Chapter 1301: Dao Monarch Chang Ming, Xi Yin's Unbalanced State of Mind
Chapter 1301: Dao Monarch Chang Ming, Xi Yin's Unbalanced State of Mind
Streaks of light flashed across the starry cosmos as cultivators from various orthodox forces arrived from all directions.
Countless figures traversed the cold, boundless universe, stirring ripples in space-time. Even from a great distance, their imposing auras were enough to send shivers down one's spine.
Within the ancient domains of the Imperial Immortal Palace, disciples and elders who had received their orders long ago were already waiting to greet and guide guests from various orthodox factions.
At the Xian Yun Practice Grounds, an elegant and graceful middle-aged woman, accompanied by many disciples, was welcoming the arriving visitors.
"Elder Xian Yun, it's been a long time! Your beauty remains as radiant as ever, and your cultivation has grown even more unfathomable."
From afar, a hearty voice rang out.
A tall and burly middle-aged man, clad in a violet Daoist robe and wearing a ceremonial headpiece, approached with a group of young disciples and elders in tow.
Elder Xian Yun's gaze settled on him, and she smiled faintly. "Master of Sun Covering Mountain, it truly has been a while. I didn't expect you to personally lead your disciples here this time. It must have been tens of millions of years since we last met."
As she spoke, a hint of nostalgia flickered in her eyes, indicating that she was well acquainted with this man.
Sun Covering Mountain was a reclusive sect within the Primary Hope Civilisation. Though it couldn't compare to immortal-level orthodoxies like the Imperial Immortal Palace, its heritage was still nothing to scoff at.
The sect housed many ancient Dao Realm experts, and rumors even spoke of an ancient ancestor who had nearly taken half a step into the Ancestral Dao Realm.
"The emergence of the Imperial Immortal Palace's founding ancestor has truly shocked us all. If not for our ancient ancestor wandering the world, currently lost in some distant space-time, he would have surely returned to personally pay respects to this venerable senior," the burly man said with a hearty laugh.
Elder Xian Yun nodded slightly. "I've long heard that Sun Covering Mountain's ancient ancestor was on the verge of breaking into the Ancestral Dao Realm. This journey of his must be to seek that final opportunity. Perhaps the next time we meet, he will have already ascended to that realm, elevating Sun Covering Mountain's strength and foundation to new heights."
"Haha, may your auspicious words come true, Elder Xian Yun!" the man laughed.
Soon, the group chatted amiably as they made their way deeper into the Imperial Immortal Palace.
However, during their conversation, when the topic turned to the Imperial Immortal Palace's founding ancestor, the man's expression darkened slightly.
"Elder Xian Yun, we've known each other for a long time. Though it may be presumptuous to ask now, I must inquire—what is the true reason behind the Imperial Immortal Palace's ancestor emerging at this time? Is it because of the Heavenslayers Alliance?"
He deliberately lowered his voice as he spoke.
Elder Xian Yun hesitated at the question before shaking her head. "Even we elders are unaware of the specifics. However, the ancestor's emergence this time is likely to discuss major matters with the various orthodox factions."
She had witnessed the Heavenslayers Alliance's rapid expansion firsthand—it was indeed beyond belief.
Moreover, Gu Changge had once impersonated the senior disciple of the Xian Yun Practice Grounds, even threatening Elder Xian Yun herself.
Though he had since left her alone, the memories of that time remained vivid in her mind.
"Ah, Elder Xian Yun, you know as well as I do that Sun Covering Mountain's territory is very close to the former Immortal Chu Vast Land before its destruction. Now that the Heavenslayers Alliance has completely taken over that land, given its expansionist tendencies, it won't be long before it encroaches upon our domain."
"I can't help but worry. There's something inexplicably sinister about the Heavenslayers Alliance—how could immortal orthodoxies like Purple Sky Mountain and the Beast Court willingly submit to it? Already, numerous Heaven-Slaying Shrines have appeared within our territory..."
"We dare not expel or obstruct them, fearing retaliation. But if this continues unchecked, Sun Covering Mountain will inevitably follow in the footsteps of other forces, gradually being devoured by the Heavenslayers Alliance."
The man's voice was thick with concern.
As the master of Sun Covering Mountain, the reason he had personally led his disciples and elders here was precisely to seek alliances and solutions to this very problem.
Elder Xian Yun sighed imperceptibly.
