"Then what kind of outcome do you want? To be honest, I don't think you're foolish enough to use such methods against me," Gu Changge said indifferently.
"Everything that just happened was also unexpected to me. Before this, I never imagined such a thing would occur."
"I can even swear on my Dao Heart that none of this was arranged by me. I never intended to deal with you in this way."
Ling Yuling knew that Gu Changge might not believe her words now, but she still clumsily explained herself.
Before this, there had been room for reconciliation, but now, aside from drawing swords against each other, there was no other possibility. In truth, her mind was in chaos. The entire situation was completely beyond her control and expectations.
"What do you mean by 'unexpected'? That I not only survived but emerged unscathed?" Gu Changge asked lightly, his tone casual.
Ling Yuling sighed inwardly. She knew her explanation was ultimately useless.
Gu Changge would no longer believe her. Originally, the signing of the Prime-Origin Covenant had been something Gu Changge agreed to and personally attended, which could already be considered as giving her face and trust.
He had even mentioned multiple times wanting her to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to assist him.
If she put herself in his shoes, she would find it hard to accept if her sincere efforts were so thoroughly betrayed.
"I'm sorry," Ling Yuling could only apologize again after a moment of silence.
Gu Changge no longer paid her any attention. His gaze was calm and cold as he swept it over the people confronting the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, his tone utterly composed.
"I gave you all a chance, but unfortunately, you didn't know how to seize it. Since you don't care about the myriad beings of the Prime-Origin Civilization, why should I show you any mercy?"
His words caused the leaders and figures of the various orthodox forces to pale.
Many felt a chill in their hearts, trembling with fear, understanding what Gu Changge meant. If the earlier incident hadn't occurred, there might still have been room for reconciliation, and the Prime-Origin Covenant could have been signed, leading to a peaceful coexistence.
But now, all of that had been ruined.
Gu Changge naturally wouldn't sit down and talk with them. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was bound to clash with the various orthodox forces.
Many wore bitter expressions, wanting to say something, but the words stuck in their throats. They knew they had no moral high ground.
They had acted ruthlessly and used underhanded methods first. Why should the Heaven-Slaying Alliance show them any kindness or morality?
The Saintess Xiyuan glanced at Ling Yuling, hesitating to speak. She wasn't sure if Ling Yuling had been the one scheming against Gu Changge.
But one thing she was certain of: if Ling Yuling didn't do something soon, the entire Prime-Origin Civilization would face a terrifying bloodbath.
"I've always wanted the various races and orthodoxies to coexist peacefully, without conflict. The Black Calamity is about to sweep over us again. If the Prime-Origin Civilization doesn't stop its internal strife, it likely won't survive this catastrophe."
"This has always been my wish," Ling Yuling said, looking at Gu Changge. She knew he must be deeply disappointed in her now. If he felt anger, she probably didn't even qualify for that.
But she still wanted to try, to do her best to maintain the current situation.
"You keep saying the Black Calamity is coming, that you want the Prime-Origin Civilization to stop its internal strife. But from the current situation, it doesn't seem like my Heaven-Slaying Alliance is the one trying to break this peace."
"Ling Yuling, shouldn't you be saying these words to someone else? Are you addressing the wrong person?" Gu Changge let out a light, mocking laugh, and everyone could hear the ridicule in his tone.
Ling Yuling's expression froze, especially when Gu Changge directly called her by her name. She sighed inwardly, feeling an indescribable frustration.
Was there really no room for reconciliation?
"My mind is in chaos right now. I don't know how to explain this to you, Young Master Gu, but I can swear on my Dao Heart that I truly wasn't the one scheming against you."
"I really don't want to go to war with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Everyone in the Imperial Immortal Palace, including myself, owes you a debt of gratitude. How could we repay kindness with enmity? If not for our differing positions, I believe we could have shared drinks and become close friends."
"Young Master Gu, can you give me some time? Trust me once more. I promise to give you a full explanation, to find out who tampered with the Alliance Golden Tome and deliberately sabotaged the Prime-Origin Covenant. This person's intentions are vile, and everything was premeditated. It's even possible that a rival True World civilization of the Prime-Origin Civilization was behind this…"
Ling Yuling's gentle, water-like face showed rare determination and persistence. Her bright eyes fixed on Gu Changge, filled with urgency.
Many were stunned by her words. Could it really be that Ling Yuling wasn't the one scheming behind the scenes?
But the Alliance Golden Tome had been jointly refined by her and others, with her overseeing every step. How could someone else have tampered with it?
