The Shadow Hanging Over the Beyond, Chan Hongyi and Su Qingge
The Shadow Hanging Over the Beyond, Chan Hongyi and Su Qingge
4 The Shadow Hanging Over the Beyond, Chan Hongyi and Su Qingge — Seeking Subscriptions
Regarding the name “Dark Heaven,” many Cultivators had clearly only heard it for the first time,
yet they felt a soul-deep terror.
It was as if some unimaginable true power had crossed time, space, and dimensions to descend upon this place,
shaking the hearts and minds of everyone present.
“Those four words cannot be spoken lightly. Something in the unseen world will sense it,”
said an elderly Cultivator of profound cultivation, his expression extremely grave.
The many Cultivators and living beings who had rushed to this place were also deeply shaken, exchanging glances with one another,
pondering in their hearts just what manner of existence this so-called Dark Heaven truly was.
Those black-robed True Daoists were likely all from this mysterious force.
Before this, no one had ever heard that such a force existed in the Beyond. Even those immortal lineages and Supreme Dao Lineages with extremely ancient heritages
would find it difficult to send out so many True Daoists at once.
“Dark Heaven... I’ve never heard of such a force before. Could it have only emerged recently?”
“However, my Gu Family has stood unshaken since the Beyond came into existence, and we have never heard of such a force ever existing.”
Gu Changge furrowed his brow, a trace of puzzlement surfacing on his face, as if murmuring to himself.
At this moment, Supreme Being Lu Luo seemed to suddenly think of something and said with some shock, “I believe it must be an organization that has existed for a very long time. Judging from the fluctuations when those True Daoists struck earlier, the divine abilities and techniques they cultivated were all different. They couldn’t possibly come from the same Dao lineage.”
She had only just recalled that when those black-robed True Daoists had attacked earlier,
none of them had displayed similar Daoist techniques or divine abilities.
Although Cultivators who reached this stage would naturally walk different paths, if they came from the same Dao lineage,
there would definitely be similar traces.
“An organization?”
“If you put it that way, there is indeed such a possibility. Although those black-robed men all seemed to be taking orders from someone, they didn’t seem to know one another.”
Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, a hint of contemplation flashing through his eyes, and slowly nodded,
agreeing with Supreme Being Lu Luo’s words.
“How terrifying. How could such an organization exist, truly seeping into every inch of space like darkness itself...”
Supreme Being Lu Luo fell silent for a moment, then suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, gripped by fear of this Dark Heaven.
Hearing the conversation between the two, the many surrounding Cultivators and living beings were all deeply shaken.
If Dark Heaven truly was a mysterious organization, then it had likely already infiltrated the inner ranks of many Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages. Otherwise, it couldn’t have dispatched so many True Daoists
to intercept and kill Supreme Being Lu Luo and the others.
This was simply an unimaginably horrifying matter. If word spread, it would be enough to shake the entire Beyond.
“This is bad. The other Daoist friends also chased out of the Great Yu Imperial Capital together back then. If they were separated, they’re almost certainly doomed.”
At this moment, Supreme Being Lu Luo’s expression suddenly changed as she thought of the supreme experts of the various clans who had left the Great Yu Imperial Capital together while tracking the black-robed men’s trail.
Although they were all True Daoists who had cultivated for over millions of years, enough to look down upon the world,
under the encirclement of three True Daoists, even she had nearly perished just moments ago.
If Gu Changge hadn’t appeared to save her, she would absolutely already be a pile of bones,
her body dead and her Dao extinguished.
If it had been anyone else, they certainly wouldn’t have been so lucky.
“In that case, we should hurry over and take a look. I suddenly have an ominous feeling in my heart.”
Hearing this, Gu Changge’s expression also grew heavy.
Supreme Being Lu Luo nodded, an ominous premonition rising in her heart as well.
Without hesitation, the two transformed into divine rainbows, crossing this star region and heading into the distance.
“It seems something earth-shattering is about to happen in the Beyond...”
