I Became the Villain?

Time flew by, and another three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Over those three months, undercurrents had surged beneath the surface among Flame City's various factions.

The incident of Luo Heng publicly slapping Yue Feng at the Ancient Market had long spread throughout the city, becoming a topic of conversation after meals.

The Blood Wolf Gang had lost all face. Yue Shan was enraged, yet surprisingly, he did not immediately launch a fierce retaliation. Instead, he remained unusually silent.

But that silence, like the calm before a storm, allowed many perceptive people to catch the scent of something dangerous and unusual.

Within the Symbol Master Association, preparations for the Tower Battle had entered their final stage.

Zi Yue had gone into seclusion to break through to the Late Two-Mark Realm, while Luo Heng kept a low profile, his aura growing ever deeper and more restrained.

Lin Dong had progressed rapidly. With the Symbol Master Association's resources and Xiao Diao's guidance, he had already stabilized at the Late Earthen Yuan Stage, while his Spiritual Power had reached the middle stage of the First Seal Rune Master level.

Little Yan had grown even more rapidly. It was now the size of a small calf, with a fierce aura and the cultivation of the Body Tempering Ninth Level.

On this day, Luo Heng was in the Quiet Room, using the Strange Metal Fragment to temper his Sword Intent.

After three months of continuous experimentation, he had gained a deeper understanding of the metal fragment's properties.

Not only was it incomparably tough and capable of bearing Sword Intent, but through resonance, it could also help him remove impurities from his Sword Intent, making it purer and more condensed.

His half-formed Sword Intent was now approaching the threshold of minor completion, its power several times greater than it had been three months ago.

The metal fragment itself had also been continuously nourished by the Sword Intent. The grayish-brown rust on its surface had nearly faded away, revealing its dark silver body beneath. Occasionally, an exceedingly faint glint of sharp, cold light flashed across it.

"Young Master Luo, Chief Manager Xuan Su has come to visit. She is waiting in the front hall and says she has an important matter to discuss." A Symbol Master Association disciple respectfully reported from outside the Quiet Room.

Luo Heng slowly withdrew his cultivation. His Sword Intent receded into his body, and the sheen on the metal fragment vanished as well.

"Understood."

After making a few simple adjustments, he headed to the front hall.

Xuan Su wore a neat light-blue martial outfit today, outlining her graceful curves. She had lost some of her usual seductive charm, but gained a touch of capable sharpness.

A trace of solemnity lay between her brows. Upon seeing Luo Heng, she went straight to the point.

"Young Master Luo, forgive the disturbance. I have come today because there is an opportunity, and I would like to ask for your assistance. The reward... will be thirty percent of the gains from that opportunity."

"Oh? What opportunity could make Chief Manager Xuan Su take it so seriously?" Luo Heng asked as he took a seat across from her.

"Dan Xian Pool." Xuan Su spoke the three words, her eyes fixed closely on Luo Heng.

Luo Heng's heart stirred.

Dan Xian Pool. He had finally been waiting for it.

According to the Original Work, this was indeed one of Lin Dong's important early opportunities.

Not only could one use the pool water to break through to the Core Formation Realm, but more importantly, the Yin Yang Pearl hidden at the bottom of the pool, as well as the remnant spirit of the Azure Water Serpent.

"Dan Xian Pool... a wondrous natural treasure where yin and yang converge. It is a supreme treasure for Heaven Yuan Realm martial artists." Luo Heng spoke calmly, as though he were merely stating common knowledge.

A trace of surprise flashed through Xuan Su's eyes. She had not expected Luo Heng to know so much about Dan Xian Pool. She then nodded. "That's right. The pool is located deep in the mountains east of Flame City. Myriad Gold Merchant Guild and the Blood Wolf Gang discovered it almost simultaneously. The two sides are currently confronting each other, and neither can claim it alone."

"So you agreed to decide ownership through a martial contest?" Luo Heng followed her train of thought.

"Exactly." Xuan Su's expression turned serious. "According to the agreement, both sides will send three members of the younger generation under the age of twenty-five. It will be best two out of three, and the winner will claim Dan Xian Pool exclusively. On the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild's side, aside from Zhi Lan and Liu Yi, we hope the third person will be you, Young Master Luo. If you do not participate, we can only send Song Qing."

She paused before explaining, "Song Qing is the strongest member of the Song Clan's younger generation. He is at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm and his strength is decent, but the three people the Blood Wolf Gang has sent this time... are very strong."

"Yue Feng has broken through to the Late Heaven Yuan Realm," Luo Heng cut in. Yue Feng had clearly not been idle over the past three months. He must have forcefully broken through under Yue Shan's no-expense-spared investment of resources.

