Chapter 1422 Will Eventually Be Taken Back by Him, Supplanting the Lord of Heaven's Proxy
Yao Yao returned disappointed, and Jiang Weiyang was equally disappointed.
Over the following days, Yao Yao would go to the courtyard where Gu Changge was staying, but in the end she never saw a trace of him, not knowing where he had gone.
This left her with no choice but to bring Jiang Weiyang and the others to stay temporarily in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Jiang Weiyang was not only full of curiosity about Gu Changge, but also deeply curious about the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, which the outside world shunned like snakes and scorpions and changed color at the mention of.
Although she did not meet Gu Changge, having finally come to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, she naturally would not let go of the chance to explore it thoroughly.
During her time in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, every day she would take a few maids and wander about the various ancient cities of the Alliance, witnessing the strange and extraordinary nature of its followers, wanting to know what exactly the Heaven-Slaying Alliance relied on to make the outside world so apprehensive and fearful.
But in the end she suddenly realized that it was not much different from an ordinary ancient city. Its order was strict, everything in perfect arrangement.
The only difference was that the cultivators and beings living in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance did not seem to worry about the arrival of the Black Calamity Catastrophe, nor about being invaded by the outside world.
Such peaceful and prosperous days even gave Jiang Weiyang a dreamlike feeling.
Is this still the Heaven-Slaying Alliance that, in the eyes of the world, is like a demon's lair, far more dangerous than a dragon's pool or tiger's den?
Especially now that the entire Vast Expanse is in a chaotic period of unrest and turmoil, every Dao lineage and civilization can barely look after itself, having no time to care about order in various places.
You have to know that even in many places of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, news of upheavals and great wars has been spreading; many powerful and well-established feudal lords are dominating their own territories, declaring themselves emperors, founding their own dynasties, intending to overthrow the rule of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty.
"Could it be that the Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance really intends to usher in a brand‑new era? If I were fortunate enough to witness it with my own eyes, how wonderful that would be." Jiang Weiyang's crystalline, sparkling eyes were full of hope and longing.
Deep within the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
The Weiyang Emperor Lord, in full imperial robes, wearing a crown, with profound eyes, sat upright at the center. Behind him were several massive, boundless Primordial Chaos Celestial Pillars.
Each pillar was forged from various rare mother metals and engraved with countless complex, ancient runes that shimmered with astonishing radiance. In the central area of the pillars was a perfectly smooth and flawless round mirror, crystal clear throughout, ancient and weathered.
This round mirror emitted immeasurable light, radiating across the entire territory of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, like the eye of a heavenly emperor surveying the myriad heavens.
Any living being that appeared within the territory of the Alliance of Righteous Unity could not escape the radiance of the mirror and would be reflected here.
Below the Weiyang Emperor Lord were the other deputy alliance chiefs of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, as well as other senior members.
"Alliance Chief, it seems that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has no intention of taking action, nor interfering with the establishment of the Immortal Dao Alliance. Our plan to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight appears unrealistic. I never thought that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Chief, who has always been assertive, would choose to compromise at this moment." One deputy alliance chief stepped forward and said in a contemplative tone.
"The Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, as long as he is not foolish, knows that blocking the establishment of the Immortal Dao Alliance at this moment would arouse public wrath, and eventually be jointly attacked by various forces."
Another senior member, with a pondering expression, said, "I have long said that this measure is not appropriate. Although the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's withdrawal has given us a breathing space, judging from overt strength and foundation, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is still much stronger than the Alliance of Righteous Unity. I'm afraid that before long, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance will make a comeback and attack us again."
Upon hearing this, another senior member immediately frowned and retorted, "Why boost others' morale and diminish our own? In my view, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's waging wars everywhere has long aroused public anger. Now we only need to wait for an opportunity to rise up, and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance will surely walk to its own destruction."
