Chapter 1305: The Signs of Fortune Decline in Various Civilisations—He Cannot Be Killed
Chapter 1305: The Signs of Fortune Decline in Various Civilisations—He Cannot Be Killed
"Hmph, I wonder what the relationship is between the Heavenslayers Alliance and the Heaven’s Proxy Group that once wreaked havoc across the Boundless Expanse?" One of the sect masters who had spoken earlier stared directly at Gu Changge, his eyes rumbling with swirling Chaos Qi as he snorted coldly.
Those ancient beings who knew of the Heaven’s Proxy Group were generally aware of the Black Disaster Era and understood that its origins lay with that very organization.
Even after the Black Disaster Era ended, the remnants of the Black Disaster were all originally members of the Heaven’s Proxy Group. The Master of Heaven’s Proxy Group had established the organization in an attempt to usurp the Heavenly Dao Authority and act on Heaven's behalf.
Now, Gu Changge had formed the Heavenslayers Alliance. Though it flew the righteous banner of upholding the Dao of Humanity, its essence was no different from the Heaven’s Proxy Group of old—both sought to seize control of the Heavenly Dao Authority for themselves.
In the eyes of these ancient beings, no matter how gloriously the Heavenslayers Alliance was praised, it was fundamentally no different from the Heaven’s Proxy Group, which had once plunged the entire Boundless Expanse into chaos.
Most of the cultivators and living beings present did not fully understand the origins of the Heaven’s Proxy Group, but they knew of its terror and the fact that the Black Disaster Era had stemmed from it.
The later eras of blood and darkness, the Boundless Expanse Upheaval, and other horrifying events were all inextricably linked to this organization.
Even the remnants of the Black Disaster, which now struck fear into the hearts of all realms in the Boundless Expanse, could be considered the descendants of this group.
Some cultivators had previously speculated that Gu Changge was connected to the remnants of Heaven's Proxy, believing he sought to restore the organization.
Yet no one had dared voice such thoughts aloud. Now that this sect master had openly questioned Gu Changge before everyone, the crowd trembled, their hearts shaken.
Many stared intently at Gu Changge, eager to discern any shift in his expression.
"The Heaven’s Proxy Group is the Heaven’s Proxy Group, and the Heavenslayers Alliance is the Heavenslayers Alliance. How can the two be conflated?"
"My Heavenslayers Alliance upholds the Dao of Humanity, bearing the grand aspirations of all living beings. We wish for peace and harmony among all races and realms of the Boundless Expanse, free from the suffering of war and calamity. How, in your eyes, have we become irredeemably evil?" Gu Changge chuckled lightly.
"Absurd! Since when can a malignant tumor call itself a savior? How laughable."
"The world may be foolish and blind, but do you think we cannot see your true intentions?" The sect masters sneered, their gazes icy. Strands of Chaos Light flickered in their eyes, and with every blink, an aura of destruction surged forth.
"Impudence! How dare you question the Alliance Lord?"
"Today, you have repeatedly slandered and provoked us. Do you think we do not exist?" Several figures from the Heavenslayers Alliance immediately stepped forward, their expressions cold and displeased. A terrifying aura emanated from them as they confronted the sect masters.
"Stand down. Since we are guests today, we must abide by the host's rules." Gu Changge waved his hand lightly, his gaze sweeping past the sect masters before turning toward the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
"Lady Yuling, as the host, is it not somewhat inappropriate for you to stand by and watch while your guests are kept waiting?" He smiled faintly.
Whoosh!
As Gu Changge's voice fell, a divine light shot from between his fingers toward the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
The area, originally shrouded in radiant mist and swirling Chaos Qi—resembling a primordial land of creation—suddenly erupted with pure, holy radiance. Strand upon strand of light converged into rivers and seas, parting the indistinct boundaries.
Within, an ethereal and graceful figure appeared, standing atop a towering cliff. She was incomparably beautiful, her slender form exuding an air of transcendent elegance.
Immortal mist and Dao rhythms swirled around her. Her flawless white robes were pristine, and her dark hair fluttered in the wind, partially veiling her jade-like features, as though she might ascend to the Nine Heavens at any moment.
