"Hmph, I wonder what the relationship is between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Heaven-Warring Organization that once brought chaos to the Vast Expanse?"
One of the sect leaders who had spoken earlier stared directly at Gu Changge, his eyes rumbling with movement, wisps of chaotic energy dispersing as he snorted coldly.
Those ancient beings who knew of the Heaven-Warring Organization were generally aware of the Black Calamity Era and understood that its roots lay in the original Heaven-Warring Organization.
Even after the Black Calamity Era ended, the remnants of the Black Calamity were all once subordinates of the Heaven-Warring Organization.
The Lord of Heaven-Warring established the Heaven-Warring Organization, attempting to usurp the authority of the Heavenly Dao and act on its behalf.
Now, Gu Changge had established the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Although it flew the righteous banner of upholding humanity, its essence was no different from the Heaven-Warring Organization of the past, seeking to firmly grasp the authority of the Heavenly Dao for itself.
In the eyes of these ancient beings, no matter how extravagantly the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was praised, it was no different from the Heaven-Warring Organization that had once brought chaos to the world.
Although many of the cultivators and beings present did not truly understand the origins of the Heaven-Warring Organization, they knew of its terror and understood that the Black Calamity Era had emerged from it.
The later eras, such as the Dark Blood Era and the Chaos of the Vast Expanse, were all terrifying events closely linked to this organization.
Even the remnants of the Black Calamity, which now struck fear into the hearts of all realms in the Vast Expanse, could be said to be the legacy of this organization.
Before this, some cultivators had speculated that Gu Changge was connected to the remnants of the Heaven-Warring Organization, believing that he sought to restore it.
But no one dared to say so openly.
Now, this sect leader had directly asked the question in front of everyone, causing a stir among the crowd, their hearts filled with shock.
Many stared intently at Gu Changge, trying to discern any changes in his expression.
"The Heaven-Warring Organization is the Heaven-Warring Organization, and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. How can the two be conflated?"
"Our Heaven-Slaying Alliance upholds humanity, carrying the great vow of all living beings. We wish for peace and harmony among all races and realms in the Vast Expanse, free from war and strife, liberated from the suffering of calamities. How, in your eyes, have we become irredeemably evil?"
Gu Changge smiled faintly.
"Absurd. Since when can a cancer call itself a savior? How laughable."
"The world may be foolish and unable to see, but do you think we can't discern your true intentions?"
The sect leaders sneered, their eyes cold, strands of chaotic light flickering within them. As their eyes opened and closed, a destructive aura seemed to float within.
"How dare you! How can you question the Alliance Leader like this?"
"Today, you have repeatedly provoked and slandered us. Do you think we don't exist?"
Hearing this, several figures from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance immediately stepped forward, their expressions displeased, also exuding a cold aura. They confronted the sect leaders, their terrifying presence clashing with theirs.
"Step back. Since we are guests today, we must abide by the host's rules."
Gu Changge waved his hand lightly, his gaze sweeping over the sect leaders before turning toward the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
"Miss Yuling, as the host, isn't it a bit inappropriate to keep us guests waiting while you watch from the sidelines?" He chuckled softly.
Whoosh!
As Gu Changge's words fell, a divine light shot out from between his fingers, flying toward the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
The depths of the palace, which had been shrouded in mist and chaotic energy, resembling a primordial land of creation, suddenly glowed with pure, white divine light. Strands of light, thousands upon thousands, gathered like rivers and seas, parting the blurred boundaries.
Within, a graceful and transcendent figure appeared, standing atop a towering cliff, exuding unparalleled beauty and elegance.
Surrounded by immortal mist and Dao rhythms, she wore a flawless snow-white robe, her black hair fluttering in the wind, partially obscuring her jade-like face. She seemed ready to ride the wind and ascend to the Nine Heavens Immortal Palace.
All the guests were stunned by this sight.
Without a doubt, she was an extraordinarily beautiful woman, her temperament as gentle as water, her eyes sparkling like rippling waves, clear and pure.