Xuan Su said gravely, "There is also Yue Shan's daughter, Yue Ling. She is likewise at the Late Heaven Yuan Realm, and the cultivation techniques and martial arts she practices are even more troublesome than Yue Feng's. The third is Jiang Li, the son of a Core Formation Realm retainer of the Blood Wolf Gang. He is at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm, but it is said that he has already touched the threshold of the late stage. He has abundant combat experience and cultivates an evil art that can temporarily raise him to the peak of the late stage."

"Yue Shan is sending both his son and daughter. It seems he is determined to obtain Dan Xian Pool." Luo Heng's tone remained calm.

"Precisely." Xuan Su nodded, her beautiful eyes filled with earnestness. "Among the younger generation of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, there are very few who can reliably defeat those three. If Young Master Luo does not act, our chances of victory will be slim. As compensation, you may claim thirty percent of Dan Xian Pool's essence, and the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild will also prepare a generous gift to thank you."

Thirty percent of the essence did not sound like much, but the true essence of Dan Xian Pool was the Yin Yang Pearl at its bottom. That was the biggest prize, and the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild clearly did not know this.

"I can do it." Luo Heng agreed without hesitation.

This was a deal with nothing to lose.

Xuan Su was overjoyed. "Wonderful! With Young Master Luo here, our confidence in this battle will rise greatly!"

But she then seemed to recall something, and her brows furrowed slightly. "However, the Blood Wolf Gang will certainly be unwilling to see Young Master Luo take part. They may cause trouble and find an excuse to oppose it."

"If they object, it will be nothing more than saying that I am not a member of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, or that my strength exceeds the restrictions." Luo Heng spoke indifferently, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "If they truly dare use that as an excuse, then we will change the format. I alone will challenge all three of them."

Xuan Su's beautiful eyes widened in shock. "Young Master Luo means... one against three?"

"Why not?" Luo Heng's tone carried a hint of amusement, but also confidence. "Hasn't Yue Shan always wanted to get rid of me? Give him this opportunity. If those three can join forces and defeat me, Dan Xian Pool will belong to them, and I, Luo Heng, will be at their disposal. But if they lose... Dan Xian Pool will belong to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, and the three of them must hand over their weapons to me."

In truth, their weapons meant little to him, but without that condition, the Blood Wolf Gang would likely not agree.

Xuan Su drew in a sharp breath. The stakes were enormous!

Yet as she looked at Luo Heng's calm eyes, filled with absolute confidence, an inexplicable sense of trust arose within her.

"Alright!" Xuan Su gritted her teeth. "I will return at once to discuss this with the Guild Master. If the Blood Wolf Gang dares play tricks, we will use this plan!"

Luo Heng nodded.

Xuan Su hurried away. She needed to settle the details with Xia Wanjin as soon as possible.

Two days later, news arrived.

As expected, the Blood Wolf Gang strongly opposed Luo Heng representing the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, claiming that he was a core disciple of the Symbol Master Association and not a member of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.

The Myriad Gold Merchant Guild argued on reasonable grounds. They proposed that if the Blood Wolf Gang insisted on objecting, they could change the format: Luo Heng alone would challenge Yue Feng, Yue Ling, and Jiang Li of the Blood Wolf Gang!

One person challenging three Heaven Yuan Realm experts of the middle and late stages, two of whom were the Blood Wolf Gang's Young Master and young lady!

Arrogance? Or confidence?

After fierce internal debate, the Blood Wolf Gang finally had Yue Shan make the final decision: they accepted!

In his eyes, this was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Luo Heng! No matter how monstrous Luo Heng's talent was, how strong could he have become in a mere three months? His son and daughter were both at the Late Heaven Yuan Realm, while Jiang Li was also among the strongest at the middle stage. The three of them working together with coordinated teamwork would force even an ordinary Small Perfection of the Core Formation Realm expert to avoid their edge! No matter how strong Luo Heng was, could he possibly be stronger than a Small Perfection of the Core Formation Realm again?

He believed that even if Liu Chong's death was related to Luo Heng, Luo Heng could not possibly have killed him. After all, this fellow had only been at the Early Heaven Yuan Realm back then! How monstrous could he possibly be? Even if Luo Heng had killed him, he must have used some powerful one-use Spirit Treasure or medicinal pill for a sudden burst of strength. Yue Shan did not believe Luo Heng had another!

In secret, he instructed Yue Feng and the other two not to hold back during the contest. If they had the chance, they were to kill Luo Heng directly and leave him there forever!