All the guests present were stunned by the sight.
Without a doubt, this was an extraordinarily beautiful woman, her temperament gentle as water, her eyes shimmering with clarity and light.
Unlike her younger sister, Ling Yuxian, whose beauty carried an intimidating sharpness, her allure was approachable, inviting an instinctive desire to draw closer.
Compared to the Primary Hope Saintess not far away, the Imperial Immortal Palace's Founder possessed an entirely different kind of beauty—one that was transcendent, peerless, and so surreal it seemed unreal, as if she were a figment of imagination, to be admired from afar but never profaned.
"Greetings, Founder!" After a moment of stunned silence, the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace hurriedly bowed toward that direction.
The assembled guests finally beheld the true appearance of the enigmatic Founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Many were awestruck by her beauty, finding it difficult to reconcile such a peerless beauty with the image of a Progenitor who had once resisted the Black Disaster.
The ancient beings, however, were even more shocked by Gu Changge's form of address.
Lady Yuling?
He dared to refer to such an ancient Progenitor as "Lady"?
Yet no one could fully explain Gu Changge's origins. Some suspected he might be even older than the Founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Though he appeared youthful, his methods and strength were undeniably unfathomable—enough to inspire fear.
The sect masters who had been confronting Gu Changge ceased their arguments upon Ling Yuling's appearance, snorting coldly as they withdrew their auras.
Though they prided themselves on their profound cultivation and believed that, united, they feared no one, they still harbored deep wariness toward Gu Changge.
"This humble one greets Young Master Gu. I was previously refining a secret treasure and only just emerged from seclusion. My earlier absence was indeed discourteous—I hope Young Master Gu will not take offense."
Ling Yuling knew that with Gu Changge's strength, he must have detected her earlier observation. Thus, she made no attempt to conceal it, stepping forward from the cliff.
Her snow-white feet peeked from beneath her long skirt as vast streams of radiant mist enveloped her, rendering her true form indistinct and ethereal.
A gentle smile graced her lips as she nodded slightly in greeting.
"We pay our respects to the Senior!" The guests all bowed respectfully as she approached, their reverence evident.
Even the Primary Hope Saintess and Xi Yin were no exception, performing the junior's bow.
This was a true living fossil. Even if their master, Xi Nu, were present, she would only address Ling Yuling as an equal.
The members of the Heavenslayers Alliance, such as Demon Emperor Di Kun and Champion General Chu Heng, remained silent with hands clasped behind their backs.
Until Gu Changge gave the signal, they would not show any overt signs of closeness.
"Sister." Ling Yuxian descended in a divine rainbow, landing beside Ling Yuling and standing with her.
The elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace, including Palace Master Ling Qiuchang, also approached, positioning themselves behind Ling Yuling.
"A trivial matter, hardly worth noting. However, it is rare for Miss Yuling to make such a grand public appearance. I presume there must be something important you wish to discuss with us?" Gu Changge replied with a faint smile.
His words caused many to freeze in surprise. The leaders of various orthodox forces frowned slightly in contemplation. (It sounds like Gu Changge is already acquainted with the Imperial Immortal Palace's Founder? Did he already know that she still existed in this world?
Come to think of it, that makes sense—Gu Changge once stayed at the Imperial Immortal Palace for a time. During that period, he must have had contact with their Founder.)
This realization unsettled many. Could it be that the Imperial Immortal Palace's Founder also stood on Gu Changge's side? Had she announced her return to the world to assist the Heavenslayers Alliance?
"Young Master Gu is truly perceptive. Nothing escapes your notice," Ling Yuling replied with a soft smile.
If one were to observe from the vast depths of space, the gathering below was clearly divided into three distinct factions.
The first was the Heavenslayers Alliance, led by Gu Changge. The second consisted of the leaders and sect masters of various orthodox forces who had come to discuss countermeasures. The last was the Imperial Immortal Palace's contingent—each group sharply delineated from the others.
"There is no need for formalities," Ling Yuling said. "The reason I have invited everyone here today is to discuss the Primary Hope Covenant."
"The current state of the Primary Hope Civilisation is something you have all witnessed. If left unchecked, it will not be many years before its fortune shifts from prosperity to decline, following the same fate as the Radiant Yang True World and the Shangyin True World—never to recover..."
