I Truly Am The Villian

"Master, what should we do?" a disciple asked worriedly.

"What is meant to come will always come. Isn’t that the very purpose of our existence?" the old man said, shaking his head with a smile.

......

Xu Zimei and Xiao Guizi had been riding the Dark Heaven Tiger and the Green Jiao Horse for a long time when a mighty river blocked their path ahead.

The river was vast and boundless, its end not visible to the naked eye.

The gleaming surface of the river was dotted with countless boats and solitary vessels drifting along.

The Green Jiao Horse was merely an ordinary Monster Beast from the True Vein Realm and could not yet fly. Under Xu Zimei’s sporadic feeding, the Dark Heaven Tiger had grown to reach the Empty Vein Realm.

"Brother, how about you go ahead, and I’ll find a boat," Xiao Guizi suggested.

"No worries; let’s take a boat together," Xu Zimei shook his head and responded, "Besides, we’ve been traveling under harsh conditions these past few days, so it’s also a good chance to rest."

Xiao Guizi nodded. Due to the need to transport the Dark Heaven Tiger and the Green Jiao Horse, ordinary vessels simply couldn’t bear such weight.

The two searched along the riverside for a long time but could not find a suitable sailboat.

Just then, a rumbling sound erupted from the distance, and a ferocious tidal wave rolled across the river.

Amidst these giant waves, many of the smaller boats hurriedly made way to avoid being overturned.

Following that, the spray parted to reveal an immense steamship speeding forth from the distance.

"It’s one of those Yuan Family steamer again, always making such a grand entrance as if fearing others wouldn’t notice," someone remarked.

"Indeed, the Yuan Family is way too overbearing, acting all high-and-mighty just because they’ve latched onto the Baili Family," another person said with dissatisfaction.

The person beside quickly advised in a low voice, "Keep your voice down; the Baili Family belongs to the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect, not something we can comment on casually."

Listening to the discussions of the people around, Xu Zimei looked at a boatman nearby and asked, "Boatman, does this Yuan Family steamship take passengers?"

"Young man, you’re in luck," the boatman replied with a smile. "This Yuan Family ship makes a trip to the Baili Family every month, and along the way, they do take some passengers along.

It’s just that the fare is quite high, beyond the reach of most."

Xu Zimei smiled and led Xiao Guizi toward the steamship.

By this time, the steamship had docked at the shore, and a person’s voice, charged with spiritual energy, bellowed out, echoing across several miles, ensuring that everyone in the vicinity could hear.

Ripples spread across the water’s surface, conveying approximately that the steamship would stay docked for about ten minutes, and those wishing to cross to the other side of the river should board promptly.

This river was known as Changhe, and legend had it that it was once a minor stream. After an ancient flood, the river had engulfed the land within dozens of miles, eventually attaining its current size.

Xu Zimei and Xiao Guizi boarded the steamship, which wasn’t too crowded at the time. Within those ten minutes, in total, only about four groups of people boarded.

As the roar of the steamship echoed in the air and the endless gigantic waves rolled across the heavens, the passengers set off toward the Baili Family.

Gazing into the vast expanse of the water on the horizon, Xu Zimei chuckled and muttered to himself, "Baili Xiao, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other."

......

In the heart of the Endless Immortal Mountain, Jiang Mochou had been there for quite some time now.

He was very familiar with the surroundings of this Immortal Mountain, and since that day, he had taken the Void Elder as his master.

And today was the day the Void Elder was truly going to impart his teachings.

The two of them came to an open space in front of the house, and the Void Elder said with a smile, "Activate your Crimson Flame Emperor Body and attack me with all your might."

Jiang Mochou nodded. Knowing the old man’s depth was unfathomable, he had no intention of holding back.

Endless flames enveloped him, their color a blend of red and purple, fiercely hot and scorching, burning up all the space around his body.

Jiang Mochou’s fiery red eyes were resolute and piercing as he threw a punch, as if a sea of fire was sweeping over, bringing endless sparks that fiercely struck the abdomen of the Void Elder.

With a "boom," sparks scattered, and in front of the Void Elder rose a barrier of ice and snow, blocking Jiang Mochou’s attack.

No matter how Jiang Mochou attacked, it was to no avail; the ice and snow barrier didn’t even show a single crack.

......…

"I did not use my realm to suppress you," the Void Elder said with a light smile, "I used the same amount of power for this ice and snow barrier as you, but you could not break it. Do you know why?"

"Your power is more skillfully applied than mine," Jiang Mochou replied.

"No, it’s just that you have yet to understand the true essence of your own power," the Void Elder said with a smile, "The Crimson Flame Emperor Body you’ve merged with is the strongest flame physique in the world.

Can you tell me, what is the true essence of flame?"

"Destruction, intense heat, explosion," Jiang Mochou listed several answers in succession.

The Void Elder smiled and shook his head, saying, "It’s burning.

In the most ancient Mythical Era, when flame first appeared in this world, it brought warmth and cooked food to people.

Later, as the world’s spiritual energy awoke and people embarked on the old Heavenly Path of cultivation, flame began to manifest in more states.

But at its core, it has always been about burning."

As the Void Elder spoke, he waved his hand casually, and snow began to fall all over the Endless Immortal Mountain.

The snowflakes roared and coalesced in the air like dragons, and in the blink of an eye, they had formed a vast snow mountain before Jiang Mochou’s eyes.

This snow mountain soared into the clouds, its peak out of sight, exuding an imposing grandeur.

"Master, what is this?" Jiang Mochou asked in confusion.

"Control the flame like I do," the Void Elder said as a small flame appeared on his right hand.

The flame was so small that it seemed it could be extinguished with just a gentle breath.

Jiang Mochou hurriedly did as instructed, then looked at the Void Elder with bewilderment, waiting for what came next.

"Use this flame to melt this snow mountain," the Void Elder said with a smile, "and during this time, the flame must not go out, or else you’ll have to start over."

"How is that possible," Jiang Mochou said reflexively, rejecting the idea upon hearing the Void Elder’s words.

"Truth is always in the hands of the few. What the common people consider impossible is often accomplished by others," the Void Elder stated, "When you melt this snow mountain, come find me."

Watching the back of the Void Elder as he left, Jiang Mochou contemplated the small flame in his hand.

He slowly raised his right hand; as soon as the flame touched the snow mountain, it went out immediately.

Jiang Mochou frowned slightly, recalling the words of the Void Elder in his mind, convinced that the answer had to be in them.

While controlling the flame, he began his first attempt of what would be thousands of failures.

......

The Beiyuan City in Central Continent is a very special place.

Legend has it that, a very long time ago, there were three ferocious beasts that plagued the human realm, and the residents of the city were raised by these beasts as food.

At the entrance to Beiyuan City, three statues stand, placed there.