The words of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members left many clans and factions stunned.
Many felt their faces burn with shame, realizing they had been overly worried and fearful of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, afraid of being annexed and suffering the same fate as the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
But from the current situation, it seemed that wasn't the case?
Gu Changge, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, had never considered such actions. Instead, he had always stood from the perspective of all living beings, considering their well-being.
It seemed that they had been the ones overthinking and worrying unnecessarily.
Moreover, the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance truly held an indescribable reverence and fanaticism for the alliance.
It wasn't as they had previously thought—that the members had been brainwashed or controlled by the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, turning them into his followers.
The traditions and factions that had joined the Heaven-Slaying Alliance seemed to have done so voluntarily, not under coercion.
"It seems we've indeed misunderstood the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. We've held deep prejudices against the alliance for a long time."
"Over the past thousand years, although the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has expanded rapidly, annexing many territories, it hasn't caused any chaos or slaughter."
The leaders and elders of some small clans couldn't help but murmur, their hearts filled with indescribable complexity. "The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance revere their master so deeply for a reason," an ancient existence sighed as he observed the scene.
At this moment, anyone who witnessed this scene and heard these words, even if they had never met the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, would feel a deep respect for his magnanimity.
"This is utterly absurd! Demonic words deceiving the masses! Heretics will always be heretics. You still don't understand that joining the Heaven-Slaying Alliance won't bring you peace. Sooner or later, you'll face retribution."
"Before the next Tribulation Reckoning arrives, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance will surely be annihilated by the united forces of the vast expanse. You're only bringing about your own destruction."
The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect had a gloomy expression. He hadn't expected the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members to sway the momentum in their favor with just a few words, causing many clans and factions to waver.
In his eyes, heretics were heretics. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance dared to "slay the heavens," which was a great rebellion against the natural order. They would inevitably face retribution.
The other sect masters and leaders also wore cold expressions, confronting the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members outside the grand hall, ignoring their arguments.
How could they allow others to sleep soundly under their own roof? The existence of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had long threatened the status and safety of the surrounding immortal traditions in the Prime-Origin Civilization. Naturally, they wished for the alliance's destruction.
Moreover, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's existence might bring unimaginable disaster to the entire Prime-Origin Civilization in the future.
Although they were surprised that the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had been schemed against by Ling Yuling, the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace, the outcome was ultimately favorable.
"Sister…"
Hearing the words of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members, Ling Yuxian's jade-like face turned slightly pale.
Her gaze toward Ling Yuling was filled with unfamiliarity and disbelief. She couldn't imagine that her sister, whom she had lived with for countless years, could one day become so cunning and ruthless, showing no gratitude toward her former benefactor.
Especially when she heard the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members say that Gu Changge had agreed to sign the Prime-Origin Covenant out of respect for her sister and the Imperial Immortal Palace, not wanting to cause unnecessary slaughter, her heart ached.
Gu Changge's trust in Ling Yuling and the Imperial Immortal Palace had become the sharpest weapon used against him.
Many elders and ancestral figures of the Imperial Immortal Palace also sighed, some filled with bitterness and helplessness.
Gu Changge was a benefactor of the Imperial Immortal Palace, having helped them rescue their ancestor, Ling Yuling. This was something many knew.
If possible, they didn't want to stand against Gu Changge. This wasn't about right or wrong but a matter of立场. But now, after Ling Yuling's scheme to harm Gu Changge, everything had changed. The Imperial Immortal Palace had become a den of ingrates.
They couldn't blame their ancestor, as she had acted for the sake of all living beings.
"Why did it come to this?"
"Ancestor, alas…"
Elder Jiulin couldn't help but sigh. He glanced at Elder Xianyun nearby, noticing that her face had been pale since earlier, as if she were extremely nervous.
She had lost her usual calm and grace, and he assumed she was worried about the upcoming situation. After all, Gu Changge had once stayed at the Xianyun Dao Academy, so he comforted her, "Elder Xianyun, you don't need to bear too much burden. Whatever happens next, let it be."
Elder Xianyun seemed to snap out of her thoughts upon hearing this. She reluctantly shifted her gaze from the evaporated region and softly acknowledged before falling silent.
Elder Jiulin shook his head and said no more. A fierce battle was inevitable.
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would not let this go.
"This is not the outcome I wanted."
"Whether you believe me or not, whether you curse or misunderstand me, I accept it."
Ling Yuling stood in the air, her skirt fluttering. Around her, Great Dao symbols intertwined, and even her slender, jade-like wrists began to exude a terrifying aura. Various Great Dao rules condensed, with the cycles of seasons, yin and yang, reincarnation, thunder, and wind and clouds alternating and evolving. At any moment, a vast force could press down.