She had already noticed that Sun Covering Mountain's disciples and elders wore troubled expressions, forcing smiles in her presence. Clearly, they were deeply troubled.
In recent days, many of the guests she had received shared similar grievances.
The Heavenslayers Alliance's encroachment was like an invasive species, rapidly draining the Primary Hope Civilisation's resources, seizing territories and assets that once belonged to its orthodox factions, and using them as nourishment for its own unchecked growth.
This had alarmed many factions, who now viewed the Heavenslayers Alliance as something deeply sinister.
Though it claimed to champion humanity and protect all living beings, its actions bore little resemblance to righteousness.
"Rest assured, everyone. A solution will surely be found this time," Elder Xian Yun reassured them.
Sun Covering Mountain's members felt slightly comforted by her words, but their worries remained.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, from the northwest direction, dazzling Buddhist radiance erupted.
Countless illusory figures of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas manifested, accompanied by the faint chanting of ancient scriptures. A Buddha plucked a flower and smiled, while a Bodhisattva sat in meditation. Auspicious clouds surged forth like a tide.
Elder Xian Yun and the others turned to see a group of ancient monks and arhats from the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom arriving, guided by another elder of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
From other directions, beams of divine light shimmered, and ripples of space-time spread as more factions arrived.
Groups like the Towering Divine Cave, Bright Light Temple, and Longevity Lake had already arrived much earlier.
All around, starlight shimmered brilliantly, and the resonance of Dao principles filled the air. Ancient flying ships and vessels cut through the heavens as they descended, carrying the most prominent figures of the Primary Hope Civilisation.
Deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace, guests who had arrived earlier were already being led by disciples and elders toward mist-shrouded immortal mountains and Godly Islands, where immortal qi and Daoist rhythms flourished.
Bridges and pavilions connected various Star Domains, revealing vast galaxies and boundless rivers of stars—a sight of breathtaking grandeur.
The Imperial Immortal Palace truly lived up to its reputation as one of the most ancient and enduring orthodox forces of the Primary Hope Civilisation. The sheer scale of its dominion was staggering, with even the depths of its controlled Great Universe leaving visitors in awe.
Stars wreathed in swirling Chaos Qi rumbled as they orbited ceaselessly, their surfaces dotted with towering pavilions and grand halls.
Waterfalls of silver cascaded like celestial rivers, seemingly plummeting from the Nine Heavens, their roaring echoes reverberating across the cosmos.
The arriving guests exchanged greetings, though many among them bore ancient, weathered faces and wore archaic attire that exuded an aura of antiquity—enough to make one's heart tremble with unease.
These beings seemed to have just emerged from ancient tombs, still carrying the faint scent of earth, their slumber spanning countless epochs.
Their eyes shifted as if entire Great Universes collided within their pupils.
The mere leakage of their auras caused ordinary Dao Realm cultivators to feel their blood churn, their throats sweetening as they nearly coughed up blood.
Among these obviously ancient figures, a few unremarkable individuals also drew attention.
One in particular—a man of average height, plain features, and clad in a simple gray robe—made the faces of those ancient beings flicker with surprise.
"That senior is Dao Monarch Chang Ming. Wasn't it said that he perished while attempting to overcome his Eighth Decay Tribulation? Who would have thought we'd see him again after hundreds of epochs..."
A Dao Realm cultivator whispered in awe, recognizing the gray-robed man's identity.
"Dao Monarch Chang Ming is a model for all of us cultivators. Each time he faced the Decay Tribulation, he paid an immense price. It's said that an even more ancient senior once declared that Dao Monarch Chang Ming would never reach the Dao Realm in this lifetime—yet he stubbornly pushed forward to this very step."
"Now, it seems Dao Monarch Chang Ming has successfully overcome his Eighth Decay Tribulation."
Beyond Dao Monarch Chang Ming, many other ancient cultivators of extraordinary origins and seniority had also appeared—figures who had not shown themselves for hundreds of epochs.
Even their own factions had no idea they still existed, let alone expected them to emerge on such an occasion.
Clearly, the news of the Imperial Immortal Palace's Ancestral Founder's emergence had shaken everyone, drawing even these beings back from the depths of distant time and space.
Aside from the ancient figures of the Immortal Dao Civilisation, several figures wreathed in divine halos also descended, accompanied by divine attendants.
