Chapter 1302: The Heavenslayers Alliance Follows the Human Dao's Will—The Heaven-Slaying Lord Has Arrived
Chapter 1302: The Heavenslayers Alliance Follows the Human Dao's Will—The Heaven-Slaying Lord Has Arrived
"Just a wandering recluse passing through the Primary Hope Civilisation. Hearing of the Imperial Immortal Palace's Progenitor emerging, I came specifically to pay my respects."
The old Daoist priest paid no mind to the Primary Hope Saintess's scrutinizing gaze. With a cupped-hand salute, he smiled as he spoke.
Yet paired with his current appearance, the gesture felt somewhat incongruous.
Old Man Cold Crow remained silent, his body exuding an aura of extreme frigidity, as if the surrounding Space-Time Great Dao had frozen solid—an unsettling presence.
Neither the Primary Hope Saintess nor Xi Yin paid him any attention.
"That fellow's cultivation is unfathomably deep—he must be no ordinary figure," Xi Yin thought as she withdrew her gaze from the old Daoist priest, feeling a faint trace of surprise.
She had encountered many eccentric individuals, but one like this old Daoist priest was a first.
Still, she refrained from probing further, assuming this might simply be his unique cultivation method. There was no need to pry and risk displeasing him.
The Primary Hope Saintess gave a slight nod and did not press further about their origins.
"Since we are all heading to the Imperial Immortal Palace to visit that Progenitor, we may as well travel together."
With that, she turned and returned to the flying vessel, resuming her cross-legged meditation, indifferent to the outside world.
Seeing this, the old Daoist priest revealed a kindly smile and saluted again. "Then we shall trouble the Primary Hope Saintess to lead the way."
His terrifying appearance still unnerved people—several female disciples of the Primary Hope Holy Church were visibly shaken, their eyes trembling with fear.
Cultivators from other sects along the way were also startled, only relaxing once they recognized the flying vessel as belonging to the Primary Hope Holy Church.
The emergence of the Imperial Immortal Palace's Progenitor had stirred immense waves.
Countless ancient beings had reappeared, so it was hardly surprising that some would have bizarre or frightening appearances.
Along the journey, other sects and forces came forward to greet them, showing utmost reverence to the Primary Hope Holy Church.
The arrival of the Primary Hope Saintess was no surprise either. Many knew of the ties between the Primary Hope Holy Church and the Imperial Immortal Palace—both had once joined forces to resist the Black Disaster.
The Progenitor Xi Nu, who founded the Primary Hope Holy Church, might even have been a contemporary of the Imperial Immortal Palace's Progenitor. It was possible they had fought side by side in the past.
Soon, disciples and elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace arrived to welcome the Primary Hope Saintess and her entourage. When they caught sight of the ragged old Daoist priest with hollow eyes streaked with blood, they too were startled.
Several Dao Realm elders were uncertain of the old Daoist priest and Old Man Cold Crow's identities, but since they had arrived with the Primary Hope Saintess, they dared not slight them and ushered them inside as well.
Within the vast and boundless palace complex, mist curled around towering divine mountains and ancient peaks, while immortal isles dotted the landscape. It was no mere palace but a man-made great world—waterfalls cascaded like white curtains, stretching endlessly.
Mythical beasts and auspicious birds with astonishing wingspans soared past, while ancient trees older than tens of millions of years rose from the earth, their sprawling branches seemingly capable of cradling galaxies.
Stars orbited the surrounding leaves like grains of sand, their dazzling radiance flowing like rivers of starlight.
From deeper within came the sound of creation itself—chaos mist billowed as ancient palace complexes stretched into the distance, resembling true primordial Immortal Towers.
Jade pillars forged from immortal jade bore the weight of cosmic seasons, while transformed flood dragons coiled around them, their whiskers entwined with Chaos Qi—an awe-inspiring sight that stirred the soul.
Auspicious clouds drifted between cliffs and ancient peaks, while enchanting palace maidens danced amidst Immortal Mist. Peerless beauties played ethereal melodies in the forests, drawing flocks of birds to sing in harmony.
Such a magnificent spectacle was beyond imagination—reaching out to pluck the moon seemed but an arm's length away. Distinguished guests mingled and conversed, gathered here in harmonious unity.
"It is said that deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace lies a chaotic Spacetime Sea—a battlefield remnant shattered in ancient wars. To prevent the terrifying living beings within from emerging and wreaking havoc upon the Primary Hope Civilisation, the Imperial Immortal Palace's Progenitor personally built this palace here. He even forged nine Mine Dragon Suppressing Pillars to prevent the Spacetime Sea's tides from surging forth and destroying everything..."
