2.0
Could it be that he could sense the Mirror of Reincarnation's deductions and simulations of him? Capture those deduced images?
But that was far too unbelievable.
Saintess Xiyuan shook her head inwardly, thinking it was utterly impossible. The Mirror of Reincarnation was a Supreme Treasure of the First Civilization; no one in this world could capture its deduced images.
She was more inclined to believe that Gu Changge's divine sense was powerful, that he knew the Heavenly Dao, understood fate and destiny, and could perceive the vague deductions concerning him in the unseen.
After all, the future simulated within the Mirror of Reincarnation was itself a further deduction of the karma involving him.
However, no matter which possibility it was, suddenly meeting Gu Changge in this manner today still greatly shook Saintess Xiyuan, making her heart highly vigilant and cautious.
"Among the countless karmic connections, perhaps sometimes it is just such fate—clearly having never met before, yet it feels as if we've known each other for a long time."
"And who might this young lady be?"
Saintess Xiyuan wore a veil, her tone soft. She walked gently into the pavilion, seeming to only notice Ling Yuxian at this moment and began to inquire about her identity and purpose.
She knew that Gu Changge was definitely not a person from the Imperial Immortal Palace.
And the woman before her also had an unusual aura that made her pause; she could not discern her origin right away.
Ling Yuxian was still guessing the relationship between Saintess Xiyuan and Gu Changge. Hearing Saintess Xiyuan's question, she came back to her senses, introduced herself, and incidentally asked about matters concerning Saintess Xiyuan's master.
She had come to visit Saintess Xiyuan under her sister Ling Yuling's words, in fact also wanting to probe for news about that master.
Because Saintess Xiyuan's master was the former sage who established the Xiyuan Sacred Hall.
During the alliance against the Heaven's Proxy Organization back then, she was a leader as well; otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed her to wield the Mirror of Reincarnation, a Supreme Treasure of the First Civilization.
"My master? She has long vanished for many epochs. Ever since I became Saintess Xiyuan, I've never seen her again. I don't know if she's still in the myriad worlds, or perhaps traveling deep within some spacetime."
Saintess Xiyuan hadn't expected anyone to ask about her master.
This wasn't a secret within the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Now, the Prime-Origin Civilization was under her charge, and even the Supreme Treasure of the First Civilization, the Mirror of Reincarnation, was wielded by her.
"It seems my sister's idea won't work."
Ling Yuxian was somewhat regretful. She knew her sister wanted to contact that former sage, and it must be related to the great tribulation that the Prime-Origin Civilization was about to face.
She also knew her own strength was too low to be of much help for now, so she hadn't inquired about this great tribulation.
Saintess Xiyuan was curious and wanted to know why Ling Yuxian asked about her master.
"It's mainly my sister; she wishes to visit Senior Sage Xi. There may be some matters she needs to discuss with Senior Sage Xi."
As Ling Yuxian spoke, she glanced at Gu Changge. He was quietly savoring the tea that the maidservant had just served, appearing entirely detached from worldly affairs.
The founder of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall was called Sage Xi; no one knew her origins.
They only knew she was incomparably ancient, suspected to be a figure from an even more distant era.
After all, being able to wield a Supreme Treasure of the First Civilization and become a leader-level figure during the war to overthrow the Heaven's Proxy Organization, she could not be simple.
"Your sister is?"
Saintess Xiyuan was slightly surprised.
Honestly, it had been a long time since she had heard the name Sage Xi, and even the world likely didn't know her master's name.
She was becoming increasingly curious about the origins of Ling Yuxian and the sister she mentioned.
"My sister is the Founding Ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace," Ling Yuxian answered directly.
"What?"
These words first stunned Saintess Xiyuan, making her wonder if she had misheard, then she reacted, utterly shocked, her small mouth beneath the veil falling slightly agape.
The Founding Ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace was this woman's sister? Then wasn't she a figure from the same era as her own master?
Originally, she had thought Ling Yuxian was a rather outstanding younger heavenly pride of the Imperial Immortal Palace, sent here by her sect's elders to find her.
She had never imagined her background would be so immense.
A figure from the same era as her master appeared before her so vividly, looking so young. This truly was somewhat fantastical.
However, Saintess Xiyuan was no ordinary person. She quickly composed herself and calmed down, her gaze towards Ling Yuxian becoming somewhat complex.
"It seems I must address you with greater respect," she said.
Although Ling Yuxian appeared young, since she was a figure from that era, she naturally had methods to traverse calamities, undergo reincarnation, and reshape her body.
Moreover, since she was together with Gu Changge, there must be something extraordinary about her.
"There is no need for that."
Ling Yuxian waved her hand slightly. Seeing that Saintess Xiyuan's attitude was no longer as casual and dismissive as before, she didn't pay too much attention.
Besides, now that she had re-cultivated, these were not things she cared about. She was never one to concern herself with such trivialities.
"Senior Sage Xi has long since left the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, and no one knows where she is. Now, the Xiyuan Sacred Hall is under my charge. If the Imperial Immortal Palace has any matters, discussing them with me is the same,"
Saintess Xiyuan nodded and continued.
