Chapter 1318: Obey My Command—Today, We Bathe the Mountain of Wonders in Blood
Chapter 1318: Obey My Command—Today, We Bathe the Mountain of Wonders in Blood
A deathly silence enveloped the Mountain of Wonders. Every soul present trembled in terror, their eyes wide with horror and disbelief.
Nothing was more shocking than witnessing a sect master-level existence fall and perish miserably before their very eyes.
That was a true Ancestral Dao Realm expert!
Throughout the vast expanse of time and space, across endless epochs, how many cultivators could reach such heights? A being capable of founding sects, establishing doctrines, and revered as an ancestor—yet here he lay, dead in such a wretched manner.
Even those of the same realm shuddered in fear, their scalps tingling and limbs turning cold, as if an invisible hand had seized their throats. Their breaths came in shallow gasps, the air in their mouths and noses thick with the metallic tang of blood and the biting chill of ice shards. None dared to exhale too loudly.
The sect master of the Solar Heavenly Clan, who had just moments ago roared in fury and charged into battle, now lay lifeless before them. Though his death was not particularly gruesome, everyone could see the terror, regret, and sheer horror etched onto his face in his final moments.
What could have happened to make an Ancestral Dao Realm existence so afraid?
What had he seen?
For most cultivators and living beings present, their fear now centered on Gu Changge's overwhelming, invincible might.
Aside from figures like the Primary Hope Saintess and Ling Yuling—those who had survived eight Decay Tribulations—was there anyone left in the Primary Hope Civilisation who could stand against him?
Even those who had truly endured eight Decay Tribulations would likely be no match for him. Not even a joint effort might grant them a chance.
Many sect masters and leaders now felt a creeping regret. Having witnessed the fate of the Solar Heavenly Clan's sect master, they were gripped by dread, fearing they might soon follow in his footsteps. After all, their strength was no different from his.
Before this, they had believed they stood a chance against Gu Changge. After all, back in the Immortal Chu Vast Land, Gu Changge had engaged in a fierce battle with its ruler, Chu Gucheng.
Though Chu Gucheng had paid a terrible price, he had ultimately managed to hold his own.
These individuals had reached their current heights precisely because of their immense pride and confidence in their own power. How could they possibly believe themselves inferior to Chu Gucheng?
If Chu Gucheng could do it, why couldn't they?
But the scene before them shattered all such illusions and self-assurance. Perhaps Chu Gucheng was simply far stronger than they were. Or perhaps, in that battle, Gu Changge had never truly intended to kill Chu Gucheng—perhaps he had never even fought seriously.
"I never should have gotten involved in this mess. Daoist Changming, you've truly led me into disaster."
Shang Chongming, the second-in-command of Empty Boundary Ridge, cast an uncertain glance at Changming Dao Lord beside him, whose expression was equally shaken and horrified.
He had only come at Changming Dao Lord's invitation—to participate in the Primary Hope Covenant and later help him overcome his Tribulation of Love.
He owed Changming Dao Lord a significant favor, a karmic debt so weighty that he had no choice but to accept the invitation.
Moreover, agreeing to the covenant was also a way to show respect to the ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace, allowing Ling Yuling to owe him a favor in return.
Such a favorable arrangement had naturally been too good to refuse.
But Shang Chongming had never expected things to spiral so far beyond his expectations.
Now, having witnessed Gu Changge's terror and invincibility firsthand, only one thought remained in his mind: to sever all ties with Ling Yuling and the others as swiftly as possible.
He cared nothing for the fate of the Primary Hope Civilisation, nor for the outcome of this so-called Primary Hope Covenant. The only thing that mattered now was his own survival.
"To kill an Ancestral Dao Realm existence so effortlessly... He must have survived nine Decay Tribulations. Or perhaps... he is a Path's End-level existence, manifesting in this era."
"In this day and age, how could such a being still exist?"
"Provoking someone who stands unrivaled across the Boundless Expanse—someone beyond all restraint—is nothing short of courting death."
Shang Chongming's heart brimmed with wariness and caution.
"Daoist Chongming, this... this has far exceeded my expectations as well..." Changming Dao Lord wore a bitter expression, his eyes equally filled with dread.
He knew exactly what Shang Chongming was thinking. Had he known the true strength of the Heavenslayers Alliance's leader, he would never have stepped into this quagmire, no matter the persuasion.
And yet, here he was—not only knee-deep in trouble but also one of the architects of the Primary Hope Covenant.
"Perhaps there's still a way out of this..."
Changming Dao Lord was quick-witted and soon devised a plan. His gaze lingered on Ling Yuling in the distance, and new thoughts began to form.
He had no idea how strong Ling Yuling had been at her peak, but one thing was certain now—at best, she was only slightly stronger than him, perhaps capable of briefly contending with those who had survived nine Decay Tribulations through special means.
While the crowd reeled in shock, horror, and terror, the members of the Heavenslayers Alliance erupted in exhilaration and cheers.