“The ones who erupted into battle today are definitely not limited to just these few True Daoists. Something unexpected may have already occurred.”
The remaining Cultivators and living beings exchanged glances, faintly guessing at something, their moods extremely heavy.
The terrifying consequences of this would likely set off monstrous waves.
Very quickly, news of what had happened here spread as if it had grown wings,
circulating throughout the various heavens of the Beyond.
The first reaction of every lineage and force that learned of this was stunned disbelief, followed by boundless shock and horror, finding it impossible to believe.
The four words “Dark Heaven” spread along with it, triggering a commotion like a mountain-roaring tsunami.
In a desolate and barren star region, the figures of Gu Changge and Supreme Being Lu Luo materialized. The two gazed upon the scene of utter devastation left by the great battle here, and both fell silent.
“It seems we’ve arrived too late. There are still fluctuations of an extinguished Soul Fire here...”
“A True Daoist perished here.”
Gu Changge sighed softly and shook his head, seemingly quite regretful.
There was no need for him to say more. Supreme Being Lu Luo also sensed the residual fluctuations here.
The aftershocks of a battle between True Daoists would be difficult to erase even after hundreds of thousands of years.
She even felt that the battle here had been even more brutal than her own.
“By the looks of it, the other Daoist brothers have also met with misfortune, their lives forfeit...”
“Just what is this Dark Heaven’s goal? Why are they intercepting and killing True Daoists everywhere? Even True Daoists have become their hunting targets.” Supreme Being Lu Luo felt a chill run down her spine, an unknown fear washing over her.
A strange glint flashed through Gu Changge’s eyes as he glanced at her imperceptibly.
Right now, he was still merely building momentum for Dark Heaven. There was still some distance to go before the day it truly emerged into the world.
But if even True Daoists were this fearful and apprehensive, the rest of the Cultivators would surely be even more so.
Come to think of it, this was only natural. In his vision, Dark Heaven would be like a shadow hanging over the skies of the Beyond, seeping into every inch of void, every corner.
Even the most ancient forces and clans would fear it and dread it as they would a god.
Afterward, Gu Changge and Supreme Being Lu Luo traveled to another star region and witnessed a scene extremely similar to this one.
The surrounding stars had all collapsed, the Astral River had been severed, reduced to dust and ash, without the slightest trace of life remaining.
The land was riddled with scars, as if it had experienced a world-ending war. Even the sea of lightning had dried up, and Chaos Energy overflowed, threatening to burst through this star region.
One could imagine just how terrifying a battle had taken place here before.
“It seems everyone is dead. Only I was lucky enough to survive.”
Supreme Being Lu Luo said with lingering fear, still shaken by the close call.
“Let’s go back.” Gu Changge sighed softly, as if unable to bear looking any longer.
Supreme Being Lu Luo nodded. Then the two stepped forward, tore through the void, and swiftly departed,
intending to return to the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty.
Very quickly, the course of the great battles in these places could not be concealed either. They were discovered by many Cultivators, and as the news spread, it once again triggered an enormous sensation.
The emergence of Dark Heaven caused great panic among many forces and lineages.
No one had imagined that such an incomparably terrifying and mysterious organization had been hiding in the shadows all along.
Those black-robed True Daoists possessed unfathomable strength, hiding in every corner like shadows.
Sky Emperor Mountain, the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, Primordial Lake, the Myriad Swords Dao Sect—
these forces and lineages had all suffered tremendous impact, with True Daoists falling.
But though they were furious, they could do nothing about it. They were helpless against Dark Heaven, not even knowing where this organization had come from.
In the eyes of many Cultivators, the great turmoil in the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty this time was very likely orchestrated single-handedly by Dark Heaven.
That night, those black-robed True Daoists had suddenly appeared, failing in their attempt to kill the heavily wounded Gu Changge,
then tearing through the void and fleeing.
The True Daoists of the various clans gave chase, only to be intercepted and ambushed midway.
