Undercurrents Surge, Seriously Injured Once Again
Undercurrents Surge, Seriously Injured Once Again
“This is the order for me to make my move...”
Within a certain cave dwelling inside the territory of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, a middle-aged man whose features bore a seventy-percent resemblance to the current Emperor Yu gazed at the letter in his hand, his expression caught somewhere between excitement and apprehension.
This was none other than Yu Tianzheng, the imperial uncle who had once lost the struggle for the throne against Emperor Yu.
All this time, he had been following Gu Changge’s orders, lying low in this place and waiting for the moment to strike.
Now, suddenly receiving the letter Gu Changge had sent ordering him to act, how could he not be thrilled?
This was an opportunity he had been waiting for far too long.
Great Yu... it was indeed time for a change of masters.
He let out a cold laugh, then his figure transformed into a streak of flowing light and swiftly vanished from the spot, intending to instruct the hidden pieces he had laid over the years to begin moving.
Great Yu was currently in troubled times, with panic spreading through every region—the perfect moment to ignite great chaos.
“The matter of the Gongzi’s return should be reported to the Tower Master.”
“Half a year ago, the Gongzi gave the order—once he returned, Pagoda and Nether were to be abolished by our Nephrite Breeze Pavilion.”
After Yu Tianzheng departed, two faint, gray-mist-like figures slowly emerged from the void of that place, quietly conversing.
They seemed to merge with the very fabric of heaven and earth, and as they moved, a faint yet ever-present killing intent permeated the air, as though they could slaughter every young king under the sky.
The news that the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s Ancient Battleship had returned safely shook all sides almost instantly.
Whether it was the various powers within the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s borders or the forces that had dispatched spies to keep close watch on the matter, all were utterly shocked.
Many Cultivators rushed to the Great Yu Imperial Capital at the first opportunity to verify the truth.
At a juncture like this, for the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s Ancient Battleship to have returned completely unscathed was truly beyond everyone’s expectations.
What’s more, pushed along by those with ulterior motives, a rumor quietly began to spread—that the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty had treacherously slaughtered the forces and Daoist traditions of all sides.
For a time, undercurrents surged and killing intent lurked in the shadows.
Within the Great Yu Imperial Capital, numerous armies received orders and rushed in from all regions, guarding every location and patrolling vigilantly.
In these troubled times, no one knew whether a world-shaking battle might suddenly erupt within the Imperial Capital.
Even before the experts of the various Daoist traditions and powers descended upon this place, the fluctuations of a Dao Artifact had already awakened and swept across the land, shaking countless Cultivators.
Hong long long—
An Ancient Battleship draped in blood and bone crushed its way across the sky, banners fluttering, slowly descending into the depths of the Great Yu Imperial Capital, drawing the attention of all sides.
“It seems the rumors are true. The Great Yu Imperial Capital’s Ancient Battleship really did return safely from that world... but this is the only one left.”
“Just what kind of horrors did that world contain? To cause so many to die miserable deaths and fall within it, such that even True Daoists could not escape?”
The Great Yu Imperial Capital covered a full million li, standing like an ancient divine mountain, with immortal qi rising within, rosy clouds wreathing it, and radiant light dazzling in every direction.
Cascading waterfalls, spiritual springs, immortal peaks—all incomparably grand and majestic.
Among the many towers and palaces, numerous Cultivators and living beings watched this scene, their emotions varied—some fearful and uneasy, others gloating over the misfortune.
“According to the news that’s come back, Gu Changge also went to that world. What do you all say—could he have died in there too?”
Atop one of the towers, quite a few young prodigies were gathered in a small meeting.
They came from all races, their bodies shrouded in precious radiance, each one extraordinary.
Among them, someone’s expression shifted strangely, as if something had occurred to them, and they couldn’t help but chuckle softly before asking.
Though bringing this up at a time like this did seem rather like gloating.
If others overheard and word spread, it might even offend Gu Changge.
But this was what was truly in everyone’s hearts.
If Gu Changge really had perished in that world like the other True Daoists, it would be nothing short of a blessing for all the young people of this generation.
After all, over these years, Gu Changge had been like a terrifying Devil Mountain, looming over the heads of everyone in this generation.
Even the ancient freaks who had emerged into the world were crushed beneath him, unable to breathe, unable to see a sliver of hope.
To live in the same era as someone like that was nothing short of a tragedy—they didn’t even qualify to serve as the green leaves setting off the flower.
“You’re all far too quick to underestimate Young Master Changge. Back in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, he single-handedly suppressed that world’s True Daoists so thoroughly they didn’t dare leave their city.”
“Him, perishing in some mere Overworld? That’s the most ridiculous joke under heaven.”
“You never witnessed that sight with your own eyes, so you have no idea how terrifying he is. If you ask me, even if everyone else perished in that world, nothing would happen to Young Master Changge.”
However, upon hearing this, another young woman shook her head sharply and laughed in derision, clearly holding the one who had just spoken in contempt.
