"Since childhood, I have cultivated the Dao, endured countless calamities, tasted the bitterness and sweetness of the mortal world, and faced innumerable powerful enemies. Yet, I have always turned misfortune into fortune, borne the Mandate of Heaven, and advanced further."
"I am favored by Heaven, blessed with fortune, and destined to face tribulations. Even if your current strength surpasses mine, so what? You will ultimately become the whetstone beneath my feet."
Chu Gucheng stood beneath that gate, bathed in thunder and the aura of reality. He coldly glared at Gu Changge in the distance.
This unparalleled enemy, with his eternally cold and indifferent expression, deeply wounded him.
"Is that so?" Gu Changge's expression remained unchanged, devoid of emotion. He merely flicked his sleeve, extinguishing a river of stars, and reached out directly.
At this moment, his hand seemed to carry the calamities of the heavens. Boundless thunder and tribulation clouds dissipated and collapsed within his palm.
He did not attack Chu Gucheng directly but instead struck at the blurry gate.
Boom!
That place seemed to collapse into nothingness. With just a collision, an immense force exploded.
The twisted gate beyond the worlds seemed to tremble, on the verge of shattering.
The aura of reality that had been seeping out also twisted and blurred, disappearing entirely.
The tribulation clouds that had appeared earlier quickly dissipated, and the signs of Heavenly Decline on Chu Gucheng's body also vanished. His expression changed drastically, filled with disbelief.
"You dare to interfere with the Heavenly Decline Tribulation?" He gritted his teeth, finding it hard to believe.
Everyone in the imperial capital noticed this scene, their expressions changing dramatically.
"How is this possible?"
"The Heavenly Decline Tribulation has been stopped and is disappearing rapidly?" Everyone was stunned.
Chu Gucheng found it even harder to accept.
He had been on the verge of crossing the threshold of the Eighth Heavenly Decline, but suddenly, that threshold twisted and blurred, shattering and moving away from him.
The aura of reality also receded like a tide, disappearing quickly.
It was as if everything that had just happened was an illusion, a mirage.
"The Heavenly Decline Tribulation is not so easily overcome."
Gu Changge's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
Everyone in the imperial capital felt a chill, trembling with fear.
He could even interfere with the Heavenly Decline Tribulation, completely disregarding the karmic consequences.
Such terrifying strength was simply unimaginable. Who exactly was he?
In the next moment, as Gu Changge's finger descended once more, a surge of energy pressed toward Chu Gucheng, causing his expression to twist in anger and pain.
He once again experienced the agony of his body collapsing. The cracks on his Dao Fruit became even more pronounced, as if it would shatter at any moment, now unstable.
Despite his cultivation having advanced further, with the potential to become a being who had overcome the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation, why was he still so powerless against Gu Changge?
"Stop!"
Suddenly, a roar echoed as the severely injured Law Sage rushed over from the distance.
Despite being covered in blood, he desperately tried to block this attack for Chu Gucheng, allowing him to successfully overcome the Heavenly Decline Tribulation.
Hearing the Law Sage's roar as he charged forward, Gu Changge's eyes shifted slightly. His cold gaze fell upon him, and the finger that had been directed at Chu Gucheng now landed on the Law Sage.
"What a deep bond between master and disciple. Unfortunately, you lack his means of preserving his life." His tone remained emotionless.
Pfft!
In the next moment, a mist of blood exploded. The Law Sage's charging figure was obliterated, and his Dao Fruit flew out, heading toward another spacetime. However, it was covered in countless cracks, on the verge of collapsing.
"Master…" Chu Gucheng cried out in grief, his voice filled with endless pain and bitterness.
In the imperial capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, there was also shock and horror. Many ministers and guests turned pale.
Had the Law Sage truly fallen?
Boom!
At this moment, a terrifying tremor echoed from beyond the worlds. The vast expanse outside the Prime-Origin Civilization seemed to become transparent, as an eerie, supreme, and indescribable aura descended. That place was infinitely distant from the myriad worlds, yet also incredibly mysterious.
Angry voices and emotions emanated from there.
The twisted and shattered gate began to reform. A phantom of an altar stained with black blood condensed behind the gate, as if some terrifying creature had been awakened, emitting furious and fearful sounds.
Everyone in the Immortal Chu Dynasty was now filled with dread, trembling as if under the gaze of something unimaginable.
Behind that shattered and twisted gate, some being had awakened with fury, surveying this side.
"To think it would attract the attention of such a place? I knew there had to be karmic consequences…"
Elder Xingying's expression changed drastically, turning pale with fear. She forcibly concealed her aura, as if afraid of being noticed.
She looked toward Gu Changge beyond the worlds, her gaze filled with disbelief.
She had thought that Gu Changge's interference with the Heavenly Decline Tribulation would trigger an even more terrifying tribulation, sweeping him into it.
However, no more terrifying tribulation was summoned. Instead, it attracted the gaze of that indescribable place.
What did this mean?
It meant that the Heavenly Decline Tribulation no longer posed a threat to Gu Changge. He might truly be a being at the End of the Path, or even beyond.
