Time flows like water, never to return. The years pass quickly.
Ten years after the Alliance of Righteous Unity signed a peace treaty with the dark beings, the once turbulent and chaotic vast expanse gradually returned to its former tranquility.
The dark beings ceased their attacks on the Alliance of Righteous Unity, and in return, the Alliance provided the dark beings with vast territories and universes, as well as offerings, allowing the dark beings' grand sacrificial ritual to proceed smoothly.
In the first few years after the peace treaty was signed, the war remained brutal and relentless.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance did not stop its campaign against the Alliance of Righteous Unity, nor did it abandon its efforts to expel the dark beings.
During this process, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance also took the opportunity to reclaim many orthodoxies, true worlds, and civilizations that had previously been under the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
The overall situation shifted from a period of chaos and turmoil to one of balance and deterrence, gradually stabilizing.
During this time, the leader of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, the Emperor of Weiyang, made an appearance, showcasing his formidable cultivation and strength as the emperor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty. He engaged in discussions with high-ranking members of the dark beings, ultimately finalizing the peace treaty.
Additionally, during this period, the Alliance of Righteous Unity saw the emergence of many incredibly powerful figures, far surpassing ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm beings.
These individuals came from various timelines and civilizations, including several Ancestral Gods who had existed since the primordial era.
Why these beings gathered in the Alliance of Righteous Unity and who they obeyed remained a mystery.
Many speculated that there might be a greater force behind the Alliance of Righteous Unity, one that even the Emperor of Weiyang paled in comparison to.
However, such speculation remained unverified, and many instead believed that the Alliance of Righteous Unity had been infiltrated and controlled by the dark beings.
Otherwise, why would they agree to such an absurd and unimaginable treaty?
The reappearance of the dark beings in the world, reigniting the black tide and conducting the grand sacrificial ritual, undoubtedly had some terrifying purpose.
And if the dark beings were to achieve this purpose, what would become of the vast expanse? Where would the countless beings of the vast expanse go? Could they still hope that the dark beings would spare them?
It is worth remembering that in ancient times, when the dark beings ravaged the world, the sages and clans of that era paid a heavy price to repel the dark beings and prevent the disaster from continuing.
After such a long time, the dark beings have returned, but there is no one left to stop them.
The actions of the Alliance of Righteous Unity are tantamount to aiding the wicked and nurturing a tiger that will eventually turn on them.
In the following decades, the Alliance of Righteous Unity, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, and the dark beings formed a tripartite balance of power, creating a situation of mutual restraint in the vast expanse.
Although the reputation of the Alliance of Righteous Unity had plummeted, its foundation and deep heritage remained unshaken. The emergence of numerous powerful figures and the signing of the peace treaty allowed the situation to gradually stabilize.
As for the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, due to the presence of its leader, even the dark beings were wary of it, and on the surface, everything appeared calm.
During this time, many high-ranking members of the dark beings appeared in the world, walking openly without concern for their identities or origins, acting with impunity.
In the past, the dark beings might have concealed themselves, unwilling to reveal their presence in the world for fear of being hunted down.
But after signing the peace treaty with the Alliance of Righteous Unity, the dark beings' arrogance grew, and they no longer cared about the vast expanse.
Some of the dark beings' identities and origins were terrifyingly shocking.
Among them were the rulers of once-immortal nations, the ancestors of immortal dynasties, and even sages who had once fought against the heavens and protected all living beings.
These ancient figures had now become dark beings, fallen into darkness, permanently standing against the countless beings of the vast expanse.
No one knew what had happened to them or why they had become dark beings.
This sent waves of fear and sorrow through many true worlds and civilizations. In the universes that had been destroyed by the dark beings, the surviving clans wept in grief, unable to accept the truth.
For they had witnessed their ancient ancestors and once-protective spirits emerge from among the dark beings.
Yet their ancestors, their once-protective spirits, had fallen into darkness forever, turning against the very world they had once protected. How tragic and cruel this was.
For the countless beings of the world, the once-mysterious and terrifying dark beings gradually shed their veil of obscurity.
The so-called dark beings, aside from the clans born from the dark origin, included many clans that had been corrupted by dark forces, as well as powerful individuals who had willingly embraced the dark.
The term "dark beings" was, in fact, a broad label. Many ancient hidden clans and reclusive orthodoxies preferred to call them the remnants of the Heavens.
As many high-ranking dark beings appeared in the world, numerous secrets related to the dark beings were made public, becoming known to the civilizations and true worlds of the vast expanse, causing widespread shock and uproar.
Whether it was the Black Calamity or the black tide that ravaged the world, all were connected to an organization called "Heavens."
Countless epochs ago, this organization, known as the Heavens, had usurped the authority of the Heavenly Dao, intending to rule in its place. The emergence of the dark clans was tied to the leader of the Heavens, who had created the dark clans and the dark origin, bringing the Black Calamity that swept through the world.