Or was this just her way of buying time?
After the earlier incident, many no longer dared to judge Ling Yuling by her gentle appearance.
"Alliance Leader, don't believe her one-sided words! The hearts of women are the most poisonous. Who knows what schemes she's plotting? Not everyone is as kind and forgiving as you," the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance urgently advised.
Many wore anxious expressions, worried that Gu Changge might repeat the mistake of trusting others too easily.
"Ling Yuling, as a former sage, you should understand that so-called Dao Heart oaths hold no weight for beings like us, right?" Gu Changge ignored the concerns of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members and instead looked at Ling Yuling with a faint smile. "Since you want me to trust you one more time, fine. The Prime-Origin Covenant can still be signed, but I have one condition."
"From now on, all orthodoxies and races of the Prime-Origin Civilization must submit to the command of my Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Those who disobey will be dealt with according to the iron laws of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance."
"What do you think of this condition? It maintains the peace you desire without bloodshed, solves the internal strife you worry about, and establishes an alliance to bind the various races and forces. Isn't this a win-win situation?"
Hearing this, Ling Yuling was stunned, momentarily speechless. Her red lips moved, but she didn't know what to say.
Even if she could agree to this condition, the various races and forces of the Prime-Origin Civilization would never accept it.
Even at the peak of its power, the Xiyuan Sacred Hall could never command all the forces and races of the Prime-Origin Civilization to submit to its will.
This was no different from subjugation and enslavement. (For thrilling novels, visit Fly Loow!)
The leaders and figures of the various orthodox forces present also wore grim expressions.
How could they agree to such a condition? Wouldn't that make them vassals and servants of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? If that were the case, they might as well fight to the death—there might still be a chance.
"I'm sorry, but even if I wanted to agree to your condition, I doubt I could."
"The Imperial Immortal Palace can agree to your terms, but I cannot make decisions for the other races and orthodoxies. They likely won't agree either," Ling Yuling said with a hint of bitterness.
Gu Changge didn't seem surprised at all. He merely smiled faintly and said, "But isn't this the best outcome for the myriad beings of this world? Why are the various races and orthodoxies unwilling to accept it? Is it because, in their eyes, the so-called myriad beings and races of the world are nothing but themselves?"
"Aside from my Heaven-Slaying Alliance, no other race or force in this world cares about their lives."
His words were cutting and direct, tearing open the hypocritical facade of all the orthodox forces present.
Many leaders and figures turned pale, their expressions dark and ugly, unable to find any rebuttal.
The smaller races and forces within the Mountain of Myriad Wonders weren't particularly surprised by this outcome, though many still felt bitter and resentful.
The world was cruel. To those immortal orthodox forces, the myriad beings were nothing but ants. Who would care about their lives?
In the past, they had waved the banner of righteousness for the sake of all living beings, but now, their selfish ambitions were laid bare.
Moreover, as Gu Changge had said, aside from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, no other force or orthodoxy cared about their lives.
Their so-called unity was nothing but a pitiful gathering of ants in the eyes of those immortal orthodox forces.
At this point, rather than being used as cannon fodder by the various races and orthodoxies, it would be better to simply join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and secure their own survival.
"Enough talk! Fellow Daoists, why should we bother with morality when dealing with such heretics and traitors?"
"The Prime-Origin Covenant need not be signed. Let us join forces and annihilate the Heaven-Slaying Alliance here and now."
The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect spoke coldly, breaking the silence.
Behind him, the elders and disciples of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect wore expressions of killing intent, ready for a life-or-death struggle.
"The Prime Sun Daoist is right. At this point, words are useless. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance acts against the heavens and will eventually face retribution. What we do now is merely顺应大势,替天行道 (following the natural order and carrying out heaven's will)."
"Even if you stand by today, do you think the Heaven-Slaying Alliance won't seek revenge in the future? In the vast True World, countless races rise and fall every day. This is the eternal law of heaven. Why should we feel guilt?顺应自然,天理循环如此 (Following nature, the cycle of heaven's principles is thus). We should act accordingly. Those who sweep the world need not sweep a single room."
A sect master-level figure also stepped forward, his booming voice echoing through the heavens, causing the expressions of many hesitant cultivators and beings to shift.
His words weren't wrong. Even if they felt guilt and chose to stand by now, how could they explain that they weren't among those who schemed against Gu Changge? How could they avoid the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's future retaliation?
They were already tied together on the same rope.
