I am The Fated Villain

Chapter 1488: The Youngest Son of Chu Gucheng, the Wanzang Secret Realm

The caravan rumbled forward, stirring up smoke and dust along the official road. Each savage beast was clad in scales and armor, swallowing clouds and fog, with their feet glowing brightly, giving them an appearance both imposing and grotesque.

As they passed, cultivators and creatures alike carefully avoided the scene, not daring to obstruct their path. The official road leading to Zigui City was expansive, and many caravans traveled it daily from all directions. However, caravans escorted by knights as powerful as true immortals were rare, a testament to the caravan’s distinguished status.

A man dressed in brocade lounged lazily against the rearmost carriage, a piece of dogtail grass hanging from the corner of his mouth. His carefree and laid-back demeanor would have been unremarkable, had it not been for the cynical expression on his face.

“The Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain is becoming more and more lively. It’s no surprise I’ve seen so many disciples from major sects along the way, including some stunning fairies among them,” he mused. “Yet, none have truly caught my eye. While they are all quite beautiful, compared to the true heavenly beauties I’ve encountered, they seem somewhat ordinary.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “Although Fairy Qingwei from the Ziwei Sect might make the list. They say she’s the number one beauty of the sect, but I’m not fond of that kind of dullness.”

The young man beside him, dressed like an attendant, shook his head in regret at the brocade-clad man’s remarks.

The servant at his side was no longer surprised by his master’s musings and smiled in agreement. “After all, Master has encountered countless women. How could ordinary, common ones catch your eye? But with the opening of the Wanzang Secret Realm, I hear that many top disciples will be gathering. Among them, there are several famous beauties, including Zi Susu from Zixiao Mountain. Perhaps then you’ll find someone who suits your taste.”

Upon hearing this, the man in brocade smiled again, spitting out the dogtail grass he had been chewing on. “I’ve heard of Zi Susu from Zixiao Mountain. It’s said she’s the top beauty of the sect. Although I’ve only seen her portrait, she indeed appears to be an exceptional beauty.”

As he spoke, he retrieved a finely crafted folding fan from his pocket and opened it with a graceful flick. This man was Chu Xiao, the youngest son of Chu Gucheng, the current lord of Xian Chu.

It was a time of celebration as his father’s 130th birthday approached. However, Chu Xiao had quietly slipped away from Xian Chu under the pretense of searching for a unique birthday gift. In reality, he was simply bored with life in the city and yearned to travel and explore the world.

Chu Xiao fancied himself a romantic and had harbored great ambitions since childhood. He had made a lofty vow to gather all the most beautiful women in the world. Back in Xian Chu, he had even recruited young beauties from across the universe, ranking them based on appearance, talent, and family background. Armed with his powerful lineage and status, he aspired to bring all those ranked on the list into his mansion.

The release of that “stunning beauty list” had caused quite a sensation in Xian Chu, sparking lively discussions among countless cultivators and creatures. The list became the subject of gossip, fueling interest and excitement.

Eventually, even Chu Xiao’s father, Chu Gucheng, was alerted. Furious, he summoned his rebellious son, wondering how he—a man renowned for his wisdom—could have fathered such a lustful, frivolous, and domineering child. Naturally, Chu Gucheng put a stop to the whole affair, and Chu Xiao faced a stern scolding, forcing him to rein in his behavior somewhat.

Still, Chu Xiao was the young master of Xian Chu. Though the incident was embarrassing, no one dared to criticize him openly. Besides, his mother and many of his siblings adored him, so the matter was quickly forgotten.

However, Chu Xiao wasn’t content with merely ranking the beauties of Xian Chu. His ambitions soon turned toward the vast, unexplored territories of the Xi Yuan civilization. After all, Xian Chu was only one part of the immense and boundless Xi Yuan civilization, which housed countless powerful factions. Who could even begin to count all the beauties out there?

Reflecting on his earlier efforts, Chu Xiao realized that his vision had been too narrow. Thus, he decided to journey across the entirety of Xi Yuan civilization, hoping to encounter all the world’s beauties along the way.

He hoped that one day he could create a list of the truly exceptional talents of the Xi Yuan civilization, fulfilling the dream he had nurtured since childhood. “Zi Susu from Zixiao Mountain, the girl from Guangming Temple…” Chu Xiao’s eyes gleamed with excitement at the thought of these celestial beauties he had long heard about.

“But young master, don’t forget the purpose of this trip, or the madam will scold you when you return,” the servant, looking cautious, suddenly reminded him in a low voice.

Chu Xiao nodded, smiling. “Of course, I haven’t forgotten. How could I?”

“The Tianxin Ruyi I acquired at the auction was taken from the Wanzang Secret Realm. As for the remaining Tianxin Ruyi, it must also be hidden within that realm.”

The Wanzang Secret Realm was a highly renowned domain in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain, known for its periodic appearances. Whenever it manifested, it attracted a vast number of cultivators and creatures, all drawn by the opportunities and hidden treasures concealed within its depths. The very name of the secret realm spoke to the multitude of possibilities it held.

This time, when news of the Wanzang Secret Realm’s reappearance spread, it caused a major stir. Many disciples from the great sects and powerful forces of the Xi Yuan civilization flocked to the region, hoping to seize a share of the wealth and treasures it might offer. There were countless rumors and legends surrounding the Wanzang Secret Realm, further fueling the excitement.

It was said that the Wanzang Secret Realm was the remnant of the most powerful force that once ruled all the universes surrounding the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain. This mighty force fell apart for unknown reasons, leaving behind its vast foundations, too immense to be relocated, which were buried in the void.

As countless epochs passed, the void eventually fractured, creating a portal to the outside world, leading to the birth of the Wanzang Secret Realm. These were the records and rumors about the realm that circulated throughout the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain.

Chu Xiao had left Xian Chu under the guise of searching for a birthday gift for his father, and the Tianxin Ruyi—a pair of mystical treasures—was the present he sought. Unfortunately, despite spending a great deal of money, he had only managed to acquire one half of the pair at an auction.

The complete Tianxin Ruyi was rumored to have been crafted by capturing the Tianxin imprint of an ancient world, imbuing it with profound powers of fortune and creation. After conducting further inquiries, Chu Xiao discovered that the Tianxin Ruyi he obtained at auction originated from the Wanzang Secret Realm.

As Chu Xiao and his servant continued their conversation, the caravan neared Zigui City, their destination. This caravan had been a convenient find for Chu Xiao, as its route coincidentally aligned with his own journey to Zigui City.