"Master…"
Not far away, a silver-haired girl ran towards the green-robed woman with joy, her steps light and cheerful.
"Ninth Sister, you've come out of seclusion?"
The cold and elegant black-robed woman looked at the green-robed woman with slight surprise, but her expression quickly returned to normal.
"Greetings, Ninth Princess."
The other white-robed figures in the area bowed respectfully to the approaching green-robed woman.
"I've come out of seclusion."
The green-robed woman nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the slowly descending burning black feather. She said, "The root of this disaster lies with me. I've avoided it for many epochs, and now it's time for me to take responsibility and resolve it."
"Are you sure about this? Back then, you fled on the day of the sacrifice, humiliating the High Priest in front of all the clans. If it weren't for her fear of the power within our ancestral court, she would not have let the matter rest so easily."
"If you go to visit the High Priest now, you'll likely face her humiliation and anger," the black-robed woman reminded her.
"Third Sister, don't worry. I've already made up my mind. No matter the consequences, I will bear them."
"Eldest Sister was forced to sacrifice herself to the other side because of me. For countless years, she has endured loneliness and silence, with no one to confide in. If I can't even endure a little humiliation, how can I face Eldest Sister in the future?"
"How can I face Mother and the others?"
The green-robed woman shook her head gently, her voice calm and soft.
Hearing this, the black-robed woman and the others showed complex expressions in their eyes.
"Ninth Princess has finally grown up."
The ancient figure witnessing this scene couldn't help but feel relieved.
Over the years, the High Priest of the Ancient Treasure Civilization had been sending powerful individuals to search for the green-robed woman's whereabouts. Her escape on the day of the sacrifice had humiliated the High Priest in front of all the clans.
Moreover, it had provoked the wrath of the Land of Truth, leading to terrifying consequences.
Although the Jichan Clan's eldest princess later replaced the ninth princess as the sacrificial offering, temporarily quelling the anger of the Land of Truth, the High Priest had not forgotten the humiliation she suffered in front of the clans.
Known for her narrow-mindedness and pettiness, the High Priest had never stopped sending powerful individuals to track down the ninth princess, determined to capture her.
If it weren't for the Jichan Clan constantly concealing the ninth princess's traces and aura, she would have been discovered long ago.
Now, it seemed that the ninth princess had finally matured, making all their years of protection and effort worthwhile.
"Third Sister, I don't know what the outcome of my visit to the High Priest will be. If I don't return safely, I'll need you to take care of the True World I created with that Immortal Dao Civilization Seed."
"Speaking of which, as the true spirit of that True World, I failed to protect it when external enemies attacked and calamities descended. I wonder how it's doing now."
The green-robed woman sighed softly, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes.
However, this emotional fluctuation quickly disappeared, and her face returned to its usual calm.
The black-robed woman nodded upon hearing this and said, "I understand. Don't worry about this. Although I never set foot in that True World, I could see its flourishing fortune. It's unlikely to face any major upheavals for a while."
"For a Newly Born True World to ascend and become an Ancient True World, it requires not only a long accumulation of time and foundation but also the ability to survive multiple Tribulation Reckoning Cycles. Ninth Sister, don't dwell on it too much. In the vast expanse, countless Newly Born True Worlds perish every day."
"You've already given that True World the Immortal Dao Civilization Seed, which is more than enough for it."
The green-robed woman nodded slightly and said nothing more. She then turned and walked away, preparing to leave this place.
The silver-haired girl, seeing this, hurried to follow, calling out loudly, "Master, wait for me! I want to go with you."
The green-robed woman seemed slightly helpless, letting out an almost imperceptible sigh. "I should have left you with him back then. Staying with me hasn't done you any good."
However, the silver-haired girl clearly didn't hear her murmured words. She quickly caught up, linking her arm with the green-robed woman's, her face full of affection.
The black-robed woman in the distance shook her head in resignation, then smiled faintly as she thought of something.
Back when she first saw this little Moon-Gazing Beast outside the Dao Prosperity True World, she had thought it possessed a trace of True Immortal Blood and had great potential for cultivation.
Unfortunately, after bringing the little Moon-Gazing Beast back to the Jichan Clan, she discovered how lazy and gluttonous it was. Aside from eating and sleeping, it showed no interest in cultivation.
Although the green-robed woman, Qingyi, had always denied being the little Moon-Gazing Beast's true master, claiming its master was someone else, the black-robed woman believed this was just Qingyi's way of avoiding embarrassment.
Still, over the years, the arrival of Qingyi and the little Moon-Gazing Beast had brought some life to the otherwise dull and monotonous Jichan Clan.
Even their mother, who was nearing the end of her lifespan, often smiled with relief and amusement.
"It's a pity that Yin can't see this."
The black-robed woman's mood darkened as she thought of this, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
She then turned to the ancient figure and asked, "Elder Qingcang, how is the investigation I asked you to conduct going?"
As she spoke, she waved her hand, dismissing the others.
"Third Princess, the matter you asked me to investigate has made some progress. But forgive me for not understanding why you've suddenly taken such an interest in that blasphemous force that is destined for retribution?"
The ancient figure, Elder Qingcang, was a highly respected elder of the Jichan Clan, revered by all its members.
He looked puzzled, unable to comprehend her interest.
After all, he didn't even dare to utter the name of that force, fearing it would attract the attention of some unfathomable existence and bring unimaginable karma.
The Ancient Treasure Civilization was different from civilizations like the Prime-Origin Civilization and the Dawn Civilization. It served as an outpost for the Land of Truth, receiving summons and decrees from that side.
Of course, there were many such outposts in the vast expanse, and often the Tribulation Reckoning Cycles were initiated by these outposts after receiving orders from the Land of Truth.
