I Really Am A Villain

Bright Sun Sovereign’s fury was understandable.

The Sun-Moon Temple had spent tens of millions of years cultivating and nursing their strength. Countless people had contributed to its growth before it finally reached its current scale, strong enough to challenge the Radiant Court.

One could imagine how difficult their lightless, oppressive existence had been over all those ages. And now, their strongest ancestor had fallen. As for their progenitor, the Sun-Moon God, he was trapped in the formation and could be destroyed at any moment.

How could Bright Sun Sovereign not be enraged?

The Heavenly Court, who had originally allied with them, was nowhere to be seen. That alone pushed Bright Sun Sovereign past his limit. Fine, if it came to it, he would withdraw and continue biding their time.

Perhaps sensing the furious outcry of the Sun-Moon Temple, the once-still sky suddenly erupted with roaring thunder and a sea-like surge of spirit energy. Rolling thunder boomed one strike after another.

Xu Zimo looked up to see an enormous hand descending toward him. This giant hand was not from a pseudo-Infinite Dao cultivator like the Sun-Moon God. The Primordial Edicts flowing across its surface and the crushing aura it released made it clear, the owner of this hand was a true Infinite Dao powerhouse.

It tore through the void, blocking out even the sun. At that moment, it felt as though the giant hand had become the focal point of the entire world, drawing every gaze toward it.

As the hand reached for Xu Zimo, another giant hand emerged from the depths of the Radiant Court. Its aura was even stronger, and it too belonged to an Infinite Dao cultivator.

Two Infinite Dao level beings in a single day, an event unseen for a thousand years. Existence at this level rarely appeared, and the crowd could only marvel in awe.

The two hands collided. Under the force of their clash, everyone felt insignificant, as weak as ants being toyed with.

The explosive shockwave blew everyone back, Xu Zimo included.

At that moment, a voice spoke from deep within the Radiant Court.

“Immortal Lord, why so impatient? This isn’t our war.”

Hearing the voice, the people of the Radiant Court erupted with excitement.

“It’s the Progenitor! Our Progenitor has emerged!”

“That means we’ve won!”

“Of course, once the Progenitor appears, he’s unmatched in this age.”

“Don’t celebrate yet, the Heavenly Court is involved, remember? That hand just now means they brought an Infinite Dao cultivator too.”

“It was the Immortal Lord, the head of the small faction called Immortal Gate within the Heavenly Court. They say he is the Holy Progenitor’s disciple,” someone murmured.

The Heavenly Court was far too mysterious. People only knew it resided somewhere in the Calamity Immortal Heaven, though its exact location was unknown. No one truly understood them.

They ignored the surrounding chatter. The two probing attacks just now represented two Infinite Dao beings: Primordial Flame, the Progenitor of the Radiant Court, and the Immortal Lord of the Heavenly Court. Neither revealed their true body; after testing each other, they both fell silent.

Then the Immortal Lord’s voice echoed. It was ethereal, almost genderless.

“Primordial Flame, let this end here.”

“Lose and you want to walk away?” Primordial Flame’s voice responded coldly.

They still did not reveal themselves, merely speaking. Yet everyone knew their fate rested on these two voices alone. Such was the world of the strong.

“We did not lose. The Sun-Moon Temple is simply worthless,” the Immortal Lord replied, calm, emotionless.

“Even with Yin-Yang Sage Monarch and the Sun-Moon God, they still failed.”

“So what?” Primordial Flame asked.

“When you lose, you pay the price.”

“You want to start a war with our Heavenly Court?”

“I don’t,” Primordial Flame said. “But your Heavenly Court has already crossed the line.”

With a sweep of his hand, he grabbed at a patch of empty space. The void tore open, revealing a hidden ship within, a vessel carrying several Saint Sovereigns. Its divine aura made it clear. This was one of the Heavenly Court’s sacred ships.

As the giant hand reached for it, several powerful saintly auras burst from the ship.

“What do you think you’re doing?” the Saint Sovereigns roared. They were Heavenly Court, sacred and untouchable.

“Run! That is a being of true terror!” someone shouted, sensing the overwhelming force in Primordial Flame’s hand, an aura that could suppress all.

The sacred ship surged with power, ripping through the void in an attempt to escape. But before the hand, it was like a monkey trapped in the Buddha’s palm, no matter how it struggled, it could not flee.

When the hand closed, it was over.

The sacred ship was crushed into red paste. The Saint Sovereigns aboard barely struggled before they were crushed to death. Their souls and life essence were erased completely, not even allowed the chance to reach the Netherworld.

The Immortal Lord watched this unfold without intervening. He simply observed as the ship and its Saint Sovereigns were annihilated. He knew, this was the price. The Heavenly Court would sacrifice a small piece to end the conflict. The Heavenly Court did not want war, and neither did the Radiant Court. So the act was silently accepted.

Then the Immortal Lord spoke again.

“Our business with the Radiant Court is settled. We drew out the Sun-Moon Temple for you. Now the threat looming over your Radiant Court can be dealt with at any time. From today on, your rule over the Inferno Crucible Heaven will be unshakable. In a way, you should be thanking me.”

“And?” Primordial Flame asked coolly.

“You think I don’t know what’s happening with the Sun-Moon Temple? Why else would I leave that formation behind? I only wished to give them a peaceful life. Unfortunately, some fools don’t cherish the chance and insisted on walking into the flames.”

“Heavenly Court, didn’t we agree to cooperate? What is this supposed to mean?!” Bright Sun Sovereign shouted, realizing the situation had turned against them.

“Fool. Cooperation is based on equality. Your Yin-Yang Sage Monarch is dead. Your Sun-Moon God is about to disappear. What do you have left to bargain with?” the Immortal Lord said coldly.

His voice cracked like thunder. The impact made Bright Sun Sovereign spit blood and nearly collapse.

“You… you…” he pointed toward the sky, unable to form words. His face turned dark with rage.

Now he finally understood. From the start, they had been manipulated. The Heavenly Court had taken advantage of the Sun-Moon Temple’s thirst for vengeance and used them like disposable pawns. And now, someone of his level meant nothing to them.

The realization struck like a final blow.