"Perhaps the establishment of the Immortal Dao Alliance this time will become an opportunity for us to stand on equal footing with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance."
The senior members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity were deep in thought; originally, everyone had prepared to watch a lively show, to see how the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would provoke public anger and how it would back down.
But the Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, seemingly not as arrogantly confident as they had thought, chose to make concessions at this moment.
This was indeed a wise move.
However, it meant that the many previous schemes and stratagems of the Alliance of Righteous Unity would be in vain, forcing them to seek alternative measures.
Although the looming threat of the Land of the Dark Source still hung over the heads of all beings, bringing unparalleled terrifying pressure.
Yet the Alliance of Righteous Unity's greatest internal threat was still the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
As long as the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was not destroyed, the Alliance of Righteous Unity could not find peace of mind.
At that moment, one deputy alliance chief of the Alliance of Righteous Unity stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute, saying, "Alliance Chief, might we ask that mysterious white‑robed senior to strike again? The deputy alliance chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, Ling Yuling, is currently exiled in a void of space‑time, and it is unknown when she will find the coordinates to return. Apart from that Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, there are not many in the entire Heaven-Slaying Alliance who can hold up the banner."
"Those beings of the Forbidden Zones do not seem like figures willing to serve the Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance wholeheartedly. In this great war, they were also very protective of their lives and retreated the moment things looked bad. As long as we can contain the Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, the entire Heaven-Slaying Alliance will be a sheet of loose sand, not worth worrying about, and fundamentally no match for our Alliance of Righteous Unity."
"When the time comes, Alliance Chief, as long as you make a slight move and join forces with the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom, we can surely strike at the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, dealing a heavy blow and severely damaging its vitality."
"Once the Heaven-Slaying Alliance falls, the tree will fall and the monkeys will scatter. The Forbidden Zone existences will not fight to the death for the Heaven-Slaying Alliance against us. The newly born Immortal Dao Alliance, with insufficient foundation, is not enough to be concerned about, and equally cannot contend against our Alliance of Righteous Unity. At that time, they will naturally need to follow the lead of our Alliance."
"Once we have integrated and unified all the large and small Dao lineages and forces throughout the Vast Expanse and the various civilization true worlds, then our Alliance of Righteous Unity can settle accounts properly with the Dark Beings and resolve the calamity of the Land of the Dark Source..."
"Moreover, isn't there still that mysterious existence standing behind you? At a critical moment, why not ask him to make a move?"
This matter was no longer a secret throughout the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
Including the deputy alliance chiefs, everyone knew that the Weiyang Emperor Lord was merely a candidate propped up by that mysterious existence.
The Weiyang Emperor Lord, with an unfathomable expression, still sat upright, and upon hearing this, merely said calmly, "At this moment, would a sudden counterattack on the Heaven-Slaying Alliance be inappropriate? The foundation of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has only revealed the tip of the iceberg, and the Alliance Chief of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is equally mysterious. If we want to deal with him, we must deliberate carefully and weigh all considerations. A single mistake would send the Alliance of Righteous Unity into eternal damnation."
"Do you think I don't want to take action against the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? If the Heaven-Slaying Alliance hadn't appeared, how could the Vast Expanse have turned into today's unprecedented upheaval? Any civilization true world might be destroyed in this age. The mysterious existence behind me will act, but not yet."
"Alliance Chief, your deliberation far exceeds ours," the deputy alliance chief who had spoken earlier hurriedly said, somewhat trembling as he gazed at the Weiyang Emperor Lord's majestic countenance that was imposing without anger.
Although they were deputy alliance chiefs, their strength was still a notch below that of the Weiyang Emperor Lord, not to mention that the Weiyang Emperor Lord also ruled the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, receiving sacrificial offerings from the entire dynasty and enjoying boundless fortune and incense offerings.
In the territory of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, it was difficult for him to exert his true emperor lord might, but suppressing them was still a trivial matter.
