Chapter 1307: The Path She Walked Was Always a Dead End, But I Want to Try Again
Chapter 1307: The Path She Walked Was Always a Dead End, But I Want to Try Again
"It's no trouble. I must certainly give you this face."
Gu Changge smiled faintly and said, "My Heavenslayers Alliance is willing to establish and abide by the Primary Hope Covenant." Seeing how decisively and resolutely Gu Changge agreed without even the slightest hesitation, Ling Yuling was momentarily stunned, somewhat caught off guard.
Her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Gu Changge's face, as if trying to discern his true intentions. But seeing that Gu Changge still wore that faint smile, his expression unchanged from start to finish, she could only give up, hoping he wasn't joking.
If unnecessary, she had no desire to stand in opposition to Gu Changge, nor did she want their previous speculations to become reality.
"Since that's the case, then Yuling must first thank Young Master Gu for his generosity." Ling Yuling gave a slight bow.
The onlookers at the scene also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, no one truly wished to make an enemy of Gu Changge and the Heavenslayers Alliance.
Whether they were content with the status quo or resigned to compromise, they could only consider these options under the pressure of preserving their own survival. The overwhelming strength of the Heavenslayers Alliance and Gu Changge was something witnessed by all.
"Since the Heavenslayers Alliance Leader has made his choice, my Primary Hope Holy Church naturally will not stand idly by either. We will work with everyone to establish the Primary Hope Covenant."
Following this, the Primary Hope Saintess also withdrew her gaze and spoke calmly, giving her commitment.
"Thank you." Ling Yuling nodded slightly.
She hadn't expected the Primary Hope Saintess to follow Gu Changge's lead in making this decision.
However, things were proceeding far more smoothly than Ling Yuling had initially anticipated.
Her greatest fear had been that Gu Changge would immediately lead the Heavenslayers Alliance in opposing her proposal the moment he arrived.
Fortunately, Gu Changge had given her enough face—though she couldn't be sure whether he had ulterior motives. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be unaware of the purpose behind her establishing the Primary Hope Covenant.
And yet, he had still led the Heavenslayers Alliance here in full force.
Could this truly be a gesture of sincerity on his part?
But Ling Yuling had no time to dwell on these thoughts now. The formulation of the Primary Hope Covenant wouldn't be completed overnight. Next, she would need to discuss matters with the leaders and sect masters of various clans and traditions. Without their cooperation, she alone couldn't possibly establish a covenant capable of binding the entire Primary Hope Civilisation.
Once implemented, the Primary Hope Covenant would inevitably bear the power of the Heavenly Dao, requiring the acknowledgment and acceptance of all living beings. Every supreme power would have to swear a Dao Oath upon it.
Only then would this Primary Hope Covenant possess the binding force necessary to compel everyone to abide by it willingly, not daring to overstep.
This was the only solution Ling Yuling could think of at the moment.
"As for the contents of the Primary Hope Covenant, I won't participate in its formulation. Once you've finalized the discussions, simply inform me when it's time to sign it."
Hearing this, the Primary Hope Saintess shot him a suspicious glance.
Since when had Gu Changge become so agreeable? This time, the establishment of the Primary Hope Covenant had proceeded without the complications she had anticipated.
The others present were also taken aback, many of them looking at Gu Changge in confusion. How could he appear so indifferent and unconcerned in the face of such a significant matter?
Some of the ancient existences frowned deeply, suspecting that Gu Changge might have hidden motives.
The situation had unfolded far more smoothly than they had imagined—so smoothly, in fact, that it left them uneasy.
"I believe such matters are best discussed and formulated by everyone together. If Young Master Gu is unavailable, you may have those close to you participate on your behalf, so they may understand the rules that will later bind them."
Ling Yuling's delicate brows unconsciously furrowed as she spoke softly.
Though her intuition told her this matter wouldn't be so simple, she couldn't pinpoint exactly where the problem lay.
In her eyes, every word and every subtle expression of Gu Changge's seemed laden with deeper meaning, requiring careful scrutiny—nothing about him could be as straightforward as it appeared on the surface.
To her, Gu Changge's schemes and methods were far too terrifying, forcing her to remain on high alert at all times.
"In that case, Yan'er, you shall remain here with Elder Jing, the Skeletal Ancestor, Mo Tong, and the others to discuss the Primary Hope Covenant with everyone."
"With all of you present, I can rest assured." Gu Changge chuckled lightly before turning his gaze toward the Heavenslayers Alliance members behind him.
