"I understand, Alliance Leader. You can rest assured, I will definitely bring back the Creation Pool safely."
Hearing this, Zhu Xuan immediately straightened up and replied with utmost seriousness.
This time, the Dark Beings descended upon the Prime-Origin Civilization from the Chaotic Spacetime Sea, likely to seize the Gate of Eternal Life and the Mirror of Reincarnation.
After all, these two civilization treasures were both within the Prime-Origin Civilization.
With the Alliance Leader guarding this place, the Dark Beings would not dare to make a move for the time being. But if he were to leave… who would stop the incoming Dark Beings?
The consequences would be unimaginable.
Zhu Xuan understood this well. At this moment, he felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier. Not only did he carry the blood feud of his family and master, but he also bore the responsibility for the safety of the vast expanse.
"Don't worry. During this process, I will assign people to follow and protect you."
"In addition, this is an ancient talisman I personally inscribed, containing a portion of my power. At critical moments, it can save your life."
Gu Changge smiled faintly, raised his finger, and drew in the void. Streams of light flew by, condensing into an ancient rune, which then shot into Zhu Xuan's brow.
Zhu Xuan was slightly stunned, then felt an ancient, vast, and boundless aura appear in his brow, continuously emitting a gentle and warm power.
This power could protect his soul, keeping him clear-minded and free from the corruption of Dark Matter.
"Thank you, Alliance Leader. I will definitely live up to your expectations."
His face was filled with deep gratitude.
The others from the Floating Continent couldn't help but show a hint of envy. Zhu Xuan was so highly valued by Gu Changge, not only entrusted with such an important task but also given such a life-saving measure.
A'Li, who had observed all of this, now felt that things had become much more complicated and troublesome.
It seemed that the matter of the Creation Pool could not be hidden from the mysterious Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader.
If he were to intervene as well, there would likely be many unforeseen variables in the future.
However, what relieved A'Li was that until they bid farewell and left, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader had not inquired about her identity or origins.
This allowed her to finally relax the tension she had been holding, as she had been worried that over time, she might reveal some flaw or anomaly.
Ling Yuling did not leave with Zhu Xuan and the others. She only escorted them out of the area before returning to Gu Changge's side.
"Are you so confident that Zhu Xuan can find the Creation Pool?"
She showed a hint of confusion, unable to fully grasp Gu Changge's thoughts.
"I simply have high hopes for him. After all, he carries the aura of a protagonist," Gu Changge said casually.
Ling Yuling nodded thoughtfully.
In fact, she felt that what Gu Changge had said earlier was also correct. The sudden appearance of the Dark Beings in the vast expanse must have some purpose, and seizing the civilization treasures might only be one of them.
In the near future, there would surely be even greater calamities awaiting everyone.
No matter what, the Creation Pool must not fall into the hands of the Dark Beings.
"Recently, many ancient figures from the Dawn Civilization have approached me, wanting to form an alliance to resist the Black Calamity, but they all want to bypass the Heaven-Slaying Alliance…"
Ling Yuling recalled another matter, her brows slightly furrowed.
"They want the protection of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance but don't want to be governed by it. Is that the idea?" Gu Changge smiled faintly.
Ling Yuling nodded lightly, acknowledging his words.
"What do you think?" Gu Changge asked.
"I only listen to you now," Ling Yuling shook her head.
Gu Changge said indifferently, "Then it's simple. You can take my decree and go to the Dawn Civilization. If they submit, that's for the best. If they choose to resist, then use my decree to mobilize the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's army to conquer the Dawn Civilization…"
"With the Dawn Civilization as an example, the other civilizations will surely learn to be wiser."
Ling Yuling nodded, sighing imperceptibly in her heart.
If possible, she did not want to provoke a war between two supreme civilizations.
In terms of foundational strength, the Dawn Civilization was not much weaker than the Prime-Origin Civilization. However, unlike the unified Prime-Origin Civilization, the fragmented Dawn Civilization, lacking a civilization treasure, stood no chance against the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's conquest.
Moreover, the current Heaven-Slaying Alliance's overall strength far surpassed that of the former Prime-Origin Civilization. Conquering a supreme civilization would not be difficult.
Additionally, with Gu Changge guarding this place, even if other supreme civilizations wanted to support the Dawn Civilization, they would have to carefully consider whether they could withstand Gu Changge's wrath and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's retaliation.
Furthermore, with the Black Calamity descending, the various civilizations were too busy defending against the Dark Beings to spare any effort to aid other civilizations.
"The Dark Beings will not attack the Prime-Origin Civilization for now, but they will surely seek other targets. When you and the ancient sages resisted the Black Calamity, you should know the final whereabouts of that armor and halberd."
Gu Changge picked up the teacup from the stone table, took a sip, and spoke casually.
"That armor and halberd?"
Ling Yuling was stunned, her brows tightly furrowed. "Are you talking about the battle armor worn by the Heaven-Warring Lord and that demonic halberd?"
