Chapter 1324: The Love Tribulation Falls Upon You, Coveting the Mirror of Reincarnation
Chapter 1324: The Love Tribulation Falls Upon You, Coveting the Mirror of Reincarnation
Elder Xian Yun looked at the familiar figures before her, pleasantly surprised. She hadn't expected Gu Changge not only to release her but also to free the members of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
It seemed Gu Changge wasn't as wicked as she had imagined. Though he hadn't kept all his promises, he hadn't harmed anyone from the Imperial Immortal Palace either.
However, as she watched the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace approach her, a faint, inexplicable irritation welled up in her heart amidst her joy.
Just moments ago, she had thought Gu Changge had come for her, loosening the Restrictions binding her. But it turned out she had been overthinking it—he hadn't come for her at all.
This sudden, irrational frustration puzzled her. She shook her head, dispelling the emotion, and moved to join the others, intending to leave this place together.
"It seems everyone is unharmed. It was just a false alarm."
"Young Master Gu has been magnanimous, sparing all of us in the Imperial Immortal Palace and not making things difficult for us..."
"This time, it was our Imperial Immortal Palace that wronged him..."
Elder Jiu Lin, Elder Li Yu, and the others quickly gathered around Elder Xian Yun. Many of them wore expressions of relief, guilt, and sighs of resignation.
The disciples, too, were filled with remorse and gloom. Having personally experienced the events of the Primary Hope Covenant, they now understood just how vast Gu Changge's tolerance had been in choosing to spare them.
They admitted they could never have matched his magnanimity—letting go of so many enemies with such generosity.
Elder Xian Yun's lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she recalled Gu Changge's parting words and swallowed her thoughts in silence.
"Where are the Young Ancestor and the Founder? Why don't we see them here?"
Some elders, however, noticed Ling Yuxian's absence and couldn't help but ask in surprise.
"The Young Ancestor wasn't imprisoned with us. But given her close relationship with Young Master Gu, he likely wouldn't have made things difficult for her."
"As for the Founder..."
Several Ancestral Elders sighed, their faces clouded with worry. Though Gu Changge had released them, that didn't mean he would spare Ling Yuling.
Moreover, his mercy hadn't come without conditions.
After all, Gu Changge was no saint.
Though the Imperial Immortal Palace had suffered no casualties—unlike other orthodoxies that had been severely weakened—they could no longer obstruct the expansion of the Heavenslayers Alliance. Instead, they would have to acknowledge the Heavenslayers Alliance as their master, obeying its commands, effectively becoming its vassal.
This was the condition Gu Changge had imposed before releasing them.
After deliberation, the Imperial Immortal Palace's Ancestral Elders and elders knew they had no choice. Rather than remain imprisoned in the Dark Cage forever, it was better to endure temporary humiliation and escape danger first.
Submitting to the Heavenslayers Alliance and becoming its vassal wasn't entirely unacceptable.
The terror of Gu Changge and the might of the Heavenslayers Alliance had been witnessed by the entire Primary Hope Civilisation. Many clans and factions had already joined the alliance during this time, willingly submitting to its rule.
Elder Xian Yun was stunned. She hadn't realized Gu Changge's mercy toward the Imperial Immortal Palace had come with such a condition.
If even the Imperial Immortal Palace chose to submit, then from this day forward, the entire Primary Hope Civilisation would live under the shadow of the Heavenslayers Alliance.
No wonder Gu Changge had spoken those words—he had long foreseen and controlled the entire situation in the Primary Hope Civilisation.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, after removing the Restrictions on Ling Yuxian, Gu Changge honored her request and took her to see her elder sister, Ling Yuling.
In the dim, abyssal dungeon, black mist drifted in absolute silence, as if exiled to a cold, eternal Boundless Void.
A faint ripple spread as Gu Changge and Ling Yuxian appeared. He did not step into the dungeon, merely waiting outside with a cold, indifferent gaze.
Ling Yuling sat quietly, her hair disheveled. The delicate, pale ankles beneath her skirt bore faint marks from shackles, and her robes were stained with blood. She looked disheveled yet still elegant and dignified—like an immortal lotus blooming amidst filth.
The wound on her abdomen, where she had been impaled, had healed slowly, and the gruesome injury was still visible.
On her forehead, a deep gash nearly reached the bone. Though the edges had scabbed over, thin trails of blood still seeped out.
"Sister..."
Ling Yuxian's heart ached at the sight of her sister in such a state. She covered her mouth, nearly shedding tears.
Though she knew this was the consequence of her sister's "self-inflicted suffering," she couldn't bear to see her reduced to this. Her sister had always been so immaculate—her skin like jade, her presence transcendent.
When had she ever been so wretched and ragged?
"Yuxian..."
Hearing the movement, Ling Yuling slowly opened her eyes. There was no resentment in her expression over her current plight—only calm acceptance.
