The Peace Covenant — Could He Be Plotting Against This Old Man?
The Peace Covenant — Could He Be Plotting Against This Old Man?
For the current Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, aside from the few great domains that had yet to fall, nearly every other domain was now engulfed in the flames of war every single day.
The news of the Blood Dragon War God Clan’s annihilation spread everywhere at the first moment, triggering enormous shockwaves.
Countless clans trembled in fear for their own safety, sinking into panic and unease, terrified that one day they would see the Beyond’s army come slaughtering toward them.
Even the Blood Dragon War God Clan, with its profoundly deep foundations, could not withstand the iron cavalry of the Beyond—what chance did powers like theirs have of resisting?
Places like the Great Cloud Domain and the Crimson Shack Domain were shrouded in a pall of gloom.
Countless Cultivators and living beings worried and despaired, feeling that all before their eyes was darkness, without the slightest glimmer of hope.
Hong long long!!
Every day, the heavens erupted with terrifying commotion. Legions of iron cavalry swept through the lands like cosmic torrents, carrying sky-piercing baleful aura.
And it was during this period that a shocking piece of news suddenly burst forth from Sky Deer City, sweeping across the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains like a colossal wave, setting off monstrous billows.
Some Cultivators said that Gu Changge was unwilling to commit further slaughter. After conquering Sky Deer City, the current Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains no longer posed any threat to the Beyond.
Therefore, he wished to preserve peace between the two realms, and intended to discuss the matter of a Peace Covenant with the leaders of the various clans.
Once this news spread, although it caused enormous sensation,
the beings of the various clans of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains held an attitude of disbelief, feeling that Gu Changge could not possibly do such a thing.
This news was merely a rumor. After the Beyond had painstakingly schemed to conquer Sky Deer City, how could they simply let them off so easily?
Moreover, even if Gu Changge wanted to do this, would the other orthodoxies and powers of the Beyond agree? This was clearly impossible.
In the eyes of the vast majority of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains’ beings, Gu Changge was far more detestable than any other being of the Beyond. Anyone else might do such a thing—but Gu Changge alone could not.
Of course, it could not be denied that Gu Changge’s power made every one of them tremble with dread.
Hong!!
And on the second day after this news spread and fermented, a resplendent golden Commandment, like a war banner, tore through the sky from the depths of Sky Deer City. The World Barriers rumbled, splitting open heaven and earth as it ascended into the cosmos.
Its vast might swept across all above and below. Every mountain range trembled, and even the stars beyond the domains shifted from their positions.
That golden Commandment contained unimaginable mighty power. The divine script written upon it shone like stars, dazzling and brilliant, illuminating the Eight Wastelands, shaking the entire universe.
Countless Cultivators and beings, sensing this terrifying fluctuation, felt their very souls tremble, unable to resist the urge to prostrate themselves in that direction.
Every ancient divine character had been imbued with great magic power, each one larger than a star, reflected upon the firmament, manifesting for all to see.
“This is...”
The supreme powerhouses of the various clans of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains had been vigilantly watching the movements around Sky Deer City all along.
The instant they saw this golden Commandment tear through the sky, every one of their hearts palpitated, their souls quivering uncontrollably.
“That is... a Commandment personally written by Gu Changge...”
“A peace covenant—how could this be real...”
“That news was actually true? He really intends to invite the leaders of all clans to discuss a Peace Covenant?”
“How is that possible? What exactly is Gu Changge’s goal?”
Subsequently, one ancient existence after another carefully studied the ancient divine script upon it, unable to keep from crying out in shock, their hearts trembling without end.
They read the words on the golden Commandment over once more, fearing they had missed a single character, and in the end were simply stunned frozen in place.
“Why exactly? What scheme is Gu Changge playing at?”
They found it inconceivable, utterly difficult to believe.
Gu Changge actually truly intended to invite the leaders of all clans to come discuss this so-called Peace Covenant?
What exactly was Gu Changge’s objective?
