It Was Just a Smokescreen—Suddenly, the Clouds Parted to Reveal the Sun
It Was Just a Smokescreen—Suddenly, the Clouds Parted to Reveal the Sun
“It means nothing much. I won’t meddle in the Demon World’s affairs, but when it comes to Yao Xi’s matters, I do intend to have a say.”
“After all, I, Gu, am a good man who delights in helping others.
How could I stand by and watch you bully the weak and take advantage of someone in peril...”
Gu Changge said with a smile.
“Gu Changge, you’d best not bring ruin upon yourself. As a member of the younger generation, many matters are not... something you can meddle in just because you want to.”
Night Demon’s expression darkened. He couldn’t figure out what Gu Changge meant by those words, but that didn’t stop him from understanding that Gu Changge was dead set on interfering in the Demon World’s affairs.
Meddling in Yao Xi’s affairs—wasn’t that the same as meddling in the Demon World’s affairs? What was the difference? Did he really think that being the young master of a Longevity Family meant he could stick his nose into everything?
Jun Fan had been watching this side all along. Seeing this scene, the cold sneer in his heart deepened.
He knew Gu Changge’s strength was immense, far beyond what he could currently match, but Uncle Ye still had a Nirvana Grade Artifact in hand—the Solar Heavenly Blade! With Sacred Emperor Realm power combined with the Solar Heavenly Blade, the might it could unleash—unless a true Quasi-Nirvana Realm existence appeared, who could contend against it? And what he was betting on was... that this time, on Gu Changge’s trip to the Demon World, that mysterious guardian was not by his side.
If he lost the bet, he needn’t worry either—he had already planned his escape route. It would just be a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.
“It seems you’re hell-bent on seeking death.”
“I said it—Yao Xi is not someone you can touch, even if she once slaughtered your entire family.”
Hearing Night Demon’s words, Gu Changge couldn’t help but shake his head slightly, his tone still calm and breezy. “If you seal away... your cultivation right now and kneel to beg for mercy, perhaps in a moment I might spare your life.”
“You...”
Hearing this, the veins on Night Demon’s forehead nearly bulged and throbbed. He had never seen someone so arrogant and insolent.
His cultivation realm was far inferior, yet he acted so brazenly, as if he already held Night Demon’s life in his grasp.
Hearing these words, Jun Fan also felt a surge of anger rise in his heart, his expression turning ugly. “Damn it, this guy is truly insufferable! To humiliate Uncle Ye like this!”
And as his words fell, Gu Changge made his move. With a raise of his hand, a peerless immortal sword—seemingly condensed from countless laws—instantly descended, slashing toward Night Demon.
Five-colored divine light shot into the sky, sword qi vast and boundless, as if formed from countless stars, submerging the heavens.
This power was too vast and terrifying, causing everyone’s expression to change, their souls trembling—it was no longer something mortal strength could resist.
Any living being facing such fluctuations would instantly be reduced to dust.
“You...”
The pupils of Night Demon, clad in black dark-gold divine armor, shrank slightly. He hadn’t expected Gu Changge to strike first, attacking from above the heavens.
In his hand appeared a black long saber, seemingly forged from Immortal Divine Gold, exuding a supreme aura as it slashed forward.
The motion wasn’t fast, yet it produced the sacred sound of the Heavenly Path, instantly crossing endless space.
“This is... the resonance of the Great Dao, the harmonious sound of magic power piercing the universe!”
“This is the might of a Nirvana Grade Artifact!”
Every great figure of the Demon World felt their hairs stand on end. This was the Principle of Dao that could slay all living beings, something only a Forbidden Existence could display.
“The Solar Heavenly Blade... how is it in his hands...”
Even Empress Yao Xi’s expression changed.
The resonance of the Great Dao had only ever appeared in the most ancient legends—it was power belonging to the Nirvana Realm. And now, they were truly witnessing it.
Between heaven and earth, terrifying projections emerged, coming from an unspeakable place, as if they were the supreme auras of Nirvana Realm existences locked in battle.
Within it, the Great Dao resonated, suppressed to the utmost, cascading down in thousands upon thousands of strands.
Dragons soared, phoenixes danced, divine sounds sharp as blades, seeking to slaughter all living beings! Yet all of this was merely the accompanying sacred sound of the Heavenly Path, containing endless terror.
The true killing move was still that... Black Heaven Saber, which instantly pierced through the heavens, as if crossing numerous spaces, and in the blink of an eye slashed to just before Gu Changge’s brow.
The sky collapsed and the earth split; ten thousand ages turned to ash.