Unlike her sister Ling Yuxian, whose beauty was sharp and intimidating, her beauty was approachable, making one feel an irresistible urge to draw closer.
Not far away, Saintess Xiyuan stood in stark contrast to the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace. She was ethereal and cold, breathtakingly beautiful to the point of seeming unreal, as if she might not truly exist. She could only be admired from afar, never to be profaned.
"Greetings, Ancestor."
After a moment of stunned silence, the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace bowed in the direction of the figure.
The guests finally got a glimpse of the true appearance of the mysterious ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Many were shocked by her beauty, finding it hard to reconcile such a stunning figure with the ancient sage who had once fought against the Black Calamity.
Many of the ancient beings were also struck by Gu Changge's casual address of the ancestor.
"Miss Yuling"?
He actually addressed such an ancient sage as "Miss"?
However, no one could fully explain Gu Changge's origins. It was possible that his existence predated even the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
He appeared young, but his methods and strength were undeniably profound and fearsome.
The sect leaders who had been confronting Gu Changge saw Ling Yuling appear and no longer engaged with him. They snorted coldly and restrained their auras.
Though they prided themselves on their unfathomable cultivation and believed that their combined strength could rival any existence, they still felt a trace of fear toward Gu Changge.
"This humble one greets Young Master Gu. I was previously refining a secret treasure and only just emerged from seclusion. My earlier behavior was indeed somewhat discourteous. I hope Young Master Gu will not take offense."
Ling Yuling knew that with Gu Changge's strength, he must have noticed her observing from the sidelines.
So she made no attempt to hide it, walking gracefully from the cliff. Her snow-white feet peeked out from beneath her long skirt, surrounded by radiant light that obscured her true form, making her seem ethereal and distant.
She wore a gentle smile and nodded slightly in greeting.
"We greet the Senior."
The guests present bowed respectfully as she approached, showing great reverence.
Even Saintess Xiyuan and Xi Yin were no exception, performing the etiquette of juniors.
This was a true living fossil. Even if their master, Sage Xi, were here, she would only address Ling Yuling as an equal.
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, such as Demon Emperor Di Kun and Champion Chu Heng, also bowed slightly.
Until Gu Changge gave the signal, they would not show too much familiarity.
"Sister..."
Ling Yuxian transformed into a divine rainbow and landed beside Ling Yuling, standing together with her.
The elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace, including the palace master Ling Qiuhan, also moved over, standing behind Ling Yuling.
"It's just a small matter, no need to worry about it. However, it's rare for Miss Yuling to make such a grand appearance. I assume there's something important you wish to discuss with us." Gu Changge said with a faint smile.
His words caused many to be stunned, and the leaders of various factions and traditions couldn't help but frown.
It sounded as if Gu Changge was acquainted with the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace?
Did he already know that the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace still existed in the world?
Now that they thought about it, it made sense. After all, Gu Changge had spent some time at the Imperial Immortal Palace in the past, and during that time, he must have had contact with the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
This made many people uneasy. Could it be that the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace also stood on Gu Changge's side, and this public announcement was meant to assist the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?
"Young Master Gu is truly perceptive. Nothing can be hidden from you." Ling Yuling smiled faintly.
If one were to look down from the vast depths of space, the scene below would clearly show three distinct groups.
The first was the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, led by Gu Changge. The second was the leaders and sect masters of various factions and traditions who had come to discuss countermeasures. The third was the members of the Imperial Immortal Palace. The division was clear and distinct.
"There's no need for formalities, everyone."
"The reason I've invited everyone here today to the Imperial Immortal Palace to discuss important matters is to establish the Prime-Origin Covenant."
"The current state of the Prime-Origin Civilization is something you've all witnessed. If we don't intervene, it won't be long before the fortune of the Prime-Origin Civilization turns from prosperity to decline, following in the footsteps of the Endless Yang True World and the Calamitous Yin True World, never to recover..."
Afterward, Ling Yuling slowly swept her gaze over everyone and then led the way, guiding everyone into the grand hall.
