Chapter 1310: The Forbidden Area of Empty Boundary Ridge—Yet the Fury There Remains Unquenched
Chapter 1310: The Forbidden Area of Empty Boundary Ridge—Yet the Fury There Remains Unquenched
The beings gathered to draft and deliberate upon the Primary Hope Covenant encompassed nearly all the immortal orthodoxies of the current Primary Hope Civilisation, including forces such as the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, the Bright Light Temple, and the Towering Divine Cave.
Among them were also ancient fossil-like figures who had remained hidden in the shadows, some of whom held seniority comparable to Jing Tianyuan, the distant ancestor of the Jing Family. They had simply refrained from appearing before now for various reasons.
At this moment, representatives from various orthodoxies and clans who had arrived were speculating about the contents of the Primary Hope Covenant. Most of these factions lacked the qualifications to participate in its drafting, but that did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm.
Many smaller clans had also rushed over, led by their ancestral-level figures and accompanied by their strongest members. Meanwhile, the numerous elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace and other venerable figures from the first-arriving immortal orthodoxies were maintaining order, ensuring that every named faction within the Primary Hope Civilisation would sign the covenant.
Deep within the Mountain of Wonders, atop towering divine trees, grand palaces stood in resplendent clusters, their crystalline structures radiating a soft glow. The arriving crowds made their way toward these palace complexes.
On branches that seemed to prop up the cosmos itself, Ling Yuling and the Primary Hope Saintess stood silently, their dark hair fluttering in the wind as they watched the streaks of Divine Rainbows cutting through the starry void below.
"Forging the Golden Book of Covenant this time would not have been possible without everyone's assistance," Ling Yuling finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"You flatter us, Senior. The Primary Hope Covenant concerns the entire Primary Hope Civilisation—it is only right that we contribute. Moreover, crafting the Golden Book of Covenant in such a short time is no easy feat. The sooner the covenant is signed, the better it will be for all," an ancient existence at the Ancestral Dao Realm replied, shaking his head.
The Golden Book of Covenant was the scripture that recorded the rules of the Primary Hope Covenant. Countless Ancestral Dao Realm experts had collaborated to inscribe and refine it. The materials consumed in its creation alone were priceless immortal treasures—tens of thousands of items such as Origin Stones, Chaos Foetuses, and Mother Gold of Tribulation had been expended.
Even a typical immortal orthodoxy would struggle to gather enough resources for such an undertaking.
"I hope the signing of the Primary Hope Covenant proceeds smoothly," Ling Yuling nodded, though a trace of unease lingered in her eyes.
Beside her, the Primary Hope Saintess remained silent, her gaze fixed on the distant star domains.
Immortal jade boats and celestial ships tore through the heavens as they descended, bringing with them an ever-growing tide of cultivators and living beings.
To ensure the smooth signing of the covenant, Ling Yuling had deliberately kept the location a secret from everyone until the final moment, only revealing it after the terms had been settled.
She feared that someone might lay traps in advance to sabotage the proceedings.
"The signing of the Primary Hope Covenant is a monumental event for our entire civilisation. Surely no one would dare oppose the will of the Primary Hope Civilisation under such immense pressure," Dao Monarch Chang Ming remarked as he approached with a faint smile. He was one of the key figures involved in drafting the covenant, having proposed many of its clauses.
He had never shared Ling Yuling and the Primary Hope Saintess's concerns. In his view, no matter how powerful the Heavenslayers Alliance was, it could never stand against the entire Primary Hope Civilisation—at least not yet.
However, if the alliance were given tens of thousands of years to develop and gradually encroach upon the civilisation, the outcome would be uncertain.
Thus, Ling Yuling's precautions were not unreasonable.
"Do not let your guard down," Ling Yuling replied with a shake of her head, unwilling to elaborate further.
The Primary Hope Saintess, however, glanced at Dao Monarch Chang Ming, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.
Some time ago, he had sought her out, explaining that he had returned to the Primary Hope Civilisation to resolve a personal matter—his impending Tribulation of Love. He had deduced that this tribulation would manifest through her, and thus, he had come seeking her aid to ensure his future path remained unobstructed.
He had requested that she assist him when the tribulation descended.
The Saintess had not known how to respond. It was not uncommon for cultivators to sense an impending tribulation and trace its origin to a specific individual.
Yet she and Dao Monarch Chang Ming had no prior connection whatsoever. That his Tribulation of Love would involve her was nothing short of baffling.
She had not outright refused his request, but neither had she agreed—after all, she had no idea how this tribulation would manifest. Did he expect her to become his Dao companion? To bind their fates together?
Such a preposterous notion was utterly unacceptable to her.
Still, Dao Monarch Chang Ming had not pressed the matter, merely stating that he would return to seek her aid before the tribulation arrived.
"The subordinates left behind by the leader of the Heavenslayers Alliance may have participated in drafting the covenant, but they clearly had no real regard for it. What concerns me is that the alliance may have ulterior motives. They may have agreed verbally, but what if they suddenly turn hostile when it comes time to sign?" the Sect Master of the Solar Heavenly Clan interjected.
