The area before the Mountain of Myriad Wonders was deathly silent. Everyone was trembling with extreme fear, their eyes filled with horror and disbelief.
Nothing was more shocking than witnessing a sect master-level existence fall and die tragically before their eyes.
That was a true Ancestral Dao Realm existence!
Throughout the vast expanse of time, how many cultivators could reach such a level? Such an existence, capable of founding sects and establishing orthodoxies, revered as an ancestor, had now met a tragic end.
Even those of the same level were filled with shock and dread, their scalps tingling and limbs turning cold. It felt as if their throats were being choked, their breaths icy, as if their mouths and noses were filled with ice shards and blood. They dared not breathe too loudly.
The sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect, who had just roared and charged forward, now lay dead before their eyes. Though his death wasn't particularly gruesome, everyone could see the fear, regret, and deep horror in his eyes before he perished.
What had happened to make an Ancestral Dao Realm existence so terrified?
What had he seen?
More cultivators and beings were now trembling with fear at Gu Changge's overwhelming power and invincibility.
Aside from figures like the Saintess Xiyuan and Ling Yuling, who had survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations, was there anyone in the Prime-Origin Civilization who could stand against him?
Even those who had truly survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations might not be his match, and even joining forces might not be enough.
Many sect masters and leaders now felt a hint of regret. After witnessing the fate of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect's sect master, they were filled with dread, fearing they might meet the same end.
After all, their strength was not far from that of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect's sect master.
Before this, they had believed they might have a chance to face Gu Changge, as he had once battled Chu Gucheng, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, in the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Although Chu Gucheng had paid a heavy price in that battle, he had ultimately managed to hold his own against Gu Changge.
Those who had reached this level were naturally extremely proud and confident in their own strength. How could they believe they were inferior to Chu Gucheng of the Immortal Chu Dynasty?
If Chu Gucheng could do it, why couldn't they?
But the scene before them shattered their illusions and confidence. Perhaps Chu Gucheng was far stronger than they were, or perhaps Gu Changge had never truly intended to kill Chu Gucheng in that battle, never having truly exerted his full power.
"I shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess. Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, you've really dragged me into a pit."
The second-in-command of the Boundary Void Ridge, Shang Zhongming, looked uncertain, his gaze deep as he glanced at Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, who was also trembling with fear.
He had been invited by Eternal Illumination Dao Lord to participate in the Prime-Origin Covenant and to help Eternal Illumination Dao Lord overcome his emotional tribulation.
He owed Eternal Illumination Dao Lord a favor, a significant karmic debt that he couldn't ignore, which was why he had agreed to the invitation.
Additionally, agreeing to sign the Prime-Origin Covenant was also a way to show respect to the Imperial Immortal Palace's founder, allowing Ling Yuling to owe him a favor.
Such a good deal, he naturally agreed.
But Shang Zhongming had never expected things to spiral so far out of his expectations.
Now, after witnessing Gu Changge's terror and invincibility, he had only one thought: to quickly distance himself from Ling Yuling and the others.
He didn't care about the fate of the Prime-Origin Civilization, nor did he care about the outcome of the so-called Prime-Origin Covenant. He only cared about his own survival.
"To kill an Ancestral Dao Realm existence so easily, he must have survived nine Heavenly Decline Tribulations, or perhaps even be a End of the Path-level existence…"
"In this era, can such an existence still exist?"
"To provoke such an invincible, uncontainable being in the vast expanse of the world—isn't that just seeking death?" Shang Zhongming was filled with extreme caution and wariness.
"Brother Zhongming, this matter has also far exceeded my expectations…" Eternal Illumination Dao Lord's face also showed a trace of bitterness, his eyes filled with the same wariness.
He naturally knew what Shang Zhongming was thinking. If he had known the strength of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's leader earlier, he would never have gotten involved in this mess.
Now, not only had he gotten involved, but he had also become one of the architects of the Prime-Origin Covenant.
"Perhaps there's still a way out of this."
Eternal Illumination Dao Lord was quick-witted and soon came up with a plan.
He glanced deeply at Ling Yuling in the distance, beginning to form new plans.
He didn't know how strong Ling Yuling was at her peak, but he was certain that now, she was only slightly stronger than him, perhaps capable of briefly challenging a being who had survived nine Heavenly Decline Tribulations.
Compared to the shock, dread, and trembling of the others, the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were filled with excitement and cheers.
Many even shouted praises of their Alliance Leader's awe-inspiring power, their eyes filled with reverence and fanaticism.
In the eyes of figures like Old Man Cold Crow and the old Taoist priest, Gu Changge was indeed invincible. Whether in this world or beyond, no one could stand against him.