"That rumbling must be the tidal waves from the chaotic Spacetime Sea. The Imperial Immortal Palace's Progenitor is truly benevolent and virtuous. Were it not for the Imperial Immortal Palace standing guard here, the Primary Hope Civilisation would have suffered countless assaults over these long epochs."
Many guests were visiting the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace for the first time. Overwhelmed by the grandeur before them, they could not help but marvel in admiration.
This was the true, profound heritage of an immortal orthodoxy—utterly incomparable to factions like the Immortal Chu Vast Land.
Such majesty required eons of accumulation.
"The Primary Hope Saintess has arrived as well..."
At this moment, many noticed the Primary Hope Saintess being escorted in by several Imperial Immortal Palace elders. Surprised, they stepped forward to greet her.
They were high-ranking figures—leaders and elites of various orthodoxies and factions—whose statuses were so lofty that they rarely gathered in one place. This assembly was an exceptionally rare sight.
Back when the Immortal Chu Vast Land still stood, Chu Gucheng had invited all factions and clans of the Primary Hope Civilisation to his longevity celebration.
Yet few sect masters, family heads, or Dao masters had attended in person. Instead, they had sent representatives bearing gifts as tokens of goodwill.
Today, these very figures had gathered here to discuss matters of great importance—proof enough of their urgency and regard.
The Primary Hope Saintess exchanged greetings with them. Though she seldom left the Primary Hope Holy Church, her transcendent status remained unchallenged.
Her previous miscalculation at the Immortal Chu Vast Land—where Chu Gucheng and Elder Jin had schemed against her—had been due to her carelessness.
Otherwise, given her strength, few in the Primary Hope Civilisation could pose a threat to her.
Her presence here was no surprise. As she conversed with the others, they touched upon recent developments within the Primary Hope Civilisation.
The Primary Hope Saintess was peerlessly beautiful, her figure graceful and tall like a moon goddess descended to the mortal realm. Elegant and ethereal, she wore a veil that shrouded her in a misty glow of moonlight and white fog—soft and indistinct.
With a serene smile, she engaged each sect and faction leader, her grace as refreshing as a spring breeze.
The leaders of numerous immortal orthodoxies such as the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom and Bright Light Temple treated her with profound respect—not merely due to her status, but also from genuine reverence and admiration for her strength.
For the Primary Hope Saintess was one of the few figures in Primary Hope Civilisation universally acknowledged to have survived eight Decay Tribulations.
Moreover, she was the youngest among these existences, with the potential to ascend to even greater heights in the future.
Many ancient beings who had recently emerged from seclusion also approached to greet her.
Meanwhile, the Old Daoist Priest and Old Man Cold Crow, who had arrived alongside the Primary Hope Holy Church delegation, drew particular attention.
Many attempted to probe their cultivation levels, only to suffer backlash and warnings, leaving them trembling in shock.
The Primary Hope Saintess offered no explanation regarding the origins of the Old Daoist Priest and Old Man Cold Crow, merely stating that they had met along the way and traveled together to pay respects to the Imperial Immortal Palace's founding ancestor.
With this clarification, the crowd nodded in understanding and ceased their inquiries.
The Old Daoist Priest and Old Man Cold Crow casually found a corner to settle in, indulging in exquisite delicacies and immortal wine, utterly indifferent to the astonished gazes around them.
"Do you think we'll get a chance to see that one's true appearance this time?"
Old Man Cold Crow gulped down a mouthful of wine, deliberately lowering his voice as a teasing grin spread across his face.
The Old Daoist Priest tore into a piece of ancient immortal beast meat while drinking, chuckling in response, "Today's Imperial Immortal Palace is nothing like the Immortal Chu Vast Land back then—this place is bustling. But I suspect there's still a grand spectacle waiting to unfold..."
"Let's just wait and see. Heh, personally, I'd love to visit the Heavenslayers Alliance for a look. Who knows? It might confirm our suspicions."
Their conversation was completely unguarded, and many nearby cultivators overheard, their expressions flickering with confusion and bewilderment.
Some, however, revealed strange glints in their eyes before calmly returning to their wine and food.
"Since our last meeting, the Primary Hope Saintess's grace has only grown more radiant, and her strength has become increasingly unfathomable."
Suddenly, a man of average stature clad in gray robes approached from a distance. His features were unremarkable, but his eyes left a deep impression—as if they contained the stars of countless worlds, infinitely profound.