Many dark beings preferred to call the Lord of the Heavens the Dark Ancestor.
In that era, the Heavens organization held the authority of the Heavenly Dao, enslaving the myriad clans of the world. It was truly a dark and bloody era.
Endless darkness and despair shrouded the land, and the countless clans of the world could see no hope. Looking up, they could only feel oppression and despair, never knowing when the Black Calamity would descend upon them.
Every clan and civilization lived in constant fear, never knowing whether they would see the sun the next day or be plunged into eternal darkness.
The Black Calamity era was one of such despair and cruelty that even reading about it in ancient texts could evoke a sense of hopelessness.
Fortunately, in that era of despair and darkness, there were sages who banded together, risking their lives.
On a path filled with thorns and mud, they paved the way for future generations, determined to end the darkness, bring an end to the Black Calamity era, and destroy the Heavens organization.
It was these sages who joined forces to besiege the Lord of the Heavens, ultimately sealing him away and causing the Heavens organization to collapse and disintegrate. Thus, the Black Calamity era came to an end, and the countless beings of the world welcomed a new dawn.
Future generations finally entered a long period of peace and stability, and the vast expanse regained its order and tranquility.
These ancient secrets, buried deep in the river of time, began to circulate throughout the vast expanse after the dark beings and the Alliance of Righteous Unity signed the peace treaty. The shock and uproar they caused were beyond description.
Even many members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity were unaware of these secrets and the ancient history.
Undoubtedly, someone had deliberately revealed these secrets about the dark beings, making them known to the world, so that all beings would understand the terror of the dark beings.
Now, the dark beings have returned to the world, gathering offerings and conducting the grand sacrificial ritual, likely with the goal of reviving the sealed Lord of the Heavens, the source of the Black Calamity, the Dark Ancestor!
By not choosing to fight the dark beings to the end, the Alliance of Righteous Unity is only fueling the dark beings' ferocity. As the dark beings grow stronger, the Alliance of Righteous Unity will suffer the most severe backlash.
Once the Lord of the Heavens is revived and returns to the world, the true era of darkness will descend.
When that day comes, there will be no more peace in the vast expanse, and all beings will see no hope or light.
---
"Are these rumors true? Has the Alliance of Righteous Unity already been infiltrated and controlled by the dark beings, becoming their puppet?"
"The dark beings want to revive the source of the Black Calamity, and now even the Alliance of Righteous Unity is assisting them."
"What can we do? Is the heavens truly abandoning us?"
In cities and nations across the vast expanse, many cultivators and beings wore expressions of despair.
For ordinary people, hearing such news was like a thunderbolt from the blue, leaving them with no room or means to resist.
"Grandfather, is this true? Is this why the dark beings have launched this war and the black tide?"
A young girl with delicate features supported a trembling old man, her youthful face filled with fear and anxiety.
"Whether these rumors are true or not, no one knows. But what is certain is that the Alliance of Righteous Unity has abandoned us ordinary people. During this time, how many universes have fallen into darkness, handed over to the dark beings by the Alliance of Righteous Unity? In a single night, all life was extinguished, with no survivors."
"Sooner or later, it will be our turn."
"When will this darkness end?"
The old man's eyes were clouded, his voice hoarse.
"Then what can we do?" The girl's eyes were filled with despair.
"Perhaps we can still rely on the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. However, with such rumors spreading now, it's likely that some hidden force is at work, quietly gathering strength, hoping to guide the course of events."
The old man's eyes suddenly flashed with a glimmer of wisdom as he gazed at the distant sky.
---
Deep within the Alliance of Righteous Unity, grand and majestic palaces stood among the stars.
With the addition of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, the Parsoa Sacred Domain, the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom, and other orthodoxies, the Alliance of Righteous Unity's heritage and strength were even greater than before the peace treaty with the dark beings.
The various controversies and discussions in the outside world were not favorable for the Alliance of Righteous Unity, but the Alliance no longer cared about its reputation.
The cessation of attacks by the dark beings was the best outcome for the Alliance's member forces.
---
"The rumors spreading outside are truly laughable. Do they really think we signed the peace treaty out of fear of the dark beings?"
"If they can't even understand this so-called strategy of choosing the lesser evil, they deserve to be offerings for the dark beings' grand sacrificial ritual. How foolish and ridiculous."
"The leader has summoned us today, likely because of this matter."
Deep within the Alliance of Righteous Unity, the palaces were vast, one after another, as if forged from stars, radiating countless rays of light.
At this moment, several stone arch bridges stood in the corridors between the palaces. Several figures, shrouded in mist, strode toward the central palace.
This palace far surpassed the others in grandeur, its gates towering as high as the heavens, with cascading waterfalls of chaos pouring down, creating a terrifying spectacle.