Her gaze swept over the assembly before she turned and led the way into the grand hall.
Her voice was gentle and unhurried, carrying an inexplicable magnetism that silenced the crowd. They followed her in solemn procession into the Imperial Immortal Palace's grand hall.
Even a figure like Dao Monarch Chang Ming could not help but narrow his eyes, speculating on her intentions.
The Primary Hope Covenant likely had deeper implications.
Perhaps, as many had guessed, it was meant to restrain the Heavenslayers Alliance?
Did this mean the Imperial Immortal Palace's Founder was not aligned with them?
Meanwhile, Gu Changge and the Heavenslayers Alliance followed leisurely behind, showing no concern for potential traps.
The Primary Hope Saintess walked ahead of him, her hands hidden within her wide sleeves, her celestial features veiled. Her dark hair was partially tied up, revealing a slender, snow-white neck, while the rest cascaded down to her waist, swaying faintly with each step. Her presence was ethereal, cold, and sacred.
Many young cultivators stole glances at her, their eyes filled with awe. Rarely did they have the chance to see the Primary Hope Saintess up close—her beauty was unreal, as if carved flawlessly by the heavens themselves.
The grand hall was vast and boundless, as if they had stepped into an endless cosmic expanse. Stars served as seats, and rivers of starlight flowed through the void, creating a breathtaking sight.
Countless radiant constellations swirled above, and entire worlds rumbled into motion, exuding wisps of Chaos Qi in an endless cycle.
Once inside, Ling Yuling flicked her sleeve lightly. A hazy radiance emerged, manifesting as celestial rivers and galaxies that projected the current state of the Primary Hope Civilisation.
At its center, a mighty, surging river—vast and majestic—cut through the fabric of space-time, branching into countless tributaries. The Power of Fortuity churned like a torrential flood, its thunderous roar shaking the soul.
"This is the River of Fortuity of our Primary Hope Civilisation. Though it still flows unbroken through time and fate, its vigor is not what it once was..."
"If this continues, I fear the consequences will be dire." A figure at the Ancestral Dao Realm spoke in astonishment, his gaze fixed on the magnificent river.
The River of Fortuity was inherently intangible—ordinary cultivators could not perceive it. Only beings of their level could glimpse its traces.
Now, Ling Yuling had used her methods to make it visible, allowing everyone to clearly witness the changes in the Primary Hope Civilisation.
Fortuity was an elusive, indescribable force—yet its existence influenced all things.
The rise and fall of nations, the fate of cultivators, the cycles of civilisations, the destruction and rebirth of universes—nothing escaped its reach.
Even a supreme existence like the Primary Hope Civilisation was no exception. When fortune flourished, the civilisation thrived. When it waned, decline was inevitable.
For the cultivators and living beings who called this civilisation home, such a fate was unacceptable.
Seeing the River of Fortuity now showing signs of exhaustion, many fell into silence.
Those who had relied on the civilisation's fortune to achieve their Dao Fruits were the most affected—their accomplishments were inextricably tied to its fate.
If they failed to stabilize the Primary Hope Civilisation's fortune, allowing it to collapse, their own cultivation would crumble like a collapsing tower.
"A perfectly stable River of Fortuity would not deteriorate like this. It must be the Heavenslayers Alliance's doing—disrupting the Primary Hope Civilisation and shaking its foundations!"
The same sect master who had spoken earlier broke the silence once more.
He wore a Black-Gold Dao Crown and a violet robe, his expression stern and his gaze profound. His fingers twined with terrifying Divine Chains of Order as he glanced at Gu Changge.
"The Primary Hope Civilisation's fortune has been declining for a thousand years. And it is not alone—many nations and civilisations across the Boundless Expanse share the same fate..."
"That wisp of black mist has descended once more..."
"Long ago, even the Xudan Civilisation foresaw this malice. The ancient omens have returned, heralding the return of darkness..."
"And my master once said... he cannot be killed."
The Primary Hope Saintess parted her lips slightly, her voice soft.
Yet as she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Gu Changge—as if searching for a reaction on his face...