Chapter 1303: Those Who Serve Heaven Must Know Its Mandate—You Shall Bear the Boundless Karma
Chapter 1303: Those Who Serve Heaven Must Know Its Mandate—You Shall Bear the Boundless Karma
The depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace erupted in commotion, startling all the guests in attendance.
Countless gazes turned toward the rift in spacetime, where the heavens seemed to split apart. Dazzling divine radiance swirled like falling embers, as though ancient deities were descending upon the mortal realm.
It was a sight that sent shivers down the spine—the very fabric of the world appeared to have been forcibly torn open, with flames and auroras illuminating half the boundless void.
Gu Changge arrived with the Heavenslayers Alliance, stepping forward as if walking on level ground, his demeanor utterly composed.
A terrifying aura swept forth, accompanied by a pressure that made every heart tremble, filling them with an indescribable sense of oppression and dread.
"He came after all."
The Primary Hope Saintess paid no heed to Dao Monarch Chang Ming, who had intended to speak with her.
Her gaze fell upon the white-robed figure approaching from the distance, her expression tinged with faint complexity.
The last time she had been trapped within the void prison of the Immortal Chu Vast Land, she had assumed Gu Changge would come to rescue her—after all, that would align with his usual methods and interests.
Yet he had not.
After the fall of the Immortal Chu Vast Land, he had seemingly vanished from the world.
She had never learned of his whereabouts again.
Through the Mirror of Reincarnation, she had once more simulated the future, only to find that no matter what choices she made, the same inevitable fate awaited her.
Before the Immortal Chu Vast Land's destruction, she had clung to a sliver of hope, believing Gu Changge's goal was merely to remove the forces obstructing his path.
But now, it was clear—his true aim was to bring the entire Primary Hope Civilisation under his control.
"So this is the master of the Heavenslayers Alliance? The rumors truly pale in comparison. He is far more unfathomable than the tales suggest."
Many ancient beings who had only recently emerged from seclusion narrowed their eyes, their thoughts unreadable.
The Heavenslayers Alliance was currently the most feared force in the Primary Hope Civilisation, and its leader, Gu Changge, was a figure that struck terror into the hearts of countless factions.
During the events in the Immortal Chu Vast Land, Gu Changge had displayed a power so overwhelming that it defied description, suppressing all beneath him.
He had even forcibly disrupted Chu Gucheng's Decay Tribulation, drawing the attention of the Land of Truth.
This was why, during the Heavenslayers Alliance's rapid expansion afterward—even as it swallowed numerous clans and territories—no faction dared to resist.
Gu Changge had vanished from the Primary Hope Civilisation for a full millennium.
Yet his might still loomed over everyone's heads, leaving none bold enough to act recklessly.
"The master of the Heavenslayers Alliance... His arrival here is surely no good omen."
The leaders of various factions now wore solemn expressions, their earlier casual demeanor gone as they watched the approaching group.
Among them stood figures like Zi Wanhe, ruler of Purple Sky Mountain, and Chu Heng, the Champion General of the former Immortal Chu Vast Land.
They were now part of the Heavenslayers Alliance, accompanying Gu Changge on this journey.
Beyond them, Gu Changge was flanked by numerous terrifying auras—figures whose presence alone sent tremors through the soul, their power seemingly no weaker than that of ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm experts.
Among them were many who had survived three or four Decay Tribulations.
This force alone was enough to sweep through the vast majority of factions in the Primary Hope Civilisation.
Such a display weighed heavily on the hearts of those present.
"Back in the Immortal Chu Vast Land, the master of the Heavenslayers Alliance attended the banquet alongside the Imperial Immortal Palace's members. No one truly knows what relationship he shares with them."
"If the Imperial Immortal Palace's Founder has emerged for this matter, that's one thing. But if even she stands on the same side as the Heavenslayers Alliance's master... then the Primary Hope Civilisation truly faces calamity."
Many felt a deep unease, fearing such a scenario might unfold.
"Senior Brother Gu..."
Jing Xiao, who had been following the Jing Family's entourage, saw Gu Changge for the first time in a thousand years. Her eyes lit up with joy, but then dimmed as she recalled something.