Her flawless face was now calm and stern, knowing that no explanation would be of any use.
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would never believe her. Even her sister, Ling Yuxian, now looked at her with disappointment and unfamiliarity. Today's situation was destined to end in chaos.
"Heh, if there's nothing more to say, then let's fight. Today, you will pay the price for this."
A Ancestral Dao Realm existence from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance stepped forward, his gaze cold. In an instant, he appeared before Ling Yuling.
His massive palm struck through the air, as if to shatter the past and present. The overwhelming force was enough to crush everything. Chaos energy swirled in his palm, universes were reborn, and various Great Dao orders condensed, forming a sea of order.
Other Ancestral Dao Realm existences from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance also took action. Without much talk, they clashed with their counterparts outside the grand hall. One after another, supreme Dao Realm laws were unleashed, transforming into peerless bells, divine cauldrons, mountain and river seals, and towering divine furnaces. A myriad of radiant lights poured forth, threatening to annihilate everything.
Boom!
It was as if countless universes were exploding. The shockwaves were enough to obliterate the heavens, reaching an extreme level of terror.
The battle between Dao Realm existences erupted once more. Other cultivators would turn to dust in an instant under such aftershocks.
The entire Mountain of Myriad Wonders trembled violently. Many areas cracked open, forming massive rifts before collapsing into rubble. The stars floating nearby were crushed into dust by massive hands that spanned the heavens and crossed the cosmos.
Hum!!!
One after another, Daoist artifacts floated in the sky. A single strand of divine light was enough to pierce through the universe. This was a scene that filled all beings in the Prime-Origin Civilization with terror and trembling.
The battle between Dao Realm existences quickly spilled beyond the worlds. Their dharma bodies, towering billions of feet tall, seemed to hold up the heavens for eternity. Every move was executed with utmost precision.
Some small worlds caught in the crossfire disintegrated instantly. The terrifying aftershocks spread through ancient times, collapsing vast stretches of space-time.
At this moment, even beyond the vast expanse, the terrifying commotion in the Prime-Origin Civilization could be felt.
For the first time in countless ages, so many Dao Realm existences were clashing. For all living beings, this was an unimaginable disaster.
With a flick of their fingers, Dao Realm existences could obliterate a great universe. In their hands, the rules of the Great Dao became mere techniques, easily condensed.
The collapse and destruction of worlds were as simple as popping a bubble to them.
The battles between Ancestral Dao Realm existences were like true Dao Ancestors, seated at the dawn of time, casting spells and fighting, their influence radiating across all eras. The fluctuations stretched from ancient times to the distant future. Every era before them unfolded, shattered, and vanished like waves, reflecting the passage of time and the myriad worlds.
Ling Yuling now displayed her immense power. As one of the most ancient sages of the Prime-Origin Civilization, although she hadn't fully recovered her peak strength, she was far beyond what ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm existences could handle.
With a gentle tap of her slender jade hand, the Daoist techniques before her dissipated, and the starry sky shattered.
Golden vines, condensed from the Great Dao, pierced through every inch of space-time, slashing down like heavenly swords. The cosmos trembled, causing several Ancestral Dao Realm existences from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to cough blood and be sent flying, instantly injured.
Although Ling Yuling had held back somewhat, her strength far surpassed that of ordinary Dao Realm existences. No one around could restrain her.
She rose into the air and pointed her finger again. Ripples of light spread from her fingertip, rapidly expanding and transforming into a golden vortex filled with world-suppressing power, blasting away the other Dao Realm existences charging at her.
"This battle is meaningless. Although the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is strong, it's no match for everyone here."
"From today onward, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is disbanded. I won't make things difficult for you," Ling Yuling said calmly.
"Do you really think this is the end? The Alliance Leader is immortal and eternal. You have no chance of winning."
However, her words had little effect. Jing Tianyun charged forward, surrounded by a faint mist, his eyes flashing with ferocity. His once scholarly face now appeared fierce and menacing. With a punch, accompanied by blinding light, he smashed the golden vortex into pieces.
Ling Yuling looked at this former servant, knowing he was no longer the Jing Tianyun of old. She sighed inwardly. The original Jing Tianyun would never have dared to attack her, nor could he have possessed such strength.
During his time following Gu Changge, Jing Tianyun's power had skyrocketed, surpassing his previous peak.
Now, within the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, only Jing Tianyun could somewhat match her.
Old Man Cold Crow and the old Taoist priest didn't join the fight. They merely watched expressionlessly, seemingly protecting the weaker members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
The battle continued, soon spilling beyond the Mountain of Myriad Wonders. Countless clans and factions quickly retreated, and many cultivators who hadn't even reached the Dao Realm could only flee in terror…
At this level of battle, others couldn't even serve as cannon fodder.