"Understood. You can set your mind at ease."
Mu Yan stepped forward from the crowd and responded.
At this moment, many noticed this stunning woman with an ethereal aura. Though her cultivation was far inferior to the many Dao Realm existences present, she was not to be underestimated—her aura carried an extraordinarily dense fortune, suggesting her future achievements would likely be remarkable.
Ling Yuxian, Jing Xiao, Xi Yin, and the others, however, focused on the way Gu Changge had addressed Mu Yan, inwardly surprised and uncertain about the nature of their relationship.
Meanwhile, many of the younger cultivators were captivated by Mu Yan's beauty, their eyes lingering on her.
"It seems Young Master Gu has been quite busy lately."
Ling Yuling also withdrew her gaze from Mu Yan. Having encountered countless prodigies and geniuses, she didn't pay her much mind.
Still, even she couldn't help but wonder—what exactly was the relationship between this peerless beauty and Gu Changge? Their interactions seemed unusually intimate and natural.
"Merely some trivial matters within the Heavenslayers Alliance that require handling."
Gu Changge smiled faintly. He wasn't being evasive—recently, the Heavenslayers Alliance had extended its roots toward the Xudan Civilisation where the Carefree Celestial Court was located, and his attention had been largely focused there.
As for the various affairs in the Primary Hope Civilisation, they had all unfolded within Gu Changge's expectations, so he hadn't paid them much mind before.
Beyond that, in places like the Radiant Yang True World and the Shangyin True World, Gu Changge had already dispatched forces, intending to establish the Heavenslayers Alliance's presence there.
After the fall of the Immortal Chu Vast Land, the existence of the Heavenslayers Alliance had spread throughout the Boundless Expanse, leaving many ancient and supreme True Worlds deeply wary.
As for the Radiant Yang True World, Gu Changge had long since planted his pieces there. Now, he merely needed to wait for the right moment to reap the rewards.
Ling Yuling nodded and didn't press further.
She still felt uneasy, so she intended to wait until the Primary Hope Covenant was finalized before selecting a new location for its signing. That way, even if Gu Changge had prepared in advance, he wouldn't have enough time to rearrange his plans.
Aside from Mu Yan, Jing Tianyuan, the Skeletal Ancestor, and the others, many other Dao Realm existences from the Heavenslayers Alliance remained behind.
The leaders and sect masters of various traditions and forces also stayed, gathering in the Imperial Immortal Palace to discuss and formulate the Primary Hope Covenant in the coming days.
Only after Gu Changge led the vast assembly of the Heavenslayers Alliance away did the oppressive atmosphere at the scene finally ease.
Many let out long sighs of relief, feeling as though the boulder hanging over their heads had at last been lifted.
"To think there wasn't a single mishap today—truly unexpected."
"It must be because the Heavenslayers Alliance Leader gave Senior Ling Yuling face, hence his straightforward agreement."
Many cultivators whispered among themselves, feeling both fortunate and apprehensive.
"Why do I feel as though a storm is brewing? The Heavenslayers Alliance Leader must know that this Primary Hope Covenant is being established precisely to counter him."
"Yet why did he agree to abide by it?"
Many others also harbored concerns, fearing that this was merely another of Gu Changge's unfathomable schemes.
"The most troublesome part now is how to actually implement the Primary Hope Covenant."
Ling Yuling quietly watched Gu Changge's figure recede into the distance, only withdrawing her gaze when he had completely vanished from sight.
She recalled the ancient manuscript Nan Qing had given her in the chaotic Spacetime Sea, which contained many records about the First-Generation Civilisation Supreme Treasures—including some descriptions of the Mirror of Reincarnation.
"Primary Hope Saintess, there are some matters I'd like to discuss with you privately," Ling Yuling said softly, turning her gaze toward the ethereal, aloof figure standing not far away.
"May I ask what matters the senior wishes to discuss alone?" The Primary Hope Saintess, who had been deep in contemplation, was slightly startled by Ling Yuling's words but quickly composed herself to respond.
Ling Yuling didn't elaborate. With a flick of her sleeve, a hazy azure light shimmered into existence, opening a cosmic spacetime passage. She took the lead, stepping gracefully inside.
The Primary Hope Saintess hesitated briefly before following suit.
The onlookers were visibly surprised but wisely refrained from asking questions.
Given the current circumstances, the Primary Hope Saintess's attitude toward Gu Changge, leader of the Heavenslayers Alliance, was somewhat ambiguous—hard to define and easily misunderstood. Many worried she might side with the Heavenslayers Alliance.
