Chapter 1322: The Grand Finale Concludes—What a Masterfully Staged Show
Chapter 1322: The Grand Finale Concludes—What a Masterfully Staged Show
The surging black mist flooded forth like a tidal wave, sealing the small breach that had been torn open. Countless leaders and sect masters who had failed to escape in time plummeted to the ground, their faces twisted with despair and unwillingness, their bodies drenched in blood, a gruesome sight.
Scattered everywhere were the remains of exploded corpses and drifting clouds of blood mist, hanging thickly in the void.
The moment the dark domain had been torn open, nearly everyone had rushed toward the gap, yet only a handful managed to escape.
In the end, even the Master of Light and other sect leaders from immortal orthodoxies were left behind, unable to flee in the final moments. Gu Changge struck them down with a single palm, sending them coughing blood as they crashed to the ground.
Dao Monarch Changming's expression was grim. Unlike Shang Chongming, he had not been fortunate enough to escape. In the final instant, he too had been struck by Gu Changge's palm and forced to resist—otherwise, he would have been reduced to a bloody pulp.
Now, without the aid of the Primary Hope Saintess's Mirror of Reincarnation, it was nearly impossible for them to tear open the dark domain again. They could only remain trapped here, helpless as fish on a chopping block.
Very few had managed to escape. The vast majority had been left behind, severely wounded, with little hope of recovery in the short term.
"Alliance Leader, should we pursue those who fled?"
A group of powerful figures from the Heavenslayers Alliance stepped forward, requesting orders to capture the escapees. Though the alliance still had forces stationed outside the Mountain of Wonders, they were far from capable of stopping leaders and sect masters of that caliber.
"No need."
"They may have escaped, but their sects and factions remain. The monks can flee, but the temple stays."
Gu Changge waved his hand dismissively, his expression indifferent. In truth, he had intentionally allowed them to escape—including the Primary Hope Saintess.
Now that Ling Yuling had fallen into his hands, the idea of using her as bait to lure out bigger fish was no longer feasible.
Thus, he could only pin his hopes on the Primary Hope Saintess.
Moreover, news of her escape with the Mirror of Reincarnation would soon spread throughout the Primary Hope Civilisation and even to the many Civilisations and True Worlds within the Boundless Expanse.
Before long, countless supreme powerhouses would come seeking her, bringing trouble to her doorstep.
And when that happened, the true big fish—those at the level of the Saintess's master, Xi Nu—would have no choice but to reveal themselves.
These were the ones Gu Changge intended to reel in.
"I won't kill you, but I won't let you leave so easily either."
"If you wish to live, you'd best lay down your resistance. My kindness and patience are not infinite."
His cold, profound gaze swept over the remaining figures present.
The sect leaders and faction heads still trapped here wore expressions of defeat and resentment. The same was true for the countless cultivators and living beings present. The Primary Hope Saintess had escaped, but she had not taken them with her.
Even Xi Yin and others from the Primary Hope Holy Church had been left behind, awaiting their fate.
Without the Saintess wielding the power of the Mirror of Reincarnation, even if they joined forces again, they could never tear open this dark domain.
How much had they sacrificed just now to buy time for their leaders and sect masters? How many cultivators and living beings had perished in the chaos?
They could not afford to suffer such losses again.
The elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace looked despondent. After Ling Yuling was captured, they had immediately chosen to surrender rather than resist.
Compared to the other factions, the Imperial Immortal Palace had suffered almost no casualties—no elders or disciples had perished in the chaotic battle.
Ling Yuxian knew this was the result of Gu Changge's deliberate mercy. Though the Imperial Immortal Palace had severed ties with him, he had still spared them out of past sentiments, refraining from exterminating them entirely.
Otherwise, given the shockwaves from his earlier clashes with the leaders and sect masters, how could the surrounding Imperial Immortal Palace elders have survived with only minor injuries?
Seeing the Imperial Immortal Palace's surrender, many sect masters from other factions had no choice but to follow suit, leading their own forces to lay down their arms without further resistance.
Gu Changge's gaze remained cold and indifferent, unmoved by their choices.
With a wave of his hand, streams of light flickered into existence. Divine materials surged within them, accompanied by the hum of Dao flames and a terrifying, roiling aura. One after another, pitch-black shackles and chains condensed into being, soon piling up into a small mountain.
Following Gu Changge's orders, the Heavenslayers Alliance members stepped forward, fastening the chains and shackles onto the wrists and ankles of the various faction members.
These chains had been personally forged by Gu Changge, inscribed with terrifying Grand Runes capable of sealing the cultivation of anyone—even those in the Ancestral Dao Realm.
Once bound, escape was impossible unless Gu Changge permitted it or provided the key he had crafted.
At this sight, many sect masters' expressions darkened. Covered in blood and injuries, they were already too weak to resist.