"I've disappointed you, but you must believe me."
She looked at Ling Yuling, her gaze tinged with faint apology. Noticing the absence of shackles or collars on her sister, then recalling her own wretched state, a self-mocking curve involuntarily touched her lips.
Ling Yuxian nodded vigorously. "I believe you, sister. I shouldn't have doubted you either. You've never been the scheming, ruthless, ungrateful person they claimed you to be."
Ling Yuling nodded in quiet satisfaction. "Seeing you unharmed sets my mind at ease."
Glancing at Gu Changge standing beyond the dark prison bars, Ling Yuxian lowered her voice. "Senior Brother Gu hasn't troubled anyone in the Imperial Immortal Palace. He hasn't harmed a single soul there."
"After visiting you, I must return to the palace. We can't afford unrest among our people now. But I'll find a way... to rescue you."
Though convinced of her sister's innocence regarding any plots against Gu Changge, she lacked evidence to prove it—just as she lacked proof to clear Ling Yuling's name. That Gu Changge had spared the Imperial Immortal Palace out of past camaraderie was already the height of mercy. She couldn't possibly demand he release Ling Yuling unconditionally.
"As long as they're safe. This time, I've dragged the Imperial Immortal Palace down with me. Your judgment and decisions back then were correct—it was I who erred..." Ling Yuling smiled faintly.
Her gaze drifted toward the darkness beyond her cage where black mist swirled. Though obscured, she knew Gu Changge stood there. Without his permission, how could Ling Yuxian have come?
Regarding the Primary Hope Covenant affair, Gu Changge had shown the Imperial Immortal Palace unprecedented leniency and benevolence. Even she couldn't help feeling pangs of remorse. Had initial prejudices and misunderstandings not existed, perhaps everything would have unfolded differently.
After exchanging more words with her sister, Ling Yuxian bid a reluctant farewell. She longed to heal Ling Yuling's wounds but feared displeasing Gu Changge, leaving her no choice but to watch her sister suffer—an agony of helplessness twisting her heart.
"The elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace await you outside. From this day forth, your sect shall obey the Heavenslayers Alliance's decrees. Should events like before recur, I won't show mercy again."
Beyond the dark prison, Gu Changge regarded Ling Yuxian calmly as she emerged, delivering these words.
"I understand. Unlike my sister, I won't stand in your way."
Ling Yuxian nodded, then lifted her face, luminous eyes meeting his. Words trembled on her lips, yet none emerged.
"Thank you... for sparing the Imperial Immortal Palace for my sake. Without your mercy, our fate would have been far worse."
"My sister wronged you, but I know she's innocent. I'll uncover the truth behind this—to clear her name and expose those obstructing you."
"I don't know how to repay you... Surely not by offering myself as we once joked..."
Her murmur trailed off, barely audible. Fearing he might not hear, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against him to hide her burning cheeks and scarlet ears.
Gu Changge lowered his gaze, complex emotions flickering in his eyes. The hand poised to push her away instead settled gently upon her raven hair.
"Repayment isn't necessary. Many things in this world aren't done for the sake of recompense..." he said softly.
Ling Yuxian lifted her face, dewy eyes shimmering with unspoken depths, like moonlit pools brimming with tender affection.
"My Tribulation of Love... it's tied to you now..." Her gaze darted away, unable to meet his, voice uncharacteristically shy. Never had the straightforward Ling Yuxian imagined herself speaking such words.
Gu Changge chuckled. "When the time comes to face that tribulation, seek me out."
Ling Yuxian blinked, realizing he'd misinterpreted her meaning. Crimson flooded her cheeks. "Ah—I didn't mean—!"
Her words weren't meant to treat him as some tool to overcome cultivation trials. Not every cultivator experienced the Tribulation of Love—it might stem from budding affection, sudden whims, cultivation bottlenecks, or premonitions of impending calamity...
That hers had awakened now simply coincided with emotions stirring after countless years of austere cultivation.
"I understand. Time grows late—your people await."
With an amused smile, Gu Changge gently cut short her flustered explanation, guiding her out of the prison dimension. To him, Ling Yuxian had always been a chess piece—past and future alike.
As her figure vanished, his smile faded. Pensive, he straightened his sleeves and stepped into the Dark Cage where Ling Yuling remained confined.
Ling Yuling seemed to have anticipated his arrival, so she hadn't closed her eyes to rest after Ling Yuxian left.
"Have you regretted your choice from that day?" Gu Changge looked at her current state without a trace of pity in his expression.
Ling Yuling watched him approach, shook her head at his words, then nodded slightly and said, "Some things I regret, others I don't. But if I had realized sooner, the situation might not have come to this."
"Young Master Gu spared the Imperial Immortal Palace, rescued me from that dark spacetime, and showed me kindness multiple times. Yet I repeatedly failed to live up to your goodwill and trust. I truly feel ashamed."
