I Really Am A Villain

To these natives, it seemed that aside from the Radiant Court, they had no contact with the outside world, let alone any knowledge of other factions or powers.

For Xu Zimo and his companions, borrowing the name of the Radiant Court was a convenient way to gather information.

“Why were you fighting those Fire Venom Beasts?” Xu Zimo stepped forward and asked.

“These Fire Venom Beasts tried to take our homeland. We have no choice but to fight,” one of the elves replied.

“There’s something you might not know,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile. “We may be from the Radiant Court, but this is our first time entering the Ancestral Lands. We don’t know much yet, we’re here mainly for training.”

“That’s fine. The Radiant Court and our Fire Keepers have always been on good terms,” the elf replied with a smile.

It turned out they weren’t actually elves, they were Fire Keepers. That was the first time Xu Zimo had heard the term.

“You’re Fire Keepers?” Shangguan Xian was the one truly surprised. “Weren’t the Fire Keepers supposed to be extinct?”

“We weren’t completely wiped out,” the man said. “The Radiant Court sheltered us and helped us cultivate. We’ve slowly grown stronger again. Of course, compared to the Fire Venom Beasts, we’re still far weaker.” He paused, then added with a proud tone, “My name is Lie Zhongyan, a disciple of the Fire Keepers.”

“What exactly are the Fire Keepers?” Xu Zimo asked, puzzled.

“You’re not of the Fire God Race?” Lie Zhongyan frowned. He couldn’t sense any trace of flame within Xu Zimo’s body. “How can a human even enter the Ancestral Lands? That’s absurd.”

Xu Zimo hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. He quickly explained, “It’s true I’m human, but I came here to protect them. This time’s entry is… special.”

“What do you mean?” Lie Zhongyan asked, still frowning.

“Your Ancestral Flame has started having problems, hasn’t it?” Xu Zimo said calmly.

“Watch your tongue!” Lie Zhongyan snapped instantly. “We Fire Keepers have guarded the Ancestral Flame for countless years. It has never gone wrong! Even if our entire race were wiped out, we would never allow any harm to befall the Ancestral Flame.”

His outrage made sense, the very purpose of the Fire Keepers’ existence was to protect that sacred flame. The idea of it being damaged was blasphemy to them.

“Calm down,” Xu Zimo said lightly. “I didn’t mean external problems. I meant the Ancestral Flame itself is showing signs of instability. Am I wrong that, in recent years, the flame has been… different?”

Lie Zhongyan hesitated, his brows furrowing deeply. After a moment, he sighed. “You’re right. Lately, the Ancestral Flame has been increasingly prone to violent outbursts. Many of our people have been injured during these flare-ups.”

“Then that confirms it,” Xu Zimo nodded. “The Radiant Court already knows. That’s why we were sent in. And not just us, many others have entered as well. Some of them have… questionable motives. You should be careful.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Lie Zhongyan replied, giving a wary nod. Yet his eyes still reflected deep suspicion.

“By the way,” Xu Zimo continued, “you still haven’t told me, what exactly are the Fire Keepers?”

“In truth, the Fire Keepers are a type of consciousness,” Xiao Anshan explained before Lie Zhongyan could answer. “When the Fire God Race ancestors left the Ancestral Lands for the Inferno Crucible Heaven, they created the Fire Keepers, living embodiments of will, to guard the Ancestral Flame. Ever since then, they’ve passed down that duty generation after generation. Stories of them have long circulated among the Fire God Race.”

He added, “But supposedly, a thousand years ago, something happened, and the entire Fire Keeper race was wiped out. I never thought I’d see one alive today. Truly an honor.”

“And what about those Fire Venom Beasts?” Xu Zimo asked. “What are they? They seem to be flame-based creatures as well.”

“They’re what’s left when fire burns everything to ash, the toxic residue given form,” Lie Zhongyan explained grimly. “If too many of them exist, they’ll corrupt the entire Ancestral Lands. That’s why we periodically purge them.”

He sighed. “But after the catastrophe a thousand years ago, our strength waned. Now we can hardly defend ourselves, let alone carry out purges.”

His eyes dimmed with sorrow.

“Could we visit your place of guardianship?” Xiao Anshan asked at that moment, glancing at Xu Zimo with a meaningful look. The Fire Keepers likely knew the Ancestral Lands better than anyone. If they wanted opportunities or treasures, following them would be the best lead.

“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Lie Zhongyan refused without hesitation. “Please understand. Without the Radiant Court Lord’s command token, no outsiders may enter. That’s not my decision.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” Xu Zimo said with a disarming smile. “We just saved your lives. Don’t you think we deserve a little gratitude?”

“Our dealings with the Radiant Court are already a form of mutual exchange,” Lie Zhongyan said coldly. “Saving us was your duty.”

“Your arrangements with the Radiant Court have nothing to do with me,” Xu Zimo replied, waving a hand casually. “I just want to see the flame you’re guarding. How about it?”

At that moment, his intent was unmistakable. He wanted access to the sacred flame. Lie Zhongyan’s expression darkened, he suddenly felt like he had escaped a wolf’s den only to fall into a tiger’s jaws.

He instinctively stepped back. “Please, don’t make this difficult.”

“Then we’ll just capture you first,” Xu Zimo said calmly, raising his hand.

Immediately, Xiao Anshan, Shangguan Xian, and Realm Lord Bai surrounded the Fire Keepers from all sides, blocking every escape route.

To the Fire God Race, the Fire Keepers had once been vital. But that was a long time ago. Since the Radiant Court took control of the Ancestral Lands, it no longer truly belonged to the Fire God Race, it was the Radiant Court’s domain now.

And since they had the rare chance to enter, none of them were going to leave empty-handed. Everyone was here for power and opportunity. Anything born of the Ancestral Lands would surely benefit the Fire God Race.

“Run!” Lie Zhongyan shouted to his people.

But it was too late. Xu Zimo’s immense aura crashed down like a mountain, freezing the Fire Keepers in place. Their limbs felt heavy as stone, their bodies immobile under the weight of his power.

With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Anshan sent streams of flame coiling through the air. They formed fiery ropes that bound the Fire Keepers tightly.

“How dare a Fire God Race man attack Fire Keepers!” Lie Zhongyan roared in fury.

“Who said we were going to kill you?” Xiao Anshan shook his head. “We can still work together.”

“You’re not from the Radiant Court, are you?” Lie Zhongyan finally realized, his voice low and grim.