If she had known Gu Changge was such a being, why would she have come to the Immortal Chu Dynasty to join forces with Chu Gucheng and others against him?
"Wait, my master must have known. He must have guessed or sensed it."
"Yet he still sent me here."
"Could it be that I've been abandoned by my master? Or is this part of his plan?" Elder Xingying suddenly thought of this, her face turning pale.
At this moment, the entire Immortal Chu Dynasty fell into dead silence. Even the Prime-Origin Civilization seemed to quiet down, the myriad worlds trembling slightly. (For thrilling novels, visit Feilu!)
Chu Gucheng's scalp tingled, his body filled with indescribable fear.
He dared not move, feeling like a helpless rabbit with a drooling wolf looming above, staring at him with malice, ready to pounce and devour him at any moment.
He struggled to shift his gaze, trying to find Gu Changge's figure, only to realize that he had already disappeared, no longer beyond the worlds.
That terrifying gaze did not seem to be searching for him but rather for Gu Changge.
"To think it would attract the attention of that side?"
Gu Changge's figure appeared in a void within spacetime.
He showed a hint of contemplation, paying no attention to the Law Sage's Dao Fruit flying toward another spacetime. To him, even at his peak, the Law Sage posed no threat.
Moreover, his goal had already been achieved.
It was just that destroying Chu Gucheng's Heavenly Decline Tribulation had caused the illusion of the Land of Truth to manifest and attracted the attention of some beings from that side, which surprised him.
He did not wish to enter the sight of the Land of Truth at this time, so he had quietly left earlier.
That gaze naturally could not track him, but being noticed by it could easily lead to unnecessary trouble.
The affairs of the Immortal Chu Dynasty were essentially concluded. All that remained was to have someone clean up the aftermath.
Gu Changge had not directly killed Chu Gucheng, partly to consider the aftermath, allowing Chu Gucheng to live a few more days.
Then, he tore through spacetime, his figure disappearing once more. When he reappeared, he was on a famous mountain outside the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
The White Bone Ancestor King, Zhuo Fengxie, Hun Guangjun, and others, following his orders, had been waiting in this area for some time.
"Take this jade pendant and deliver it to Champion Marquis Chu Heng at the battlefield between the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Demon Court." Gu Changge's hand glowed, and an ancient jade pendant appeared. He handed it to the White Bone Ancestor King and gave his instructions.
"Yes, Master." The White Bone Ancestor King nodded, took the pendant, and instantly disappeared.
Gu Changge had always left the affairs of the Immortal Spirit Civilization to Mu Yan, the Spirit Emperor, and others.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance had not been established for long, and there were many matters to handle. Although he had been staying in the Prime-Origin Civilization during this time, he had also been paying attention to the affairs of the Immortal Spirit Civilization.
However, it must be said that the Spirit Emperor, as the ruler of the Spirit Ruins Imperial Clan, was not particularly skilled at managing affairs.
As for others, such as the Child of Destiny, Mu Yan, she also did not place much importance on handling the affairs of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
As for the rest, Gu Changge trusted them even less. Therefore, after resolving matters here, he planned to return to the Dao Prosperity True World and have Yin Mei, the Gu Family's Ancestor, the Drunken Sword Immortal, and others handle the affairs of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. He also intended to prioritize the refinement of the Orb of Great Vow.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance already had a foundation in the Dao Prosperity True World. With a little integration, it would be ready.
The底蕴 of the Zhuo Clan, Hun Clan, Mist Clan, and Gou Clan ultimately could not compare to the immortal Dao traditions of the Prime-Origin Civilization. A single Ancestral Dao Realm existence could determine the outcome of a great battle.
The current Heaven-Slaying Alliance did not even have a雏形 that satisfied Gu Changge.
Time passed quickly. Half a month had already passed since the shocking battle between the Immortal Chu Dynasty and Gu Changge.
For the Immortal Chu Dynasty, that battle had been a devastating blow. In the end, although Chu Gucheng had narrowly overcome the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation by relying on the power of mortal wishes and heavenly fortune, the price he paid was extremely heavy. His Dao Fruit was left with nearly irreparable damage, and it was unclear how it could be healed.
His master, the Law Sage, had also suffered severe injuries. His Dao Fruit had shattered, his cultivation had fallen, and it would take dozens of eras for him to recover to his peak.
In addition, the number of Dao Realm beings who had fallen in this battle was not small.
For any faction or power, such losses were difficult to bear.
The birth of a Dao Realm being required not only countless resources and opportunities but also an immense amount of time to accumulate.
The Dao Realm beings nurtured by the Immortal Chu Dynasty over the years had been nearly wiped out in this battle, with about seventy percent perishing.
Some had survived because they were engaged in battles on the front lines against the Demon Court and Purple Mist Mountain and could not be recalled, thus escaping this calamity.
The guests who had witnessed this scene were mostly gloating. The Immortal Chu Dynasty's ambition to unify the Prime-Origin Civilization had likely been shattered.
Not only shattered, but it would also take dozens of eras to restore its former prosperity.
