Deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace, a commotion erupted, startling all the guests in attendance.
Countless gazes turned toward the far end of space-time, where the sky was cracking apart. Dazzling divine light swirled and fell like flowing fire, as if ancient deities were descending into the mortal world.
It was a scene that sent shivers down one's spine. The heavens and earth seemed to have been forcibly torn apart, with flowing fire and radiant light illuminating half of the vast, deep void.
Gu Changge, leading the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, descended upon this place as if walking on flat ground, calm and composed.
A terrifying aura swept over, accompanied by a heart-shaking pressure that left everyone feeling an indescribable sense of oppression and unease.
"He has indeed come," murmured Saintess Xiyuan, ignoring Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, who had intended to speak with her.
Her gaze fell upon the white-robed figure approaching from the distance, her expression slightly complicated.
The last time she had been trapped in the depths of the void prison within the Immortal Chu Dynasty, she had thought that Gu Changge would come to rescue her. After all, that would align with his usual style of action and interests.
But he had not done so. After the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, he seemed to have vanished from the world, and she had never heard of his whereabouts again.
From the Mirror of Reincarnation, she had once again deduced the future, only to find that no matter what choices were made, it seemed impossible to alter the destined fate.
Before the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, she had held onto some hope, believing that Gu Changge's goal was merely to remove the forces and traditions that stood in his way.
But now, it seemed his true purpose was to bring the entire Prime-Origin Civilization under his control.
"Is this the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? The rumors truly pale in comparison to reality. He is far more unfathomable than the tales suggest," whispered some of the ancient beings who had only recently emerged, their eyes flickering with deep thoughts.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance, now the most feared force in the Prime-Origin Civilization, was led by Gu Changge, a figure who instilled dread and awe in many factions and traditions.
During the time of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Gu Changge, as the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, had displayed a level of power that was beyond description, dominating the world.
He had even forcefully disrupted and destroyed Chu Gucheng's Heavenly Decline Tribulation, drawing the attention of the Land of Truth.
This was why, during the rapid expansion of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, even as it annexed numerous large and small clans and occupied vast territories, no faction dared to oppose it.
Gu Changge had disappeared from the Prime-Origin Civilization for a full thousand years, yet his influence still loomed over everyone, and no one dared to act recklessly.
"The leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has arrived. His intentions are likely far from benevolent," said the leaders of various factions, their expressions grave and no longer as relaxed as before.
Among them were figures like Zi Wanhe, the master of Purple Mist Mountain, and Chu Heng, the former champion of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, who were now part of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and had come alongside Gu Changge.
In addition to them, Gu Changge was accompanied by several other terrifying figures, their auras heart-stopping and seemingly no weaker than those of Ancestral Dao realm experts.
Among them were even those who had survived three or four Heavenly Decline Tribulations.
This force alone was enough to sweep through the majority of the factions in the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Such a display left everyone present feeling a heavy weight in their hearts.
"Back in the Immortal Chu Dynasty, the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance attended a banquet with the members of the Imperial Immortal Palace. I wonder what his relationship with them truly is."
"If the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace has emerged for this matter, it might be manageable. But if she too stands on the side of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, then the entire Prime-Origin Civilization will truly be in trouble..."
Many were deeply concerned, fearing such a scenario.
"Senior Brother Gu..."
Jing Xiao, who had followed the Jing Clan, was overjoyed to see Gu Changge after a thousand years, but her expression quickly dimmed as she remembered something.
Beside her, Jing Xiang sighed softly, unable to hide his emotions.
When Jing Xiao had brought Gu Changge back to the Jing Clan, her parents and others had noticed her admiration for him.
Unfortunately, the difference in their status was too great.
Even her parents and the ancestors of the Jing Clan had to treat Gu Changge with utmost respect.
Jing Xiao's feelings could only fade with time.
At this moment, the most complex emotions belonged to the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
After all, Gu Changge had spent some time at the Imperial Immortal Palace, and many believed he had a close relationship with Ling Yuxian, with the potential to become her Dao companion.
Moreover, the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace had been able to escape her predicament thanks to Gu Changge's assistance.
The elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace were still grateful for this.
But now, with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance growing stronger and gradually swallowing everything around it, it was possible that the Imperial Immortal Palace and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would end up on opposing sides.
Weighing the options, everyone felt conflicted and troubled.
"Senior Brother Gu, it has been a thousand years. I hope you have been well."
From the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace, streams of radiant light filled the sky, and a golden path appeared, extending toward Gu Changge.
Ling Yuxian, accompanied by numerous elders, personally went to welcome Gu Changge and the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
"A thousand years have passed quickly. You are almost ready to condense your Dao seed and break through to the Dao Realm," Gu Changge said with a smile, nodding to the familiar elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Ling Yuxian, elegant and pure, with skin as white as snow and a graceful figure, stood like an unblemished immortal flower, her eyes flickering with complex emotions.