Too terrifying! Seeing this scene, even the Quelling Chaos King and the others, who had already become Perfect Prodigies, felt their hearts palpitate in horror.
This was a spiritual will that made all living beings and existences tremble.
This saber strike was accompanied by countless black threads—each one a law, each wisp enough to slay a Perfect Prodigy, or even a Sacred Emperor! Thousands upon thousands of strands converged upon the black blade, concentrating toward Gu Changge’s forehead bone.
One could imagine how terrifying this attack was—time and space were severed, a vacuum of the Heavenly Path appeared, indestructible and unstoppable.
Even the immortal sword condensed in Gu Changge’s hand couldn’t help but shatter at this moment. They simply weren’t on the same level.
“Clang...!”
But in the next instant, a peerless heavenly sound rang out. A golden nine-story pagoda emerged, as if cast from divine gold, bearing the might to suppress the world, overwhelmingly powerful.
It swiftly appeared behind Gu Changge, cascading down vast, boundless golden order—each strand of golden order indestructible.
The saber strike fell upon it, emitting a terrifying tremor, yet caused no damage whatsoever. Gu Changge stood unmoved—not even his robes were stirred.
Gu Changge’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke indifferently, “You can’t even break through my defense. What means do you have left to deal with me?”
“This is...”
“The legendary Tower of World Domination?”
“How is it in your hands!”
Night Demon’s expression changed drastically. Feeling the tremor transmitted from the Solar Heavenly Blade, his arm nearly spasmed, his bones shaking violently.
After all, he was not a true Nirvana Realm existence and could hardly unleash the Solar Heavenly Blade’s true power.
As for the Tower of World Domination before Gu Changge, legend said it was an artifact of the Immortal Palace, possessing the power to suppress Fortuity—heavy and majestic, indestructible.
Some even said it was a true Immortal Grade Artifact! Even if Gu Changge couldn’t fully activate it, protecting himself for a short while was effortless.
The other great figures of the Demon World were also horrified at this moment. In that instant of collision, that peerless heavenly sound alone had nearly shattered their souls.
They dared not imagine how powerful one would have to be to face this saber strike head-on.
And now Gu Changge was not only completely unharmed, he even had the capacity to employ other means! This strength was simply unfathomable. Even if the Tower of World Domination could protect him, without powerful magic power to support it, it would all be empty talk.
“So the Tower of World Domination fell into his hands...”
“Just how many... trump cards is he still hiding?”
Empress Yao Xi’s heart was also greatly shaken. Just moments ago, she had wanted to call out, warning Gu Changge to be careful.
But it seemed her worry had been entirely unnecessary.
Gu Changge’s means exceeded her imagination.
She estimated that even in her prime, before being poisoned, using every means at her disposal, she would likely still not be Gu Changge’s match.
His strength lay in the fact that no one knew where his bottom line was—which layer was his true power.
“How is this possible... how did the Tower of World Domination end up in Gu Changge’s hands?” Jun Fan’s expression was ugly, his brows tightly furrowed. He took out another... jade talisman hidden in his sleeve and quietly sent a message to the others, telling them to act quickly.
Gu Changge had become the greatest variable.
He had factored Gu Changge in from the start, but he hadn’t expected Gu Changge to possess so many means, nor that he would insist on protecting Yao Xi.
“Have Uncle Ye hold Gu Changge off, while the rest of you take this opportunity to...”
Jun Fan’s eyes flickered slightly as he instructed the others through the Communication Rune.
The battle below the Sacred Mountain’s peak was also incomparably brutal. Everyone was fighting, slaughter reaching the heavens, corpses piling up.
Soon, the great battle between Gu Changge and Night Demon erupted once more.
Gu Changge manifested a ten-thousand-zhang dharma body, as if formed from the Great Dao itself, radiating infinitely profound fluctuations—it was the Divine Talent from that Great Dao Bone of Gu Xianer’s.
“Just hold him off...”
Having received Jun Fan’s message, Night Demon now understood how troublesome Gu Changge was. His eyes flickered, and his figure shot up into the sky.
“Planning to stall me?”
Gu Changge smiled. That suited him perfectly—many of his methods were inconvenient to display in front of others.
Wasn’t this Night Demon simply courting death?
“All of you, protect Empress Yao Xi well. If she loses so much as a single hair, you needn’t bother reporting back to me.”
He instructed Tian Ze and the others.
“Yes, Master. Rest assured, we will protect Empress Yao Xi well.”
Though Tian Ze and the others looked fierce and menacing, their strength was not to be underestimated—they had all once been great bandits who dominated their regions, with slaughter beyond measure.
Then, Gu Changge’s figure vanished from where he stood, his ten-thousand-zhang dharma body evolving, the void trembling, his speed reaching the extreme.