*Boom!*
The vast dark aura still enveloped the Mountain of Myriad Wonders. As the bodies of Dao Realm existences, like the sect master of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect, fell like rain, everyone understood the fate of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect.
In just a few breaths, the time it took to exchange a few blows, an entire force capable of challenging an immortal orthodoxy had been annihilated, with no survivors.
The Prime Sun Heavenly Sect, which had come to the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, was completely wiped out. From the Ancestral Dao Realm sect master to the ordinary disciples and elders, all had perished tragically.
*Hum!*
The dark aura in the sky came and went quickly. Gu Changge's figure reappeared before everyone.
He stood there, hands behind his back, his expression calm and indifferent, overlooking everyone. Not even the hem of his robe had been disturbed, as if he had never moved.
The faces of those from the orthodox forces who had been close to the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect turned grim with fear. The sect masters and leaders dared not meet Gu Changge's gaze, their backs drenched in cold sweat.
Many elders turned pale, their eyes filled with deep fear, and could only look pleadingly at Ling Yuling and the Saintess Xiyuan.
The immortal orthodox forces like the Temple of Light and Darkness, the Buddha Kingdom of Tathagata, and the Divine Ascension Cavern were also trembling.
The Lord of Light, who had descended in person, felt his scalp tingle. He deeply regretted not following the example of the Buddha Kingdom's Buddha Lord and others, who had sent avatars instead of placing themselves in such danger.
"I never wanted to cause this slaughter, but since you cannot understand my intentions, I have no choice but to kill you."
"Those who stand in my way will be shown no mercy."
Gu Changge's eyes swept calmly over everyone in the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, his tone indifferent.
All those he looked at felt a chill run through their bodies, their faces pale, as if a cold hand had gripped their throats, nearly suffocating them.
Even Ancestral Dao Realm existences felt a bone-deep chill. When Gu Changge's gaze fell on them, it was as if an immense divine mountain had descended, threatening to crush their Dao Fruits.
"Senior, this alliance was initiated by you. Now, are you just going to let him slaughter innocent orthodoxies?"
"The tens of thousands of cultivators from the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect who came here were slaughtered without a second thought by this demon. Aren't you going to stop him? Are you just going to watch us die like this?"
"Senior, you can't ignore our lives!"
Many elders and disciples from the orthodox forces cried out in fear, their voices trembling as they pleaded with Ling Yuling.
The sect masters, leaders, and ancient existences also turned their gazes to Ling Yuling, waiting for her stance.
The strongest person here was Ling Yuling. If she joined forces with everyone present, there might still be a chance to resist Gu Changge.
If she chose to stand by, then even joining forces would be futile.
Ling Yuling's expression was pained, her heart torn with conflict. If she truly acted against Gu Changge, all her previous words and explanations would be in vain. She truly didn't want to see things come to this.
This situation should never have developed like this.
Her original intention was to protect the common people and the myriad races of the Prime-Origin Civilization, to give them a period of peace and stability. Having experienced the most terrifying era of the Black Calamity in ancient times, she didn't want the Prime-Origin Civilization to repeat that tragedy.
"Sister, don't…"
Ling Yuxian's face was pale, filled with anxiety. Though she was protected by the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, she knew her sister was now facing a choice that would affect the entire situation.
Whether her sister's earlier words were true or not, if she now made a choice that contradicted them, everything would change.
"Are you still hoping that these ants, who only care about their own survival, will protect the common people and the myriad races?" Gu Changge's gaze shifted, landing on Ling Yuling's face.
Ling Yuling's eyes dimmed, losing their usual luster. She looked at the corpses of the Prime Sun Heavenly Sect members scattered across the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, then at the gazes fixed on her.
"I'm sorry, I have no other choice…"
She closed her eyes in pain, then opened them again, her gaze now clear and cold, filled with killing intent.
*Clang!*
Around her skirt, streams of light began to appear, forming pieces of ancient armor. Some parts were corroded by some unknown force, while others were stained with blood. The armor was ancient, exuding an eternal aura, with the power of the Great Dao flowing through it.
The armor quickly covered Ling Yuling's entire body, enveloping her graceful figure, including her face and hair, leaving only a pair of cold eyes visible.
"Why must it come to this…"
Seeing this, Ling Yuxian's face grew even paler. She swayed, nearly falling, knowing her sister had made her choice.
This was the battle armor her sister had forged for the two of them, worn during the terrifying war to exterminate the Black Calamity. It had endured countless battles before being damaged and lost in the river of time.
As her sister regained her strength, she had also sought to recover this armor.
When her sister donned the armor, it meant she was ready to fight to the death, no longer caring for her own life.
