[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-really-am-a-villain":3,"chapter-i-really-am-a-villain-i-really-am-a-villain-chapter-977":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Really Am A Villain",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1433702,1885,"Chapter 977 - Lord of Light vs. Guiding Venerable","i-really-am-a-villain-chapter-977",977,"\u003Cp>Golden Dragon Immortal also steadied his footing, his eyes calm as he looked straight ahead. Within his body, a golden divine dragon faintly flowed. It was as if this dragon coursed through his blood, visible within his veins, ready to burst out at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pine of the Northern Sea, floating through the mortal world for countless years,” Grand Pine Sage roared as he directly lifted the giant axe in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That axe erupted with unprecedented might, tearing through the void as it hacked toward Golden Dragon Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dragon’s roar echoed. Golden Dragon Immortal’s figure turned illusory, as though he truly transformed into a divine dragon, twisting and weaving through the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One excelled in raw power, the other in speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, neither could overwhelm the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about five or six minutes of battle, Grand Pine Sage suddenly changed his momentum. He threw aside his giant axe, bringing his palms together and standing in a strange posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his opponent discard his weapon, Golden Dragon Immortal grew suspicious but still struck with a palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud boom rang out. Golden Dragon Immortal was horrified to discover that his power could not move the other man at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he tried to withdraw, it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless strands of spiritforce transformed into branches, surrounding and besieging him from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know why I am called Grand Pine Sage?” Grand Pine Sage laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is because I am the pine tree upon Moon Mountain that absorbed the essence of heaven and earth and transformed into form.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the branches of spiritforce bound Golden Dragon Immortal tightly like ropes, Grand Pine Sage finally let out a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent’s speed was indeed frightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single kick, he knocked Golden Dragon Immortal off the stage, though without harming him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This match goes to Grand Pine Sage. You may choose to continue fighting or take a rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll rest a bit,” Grand Pine Sage said with a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, another contestant stepped onto the stage. It was truly a scene of “when you finish your act, I begin mine,” each one dazzling for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone knew these were just appetizers, warm-ups before the true feast later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire morning passed with such matches one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Xu Zimo felt some admiration, they truly had patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, after another bout ended, a figure stood up. The previously noisy venue gradually grew quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The path of cultivation is like rowing upstream. If you do not advance, you fall back. Why not let this little monk push the boat forward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bald monk walked step by step onto the stage, each step steady and firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around his neck hung an especially large string of prayer beads, each bead carved with a different skull pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gray robes were somewhat old, yet immaculately clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Guiding Venerable,” someone said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding Venerable was the abbot of Bodhisattva Monastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the twelve Imperial Lineages, Bodhisattva Monastery’s history was not especially long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was well known that the previous generation’s Grand Emperor of Primordial Heartlands was the Mortal Emperor, and before him was Kunlun Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the Kunlun Emperor bore the Heaven's Will, the world had simply called him Kunlun Monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding Venerable was the one who led him into Bodhisattva Monastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Guiding Venerable was a true old monster, no one knew how many years he had lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in his own words, all beings suffer, the sea of Buddha is boundless, and someone must guide the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, Guiding Venerable, was the lamp to lead all beings out of the sea of suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like the master couldn’t resist,” Xu Zimo chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That old monk should stay in his monastery chanting mantras. What’s he doing meddling here?” Lin Ruhuo snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps he got tired of chanting,” Xu Zimo laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man nearby overheard and joined in, smiling: “Brother, your words are mistaken. Guiding Venerable is a true enlightened monk. He has come to save all beings from the sea of suffering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have a sea of suffering that needs saving?” Xu Zimo asked, looking at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, and many of them,” the youth replied with a smile. “Poor aptitude, weak cultivation, no extraordinary family background, there are countless places in which I consider myself mired in suffering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Zimo smiled faintly but did not reply further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Guiding Venerable ascended the stage, many who had intended to step up hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew each other’s strength well enough; sparring among themselves was fine. But Guiding Venerable was not someone they could contend with. Still, some were unwilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll come,” a loud laugh rang from the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man strode forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They may all fear your reputation, but I do not,” the man said coldly. “Until we fight, no one knows who is stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding Venerable smiled serenely at the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then said softly, “Layman, you must quiet your heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words fell, an invisible force surrounded the man, directly pushing him off the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how hard he resisted, it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, everyone’s hearts trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To simply push him down without causing harm, that was the true bearing of a master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quiet your heart. Indeed, they all should quiet their hearts. What strength one has determines what one should do,” many thought silently to themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were not only for that man but also for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire venue fell into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A yawn echoed. A figure stood lazily from his seat, as if just waking from a nap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Guiding let’s have some fun,” he said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this figure, the crowd tensed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Bright Sacred Ground,” someone murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was seated where Little Bright Sacred Ground’s people were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking at his face, they did not recognize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had heard of several ancestors and the Sacred Lord of that imperial lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this man, he wore a golden long robe, his hair loose and messy behind him, giving off a carefree air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a square face, appeared to be in his forties, with deep-set eyes, a high nose, and stubble that made him appear all the more mature and steadier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the man walked up, whispers filled the air. Even Guiding Venerable seemed somewhat surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder which senior of the Sacred Ground you are?” Guiding Venerable asked humbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Identity and name don’t matter. I walk the world only to pursue my ideal,” the man replied with a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the spectator seats, Xu Zimo stared at him for a long time before uttering two words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Dingtian... the Lord of Light”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His old acquaintance from his previous life, once a closest friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this life, he had met him earlier and already learned his true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past life, Xiao Dingtian had become his friend because Xu Zimo had been defeated by Chu Yang, left in despair and dejection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this life, they were destined to be mortal enemies, because their identities stood opposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was his ideal, or his principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding Venerable nodded slightly, acknowledging his words.\u003C\u002Fp>",1199,"2026-06-06T01:07:00.020Z",1,"novelbin.me","e259a91aeba9af1f504257027a35af5fcba8d87f46334706c0bfef03126cde87","i-really-am-a-villain-chapter-978","i-really-am-a-villain-chapter-976",1822,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-really-am-a-villain-cover.jpg"]