common as pebbles by the roadside.

After letting that sink in, the Light Lord Sage Monarch continued, “Actually, the Seven Great God Realms’ quotas aren’t entirely fixed either.”

Everyone immediately fell silent, holding their breath.

“If any of you manage to make it out of the Radiant Court alive,” he said, “you will earn the right to challenge the representatives of the Seven Great God Realms. If you defeat them, their quota becomes yours, meaning your side will gain an extra spot.”

“What if the challenger loses?” someone asked.

“Then they die,” the Light Lord Sage Monarch replied, his smile fading.

His answer left many confused. The six God Realms’ slots were already distributed, why add this challenge system at all?

But Xu Zimo thought it through and began to understand.

Some of those representing the six God Realms were preselected, not necessarily by strength but by connections, elders seeking to help juniors gain opportunities in the Ancestral Lands.

By opening the Radiant Court and adding this challenge rule, the organizers were effectively weeding out the unworthy, reclaiming the spots from those who didn’t deserve them.

As the Light Lord Sage Monarch finished speaking, Shangguan Xiongba cast a cold glance at Xu Zimo.

“Consider your miserable life spared for a few more days,” he said icily. “When this is over, I’ll make sure there’s not even a trace of your body left.”

“What’s wrong? Not fighting anymore?” Xu Zimo grinned. “I was ready. You’re disappointing me.”

With a snort, Shangguan Xiongba turned and left with his people. He ignored Xu Zimo entirely, he knew where his priorities lay.

Xu Zimo indeed deserved death, but the Shangguan Heavenly Clan couldn’t afford to jeopardize their greater objective to secure more places in the Ancestral Lands.

In addition to their three guaranteed spots, they had even trained outsiders to enter the Radiant Court on their behalf, hoping to increase their chances.

Once the Radiant Court representatives had departed, Xu Zimo walked over to Shangguan Xian.

“What happened?” he asked, frowning.

“I went to take revenge,” Shangguan Xian admitted.

“You should know your own strength,” Xu Zimo said bluntly. “And you’re still a Shangguan by blood. Is your hatred really that deep, just because of Shangguan Wan’er?”

“There’s something I never told you,” Shangguan Xian said quietly. “My mother… was killed by that man.”

“Your family drama is too messy for me to care,” Xu Zimo said flatly. “But next time you want revenge or plan to kill someone, think about your own ability first. I might not save you again.”

“Thank you,” Shangguan Xian murmured, lowering her head in shame.

She stood up. After some meditation, her injuries had stabilized. She knew she’d acted rashly, seeing her family again had blinded her with hatred, clouding her judgment.

Silently, she followed Xu Zimo as they headed back toward the Chaos Fire God Realm’s camp.

Realm Lord Bai was still inwardly shaken but didn’t dare ask questions.

Soon after, the Violet Mist Saint Sovereign descended from the sky.

“It’s a blessing that you’re unharmed, Zimo,” the Saint Sovereign said with a smile. When they had parted ways back in Ancient Phoenix City, he had truly feared Xu Zimo might have fallen into the hands of the Heavenly Court.

“The matter with the Water Beasts is settled then? No trouble?” Xu Zimo asked.

The Violet Mist Saint Sovereign shook his head.

“Want to take a look inside the Radiant Court?” Xu Zimo said with a grin. “Maybe I can help you grab a spot in the Ancestral Lands.”

“I’m not interested in the spots,” the Violet Mist Saint Sovereign replied with a smile. “But the Radiant Court itself… that does intrigue me.”