He wore a black-gold Dao crown and a violet silk Dao robe, his eyes unfathomably deep as they gazed toward a majestic palace in the distance.
Back at the Imperial Immortal Palace, he had been the one to lead the confrontation against the Heavenslayers Alliance alongside other sect leaders, firmly believing that the alliance's existence defied the natural order and would inevitably face divine retribution—something that must be eradicated at all costs.
His words now caused many present to frown in concern.
"It's still too early to draw conclusions," Ling Yuling shook her head.
Her gaze also turned toward that palace, where numerous figures stood, led by a stunningly beautiful woman with a tall, slender figure.
That woman was named Mu Yan. Though her strength was not particularly formidable, the other Dao Realm experts of the Heavenslayers Alliance subtly deferred to her, following her orders.
Anyone with eyes could see that this Mu Yan had an unusual relationship with Gu Changge, the master of the Heavenslayers Alliance.
The black-robed elder who had always followed Gu Changge was now also protecting this beautiful woman.
During the drafting of the Primary Hope Covenant, this woman had been present but seemed utterly indifferent, not even bothering to carefully read the terms.
Her attitude made it clear that the Heavenslayers Alliance placed no importance on this covenant.
"Rumble—"
Another violent tremor echoed from the distant star domains, accompanied by divine light that pierced through the cosmos. Numerous auspicious beasts and divine birds carried cultivators through rolling mist and clouds that blotted out the sky.
Behind them, a golden chariot crushed its way across the Great Universe, driven forward by a child formed from Ten Thousand Tribulations Divine Gold. Surrounding it were many stunningly beautiful women scattering flower petals, creating an aura of sacredness.
The child driving the chariot exuded an archaic aura, his face weathered—clearly a Dao Realm existence who had survived multiple Decay Tribulations.
The women scattering petals were, at the very least, Immortal Emperors, just a step away from the Dao Realm.
This spectacle startled many cultivators and living beings on the Mountain of Wonders, drawing their gazes.
Even Ling Yuling, the Primary Hope Saintess, and the others were no exception, astonished by such a grand display. None of the sect leaders had ever arrived with such fanfare.
"Shang Chongming, the second-in-command of Empty Boundary Ridge—I didn't expect him to come." Changming Dao Lord, however, quickly recognized the newcomer and smiled faintly.
Empty Boundary Ridge was considered a Forbidden Area within the Primary Hope Civilisation—not a sect or orthodox force, unbound by conventional rules, existing beyond the mundane world.
During the drafting of the Primary Hope Covenant, some sect leaders had ventured into such places, hoping to invite the Forbidden Existences within to participate.
However, few Forbidden Areas responded, as some were not permanently anchored in the Primary Hope Civilisation but drifted through the Boundless Expanse with time.
Among them, some of the most ancient Forbidden Existences rarely awakened, preferring not to be disturbed.
Many of the immortal orthodoxies of the Primary Hope Civilisation also dared not rashly disturb these Forbidden Areas.
In the past, some sect leaders or ancestral elders, when facing the approach of a Decay Tribulation or the end of their lifespan, would seek ways to enter these Forbidden Areas in hopes of extending their lives or surviving the tribulation. But few ever returned—most vanished without a trace, never to be heard from again.
"So, Dao Lord Changming is acquainted with this figure from Empty Boundary Ridge?" An ancient being exclaimed in surprise, never expecting a representative from a Forbidden Area to appear.
"I share some friendship with Dao Brother Chongming," Changming Dao Lord replied with a faint smile, rising and transforming into a divine rainbow to welcome the second-in-command of Empty Boundary Ridge.
Seeing this, the other ancient beings and sect leaders hesitated briefly before following suit to greet him.
Only Ling Yuling, the Primary Hope Saintess, and a few others remained where they were.
The second-in-command of Empty Boundary Ridge was a flamboyantly dressed man, strikingly handsome yet eerie, with one eye deep blue and the other blood-red. When they shifted, visions of cosmic creation and destruction, chaos birthing and vanishing, swirled within them, striking awe into all who saw.
He, too, was an existence who had survived eight Decay Tribulations, his origins even more ancient than many of the old beings present, having lived through countless epochs.
Changming Dao Lord knew him and had invited him here to witness the signing of the Primary Hope Covenant.
Soon, more and more formidable figures arrived. Even one of the Masters of Light from Bright Light Temple made a personal appearance, wearing a faint white mask that exuded an aura of ancient time, surrounded by fragments of eras long past, as if he had stepped out from antiquity itself.
Behind him, ancient battle chariots blotted out the sky, filled with powerful experts from Bright Light Temple. The chariots rumbled across the vast void, shaking countless stars, their killing intent so dense it made everyone's hearts tremble.
After Bright Light Temple's arrival, the Buddha Lord of the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom also descended in a manifested form.
In an instant, boundless Buddha light flooded the starry sky, turning the pitch-black cosmos as bright as day.