"Where have you been these past thousand years..."
She looked at Gu Changge, her expression growing more complicated. She had intended to reminisce, but upon speaking, she realized that such words were too intimate and inappropriate for the current situation, so she stopped herself.
From another direction, Jing Tianyuan, the ancestor of the Jing Clan, and Di Kun, the demon emperor of the Demon Court, approached with their entourages and bowed to Gu Changge, saying, "Greetings, Alliance Leader."
Seeing this, the leaders of the various factions present could not remain idle and reluctantly stepped forward to pay their respects.
Even the ancient beings, who carried the aura of antiquity and the scent of soil, were no exception.
Before a complete fallout, no one dared to offend Gu Changge. Even someone like Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, who had survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations, had to carefully consider his actions.
"Old Daoist Wuya Zi greets the Alliance Leader."
An old Daoist, who had been drinking and eating with Old Man Cold Crow, transformed into a beam of light and approached, bowing slightly.
Old Man Cold Crow followed closely, trying to maintain his composure but unable to hide the excitement on his face, his eyes filled with fervor.
"I am Old Man Cold Crow, greeting the Alliance Leader."
He grinned, his cold aura spreading and causing discomfort among the nearby cultivators, who instinctively stepped back.
"Have I met the two of you before?" Gu Changge's gaze swept over the old Daoist and Old Man Cold Crow, his smile carrying a hint of meaning.
If he remembered correctly, before the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, he had sensed two people observing everything from a distant space-time.
Those two were none other than the ones before him now. At the time, Gu Changge had ignored them, knowing they came from beyond the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Now, it seemed their origins were somewhat similar to what he had speculated.
"Alliance Leader, your memory is indeed sharp. We did linger outside the Immortal Chu Dynasty for a while. You must have noticed us then," the old Daoist, who called himself Wuya Zi, replied without hesitation, openly admitting to their spying.
"The two of us have come to the Prime-Origin Civilization precisely for the Alliance Leader. We have long heard of the reputation of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance in the Vast Expanse and are filled with immense admiration and respect. We have come specifically to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and hope the Alliance Leader will grant our wish."
Old Man Cold Crow grinned, clearly eager to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Wuya Zi also nodded with a faint smile, saying, "Although we are accustomed to a carefree life like wandering clouds and wild cranes, we deeply admire the original intent and ideals of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. We are willing to join forces with the Alliance Leader and others to discuss the great plan of slaying heaven."
"We hope the Alliance Leader will not reject our request."
His words immediately caused the expressions of many faction leaders present to change, filled with shock and disbelief.
Even Saintess Xiyuan, who was approaching, furrowed her brows slightly, finding it hard to believe.
If she hadn't encountered these two on her way and sensed that they came from beyond the Vast Expanse, she might have suspected they were plants arranged by Gu Changge himself.
To openly declare their desire to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance in front of all the guests on such an occasion was nothing short of a deliberate slap in the face to everyone present.
"What a great plan to slay heaven! Our Heaven-Slaying Alliance is in need of insightful individuals like you two. We welcome your joining and would never refuse."
Gu Changge also smiled faintly upon hearing this.
He knew these two had other matters to discuss with him, but it wasn't convenient to bring them up in front of everyone at this moment.
However, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance indeed needed such pillars of strength at the Ancestral Dao realm.
"Haha, wonderful! I felt an instant connection with you two back then. It seems we are truly like-minded. With your assistance, our Heaven-Slaying Alliance will grow even stronger."
Jing Tianyuan, seeing this, also laughed heartily, clearly pleased.
Zi Wanhe, the master of Purple Mist Mountain, Chu Heng, the champion of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, and other members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance who had come along also smiled.
They could naturally tell that the strength of these two was unfathomable, far surpassing ordinary Ancestral Dao realm experts.
The development of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had been evident to all. To gain the addition of two Ancestral Dao realm experts under such circumstances made the leaders of various factions present look extremely uneasy, almost incredulous.
Did the Heaven-Slaying Alliance truly possess such magnetism that its reputation and influence alone could make people bow their heads in submission?
"Our Heaven-Slaying Alliance upholds the principles of humanity and seeks to rectify the world. Many ancient civilizations and true worlds have already submitted and willingly become part of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, contributing their strength to the great plan of slaying heaven."
"There is no need for everyone to be overly worried or anxious. Take, for example, our Demon Court. Since joining the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, our expansion and development have been evident to all. It is not impossible for us to restore the glory of ten thousand clans paying homage, as in the past."
"It can be said that joining the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and establishing the alliance's covenant is beneficial and advantageous for all factions and traditions."
Di Kun, with a fierce gaze, looked around at the crowd, as if understanding their thoughts, and spoke with a loud laugh.