Beside her, Jing Xiang noticed her expression and sighed softly.
When Jing Xiao had first brought Gu Changge back to the Jing Family, even her parents had recognized her admiration for him.
Alas, the gap between their statuses was insurmountable.
Even her parents—and the Jing Family's ancestors—had to treat Gu Changge with utmost reverence.
Her feelings could only fade with time, buried beneath the tides of fate.
Yet among those present, none harbored more complicated emotions than the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
After all, Gu Changge had once stayed among them, and many believed he shared a close relationship with Ling Yuxian—perhaps even to the point of becoming cultivation partners.
Moreover, the Imperial Immortal Palace's Founder had only escaped her imprisonment thanks to Gu Changge's intervention.
Many of the palace's elders remained grateful.
But now, with the Heavenslayers Alliance's growing dominance and its tendency to swallow all in its path, the Imperial Immortal Palace might soon find itself standing on the opposite side of the battlefield.
After weighing the pros and cons repeatedly, anyone would find themselves entangled in such a dilemma, torn between difficult choices.
"Senior Brother Gu, it's been a thousand years. I trust you've been well."
From the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace, streaks of radiant light burst forth, dazzling and resplendent, painting the heavens in a brilliant display. A golden path descended from the sky, unfurling beneath Ling Yuxian's feet.
She led a group of elders personally to welcome Gu Changge and the delegation from the Heavenslayers Alliance.
"A thousand years passes in the blink of an eye. You're already on the verge of condensing a Dao Seed and breaking through to the Dao Realm," Gu Changge replied with a faint smile before nodding in acknowledgment to the familiar elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Ling Yuxian was ethereal and refined, her skin as white as snow, her figure tall and graceful like an unblemished celestial blossom. Beneath her composed demeanor, however, flickered a trace of hidden turmoil.
"Where have you been all these years..."
Her gaze lingered on Gu Changge, her expression growing increasingly complicated. She had intended to reminisce, but the moment the words left her lips, she suddenly realized how overly intimate and inappropriate they sounded in this setting and immediately stopped herself.
From another direction, Jing Tianyuan, the progenitor of the Jing Family, and Demon Emperor Di Kun of the Beast Court arrived with their entourages, bowing in unison to Gu Changge. "Greetings, Alliance Leader."
Seeing this, the leaders of the various orthodoxies and forces present could hardly remain standing where they were. Suppressing their discomfort, they reluctantly followed suit with their own greetings.
Even those ancient existences of unfathomable seniority, still bearing traces of the earth's aura, were no exception.
Before outright hostility broke out, no one dared to offend Gu Changge—not even someone like Dao Monarch Chang Ming, who had survived eight Decay Tribulations, would act without careful consideration.
"This old Daoist, Wu Yazi, pays his respects to the Alliance Leader."
The old Daoist priest, who had been drinking and feasting with Old Man Cold Crow, transformed into a streak of divine light and approached, clasping his hands in salute.
Old Man Cold Crow followed closely behind him. Though he struggled to maintain composure, the fervor and reverence on his face were unmistakable, his eyes burning with excitement.
"This humble one, Old Man Cold Crow, greets the Alliance Leader," he said with a grin, his chilling aura leaking out and causing the surrounding cultivators to instinctively step back in discomfort.
"Have we met before?" Gu Changge's gaze swept over the old Daoist and Old Man Cold Crow, his smile carrying a hint of profound meaning.
If he recalled correctly, before the Immortal Chu Vast Land was destroyed, he had sensed two figures observing everything from across the vast expanse of time and space.
Those two figures were none other than the ones before him now. At the time, Gu Changge had paid them no mind, knowing they came from beyond the Primary Hope Civilisation.
Now, seeing them again, their origins likely aligned with his earlier speculations.
"The Alliance Leader truly has an excellent memory. Indeed, we lingered outside the Immortal Chu Vast Land back then. It seems you noticed us," the old Daoist, who called himself Wu Yazi, replied without surprise, openly admitting to their act of spying on the Immortal Chu Vast Land.