Moreover, in the vast True World, countless races and forces perished every day. Who truly had the time to care about them?
No matter how much they tried to win hearts, would a true dragon care about the opinions of ants?
"There really is no other choice."
The leader of one race, after a moment of hesitation, quickly made up his mind. His eyes turned cold and ruthless as he secretly instructed his clansmen to prepare for battle.
Under the encouragement of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect's sect master and others, the leaders of many races and forces, who had been wavering, now hardened their resolve.
They couldn't guarantee peaceful coexistence with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance in the future, nor could they ensure they wouldn't face retaliation. The only solution was to join forces and bury the Heaven-Slaying Alliance here.
Any lingering guilt vanished in the face of their race's interests.
"Haha, this is the true nature of humanity. So-called righteousness and the myriad beings are all nonsense in the face of self-interest."
"After tearing off that hypocritical mask, you're no different from heretics. How dare you call my Heaven-Slaying Alliance heretical?"
Within the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, Old Man Cold Crow watched this scene with undisguised mockery.
"Haha, since you want to die, we'll oblige."
"With the Alliance Leader here, you stand no chance."
Behind Old Man Cold Crow, the many experts of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance laughed, their faces filled with scorn and disdain.
"If you can't even manage a single room, how can you manage the world? You draw a line between yourselves and ants, but in my eyes, you're no different from them. Aren't you also ants?"
Gu Changge coldly watched the various races and orthodox forces before him, his eyes devoid of emotion.
"Heretics and demons, spreading chaos and lies—you deserve death!"
The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect, unable to bear Gu Changge's indifferent gaze, roared in anger.
The Yin-Yang Twin Swords appeared in his hands, transforming into two black fish that swam through the heavens, forming a sword that slashed down with overwhelming force.
The terrifying aura caused even Dao Realm experts to tremble.
In the surrounding universes, many Immortal Kings, Quasi-Immortal Emperors, and even Immortal Emperors felt the oppressive aura and couldn't help but kneel and kowtow in its direction.
This immense, terrifying aura swept through the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, radiating into the surrounding universes.
After the sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect made his move, the other Dao Realm elders behind him also attacked. Brilliant Dao Realm rules intertwined into a vast net, shrouding the heavens and descending toward Gu Changge.
Without warning, the chaotic battle erupted once more. Many halls within the Mountain of Myriad Wonders were instantly reduced to dust.
Under the full-force assault of Ancestral Dao Realm experts, there was no room for resistance. Everything turned to powder in an instant.
Gu Changge coldly watched as these people charged at him. He simply raised his hand and pressed it forward.
In an instant, a terrifying aura, like a bursting river, filled the entire space, enveloping the sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect and the others.
Crack!
A crisp sound rang out as the Yin-Yang Twin Swords shattered. The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect coughed up blood. He was the first to be hit, his arms exploding instantly. His eyes filled with disbelief.
"How… is this possible?" His voice trembled. (For thrilling novels, visit Fly Loow!)
The area was plunged into absolute darkness, with no light escaping. Only a faint, overwhelming pressure lingered, crushing all rules in its vicinity.
Every universe trembled, and without the protection of Dao Realm experts, even the slightest wisp of this terrifying aura would have destroyed everything.
All the figures from the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect who had charged forward were now enveloped in that deep, soundless darkness.
The ancient beings within the Mountain of Myriad Wonders trembled with fear, unable to see what was happening. They could no longer even see Gu Changge's figure.
Then, a deafening explosion, as if from ancient times, echoed through the river of time, reverberating through every universe.
The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect was sent flying, his body collapsing. His eyes were wide open, a hole pierced through his forehead, his blood drained.
In his fading pupils, ancient shadows seemed to flicker, as if he had glimpsed something from an unimaginably distant past.
He seemed to see an indescribable figure from an ancient era, emerging from the depths of the river of time. This figure held a dark, menacing halberd.
With a single swing of the halberd, countless ancient universes and supreme True Worlds turned to ash, their inhabitants perishing instantly.
As the figure stepped forward, the overwhelming aura grew even more terrifying.
Every strand of light surpassed the highest realms, and with each step, the figure shattered the heavens and earth.
"How… is this possible?"
Before the death of an Ancestral Dao Realm expert, it was possible to catch a glimpse of something unimaginable.
No one knew what the sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect had seen, but in just a few moments, he had met a gruesome end. Even in his final moments, his eyes were filled with disbelief, fear, and horror…