This Aura Fluctuation Comes from Sky Emperor Mountain, the Black Pot Is Temporarily Hung

Just as the cultivators of the various orthodoxies and powers were discussing among themselves.

A massive golden palm imprint rumbled and crushed over, about to cover the great hall below, and gray mist instantly erupted.

The concealing Array Patterns there were immediately broken open, revealing the scene within the great hall.

Gu Changge also arrived at this moment.

His face was incomparably cold, his killing intent soaring to the heavens, as he said icily, “To dare commit murder right before the eyes of my Longevity Gu Family—simply courting death.”

With that, his brows furrowed tightly as he looked toward the two figures locked in battle, putting on an appearance of frigid killing intent.

“Young Master Changge! What exactly is going on here?”

At this point, many cultivators nearby had also rushed over, looking up at the sky in shock.

Then, someone asked Gu Changge—a young prodigy of the Longevity Wang Family.

“What?! Someone tried to assassinate my sister?”

Wang Wushuang arrived, shock, fury, and surging killing intent all interwoven across his face.

The killing intent in his pale golden eyes was enough to make one’s heart palpitate.

“I’m not too clear on this matter either; I only just arrived here.”

Hearing this, the expression on Gu Changge’s face was not pleasant, but he maintained his composure, tinged with coldness and killing intent.

Then, he looked toward the sky, an indescribable meaning flashing through his eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

At this moment, no one felt there was anything wrong with Gu Changge’s demeanor.

After all, such an incident had occurred on the Longevity Gu Family’s territory, and during the birthday banquet of Gu Changge’s mother, no less.

For him to be so enraged and furious was only natural.

“This person has quite the audacity. Today, no one will be able to save him.”

Soon, Gu Changge’s expression also calmed, but his words carried a killing intent that made one tremble.

Though it wasn’t directed at them.

Quite a few people couldn’t help but shudder.

Rumble!

At this moment, in the sky, streak after streak of divine chains of order interwove, about to hang down.

Dense and innumerable, incomparably astonishing—enough to cover all cultivators and crush them into ash.

The Sacred Lord Dharma Bodies, tall as mountain ranges, clashed, their auras shaking heaven and earth; with a lift of their hands, even mountain ranges turned to dust, appearing incomparably insignificant, causing countless cultivators to tremble.

Chi!!

Streak after streak of divine rainbows pierced through the air!

From the inner island region of the Gu Family, many Gu Family experts and young prodigies also rushed over swiftly.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect that at a time like this, someone would dare to strike right under the nose of the Longevity Gu Family—this was simply not taking the Longevity Gu Family seriously at all.

“This person is simply courting death!”

The expressions of many Gu Family experts instantly turned cold to the extreme, looking at that figure wrapped in black light as if looking at a dead man.

Immediately, many began to act, moving to kill that black figure. Sacred Lord Realm fluctuations swiftly swept out in all directions, shaking the many guests.

Sacred Lord Realm beings, no matter which orthodoxy or great sect, were pillars of the establishment, existences of high position and great authority like clan elders.

Even ordinary old monsters and old freaks had not reached this realm.

Yet in an instant, the Longevity Gu Family had produced so many such auras—this could only mean... the Longevity Gu Family’s foundation was truly astonishing.

“Good thing I arrived in time. Is Zijin-guniang unharmed?”

At this moment, Gu Changge also stepped forward, his figure moving as he entered the great hall.

He looked at Wang Zijin, whose body was stained with blood and who appeared weak and pale, and couldn’t help but show concern as he asked.

Having gained this chance at rescue, Wang Zijin was sitting cross-legged there, her perfectly calm face appearing exceptionally pale, devoid of color.

Yet wisps of the world’s spiritual qi seemed to transform into a vortex, surging toward her body to mend her injuries.

This state was quite peculiar—even every cell had taken on a Celestial Spirit-like color, resplendent and crystalline.

This was the special aspect of her physique.

Over all these years, the Celestial Spirit essence had grown ever more apparent; every cell carried Celestial Spirit qi, sacred and dazzling.

Hearing Gu Changge’s voice as he came to rescue her.

Wang Zijin couldn’t help but open her eyes. Though she still looked weak, her complexion was already much improved.

Only she herself knew how she had relied on her many methods to endure through this bitter battle—an ordinary Quasi-Sacred Realm cultivator would have been annihilated in body and soul at the very first moment, dissipating between heaven and earth.

Thankfully, she had many artifacts and methods, and had not been seriously injured.

“Brother Gu...”

Looking at Gu Changge, Wang Zijin smiled faintly, a bit of color seeming to return to her face.

“I’m already fine, this injury is nothing...”

But as she spoke, blood couldn’t help but seep from the corner of her mouth, and her body swayed slightly, about to collapse.