The two of them charged out of this place and arrived in the outer realm, where the most terrifying battle erupted.
Within a radius of tens of millions of li, there was nothing but desolation—withered stars, shattered continents, lifeless stellar remains.
“Gu Changge, why do you insist on aiding a tyrant? Empress Yao Xi’s methods are cruel, incurring the wrath of both heaven and men. If the vast Demon World remains in her hands, it will sooner or later be destroyed.”
Having reached the outer realm, Night Demon also breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He had no intention of actually fighting Gu Changge, which was why he spoke up now, planning to stall him and buy the others a chance to assassinate Empress Yao Xi.
“What does it matter to me whether the Demon World is destroyed or not?”
“I already said I won’t meddle in the Demon World’s affairs. What becomes of your Demon World doesn’t interest me in the slightest.”
Gu Changge said casually, “If you’re thinking of continuing to stall for time, there’s really no need for all this.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Night Demon frowned. The dark-gold divine armor on his body flowed with radiance, exuding an immortal aura, as if it could withstand a thousand autumns and ten thousand ages.
“Because you’re about to die very soon.”
Gu Changge said. At the same time, the Tower of World Domination flashed, descending from above his head to land on his shoulder.
“Arrogant. To actually put away even the Tower of World Domination—you really underestimate me.”
Night Demon sneered. He hadn’t expected Gu Changge to be this arrogant, putting away the Tower of World Domination first thing upon reaching the outer realm.
Just how much confidence did he have in his own strength?
“That was just a smokescreen earlier. I didn’t want to cause too much of a sensation. Did you really think I needed to rely on a weapon to defend myself?”
Gu Changge spoke unhurriedly, seemingly laughing with a hint of mockery.
The next moment, monstrous demonic qi suddenly surged from his hand. It was a great halberd, seemingly cast from flawless black crystal, exuding a terrifying aura that could destroy ten thousand ages and slaughter all heavens.
“What is this...”
“An ominous aura.”
Night Demon’s expression changed slightly as he sensed something was wrong.
It was an intense feeling of danger, as if his soul were being frozen and cracked, ready to be sliced apart at any moment by that halberd surging with demonic qi.
At this moment, the Solar Heavenly Blade in his hand also seemed to sense the danger, reviving as if awakening—its aura shaking the heavens, divine radiance swirling around it, its edge razor-sharp, black light gleaming brilliantly. It was a strike of absolute power.
“You’re about to die, and you still ask so many questions?”
Gu Changge’s expression remained utterly calm. With a single step, the void blurred, and he instantly vanished from where he stood. The Eight Barren Demon Halberd swept down, and the nearby star field exploded in an instant.
The terrifying fluctuations caused the Solar Heavenly Blade to emit a dreadful cracking sound, as if it could no longer hold up.
“Wah...”
Night Demon was instantly grievously wounded. He grunted, coughing up blood, his five viscera in agony. The hand gripping the Solar Heavenly Blade nearly split apart.
This was destructive power—any level of existence before it could only be reduced to dust.
At this moment, his face was filled with horror. He could hardly believe it—why did Gu Changge still possess such means?! Even he, wielding the Solar Heavenly Blade, was far from being his match!
Weng!!!
In the next instant, Gu Changge walked toward him, chaos-like grey mist spreading as he approached, enveloping the surroundings.
Heaven and earth withered, all things fell deathly silent, sinking into eternal annihilation.
A pitch-black Grand Flask, dripping black light, rose and fell above his head, like a black hole devouring all heavens, radiating a soul-stealing terror.
“How is this possible...”
“You’re actually the Successor of Demonic Arts!”
Seeing this scene, Night Demon finally reacted, his expression changing drastically, turning deathly pale.
He recognized Gu Changge’s identity.
This filled him with despair. He couldn’t believe it—how could Gu Changge be the Successor of Demonic Arts?! It was simply hair-raising, enough to make one’s skull explode.
He raised his hand, pouring all his power into the Solar Heavenly Blade, attempting to break out of this place.
The saber light split the heavens, saber-path laws flowing within it.
Gu Changge’s expression remained unchanged. The Eight Barren Demon Halberd swept down, the void exploded, as if even the universe itself had ruptured, cleaved in two.
Then, grey mist surged to the heavens here, enveloping all the star fields. Hair-raising, horrifying screams rang out, before slowly fading into silence.
At the peak of the Sacred Mountain, as Gu Changge and Night Demon’s figures charged into the outer realm...
More assassins instantly flooded in, their strength formidable. Many prodigies fell victim to their vicious hands, utterly unable to resist for even a moment.