"Members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, follow my orders. Today, we will bloodbath the Mountain of Myriad Wonders."
Seeing this, Gu Changge showed no emotion, as if he had expected it. He coldly issued his command.
"Kill!"
The world-shaking battle erupted once more without warning. Ling Yuling, clad in armor, attacked. In her hands, an ancient, incomplete but elegant Dao Sword appeared. She now resembled a female sword immortal, leading troops into battle, surrounded by countless sword shadows that shook the heavens and earth.
Her aura soared, instantly surpassing many Ancestral Dao Realm existences, reaching a level that many Ancestral Dao Realm experts could not match.
"To rival a being who has survived nine Heavenly Decline Tribulations… It seems that at her peak, she was likely a End of the Path-level existence."
Shang Zhongming, Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, and other ancient existences were shocked, having greatly underestimated Ling Yuling's strength.
It was no wonder she had been able to participate in that ancient war. Even if she hadn't fully recovered her peak strength, she was not someone they could challenge.
"Kill! Follow the senior and slay this demon!"
"Kill!"
As Ling Yuling took the initiative to attack, the elders and sect masters of the various orthodox forces behind her also joined the fray, surrounding Gu Changge.
Brilliant Great Dao runes lit up the sky above the Mountain of Myriad Wonders, forming terrifying killing techniques that shone with dazzling light, all aimed at Gu Changge.
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance also joined the battle, clashing with the numerous powerful figures. The battlefield was filled with light and divine weapons.
Gu Changge pointed forward, and the entire space seemed to split cleanly, like a mirror. All the techniques and divine abilities rushing toward him silently disintegrated.
Ling Yuling, clad in armor, swung her sword at Gu Changge. Countless sword shadows surrounded her, and an ancient, awe-inspiring melody began to play.
She seemed to merge with the Dao Sword in her hand, using the sword as a琴 (qin, a type of zither). Each note was a sword cry, the Dao Sword resonating, the music shaking the heavens and earth. In that moment, countless sword shadows filled the space, not illusions but real, carrying an indescribable destructive power.
This was an unimaginable scene. The entire river of time trembled, covered in countless sword shadows that swept across the heavens and earth, slashing down with devastating force.
However, before her countless sword shadows could reach Gu Changge, they were swallowed by a terrifying, deep black hole that appeared above his head, vanishing without a trace.
The black hole appeared and disappeared in an instant, as if it were an illusion. Ling Yuling didn't even have time to see it clearly, only feeling an indescribable sense of dread, as if she had seen it somewhere before.
Meanwhile, the sect masters and leaders of the other orthodox forces who had charged forward let out screams as the wave from Gu Changge's attack swept over them. Half of their bodies silently evaporated.
Gu Changge's eyes were cold. In his palm, dark light condensed, and a faint portal flickered.
With a flick of his finger, a streak of light flew out, instantly spanning countless spaces and taking root in front of him, transforming into a black lotus that soared into the sky, shrouded in dark mist.
Boundless mist erupted, forming a domain of darkness.
*Boom!*
The black lotus began to rotate, slowly blooming. Nine petals appeared, blotting out the sky, while the lotus leaves supported all the laws and orders of the Great Dao, completely enveloping the sky above the Mountain of Myriad Wonders.
From the center of the lotus, endless dark divine light erupted, accompanied by a divine might that fell like a bursting river, radiating outward, pressing down on the heavens.
At this moment, half of the Prime-Origin Civilization's universe trembled. Even from an immeasurable distance, countless beings felt this terrifying, world-destroying wave.
The cosmos, the universe, the primordial chaos—everything began to collapse, heading toward destruction and终结 (end).
The dark lotus began to rotate, blooming at the deepest part of the universe. Each petal was entwined with an aura of annihilation.
Vast and boundless!
Accompanied by this supreme aura, it was like pushing a millstone of destruction.
From a distant place, a terrifying black wind blew, like the flapping of a butterfly's wings. At first, it was weak, but it grew stronger and more terrifying.
*Boom!*
This was a catastrophic impact, like mountains and seas collapsing, stars and rivers bursting. One world after another, one universe after another, crumbled under this force, turning into ashes and fragments.
No cultivator or being could withstand this power. They were crushed into blood mist, disintegrating and exploding.
The entire Mountain of Myriad Wonders was completely engulfed in this wave, swallowed by darkness, with no light remaining.
"The power of the Gate of Eternal Life…"
Ling Yuling, who was intimately familiar with this power, instantly paled. She had been trapped in that dark space for countless years and was all too familiar with it. Moreover, she had once controlled the Gate of Eternal Life for a time.