Sincerity Doesn't Seem to Be Something I Need to Consider — Do You Not Trust Me?
Sincerity Doesn’t Seem to Be Something I Need to Consider — Do You Not Trust Me?
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The leaders of the various clans and powers of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains sprang into action upon hearing the news. Some rode divine rainbows, others mounted clouds and mist, their momentum astonishing as they brought their attendants or portions of their clansmen along, rushing toward Sky Deer City.
It could be said that this was a matter concerning the very survival of every clan — no one dared take it lightly.
In the eyes of many Cultivators and living beings, whether the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains would live or die depended entirely on the negotiations of this Peace Covenant.
For ordinary Cultivators and common folk, this banquet was treated as the sole ray of light in the darkness, carrying immeasurably great expectations.
In every ancient city across the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, countless Cultivators and beings could be seen discussing the matter, instructing their attendants to relay everything that happened at the banquet back to them in real time.
Everyone was paying the closest attention.
How vast were the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains?
In terms of territory, they stretched far beyond hundreds of millions of miles, and the number of living beings and Cultivators residing within could only be described as boundless — impossible to count.
This negotiation of the Peace Covenant drew the eyes of all. Their hearts were filled with hope, yet also with unease and tension.
At this moment, an incomparably grand and towering flying vessel, radiant with divine light and wreathed in immortal mist, was crossing the heavens like an immortal boat, traversing numerous territories as it flew toward Sky Deer City.
The vessel was enormous, like a continent suspended between heaven and earth, its surface covered with palaces and pavilions packed closely together.
Those aboard were the leaders of the most powerful and ancient families of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains — family heads, clan elders, and Founding Ancestors.
Aside from a few members of the younger generation, even the weakest among them was at the Sacred Emperor Realm. In the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains before the war with the Beyond, they had held heaven-toppling authority — a single stamp of their foot could trigger an earthquake.
There were the Domain Masters of the Ten Domains, the Wasteland Leaders of the Eight Wastelands, and the patriarchs of the three remaining War God Clans — the Vermilion Bird, the Black Tortoise, and the White Tiger.
It was no exaggeration to say that the people aboard this vessel controlled the lifeline of the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. They were the handful standing at the very peak.
“The Sky Deer City of today is no longer the Sky Deer City of before. Ever since the Sky Deer Goddess surrendered to Gu Changge, although she still governs the city, it no longer has much to do with the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.”
“So do not expect that traitor, the Sky Deer Goddess, to aid us when the time comes.”
At this moment, an ancient existence spoke. His entire body was shrouded in boundless mist, his features lean and sharp, his gaze exceptionally bright, as though he could see through every secret in the world.
He came from a hidden family of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains and was a True Daoist. He had never appeared during the previous war between the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains and the Beyond.
Only today had he emerged into the world.
Around him were quite a few ancient beings of similar status, but they all remained silent and did not speak.
“That traitor, the Sky Deer Goddess!”
At the mention of the Sky Deer Goddess, anger and contempt surfaced in the eyes of many present.
Someone even sneered outright, “Still, she’s clever. Now that she’s latched onto Gu Changge, not only has she preserved Sky Deer City, even her status has risen with the tide. Even the other Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages of the Beyond wouldn’t dare slight or offend her.”
“Unlike us, who must constantly stay on guard against the Beyond’s armies, bowing and scraping, living under the Beyond’s shadow.”
Though he spoke thus, the sourness in his tone was impossible to hide.
In the eyes of many, the Sky Deer Goddess’s greatest advantage over everyone else was her devastating beauty — a rare, world-class allure.
Beyond that, what quality of hers could possibly have caught Gu Changge’s eye?
Unfortunately, that was an advantage they truly could not match.
Even so, the eyes of some ancient existences flickered as they swept over the clansmen behind them, searching for the most beautiful women among them.
Gu Changge had invited everyone to negotiate the Peace Covenant, but as to how exactly the negotiations would proceed, he had said nothing, and they had no idea.
So now, their hearts were deeply unsettled. Naturally, they hoped this matter would go smoothly, so that peace could return to the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.
If they could arrange for the most beautiful women of their clans to win Gu Changge’s favor, it would be yet another viable method.
“That’s... Fairy Qingyue...”
“She’s actually among those attending this meeting.”
Many were then taken aback, their gazes flickering as they looked toward a woman not far away — one of devastating beauty, toppling cities with her looks, exuding an otherworldly, cool elegance.