Only Supreme Being Lu Luo was saved by Gu Changge’s intervention and survived by sheer luck. All the others perished, their bodies and Dao extinguished, dying tragically within the star regions.
If one counted carefully, the True Daoists who had fallen numbered a full four.
The Beyond had been peaceful for far too long. Nothing this sensational had happened in a very long time.
After all, within every force and lineage, True Daoists were existences on the level of Ancestors, with exalted status, capable of suppressing a faction’s very foundation.
For them to die so tragically truly dealt a bone-deep blow to the various forces and lineages, one they would struggle to recover from in a short time.
However, through this incident, many Cultivators also came to see one thing clearly: even with a heavily wounded body, Gu Changge could fight three black-robed True Daoists and force them back.
To possess such terrifying strength at such an age was truly unprecedented through all of history.
In every ancient city and ancient star, Cultivators and living beings were discussing this matter. The commotion was everywhere. Some even saw Photographic Stones of that battle being auctioned off in the marketplaces.
Those who saw the images within were so shocked they couldn’t speak for a long while, remaining silent for ages.
That battle had been far too terrifying. A star region a million miles in circumference had been sunk, Chaos Energy surged to the heavens, piercing through the firmament, and all the surrounding life-bearing ancient stars were reduced to ash.
Had Gu Changge not suddenly appeared and driven back the three black-robed True Daoists, the resulting slaughter would likely have been even more horrifying—a true catastrophe for all living beings.
Primordial Lake’s Supreme Being Lu Luo would have shared the same fate as the others, her body dead and her Dao extinguished.
Compared to the rest, she had been far too fortunate.
In the days that followed, all the heavens of the Beyond were discussing this matter. Even institutions like the True Immortal Academy
and the Skyward Schloss were no exception.
Although Gu Changge was no longer cultivating within them, his deeds still circulated there.
His many former peers—the Phoenix Lady, the King of Six Crowns, Jin Chan the Chosen Monk, and others—
all fell silent before the Photographic Stone of that battle, then chose to enter deep seclusion.
Gu Changge had already become a terrifying mountain in their hearts that they could never surmount.
At just over twenty years of age, he could contend with existences approaching immortality.
Everyone felt that Gu Changge must be the reincarnation of some supreme figure from ancient times, whose cultivation at his peak had been unrivaled throughout the universe—a king among immortals. Otherwise, there was absolutely no way he could possess such a terrifying cultivation speed.
Seeking Flowers
During this period, the Successor of Demonic Arts had also caused quite a few incidents, but compared to the emergence of Dark Heaven, they were like small ripples, quickly settling back into calm.
The Successor of Demonic Arts still needed time to grow, but Dark Heaven had long since taken shape, hidden deep in the shadows, its traces impossible to find.
That was the most terrifying part.
Meanwhile, in the place most taboo to all the lineages of the Beyond—where Devil Mountain stood.
Demonic clouds shrouded the sky, covering a full million miles in every direction. All around were various terrifying great mountains
enveloped in chaotic mist, as if they had existed since the very creation of the world in primordial times.
An ancient and primeval aura permeated this place, with many terrifying fierce beasts lying dormant.
Upon every mountain peak, there were blurry figures.
Some breathed in and out the Principles of Dao between heaven and earth, some refined the energy of the Heavenly Path, and some
sat there comprehending the workings of fate, attempting to advance one step further.
Ever since the demoness in red, Chan Hongyi, emerged from the Demon-Burying Abyss, the great demons, great fiends, ancient demons, and ancient fiends from all corners of the Beyond had followed her here, entrenched upon Devil Mountain.
For a time, this place had even become a forbidden land apart from the world. Even True Daoists dared not
set foot here, keeping far away.
In the great siege at Divine City, the demoness in red had slaughtered her way to boundless glory. Every force and lineage that had joined the battle
had suffered devastating losses.
Yet now, at the deepest part, atop the highest mountain peak, all was calm and serene.