"We came to the Primary Hope Civilisation precisely to seek you out, Alliance Leader. We have long heard of the Heavenslayers Alliance's reputation throughout the Boundless Expanse and were filled with admiration. We traveled here specifically to join the alliance and humbly request your approval," Old Man Cold Crow added with a grin, his tone brimming with eagerness to pledge allegiance.
Wu Yazi also nodded with a faint smile. "Though we have long been accustomed to a life of wandering freedom, we are deeply moved by the Heavenslayers Alliance's original intent and ideals. We wish to join hands with you, Alliance Leader, and discuss the grand Heaven-Slaying Plan together. We hope you will not reject our request."
The moment these words left his mouth, the expressions of the leaders from various orthodoxies and forces darkened, some even trembling in shock and disbelief.
Even the Primary Hope Saintess, who was just arriving, furrowed her delicate brows, finding it hard to believe.
Had she not encountered these two on her journey and sensed that they came from beyond the Boundless Expanse, she might have suspected them of being plants arranged by Gu Changge himself.
To declare their intent to join the Heavenslayers Alliance in such a setting, before all the gathered guests—was this not a deliberate slap to everyone's faces?
"A splendid proposal—'to discuss the Heaven-Slaying Plan together.' Our Heavenslayers Alliance is in dire need of visionaries like yourselves. How could we possibly refuse your request?" Gu Changge replied with a faint smile.
He knew these two had ulterior motives for seeking him out, though they couldn't voice them openly in front of the crowd.
Still, the Heavenslayers Alliance truly needed pillars of strength like them—experts of the Ancestral Dao Realm.
"Hah! Wonderful! I felt an instant kinship with you two back then. Truly, we are like-minded comrades. With your assistance, our Heavenslayers Alliance will only grow stronger!" Jing Tianyuan laughed heartily, his voice brimming with joy.
The others from the Heavenslayers Alliance—Zi Wanhe, ruler of Purple Sky Mountain, Champion General Chu Heng, and the rest—also wore pleased smiles.
They could naturally tell that these two were far beyond ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm experts in strength.
The growth of the Heavenslayers Alliance had been evident to all. To gain two more Ancestral Dao Realm powerhouses in such circumstances only further cemented their dominance.
The leaders of the various orthodoxies and forces, however, wore expressions of extreme displeasure, struggling to comprehend—was the Heavenslayers Alliance truly so magnetic that its reputation alone could make people bow in submission?
"Our Heavenslayers Alliance upholds the principles of humanity, safeguarding all realms. Countless Ancient Civilisations and True Worlds have already submitted willingly, becoming part of our alliance to contribute their strength to the grand Heaven-Slaying Plan."
"Everyone need not be overly concerned or burdened with worries. Take my Beast Court, for example—since joining the Heavenslayers Alliance, our expansion and development have been evident to all. Restoring the glorious days when myriad races came to pay homage is not impossible. Joining the Heavenslayers Alliance and establishing the Heavenslayers Covenant is, without a doubt, beneficial for all orthodox forces."
Di Kun swept his wolf-like gaze across the crowd, as if understanding their thoughts, and let out a hearty laugh.
Among the orthodox forces gathered here today, aside from invincible factions like the Bright Light Temple and the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom—which were backed by numerous Ancestral Dao Realm experts—there were also many smaller forces like Sun Covering Mountain.
These factions shared one common trait: none had an Ancestral Dao Realm expert overseeing them. They had always remained obedient, not daring to overstep, struggling to survive and develop in the gaps between the various immortal orthodox forces. The rapid expansion of the Heavenslayers Alliance, devouring and annexing surrounding factions and clans, had made them feel threatened. Thus, they had come here to band together and seek a solution.
Though Di Kun's words contained some exaggeration—after all, the Beast Court replicating its ancient glory was nearly impossible—it was undeniable that since joining the Heavenslayers Alliance, the Beast Court had developed rapidly. With the backing of such a colossal force, many of the ancient and powerful demonic factions in the Endless Demon Territory had submitted one after another.