They knew full well that once shackled, they would lose all freedom. Though they might live, their lives would no longer be their own.
Yet if they refused, Gu Changge would have no reason to spare them—he would surely execute them on the spot.
"To live in humiliation, or to die with dignity resisting?"
This thought flashed through the minds of many as they struggled internally. Yet gazing upon the shattered corpses and flesh drifting through the surrounding star domains, breathing in the thick scent of blood permeating the void, most ultimately yielded to their survival instincts.
Even ancient existences like Dao Monarch Chang Ming submitted without reckless resistance. They could clearly see that Gu Changge had no intention of excessive slaughter, having already spared their lives as much as possible.
It would be foolish not to recognize the situation.
Hummm!
The black lotus descended slowly, each petal now fully unfurled. Thick veins of the Great Dao intertwined within, condensing into one dark cage after another.
Each cage seemed forged from Dark Dao Gold—cold, profound, and exuding terrifying Aura of Darkness. Their interiors stretched boundlessly, as if transporting prisoners to the frigid depths of the Great Universe.
Members of the Heavenslayers Alliance stepped forward, fastening shackles and chains upon the captives.
Representatives from various orthodox forces were separated, each faction confined to its own dark cage. Leaders and sect masters whose cultivation surpassed the Ancestral Dao Realm received individual cages.
None were exempt—not the Imperial Immortal Palace's elders like Jiu Lin and Xian Yun, nor even Ling Yuxian herself. The female disciples and elders of the Primary Hope Holy Church, including Xi Yin, were likewise imprisoned together in a shared dark cage.
Throughout it all, Gu Changge remained silent, observing with detached indifference.
Finally, with a flick of his sleeve, the black lotus rooted in endless nothingness began contracting. Its massive petals folded inward as the entire dark domain vanished from the world, transforming into a streak of light that returned to his palm.
This black lotus was itself a manifestation of the Gate of Eternal Life's power. Those imprisoned within were actually confined inside the gate itself.
Yet to the Heavenslayers Alliance members and the minor orthodox cultivators intercepted at the Mountain of Wonders, this godlike spectacle only deepened their awe and terror.
To wield sleeve-contained cosmos and palm-held heavens, to effortlessly conjure such inconceivable phenomena capable of sealing even Ancestral Dao Realm existences—this defied all reason.
In the aftermath of the chaotic battle, the devastation was absolute. The Mountain of Wonders lay nearly destroyed, littered with scars of combat. Immortal peaks and ancient mountains had crumbled; celestial corpses and shattered stars littered the surroundings. Entire neighboring universes had been fractured into fragments, presenting a horrifying vista.
Knights astride ferocious primordial beasts encircled the entire Mountain of Wonders domain, wielding Heavenly Blades and halberds to prevent any escape.
Though most hadn't witnessed the battle's details, all had sensed its earth-shaking intensity. That only blood mist and wreckage remained told its own story—one that chilled countless souls to the core.
"Alliance Leader, how should we deal with these people?"
A streak of light cut across the heavens as a Dao Realm existence from the Heavenslayers Alliance completed his patrol atop his mount. After surveying the intercepted minor orthodox cultivators, he approached Gu Changge with reverent inquiry.
"They're uninvolved. Let them leave peacefully."
Gu Changge's voice remained calm as he gazed upon the ruined Mountain of Wonders, his thoughts inscrutable. "They were merely pawns. The Heavenslayers Alliance has spilled enough blood."
"As you command, Alliance Leader."
The Dao Realm existence's eyes shone with deepened reverence before departing to permit the intercepted cultivators and living beings to leave unharmed.
Gu Changge's words lifted the weight from their anxious hearts. Many now regarded him with gratitude and admiration, their previous fears and prejudices toward the Heavenslayers Alliance utterly overturned. Some even felt stirrings of desire to join.
Faced with absolute dominance, the Alliance Leader had shown them mercy—not treating them as expendable ants, but acknowledging their equal right to life.
What stark contrast to those so-called righteous orthodox leaders, whose noble postures masked bone-deep cruelty as they dismissed all beyond their circles as insignificant insects.
For all his icy demeanor, Gu Changge alone had truly recognized their humanity.
"What a magnificent performance. Truly breathtaking—I'm awestruck."
A wisp of ethereal smoke coalesced beside Gu Changge, resolving into the graceful figure of the Scavenger Tome's Artifact Spirit.
"Not only did you effortlessly seize control of the entire Primary Hope Civilisation, but you've also won the people's hearts, establishing the Heavenslayers Alliance as the rightful authority in their eyes. This lays the most unshakable foundation for replacing the Primary Hope Holy Church and unifying the civilisation."
"Had I possessed even a fraction of your cunning when ruling the Immortal Kingdom, I would never have met such ruinous ends..."