Before today, she had never imagined that the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace was still in this world. For all these epochs, the Imperial Immortal Palace had been extremely low-key, often giving the impression of gradual decline.
However, the recent uproar about the Jing Clan in the Radiant Ancient Domain, could that also be related to the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace?
At this moment, Saintess Xiyuan connected many things.
Behind what she could not see, hidden currents surged, and many earth-shattering changes were happening.
Could it be that her long-vanished master would also return at this time?
"I'm not clear on what my sister wants to discuss with Senior Sage Xi. It seems she'll have to come find you personally later," Ling Yuxian shook her head.
Hearing this, Saintess Xiyuan gently shook her head and said, "How could this matter trouble a senior to come personally? After Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet concludes, I will accompany you to the Imperial Immortal Palace. Then it will be better to discuss matters directly with the senior."
She noticed that when Ling Yuxian mentioned her sister, Gu Changge's expression showed no ripples, entirely unconcerned.
Clearly, Gu Changge also knew about this, and it was very likely that the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace and he were acquainted.
"That would work," Ling Yuxian nodded, not wanting to make the matter overly troublesome.
Besides, her sister's current identity was not convenient to reveal before the world.
Afterwards, Saintess Xiyuan cast her gaze back to Gu Changge, noticing his tea-drinking motion and suddenly recalling the future images simulated in the Mirror of Reincarnation, her long lashes suddenly trembled.
She remembered that once during a future simulation, she had been casually killed by the man before her because she poured tea with her left hand.
The very thought of this ignited a nameless anger within Saintess Xiyuan. Although it was a simulated future, she had experienced that scene as if she were there herself.
She, who was lofty and transcendent, personally poured tea for him, yet was still despised and then killed. If this got out into the world, what kind of tumultuous waves it would stir was utterly unimaginable.
"Why is Saintess Xiyuan's emotional fluctuation so great all of a sudden?"
Gu Changge suddenly put down his teacup, raised his eyes to look at Saintess Xiyuan, and asked with apparent surprise.
Saintess Xiyuan also realized her emotional fluctuation had been very obvious just then. She hastily reined it in, gently shaking her head. "I just suddenly recalled an unpleasant experience."
Gu Changge smiled. "So that's how it is. I thought I might have inadvertently angered the Saintess, and you were considering attacking me."
Saintess Xiyuan was startled, never expecting Gu Changge's divine sense to be so formidable, even able to perceive that?
She hurriedly shook her head and said, "Young Master Gu, you're overthinking. Why would I attack you without cause? Besides, how could you anger me?"
As she spoke, she suddenly smiled, her countenance blooming like a flower; even with the veil, it gave an impression that all light in the sky dimmed in comparison.
The maid serving tea and water on the side was instantly entranced.
"I wouldn't know about that," Gu Changge said, shaking his head with a light laugh.
Watching the two of them appear as if they had known each other for a long time despite just meeting for the first time, Ling Yuxian, for some unknown reason, felt a sudden, unpleasant irritation rise in her heart.
"Senior Brother Gu, since there's nothing else, let's take our leave first, so as not to disturb the Saintess's rest," Ling Yuxian said.
"Alright," Gu Changge replied with a smile, making to rise from his seat.
"Young Master Gu, please stay. It suddenly occurs to me that I have some matters I'd like to ask and consult you about privately."
However, Saintess Xiyuan spoke, wanting Gu Changge to stay behind alone.
Ling Yuxian's delicate brows furrowed instantly. This was clearly their first meeting; how could Saintess Xiyuan speak of staying alone so simply and naturally, without any discomfort?
Besides, what matters could she have to consult Gu Changge about? Could she also know Gu Changge's identity and origin?
At this moment, Ling Yuxian felt that Saintess Xiyuan and Gu Changge had actually known each other long before.
The comportment and tone of Saintess Xiyuan just now—where was any sign of the transcendent and untainted Saintess the world saw?
"Since the Saintess invites Senior Brother Gu to stay alone, I won't disturb you two further and will take my leave first."
Ling Yuxian glanced at Gu Changge from the corner of her eye, saw him nod slightly, and then, feeling a chill in her heart, followed the same maid from earlier and turned to leave the pavilion.
Saintess Xiyuan was unclear about the relationship between Gu Changge and Ling Yuxian, but seeing her demeanor just now, she formed a speculation in her heart.
The ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace was one of the supreme existences who surrounded and suppressed the dark turmoil back then.
And her own younger sister clearly harbored feelings for Gu Changge.
Originally, through the simulated deductions of the Mirror of Reincarnation, Saintess Xiyuan had thought that the destruction of the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the great tribulation of the Prime-Origin Civilization were related to the Remnants of the Black Calamity from back then.
The mysterious master behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had countless ties to the Remnants of the Black Calamity.
But from today's situation, if Gu Changge were truly connected to the Remnants of the Black Calamity, the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace should have been able to detect it.
Of course, there was another possibility: that even the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace could not perceive Gu Changge's identity and origin.