"Kill!"
Outside the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, it seemed as if an army of thousands was charging forward, clouds obscuring the sky, and killing intent rolling like thunder.
Numerous knights, armed with heavenly blades and halberds, rushed in from afar. Beneath them, ancient ferocious beasts roared, blocking anyone trying to escape the Mountain of Myriad Wonders.
The banner of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance fluttered in the wind, exuding an ancient and desolate aura. At this moment, it seemed to transform into a divine weapon, as if an ancient deity had awakened within, its terrifying might shaking the heavens.
On the other side, Zhuo Fengxie, Hun Guangjun, and others were also battling opponents of similar strength, both sides coughing blood and sustaining injuries.
Behind them, every Dao Realm existence in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had joined the fight, clashing with the elders and ancestral figures of the various traditions and factions in the Prime-Origin Civilization. They fought fiercely, drenched in blood.
The Temple of Light and Darkness, the Buddha Kingdom of Tathagata, the Divine Ascension Cavern, the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, and all other factions were drawn into the conflict.
The only ones who hadn't joined the fight were the Saintess Xiyuan, Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, Shang Chongming, and other ancient existences watching from afar.
In their view, this battle should have no surprises. Their intervention wasn't needed.
What they needed to guard against now was the possibility that Gu Changge, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, wasn't dead. That terrifying attack, though capable of killing Ancestral Dao Realm existences, might not be enough to deal with Gu Changge.
Thud… thud… thud…
At this moment, a dull sound suddenly emerged from the region evaporated by the Covenant Golden Book, like the powerful beating of a heart.
A radiant seven-colored light, entwined with chaotic energy, suddenly swept in all directions, dispersing all energy particles.
Someone saw a crimson light gushing forth, illuminating the previously dark and dim Mountain of Myriad Wonders in a bloody hue.
From the previously silent and lifeless region, a flood of terrifying vitality surged forth, as if a deluge had poured down from the heavens, overwhelming and unstoppable.
The chaotic battle came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned their attention to the source of the phenomenon.
Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, Shang Chongming, Xiyin, and other ancient existences immediately focused their gazes, their eyes sharp as swords, filled with caution.
"I knew it… this couldn't possibly defeat him…" Ling Yuling sighed faintly in her heart, then glanced at the Saintess Xiyuan nearby.
The Saintess Xiyuan was momentarily stunned but quickly understood Ling Yuling's meaning. After a moment of silence, she nodded slightly in response.
Hum!
From the depths of the previously evaporated void, a soft sigh echoed.
Then, a hazy light emerged, and a figure stepped out. With a casual flick of his hand, a golden ancient scroll, radiating billions of strands of light, floated out and transformed into a vast and ancient covenant in the sky.
However, before the contents of the covenant could be revealed, the slender hand tore it apart effortlessly. The light dimmed, and the covenant shattered into countless fragments, scattering into the void.
"Alliance Leader!"
Seeing Gu Changge emerge unscathed, not even a wrinkle on his robe, the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were overcome with excitement and joy. Although many had always held an almost fanatical belief in Gu Changge's strength, the earlier attack had been truly terrifying, leaving many uneasy.
Mu Yan, Mo Tong, and others also breathed sighs of relief.
Ling Yuxian, protected by the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, also relaxed, her heart finally settling. Although she knew Gu Changge's power was beyond such an attack, she had still been worried.
The sect masters and leaders of various clans and traditions, however, were on high alert, their faces filled with disbelief. How could Gu Changge be completely unharmed after such a devastating strike?
Had he been completely unaffected, merely observing the situation unfold?
With Gu Changge's appearance, the chaotic battle came to a complete halt. However, everyone knew this was only a temporary calm. A greater storm was brewing.
If they had simply signed the covenant without all the schemes and plots, none of this would have happened.
Gu Changge's strength far exceeded everyone's imagination. Not only was he unharmed, but he had also effortlessly torn apart the Covenant Golden Book.
To think they could kill him with the Covenant Golden Book was pure fantasy. But there was no turning back now.
Many wore bitter expressions, already foreseeing what was to come.
"You've truly disappointed me," Gu Changge said calmly, looking at Ling Yuling. His tone was devoid of emotion, as if he hadn't been angered by her schemes and betrayal.
It was as if that soft sigh earlier had been the extent of his emotional response.
Ling Yuling found herself unable to meet his gaze. No matter what, she had betrayed his trust.
She shook her head gently and sighed, "I'm sorry. This isn't the outcome I wanted."