Even Xi Yin, the Saintess's senior sister, harbored similar concerns. She couldn't fathom what kind of bewitching potion Gu Changge had fed her usually astute and transcendent junior sister to make her lose sight of priorities at such a critical juncture.
"I hope Senior can help enlighten her," Xi Yin murmured inwardly.
Meanwhile, the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace stepped forward to arrange accommodations for the gathered dignitaries. Finalizing the Primary Hope Covenant would take months, if not longer, and during this period, everyone would have to reside within the Imperial Immortal Palace.
"What does the senior wish to discuss with me alone?" the Primary Hope Saintess asked, standing gracefully in the isolated space, her peerless beauty undimmed even as she turned to face Ling Yuling directly. "Do you suspect me of colluding with the Heavenslayers Alliance? Or do you think my relationship with that man surnamed Gu is improper?"
A faint, breathtaking smile curved beneath her veil, though no one could see it.
Ling Yuling waved her slender hand again, releasing a surge of chaotic light that enveloped their surroundings before she spoke gently, "I don't doubt you. I merely think your methods are flawed."
As she spoke, she handed the manuscript Nan Qing had given her to the Primary Hope Saintess.
"What is this?" The Saintess was slightly taken aback but accepted it nonetheless, flipping through its pages. By the time she reached the latter sections, her pupils constricted in shock.
The manuscript contained detailed records about the First-Generation Civilisation Supreme Treasures—including descriptions of the Mirror of Reincarnation that were even more precise than what she, its current owner, knew.
This was utterly inconceivable to her.
"Where did the senior obtain this?" the Saintess asked, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Even the Primary Hope Holy Church lacks such exhaustive records about the Mirror of Reincarnation."
Yet her heart refused to calm. As the current master of the Mirror of Reincarnation, she was intimately familiar with its mysteries. Some of the profound insights recorded in this manuscript could only be understood by its rightful owner.
Logically, aside from herself and her master, Xi Nu, no one else in the vast Boundless Expanse should possess such knowledge. Where had Ling Yuling acquired this? And who had written it?
"I came across it by chance. You needn't worry—I won't disclose its contents," Ling Yuling replied, unsurprised by the Saintess's reaction.
She fully understood how shocking and unbelievable this manuscript would be to the wielder of a First-Generation Civilisation Supreme Treasure. After all, she had reacted the same way when she first saw it.
"Because of these records, I learned some of the Mirror of Reincarnation's secrets. That's how I came to understand your reactions and decisions regarding the Heavenslayers Alliance." Ling Yuling's voice remained soft but probing. "What did you see in the Mirror that made you stand by and watch the Immortal Chu Vast Land fall without lifting a finger? And now, do you intend to watch the entire Primary Hope Civilisation meet the same fate?"
The Primary Hope Saintess hadn't expected Ling Yuling to confront her like this. Even her senior sister Xi Yin was unaware of these matters.
She had never intended to drag others into this. The fewer people who knew of the future, the less its course would be altered. She understood this principle deeply, which was why she avoided interfering—so that the future she had simulated in the Mirror of Reincarnation would align as closely as possible with reality.
Only then could she truly change the fate of the Primary Hope Civilisation and avert its impending doom.
"I cannot tell you. You have your methods, and I have mine," the Saintess replied calmly.
"Is it because revealing the future to me would disrupt the timeline you're trying to preserve?" Ling Yuling wasn't surprised by this answer. As an existence surpassing the Ancestral Dao Realm, she was well aware of the enigmatic and unpredictable nature of fate.
She could perceive and manipulate the destinies of all living beings, probing their past, present, and future. But when it came to matters concerning herself, even she was powerless. The Great Dao was immutable—what one sought to gain always came at a price.
The Saintess remained silent. She knew her stance might seem selfish, but she had no other choice. In none of the futures she had simulated did Ling Yuling's methods succeed. Every path she took led only to ruin.
"I see." Ling Yuling sighed softly, interpreting the Saintess's silence as confirmation of her fears. She could already guess what future the Saintess had glimpsed.
Yet she refused to give up. She couldn't resign herself to fate.
"Perhaps my strength alone is too feeble to alter destiny..." she murmured.
"If the senior is willing, after the Primary Hope Covenant is finalized, please come to the Primary Hope Holy Church," the Saintess suddenly said, her voice tinged with reluctance as Ling Yuling turned to leave. "I... would like to try one more time."
Gritting her teeth, she made her decision.