"Dao Monarch Chang Ming..."
Those conversing with the Primary Hope Saintess stiffened momentarily, their expressions turning peculiar.
The approaching figure was none other than Dao Monarch Chang Ming, who had already drawn considerable attention earlier.
Rumors about Dao Monarch Chang Ming abounded in Primary Hope Civilisation. He was regarded as a man of unimaginable perseverance, having paid an exorbitant price to transcend tribulations and break through.
Naturally, his tenacity and temperament earned him widespread admiration, with many cultivators viewing him as a role model.
Now, as Dao Monarch Chang Ming strode forward and initiated greetings with the Primary Hope Saintess, the surrounding crowd sensed an odd shift in atmosphere. Some even felt a twinge of unease.
For the ancient existence who had once bluntly declared that Dao Monarch Chang Ming would never surpass the Dao Realm was none other than Elder Xi Yin of the Primary Hope Holy Church—the Primary Hope Saintess's senior sister.
Spotting Dao Monarch Chang Ming's approach, Xi Yin—who had been conversing with another ancient being—paused briefly, her expression turning slightly awkward.
After all, she had once proclaimed that Dao Monarch Chang Ming would remain eternally trapped below the Dao Realm, urging him to abandon his futile struggles.
The Dao Realm was no Immortal Realm. Without innate talent and fortune, no amount of perseverance could ever breach its gates.
Yet not only had Dao Monarch Chang Ming broken into the Dao Realm, he had successively weathered multiple Decay Tribulations, ultimately ascending as an Ancestral Dao Realm existence.
Xi Yin's face had been thoroughly slapped, and for a time, she had chosen to retreat into seclusion within the Primary Hope Holy Church, withdrawing from worldly affairs.
The mere memory of that incident still filled her with shame.
"If Dao Monarch Chang Ming has truly survived eight Decay Tribulations, does that mean he now stands on equal footing with the Primary Hope Saintess?"
"Regardless, Dao Monarch Chang Ming is an Ancestral Dao Realm existence. No matter his current cultivation, he is not someone to be slighted."
"That matter is ancient history by now. The parties involved would likely laugh it off..."
Whispers and speculations rippled through the crowd. None believed Dao Monarch Chang Ming had approached to demand an apology from Xi Yin over their past conflict.
"Dao Monarch Chang Ming, you've truly broken through. Congratulations."
The Primary Hope Saintess regarded the approaching figure with a faint trace of surprise in her eyes.
Having long since transcended eight Decay Tribulations herself, she could instantly discern that this Dao Monarch Chang Ming differed from ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm existences.
However, his breakthrough seemed recent—the essence of the Ancestral Dao Realm within him had yet to fully transform to that higher tier.
"A stroke of luck, nothing more."
Dao Monarch Chang Ming nodded slightly with a smile. "In contrast, your cultivation grows ever more unfathomable. Even after surviving eight Decay Tribulations, I still cannot gauge your depths."
These words stunned the surrounding crowd. What had been mere speculation was now confirmed—Dao Monarch Chang Ming had indeed transcended eight Decay Tribulations.
Beyond the Ancestral Dao Realm, each subsequent threshold grew exponentially more treacherous, with failure often resulting in utter annihilation of body and soul.
Countless Ancestral Dao Realm existences had withered away after endless years of struggle before these barriers, their bones turning to dust and spirits scattering to the winds.
"Even he has surpassed eight Decay Tribulations..."
Xi Yin's complexion grew increasingly strained. She herself remained stuck before that very threshold, unable to advance an inch.
A junior she had once dismissed had now outstripped her in cultivation.
The absurdity and incredulity of this realization left her mentally unbalanced.
"Elder Xi Yin, it's been too long. When I reflect on that past matter now, it seems almost laughable—though countless years have passed since then, leaving only amusement in hindsight."
"Back when the Primary Hope Saintess wandered the myriad worlds, her admirers were as numerous as clouds gathering upon a mountain. Yet I alone was deemed overambitious by Elder Xi Yin, condemned to eternal stagnation at the Dao Realm..."
"In truth, had it not been for Elder Xi Yin's words, I might never have been driven to forge the indomitable will that allowed me to disregard life and death. My achievements today owe some credit to Elder Xi Yin's... encouragement."
Noticing Xi Yin's discomfort, Dao Monarch Chang Ming clasped his hands and bowed deeply, his tone magnanimous and free of resentment.
For an existence of his current stature, the fiery passions of youth had long since dissipated like smoke. There was nothing left to dwell upon.
Now, he sought only the path to the heavens.