Elder Xianyun looked at the familiar figures with some surprise. She hadn't expected that Gu Changge not only released her but also let go of the members of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
It seemed that Gu Changge wasn't as bad as she had thought. Although he hadn't kept all his promises, he hadn't harmed anyone from the Imperial Immortal Palace.
However, as she watched the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace approach her, Elder Xianyun felt a strange sense of irritation amidst her joy.
Just moments ago, she had thought that Gu Changge had come specifically for her, releasing her from the restrictions. But now, it seemed she had been overthinking it.
This sudden and inexplicable feeling of irritation caught her off guard. She didn't know why she felt this way.
She shook her head, pushing aside this emotion, and went to join the members of the Imperial Immortal Palace, planning to leave this place together.
"It seems everyone is safe. It was just a false alarm."
"Young Master Gu is magnanimous. He spared all of us in the Imperial Immortal Palace and didn't cause us any trouble…"
"This time, it's our Imperial Immortal Palace that wronged him…"
Elder Jiulin, Elder Liyu, and others quickly gathered around Elder Xianyun. Many of them wore expressions of relief, guilt, and regret.
The disciples also looked ashamed and downcast. Having personally experienced the events of the Prime-Origin Covenant, they now understood how much magnanimity it took for Gu Changge to spare the Imperial Immortal Palace.
They admitted that they could never be as generous as Gu Changge, who had let go of his enemies so magnanimously.
Elder Xianyun opened her mouth to say something but then remembered Gu Changge's words before he left. She swallowed her words and remained silent.
"Where are Little Ancestor and the founder? Why don't I see them?"
However, some elders noticed that Ling Yuxian wasn't among them and couldn't help but ask.
"Little Ancestor wasn't imprisoned with us. But given her close relationship with Young Master Gu, he probably won't trouble her."
"As for the founder…"
Several elders sighed, feeling worried. Although Gu Changge had spared them, it didn't mean he would let go of Ling Yuling.
Moreover, Gu Changge hadn't spared them without any conditions.
After all, Gu Changge wasn't some benevolent saint.
Although the Imperial Immortal Palace hadn't suffered any casualties this time, unlike other orthodox forces that had been severely weakened, they could no longer hinder the expansion of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Instead, the Imperial Immortal Palace would have to submit to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, following its orders and becoming its vassal.
This was the condition Gu Changge had set before sparing them.
After discussing among themselves, the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace realized they had no other choice. Rather than being imprisoned in the dark cells forever, it was better to temporarily submit and escape this dangerous situation.
Becoming a vassal of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance wasn't entirely unacceptable.
The terror of Gu Changge and the might of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had been witnessed by the entire Prime-Origin Civilization. Many clans and forces had recently joined the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, willingly accepting its rules and governance.
Elder Xianyun was stunned. She hadn't expected that Gu Changge's sparing of the Imperial Immortal Palace came with such a condition.
If even the Imperial Immortal Palace chose to submit, then from now on, the entire Prime-Origin Civilization would live under the shadow of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
No wonder Gu Changge had said those words earlier. He had already foreseen and controlled the entire situation in the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Meanwhile, on the other side, after releasing the restrictions on Ling Yuxian, Gu Changge agreed to her request and took her to see her sister, Ling Yuling.
In the dark and deep dungeon, black mist drifted, and an eerie silence prevailed, as if they had been exiled to a cold and eternal void.
A faint ripple spread, and Gu Changge appeared with Ling Yuxian. He didn't step into the dungeon but waited outside, his gaze cold and calm.
Ling Yuling sat quietly, her hair disheveled. Her slender, pale ankles were marked by the shackles, and her robes were stained with blood. She looked disheveled yet still elegant, like a snow lotus blooming amidst blood and filth.
The wound on her abdomen, which had been pierced through, was healing slowly, and the gruesome injury was still visible.
On her forehead, there was a deep wound that almost reached the bone. Although the edges had scabbed over, thin traces of blood still seeped out.
"Sister…"
Ling Yuxian couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart when she saw her sister in such a state. She covered her mouth, nearly in tears.
Although she knew this was her sister's "just desserts," she couldn't bear to see her in such a state. Her sister had always been so clean and pure, with skin like ice and bones like jade, elegant and otherworldly.
When had she ever been so disheveled and ragged?
"Yuxian…"
Ling Yuling heard the noise and slowly opened her eyes. She showed no resentment about her current situation, her expression calm.
"I've disappointed you, but you must believe me."
She looked at Ling Yuxian, her eyes slightly apologetic. Noticing that Ling Yuxian wasn't shackled or collared, she couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly, thinking of her own predicament.