The Mountain of Wonders trembled as if struck by a tidal wave, the leaves of divine trees rustling violently. He arrived accompanied by countless monks and Buddhas, their radiance like a bright moon suspended high—many couldn't help but feel an urge to submit and convert.
In terms of sheer mystery, the Buddha Lord of the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom undoubtedly surpassed many sect leaders. Though he had only manifested an avatar, no one dared show him the slightest disrespect.
In just a few short days, the Primary Hope Civilisation had gathered nearly all of its most supreme forces.
Other immortal orthodoxies like the Towering Divine Cave also had Dao Masters and sect leaders personally arriving, showing great interest in this alliance agreement.
Beyond that, even outside the Primary Hope Civilisation, countless eyes were watching, closely monitoring this matter.
Within the Dawnbreak Civilisation, many factions comparable in heritage to immortal orthodoxies were also using their informants to spy on the Primary Hope Civilisation, deeply concerned about the outcome of this alliance.
For other civilisations, this might become an extremely valuable experience worth learning from.
Many factions and forces within the Boundless Expanse had already sensed the approach of a Great Calamity. Preparing in advance would allow them to better face this impending disaster.
Ancient Treasury Civilisation, Central Region.
A towering ancient tree stood here, its form so vast it blotted out the heavens. Yet, this tree had been severed by some unfathomably terrifying force, leaving only half its trunk behind.
Even so, the remaining half was still boundless in scale, its edges impossible to discern. Each of its leaves was lush and towering, stretching endlessly into the void, drawing in endless streams of Chaos Qi and galactic rivers. Its sprawling roots alone extended across countless time and space.
Deep within the tree's canopy, grand palaces and pavilions stood in clusters.
At this moment, many figures clad in pure white robes, adorned with ancient headpieces, stood in a circle before a mirror-like lake, performing ritual dances and chanting archaic sacrificial scriptures, attempting to divine something.
The tranquil surface of the lake began to ripple as layers of misty black fog emerged, causing the waters to churn violently—as if some terrifying living being was about to break through the surface and emerge into this world.
BOOM!
Finally, with a deafening roar, radiant light surged, shaking the heavens and earth. The boiling lake stilled abruptly, while all the surrounding palace structures collapsed into dust and ruin.
The terrifying entity from the other side had failed to cross over. Instead, a single burning black feather drifted down slowly from the sky.
"That lord... failed to reach this side?"
The white-robed figures paled slightly, many of them collapsing to the ground in exhaustion, their eyes filled with fear.
"The time for the Great Tribulation Sacrifice has not yet arrived. No existence is permitted to secretly cross over from that side. If discovered, the consequences would be ten thousand times more horrifying than death."
"Even if that lord is a vassal of the supreme Absolute Being, they must still abide by the rules."
"This time, for some reason, that lord attempted to breach the boundary, forcing our Epoch Cicada Clan to assist... This is going to bring calamity upon us!"
An ancient white-robed figure, exuding an aura of endless years, trembled as he was helped forward by others, his aged face filled with sorrow.
The other white-robed figures also wore expressions of unwillingness and despair. They knew all this, yet they hadn't dared to refuse or resist.
"Back then, the Epoch Mother Tree absorbed too much Fortuity and Source from the Boundless Expanse, enraging that supreme Absolute Being on the other side. With a single terrifying strike, that existence severed the tree, seizing all its Fortuity and vitality."
"Our Epoch Cicada Clan became the sinners of the entire Ancient Treasury Civilisation. For epochs, we have been trying to atone... Yet it seems we still cannot appease that lord's wrath."
"This time, that lord attempted to secretly cross over but failed. Once discovered by the other side, the consequences will be something our weakened Epoch Cicada Clan can no longer bear..."
The ancient figure stared at the slowly descending burning black feather, his face filled with defeat and bitterness.
Not far away, a silver-haired girl bit her lip, watching the scene unfold, hesitating as if unsure what to say.
"Big Sister... back then, she took Ninth Sister's place and was sacrificed to the other side. Can we try to seek out the High Priest and ask her to contact Big Sister over there? Maybe she can find a way..."
A black-robed woman stepped forward, her voice cold and detached, her presence icy and unapproachable.
"Hah... your Big Sister has long since vanished without a trace. We don't even know her current state over there. Though her Soul Lamp still burns and her life force remains, you know full well that the other side is far more terrifying than the Boundless Expanse."
"Moreover, asking the High Priest for help comes at a steep price. And after that incident, she has long held a grudge against our Epoch Cicada Clan. She likely won't even agree to see us."
The ancient figure shook his head bitterly as he looked at the black-robed woman.
Hearing this, the woman frowned, feeling that the situation was truly hopeless.
"Third Sister, leave this matter to me. I'll go beg the High Priest for help."
"What happened back then was because of me. It's only right that I be the one to resolve it."
A green-robed woman suddenly approached. Her features were elegant, her brows like painted strokes, her gaze as clear as clouds and as bright as the moon. She seemed bathed in an ethereal light, exuding an otherworldly grace...