Gu Changge nodded, gently placing the teacup down, his fingers tapping the table leisurely.
"You should know their significance to the remnants of the Black Calamity, right?" He smiled faintly, asking.
"Of course, I understand."
Ling Yuling nodded. "After sealing the Heaven-Warring Lord, his flesh and body were sealed by the Coffin of World Burial. That set of blood-stained armor separated from his corpse and tried to escape, but Zhong Jun and his followers had anticipated this. They set up a net and the Yin-Yang Revolving Suppression Array, drawing upon the energy of the eight extremes of the universe to trap it."
"However, no one could stop the Heaven-Warring Lord's weapon. It was drenched in blood, its baleful aura boundless. Even a mere wisp of its presence could annihilate worlds. At the time, it was beyond our ability to resist, so we could only watch as it flew away, its whereabouts unknown..."
"Zhong Jun? So, was that set of armor obtained by Zhong Jun in the end?"
Hearing this, Gu Changge nodded slightly and asked.
Ling Yuling said, "Actually, I'm not very clear about what happened afterward. As for how Zhong Jun dealt with that set of armor—whether he destroyed it or sealed it—I don't know. However, I suspect that Zhong Jun would have eventually found a suitable place to seal it. That set of armor was indestructible, so it's unlikely to have been destroyed."
Gu Changge smiled and said, "If that's the case, then after so many years, that set of armor has probably been recovered by the remnants of the Black Calamity."
Ling Yuling sighed slightly, "If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do. The Radiant Ancestral Court that Zhong Jun built has long since crumbled into the dust of history. If we want to find clues from that time, we can only hope that his descendants still exist in the world."
"If that's the case, then it's truly a pity. But perhaps it's for the best. If all the clues are lost, then the remnants of the Black Calamity probably won't be able to recover that set of armor either." Gu Changge rubbed the teacup and nodded.
Ling Yuling seemed to fall into thought, her brows tightly furrowed. "Compared to that set of armor, I'm more worried about that demonic halberd being recovered by the remnants of the Black Calamity. Back then, even with the help of the civilization treasures, the ancient sages couldn't stop that halberd, and it flew away."
"If the remnants of the Black Calamity obtain that halberd, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. Their ferocious might will become even more overwhelming. At that time, I fear even you may not be able to withstand it…"
Her concern was not unfounded.
Back then, she had personally witnessed the terrifying demonic power of that halberd. Wherever its light passed, worlds were destroyed, universes collapsed, and everything was obliterated. No one could withstand it.
In the current vast expanse, was there anyone who could withstand such terrifying power?
"You're actually worried about me now." Gu Changge reached out and caressed Ling Yuling's cheek.
Her face flushed, a faint blush appearing, her long eyelashes fluttering as she lowered her gaze, seemingly too shy to meet Gu Changge's eyes.
"I understand what you're trying to do, and I just want to help you…" Ling Yuling said softly.
Gu Changge merely smiled and said nothing more.
Afterward, with this concern in mind, Ling Yuling left. She planned to go to the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and take Xi Yin, who was posing as the Saintess of the Prime-Origin Civilization, with her to the Dawn Civilization.
After Ling Yuling left, the smile on Gu Changge's face faded. He stood up and walked to the courtyard, hands behind his back, gazing at the blooming peach trees. His eyes turned deep as he began to reflect on Ling Yuling's gradual change in attitude from the beginning until now.
At first, he had thought that Ling Yuling had truly let go of her defenses and was willing to work for him.
However, when he had brought up the Sixfold Celestial Abyss Armor and the Eight Desolate Demon Halberd earlier, Ling Yuling had shown no suspicion or doubt.
This made Gu Changge slightly suspicious.
The main reason he had spared Ling Yuling's life back then was that he had deduced a deep karmic connection between her and the Sixfold Celestial Abyss Armor.
But now, she acted as if she knew nothing about it, and she hadn't been lying earlier.
After all, if Ling Yuling had lied, she wouldn't have been able to hide it from Gu Changge.
"It seems you still have a backup plan. I wonder if it will come into play."
Gu Changge's gaze was profound, but his emotions remained calm.
He wasn't in a hurry to retrieve the Sixfold Celestial Abyss Armor.
Bringing it up in front of Ling Yuling earlier had been a test to gauge her reaction.
Recently, Ling Yuling's behavior in front of him had been overly obedient.
Gu Changge had never been one to truly trust others, especially those who had once been his enemies.
Even Jiang Chuchu, Yue Mingkong, and Gu Xian'er were no exception.
Ling Yuling had not been with him for long. Although she had given herself to him while drunk that night, it didn't mean she would willingly submit to him.
After all, she was a former sage who had faced the Black Calamity without fear.
In Gu Changge's eyes, Ling Yuling's current behavior seemed more like she had abandoned a part of her true self.