"How perfunctory. Your words sound so pleasant, yet when you acted against me, you were ruthless and merciless. When will you ever speak and act as one, woman?"
"But I can't be bothered to pursue these matters now." Gu Changge swept her a cold glance.
"Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Gu. Your kindness is engraved in my heart, and I will never forget it," Ling Yuling said softly.
"If you're so grateful, then why don't you honestly tell me—who was it that instigated and assisted you in drafting the Primary Hope Covenant this time?"
Gu Changge let out an indifferent chuckle, then fixed his gaze on Ling Yuling as he asked.
The question caught Ling Yuling slightly off guard.
She didn't know how Gu Changge had discerned this. She had never mentioned anyone else's involvement in the drafting of the Primary Hope Covenant.
As for the chaotic Spacetime Sea and the matter concerning Xi Yin, she had never revealed it to anyone.
Why was he so certain that someone had been assisting her behind the scenes?
"Is this how you show your gratitude?"
Noticing her expression, Gu Changge reached out, lifting her chin to force her to meet his eyes.
Ling Yuling snapped out of her daze and shook her head. "This matter was my own decision alone. No one instigated or assisted me from behind."
The matter concerning Xi Yin involved the Descendants of the Great Sages who had once fought against the Heaven’s Proxy Group—it was far too sensitive to casually disclose.
As for the Primary Hope Covenant, she truly had made that decision herself.
At most, she had only mentioned it to Xi Yin while on the Sacred Ancestor Mountain in the chaotic Spacetime Sea.
"Fine, keep your silence. Sooner or later, you'll tell me everything willingly."
Gu Changge stared into Ling Yuling's eyes before releasing her chin, unsurprised by her response.
He had only been testing her attitude, wanting to see if she had any connections with other Great Sages.
From her reaction, it didn't seem like she had been in contact with any other Great Sages, but there did appear to be someone else guiding her from the shadows.
Before Ling Yuling could fully process his words, the Dark Cage around her melted away like snow, and in the next moment, she found herself standing in a secluded valley courtyard surrounded by dark bamboo and peach trees.
Birds sang, flowers bloomed, and a clear spring murmured softly. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of rare and ancient immortal blossoms, their radiant glow casting an otherworldly tranquility over the valley.
Nearby, the woman named Mu Yan stood with her arms crossed, studying her with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Ling Yuling stared in shock at her surroundings, unable to comprehend why Gu Changge had brought her here.
But Gu Changge offered no explanation for her bewildered gaze. Instead, he simply instructed Mu Yan to take Ling Yuling away to bathe and change.
"Take her to wash up and change her clothes. Clean her properly and tend to her wounds."
His tone was indifferent. With that, his figure vanished from the valley.
Ling Yuling was still bound by shackles and a collar, unable to move freely. Her cultivation was completely suppressed, leaving her no different from an ordinary woman.
Mu Yan held no goodwill toward her and, upon hearing Gu Changge's order, approached reluctantly with a displeased expression.
"Come on, oh great ancestor of the Imperial Immortal Palace."
Ling Yuling didn't understand Gu Changge's intentions in releasing her from the Dark Cage. She stood frozen for a moment but obediently followed Mu Yan.
However, she walked slowly—the heavy shackles, connected by multiple chains, required great effort with each step, severely restricting her movement.
Heavenslayers Alliance Headquarters, Main Hall
As Gu Changge's figure materialized, figures such as Hun Yuanjun, Zhuo Fengxie, and Chu Heng stepped forward to report.
"Alliance Leader, after the Primary Hope Saintess fled that day, she didn't get far. Severely injured, she fell into Spacetime Turbulence, and her current whereabouts—whether alive or dead—remain unknown."
"But as you predicted, many factions and forces have been monitoring the movements of the Primary Hope Holy Church. Even civilisations beyond the Boundless Expanse have sent scouts, eager to learn the whereabouts of the Primary Hope Saintess and the Mirror of Reincarnation."
"Far too many forces covet the Mirror of Reincarnation."
The Primary Hope Saintess of the Primary Hope Holy Church had disappeared with the civilisation's Supreme Treasure, the Mirror of Reincarnation, her fate unknown.
Her nominal senior sister, Xi Yin, along with several elders and disciples, had been imprisoned in the Heavenslayers Alliance's Dark Cages.
This had provoked the fury of many ancient beings within the Primary Hope Holy Church, who wished to storm the Heavenslayers Alliance to demand their release. However, they feared Gu Changge's power.
Several immortal orthodoxies and factions had also been observing the situation. Bolstered by the covert support of civilisations from beyond the Boundless Expanse, they had grown emboldened, intending to ally with the Primary Hope Holy Church and jointly demand the release of their people from the Heavenslayers Alliance.