I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 248 - A Trap of Temptation

After walking for some time, as Xu Zimo neared Phoenix Perch Mountain Range, he became even more certain of his suspicions.

Thousands of people had already gathered around the mountain range.

After asking around and piecing things together, everyone began to understand the truth,

But it was a trap hiding in plain sight.

After all, this involved the War God’s Nine Transformations, who wouldn’t want it?

It could very well be the chance to change one’s entire destiny.

Now, many people stood at the mountain’s edge, hesitating.

Just then, another group arrived from behind, like a well-organized army, clearly more disciplined.

There were around a thousand of them. The moment they arrived, they took control of the entire scene.

“They’re the direct bloodline descendants of the Nine Li Confederacy,” someone whispered.

In Nine Li Confederacy, there were two classes: direct descendants and outsiders.

Outsiders were people like Xu Zimo, new arrivals with no achievements or real connection to the tribe, seeking only refuge.

Direct descendants, on the other hand, had lived in the tribe for generations, made contributions, or were born into key bloodlines.

Then, a man in yellow robes stepped forward and said loudly:

“Everyone, please gather with your respective sub-tribes. I have a few things to say.”

“Who’s that?” Xu Zimo asked someone nearby.

“That’s Chi Yi, the leader of the Chili Sub-Tribe,” the man replied in a low voice. “Their tribe won last year’s tournament, so he’s currently the High Chief of all the Nine Li Confederacy.”

Xu Zimo nodded in understanding.

So each year, the nine sub-tribes competed in a tournament.

The winning tribe not only got to safeguard the War God’s Nine Transformations, but its leader also became the High Chief for the year.

Xu Zimo had joined the Baili Sub-Tribe, so he gathered with them accordingly.

Once everyone was in position, Chi Yi stepped forward and addressed the crowd:

“By now, you’ve probably all heard. The War God’s Nine Transformations, entrusted to Chili Sub-Tribe, has been stolen. I won’t waste time assigning blame. But now, the thief has used the name of this divine technique to lure you all here. We don’t know their true purpose. But before we search Phoenix Perch Mountain, let me give you a guarantee: Whoever captures the thief and retrieves the War God’s Nine Transformations… will be promoted to a direct bloodline member, given a chance to train in the divine art, and receive an enormous amount of cultivation resources.”

The crowd stirred.

Any one of those rewards was enough to make people fight to the death.

At that moment, Baili Sub-Tribe’s leader, Bai Zhuo, stepped forward and said:

“High Chief Chi, I disagree. We know nothing about the thief. Phoenix Perch Mountain is a monster haven. If we stir up something we can’t handle, it could mean total annihilation. And we’re not even sure the thief is in the mountain. What if this is all a setup?”

“The thief must be in the mountain. They’re scheming something,” Chi Yi said coldly.

“My decision is final. If you don’t want to participate, Chief Bai, you may take your tribe and leave.”

He turned to the crowd.

“I’m not forcing anyone. You’re free to leave at any time. The rewards I mentioned still stand. Once the War God’s Nine Transformations is recovered, I will resign as High Chief.”

“Come now, High Chief Chi, no need to say such things,” smiled Yu Hong, leader of the Yuli Sub-Tribe.

“We’ve always stood united in Nine Li Confederacy. Our Chili brothers can lead the charge, we’ll proceed cautiously and spread out.”

With that, Chi Yi led his tribe into Phoenix Perch Mountain Range.

The other eight sub-tribes followed shortly after.

…

There was a legendary tale about Phoenix Perch Mountain that circulated within Nine Li Confederacy.

It was said that long ago, the mountain range was no more than a withered, dying forest.

One day, an Ancient Phoenix descended upon it and took up residence.

While undergoing a heavenly tribulation, the phoenix summoned thunder and fire, devastating the forest for seven days and nights.

On the eighth day, with a piercing cry, the phoenix succeeded in transcending, becoming a God Beast.

The flames from its body then engulfed the forest.

But instead of burning it to ashes, the fire caused the trees to grow with unnatural vigor.

In an instant, the dying woods transformed into a vast, thriving forest.

Only later did people realize, the flames were the phoenix’s natal divine fire: Nirvana Flame.

…

Inside the forest of the mountain, it was eerily quiet.

Occasional beastly roars in the distance sent chills down everyone’s spines.

The Nine Li Confederacy sub-tribe chiefs were all Empyrean Meridian Realm cultivators.

At this stage of the Legendary Era, that was considered the pinnacle of human strength.

But even with such power, humans still struggled to survive under the rule of monsters.

It was a dark age.

The people didn’t seek greatness or glory, they only wanted to survive.

Xu Zimo glanced toward the main group… then his figure silently disappeared into the trees.

…

Not long after the tribes entered Phoenix Perch Mountain, the forest erupted with chaos.

Monster activity suddenly surged.

Battles between humans and beasts broke out everywhere, with casualties on both sides.

But this was still monster territory, if this continued, the tribes would suffer massive losses.

The nine sub-tribe leaders gathered and decided it would be best to retreat, they still hadn’t figured out what triggered the monster frenzy.

But as they tried to retreat, they discovered that the entire outer boundary of the forest was now sealed off by a transparent barrier.

No matter what they tried, they couldn’t break through.

“Someone is trying to trap us here,” Bai Zhuo said grimly.

Feng Yu, leader of the Fengli Sub-Tribe, nodded solemnly.

“Not just trap, more like raise us like cattle. There are countless monsters in this forest. If we want to survive, we’ll have to kill them all.”

“This kind of barrier couldn’t have been set up in a short time, and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Yu Hong said quietly.

“It’s clear now. The theft of the War God’s Nine Transformations… bringing us here… it was all part of a plan.”

The other chiefs sighed and shook their heads.

Then Bai Zhuo looked around and said: “Don’t you all think something’s off?”

“What do you mean?”

“…Where’s the Chili Sub-Tribe?”