I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 282 - Marching On The Sacred Ground

When the corpses of Absolute Scar and Absolute Extinction, both God Meridian Realm cultivators, fell to the ground, everyone present felt a jolt of shock strike deep into their hearts.

Xu Zimo descended from the sky, swept his gaze over everyone, then said calmly to Chaos, “Head to the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground.”

Chaos hoisted the two corpses onto its shoulders. With spiritforce surging around them, the group strode through the air toward the distant Sacred Ground.

Seeing this scene, the surrounding youths erupted into chatter.

“Looks like the heavens are about to change.”

“They're really heading to the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground. Spread the word, we're going to follow and watch.”

“I think he’s about to hit a wall. An imperial lineage isn’t something to underestimate… Especially one that has produced two Grand Emperors.”

“Enough talk. Let’s go and see for ourselves.”

The battle at the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground was quickly reported back by the Holy Sons to their respective Sacred Grounds.

A storm began to form around Heaven-Severing City.

Though it hadn't yet spread across the entire Holyflower Region, word was already causing an uproar.

Countless people rushed to the city, eager to witness the coming battle.

Even within various imperial Sacred Grounds, the top elders gathered in their discussion halls.

A floating mirror appeared at the center of one grand hall, reflecting the location of the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground.

The scene gradually sharpened and evolved within the mirror.

…

The Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground sat just behind Heaven-Severing City.

It was a towering mountain range perpetually shrouded in mist.

The peaks rose into the clouds. For those living nearby, this was holy ground.

It symbolized absolute authority.

Ever since Grand Emperor Jue Tian rose to power and founded the Sacred Ground here, the faction had seemingly appeared overnight, swiftly dominating a radius of ten thousand miles.

Then, with the rise of Grand Emperor Zhu Tian, the lineage was further empowered.

While it might not be the strongest power in the entire Holyflower Region, its legacy was certainly prominent and unmistakable.

…

Endless white mist blanketed the surrounding mountains. From the sky above, the Sacred Ground’s territory stretched far and wide.

White cranes soared through the clouds, and birds shrieked sharply within the fog.

Palaces stood side by side, row after row built between heaven and earth.

The architecture was bold and varied, with mountains piercing the sky.

Some sat atop the peaks absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Others practiced swordsmanship in vast sword prisons below.

To the disciples of the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground, this was just another ordinary day.

Until Patriarch Absolute Desolation returned, his entire body soaked in blood.

Until a loud boom rang through every heart, shaking eardrums and spirits alike.

The mist that had enshrouded the lineage for years was suddenly swept away, and people looked up in shock.

This sleeping giant, dormant for a millennium, was under siege for the first time.

…

The Sacred Ground’s defensive grand array was activated. All senior members rose into the sky under the command of Sacred Lord Absolute Fateless.

Facing off from afar, they stood opposite their enemy.

The corpses of Ancestors Absolute Scar and Absolute Extinction were thrown into the heart of the Sacred Ground.

This was clearly a challenge, a trampling of the Sacred Ground's dignity and pride.

…

“How long has it been since the Holyflower Region saw real war? And now someone shows up to challenge the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground?”

Some ancient figures watching from the shadows discussed the matter with intrigue.

“Indeed. There’s still time before the Heaven's Will manifests, but the waters of the world are already turning murky.”

Sacred Lord Absolute Fateless stood at the peak of the Empyrean Meridian Realm, his aura surging.

While not the strongest in his Sacred Ground, his insight and leadership were unmatched.

Looking at Xu Zimo, he asked coldly, “May I ask how my Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground has offended you, that things must come to this, one must die?”

“I was paid to settle a score,” Xu Zimo shrugged with a faint smile.

He stood in midair, Chaos and Dark River at his sides. Their silent God Meridian auras thundered across the heavens.

“The Celestial Race sent you, didn’t they?” Absolute Fateless said calmly.

“I knew those people weren’t completely wiped out. Sooner or later, they’d cause trouble.”

His gaze narrowed on Xu Zimo. “By ‘paid,’ you mean the remnants of the Celestial Race traded you the Tree of Life, right?”

“You’re surprisingly well-informed,” Xu Zimo said with a light laugh.

“Well, that’s the only thing they had left,” Absolute Fateless replied coldly.

“But I think you’ve been deceived. Do you even know what the Tree of Life is? It’s a species that’s existed since the dawn of the era. Even if you found it, it would do you no good. You’ll never truly obtain it.”

“That doesn’t seem like your concern,” Xu Zimo said. “I’m just here to wipe out your Sacred Ground. I don’t need you to teach me anything else.”

With a wave of his hand, Chaos roared in midair.

Its massive claw smashed down, striking the Sacred Ground’s protective barrier with a deafening boom.

Ripples spread across the shield's surface.

With each successive strike, the barrier shook more violently.

Yet the formation wasn’t simple, it would take a considerable amount of time even for Chaos to break through it.

Absolute Fateless narrowed his eyes as he assessed the situation outside, then turned to an elder beside him.

“Watch over things here. I’m going to visit the ancestors.”

The elder quickly nodded.

…

Some people struggle and fight on the path to becoming Grand Emperor. Others fail and retreat to secluded lives in the mountains.

For those who fail to seize Heaven's Will, perhaps entering the immortal path marks the end of their destiny.

In a peaceful valley where birds sang and flowers bloomed, a man in white robes stood beside a woman in a flowing floral dress by the riverbank.

Here, it was eternally spring.

The sunlight was warm and bright.

A small bridge crossed the gentle stream that flowed slowly through the valley. The river was crystal clear, the water quiet and serene.

Not far from the river, a simple wooden cabin stood.

Around it, various flowers, herbs, and trees had been planted. When they bloomed, butterflies would flutter and dance around them.

April in the human world was full of fragrance.

…

The woman in the flowered dress sat on a round stone beside the river, while the white-robed man stood in front of an easel, carefully painting her portrait stroke by stroke.

He looked up slightly, and they smiled at each other.

Warmth and happiness filled the air, carried by the breeze.

Then, suddenly, the sound of a horn echoed loudly.

The horn was both clear and deep, sending ripples through the space around them.

The river’s flow suddenly sped up, water gushing and splashing.

Even the butterflies, startled by the sound, scattered into the distance.

“Die’er, wait for me.”

The man in white frowned, looking beyond the space around them. Then he turned to the woman and smiled.

“I’ll go take a look. I’ll be right back.”