I Really Am A Villain

“You’re threatening us!” someone shouted angrily at Murong Qing.

“Everyone, join forces! Let’s make the Radiant Court open the Ancestral Lands and let us out!”

Murong Qing narrowed her eyes slightly and asked calmly, “I see. Are you declaring war on the Radiant Court?”

The man fell silent immediately.

Declaring war on the Radiant Court was a consequence he couldn’t bear. Everyone knew that the Radiant Court was truly powerful, the strongest among the Six Great God Realms.

In fact, in the hearts of many within the Fire God Race, the Radiant Court was regarded as their rightful leader.

“Can’t we take a step back and compromise?” Du Heng of the Vermilion Flame God Realm stepped forward to mediate.

Since Du Bujie’s death at Li Guan’s hands, Du Heng had become the one in charge of their expedition. His reputation wasn’t particularly famous, but his strength was solid. More importantly, he was steady and reasonable, the kind of man others could rally behind.

Murong Qing shook her head. “We’ve already compromised. You can take anything else from the Ancestral Lands, ancient relics, opportunities, treasures, whatever you want. But the Ancestral Flame must remain. That’s our bottom line. It’s not negotiable.”

Her words silenced everyone.

“Decide quickly,” Murong Qing added. “The Thunder Domain is about to collapse. You don’t have much time left.”

Someone sighed. “Our Shangguan Heavenly Clan will hand over the Ancestral Flame.”

No one expected the first to yield would be the Shangguan Heavenly Clan from the Divine Crow God Realm. It shocked everyone.

Shangguan Wan’er didn’t hesitate for even a moment.

Their family had obtained the Ancestral Flame of the Metal Domain. The fire had been sealed within an ancient sword, forged to contain its power. The sword had long since developed a spirit of its own.

As Shangguan Wan’er drew the sword, it trembled violently, struggling against her grasp as if refusing to be given up.

Without a word, she threw the golden sword toward Murong Qing.

The sword sliced through the shattered void, trailing fierce golden energy and searing flames before Murong Qing caught it in one hand.

“Good,” Murong Qing said with a smile. “Those from the Divine Crow God Realm may leave.”

“I, Tiger Overlord of the Hell Tiger Race, will also hand over our Ancestral Flame,” Tiger Overlord declared next.

Their race had obtained the Ancestral Flame of the Earth Domain.

“Seems our Vermilion Flame God Realm has no choice but to follow,” Du Heng said helplessly.

Their domain had gained the Wood Ancestral Flame.

Meanwhile, within the lightning valley, countless people were still fighting over the Thunder Domain’s Ancestral Flame.

But once they realized what was happening, that Ancestral Flame suddenly became like a scorching hot coal, no one dared to touch it anymore.

Murong Qing waved her hand, and the Ancestral Flame floated obediently from the lightning sea into her palm, while everyone else could only watch.

Now the Ancestral Flames of the Metal, Earth, Wood, and Thunder Domains were all in her hands.

Only the Fire and Water Sources remained unaccounted for.

The Water Source was in Xu Zimo’s possession, while rumor had it that a rogue cultivator had taken the Ancestral Flame. That man was likely still clinging to hope, unwilling to surrender it.

“Whoever hasn’t handed over their Ancestral Flame yet, please cooperate,” Murong Qing said. “Otherwise, none of you will leave the Ancestral Lands alive.”

The rumbling of the collapsing world grew louder, the sound was drawing closer.

“Whoever still has it, hurry up! Do you want us all to die here with you?”

Murmurs and accusations began to rise among the crowd.

Some even suggested searching everyone by force.

Finally, the rogue cultivator couldn’t stand the pressure any longer.

He stepped out cautiously and said, “I took the Ancestral Flame of the Fire Domain.”

“What about the Water Source? Hurry and bring it out!” someone yelled impatiently.

The destruction of the Thunder Domain was now visible in the distance.

“The last Ancestral Flame is with me,” Xu Zimo’s voice cut through the air, drawing every gaze toward him.

“But I don’t intend to hand it over.”

“The Chaos Fire God Realm,” someone muttered, remembering Xu Zimo’s ruthlessness, the man who had once slain Yuwen Ankang of the Dark Crow Dao Court with a single strike.

The words that had been on their lips vanished instantly.

“Master Xu,” someone said carefully, “even if you don’t care about the rest of us, surely you plan to leave the Ancestral Lands alive yourself?”

“Don’t worry,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile. “Even if this place collapses, I’ll be fine. The Radiant Court’s tricks don’t work on me.”

Everyone turned their eyes back to Murong Qing.

She shrugged and said, “Without all the Ancestral Flames gathered, the Ancestral Lands can’t be opened.”

“So you’re trying to make everyone pressure me?” Xu Zimo smiled coldly.

“Young Master Xu, I have no wish to be your enemy,” Murong Qing replied lightly. “So naturally, I won’t be the one to play the villain here.”

Xu Zimo narrowed his eyes.

The crowd around him was growing restless, voices rising with anger and fear.

At that moment, Shangguan Wan’er stepped forward.

“Everyone,” she said, “perhaps we should come to a unified decision.”

“How?” someone asked.

“If someone refuses to consider everyone’s survival, then there’s no need for courtesy,” she said firmly. “If the Chaos Fire God Realm insists on being stubborn, we should join forces and take the Ancestral Flame by force.”

Her proposal won instant approval from many.

“Chaos Fire God Realm, hand over the Ancestral Flame!” someone shouted. “Otherwise, don’t blame us for what happens next!”

Xu Zimo chuckled coldly.

He stepped forward slowly, holding the Water Ancestral Flame in his hand.

“I’m standing right here,” he said calmly. “One of you, or all of you, it doesn’t matter. I’d like to see who among you can take this Ancestral Flame from me.”

His defiance stunned everyone.

No one had expected Xu Zimo to be so fearless.

For a moment, no one dared move.

Then, a streak of sword light flashed through the air, faster than lightning.

In the next instant, a sword tip appeared behind Xu Zimo’s back.

There was a deafening boom.

But Xu Zimo moved even faster. He reached back, caught the sword with one hand, and yanked its wielder forward as if dragging a child.

An explosion followed.

With a single step, Xu Zimo stomped his attacker to the ground.

The man’s limbs were shattered instantly, reduced to a limp heap of flesh unable to move.

“It’s Zhuo Lang from Sword Mountain!” someone gasped.

“One strike… and he’s done for?”

“Let us, the Three Heroes of Hollow Mountain, try!”

Three identical men stepped out of the crowd.

They clasped their fists and said respectfully, “Fellow cultivator, forgive our offense. But we must leave this place alive.”

The crowd murmured in excitement.

“The Three Heroes of Hollow Mountain, the same trio who once fought the Flame Demon to a draw using the World-Destroying Millstone?”

“It must be them. Who else would dare bear that title?”