I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 244 - Void Valley

“Can you tell me which part failed?” Xu Zimo asked.

Tianshi hesitated for a moment before nodding. “My original idea was to use a secret method to forge a divine artifact capable of defying fate. In simple terms, I wanted to help someone go back in time and change their destiny. But this process involves more than just the principles of space and time, it also touches on the River of Fate.

I’ve never been able to find the fusion point between the three.”

“Have you heard of a rare item called the Voidwood Tree?” Xu Zimo asked.

“What’s that?” Tianshi shook his head slightly.

“In Void Valley, one of the Ten Forbidden Grounds, there’s an exceptionally rare tree known as the Voidwood. It’s said that fusing with Voidwood gives your body an affinity with time-space attributes. It can help you better control the power of space and time.”

Hearing this, Tianshi looked a bit stunned. “I’ve heard of Void Valley, but I don’t know where it is.”

“The Grand Void Sacred Ground,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile.

…

Life in Greensky Town had returned to calm. Because of the battle, Tianshi was now hailed as a great hero.

Xu Zimo, on the other hand, remained unnoticed, since he rarely made a move.

Although the cultivation system of the Legendary Era was similar to the Imperial Era, there were some differences in naming.

People like Tianshi were often called Celestials.

After asking around, Xu Zimo also learned a few things.

While Lin Bao was publicly the strongest person in Greensky Town, a hidden expert also lived here.

Locals called him the Demon-Subduing Arhat, and he was also said to be a Celestial.

He wasn’t originally from Greensky Town. Rumor had it he was once gravely injured and collapsed near the town. After being rescued, he chose to stay here out of gratitude and promised to help the townspeople three times each year.

…

A spring breeze drifted over Greensky Town. Everything was awakening and sprouting anew.

Willows on either side swayed with seductive grace.

Following directions, Xu Zimo arrived at a remote courtyard in the town.

He knocked and stepped inside.

There, a bald man dressed in white robes sat in the yard. He looked elegant and scholarly.

Above the courtyard, waves of righteous energy rippled, causing the air to hum and crackle.

Boundless spiritforce surged. The man had his eyes closed, his aura steeped in overwhelming righteousness.

The man slowly opened his eyes and looked at Xu Zimo. “Do you need something?”

“I heard of you after arriving in Greensky Town,” Xu Zimo said. “Please pardon my intrusion.”

“If you don’t have any business, you should leave,” the man said, shaking his head.

Xu Zimo’s eyes flashed.

In the next moment, he waved his right hand, spiritforce formed a dragon and surged toward the man.

The man frowned and threw a punch. Blue spiritual light gathered at his fist, and the dragon roared.

With a grunt, he was pushed back two or three steps.

“Someone like you exists even here?” the man said, looking at Xu Zimo in surprise.

Xu Zimo smiled. He could sense the man’s cultivation was at the Imperial Meridian Realm.

“I mean no harm. I just want to ask you something.”

“What is it?” the man asked warily.

“About the current state of the human race,” Xu Zimo replied.

“You don’t know?” The man looked surprised. “Where are you from?”

“That’s not important,” Xu Zimo said. “Just answer my question.”

“I don’t know much either,” the man began explaining. “This world is overrun by monsters. It’s rare for humans to survive alone. Towns like Greensky exist throughout the land. Every day, old ones are destroyed, and new ones are built. North of Greensky Town is a tribe, the largest human settlement I’ve seen. That’s where I’m from.”

“Can you tell me more about the tribe?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Sorry, I can’t,” the man shook his head.

“Then I won’t bother you further,” Xu Zimo said with a smile and turned to leave.

…

Over the next few days, Greensky Town returned to its peaceful rhythm.

Until one cold morning, a beast’s roar woke the still-sleeping townspeople.

When everyone rushed outside, they saw a Nine-Headed Lion standing at the edge of town.

It walked upright, and its nine heads formed a ring, allowing it to watch in all directions.

Its entire body was fiery red, and an aura of Imperial Meridian Realm burst forth, blanketing the land.

All nine heads spewed roaring flames, and half the town was already ablaze.

Seeing the scene, Lin Bao was overwhelmed. The beast’s terrifying presence made even resistance feel impossible.

“I’ll hold it off, organize everyone for evacuation!”

“Mayor, we’re not leaving! This is our home!” someone shouted.

“If you stay, it’s a death sentence!” Lin Bao grabbed the man’s collar and roared, “Remember, only by living can you have anything!”

“Uncle Lin, I’ll help you!” Tianshi shouted.

As a few people charged toward the Nine-Headed Lion, others gathered the elderly, women, and children to escape.

The once-peaceful town fell into chaos in an instant.

“People of this era really are clinging to life between the cracks,” Xu Zimo watched the lion, eyes narrowing. “You never know if you’ll wake up to death or disaster tomorrow.”

“The final act of this play is about to end.”

…

In the skies above, battle raged fiercely.

The main fighters were Tianshi and the Nine-Headed Lion, while Lin Bao could only provide some support.

After all, as a True Meridian Realm cultivator, this was beyond his league.

Tianshi was strong, but the Nine-Headed Lion was an Imperial Meridian Realm creature.

As a Legendary Era monster, it was clearly overpowering Tianshi.

Back in town, waves of righteous energy surged.

The Demon-Subduing Arhat stepped through the air.

His bald head bore six ritual scars. His white robes fluttered in the wind.

He held a dragon-headed cane in his right hand, surrounded by red light.

Seeing Tianshi fighting the lion, he stepped forward, appearing behind the beast in an attempt to flank it.

Unfortunately, the lion had no blind spots, two of its heads turned and spewed fire at him.

The flames twisted into fire dragons midair, lunging at the Arhat.

With a cold snort, the Arhat raised his cane high overhead. A blinding light burst forth.

When he swung it down, the fire dragons were instantly annihilated.

His vast, righteous energy echoed throughout the heavens.