For a time, the sounds of slaughter soared to the heavens here. Everyone brought out their weapons, fighting desperately.
“I’ve already sent word to the imperial palace’s army. They’ll arrive very soon.”
Empress Yao Xi’s expression was calm, not the least bit flustered.
It was true that she couldn’t use her magic power, but the sheer terror of her physique alone was not something ordinary people could approach.
Not to mention the many experts Gu Changge had left by her side.
This assassination attempt would ultimately come to an end.
During that brief moment of contemplation just now, she had actually already figured out who by her side had betrayed her.
This filled her with fury, but even more so with a bone-deep chill.
It seemed a major reshuffling of her trusted confidants was in order.
Before this, she had never imagined that the confidant she had raised since childhood, the one she trusted most, would one day betray her—and poison her meals.
Even now, she still remembered how she had rescued her from the jaws of a great demon back then, and how she had taught her the ways of cultivation.
Centuries of companionship were still vivid in her mind.
And in the end, this was how she repaid her.
“So that’s what Gu Changge meant by ’naive’ back then. It seems he noticed long ago...”
A self-mocking smile touched Empress Yao Xi’s lips. This was no longer a matter of the person involved being blind to the truth—she had simply been too stupid.
And now, she began pondering another question. If Jun Bufan was not dead, where exactly was he hiding now?
Had he changed his appearance, or was he living under an assumed name?
But one thing Empress Yao Xi could be certain of—Jun Bufan was definitely behind this assassination.
The Solar Heavenly Blade was... the best proof.
Six thousand years ago, her mother, the Lunar Demon Overlord, disappeared, leaving behind only her weapon and a simple letter.
The letter’s contents were simple too—telling her... that the Demon World was about to fall into great chaos, leaving the weapon for her protection, and telling her to make her own plans.
If not for the letter’s contents, she would never have come this far.
So the Solar Heavenly Blade must have ultimately been left by the Solar Demon Overlord to his own son.
“It seems I’ve fallen into a misconception. Because the corpse in Jun Bufan’s tomb disappeared, I believed he had faked his death and hadn’t truly died, merely hiding somewhere even now.”
“But what if this was his deliberate misdirection? Deliberately leading me to suspect in this direction? What if he had actually died back then, but before the Solar Demon Overlord disappeared, he remolded his soul and had him reincarnate with his original memories intact? Is that why I’ve never been able to find Jun Bufan?”
Empress Yao Xi’s eyes couldn’t help but narrow, and suddenly she felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun.
“Could it be that after all my scheming, I’m actually going to fail...”
And just as Empress Yao Xi grasped a certain key point, Jun Fan’s expression grew extremely ugly.
Although he was also fighting among the crowd, he had been constantly watching the battle in the outer realm, hoping to see Uncle Ye suppress Gu Changge and rush over here.
Uncle Ye was his greatest reliance at present.
If Uncle Ye made a move, Empress Yao Xi would absolutely have no chance of survival.
But right now, Uncle Ye was locked in battle with Gu Changge, temporarily held up there and unable to break free.
He had underestimated the forces on Empress Yao Xi’s side. Although he had sent many experts to kill their way in, they had all ultimately died miserable deaths at the Sacred Mountain’s peak, utterly unable to harm her.
And once the imperial palace’s army arrived, the situation would instantly reverse—many would be unable to escape.
Thinking of this, though Jun Fan was unwilling, he could only grit his teeth and send word for everyone to retreat.
In this assassination attempt, the person he had most underestimated was still Gu Changge.
If not for Gu Changge, this assassination would have gone off without a single hitch. But Gu Changge’s strength and means were absurdly powerful.
“Everyone, retreat. Don’t linger.”
Then, Jun Fan took a deep breath and sent word to his many subordinates.
He also began planning his next move. To simply let Empress Yao Xi go like this—he was absolutely unwilling.
Fortunately, throughout this assassination, he had remained behind the scenes and never truly revealed himself.
As such, he was still safe for the time being—no one would suspect him.
He remained in the shadows, while Empress Yao Xi remained in the light.
“Qing Zhu, I’m sorry...”
Jun Fan glanced at Qing Zhu in the distance, her face somewhat pale, and felt a pang of grief in his heart.
Right now, the one most likely to expose his identity was... Qing Zhu, by Empress Yao Xi’s side.
But to preserve his identity in this life, he could only... wrong her.
And as Jun Fan gave the order, the many assassins exchanged glances and fled toward the outside of the mountain range one after another, choosing to withdraw.
In the distance, the vast imperial palace army finally arrived, their killing intent soaring to the heavens as they began the purge.
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