"For the upcoming ceremony to observe the establishment of the Immortal Dao Alliance, the Mansion Lord will represent the Alliance of Righteous Unity. What do you think?"
The Weiyang Emperor Lord suddenly looked at a heroic middle‑aged man in a black robe among the crowd, who was precisely the Cosmic Annihilation Mansion Lord, a deputy alliance chief.
He was also one of the very few here who had passed eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations, an Ancestral Dao Realm existence.
"Yes, Alliance Chief." The Cosmic Annihilation Mansion Lord's eyes flickered; after pondering a moment, he stepped forward and cupped his hands.
Behind him, Chu Xiuyan was slightly surprised and also followed the Cosmic Annihilation Mansion Lord in making a bow.
Now, she was already the Boundary Heir of Endless Yang True World and the Young Mansion Lord of Cosmic Annihilation Mansion, a rising star of dazzling brilliance in the entire Alliance of Righteous Unity.
Many young and middle‑aged talents and ancient prodigies, despite their long cultivation times, were inferior to her in strength, being overtaken by her from behind at a rapid pace.
The Cosmic Annihilation Mansion Lord intentionally nurtured her, always keeping her by his side, allowing her to be influenced and learn various ceremonial arts and skills, broadening her horizons.
Including the discussions of major affairs in the Alliance of Righteous Unity, he also let her accompany.
"At this ceremony of the Immortal Dao Alliance's establishment, I'm sure I'll get to see many people of fortune who bear the mandate of heaven. As long as I break through to the Dao Realm, I'll soon be able to see him..." Chu Xiuyan whispered in her heart, feeling some anticipation.
At the same time, in the Lesser Western Sacred Domain, a vast and boundless land formed by rivers and oceans.
Waves surged, world forces clashed; each splash was like a universe intertwining and colliding, emitting rumbling, terrifying sounds. Here, new worlds were born and shattered ones perished every moment, cycling through samsara, repeating endlessly.
In the central area of this region, a majestic and imperishable palace complex stood, grand and magnificent, submerged in boundless chaotic mist, like the Heavenly Court of ancient mythology.
Around the palace complex were four towering gates, as high as heaven and earth, supporting this place, inscribed respectively with 'South,' 'North,' 'East,' and 'West' Heavenly Gates. Ancient divine light flowed and pervaded.
From all parts of the myriad heavens, countless streams of light like the Milky Way converged and surged here, flowing toward the depths of the palace.
"Is this a reproduction of the legendary Heavenly Court? Ancestor Xu really has great ambition."
A luxurious chariot flew out from spatial‑temporal ripples and leisurely stopped here. Qiluo, in a red dress with an exceptionally alluring and bewitching figure, stepped out.
She looked at the magnificent Heavenly Gate ahead, her eyes flickering slightly.
"The Progenitor was merely imitating the Lord of Heaven's Proxy. He once tried to establish 'Palm Heaven,' but eventually found it not domineering enough, so he renamed it Heavenly Court. It's actually not the same as the legendary Heavenly Court."
Wu Xu Zi, clad in Daoist robes and with an extremely hunched figure, walked out from behind Qiluo, his aged face smiling as he spoke.
Qiluo remained noncommittal to his words.
Ancestor Xu was precisely the Progenitor that Wu Xu Zi spoke of, and also the Progenitor Xu who once followed the Lord of Heaven's Proxy.
Whether it was because he could not bear the karma of Palm Heaven, or he truly found it not domineering enough, only Ancestor Xu himself knew.
"What is the reason Ancestor Xu suddenly summoned me?" Qiluo asked indifferently.
The Heavenly Decline Faction had many hideouts; the last time she met them was in an unknown time‑space that seemed both real and illusory, and this time it was an alternate dimension.
She couldn't even know where the true headquarters of the Heavenly Decline Faction was, in which time and space it was located.
Past? Future? Or present?
And was Ancestor Xu really in seclusion here, roaming in spirit?