Many shouted praises of their alliance leader, proclaiming his might as unparalleled through the ages, his gaze overlooking all realms. Their eyes burned with reverence and fanaticism.
In the eyes of figures like Old Man Cold Crow and the old Daoist priest, Gu Changge was indeed invincible—whether within this world or beyond, none could stand against him.
BOOM!
The vast Aura of Darkness still shrouded the Mountain of Wonders. As the corpses of Dao Realm experts—like the sect master of the Solar Heavenly Clan—rained down like a macabre downpour, everyone understood the fate that awaited the entire Solar Heavenly Clan.
In just a few breaths—mere moments of confrontation—an entire faction bold enough to challenge an immortal orthodox sect was utterly annihilated here, with not a single survivor left.
The Solar Heavenly Clan, which had rushed to the Mountain of Wonders, was completely wiped out here. From their Ancestral Dao Realm sect master down to ordinary disciples and elders, all met a tragic end.
Hum—
The Aura of Darkness that had filled the heavens came swiftly and vanished just as quickly. Gu Changge's figure reappeared before the crowd.
He stood there, hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and indifferent as he looked down upon everyone. Not even the sleeves of his robes had been disturbed—as though he had never lifted a finger.
The faces of those from the orthodox sects who had been close to the Solar Heavenly Clan turned ashen with terror. The sect masters and leaders among them dared not meet Gu Changge's gaze, their backs drenched in cold sweat.
Many elders paled, their eyes filled with deep fear, and they could only cast desperate glances toward Ling Yuling, the Primary Hope Saintess, and others.
The invincible orthodox forces—Bright Light Temple, Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, Towering Divine Cave—were equally shaken.
The Master of Light, who had descended here in his true form, felt his scalp tingle with dread. He suddenly regretted not following the example of the Buddha Lord and others, who had chosen to send only an avatar rather than place themselves in such peril.
"I never wished for this slaughter. But since you refuse to understand my intentions, I have no choice but to kill you."
"Those who stand in my way—die without mercy."
Gu Changge's gaze swept indifferently over everyone on the Mountain of Wonders, his voice devoid of emotion.
Every being his eyes fell upon felt a chill seize their bodies, their faces draining of color as if an icy hand had clamped around their throats, suffocating them.
Even Ancestral Dao Realm existences shuddered, their very Dao Fruits trembling as if crushed beneath an immeasurably vast divine mountain the moment his gaze landed on them.
"Senior, this covenant was initiated by you! How can you stand by and let him slaughter innocent orthodox sects like this?"
"Tens of thousands of cultivators from the Solar Heavenly Clan came here, and this demon slaughtered them all without batting an eye! Yet you did nothing to stop him—are you just going to watch us die like this?"
"Senior, you cannot abandon us to our fate!"
Many elders and disciples from various orthodox forces cried out in terror, their voices trembling as they pleaded with Ling Yuling.
Sect masters, leaders, and ancient existences alike turned their eyes to her, awaiting her stance.
Ling Yuling was the strongest here. If she united everyone present, they might still have a chance to resist Gu Changge.
But if even she chose to stand aside, any joint effort would be futile.
Ling Yuling's expression twisted with pain, her heart torn by conflict. If she truly acted against Gu Changge now, all her previous words and explanations would be rendered meaningless. She couldn't bear to see things unfold this way.
This was never how things were supposed to go.
Her original intention had been to protect the common people and myriad races of the Primary Hope Civilisation, to grant them an era of peace and stability. Having lived through the most terrifying and dreadful Black Disaster Era of the Myriad Ages, she couldn't bear to see history repeat itself.
"Sister, don't—"
Ling Yuxian's face was deathly pale, her voice frantic with urgency. Though shielded by the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, she knew her sister now faced a choice that would shape the course of everything to come.
Whether her sister's earlier words had been true or not, if she now acted contrary to them, there would be no turning back.
"And you still expect these cowards—these insects who care only for their own survival—to protect the common people and myriad races?"
Gu Changge's gaze shifted, landing squarely on Ling Yuling's face.
Her eyes, once bright and shimmering, now dimmed. She looked at the corpses of the Solar Heavenly Clan strewn across the Mountain of Wonders, then at the desperate gazes fixed upon her.
"...I'm sorry. I have no other choice now."
She closed her eyes in anguish, then opened them again—now clear and resolute, brimming with killing intent.
With a metallic clang, streams of light shimmered around her robes, coalescing into pieces of ancient armor. Some sections bore signs of corrosion, others were stained with blood, exuding an aura of unfathomable antiquity, infused with the power of the Great Dao.
The armor swiftly encased Ling Yuling's entire body, concealing her graceful form—even her face and flowing black hair—leaving only a pair of cold, unreadable eyes visible.
"Why must it come to this...?"
At this sight, Ling Yuxian's face grew even paler. She swayed on her feet, nearly collapsing, knowing her sister had made her decision.