Without question, her beauty was the most outstanding among all present.
Compared to her, the other divine maidens were noticeably dimmer, impossible to place on the same level.
However, Fairy Qingyue’s identity left many with strange expressions, finding it somewhat hard to believe — why would she appear here?
Zhao Yunze, who had died in battle before Sky Deer City some time ago, had been very close to her. There were even rumors that the two had intended to become engaged, planning to wed before Sky Deer City fell.
Yet Zhao Yunze had been slain by Gu Changge’s own hand, dying miserably at Sky Deer City.
Many had heard that Fairy Qingyue had been so heartbroken she nearly fainted dead away. And now she had actually appeared here — and from the looks of her, she seemed to have already emerged from her grief.
“To walk out of the shadows so quickly in the face of all this — as expected of Fairy Qingyue.” Many sighed inwardly with admiration, though they didn’t think too deeply about it.
After all, as Zhao Yunze’s beloved, Fairy Qingyue’s own strength was not to be underestimated in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains — she could be called a heroine among women.
At Fairy Qingyue’s side stood another figure, his face rather aged, white hair at his temples — none other than the current Domain Master of the Great Cloud Domain.
Zhao Yunze’s father.
As the Great Cloud Domain Master, his feud with Gu Changge could only be described as irreconcilable.
His most valued son, Zhao Yunze, had been forcefully slain by Gu Changge before Sky Deer City, in full view of the countless armies of both worlds.
That was a debt he had kept firmly in mind.
But now, vengeance had become a distant, hopeless prospect. For the survival of the entire Great Cloud Domain, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and temporarily set aside this hatred, leading his clansmen toward Sky Deer City.
“Uncle, rest assured. Qingyue knows what she’s doing regarding this matter. I understand what must be done.” Fairy Qingyue’s face was calm as she nodded gently.
Because of Zhao Yunze, the Great Cloud Domain Master and Fairy Qingyue were clearly quite familiar with each other.
Toward this woman who was practically his daughter-in-law-to-be, he was naturally very fond.
Hearing her words now, his expression grew complicated — mostly heartache — and in the end it all turned into a long sigh.
“Ah... If only I hadn’t let Yunze join that battle back then, how would things have come to this? It is I, your Uncle, who has wronged you both,” the Great Cloud Domain Master sighed.
At his words, Fairy Qingyue shook her head. “Yunze told me that if he could die in battle beyond the realm, it would be a fitting end for him. As the Young Master of the Great Cloud Domain, his life was destined to be lived guarding the Great Cloud Domain.”
Those words touched the Great Cloud Domain Master’s heart, and he sighed again, his face seeming to age several more years.
“Must you really do this?”
He seemed to be asking himself as much as he was asking Fairy Qingyue across from him.
“At this point, Qingyue has no other choice.” Fairy Qingyue did not answer directly, her expression calm.
“Don’t be so pessimistic. What if there’s still a turn for the better? Even an existence like the First Mountain Elder has emerged into the world — we may not be without a chance at survival. Unless we reach the very last step, your Uncle truly doesn’t want you to do this...”
The Great Cloud Domain Master sighed, his gaze turning toward a spot not far away.
There, an immortal-like, blind old man was speaking with the leaders of the great War God Clans, his tone calm and steady, without the slightest worry or unease about the Hongmen Banquet he was about to attend.
That bearing earned the Domain Master’s admiration, and his heart settled somewhat.
Soon, the flying vessel rumbled across the sky like crushing waves, emitting a tremendous commotion. In the blink of an eye it had crossed millions of miles, countless mountains, rivers, and great marshes rapidly falling behind.
Vast and boundless territories vanished swiftly beneath their feet.
Along the way, they could also see experts from other regions of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains leading their clansmen over.
Sky Deer City sat in the borderlands of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, adjacent to the Beyond’s territory — though that region had now been occupied by the Beyond.
The sea of fire that once raged there day and night had gradually subsided. Though the land remained remote and desolate, compared to the wartime days of old, it had gained a measure of vitality.
Sky Deer City, majestic as the spine of heaven and earth, stood towering in the borderlands. Stars hung low over the broad plains; the moon surged along the great river’s flow.
At this moment, a river of stars descended from the depths of the firmament, suffused with mysterious and profound radiance, scattering down upon Sky Deer City in incomparable splendor.
Great stars swirled around it like dust, vast and majestic.