Her voice was soft and steady, carrying a strange kind of magic that kept everyone quiet, silently following her into the grand hall of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Even beings like Eternal Illumination Dao Lord couldn't help but feel moved by Ling Yuling's words, speculating on her intentions.
The existence of the Prime-Origin Covenant likely had deeper reasons.
Perhaps, as some had speculated earlier, it was meant to restrain the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?
Was the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace not on the side of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?
Meanwhile, Gu Changge and the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance followed at a leisurely pace, showing no concern about any potential traps.
Saintess Xiyuan walked ahead of him, her hands hidden in her wide sleeves, her face veiled, and her black hair partially tied up, revealing a slender, snow-white neck. The rest of her hair cascaded down to her waist, swaying gently as she walked, exuding an aura of coldness and holiness.
Many young cultivators couldn't help but sneak glances at her, filled with awe. It was rare to see Saintess Xiyuan up close, and her beauty was almost unreal, as if she were the most flawless masterpiece of heaven.
The grand hall was vast and spacious, like a separate universe. Stars served as seats, and galaxies flowed like rivers, creating an extraordinary scene.
Countless dazzling stars swirled, and worlds rumbled into view, emitting wisps of chaotic energy, cycling endlessly.
After arriving, Ling Yuling waved her sleeve lightly, and a hazy light appeared, as if the heavens and galaxies were manifesting, revealing the current state of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Within it, a surging, majestic river stretched across various star systems and timelines, winding down with countless branches. The boiling and surging energy of fortune roared like a torrent, creating a terrifying, earth-shaking spectacle that left everyone trembling.
"This is the River of Fortune of our Prime-Origin Civilization. Although it still flows through time and fate as it did before, its surging momentum is not as strong as it once was..."
"If this continues, I fear there will truly be a day of decline."
A Ancestral Dao realm expert exclaimed in surprise, staring intently at the majestic river that had been revealed.
The River of Fortune of the Prime-Origin Civilization was inherently ethereal and intangible. Ordinary cultivators could not perceive it, and only beings at their level could catch glimpses of its traces.
Now, Ling Yuling had used her methods to manifest the River of Fortune, allowing everyone to see the changes in the Prime-Origin Civilization more clearly and directly.
Fortune was an elusive and intangible substance, but its existence could influence all kinds of events.
The rise and fall of nations and traditions, the fate of cultivators, the cycles of civilizations, the destruction and rebirth of universes—anything with a traceable existence could not escape the influence and radiation of fortune.
Even a supreme true world like the Prime-Origin Civilization was no exception. When fortune surged and flourished, it meant the Prime-Origin Civilization would grow stronger and more prosperous.
But when fortune declined, it naturally meant the Prime-Origin Civilization would begin to decline, heading downhill.
For the cultivators and beings living in the Prime-Origin Civilization, this was utterly unacceptable.
Now, seeing the River of Fortune showing signs of decline, many fell silent.
Cultivators who had achieved their Dao fruits by relying on the fortune of the Prime-Origin Civilization were the most affected by this. Their achievements were often closely tied to the fortune of the civilization.
If they failed to suppress the fortune of the Prime-Origin Civilization and allowed it to collapse, their own cultivation would crumble like a collapsing building.
"The River of Fortune wouldn't decline like this for no reason. It must be because of the appearance of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, which has disrupted the Prime-Origin Civilization and shaken its foundations."
The sect leader who had spoken earlier broke the silence once again.
He wore a black-gold Dao crown and a purple Dao robe, his expression stern and his eyes deep. He glanced at Gu Changge, and terrifying chains of order intertwined between his fingers.
"The fortune of the Prime-Origin Civilization has been declining since a thousand years ago. In fact, it's not just the Prime-Origin Civilization. Many nations and civilizations in the Vast Expanse are experiencing the same thing..."
"That wisp of darkness has returned..."
"Long ago, the Dawn Civilization had already sensed the malice. Ancient prophecies foretold that darkness would return."
"And my master once said... he cannot be killed."
Saintess Xiyuan spoke softly, her red lips parting slightly.
As she said this, her gaze couldn't help but drift toward Gu Changge, as if trying to gauge his reaction...