Back when the Beyond campaigned against the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, she had happened to be there, and had personally witnessed the terrifying sight of Gu Changge wielding a Dao Artifact, battling the many True Daoists of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.
So she firmly believed that it was absolutely impossible for anything to happen to Gu Changge.
Someone like him was born destined to become the protagonist of heaven and earth, an existence that would lead countless epochs and never perish.
How could anything possibly happen to him?
And just as the many Young Prodigies were conversing, a hazy radiance flashed through the void before the Great Yu Imperial Palace.
Immediately afterward, several blurry and terrifying figures stepped forth, each one’s aura utterly overwhelming, their eyes blazing with light, suppressing the surrounding laws to the point of collapse.
They stood there like gods, all manner of strange phenomena surfacing and flickering within their eyes, waiting for the Great Yu Ancient Battleship to land.
The one at their head was none other than the current Emperor Yu.
Behind him followed the many ministers of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, all with grave expressions, watching the Ancient Battleship slowly descending in the distance.
All of them desperately wanted to know what exactly had happened in that world.
And now, the survivors aboard this Ancient Battleship might be able to give them all the answer.
“Feiya greets Father Emperor, and greets all the qianbei.”
Soon, the Ancient Battleship touched down, and Yu Feiya led a host of troops down first, her serene features carrying a trace of heaviness.
“The Eldest Princess of Great Yu is still alive. It seems we should be able to learn what happened in that world from her lips.”
The experts of the various races all turned their gazes over, fixing their eyes on Yu Feiya.
Especially those few terrifying figures standing at the palace gates—within their eyes, visions of stars sinking and moons falling were emerging.
“Feiya, there’s no need for such formality. That you’ve returned safe and sound truly lets this Emperor breathe a sigh of relief.”
“What exactly happened in that world? Quickly, tell us in detail. You have no idea—this Emperor has worried himself white-haired over this matter these past few days, not knowing how to give an accounting to all my Daoist brothers.”
Seeing that Yu Feiya appeared completely unharmed, Emperor Yu let out a long breath of relief, then revealed a gentle smile as he spoke.
With a rough sweep of his gaze, he saw that of the army that had gone to the Profound Sword World, less than one in ten had returned—proof of how devastating it had been.
Yu Feiya had long anticipated this scene. Remembering Gu Changge’s instructions, she once again put on a heavy expression and said, “Reporting to Father Emperor—the appearance of that great world was actually bait. Its purpose was to lure all of us there.”
“I imagine that apart from myself, the people of all the other Daoist traditions were buried within it.”
“What? Bait?”
The moment these words came out, the place erupted into an uproar of shock.
Everyone was first stunned, and once they processed it, they couldn’t help but widen their eyes, utterly unable to believe it.
Who had such audacity—to use an entire great world as bait, luring everyone in and burying them all?
They truly couldn’t imagine it. Even in the current Beyond, who would dare do such a thing?
“What do you mean by that?”
Emperor Yu’s brow furrowed, puzzled, and he was just about to ask.
But the supreme experts of the other powers had already stepped forward, their gazes carrying an oppressive might as they stared intently at Yu Feiya.
They didn’t much believe Yu Feiya’s words either—they didn’t believe anyone in this world would dare scheme against them like this.
“If the qianbei do not believe me, you are welcome to examine this Photographic Stone. This is what happened in the Profound Sword World back then...”
“The Heavenly Path’s will revived, seeking to sacrifice the entire world to achieve Absolute Detachment. The forces and Daoist traditions of all sides who descended to that world all became nourishment, buried within it...”
Yu Feiya’s expression was solemn as she spoke, and as she did, she brought out the Photographic Stone she had prepared long ago.
The many experts present only needed a single look to know whether the images within this Photographic Stone were real or fake.
As for everything else she would say, she had long since thought it through, leaving not the slightest flaw.
“The Heavenly Path’s will revived, intending to achieve Absolute Detachment?”
Hearing this, the expressions of everyone present turned grave, their bodies trembling as they understood this was no small matter.
Especially the supreme experts of the various races—they were experienced and knowledgeable, and knew the terror of the Heavenly Path’s will.
“So that’s the reason...”
Emperor Yu didn’t think his daughter would lie, and his expression grew incomparably solemn.
Thereupon, they took the Photographic Stone from Yu Feiya’s hand and carefully examined the events recorded within.
Then, one after another, their eyes went wide and they sucked in cold breaths, personally witnessing the horrifying sight of the Profound Sword World’s collapse, of all living beings joining forces to battle the heavens.
That overwhelming might—even True Daoists felt their hearts palpitate at it, a trembling fear rising from the depths of their souls.
“This kind of might—even just viewing the images from back then, it makes one’s heart palpitate. It shouldn’t be fake. The Heavenly Path of that world actually harbored such a plan...”
“That the forces of all sides were buried within it is no surprise at all.”
After viewing the images within, the supreme experts of the various races all fell silent for a long while, speechless and deeply shaken.
They were quite certain that the Heavenly Path’s will of that world had absolutely touched the threshold of the Celestial Realm.
Had it achieved Absolute Detachment, it very likely would have threatened the Beyond as well.