A single thatched hut, a gentle stream flowing beside it, numerous bluestones suspended in the air,
forming stone steps that connected to a cold pool on the other side.
The mountain breeze blew, carrying wisps of mist, making the scene incomparably tranquil and natural.
A devastatingly beautiful woman in red, whose beauty could startle the heart, stood upon the bluestones,
her gaze calm and profound as she gazed into the distance. Her three thousand strands of dark hair danced in the wind, her skin white as jade,
shimmering with a lustrous glow.
She looked extremely serene, like a fairy beneath the moonlight, neither contending nor rejoicing, without the slightest trace of ferocity.
If any outsider were here, they would absolutely never believe that this was the demoness in red, Chan Hongyi, whose vicious might had shaken the Beyond.
Now, not the slightest trace of demonic qi could be seen on her, nor the slightest fluctuation of magic power. She seemed more like one who had returned to simplicity and truth, her Dao made genuine with heaven and earth.
Behind Chan Hongyi stood another woman in a white dress, her countenance pure and otherworldly,
her dark hair cascading like a waterfall, her brows like distant mountains, her figure tall and slender, like a jade immortal.
She was none other than Su Qingge, the Successor of Demonic Arts whom all the forces and lineages of the Beyond were currently searching for.
However, compared to before, she was now vastly different, having perfectly fused with her other soul.
“Shizu.”
Su Qingge spoke softly, addressing Chan Hongyi as Shizu.
Tracing it back to the source, her other soul had actually been the true Successor of Demonic Arts. It had once fallen into the Demon-Burying Abyss and, by a twist of fate,
received Chan Hongyi’s transmission of the arts within.
Through many evolutions in later generations, it became the lineage of the Successor of Demonic Arts.
Her addressing Chan Hongyi as Shizu was only natural. Moreover, her other soul had once told her
that if she ever encountered the most dire of circumstances, she could come to Devil Mountain to seek shelter.
Chan Hongyi would naturally lend her aid in consideration of the transmission of the arts.
Originally, Su Qingge had been quite skeptical of this. But because she had killed the successor of a great sect some time ago and was hunted by his Dao Protector, with nowhere left to flee, she had come to Devil Mountain to escape the calamity.
And now, she had been sheltering here for half a year.
After meeting Chan Hongyi, Su Qingge had originally assumed the woman would be as the rumors said—ferociously mighty, slaughtering across the heavens. She never expected her to be so tranquil and composed,
exuding an air of detachment from worldly affairs.
This bearing even made her, in a daze, catch a glimpse of Gu Changge’s shadow in her. They were truly too similar.
“You’re leaving?”
Chan Hongyi spoke indifferently, her eyes still unchanged, profound and calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb her state of mind.
“Yes. Thank you, Shizu, for taking me in during this time. The outside world is in great turmoil, and it’s time for me to leave,” Su Qingge replied.
Although she was on Devil Mountain, she also knew that the outside world was currently in chaos over the matter of Dark Heaven.
Moreover, she had heard news of Gu Changge being heavily wounded, and couldn’t help but feel somewhat worried.
“Then go.” Chan Hongyi nodded. Her voice was like the music of the heavens, yet utterly without ripple or wave.
“Shizu, before I leave, there is one more thing I don’t understand. Is the Dark Heaven that has the entire Beyond in an uproar lately... connected to you?” Su Qingge felt some doubt in her heart and couldn’t help but ask.
After all, many rumors speculated that Dark Heaven was greatly connected to the lineage of the Successor of Demonic Arts.
Chan Hongyi shook her head, then seemed to think for a moment before saying, “It’s not. But...
it should be connected to him.”
“Him?” Su Qingge was puzzled once more.
“Naturally, him. You should be familiar with this person.”
The corners of Chan Hongyi’s mouth suddenly curved into an arc, as if carrying some hidden purpose. In an instant, it shattered that tranquil naturalness, laden with deeper meaning.