I Really Am A Villain

Amid waves of pained wailing below, a group of Infinite Dao great beasts lay sprawled on the ground, each of them badly injured, bruised, and battered.

Some of the great beasts still glared angrily at Xu Zimo.

But the moment they saw him raise his fist, they all fell silent in terror.

“This guy’s combat power is absurd,” some of the great beasts thought to themselves.

“We’re clearly at the same Infinite Dao realm, so why is he this strong? This is… this is simply invincible.”

They did not want to admit it, but the truth was right in front of them.

“Alright. I’ll give you all one chance now.”

Xu Zimo waved his hand and stood before the great beasts.

“Hand over all your treasure chests, and I’ll spare your lives.”

“Force alone will never make us submit!” the ghost beast roared.

But the instant Xu Zimo drew Shadow Tyrant, the ghost beast obediently presented its treasure chest.

“It’s just a treasure chest anyway. It’s useless to us.”

Seeing how quickly the ghost beast caved, the other great beasts looked at it with disdain.

“What a disgrace. You’ve shamed all great beasts.”

After a round of scolding, the rest of the great beasts also meekly handed over their treasure chests.

As for pride?

Sorry, how much was that worth?

Xu Zimo opened the chests one by one. There were indeed many fine items inside.

Unfortunately, he was still disappointed.

Because none of them contained the key to opening the Three Corpse Burial Ground.

Among the items were a Heaven-Splitting Sword capable of cleaving the sky with a single strike.

There was a Samsara Ganoderma that could extend one’s lifespan by a thousand years.

There was also the Seven-Colored Glazed Robe, peerless in defense.

…

Xu Zimo did not hold back and took everything.

“Looks like the key must be in Azure Dragon Cave,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

That made Xu Zimo a little irritated.

It seemed as though the key to the Three Corpse Burial Ground simply refused to come into his hands.

“Sir, are you planning to go to Azure Dragon Cave?” Torch Dragon asked quickly, sharp-minded as ever.

“Oh?” Xu Zimo replied.

“We happen to know the master of Azure Dragon Cave. We could introduce him to you,” Torch Dragon said ingratiatingly.

“That’s right, that’s right,” the other great beasts echoed.

“The master of Azure Dragon Cave is called Tyrant Blade Azure Dragon. He’s half-beast, half-human. As long as someone is willing to pay a small amount of lifespan, they can search for treasures in his cave.”

“Using lifespan as currency. Sounds like that so-called Azure Dragon Cave master is nearing death,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

“But can lifespan really be traded?”

This was something Xu Zimo had never heard of.

Some evil techniques could steal lifespan through killing, but actually transferring one’s own lifespan to another person seemed difficult.

Torch Dragon continued, “It’s not a simple exchange. Tyrant Blade Azure Dragon possesses a treasure called the Hour Bell. It can absorb another person’s lifespan into the bell. In the end, it feeds it back to him at a ratio of one to twelve.”

“So absorbing twelve hours of lifespan only gives him one hour in return?” Xu Zimo said.

He couldn’t help but marvel at how ruthless the Hour Bell was.

“That’s right. And each person can only have one hour of their lifespan absorbed by the Hour Bell in their entire life,” Torch Dragon explained.

“That’s why Azure Dragon Cave has a rule. Pay one hour of lifespan, and you get one chance to search for treasure.”

“Interesting,” Xu Zimo stroked his chin.

At his level, lifespan wasn’t something he cared much about anymore.

He intended to defy the heavens, not live out his days under them.

But to those ancient monsters nearing the end of their lives, the Hour Bell was more precious than anything else.

“If someone possessed the Hour Bell, wouldn’t that mean eternal life?” Xu Zimo couldn’t help thinking.

Even though the feedback was limited, it was real lifespan nonetheless.

“The Hour Bell also has limits,” Torch Dragon said with an awkward smile.

“Each Hour Bell can extend life by at most 240 million years. Beyond that, it has no effect.”

Xu Zimo nodded.

Seen that way, the Hour Bell wasn’t completely heaven-defying.

“If the key to the Three Corpse Burial Ground is in Azure Dragon Cave, we’ll know once we ask,” another great demon said quickly.

“That’s right. It’s just that our relationship with Tyrant Blade Azure Dragon isn’t very good. When the time comes, we’ll need you to step in, sir.”

Hearing this, Xu Zimo narrowed his eyes.

“Huh, trying to use me as a hired thug?”

“We wouldn’t dare!” several great beasts hurriedly explained.

“We’re only thinking in your best interest. Azure Dragon Cave is the last place left. The key must be there.”

“Take me there, and put away your petty schemes,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

“Whether I win, lose, or we both end up badly injured, none of you ants will get to profit from it.”

Amid the great beasts’ protests, the group made their way to the entrance of Azure Dragon Cave.

Normally, anyone seeking treasure in Azure Dragon Cave had to go through the Azure Dragon Tree above.

But Xu Zimo took a special route. Instead of going to the tree, he went straight to the cave’s lair.

With Xu Zimo backing them, the great beasts grew bolder and louder.

“Old Azure Dragon, get out here. A great lord wants to see you.”

“That’s right. If you know what’s good for you, hand over the key to the Three Corpse Burial Ground and don’t make this lord act.”

Several great beasts shouted continuously.

At that moment, something inside the Azure Dragon Cave seemed to awaken.

In the darkness, a pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.

An ancient and overwhelming aura spread outward.

“You little brats dare disturb this old man’s slumber.”

“Tyrant Blade Azure Dragon, don’t be arrogant this time. A great lord wants to see you,” Torch Dragon shouted.

Xu Zimo’s gaze grew deep.

He could sense the presence inside the cave. It was extremely powerful, far beyond an ordinary Infinite Dao cultivator.

Even if it hadn’t opened the Three Blossoms, it was likely only one step away.

“I’m here for the key to the Three Corpse Burial Ground,” Xu Zimo said.

“No matter who you are, if you want the key, obtain it through treasure hunting in Azure Dragon Cave,” Tyrant Blade Azure Dragon replied in an aged voice.

“So you’re not willing to negotiate,” Xu Zimo said, narrowing his eyes.

“These are my rules. There’s nothing to negotiate,” Tyrant Blade Azure Dragon said calmly.

“In that case,” Xu Zimo slowly drew Shadow Tyrant from his back, “Let’s fight. I’d like to see what you can do.”

He swung his blade, and terrifying power surged forth, annihilating everything as it blasted toward the cave lair.

At that moment, a massive green dragon claw reached out from the darkness, instantly erasing all of Xu Zimo’s blade energy.

“Die,” it said indicatedly.

A towering figure then slowly emerged from the shadows.

It was a dragon-shaped giant, about two meters tall.

Its gaze carried overwhelming dragon might, making it impossible to look at directly.

Its body was covered in layers of green dragon scales.

And strapped to its back was a wild, domineering Azure Dragon Blade.