There were even ancient rumors in the Ancient Treasure Civilization that deep within it, there slept supreme beings from the Land of Truth.
These supreme beings, carrying the bloodline of unimaginable existences from the Land of Truth, would awaken before the Tribulation Reckoning Cycles and lead the harvesters in the vast expanse.
This was why civilizations like the Ancient Treasure Civilization had a deeper understanding and reverence for the Land of Truth compared to other civilizations.
"It's fine. Just tell me everything you've found," the black-robed woman said, interrupting Elder Qingcang's thoughts. Her cold and elegant face showed no emotion.
Elder Qingcang hesitated for a moment before saying, "Recently, a major event has been happening in the Prime-Origin Civilization, and it's related to this force. Various factions and forces, along with the ancient sages who once resisted the Heaven-Warring Organization, are jointly formulating the Prime-Origin Covenant to curb the development of this force."
"However, I believe that with the Prime-Origin Civilization's foundation, it will be difficult to suppress its growth. In fact, they may even face disaster. The founder of this force is terrifying and unfathomable."
"Various civilizations and nations are also paying attention to the developments in the Prime-Origin Civilization, including some clans in the Ancient Treasure Civilization. If the Prime-Origin Civilization successfully signs the Prime-Origin Covenant, it could serve as a valuable lesson for other civilizations."
The black-robed woman listened quietly, not interrupting. Only at the end did her gaze deepen.
"I understand. Thank you, Elder Qingcang." Her mind raced with countless thoughts, and her hands clenched unconsciously.
"Third Princess, you're too kind. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
Seeing that the black-robed woman had no further questions, Elder Qingcang slowly left, leaning on his cane.
After a moment of silence, the black-robed woman looked up at the vast cosmos, then turned and walked towards the grand palace complex deep within the tree canopy.
"The Heaven-Slaying Alliance, is it?"
"If they can truly achieve their goal, this might be the perfect opportunity for our Jichan Clan to break free from our fate."
She murmured to herself, her eyes flickering with a chilling light.
For the many clans of the Ancient Treasure Civilization, the mere mention of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was enough to make them pale with fear.
If anyone knew her thoughts at this moment, they would surely think she had gone mad, bringing unimaginable disaster upon the Jichan Clan.
---
"Second Sister, I need to leave the clan for a while. I'll leave the clan's affairs to you."
Deep within the tree canopy, in the grand palace complex, a colorful-robed woman sat with her eyes closed, surrounded by a mist of seven-colored light.
Threads of chaotic mist spread around her, flowing in and out of her nose and mouth. The illusions of small worlds flickered around her, creating a magnificent and extraordinary scene.
The black-robed woman stood quietly in the hall, her face as cold as ever.
"Where are you planning to go?"
Hearing this, the colorful-robed woman slowly opened her eyes. Her glass-like eyes seemed to reflect the myriad scenes of the heavens.
Her voice was melodious, like a celestial melody, enough to make any man intoxicated and lost, unable to wake up.
"I'm going to the Prime-Origin Civilization," the black-robed woman said calmly.
The colorful-robed woman gazed at her deeply, as if seeing through all her thoughts.
She did not stop her, only asking, "Are you sure?"
"I will bear any consequences alone. This has nothing to do with the Jichan Clan," the black-robed woman replied.
The colorful-robed woman sighed softly. "Very well. If you insist on going, I won't stop you. But what about the task Little Ninth entrusted to you?"
"Isn't that what you're here for, Second Sister?"
The black-robed woman's icy face showed a rare, faint smile.
The colorful-robed woman shook her head slightly and said no more, closing her eyes again as if returning to her cultivation.
The black-robed woman bowed slightly, then turned and left the hall without looking back, transforming into a black light that disappeared into the depths of the cosmos.
"The fate of the Jichan Clan is not so easily changed. Countless ancestors and sages have tried and failed. Third Sister, you're so intelligent. How can you not see this?"
"I just hope you don't do anything foolish. The power of our ancestral court won't be able to protect us much longer."
The colorful-robed woman opened her eyes, watching the black-robed woman's departing figure, and couldn't help but sigh softly.
She could guess her younger sister's thoughts. Recently, she had been inquiring about the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, and now she wanted to go to the Prime-Origin Civilization.
But could the Heaven-Slaying Alliance truly "slay the heavens"?
In the vast expanse, the Land of Truth was the heavens. To speak of slaying the heavens was not only disrespectful but also an unimaginable provocation.
The terrifying consequences and retribution that would follow were beyond her imagination.
The Jichan Clan was a unique clan in the vast expanse, named after the Epoch Cicada.
A single flutter of the cicada's wings signified the demise of all living beings.
Since ancient times, wherever the Jichan went, eras changed, cycles repeated, and all things were renewed.
The relationship between the Jichan and the Epoch Tree was like that of the phoenix and the parasol tree.
The Jichan sought out the Epoch Tree to perch on, and the two coexisted in harmony.
The Epoch Tree nurtured all living beings and gave birth to countless universes. It was also known as the World Tree, the Ancestral Tree, and the Origin Tree. This was the inescapable fate of the Jichan Clan.
Since ancient times, the Jichan Clan had diligently followed their fate, revering, respecting, and fearing the heavens.
Yet, the Epoch Mother Tree, which they had relied on for so long, was severed by a supreme being from the Land of Truth, causing the clan's fortune and destiny to collapse, turning them into sinners of the entire Ancient Treasure Civilization.
To say that the Jichan Clan did not resent the heavens or desire to break free from their fate would be a lie.
But what could they do? All living beings in the vast expanse were like fish in a river, trying to escape to the shore. But in the end, the result was always the same: perish and turn to ashes.