Could they afford to believe Gu Changge?
When the golden Commandment tore through the sky, illuminating heaven and earth, announcing this matter,
the countless powers and Cultivators within the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains felt boundless shock at the first moment, followed immediately by disbelief and utter bewilderment.
At this critical juncture, with the flames of war raging, Gu Changge suddenly issued a Commandment to discuss a Peace Covenant?
No matter how one looked at it, this reeked of a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken—harboring ill intentions.
Previously, many had doubted the truth of this matter, but the moment the news was confirmed, they were instead frozen in place, completely unable to comprehend it.
Yet for many Cultivators and ordinary beings, this was like catching sight of a flame in the dark of night—suddenly glimpsing hope.
After all, those standing at different levels naturally considered different things.
The higher-ups of some great clans considered another layer of this matter, feeling certain that Gu Changge harbored ill intentions.
This was an open and aboveboard overt scheme—likewise, a Hongmen Banquet.
If they accepted the invitation and went, they might very well be caught in one net and die miserable deaths within.
Could Gu Changge’s words be trusted?
Many people’s impression of Gu Changge still lingered on that young man outside Sky Deer City who looked refined and elegant, yet whose methods were utterly terrifying.
But there was no doubt that within the vast Beyond,
it would be hard to find any young person comparable to Gu Changge. The might and power he possessed were simply not something his peers could touch.
Now, with Gu Changge personally writing a Commandment to invite the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, this looked even more like a signal.
Compared to the higher-ups of the various clans, the ordinary Cultivators and beings thought completely differently.
They had suddenly glimpsed hope. Naturally, they did not wish to suffer slaughter at the hands of the Beyond.
If there truly was a Peace Covenant, they would unquestionably, absolutely agree to it at the first moment.
Having experienced the horrors of great war, they longed all the more for this world to settle into peace, for all clans to multiply and thrive, for ten thousand races to flourish side by side.
If what Gu Changge promised was true, then they would naturally support it with all their might.
For a time, every corner of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, and even many orthodoxies and powers of the Beyond, were thrown into uproar over Gu Changge’s issuance of the Commandment.
“This grand banquet shall be held in Sky Deer City. What do you think?”
Within a grand and ancient palace,
Gu Changge chuckled softly, reaching out to brush across the lustrous, fair, lovely face before him.
The Sky Deer Goddess stood before him, dressed in a flawless white gown, her dark tresses dancing.
Her features were exquisitely beautiful, cold and ethereal.
“Where it is held makes no difference. That depends on Gongzi Gu’s wishes.”
Her gaze was somewhat complicated as she said, “Does Gongzi Gu intend to catch them all in one net, or does he truly intend to establish a Peace Covenant?”
When the Sky Deer Goddess learned that Gu Changge intended to set up a Hongmen Banquet, she had been immensely shocked.
It had to be said—this held unimaginable allure for the various clans of the Beyond’s enemy territories. Like moths to a flame, even knowing that survival ahead was slim, they would still come throwing themselves in.
Although she no longer intended to meddle in the Beyond’s affairs, she still felt somewhat unable to bear it.
If it truly was moths to a flame, then that would be giving everyone hope first, only to crush that hope to pieces right before their eyes.
How cruel, truly.
Given her understanding of Gu Changge, he really was capable of doing such a thing.
“Do you want me to catch them all in one net, or give them this Peace Covenant?” Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled faintly and asked.
“If I wished it, would Gongzi act according to my wishes?” The Sky Deer Goddess looked at him with her eyes.
“No.”
Gu Changge smiled, gently lifting a strand of dark hair beside her cheek, and said, “But you can take a guess. If you guess right, perhaps I’ll have a reward for you.”
The Sky Deer Goddess shook her head. “How could I ever fathom Gongzi Gu’s thoughts?”
“I don’t like hearing that. You make it sound as though we’re strangers.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly, his gaze turning toward outside the palace, waiting for the most opportune moment.