After these figures arrived, many other beings followed, including towering giants and radiant spirits, representing various races and civilizations.
---
Broken pillars, extinguished candles, Buddha statues, and lotus platforms—this was a dilapidated temple on the verge of collapse, long abandoned and covered in thick dust. Shattered Buddhist curtains and floor tiles were scattered everywhere.
The temple's main gate had been dismantled at some point, likely taken as firewood. Beside the temple, there were a few piles of long-burnt ashes, remnants of a fire from who knows how many years ago.
This was a mundane area in the Eastern Victory Nation of the Little Western Sacred Domain, rarely visited by cultivators.
Deep in the mountains and forests, there were many wild beasts and mountain spirits, but few had gained sentience, living only to hunt and occasionally gathering on moonlit nights to absorb the essence of the moon.
However, hundreds of years ago, this place was said to have housed a grand hall, resplendent and filled with monks, bustling with worshippers.
Pilgrims from nearby counties and even distant regions would travel here to burn incense and make offerings.
But one night, for reasons unknown, a fierce storm swept through, with dark clouds rolling in.
Villagers at the foot of the mountain saw blood-red lightning strike down, as if the heavens were enraged, delivering punishment. The scene could be seen from thousands of miles away, and faint cries of sorrow could be heard.
The next morning, the villagers climbed the mountain and were horrified to find that the once-magnificent temple had collapsed overnight, reduced to ruins.
The Buddha statue in the grand hall had shed tears of blood, its head rolling on the ground. Moreover, all the monks in the temple had vanished, as if they had evaporated overnight, leaving no trace.
This eerie sight terrified the villagers, who fled down the mountain in panic.
The news quickly spread to neighboring villages and counties.
In the following years, the wealthy and powerful who had once frequented the temple met with strange misfortunes—some lost their positions, others fell into ruin, their families torn apart. In short, none met a good end.
Since then, the place had been abandoned. Only a few brave hunters ventured into the mountains to hunt and occasionally took shelter in the temple at night. The villagers dared not even speak of it, treating it as a taboo.
---
"Immortal, this is all I know. Please spare me and let me go back down the mountain."
At this moment, a simple-looking villager, trembling with fear, led a beautiful woman in white to the ruined temple.
An elderly man, hunched over and dressed in Taoist robes, stood calmly in front of the collapsed temple, as if waiting for something.
"Fairy Liuyun, we meet again."
Sensing their arrival, he opened his eyes and smiled at the woman in white.
The woman in white merely glanced at him coldly, saying nothing.
A moment later, a lazy, enchanting voice rang out.
"This place is truly hard to find."
"The Little Western Sacred Domain has always been under the control of the Little Western Heaven. Those bald monks hate Taoist priests the most. Yet, who would have thought that the entrance to the Heavenly Decline Realm would be hidden here? How interesting."
"Truth and illusion, reality and falsehood—this is truly the style of the Heavenly Decline Faction. I wonder if the Little Western Heaven is also a puppet supported by the Heavenly Decline Faction."
A luxurious carriage, carried by several beautiful women, floated leisurely behind the woman in white.
The old Taoist's seemingly cloudy eyes were filled with depth as he bowed to the carriage and smiled. "This humble Taoist, Wu Xuzi, greets Priestess Qiluo."
The Little Western Sacred Domain was a vast region in the vast expanse, composed of many great worlds, as well as numerous small and medium worlds, and multiverses capable of containing Dao Realm power.
However, in the Little Western Sacred Domain, Buddhism reigned supreme. The most powerful orthodoxy, known as the Little Western Heaven, encompassed all Buddhist sects and had a foundation rivaling some supreme civilizations.
"By deliberately leading me to the entrance of the Heavenly Decline Realm, aren't you afraid I'll reveal your whereabouts?"
The luxurious carriage landed smoothly, and several maids stepped forward to lift the curtain.
A stunningly beautiful woman, exuding charm and laziness, stepped out.
She wore a red robe, her hair styled in an elegant bun, her shoulders slightly exposed, her skin as white as snow, dazzling to the eye. Every smile and gesture carried boundless allure, dimming the light of the heavens.
She was Priestess Qiluo, ranked fourth among the Heavenly Faction.
The old Daoist named Wu Xuzi smiled and said, "This place is merely a rift illusion, not a real entrance. Even if Priestess Qiluo intentionally leaked the information, it wouldn't make much of a difference."
Priestess Qiluo's beautiful eyes shimmered as she chuckled softly. "What an impressive trick. Even I couldn't detect that this place was just a rift illusion. It seems this Buddhist temple was deliberately left as a stronghold by you. Ordinary people truly wouldn't be able to tell."
With a wave of her red-robed sleeve, rolling black mist surged forward, instantly engulfing the collapsed and shattered temple before her.