Their faces were indistinct, their gazes placid, their auras suffused with sanctity. Faint echoes of hymns and the whispers of worlds could be heard around them.
"Even deities from the Divine Dao Civilisation have descended. I wonder if they've come in their True Bodies or merely as projections?"
"The Divine Dao Civilisation has remained in seclusion for countless years. Their presence is rarely seen in the Vast Expanse these days."
Many cultivators murmured in astonishment.
Heh, today is truly lively. I initially thought the Primary Hope Civilisation wasn't as strong as rumored, but it seems I underestimated them. Just the Ancestral Dao Realm figures who've shown themselves already exceed seven—not counting those old monsters hiding in the shadows...
I told you we shouldn't act recklessly. We must observe first. If we'd acted rashly, we'd have suffered greatly.
The Celestial Legion has long known the Mirror of Reincarnation was in the Primary Hope Civilisation, yet they never dared make a move. They knew this was a tough nut to crack—a hard bone to chew.
Heh, but today's situation works in our favor. It'll be easier for us to infiltrate now. Before, it wouldn't have been so simple—we might've been discovered.
On a desolate star, two figures stood atop a hill, gazing toward the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
They were none other than the Old Daoist Priest from the Decay Legion and Old Man Cold Crow from the Rare Yin Legion.
As they spoke, their figures flickered, transforming into streaks of light as they pursued a moon-white flying vessel wreathed in Immortal Mist.
"Who's following us?"
On the deck of the moon-white vessel, an ethereal woman shrouded in lunar radiance and mist suddenly opened her eyes. Frowning, she raised a slender hand, summoning a crystalline ancient mirror that reflected the two figures trailing behind them.
"I can't discern their cultivation levels. Are they concealing themselves with some treasure? Truly extraordinary figures have come to the Imperial Immortal Palace this time."
A stunningly beautiful woman beside her also gazed at the mirror, her expression tinged with surprise.
This vessel belonged to the Primary Hope Holy Church delegation.
They hadn't expected to be tailed even within the Imperial Immortal Palace's territory.
"Sneaking around like thieves—clearly up to no good."
The Primary Hope Saintess withdrew her gaze and flicked her jade-like fingers toward the void behind them. Instantly, several ribbons of moonlight shot forth, tearing through space with overwhelming force.
"Oh? Fellow Daoists ahead, please don't misunderstand. We mean no harm—we merely lost our way and thought to follow your lead."
The Old Daoist Priest, who had been trailing the vessel, feigned surprise. He hadn't expected such a formidable presence aboard the seemingly random vessel they'd chosen to follow.
Just this single strike was extraordinary—ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm experts likely couldn't withstand it.
As he spoke, his wide sleeves billowed, scattering a sky full of starlight that coalesced into a vast cosmos. Within it, the Great Dao manifested as blades, slashing apart the incoming ribbons of moonlight.
Old Man Cold Crow had intended to strike back, but the Old Daoist Priest stopped him with a gesture, forcing him to suppress his displeasure with a cold snort.
"Ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm cultivators are no match for them. Since when did the Primary Hope Civilisation have so many existences surpassing the Ancestral Dao Realm?"
The Primary Hope Saintess was mildly astonished. She had only intended to test them and had no plans to clash on the Imperial Immortal Palace's grounds, so she quickly withdrew.
"They might be from other civilisations," Xi Yin speculated.
"You must be the renowned Primary Hope Saintess. To possess such unfathomable strength at such a young age—truly admirable."
Soon, the Old Daoist Priest and Old Man Cold Crow were invited aboard the vessel by several female disciples of the Primary Hope Holy Church.
As they observed the veiled Saintess before them, they immediately deduced her identity.
In the entire Primary Hope Civilisation, no other woman could match her transcendent grace and power.
"Might I ask where you two seniors hail from?"
The Primary Hope Saintess nodded slightly, studying them in turn.
She paid little attention to the cold, sinister aura of Old Man Cold Crow.
However, the Old Daoist Priest—reeking of decay and bearing the Signs of Five Immortal Decays—made her brow furrow slightly.
The Five Immortal Decays manifested as tattered robes, withered crowns, foul bodily odors, sweating armpits, and scattered jade beads—all omens of an impending Decay Tribulation.
Yet this old priest showed no signs of triggering a tribulation, nor did his cultivation seem unstable. Only his hollow eye sockets, oozing with pus and blood, lent him a ghastly appearance.