“I too would like my relationship with Gongzi Gu to go a step further. It’s a pity that Gongzi Gu trusts no one in his heart...”
Hearing these words, the Sky Deer Goddess felt some indescribable emotion in her heart and could not help shaking her head gently.
She knew that someone like Gu Changge could almost never open his heart to another, let alone trust her even slightly.
Even now, with Sky Deer City fallen and the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains no longer posing the slightest threat,
he was still the same.
“It’s not that I trust no one. It’s just that you haven’t reached that level yet.”
Gu Changge laughed casually at these words, neither confirming nor denying.
He was no so-called sage, no paragon of virtue like Liuxia Hui. If not for the Nine Mysteries Yearning Physique, with meat delivered right to his lips, what reason would he have not to eat it?
But until this Nine Mysteries Yearning Physique was resolved, Gu Changge had no wish to add another shackle binding his life and death.
In his eyes, chess pieces and tools were, in truth, not much different.
Although the Sky Deer Goddess was unlikely to betray him now, in Gu Changge’s eyes she was still not much different from a chess piece.
He did not consider himself a heartless and unrighteous person—merely more rational and clear-headed than most, in many matters.
Whether someone was worthy of his trust or not did not depend on him, but on the other person.
The Sky Deer Goddess felt more submission toward him than anything. If he lacked his current might and power, how could she have submitted so readily?
Although this comparison was not entirely apt, the fact remained as such.
Yue Mingkong, Jiang Chuchu, Gu Xianer—they were naturally another matter. To Gu Changge, they were, after all, different from everyone else.
“I understand. In that case, I shall give the orders now and have the people in the city begin preparations.”
The Sky Deer Goddess nodded, said nothing more, then left the palace to instruct her subordinates to prepare for this Hongmen Banquet.
Although Sky Deer City had now fallen into the Beyond’s territory, she still wielded authority within the city that ordinary people could hardly match.
Of course, most of this was thanks to Gu Changge’s status.
Watching the Sky Deer Goddess depart, Gu Changge shook his head lightly and smiled, his expression remaining largely untroubled.
He knew what the Sky Deer Goddess was thinking. But for her, being able to protect Sky Deer City from being destroyed in this great war, from being reduced to ashes, was already a fortunate outcome.
She was very clever, and would not meddle excessively in this matter.
“The time is about right. That First Mountain Elder’s whereabouts should be revealed to the world now.”
Subsequently, Gu Changge summoned his clansmen and had them pass down orders to call out across the distance to that First Mountain Elder.
At the same time, after a moment’s thought, his figure left the palace and headed toward the dungeon.
For this Hongmen Banquet, to show sincerity, Gu Changge intended to first release the Second Mountain Elder and Luo Ying.
Of course, this “release” did not mean truly setting them free, but rather using them as hostages to coerce the First Mountain Elder, Xiao Yang, and the others into agreeing.
At the same time, with this bargaining chip in hand, he could also let the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains know that in this overt scheme, they had no room to refuse.
Hundreds of millions of li away from Sky Deer City.
Colossal Palace City was one of the most magnificent and ancient divine cities within the Great Cloud Domain.
Colorful mists swirled, rosy clouds shone brilliantly, immortal light lingered, numerous Mystic Mountains and immortal peaks stood, irises and orchids wafted fragrance, and spirit vines coiled around walls.
And in recent days, as the news spread, it stirred enormous waves in this place.
Among the most prosperous towers and palaces, azure light swirled, shrouding the firmament to guard against prying eyes from the Beyond.
A small banquet was currently being held here.
Those attending this banquet were all prominent, influential figures of the various clans of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. They had originally intended to discuss how they were to survive under the current disastrous circumstances.
But because of Gu Changge’s issuance of the Commandment, they had no choice but to change the topic of discussion.
White mist curled, colored clouds flowed, divine radiance pulsed in waves, and moving immortal music sounded. Graceful figures came and went among the banquet, long sleeves dancing, lithe and elegant.