She let out a meaningful sigh, as if trying to peer through that hazy, mist-like veil to clearly see the depths of Gu Changge's eyes—to discern his emotions and thoughts.
"Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish all this either."
Gu Changge glanced back at her, his tone still devoid of any emotional fluctuations, entirely unmoved by her earlier words.
"I didn't do much. If anything, Elder Xian Yun should be your greatest contributor. Instead of thanking her, you locked her away."
"When it comes to ruthlessness, no one can compare to you. Orchestrating this grand play, not only manipulating the entire Primary Hope Civilisation like puppets on strings, but nearly driving the Imperial Immortal Palace's ancestor to take her own life to prove her innocence..."
The Scavenger Tome's Artifact Spirit chuckled, but when Gu Changge's gaze suddenly settled on her, she grew uneasy and forced a dry laugh, swallowing the rest of her words.
She knew that staying by Gu Changge's side and knowing too much about his affairs wasn't a good thing.
Not only had he schemed against the Immortal Chu Vast Land, leading to Chu Gucheng's demise, but now he had also masterminded this entire farce with the Primary Hope Civilisation. She was well aware of these events—even assisted him in some.
Given Gu Changge's ruthless nature, he might very well discard her once she was no longer useful, ensuring these secrets were buried forever, erased from existence.
The agreement between them wasn't foolproof—it couldn't guarantee her safety indefinitely.
"You're intelligent. You should know that some things aren't better for you the more you know."
"Some words shouldn't be spoken so casually. I'll honor our agreement—help you break free from the Scavenger Tome, even assist you in reclaiming your vengeance and everything you once possessed."
"But until then, you'd best behave. I appreciate clever people, but not those who overestimate their cleverness." Gu Changge glanced at her indifferently, his tone casual and detached.
The Scavenger Tome's Artifact Spirit had indeed learned much by staying at his side.
But if she overstepped, he wouldn't hesitate to condemn her to remain the Tome's spirit forever—or vanish alongside those secrets, erased from all realms.
In contrast, the Sphere of Ambition's Artifact Spirit, after severing ties with its original master, had almost entirely withdrawn from worldly affairs.
Instead, it chose to enter self-induced slumber, relinquishing all authority and functions of the Sphere to Gu Changge, preserving only the last remnants of its True Soul and intellect.
"I... I understand. Today, I got carried away..."
The Scavenger Tome's Artifact Spirit replied with a trace of fear before dissipating into a wisp of smoke, swiftly retreating into the Tome.
Gu Changge said nothing further. He had merely intended to discipline her, not actually take action.
He wasn't a good man, but neither was he the type to casually discard allies or break agreements without cause.
Besides, the Artifact Spirit wasn't wrong—this grand play of his had succeeded largely thanks to the Imperial Immortal Palace's Elder Xian Yun.
When Ling Yuling and the other ancient beings jointly forged the Golden Book of Covenant, the required materials were gathered by various orthodox forces and sent to the Imperial Immortal Palace. Only after Elder Xian Yun and others verified them would they be delivered to Ling Yuling's hands.
During that time, Gu Changge personally sought out Elder Xian Yun and handed her the materials needed to refine the Golden Book.
Suspicious of his motives, she refused—despite her life being in his grasp, she remained unyielding, unwilling to compromise even if it meant mutual destruction.
She didn't know his exact plans, but she could guess that the materials he provided were undoubtedly tainted.
Gu Changge didn't mince words. He stated his intentions plainly—when the Primary Hope Covenant was established, he would strike against all factions of the Primary Hope Civilisation. Though he had some ties to the Imperial Immortal Palace, that wouldn't stop him from annihilating them.
After all, their ancestor, Ling Yuling, was determined to oppose him—and he never showed mercy to his enemies.
He wasn't here to request her cooperation. He was giving her a chance—one that would determine whether the Imperial Immortal Palace survived or perished.
If she failed, then the entire sect would be doomed.
Gu Changge spoke succinctly. Elder Xian Yun, meanwhile, was left pale and trembling in shock.
If she wanted the Imperial Immortal Palace to survive, she had no choice but to obey Gu Changge's orders—without a single misstep.
The lives of everyone in the sect now rested in her hands. She knew all too well that Gu Changge had the power to make good on his threats.
Weeping, she cursed him for his shamelessness, even considering shattering her own Dao Fruit in defiance.
But Gu Changge remained calm—even cold—throughout.
He told her bluntly that if she died, this opportunity would vanish with her, and the fate of the Imperial Immortal Palace would remain unchanged.
Elder Xian Yun wept in despair for a long time.
Finally, she made Gu Changge swear an oath—to never harm a single member of the Imperial Immortal Palace. Only after he agreed did she deliver those materials deep into the sect.
The Scavenger Tome possessed the ability to deduce causal events related to an object. It was through this profound mystery that Gu Changge had learned in advance the exact materials Ling Yuling needed to forge the Golden Book.