To put it bluntly, even they, faced with such a terrifying Heavenly Path will, would not have had the slightest chance of survival.
“Back then, after descending to that world, none of us expected such an enormous trap to be waiting for all of us...”
Then, seeing that the crowd held no doubts about the matter, Yu Feiya sighed again and began recounting the many events and details.
Gu Changge had not given instructions about these things, but she still found ways to conceal every trace on his behalf.
Besides, from beginning to end, Gu Changge had existed as the man behind the curtain—even the Heavenly Path’s will had ended up weaving the Entanglement for him in vain.
So she didn’t need to worry too much about how to cover these things up.
“Then, in the end, how did you all escape?”
Subsequently, one supreme expert, puzzled, asked with a doubtful gaze.
Even True Daoists had perished within—so how had Yu Feiya and the others escaped safely, even tearing open a cosmic tunnel to return to the Beyond?
There were quite a few suspicious points in this.
Emperor Yu had originally breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that this matter had nothing to do with the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty.
But hearing this question, his heart still tightened.
He, too, very much wanted to know how Yu Feiya and the others had escaped from that land of mortal danger.
A Heavenly Path will possessing power approaching the Celestial Dao—how could it have let them leave safely?
Hearing this, Yu Feiya’s expression didn’t change much, as though she had long known they would ask this.
She sighed softly, carrying a few traces of lingering fear and relief, and said, “Speaking of this matter, we owe it all to Young Master Changge. Had he not stepped in to help at the critical moment, I’m afraid we too would have been buried in that world along with the rest.”
“Young Master Changge?”
Everyone’s expressions froze. Many only then remembered that Gu Changge had also descended to that world along with the army.
But up until now, there had been no word from the Longevity Gu Family’s side of Gu Changge’s death.
By that reckoning, Gu Changge should be safe and sound, his life in no danger.
Thinking of this, the expressions of the many supreme experts grew solemn. They desperately wanted to know what exactly had happened, and where Gu Changge was now.
“It’s good that Young Master Changge is unharmed.”
Emperor Yu had been worried all along that if something happened to Gu Changge, the Longevity Gu Family would vent its wrath upon them.
Now, learning this news, the stone in his heart finally fell to the ground, and a smile surfaced on his face.
“Then where is Young Master Changge now? Why did he not return to the Beyond with you?”
The supreme expert of Sky Emperor Mountain spoke up to ask, his gaze carrying a strange glint, wanting to know Gu Changge’s current whereabouts.
“Young Master Changge is inside the Ancient Battleship. However, he is not in good condition right now—he has suffered no light injuries.”
Yu Feiya answered according to Gu Changge’s instructions.
Then, she informed everyone of the “truth”: when that world collapsed, it was Gu Changge who had stepped forward to hold back that world’s Heavenly Path will, and afterward drifted with them through the vast expanse, searching for the spatial coordinates of the Beyond.
However, while fighting the Heavenly Path’s will, Gu Changge had wounded his Source, and afterward forcibly tore open the cosmic tunnel, piling injury upon injury.
All this time, he had been healing aboard the Ancient Battleship, which was why he had never shown himself.
“Young Master Changge is injured?”
Hearing this, everyone was taken aback, somewhat unable to believe it.
But thinking it over, it made sense—after all, no matter how strong Gu Changge was, he couldn’t possibly match a Heavenly Path will comparable to the Celestial Realm. Escaping alive was already something unimaginable.
Had it been any other True Daoist, they would likely have perished long ago, let alone still had the means to tear open a cosmic tunnel and return to the Beyond.
Yu Feiya’s explanation also dispelled the doubts in many people’s hearts.
So that was why they had been able to escape safely—it was because Gu Changge had been with them.
Still, some people harbored doubts in their hearts and did not fully believe Yu Feiya’s words.
Subsequently, after some discussion, the crowd decided to personally go to the Ancient Battleship to visit Gu Changge and see what condition he was in.
Yu Feiya had received Gu Changge’s instructions, so she was not surprised, and led the way at the front, guiding everyone to pay their respects to Gu Changge.
Within a palace where rosy light shone brilliantly and spiritual mist curled and surged.
Gu Changge, dressed in white robes whiter than snow, his black hair lustrous as ink and bound with a simple hairband, sat cross-legged upon the bed.
His face was slightly pale, and as he watched the supreme experts of the various races walk in, his expression appeared extremely calm.
“Greetings, fellow Daoists,” he spoke softly, seemingly unsurprised.
“We heard that Young Master Changge suffered no light injuries after his battle with that world’s Heavenly Path will, so we came especially to pay a visit.”
“We hope Young Master Changge will not take offense.”
The supreme expert of Sky Emperor Mountain spoke. Demonic qi billowed around his entire body, his eyes were dazzling, and ancient Grand Runes flickered within them as he carefully examined Gu Changge’s current state.
As he spoke, he took out a crystalline purple jade box as a visiting gift, within which was contained a King of Herbs a million years old—an exceedingly precious healing treasure even for True Daoists.