Chapter 1309: The Current Strength and Heritage of the Eight Legions, the Mountain of All Wonders
Chapter 1309: The Current Strength and Heritage of the Eight Legions, the Mountain of All Wonders
"Lord..."
Before the Heaven-Slaying Shrine, Old Man Cold Crow and the Old Daoist Priest wore expressions of reverence and awe, not daring to disturb Gu Changge with unnecessary words.
The rest of the Heavenslayers Alliance had long since departed from the area, returning to the alliance's headquarters in the Primary Hope Civilisation as per Gu Changge's orders.
"Is there something you wish to say to me?"
After a long silence, Gu Changge slowly opened his eyes and asked casually.
He knew that Old Man Cold Crow and the Old Daoist Priest had likely deduced his identity, which was why they had acted so eagerly in the Imperial Immortal Palace, immediately pledging their loyalty.
"My Lord, have you truly returned?" Cold Crow's voice trembled slightly, his eyes burning with fanaticism.
Beside him, the Old Daoist Priest held his breath, his heartbeat pounding like a drum.
He hadn't expected Cold Crow to ask such a question so directly.
Yet, this was indeed the answer he desperately sought as well.
"Does the answer to this question matter?"
Gu Changge did not turn around, still keeping his back to them, his tone indifferent.
"N-no, it doesn't. It's just that we've waited for this day for far too long..."
"We—all of us—have been waiting for you, waiting for the day you reclaim the darkness." Cold Crow spoke with uncontrollable excitement and trembling.
Gu Changge let out an ambiguous chuckle before finally turning to look at him, his gaze unreadable.
"Oh? But I have no interest in reclaiming the darkness right now."
"Whatever you wish to do, my Lord, we will forever remain your most loyal and fervent believers, willing to offer you everything!" Cold Crow said urgently.
"We cannot exist without you, just as the Worlds of the Boundless Expanse cannot exist without your rule!"
"The Eight Legions will follow you unto death!" The Old Daoist Priest added with deep reverence and piety, his tone utterly devout. Without hesitation, both men immediately prostrated themselves on the ground.
Had there been any onlookers present, they would have been struck speechless with shock.
Ancestral Dao Realm existences stood at the pinnacle of the Boundless Expanse, their divine might vast and unfathomable. With a single word, they could decide the fate of countless universes and eras. Such beings could never be humiliated lightly—even in death, they would never kneel before another.
Yet Old Man Cold Crow and the Old Daoist Priest, whose strength far surpassed that of ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm experts, now knelt with such reverence and devotion.
It was utterly inconceivable.
For the two of them, however, the shock and awe they felt in this moment surpassed anything they had ever experienced—as if an ancient myth had come to life, as if a deity had descended before them.
The divine miracles they had only ever read about in fragmented ancient texts now unfolded before their very eyes.
Whether it was the Heaven Legion or the other Legions, they all shared one common faith.
And now, that very faith stood before them, so close they could speak to him.
How could they not be overwhelmed with excitement and fervor?
Had their minds not been tempered to the unshakable firmness of immortal gold and unyielding stone, they might not even have been able to form coherent words.
"The Eight Legions? So the Eight Legions of the past have now evolved into the Eight Legions?"
Gu Changge, however, paid no attention to their prostration. Instead, he frowned slightly, piecing together information from the Old Daoist Priest's words.
He refused to believe that the Heaven's Proxy he had once established could have decayed so easily.
Even if he had left no contingencies behind, Heaven's Proxy had once commanded the most terrifying and formidable heritage in the Boundless Expanse.
No matter how many eons had passed, it should not have crumbled so readily.
"My Lord, ever since Heaven's Proxy collapsed, the ancient Eight Legions ceased to exist. What remains now—the Eight Legions—are merely remnants that evolved from the original Legions. They are nothing compared to the Eight Legions of the past."
"Moreover, the Heaven Legion, which inherited the vast majority of Heaven's Proxy's heritage, has proclaimed itself the true successor of Heaven's Proxy over these epochs. They have sought to exterminate the rest of us, leaving no survivors."
"The Civilisation's Supreme Treasure, the World Burying Coffin, also fell into their hands. With such a treasure as their foundation, they have acted without restraint, wreaking havoc across the realms, forcing us—the surviving elders of Heaven's Proxy—to hide in the shadows, never daring to reveal ourselves openly..."
Having not the slightest doubt about Gu Changge's identity, the two men poured out their grievances without hesitation.
The Old Daoist Priest's face was full of bitterness as he explained the current plight of the Eight Legions to Gu Changge.
Had it not been for their search for clues about the Gate of Eternal Life and the prior intelligence they had received, the two of them would never have appeared here together, let alone collaborated on this mission.
Under normal circumstances, the various Legions had no way of knowing each other's whereabouts.
Only the most venerable and ancient figures within each Legion possessed the means to contact the others.
The current Eight Legions were indeed a far cry from the original Eight Legions that had once intimidated the Worlds of the Boundless Expanse.
Moreover, each Legion now hid so deeply that even they themselves were no longer certain how many members remained or who still survived.
"If you've fallen to such a pathetic state, then what use do I have for you?"