"The Progenitor's thoughts are beyond what we can fathom. I'm merely following the Progenitor's instructions to convey the message to Sacrificial Priest Qiluo," Wu Xu Zi said with a smile, his words watertight.
Qiluo snorted coldly and asked no more. She was now in the same boat as the Heavenly Decline Faction, sharing both honor and disgrace.
Although she did not want to get mixed up in the affairs of the Heavenly Decline Faction, it was no longer up to her now.
To think that this group of madmen actually intended to supplant the Lord of Heaven's Proxy—in her eyes, it was utterly arrogant and fanciful.
"The Progenitor is waiting for Sacrificial Priest Qiluo inside the Lingxiao Hall," Wu Xu Zi said, making a gesture of invitation, without entering himself.
Qiluo said nothing. As she stepped forward, space and time intertwined before her, as if she were walking between past and future. Soon, she arrived in a vast hall shrouded in clouds and mist, boundless and white.
The hall was immensely spacious, with no end in sight; only rolling clouds, as if truly arriving at the immortal's abode of ancient times.
A blurry, indistinct shadow sat cross‑legged at the center of the hall, surrounded by mighty sacrificial chants, as if all the gods and Buddhas of the heavens were chanting and praying for him.
This shadow seemed to reflect across past and present, amidst the destruction of nothingness, both real and illusory, like bubbles, like dew, and like lightning.
"Long time no see, Sacrificial Priest Qiluo." An ethereal, indistinct voice came from the shadow's mouth.
His face kept changing, then transformed into a flat, featureless visage, very eerie.
"Ancestor Xu..."
Qiluo's heart trembled, but she strove to maintain calm on her face.
This was not the first time she saw Ancestor Xu, but each time she felt immense pressure and suffocation, a sense of breathlessness.
One must know, she was the Fourth Sacrificial Priest of the Heavenly Faction. Apart from the three elusive Sacrificial Priests, only the High Priest and a few trusted aides in the entire Heavenly Faction could make her feel pressured.
Apart from facing the High Priest, no one could give her such a strong sense of suffocation.
Such a powerful Ancestor Xu, perhaps not even his true body—one could only imagine how terrifying his full peak state must be.
And the Lord of Heaven's Proxy, who could make Ancestor Xu, once at his peak and prime, bow his head and willingly follow and serve, was even more unimaginable.
That kind of power was probably beyond description in words, already beyond her ability to fathom.
"May I ask why Ancestor Xu summoned me?" Qiluo asked, regaining her composure and striving to stay calm.
"I just want to make another deal with Sacrificial Priest Qiluo," Ancestor Xu said with a faint smile, his voice ethereal, as if coming from a distant, ancient time and space.
"What deal? Could it be that half piece of flesh and blood?" Qiluo's eyes flickered.
Back during the Heaven's Proxy Chaos, she took advantage of the turmoil to seize a piece of the flesh and blood of the Lord of Heaven's Proxy from the Coffin of World Burial. Later, somehow, the Heavenly Decline Faction learned of it, and to protect herself, she had to hand over half a piece of flesh and blood, still keeping the other half on her.
"No, I have already thoroughly studied that flesh and blood."
Ancestor Xu shook his head, his tone somewhat meaningful: "Only you would exhaust all your thoughts to contend for that flesh and blood. To me, it's all external possessions, not my own, and sooner or later he will take it back."
"I already know the reason why he is so powerful, reaching a level and dimension that we cannot hope to attain..."
Upon hearing this, Qiluo's heart shook violently, somewhat horrified and incredulous.
She naturally knew who the 'he' Ancestor Xu referred to was.
If what Ancestor Xu said was true, wouldn't it mean that the Heavenly Decline Faction's desire to supplant the Lord of Heaven's Proxy was not madness, nor a pipedream, but truly possible?
Her heart was thrown into a tremendous upheaval, and she trembled slightly all over.