Seeing this, Gu Changge’s gaze flickered slightly; with quick eyes and quick hands, he caught her at once.

And a glimmering smile flashed through Wang Zijin’s eyes as she smoothly fell into his embrace, putting on a very weak expression.

“Thank you, Brother Gu, for coming to rescue me. But had you been a step slower, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have seen me again.”

She spoke softly, looking quite shaken with lingering fear.

She had seen Gu Changge’s concerned expression just now, and naturally knew... it was fake.

After all, no matter how convincing the act, there wasn’t the slightest warmth in his eyes.

In Wang Zijin’s view, Gu Changge coming to rescue her so quickly clearly had two major purposes.

First, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠such a huge incident had occurred in the Longevity Gu Family; if not handled well, their reputation would surely be swept into the dust.

If she unfortunately died here, and the Longevity Gu Family hadn’t noticed at all... then they would surely have to bear this enormous black pot, and it would inevitably provoke hatred between the Longevity Gu Family and the Longevity Wang Family.

As the Young Master, Gu Changge certainly wouldn’t want to see such a situation. Coming so quickly, besides showing some concern, was presumably to confirm whether she was alright.

Wang Zijin’s injuries were actually already fine, but at this moment, she just couldn’t resist teasing Gu Changge a little.

For a cold and heartless fellow like this, without using some tricks, it would probably be hard to move him.

Wang Zijin felt that with her current pitiful, delicate appearance, any man would be unable to resist being moved.

She was quite confident in her looks—whether in her past life or this one, her appearance was beyond reproach.

Perhaps even Gu Changge would have some reaction.

“Speaking of today’s matter, it was the Gu Family’s negligence, and I bear great responsibility as well. I am truly very sorry. I will compensate Zijin-guniang for these losses one by one afterward~”.

Gu Changge looked at Wang Zijin, who had smoothly fallen into his arms, putting on an appearance of being slightly stunned, as if he hadn’t reacted.

But soon, his face returned to a composed expression as he spoke apologetically.

With his discernment, he could naturally tell that in this short while, Wang Zijin’s injuries had already recovered seventy to eighty percent—her surging vitality could be called monstrous.

But he couldn’t be bothered to fuss over it... knowing she perhaps harbored certain ideas about him.

Gu Changge had always been dismissive of such things.

However, to maintain the persona he had crafted before Wang Zijin, he chose to change the subject rather than expose her.

If he responded to Wang Zijin’s advances, it would inevitably make her suspicious, which would be detrimental to Gu Changge’s subsequent plans.

Besides, he was long since familiar with this sort of thing—practiced and experienced.

Whether Yue Mingkong or Gu Xianer, everything they saw was what Gu Changge wanted them to see.

Seeing that Gu Changge didn’t respond and instead changed the subject.

Wang Zijin wasn’t surprised. This wasn’t Gu Changge being a dense straight man—he was purely uninterested in her.

He appeared gentle and courteous in dealing with people, but was in truth cold to the bone.

This heroic rescue, in her view, was sorely lacking in sincerity.

“Does Brother Gu know who tried to assassinate me tonight?”

Then, Wang Zijin also grew somewhat serious as she asked.

Gu Changge glanced at her and said thoughtfully, “Someone of the Successor of Demonic Arts?”

“Brother Gu is right. Perhaps my identity has already been discovered by him, which is why he sent subordinates to hide in the shadows, intending to take the opportunity to kill me. Fortunately, my luck was decent—this Sacred Lord Realm being who came to kill me underestimated me too much, which is how I managed to stall for so long...”

Wang Zijin revealed a slight smile as she spoke, never imagining this matter could be connected to the Gu Changge before her.

Moreover, from the mouth of that Sacred Lord Realm being, she had also heard that his next target was none other than Gu Changge.

So in her view, Gu Changge was, like her, someone the Successor of Demonic Arts was determined to eliminate.

She didn’t think in any other direction.

“This is also because Zijin-guniang’s cultivation is powerful. An ordinary person couldn’t have stalled for so long.”

Gu Changge said, giving Wang Zijin a deep look.

Somewhat meaningful.

Wang Zijin also knew that matters of her cultivation couldn’t be hidden from Gu Changge, let alone her identity, which Gu Changge had long since guessed.

Compared to Gu Changge, she was the one who couldn’t see through him.

Gu Changge appeared far more mysterious than her.

“The Successor of Demonic Arts has grown rampant to this degree, actually daring to send people to infiltrate my Gu Family like this. Compared to Ye Ling last time, this Sacred Lord Realm being who appeared today has actually reached such a level of cultivation—simply inconceivable...”

“It seems my guess back then wasn’t wrong. Behind the Successor of Demonic Arts, there should be some kind of organization.”

Hearing this, Gu Changge sighed lightly, putting on a somewhat troubled appearance regarding this matter.

Wang Zijin nodded.

