I Really Am A Villain

As the blue incense spread its fragrance, wisps of smoke drifted over Xu Zimo and the others.

The scent seemed to act as a medium, drawing flames that surged toward them and wrapped around their bodies.

Realm Lord Bai flinched, uneasy, as if preparing to dodge.

Then the Fire Chief’s voice echoed reassuringly.

“Do not worry. These flames have no offensive power. They are merely the Flame Robes, meant to let you enter the Guardian Grounds without being rejected by the fire within.”

“Then why aren’t you wearing one?” Realm Lord Bai asked.

“We of the Fire Keepers are born from the same source as the Flame itself,” the Fire Chief explained. “We were created by it, transformed by it. Why would it ever reject us?”

Xu Zimo nodded calmly. When the flames encased him, there was no pain or danger, only a faint warmth spreading over his skin.

“Let’s go,” said the Fire Chief. “And remember your promise.”

With that reminder, he stepped through the fiery gate first, and Xu Zimo and the others followed close behind.

The moment they entered the realm of the Ancestral Flame, a massive volcano filled their view.

The space wasn’t vast, just one colossal volcano rising in the center.

The ground beneath their feet was gray with volcanic ash, soft and springy underfoot, almost like a swamp. It gave an uneasy feeling, as if it might swallow them whole.

Following the Fire Chief’s lead, they descended to the base of the volcano.

For Xu Zimo and Realm Lord Bai, both human, the only real discomfort was the heat.

But for Shangguan Xian and Xiao Anshan, both of the Fire God Race, the effect was far more dramatic.

Their hearts pounded loudly, the sound almost echoing in the fiery chamber.

At the same time, flames burst to life on their bodies of their own accord.

“This…” The two exchanged startled glances.

They had never experienced anything like it.

“You may cultivate here, at the base of the volcano,” the Fire Chief instructed. “In half an hour, you must leave. Whatever you do, do not enter the volcano itself.”

“Understood,” Xiao Anshan nodded.

He and Shangguan Xian sat cross-legged near the base, flames rising around them as they quickly entered a meditative state.

Their expressions turned solemn as they began to resonate faintly with the energy inside the volcano.

Wisps of pure flame drifted out from deep within the mountain, merging into their bodies.

Their auras steadily grew stronger.

Xu Zimo, with little else to do, turned to the Fire Chief and began to chat.

“Your Fire Keeper clans, are you all connected?”

“There is communication between us,” the Fire Chief admitted, “but it’s rare. Each clan guards its own Ancestral Flame and seldom leaves. Only in times of utter catastrophe do we send for aid.”

“If one of these Ancestral Flames were to be stolen,” Xu Zimo asked, “would the Ancestral Lands truly be destroyed?”

“I can tell you with absolute certainty, it would,” the Fire Chief replied gravely.

“When that happens, the entire Ancestral Lands would collapse into ruin and eventually be devoured by the cosmic void.”

He paused, his tone serious. “Do not think I exaggerate. The Ancestral Lands is already fractured. What remains of it is held together by these Ancestral Flames. Without them, everything would crumble.”

His warning was sincere, but Xu Zimo only smiled faintly.

“If it’s that important,” Xu Zimo asked, “why do you think the Radiant Court allowed us to enter? What could be their real motive?”

“That, I do not know,” the Fire Chief said, shaking his head. “The Radiant Court cooperates with us, but they are not our masters. We are equals, nothing more.”

Just then, a deafening boom shook the ground.

The entire Ancestral Flame realm trembled as the sound of explosions echoed overhead.

“What’s happening?” the Fire Chief frowned.

A Fire Keeper rushed in from outside. “Chief, bad news, someone is attacking our Guardian Grounds!”

“Who? The Fire Venom Beasts?” the Fire Chief demanded.

“No, it’s not them, it’s a group of Fire God Race warriors!” the messenger replied.

The Fire Chief’s expression darkened.

A powerful pressure radiated from him like a storm.

His eyes turned sharply toward Xu Zimo and his companions.

“Can any of you explain this?” he asked coldly.

“Fire Chief, you misunderstand,” Xu Zimo said, raising a hand calmly. “This has nothing to do with us. We don’t even know the other Fire God Race members. Perhaps you’re unaware, this time, fifty people entered the Ancestral Lands. We’re from different factions entirely.”

“Fifty?” The Fire Chief’s brows furrowed even deeper.

“The Radiant Court must be insane, to release so many people at once without warning us.”

He stared hard at Xu Zimo, trying to read him. “You’re certain you have nothing to do with this?”

Xu Zimo’s expression remained calm as he shook his head.

“This expedition includes the six major God Realms and several outside sects,” he said. “We aren’t allies with any of them. If anything, we’re competitors, enemies even. Cooperation between us is impossible.”

“Regardless,” said the Fire Chief after a pause, “you should all leave the Ancestral Flame for now.”

Xu Zimo nodded.

He turned and woke Xiao Anshan and Shangguan Xian from their cultivation.

The two looked regretful, reluctant to stop.

“What profound flames,” Xiao Anshan sighed. “Even the faintest trace has deepened my understanding. If I could study it longer, I could surely advance to a higher level.”

“No time for that,” Xu Zimo said with a small grin. “We’re leaving.”

“That fast?” Xiao Anshan asked in surprise.

He had left fire markings along their path, assuming it would take some time before any Fire God Race followed them.

But no sooner had they entered the Ancestral Flame than an attack erupted outside.

“Looks like some of them arrived near the same area we did,” Xu Zimo said, smiling faintly.

That suited his plan perfectly.

The group followed the Fire Chief out of the Ancestral Flame.

It was clear he no longer trusted them.

He kept them close, not letting them stray even a few steps away.

He led them into the Fire Keepers council hall.

The chamber was filled with powerful figures, most of them Grand Emperors in cultivation.

But on the left and right sides sat two elderly men whose presence was far more overwhelming, each emanating the might of a Saint Sovereign.

“Chief,” the assembly greeted as the Fire Chief entered.

“How can outsiders be allowed in our council hall?” the elder on the left demanded the moment he saw Xu Zimo.

“Elder Fire Slayer, let’s deal with the real problem first,” the Fire Chief said tiredly, waving a hand.

He hadn’t wanted to bring Xu Zimo and the others here, but given the situation, he couldn’t take his eyes off them. He feared they might do something to endanger the Ancestral Flame if left alone.

“Those outside are strong,” said Elder Fire Slayer grimly. “Our defensive formations won’t hold for long. My concern is that the commotion could draw the Fire Venom Beasts. If that happens, we’ll be overwhelmed, and catastrophe will follow.”