Before the various flying vessels had even descended upon Sky Deer City, terrifying divine senses — each like a kingly ocean — swept over from all directions, domineering and unrestrained.
“It seems these are the clan leaders who have come in answer to Young Master Changge’s invitation.”
“Let them into the city.”
Their words held no ripple of emotion. After a brief exchange, they granted passage, and the heaven-high city gates rumbled open with a boom.
Clearly, behind those terrifying divine senses were Sky Deer City’s current gatekeepers, their cultivation unfathomable — the weakest among them at the True Daoist level.
After all, ever since Sky Deer City’s Grand Array had been breached, the city had few defensive measures left, so its gatekeepers had to be terrifyingly powerful.
This scene caused the faces of the arriving clan leaders and their clansmen to shift slightly.
Once upon a time, Sky Deer City had been no different from a Divine City in their hearts, holding supreme status. When had it ever been like this — needing permission and announcement just to enter the gates?
Moreover, once they entered Sky Deer City, if they wanted to escape, how would they do it?
“After several months, returning here again — everything has changed, though the place remains.”
“I wonder how Shifu is doing now.”
Xiao Yang followed silently behind the First Mountain Elder and the others, gazing at Sky Deer City before him, his feelings deeply conflicted.
Within the vast and boundless Sky Deer City, palaces and pavilions stretched without end, immortal islands and divine peaks rising in the distance — all of which now belonged to the Beyond.
The various Dao lineages and great sects had already divided the territory among themselves, each claiming their own grounds.
The negotiations for this Peace Covenant were being held in the Sky Deer Divine Hall within Sky Deer City.
At this moment, streaks of divine rainbows flashed across the city — experts of the Beyond’s various Dao lineages and great sects, who had also appeared, sizing up the clan leaders walking in from outside the city.
Their expressions, however, were full of mockery, like cats toying with mice, filling the hearts of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains’ people with unease.
Having come this far, they had no room or opportunity for regret. They could only walk this path to the end.
“Everyone, this way please. Since you’ve come to participate in the negotiations of this Peace Treaty, you are naturally honored guests of my Young Master.”
“Though the two worlds have warred for countless years and the hatred between them runs deep and tangled...”
“...my Young Master possesses a virtue that cherishes life and does not wish to commit further slaughter. This Peace Treaty is precisely my Young Master’s show of sincerity.”
On the great avenue within Sky Deer City, Gu Family experts who had received the news had long since arrived to meet them.
Their strength was terrifying, every one of them clad in battle armor, divine light blazing, exuding a fierce, domineering aura as though they had fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
The one speaking was a kindly-looking old man who appeared quite frail, as though a gust of wind could blow him away.
Yet his aura was such that no one present dared underestimate him — it was impossible to fathom.
He was at the very least a True Daoist, and his seniority was surely frightening.
“Young Master Gu is quite thoughtful. If Gu Changge truly wishes to stop this war, then he’d best stop playing tricks and show some sincerity.”
Hearing these words, none of the clan leaders of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains present spoke — they all turned in unison to look at the First Mountain Elder.
In their eyes now, the First Mountain Elder had plainly become their backbone.
The First Mountain Elder was unsurprised. He simply spoke calmly, asking Gu Changge to show the sincerity he ought to show.
They had come to this Hongmen Banquet having already cast life and death aside. If Gu Changge made a move at this juncture, it would be an unimaginably terrifying catastrophe for them.
Many of them might even perish miserably here.
“Sincerity — that sort of thing doesn’t seem to be something my Young Master needs to consider at the moment.”
Hearing this, the Gu Family True Daoist merely smiled faintly and led the way ahead, paying no mind to the thoughts of those present, entirely at ease.
His words immediately caused the faces of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains’ people to change, an ominous premonition rising within them.
Sincerity — indeed, at this point, it was not something Gu Changge needed to produce.
After all, the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains stood in an absolutely weak position. Barring accidents, it wouldn’t be long before they were completely conquered and overrun by the Beyond.
At a time like this, Gu Changge had stepped forward and offered them a chance at a Peace Treaty.
Whether to believe it or not was up to them.
Gu Changge had no need whatsoever — and no obligation — to make them believe.
For a moment, a shadow rose in everyone’s hearts. Knowing full well this was a Hongmen Banquet, that Gu Changge harbored ill intentions, they had still come for the sake of that last sliver of hope.
Could it be that before the banquet had even begun, Gu Changge was already baring his dagger?