As the saying goes, it's easy to enjoy shade under a great tree. If no other choice remained, joining the Heavenslayers Alliance wouldn't be a bad option. Many cultivators present now showed signs of struggle and temptation, as if swayed by Di Kun's words.
Several leaders of immortal orthodox forces exchanged glances before stepping forward, their voices cold. "Enough of this nonsense. You're all just birds of a feather. The Heavenslayers Alliance merely seeks to gradually devour and unify the Primary Hope Civilisation. Stop using these high-sounding justifications to deceive us."
"The Immortal Chu Vast Land is the clearest warning. Do you really think the various orthodox forces are blind? Everyone has witnessed how the Immortal Chu Vast Land fell. We've gathered here today precisely to prevent such a fate."
"Since its inception, the Primary Hope Civilisation has endured countless calamities. Its myriad races and orthodox factions have thrived and accumulated their legacies without interfering with one another. But the arrival of the Heavenslayers Alliance has shattered this balance. When the next Great Tribulation descends, the first to face reckoning will be the Heavenslayers Alliance. If you wish to perish with them, that's your choice—we refuse."
"Daring to speak of 'slaying Heaven'—do you truly fear no retribution? Do you not dread the boundless Karma you'll incur?"
These sect masters were profoundly powerful. Among them were even Ancestral Dao Realm figures, their faces shrouded in Dao Fog, their eyes flickering with visions of collapsing stars, falling moons, and severed rivers. Their overwhelming pressure bore down on the surroundings.
With them stepping forward, the other cultivators and living beings present felt a weight lift from their hearts, exhaling in relief. The situation wasn't as dire as they had feared. The orthodox forces of the Primary Hope Civilisation had long suffered under the Heavenslayers Alliance and would never allow its ambitions to succeed.
"How foolish you are," Jing Tianyuan snorted coldly, his expression displeased as he swept his gaze over these sect masters. "The Great Tribulation's reckoning targets all worlds. No civilisation or True World can escape it. Your cowardice is even worse than that of the Heavenslayers from Nascent True Worlds who've just reached the Dao Realm. At least they have the courage to fight, even if it's like moths to a flame, without regret."
"You've cultivated for countless epochs, yet when faced with the Great Tribulation's reckoning, all you can do is cower in fear. What else are you capable of?"
Yet the sect masters remained unmoved. They understood the consequences of the words "slaying Heaven." Moreover, they didn't believe the Heavenslayers Alliance truly acted with the noble purpose of upholding humanity, as it claimed.
"Heavenslayers—what a foolish title. They're nothing but overestimating ants. The Great Tribulation's reckoning only targets Nascent True Worlds and the Ancient True World. As a Supreme True World, the Primary Hope Civilisation has long transcended such interference. This has been the established rule since ancient times. Elder Jing, as one of the Great Sages, how could you not know this?"
"The Heavenslayers Alliance blasphemes against the Heavenly Dao, taking the name of slaying Heaven—it has already committed a grave taboo. Sooner or later, it will face retribution. If the Primary Hope Civilisation suffers another reckoning because of the Heavenslayers Alliance, then it will be an unforgivable sinner across the Myriad Ages."
"The torrents of time, the rise and fall of eras—in our eyes, they are but fleeting illusions. Life is but a Void Great Dream, an instant in eternity. Only the Great Dao is eternal, the supreme pursuit."
"Across the Boundless Expanse, through countless dimensions and starless worlds, innumerable living beings perish in the blink of an eye. The Great Tribulation's reckoning is the Heavenly Dao's immutable law. Those who submit to Heaven understand destiny; those who defy it are forsaken by Heaven."
"Tell me, Gu Changge—leader of the Heavenslayers Alliance—do you still refuse to repent?" Their gazes swept over Jing Tianyuan, Di Kun, Zi Wanhe, and the old Daoist before finally settling on Gu Changge, as if trying to pressure him with their stares.
"If you've already made up your minds, why bother asking me?" Gu Changge smiled faintly, meeting their gazes without evasion. His calm, indifferent eyes held not the slightest ripple of disturbance.
"The Heavenslayers Alliance has its own standards. Believe it or not—that's up to you."