After listening to the Old Daoist Priest's explanation, Gu Changge's gaze deepened. He turned away once more, his eyes resting thoughtfully on the divine statue within the Heaven-Slaying Shrine.
He had initially thought that Old Man Cold Crow and the elderly Daoist coming to seek him out would be of some use.
But now, it seemed that the Eight Legions had fallen to the point of being nothing more than filthy rats scurrying in the gutters, forced to hide everywhere.
Not only did they have to worry about their old enemies hunting them down, but they also had to fear being purged by the Heaven Legion.
The original purpose of establishing the Heavenslayers Alliance was not to shelter these pitiful remnants.
"Please, Your Excellency, grant us justice." Old Man Cold Crow and the elderly Daoist also wore bitter expressions. They too were aware that the current Eight Legions were a far cry from the once-mighty Eight Legions of Heaven’s Proxy Group.
But this was an unavoidable reality. Since the Heaven’s Proxy Group had collapsed and splintered, left without a leader, the Eight Legions had become even more unruly, with no one capable of controlling them.
Back when the Master of Heaven’s Proxy Group still existed, his sheer might alone had suppressed all dissent—no one in the entire Heaven’s Proxy Group dared disobey or disrespect him.
But this also meant that once the Master disappeared, the order he had enforced would inevitably shatter and collapse.
If the Eight Legions had fallen to such a state, then the Heaven Legion would naturally follow suit, for aside from the Master of Heaven’s Proxy Group, no one else could command such power.
"How much of their former strength do your Rare Yin Legion and Decay Legion still retain?" Gu Changge remained silent for a moment before speaking again. In truth, no matter what became of the Heaven’s Proxy Group in the end, it would have no impact on him.
Moreover, the disintegration of the Heaven’s Proxy Group had been within his expectations.
To be precise, the Heaven’s Proxy Group had been destined to collapse and perish.
That remnants like the Eight Legions and the so-called Heaven Legion still existed was already an unexpected boon.
Naturally, he wouldn't demand anything more.
As for what the Eight Legions had once been, that had little bearing on the Heavenslayers Alliance.
"Your Excellency, the Decay Legion now mostly hides within the Decay Realm—a formless, boundless place, beyond the reach of ordinary perception. No living being can locate or perceive it."
"Beneath the Decay Realm lie countless subjects, ruling over numerous kingdoms and divine dynasties. In terms of heritage, though it may not compare to those Supreme True Worlds, it is certainly not inferior to the Immortal Forces."
The elderly Daoist spoke respectfully.
Old Man Cold Crow also bowed and said, "The Rare Yin Legion resides in the Land of Rare Yin, surrounded by billions of kilometers of empty spacetime. Without the Constant Yang Energy to guide the way, even those with heaven-defying cultivation would become lost and perish."
No matter what, the Decay Legion and the Rare Yin Legion were both descended from the once-feared Eight Legions of the past. No matter how much they had declined, they were still far beyond the reach of ordinary Immortal Forces.
Gu Changge nodded slightly.
If the remaining six Legions possessed foundations similar to those of the Decay Legion and the Rare Yin Legion, then combining their forces would still be a considerable asset.
However, countless years had passed—who could guarantee that the current Eight Legions hadn't begun to harbor other ambitions?
The Old Man Cold Crow and the elderly Daoist before him could not represent the entirety of the Eight Legions.
Gu Changge certainly wouldn't let such a formidable force slip through his fingers.
At the very least, the current Primary Hope Civilisation would struggle to contend against a unified Eight Legions.
Of course, the Primary Hope Civilisation still had many hidden reserves of power that had yet to surface, with many deeply entrenched figures still biding their time.
From what could be seen now, Xi Nu, the founder of the Primary Hope Holy Church, as well as the hidden figures behind forces like the Bright Light Temple and the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, were still observing from the shadows, unwilling to reveal themselves.
Gu Changge had originally planned to use Ling Yuling as bait.
But he had somewhat underestimated the patience of those big fish—they still remained unmoved.
Moreover, Ling Yuling possessed knowledge of the Heavenly Abyss, which still held other uses for Gu Changge, so he wasn't yet ready to act against her.
This time, Ling Yuling had used the Primary Hope Covenant to make a high-stakes gamble—a move that actually aligned perfectly with Gu Changge's intentions.
He also intended to use this opportunity to lure the snakes out of their holes and expose the hidden depths of the Primary Hope Civilisation.
Seeing Gu Changge remain silent, Old Man Cold Crow and the elderly Daoist grew uneasy once more. They had always feared that the current state of the Eight Legions would disappoint Gu Changge, leading to their abandonment.
At this moment, not just them—even the more ancient figures behind them wouldn't dare breathe too loudly in the face of such a situation.
In their eyes, the emergence of the Heavenslayers Alliance was undoubtedly meant to replace the former Heaven’s Proxy Group.
And if they, the remnants of Heaven's Proxy, proved useless, they would likely be discarded without mercy.
The ruthlessness of the Master of Heaven’s Proxy Group had long been carved into the Bronze Statues and Jade Heavenly Books of the Eight Legions.