She had heard Gu Changge say these words before, and now it seemed they had indeed been confirmed.

At this point, Wang Zijin spoke again.

“Moreover, I suspect that the Ye Ling whom Brother Gu fought before isn’t actually the true Successor of Demonic Arts... he’s merely a chess piece. With his capabilities, it’s clearly impossible for him to command a Sacred Lord Realm being to work for him...”

The reason she thought this was entirely because that Sacred Lord Realm being, wrapped entirely in black shadow, had spoken the word “Master” at the time.

What did that mean?

It meant there was a greater origin behind him, a more terrifying figure.

A mere Ye Ling, even having obtained this Taboo Inheritance, couldn’t possibly have instantly gained such subordinates.

“Oh, there’s actually such a thing? The Ye Ling of back then was just a chess piece?”

Hearing this, Gu Changge put on a somewhat surprised appearance, then frowned and said, “But Ye Ling hasn’t appeared again since, and it’s hard to determine whether he’s alive or dead...”

“Whether Ye Ling lives or dies is no longer important. What’s important now is rooting out the true identity of the Successor of Demonic Arts, and what exactly the organization hidden behind him is.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin nodded, deep coldness in her eyes.

Though by virtue of her identity, she was naturally opposed to the Successor of Demonic Arts.

Being targeted for assassination by experts he sent still left her quite displeased.

An indescribable killing intent arose in her; she wished she could find the true mastermind behind it all and cut them into a thousand pieces.

The conversation between the two was heard by the cultivators successively arriving from all directions, and their expressions couldn’t help but change slightly.

And from this conversation, many young prodigies guessed Wang Zijin’s identity, their faces abruptly changing, no longer daring to be as casual as before.

Compared to their awe of Gu Changge.

Wang Zijin’s identity inspired admiration and reverence for the Mortal One—a different concept entirely.

To put it in detail, the difference was like revering an ancient ancestor versus fearing a powerhouse of the present age.

“No wonder Wang Zijin was targeted—so her identity is actually the Successor of Mortal Palace...” Ye Langtian couldn’t help but sigh deeply, having never imagined it before.

“Even the Successor of Mortal Palace has emerged into the world. This golden great era has probably drawn back its curtain.”

The other Young Prodigies, male and female alike, all had complex looks in their eyes.

“It seems the one who assassinated her should be connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts... hiss, now even Sacred Lord Realm beings have appeared. Things are growing ever more turbulent!”

“I just wonder whether the Mortal One of this life will return. If the Mortal One is around, this life still has hope.”

Many older-generation cultivators and experts thought in their hearts—after all, they too hoped the cultivation world could know peace.

And the figure who could restore peace and stability to them was the Mortal One.

For the Humans, the significance of the Mortal One was extraordinary.

The Mortal One, the Sky Emperor, the Earth King, the Supreme Ruler... in ancient times, there were far too many ancient beings bearing such titles, and no one knew what level their cultivation had reached.

Because these titles were not determined by their cultivation, but by their great contributions to all living beings—holding different meanings for different races.

Even the Mortal One had different branches appear, such as the Astral Mortal One, the Lively Mortal One, and so on...

By now, these branches had vanished, with only the two words “Mortal One” passed down.

The Sky Emperor of the Myriad Races of antiquity was likewise a title of reverence from the Myriad Races, for throughout the ages, beings crowned with the title of Sky Emperor could be counted on one’s fingers.

Such as Sky Emperor Ying, Sky Emperor Bai, Sky Emperor Sheng...

But without exception, all were stunningly talented figures whose cultivation no one could fathom—even a True Immortal, or even one above True Immortals, could not claim certain victory before them.

Possessing great merit among all living beings, worshipped and kowtowed to day and night by the masses—even after death, their bodies would be surrounded by endless sacrificial chants, and even if they fell into darkness, they could be guided back!

From this, one could know their terror.

Across different eras and epochs, beings who could be recognized by all living beings and crowned with such titles were few and far between.

Boom!

Just as everyone was discussing animatedly, expressing extreme shock at tonight’s events, the astonishing battle in the sky finally came to an end.

Terrifying fluctuations swept across heaven and earth.

Even without the Longevity Gu Family’s stronger existences taking action, this battle held no suspense whatsoever.

Under the siege of the Gu Family’s many Sacred Lord Realm experts, the figure wrapped in dense black runes let out a heaven-shaking roar, as if knowing there was no possibility of survival.

Bang!

The next moment, like a pitch-black little sun, he abruptly swelled and expanded, black runes circulating within, erupting with light that made everyone’s hearts palpitate!

At the critical moment, he chose to self-destruct!

How terrifying was the self-destruction of a Sacred Lord Realm being?

In an instant, everyone’s expression changed, their divine souls trembling; some even had their legs go soft, collapsing limply to the ground.