Ling Yuxian nodded vigorously. "I believe you, sister. I shouldn't have doubted you back then. You've never been the scheming, ruthless, and ungrateful person they said you were."
Ling Yuling nodded, relieved. "Seeing that you're safe, I can rest easy."
Ling Yuxian glanced at Gu Changge, who stood outside the dark dungeon, and whispered, "Senior Brother Gu didn't trouble the Imperial Immortal Palace. He didn't harm anyone."
"After I visit you, I'll return to the Imperial Immortal Palace. The palace can't afford to be in chaos right now, but I'll find a way to rescue you."
Although she believed her sister hadn't plotted against Gu Changge, she had no evidence to prove it, nor could she prove Ling Yuling's innocence.
Gu Changge, out of past affection, had spared everyone in the Imperial Immortal Palace, which was already an act of great benevolence. She couldn't expect him to unconditionally release Ling Yuling.
"It's good that everyone is safe. This time, I've dragged the Imperial Immortal Palace down. Your thoughts and decisions back then were correct. I was the one who was wrong…" Ling Yuling smiled faintly.
She glanced at Gu Changge, who stood outside the dark cell. Although the area was shrouded in black mist, she knew he was there.
Without Gu Changge's permission, how could Ling Yuxian have come to see her?
In the matter of the Prime-Origin Covenant, Gu Changge had shown the utmost leniency and benevolence toward the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Even she couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and regret. If not for her past prejudices and misunderstandings, perhaps the situation would have been entirely different.
Afterward, Ling Yuxian spoke with her sister for a while before reluctantly saying goodbye. She wanted to help heal her sister's wounds but feared it might displease Gu Changge. So, she could only watch Ling Yuling suffer, her heart filled with anguish and helplessness.
"The elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace are waiting for you outside. From today onward, the Imperial Immortal Palace will follow the orders and rules of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. If something like this happens again, I won't show any mercy to the Imperial Immortal Palace…"
Outside the dark dungeon, Gu Changge calmly watched Ling Yuxian walk out and spoke to her.
"I understand. I'm not like my sister. I won't hinder you."
Ling Yuxian nodded, then raised her head, her bright eyes looking at Gu Changge. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated, unsure of how to phrase it.
"Thank you for sparing the Imperial Immortal Palace for my sake. Otherwise, the outcome would have been much worse."
"My sister wronged you, but I believe she was framed. I will definitely find the real culprit behind this, clear my sister's name, and expose those who tried to hinder you."
"I don't know how to repay you in the future, but I can't exactly offer myself to you like we joked about before…"
She murmured softly, worried that her voice might be too low for Gu Changge to hear. Then, she suddenly reached out and hugged his waist, burying her face against him to hide her flushed cheeks and red ears.
Gu Changge lowered his gaze, his expression slightly complicated as he looked at her. The hand that had been about to push her away slowly relaxed and instead rested on her hair.
"I don't need you to repay me. Many things in this world aren't done for the sake of repayment…" he said softly.
Ling Yuxian suddenly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes glistening with emotion, filled with affection.
"My love tribulation has fallen upon you…" she said, her gaze avoiding Gu Changge's eyes, her voice low and unusually shy.
Ling Yuxian had never imagined that she, who had always been straightforward and decisive, would one day say something like this.
Gu Changge smiled and said, "When you want to overcome your love tribulation, come find me."
Ling Yuxian was stunned, realizing that Gu Changge had misunderstood her meaning. Her face turned even redder, and she hurriedly explained, "Ah… I… I didn't mean it like that…"
What she meant wasn't that she saw Gu Changge as a tool to overcome her love tribulation.
Love tribulations weren't something every cultivator experienced. They could arise from chance encounters, first love, sudden impulses, obstacles in cultivation, or premonitions of future calamities…
For her, the love tribulation had come after countless years of cultivation, just as she was experiencing her first love.
"I understand what you mean. It's getting late. The members of the Imperial Immortal Palace are still waiting for you outside."
Gu Changge smiled, not letting Ling Yuxian finish her explanation, and sent her out of the prison space.
To him, Ling Yuxian was a chess piece—once, and perhaps still.
After Ling Yuxian disappeared, the smile on Gu Changge's face faded. He showed a hint of contemplation, then straightened his robes and stepped into the dark cell where Ling Yuling was imprisoned.
Ling Yuling seemed to have anticipated his arrival, so she didn't close her eyes to rest after Ling Yuxian left.