"I have no interest in how you arrived in the Primary Hope Civilisation, nor do I wish to hear anyone from the Eight Legions aside from you two speak of matters concerning me."
"If you stand in my way, even if you are remnants of Heaven's Proxy, I will not hesitate to kill you."
Gu Changge's calm, emotionless voice cut through Old Man Cold Crow and the elderly Daoist's thoughts.
Their expressions changed drastically, and they immediately kowtowed in acknowledgment, their hearts filled with terror and dread.
Only true members of the Eight Legions could truly comprehend the horror of the Master of Heaven’s Proxy Group. The myriad beings of the past had merely glimpsed the surface of his terrifying might.
Meanwhile, beyond the Primary Hope Civilisation, within the vast Boundless Expanse...
In a region saturated with a dense Aura of Darkness, a rift silently appeared.
Then, an enormous, withered head abruptly emerged from the rift.
It resembled a human skull, yet not quite—its sparse hair clung to its scalp, its eye sockets sunken and devoid of any light, black and hollow.
Perched atop this enormous skull sat a slender, indistinct figure wearing a bamboo hat, its features obscured save for a pair of chillingly indifferent eyes.
"Ah Li, it's been so long since we left that accursed place. How refreshing to breathe the air of life again," the massive head rasped, its grating laughter like the mutterings of some demonic entity that sent shivers down one's spine as it gazed toward the Primary Hope Civilisation.
"Indeed. Fresh air after so long," the slender figure responded coldly from its perch.
"Kekeke... After searching across countless epochs, the priests' First-Generation Civilisation Supreme Treasure will finally reveal itself to the world..."
"Once we gather enough Supreme Treasures, we can break the seals there and welcome the glorious return of the Master of the Black Disaster. Darkness shall rule this world once more!" The enormous head's mouth split into a horrifying grin as if laughing.
"Silence. That has nothing to do with us," the bamboo-hatted figure interrupted, slapping the skull beneath it with a resounding thud that sent black mist scattering. "Our mission this time is unrelated."
Instantly, the grotesque skull became enveloped in radiant mist, transforming into a snow-white, elongated creature resembling a True Dragon.
"Let's go. This appearance is much more presentable," the figure said indifferently, patting the creature again.
The creature beneath seemed accustomed to this treatment. With a whoosh, it transformed into a streak of divine light that tore through space and vanished.
Time passed swiftly. Several months later, at a place called the Mountain of Wonders within the Primary Hope Civilisation...
The heavens rumbled as magnificent divine light arks and countless figures descended from across the Great Universe, converging upon this sacred ground.
The skies teemed with luminous vessels—flying swords, jade boats, celestial towers—along with auspicious beasts and immortal avians, creating a spectacularly bustling scene.
Leaders of various sects, ancient clans, and powerful factions arrived with their core disciples to jointly sign the Primary Hope Covenant.
After months of revisions and discussions, Ling Yuling, founding ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace, had finally collaborated with other ancient existences to draft this new covenant.
The Mountain of Wonders had been chosen as the signing site. Nearly every faction, nation, and clan across the Primary Hope Civilisation, regardless of size, rushed to leave their mark upon this historic agreement upon hearing the news.
The Mountain of Wonders was an extraordinary location within the civilisation, once known as the Land of Wonders. Legend spoke of an ancient Dao Monarch who, moved by heavenly inspiration here, condensed the very Gate of Wonders through which flowed the world's profound mysteries and arcane methods. Countless cultivators and living beings had attained enlightenment beneath its influence, achieving ascension on the spot.
In later eras, cultivators still pilgrimaged here to study stone inscriptions and relics, experiencing sudden epiphanies, breakthroughs, and other wondrous benefits. The mountain range became sacred ground where even Dao Realm existences would linger, seeking traces of ancient wisdom in the currents of time.
The majestic mountain chain sprawled like a coiled True Dragon, its precipitous peaks vanishing into cloud-wreathed heights where prismatic mists and divine light swirled. Dao principles and natural order cascaded down its slopes like waterfalls from the summit.
From afar, the entire range appeared bathed in iridescent radiance where even ordinary beasts carried auspicious auras, and common cultivators took on a saintly tranquility.
Deep within the mountains, Chaos Qi swirled amidst primordial divine trees that had stood for epochs. The most ancient among them pulsed with boundless vitality—their leaves vast enough to blot out skies, their branches heavy with stars that chimed like celestial bells when wind stirred them, scattering Chaos Qi like splinters from collapsing universes.
Before these titanic arboreal ancients, cultivators seemed insignificant as ants. Without Dao Realm guides, none would dare approach.
The covenant's location here surprised many, yet made perfect sense. The Land of Wonders operated under unique natural laws where even Dao Realm powers might be suppressed by the divine trees' influence. Here, any act of violence invited immediate suppression or expulsion by the sentient flora.
Imperial Immortal Palace elders and disciples had arrived early to await the gathering. As the Mountain of Wonders lay at the civilisation's heart, some factions required more travel time—yet all recognized this covenant's significance.
Nearby groups who'd arrived first now clustered in discussion circles, analyzing the covenant's implications...