Among the factions gathered here today, aside from immortal-level traditions like the Temple of Light and Darkness and the Buddha Kingdom, which had many Ancestral Dao realm experts, there were also many smaller factions like Tuoyang Mountain.
These factions shared a common trait: none had Ancestral Dao realm experts overseeing them. They had always remained obedient, not daring to overstep, and struggled to survive and develop in the gaps between the various immortal traditions.
The rapid expansion of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, swallowing up surrounding factions and clans, had made them feel a sense of crisis. Thus, they had come here to band together and seek a solution.
Although Di Kun's words contained some exaggeration—the Demon Court's attempt to replicate the glory of ancient times was almost impossible—it was true that since joining the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, the Demon Court had developed rapidly. With the Heaven-Slaying Alliance as a powerful backing, many ancient and powerful demon clans in the Endless Demon Domain had also submitted.
As the saying goes, it's easy to enjoy shade under a big tree. If there were no other options, joining the Heaven-Slaying Alliance might indeed be the best choice.
Many cultivators present showed signs of struggle and temptation, seemingly moved by Di Kun's words.
Several leaders of immortal traditions exchanged glances and stepped forward, coldly saying,
"Enough of this nonsense. You are all birds of a feather. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance is merely trying to gradually swallow and unify the Prime-Origin Civilization. Stop using these high-sounding reasons to deceive us."
"The fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty is the best example. Do you really think all the factions and traditions are blind? How the Immortal Chu Dynasty fell is clear for all to see."
"We have come here today to prevent this. Since its inception, the Prime-Origin Civilization has endured countless calamities. Various clans and traditions have thrived and accumulated their foundations without interfering with one another. But the arrival of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has completely disrupted this balance. When the next Cataclysmic Tribulation arrives, the first to face reckoning will be the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. If you wish to die with them, that's your choice, but we will not join you."
"How dare you casually speak of 'slaying heaven'? Aren't you afraid of the reckoning and the boundless karma you will bear?"
These leaders, whose cultivation was profound, included even Ancestral Dao realm experts. Their faces were shrouded in the mist of the Great Dao, and their eyes seemed to contain the collapse of stars and the breaking of rivers. Their overwhelming pressure enveloped the surroundings, making others feel small.
With them speaking out, the other cultivators and beings present felt a sense of relief, as if the situation wasn't as dire as they had thought. It seemed the various traditions of the Prime-Origin Civilization had long suffered under the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and would not allow its ambitions to succeed.
"You are truly foolish. The Cataclysmic Tribulation will bring reckoning to all worlds. No civilization or true world can escape it. Your mindset and courage are even inferior to those newly ascended Dao realm experts in the newly born true worlds, who at least have the courage to fight, even if it's like moths to a flame, without regret or hatred."
"You have cultivated for hundreds of millennia, yet when faced with the Cataclysmic Tribulation, all you can do is hide and fear. What else are you capable of?"
Hearing this, Jing Tianyuan snorted coldly, his expression filled with dissatisfaction as he swept his gaze over these leaders.
However, the expressions of these leaders remained calm and unperturbed.
They deeply understood the consequences of the words "slaying heaven." Moreover, they did not believe the Heaven-Slaying Alliance truly acted with the purpose of upholding humanity, as it claimed.
"Slaying heaven? What a foolish self-proclamation. They are nothing more than overconfident ants. The Cataclysmic Tribulation will only bring reckoning to the newly born true worlds and the ancient true worlds. The Prime-Origin Civilization, as a supreme true world, has long transcended such interference. This has been the established rule since ancient times. Elder Jing, as a wise elder, should know this, shouldn't you?"
"The Heaven-Slaying Alliance, by daring to speak of heaven and taking on such a name, has already committed a great taboo. It will inevitably face reckoning. If the existence of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance causes the Prime-Origin Civilization to once again suffer calamity and face the Cataclysmic Tribulation, it will be an unforgivable sin for all eternity."
"In the vast flow of time, from ancient to modern, what we see is but a fleeting dream, a momentary illusion in the eternal cycle. Only the Great Dao, constant and unchanging, is our ultimate pursuit."
"In the boundless Vast Expanse, across countless worlds and infinite time, countless beings perish in an instant. The Cataclysmic Tribulation is the eternal law of the Heavenly Dao. Those who serve heaven understand the Mandate of Heaven, while those who slay heaven are abandoned by it."
"Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, why don't you respond to us?"
Their gazes swept over Jing Tianyuan, Di Kun, Zi Wanhe, the old Daoist, and others, before finally landing on Gu Changge's face, as if trying to pressure him with their stares.
"Since you all have already made up your minds, why bother asking me?"
"Our Heaven-Slaying Alliance has its own standards of conduct. Believe it or not, it's up to you."
Gu Changge smiled faintly, not avoiding their gazes. His calm and composed eyes showed no trace of disturbance...