"Do you regret your choices from that day?" Gu Changge looked at her current state, his expression devoid of any pity.
Ling Yuling watched him approach, shook her head, then nodded. "Some things I regret, and some I don't. But if I had realized things earlier, the situation might not have turned out this way."
"Young Master Gu spared the Imperial Immortal Palace and rescued me from that dark void. You've shown me kindness multiple times, yet I've repeatedly betrayed your trust and goodwill. I'm truly ashamed."
"How hypocritical… You speak so sweetly, yet you were so ruthless when you acted against me. When will you ever be sincere?"
"But I can't be bothered to追究 this anymore." Gu Changge glanced at her indifferently.
"Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Gu. I will remember your kindness and never forget it." Ling Yuling said softly.
"Since you're so grateful, why don't you honestly tell me who was behind the Prime-Origin Covenant? Who assisted you in this?"
Gu Changge let out a faint, indifferent laugh, then looked directly at Ling Yuling and asked.
This question caught Ling Yuling off guard.
She didn't know how Gu Changge had figured this out. She had never mentioned anyone being involved in the Prime-Origin Covenant.
The matters related to the Chaotic Time Sea and Nanyin had never been disclosed to anyone.
Why was he so certain that someone had assisted her?
"Is this how you show your gratitude?"
Gu Changge observed Ling Yuling's expression, reached out, and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Ling Yuling came back to her senses and shook her head. "This matter was my own decision. No one was behind it or assisted me."
The matter of Nanyin involved the ancient clans that had once fought against the Heaven-Warring Organization, and it was deeply complicated. She couldn't casually reveal it.
As for the Prime-Origin Covenant, she had indeed decided it on her own.
At most, she had mentioned it to Nanyin on the Sacred Ancestor Mountain in the Chaotic Time Sea.
"If you won't say, then forget it. You'll tell me everything eventually."
Gu Changge stared into Ling Yuling's eyes, then released her chin, not surprised.
He had only been testing Ling Yuling's attitude, wanting to see if she had any connections with other ancient figures.
From the current situation, Ling Yuling didn't seem to have contact with other ancient figures, but it did seem like someone was guiding her from behind.
Before Ling Yuling could fully process his words, the dark cell around her melted away like ice and snow, and she found herself in a serene valley filled with bamboo and peach trees.
The valley was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the sound of a babbling brook. A gentle breeze carried the scent of rare and ancient flowers, and the atmosphere was peaceful and tranquil.
Mu Yan, the woman who had been watching her with curiosity, stood not far away.
Ling Yuling looked around in shock, not understanding why Gu Changge had brought her here.
However, Gu Changge didn't explain her confused gaze. He simply instructed Mu Yan to take Ling Yuling to bathe and change her clothes.
"Take her to bathe and change her clothes. Clean her up and tend to her wounds."
Gu Changge said indifferently, then disappeared from the valley.
Ling Yuling was still shackled and collared, unable to move freely. Her cultivation was suppressed, and she was now no different from an ordinary woman.
Mu Yan had no goodwill toward her. Hearing Gu Changge's instructions, she reluctantly walked over and said impatiently, "Let's go, Founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace."
Ling Yuling didn't understand Gu Changge's intentions in bringing her out of the dark cell but obediently followed Mu Yan.
However, she walked slowly. The heavy shackles, connected by chains, required great effort with each step, completely restricting her freedom of movement.
"Alliance Leader, after Saintess Xiyuan escaped that day, she didn't get far. Due to her severe injuries, she fell into a time-space rift, and her current whereabouts are unknown."
"However, as you predicted, many clans and forces have been keeping an eye on the Xiyuan Sacred Hall. Even civilizations beyond the Vast Expanse have sent scouts to find out about Saintess Xiyuan and the Mirror of Reincarnation."
"Too many forces covet the Mirror of Reincarnation."
In the main hall of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance headquarters, as Gu Changge's figure appeared, Hun Guangjun, Zhuo Fengxie, Chu Heng, and others stepped forward to report the recent movements of various clans and forces.
Saintess Xiyuan of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall had disappeared with the Mirror of Reincarnation, a supreme treasure of civilization, and her current whereabouts were unknown.
Her nominal senior sister, Xiyin, along with some elders and disciples, had been imprisoned in the dark cells of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
This had caused many ancient existences within the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to awaken, filled with rage. They wanted to come to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to demand the release of their people but were wary of Gu Changge's strength.
Some immortal orthodox forces were also watching and, with the support of civilizations beyond the Vast Expanse, felt emboldened. They planned to join forces with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to demand the release of their people from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.