“He won’t escape.” Wang Zijin spoke softly, appearing quite calm.

Weng!!

At this moment, from within the Gu Family’s inner island came a light cough, as if somewhat embarrassed for acting a bit late.

Then!

An enormous hand appeared, blotting out heaven and earth, within which worlds seemed to perish and universes seemed to be born anew!

Runes flowed, auspicious light flickered, Chaos Energy rose and fell, like Astral River after Astral River condensing there.

The momentum was sky-soaring, shaking the firmament.

The terrifying fluctuations of this self-destruction instantly returned to calm.

After a moment of silence, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a wave of sharp intakes of breath sounded from below.

“That fluctuation from the one who acted... it’s probably far beyond the Sacred King Realm. Could it be a Sacred Emperor Realm being who acted?”

“Hiss!”

“This Gu Family is truly terrifying. Just now, so many Sacred Lord Realm cultivators appeared in an instant, and now a Sacred Emperor Realm being has acted, erasing everything.”

Perfect Prodigies were already ancestor-level foundation figures of the various orthodoxies; a true Sacred Emperor Realm being was absolutely a walking myth.

Among the many cultivators present, this was the first time they had seen a Sacred Emperor Realm being act. That single palm seemed able to blot out even the universe, tyrannical to the point of making one’s scalp tingle, trembling to the extreme.

“What a pity. He actually chose to self-destruct, leaving no useful information behind...”

Seeing this scene, Gu Changge shook his head with some regret. “The Ancestor acted a bit too slowly. Though if a Sacred Lord is dead set on self-destructing, it is indeed hard to stop.”

Hearing this, Wang Zijin shook her head. “Even if he had been suppressed, I’m afraid we wouldn’t have gotten any useful information. Since they dared to come assassinate me, those behind them must have already planned their countermeasures—it’s impossible they hadn’t considered this scenario.”

Gu Changge smiled. “Zijin-guniang speaks truly. I was overthinking it.”

He looked toward where the aftershocks were dissipating, a strange gleam flashing through his eyes.

This self-destruction was naturally ordered by him.

However, Gu Changge had kept a backup plan. After all, this kind of puppet had extremely strong regenerative abilities—as long as it wasn’t truly ground to ash, there was a chance to restore it.

At this point, he only needed to send people to guard that area, letting the cultivators of the various orthodoxies and great sects sense and probe its aura, achieving the goal of spreading false trails.

And he could also retrieve the puppet core from among those shattered runes.

Once repaired, it could be used again in the future.

And soon, just as Gu Changge expected, many experts shot into the sky, rushing to the heights to verify the attacker’s identity from the residual fluctuations.

By now, many people already knew Wang Zijin’s identity.

The Mortal Palace’s status was transcendent.

No one dared to casually offend it.

Who would assassinate Wang Zijin for no reason? The Longevity Gu Family? How could that be possible? If something happened to Wang Zijin at the Longevity Gu Family, the Longevity Gu Family would absolutely be the first to take the blame.

They’d be too busy protecting her—how could they possibly send people to kill her?

So many people’s thoughts turned to the Successor of Demonic Arts, and for a time, a layer of gloom emerged over everyone’s heads.

Previously, those who suffered calamity were of the younger generation.

But now, a Sacred Lord Realm cultivator had appeared. What did this mean? It was simply self-evident.

Even the many great figures felt their backs go slightly cold at this moment, an ominous feeling arising.

They sensed a threat.

“Behind the Successor of Demonic Arts, I’m afraid there really is an organization, just as Young Master Changge guessed back then...” many people speculated in their hearts. Especially the younger generation—their awe of Gu Changge had now reached the extreme.

His words were no different from divine prophecy.

And soon, Gu Changge also arrived in the sky, closing his eyes like the other experts, seemingly sensing the aftershocks of the recent battle to determine its origin.

But he was actually searching for the puppet core’s location, planning to quietly collect it.

“This aura... if this old man hasn’t guessed wrong... it seems to be a secret technique of Sky Emperor Mountain...”

At this moment, an old antique of great seniority suddenly exclaimed, his closed eyes snapping open, incomparably shocked.

His words also caused the other nearby experts to open their eyes, revealing shock and disbelief.

For a time, this place even fell silent.

And Gu Changge also found the puppet core, silently ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠storing it into his Internal World.

He too opened his eyes and sighed lightly. “This residual battle aura is exactly the same as that of Ye Ling when he fought me back then. The two seem to share the same origin.”

This went without saying—many old antiques had also sensed it. They clearly had some understanding of the Taboo Demonic Arts and wouldn’t misjudge the aura.

In the sky, more and more cultivators arrived, and the atmosphere ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grew heavy.

Seeing this, Gu Changge’s expression carried a meaningful smile. This black pot had been temporarily hung in place.