This was the battle armor her sister had forged for them both in the past, worn during the cataclysmic war against the Black Disaster. It had endured countless horrors before being damaged and lost to the annals of time.
As her sister regained her strength, she had also sought to recover this armor.
And now, the moment she donned it again, it meant she was ready to fight to the death—to cast aside all concern for survival.
Gu Changge of the Heavenslayers Alliance watched this scene with utterly unshaken indifference, as if unsurprised. His voice was icy as he commanded, "Kill them!"
The world-shaking battle erupted once more without warning. Clad in her armor, Ling Yuling struck with radiant brilliance. A fragmented yet elegant ancient Dao Sword materialized in her slender hand, transforming her into a sword-wielding immortal leading an army to slaughter. Countless sword shadows of earth-shattering might swirled around her.
Her aura surged violently, instantly surpassing numerous Ancestral Dao Realm experts and reaching heights that even most current Ancestral Dao cultivators couldn't rival.
"To think she rivals those who've survived nine Decay Tribulations... It seems at her peak, she was likely a Path's End-level existence," murmured Shang Chongming and Dao Monarch Chang Ming, their expressions shifting slightly in astonishment. They had gravely underestimated Ling Yuling's power.
Truly worthy of being a Progenitor who participated in that ancient battle—absolutely not to be underestimated. Even without recovering her full peak strength, she was no opponent they could hope to match.
"Kill! Follow our senior in slaying this demon!"
"Charge!"
As Ling Yuling took the initiative to attack, elders and sect leaders from various factions behind her joined the assault, surrounding their target.
Brilliant Grand Runes lit up the skies above the Mountain of Wonders, countless runes forming terrifying killing techniques of extreme radiance, all converging toward Gu Changge.
The Heavenslayers Alliance members also attacked, clashing chaotically with the opposing forces. The battlefield instantly became a storm of light and divine weapons.
Gu Changge extended two fingers and slashed diagonally forward. The very fabric of space-time seemed to split cleanly apart like a mirror. All incoming divine abilities and techniques silently disintegrated before reaching him.
Clad in armor, Ling Yuling swung her sword at Gu Changge. Countless sword shadows howled around her as an awe-inspiring zither resonance that shook past and present erupted forth.
She seemed to merge completely with the Dao Sword in her hand—using the sword as a zither, where every musical note was a sword's cry. The Dao Sword sang sharply, its zither tones shaking heaven and earth. In this moment, countless space-times seemed filled with Dao Swords—not mere illusions, but tangible existences containing indescribable destructive power.
It was an inconceivable spectacle. The entire River of Time trembled, instantly blanketed by innumerable Dao Swords that swept across existence, crisscrossing the cosmos to annihilate all in their path.
Yet before these countless sword shadows could reach Gu Changge, they were swallowed by a terrifying black abyss that abruptly manifested above his head, vanishing without a trace in an instant.
The abyss appeared and disappeared in a flash, as if an illusion. Before Ling Yuling could clearly perceive what had happened, she felt an inexplicable sense of dread—as if she'd witnessed this somewhere before.
Meanwhile, the attacking sect leaders and faction rulers screamed as the rippling slash passed through them, their physical bodies silently evaporating away on one side.
Gu Changge's eyes remained cold. Dark light coalesced in his palm, where the faint outline of a gate flickered momentarily.
With a flick of his finger, a streak of light shot forth, traversing countless space-times in an instant before taking root ahead and transforming into a black lotus spewing towering dark mist.
Boundless fog erupted, forming a domain of absolute darkness.
BOOM!
The black lotus rotated, its nine colossal petals slowly unfurling to blot out the sky. Each leaf bore the weight of all cosmic order and Dao principles, completely enveloping the Mountain of Wonders' firmament.
From its central seedpod, infinite dark divine light gushed forth alongside catastrophic might that cascaded like a ruptured heavenly river, radiating outward with pressure sufficient to collapse the very heavens.
At this moment, over half the Primary Hope Civilisation's cosmic territory trembled. Even across infinite distances, countless living beings sensed this apocalyptic fluctuation.
All existence—cosmos, primordial chaos, the very foundations of reality—began shattering toward annihilation and finality.
The dark lotus rotated, blooming from the universe's deepest depths. Each petal thrummed with world-ending aura.
Vast. Boundless.
Accompanied by this supreme presence, it resembled the turning of an apocalyptic millstone.
From distant reaches, terrifying black winds arose—first as faint as a butterfly's wingbeat, but growing increasingly violent and dreadful.
BOOM—!
It was an impact like collapsing mountains and bursting star rivers. World after world disintegrated under this force, reduced to drifting ash and fragments.
No cultivator or living being could withstand such power—crushed into bloody mist that exploded apart.
The entire Mountain of Wonders was utterly engulfed by these fluctuations, swallowed into lightless darkness.
"The power of the Gate of Eternal Life...!"
Ling Yuling's expression changed instantly upon recognizing this energy. Having been trapped in that dark dimension for countless years, she knew it intimately—especially since she'd once controlled the Gate herself.