Compared to the war-torn world outside, this place was rather refined and peaceful, with dancing girls moving to and fro.
At this moment, a tall figure entirely shrouded in chaotic mist, hailing from the Domain Ruler’s clan of the Great Cloud Domain,
sat behind the banquet table, gently swirling his wine cup as he analyzed, “Without a doubt, this is an overt scheme by Gu Changge. The so-called Peace Covenant is false—it’s nothing more than a ploy to gather the people of our various clans in one place and catch them all in one net.”
“The so-called amnesty and peace is merely a means to win over the common beings. His true goal is still to eliminate us.”
“It must be said, this brat is not only terrifying in strength, his methods also emerge one after another endlessly. Now that this Commandment has been issued, I fear that in the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, there is no being or Cultivator whose heart won’t be moved.”
“And now even that First Mountain Elder of the Nine Great Mountains has been targeted by him. Who knows whether the news is true or false—whether that First Mountain Elder has truly emerged into the world.”
His words won the agreement of many present. Their expressions were all somewhat grave, and some harbored other doubts in their hearts.
“Truly excellent methods. Yet the worst part is, we have no choice but to accept.”
“If we accept, we might die. But if we don’t accept, we will definitely die.”
The other great figures also voiced their agreement one after another, their expressions ugly, tinged with unwillingness.
What was an overt scheme? It was something everyone could see through, yet still could not refuse.
Gu Changge’s actions, in their eyes, were exactly that—painting a big, beautiful pie for everyone.
If they did not wish to walk the path of the Blood Dragon War God Clan’s annihilation, they could only do as Gu Changge demanded.
One had to know that what everyone in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains craved most right now was to live in peace.
Every day they could hear news of some clan being exterminated by the Beyond’s iron cavalry—it was enough to make one’s heart quake with fear.
At a time like this, for Gu Changge to suddenly extend such an invitation—how could it not stir people’s hearts?
On the other side of this tower, in a corner, sat several figures.
A blind, white-robed old man, possessing something of an immortal’s bearing, his entire being seemingly merged into this stretch of heaven and earth—Natural Dao Principles incarnate.
The several people beside him were none other than Xiao Yang, Gu Wudi, and the others.
“This Hongmen Banquet appears to be set specifically for the various clans...”
“However, this Gu Changge actually knows that I have already emerged, calling out to me across the distance. I wonder what abacus he’s playing with.”
“Could he be plotting against this old man?”
Hearing the conversations around them, the blind white-robed old man shook his head. Though his words were calm, they could not quite conceal a trace of puzzlement.
The expressions of those beside him were equally grave.
Especially Xiao Yang. The First Mountain Elder had originally been leading them to seek out the Blood Dragon War God Clan, then unite with the other clans to find a way to rescue Luo Feng together.
But before they had even found the Blood Dragon War God Clan’s ancestral grounds, they heard the news that the clan had been annihilated by the army Gu Changge led.
It left him horrified, his scalp tingling numb.
Every move Gu Changge made seemed to anticipate what they were going to do, completely sealing off the road ahead of them, leaving them not the slightest way out.
If not for the First Mountain Elder at his side, he feared he would truly have fallen into despair.
Looking at it this way, it seemed more like all of them were being led by the nose by Gu Changge.
As things stood now, they could only first find a way to unite the strength of the various clans, then discuss how to rescue the Second Mountain Elder, Luo Ying, and the others.
Otherwise, this entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains would fall into Gu Changge’s palm, and the consequences would be unthinkable.
“Looking at it this way, for this Hongmen Banquet, this old man has no choice but to attend.”
Although the First Mountain Elder was blind, he saw many things with piercing clarity. After pondering carefully for a while, he felt this matter could work.
Although this was Gu Changge’s overt scheme inviting everyone in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, for him it was also a golden opportunity not to be missed—a chance to win over all the forces of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains at this very moment.
In that case, he was not entirely without a chance.