I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 858: A god is standing three feet above the head, Hongyi in childhood

The Jade Moon Flower our Master wants us to find is said to be in the Absolute Demon Abyss behind that mountain. If we don’t cross the mountain, how will we get the flower?

Surrounded by a dense mist, they stood in an ancient, picturesque bamboo forest. Each bamboo stalk was as thick as a bowl, densely packed, and a rich emerald green. The forest rustled softly with every breeze.

Young cultivators gathered in a pavilion deep within the bamboo forest, gazing at the towering mountains in the distance. They wore uniform robes adorned with Excalibur patterns on the cuffs, radiating a delicate and flowing light.

The speaker, a handsome man in Dao-building expert robes with sharp, sword-like brows and bright eyes, carried a Dao sword resembling a young immortal sword on his back.

Listening to his junior sister, his eyes flashed with the gleam of his sword. He stared intently at the distant mountain.

“We could detour through the Netherlands on the other side, but beware of the dirty river there. It’s always shrouded in miasma and mist, and home to many large monsters…”

“Be cautious. If you’re attacked by demons there, I might not be able to protect everyone.”

He continued, “However, I’ve heard the monsters in the Netherlands have been quiet lately. Usually, many of our fellow disciples would be here to hunt demons and assist the nearby villages and cities.”

The bamboo forest, vast and fragrant with a refreshing breeze, spanned a large area. These were inner disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, each with exceptional talent.

The young leader, a prominent true disciple, was under the tutelage of a master expected to attain immortality in his lifetime.

The young junior sister who had just spoken appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen. She had bright eyes and a fair complexion that glowed with youthful lustre. Her smile revealed two charming dimples at the corners of her mouth.

With a cheerful grin, she suggested, “Brother, let’s take the detour through the Netherlands. I’d much rather face a big monster than cross that mountain. I heard the demon there has nine heads, eighteen arms, three eyes on each head, and devours many young women daily…”

“Even the ancient great demons are terrified of this peerless devil,” she added, her eyes wide with fear and fascination.

As she spoke about the demon, the other disciples of the Divine Sword Sect joined in, eagerly sharing the rumors they’d heard.

“Yes, I’ve also heard that even the immortals from the Immortal Palace are wary of entering that area,” one disciple added.

“The Netherlands borders the dark sea, a vast ancient battlefield filled with the remnants of countless fallen warriors. It’s said that the presence of this mountain keeps the dark sea at bay,” another disciple chimed in.

The group of juniors chatted animatedly about these tales. The leading young man, trying to hide a smile, admonished them gently.

“You should know better than to speak so openly about such things. We’re close to that mountain. Aren’t you afraid of attracting the attention of that peerless demon?”

Some of the disciples grew pale at his words and fell silent, their earlier bravado fading.

The young leader shook his head, half in exasperation, half in fondness.

And you think you’re ready to venture out alone for training? You’d be no match for any monster at this rate.

Straightening his face, he respectfully clasped his fists towards the mountain and said, “We meant no disrespect, senior. We’ll be on our way now.”

Seeing their senior brother’s serious demeanour, the other disciples grew even more apprehensive, recalling the terrifying rumours.

“Let’s go,” he said, turning to lead the way. Internally, he laughed, satisfied that his ploy to instil caution in the younger disciples had worked. It was a reminder for them to always be vigilant during their travels.

Unexpectedly, their playful scare tactics had truly alarmed the group. But before they could leave the bamboo forest, a crisp, melodious voice sounded like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

A girl in red appeared, her features delicate and striking. Her eyebrows were like fine emerald, her nose as smooth as jade, and her lips naturally rosy.

She wasn’t ancient, but it was clear that she would grow into a woman of breathtaking beauty. She exuded an air of sarcasm, standing with her sword on a bamboo tree, her gaze coolly appraising the group of young cultivators.

Song Ming, the leader of the group, was taken aback. He hadn’t expected to encounter another cultivator here. He observed the girl in red, his surprise evident, but his good manners prevailed. He smiled and greeted her politely, “Song Ming of the Divine Sword Sect greets the girl.”

The other cultivators looked at the girl in red with curiosity, surprised to meet another practitioner in such a place. They avoided this area because of their quest to collect the Jade Moon Immortal Flower.

The girl in red, however, seemed uninterested in conversation. She regarded Song Ming with a hint of dissatisfaction, likely displeased with his earlier comments.

Realizing she must have overheard his attempt to frighten the juniors, Song Ming tried to lighten the mood.

I apologize if my words were inappropriate. May I ask what brings you here?

The girl in red frowned, seemingly unimpressed by his lack of sincerity. Without further words, she turned to leave.

She had descended the mountain on her master’s orders to hunt large monsters in the Netherworld and hone her sword skills. But hearing this group of young cultivators speak disrespectfully about her master had irked her.

She had hoped to teach them a lesson for their irreverence but decided against it. Her respect for her master was profound, and she had expected Song Ming to show some fear or remorse, but his casual attitude only increased her dissatisfaction. She walked away, holding back her urge to correct them.