Although Chu Gucheng had become a being who had overcome the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation, Gu Changge had left him with Dao injuries that were difficult to erase, preventing him from unleashing his true strength.
He was even weaker than before he had overcome the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation.
As for his master, the Law Sage, in order to block that attack for Chu Gucheng, he had sacrificed part of his Dao Fruit to escape. However, his realm had also fallen, and he was no longer at his peak.
Now, the guests were speculating how much底蕴 the Immortal Chu Dynasty had left after this battle.
Not to mention, in order to deal with Gu Changge, Chu Gucheng had sacrificed countless citizens and territories, which had now fallen into eternal darkness.
Many wondered if Chu Gucheng had considered the consequences before making this decision.
If he had known this would be the outcome, would he still have chosen to confront Gu Changge? Did he regret his decision?
Despite having the advantage of地利, he had still suffered heavy losses.
This battle had not only failed to bring any benefits to the Immortal Chu Dynasty but had also made it a laughingstock in front of everyone.
Of course, there were still many puzzling aspects of this battle.
Why had the mysterious old woman from the Yinxu Cave not acted from beginning to end, merely watching from the sidelines?
Moreover, the Saintess Xiyuan was the same. Although she had accused the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's leader of colluding with the remnants of the Black Calamity, she had never taken action.
Even when Chu Gucheng and the Law Sage were severely injured, she had remained passive.
This made people doubt her intentions.
However, some believed that her inaction was meant to deter Gu Changge, preventing him from attacking the people in the imperial capital.
After all, the Saintess Xiyuan's strength was undoubtedly immense, ranking among the most powerful in the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Of course, Gu Changge's strength was also evident. In the end, he had even attracted the attention of the legendary and elusive Land of Truth.
All the guests who had come to the Immortal Chu Dynasty were certain that even if they had joined forces at that time, they would have been no match for Gu Changge.
Many were also relieved that they had not heeded Chu Gucheng's persuasion to charge forward with him.
As for whether the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had truly colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity, no one could say for sure.
Instead, many ministers and citizens of the Immortal Chu Dynasty felt complex emotions. Although Gu Changge had destroyed the Immortal Chu Dynasty, he had ultimately refrained from slaughter and had left.
If he had truly colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity to bring chaos to the Prime-Origin Civilization, why had he shown mercy?
The price the Immortal Chu Dynasty had paid to deal with Gu Changge was extremely heavy. The actions of its ruler, Chu Gucheng, had left many feeling disheartened.
Half a month after the battle, discussions continued throughout the Prime-Origin Civilization. Many wanted to know where the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's leader, Gu Changge, had gone and whether another battle would erupt between him and the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Now that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was severely weakened and the Demon Court was aggressively invading, it no longer had the confidence to resist as before.
Not to mention, the strength of Purple Mist Mountain far surpassed that of the Demon Court.
How would the Immortal Chu Dynasty face such troubles?
At this time, some also paid attention to the movements of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall. After all, Chu Gucheng had previously spread rumors of an alliance with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and the establishment of the Xiyuan Covenant to jointly resist the remnants of the Black Calamity.
Although the Immortal Chu Dynasty was severely weakened, the Saintess Xiyuan was still present. Her status and position remained unshakable and inviolable. (For thrilling novels, visit Feilu!)
If she still insisted on forming an alliance with the Immortal Chu Dynasty and establishing the Xiyuan Covenant, the other factions of the Prime-Origin Civilization would likely have no choice but to follow her commands.
In the following days, many factions watched the movements of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Many cultivators from other civilizations and True Worlds also remained in the Prime-Origin Civilization, observing the shifting winds and clouds.
The Prime-Origin Civilization was, after all, a renowned supreme civilization in the vast expanse. Its rise and fall would affect the life and death of countless universes, as well as the ancient and newly born True Worlds.
Of course, countless beings and cultivators also paid attention to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
In this battle, the strength of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's leader, Gu Changge, had left everyone trembling with fear.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance he had established, though only a few years old, had already made the immortal families and supreme Dao traditions wary.
Chu Gucheng had the ambition to unify the Prime-Origin Civilization, but the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's leader had the ability to do so.
This alone was enough to make countless factions restless, feeling that establishing the Xiyuan Covenant might be a good decision.
While the outside world was filled with unpredictable storms and undercurrents, the aftermath of the battle continued to ripple through the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
The former Grand Tutor, along with hundreds of officials, requested an explanation from the ruler, Chu Gucheng. Why had Han Feng, a trusted subordinate of his son-in-law, Champion Marquis Chu Heng, been ambushed by Chu Gucheng's trusted aides on his way back to the imperial capital, nearly resulting in his death?
Who had killed his daughter? Why had Chu Gucheng concealed the truth?
This matter caused an uproar in the imperial capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Everyone had thought that after the battle, there would be a period of peace. However, one incident after another kept the aftermath unsettled, and the hearts of the people were equally restless.
The former Grand Tutor's petition further led officials to speculate that this was an attempt by the General Faction to seize power, directing their accusations toward the General Faction.