The Sky Deer Divine Hall stood at the center of Sky Deer City, with an extremely broad plaza nearby.
Buddhist towers and halls stood in great numbers, and quite a few blurry figures could now be seen appearing there.
The cultivation of these blurry figures was immensely powerful — merely standing there, they caused the surrounding void to show signs of collapse.
“A sentry every five steps, a post every ten.”
“It seems this truly bodes ill.”
One Wasteland Leader, seeing this scene, couldn’t help shaking his head with a sigh, feeling that they had already ventured deep into the dragon’s pool and tiger’s den, with no path of retreat.
........0
Many couldn’t help but grow tense, their backs and palms drenched in cold sweat.
If things went wrong in a moment and the surrounding experts swarmed in, they wouldn’t even need to run — they’d likely die unnatural deaths in an instant.
Soon, led by the Gu Family experts, they crossed the plaza and entered the divine hall ahead.
The hall was vast, as though stepping into a small world.
The banquet had long been laid out, set with fine wines, spirit fruits, and the meat of rare and ferocious beasts, all glowing with lustrous light, radiant with rosy clouds and manifesting auspicious phenomena, exuding an aroma that set the mouth watering.
Beyond that, among the banquet tables were numerous women with graceful, willowy figures performing dances, immortal mist swirling around them, their movements enchanting — a feast for the eyes.
Within the Sky Deer Divine Hall, Gu Changge was dressed in black robes, exuding mystery and nobility.
His countenance was peerlessly handsome, bearing a faint smile as he waited at the head seat for the crowd.
Behind him stood the Sky Deer Goddess, though her face was veiled in light gauze, revealing only a pair of limpid, autumn-water eyes — serene and otherworldly.
Aside from them, there was no one else in the great hall.
This sight left the entering people of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains slightly stunned — it was different from what they had imagined.
Still, they guessed that Gu Changge had arranged for men to lie in wait in the shadows, needing only a single word from him to charge in instantly and take them down.
The life and death of the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains now rested in the hands of that young man before them, and this filled their hearts with complicated, indescribable emotions.
Xiao Yang’s expression was especially cold, his hatred impossible to conceal, the scene at the Nine Great Mountains surfacing once more in his mind.
The scene of his eldest senior sister having her skull pierced through by Gu Changge’s strike, body and soul annihilated, perishing in both form and spirit.
“Honored guests, please be seated.”
Gu Changge wore a smile, his gaze sweeping one by one over the arriving people of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, then he raised his wrist slightly in a gesture inviting them to sit.
“We have come to this meeting as you demanded. Gu Changge, we hope you will keep your word.”
A Wasteland Leader spoke in a deep voice. His appearance resembled a black bear, wisps of order and rules flowing over his body.
His strength was incomparably terrifying, his blood vitality rumbling like heavenly thunder, making eardrums buzz and nearly burst.
The other Wasteland Leaders and Domain Masters were also staring fixedly at Gu Changge at this moment, divine light flickering in their eyes, multicolored radiance interweaving.
They were all on high alert, not sitting down casually, worried that Gu Changge had some other trick up his sleeve.
“Everyone, rest assured. Since I, Gu, have invited the clans of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains to discuss great matters, I naturally will not move against you at a time like this.”
“Could it be that you all cannot trust me even in this small matter?”
Seeing this scene, Gu Changge merely smiled faintly, knowing full well what those present feared.
In truth, the moment everyone decided to come to this Hongmen Banquet, Gu Changge’s goal had already been achieved.
The First Mountain Elder, Xiao Yang, and those few War God Clans — they were his true targets.
Moreover, the Tree of Epoch was already in his hands, a fact that few in the entire Beyond yet knew. So rather than annihilating these great clans, it was better to make them useful to him.
Alive, they were worth far more to Gu Changge.
As for whether this move would harm the interests of the Beyond’s other Dao lineages and great sects — what did that have to do with him?
“I hope your words prove true.”
Though the First Mountain Elder was blind, nothing happening here could escape his perception.
He spoke calmly, then chose a seat and sat down, seemingly unworried about any tricks.
Seeing the First Mountain Elder take his seat, the others also breathed sighs of relief and found seats of their own, wanting to see just what Gu Changge intended.
“Gu Changge, I want to see my Shifu and my sister.”
But just then, a voice rang out in the somewhat silent divine hall.
Xiao Yang stood up, his eyes slightly red as he stared at Gu Changge, fists clenched tight, brimming with hatred, practically grinding out each word.