During her time by his side, she had gradually severed all karmic connections between that part of her true self and her current self, completely cutting it off. The memories related to that part had become vague and elusive, eventually disappearing entirely.
Thus, the current Ling Yuling seemed to be missing a crucial part of her memories, and her words and actions differed significantly from before.
Her purpose in doing this was clearly to anticipate this day and protect that part of her memories, preventing Gu Changge from learning about it.
"Old Man Cold Crow doesn't recognize the woman in the bamboo hat, so it seems someone from the Heavenly Faction has infiltrated. Although she hid well, her temperament is too poor and easily exposed…"
"However, this plan of hiding in plain sight is quite clever."
Gu Changge returned to the courtyard, picked up the now-cooled tea, and took a sip, recalling the woman in the bamboo hat who had kept her head lowered the entire time.
No one's origins could be hidden from him, especially not someone from the Heaven-Warring Organization he had once established.
That woman had some skills, but not enough to interest him greatly, so he hadn't exposed her for now.
At the moment, he was more interested in the mastermind behind this plan.
At the headquarters of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, Zhu Xuan, Shangguan Qing, A'Li, and the others, after being escorted out by Ling Yuling, were temporarily housed in nearby palaces and halls under the arrangement of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's higher-ups.
After a morning of anxious waiting, they finally felt a sense of relief, as if they had stepped out of a dream.
Zhu Xuan was especially exhilarated and excited. After settling his grandfather, he immediately sought out Shangguan Qing and the others to discuss the crucial matter of finding the Creation Pool.
In his view, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader, Gu Changge, had personally entrusted him with this great responsibility and bestowed upon him an ancient talisman. If he failed to retrieve the Creation Pool before the Dark Beings, he would be letting Gu Changge down.
Moreover, he owed Gu Changge a great debt for saving his grandfather.
Compared to Zhu Xuan's excitement, the others from the Floating Continent were much calmer. Although on the way back, they had been discussing the gap between what they had seen today and the rumors they had heard.
According to rumors, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader was not an easy person to deal with. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance he had established was called a "demonic sect," causing chaos in the Prime-Origin Civilization and inciting countless wars and slaughters.
Many sects and clans had been annihilated by him, his methods ruthless and iron-blooded, causing people to tremble in fear at the mere mention of his name.
Moreover, the name of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader could silence a crying child and embolden thieves and bandits.
"Rumors, they're just rumors. The Alliance Leader unified the entire Prime-Origin Civilization in just a few thousand years and established such a vast Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Naturally, there would be battles and killings. Which supreme being doesn't have a path paved with bones, rivers of blood, and fields of corpses?"
"At least what we saw today shattered all our doubts and speculations."
"The name 'Heaven-Slaying' itself reflects the Alliance Leader's indomitable spirit. The current peace and stability of the Prime-Origin Civilization, free from the invasion of the Dark Beings, is entirely due to his protection."
Zhu Xuan's eyes were filled with admiration and reverence.
Shangguan Qing and the others couldn't help but nod in agreement, their faces showing respect.
"Miss A'Li, don't worry. I won't forget my promise to you. As for the matter of the Creation Pool, you can rest assured. I won't let it fall into the hands of the Dark Beings."
"If you want to use this opportunity to seek revenge, I will ask the Alliance Leader for help. He will surely assist you in recognition of your efforts to find the Creation Pool."
Zhu Xuan looked at A'Li, who had been silent and preoccupied since they left.
He thought A'Li was worried because Gu Changge had learned about the Creation Pool.
From her perspective, she might indeed be concerned that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader would take the Creation Pool for himself.
However, from the perspective of the greater good, it was better for the Creation Pool to be used by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader to resist the Black Calamity than to let it fall into the hands of the Dark Beings.
"You've made quite a plan, wanting to use me as a tool to help you find the Creation Pool?"
"Back on the Floating Continent, you could only rely on me to escape. Now that you've latched onto the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader, you want to turn me into your tool?"
A'Li's eyes beneath her bamboo hat showed a hint of mockery, her tone still calm and cold.
Zhu Xuan's words caught in his throat, his face showing embarrassment. He knew he was in the wrong and couldn't justify his actions, especially to A'Li.
What he was doing seemed like using her and then finding a way to make her a tool.
"I'm sorry, Miss A'Li. That's not what I meant…" Zhu Xuan wanted to explain and apologize, but A'Li had already stopped paying attention to him. She led her snow-white Zhen Hao to a distant side hall, intending to rest.
Zhu Xuan sighed helplessly, then discussed with Shangguan Qing and the others. They decided to leave some people at the Heaven-Slaying Alliance while others would return to the Imperial Immortal Palace to take care of Elder Zhu and the other elderly, weak, and sick.
He and a group of strong cultivators would set out, relying on fragmented memories to see if they could find the ruins of the Pan Clan and locate clues to the Creation Pool.