Those Who Chant the True Name Shall Enter This World and Gain Eternal Life
Those Who Chant the True Name Shall Enter This World and Gain Eternal Life
Su Qingge was stunned. This was the first time she had ever seen Chan Hongyi like this.
She turned her head to look back, her three thousand strands of black hair cascading like a waterfall, dancing wildly in the mountain wind.
Her eyes were deep and seemed to carry a coldness, yet the corners of her lips curved into an arc, making her beauty all the more soul-stirring.
Like a demoness who could throw the world into chaos, it shattered her previous air of tranquil otherworldliness.
This version of Chan Hongyi was perhaps the true face of the demoness in red whom the various immortal orthodoxies and supreme sects of the Beyond now feared like a god or devil.
That previous tranquil detachment had been nothing more than a surface disguise.
However, Su Qingge quickly came back to her senses and couldn’t help but ask, “The ‘him’ that Shifu speaks of... who exactly is he? Why would I be familiar with him?”
By this time, Chan Hongyi’s expression had already returned to normal. Her lips curled slightly as she said, “You naturally know.”
Hearing these words, Su Qingge was stunned once again.
Then, a handsome, refined figure gradually surfaced clearly in her mind, leaving her somewhat shocked and incredulous.
“Could it be... Gongzi?”
She murmured almost to herself, feeling it was unlikely, but thinking it over carefully, there seemed to be no one else.
Back then in Kunwu City, the demoness in red had appeared, demanding one of the several divine stones.
Gu Changge had fought with her, his attitude appearing extremely natural and casual, as if facing an old friend he hadn’t seen in a long time.
But at the time, many Cultivators believed it was because Gu Changge had previously battled the demoness in red at Divine City, which was why the two seemed to have a history.
Su Qingge had thought so too.
But judging from the current situation, there seemed to be more hidden between the demoness in red and Gu Changge. Their relationship was definitely not that simple.
Chan Hongyi’s attitude toward Gu Changge was also extraordinary.
In Su Qingge’s view, the bond between the two ran deep—deep to the point of being etched into their very bones.
She was very clever and had never once asked about it.
But today, Chan Hongyi had suddenly brought it up to her, clearly with deeper meaning.
The Dark Heaven that had appeared in the world was actually connected to Gu Changge as well?
What else was he hiding?
The more she learned, the more Su Qingge felt that Gu Changge was unfathomable, like an inscrutable mist.
“Shifu, you told me all this... is there something you want me to do?” Su Qingge fell silent for a moment, then asked.
She understood that after Chan Hongyi emerged from the Demon-Burying Abyss, there had been a period when she was in a state of clouded consciousness and monstrous violence.
During that time, the living beings and Cultivators who died miserably at her hands were countless beyond measure.
Chan Hongyi’s expression did not change at this, though a trace of unusual color flashed through her eyes. She said, “I’m merely reminding you of one thing. The greatest calamity of this world is not you, the so-called Successor of Demonic Arts.”
“I know. I’ve never thought of becoming some calamity. I only want to find my place in this world. This was never up to me. I just want to grasp my own fate and not become a fish in that river.”
A trace of resoluteness flashed across Su Qingge’s pure, ethereal face.
Hearing these words, Chan Hongyi suddenly laughed, her beauty soul-stirring, carrying a bewitching, demonic allure.
She was utterly disdainful, her voice merciless and cold.
“This is not up to you. Your fate was sealed long ago. The person you believe you love most, the person you trust most, has actually been looking down at you coldly from on high all along.”
“What you believe to be touching devotion is merely what he deliberately shows you. Do you really think he couldn’t see that you harbor twin souls within your body? That he couldn’t see you possess the inheritance of the Demonic Arts?”
“Even my own abilities were taught to me by his own hand, let alone your incomplete Demonic Arts...”
“Utterly laughable.”
She laughed loudly, her voice like the music of heaven, yet carrying bone-deep hatred.
“What...”
“That’s impossible...”
Hearing these words, Su Qingge froze on the spot as if struck by lightning. Her face turned pale, and she couldn’t help but stagger back several steps in disbelief.
If anyone else had said such things, she would certainly have doubted them.
But the one speaking was the demoness in red whose ferocious might shook the Beyond. Why would she deceive her?
The connection between Chan Hongyi and Gu Changge actually ran this deep?
Her Shifu was actually taught by Gu Changge’s own hand?
What exactly was his origin? Had Gu Changge been deceiving her all along—even his help in concealing her identity as the Successor of Demonic Arts?
Su Qingge’s reaction was within Chan Hongyi’s expectations. The corners of her mouth held an arc, as if she very much wanted to see this scene.
Gu Changge wanted to maintain his gentle, transcendent image in Su Qingge’s heart—she would make sure he didn’t get his wish.
“Everything of yours... I will destroy with my own hands...”
Chan Hongyi gazed toward the end of the sky. Deep in her eyes, terrifying violence and demonic qi surged once more, though she quickly returned to her previous transcendent, tranquil appearance.
These days, the Beyond had grown increasingly chaotic. In the eyes of many Cultivators, a terrifying calamity might soon sweep across the land.
The various orthodoxies and powers across the heavens had all issued orders for their disciples out training to return to their sects and quietly wait for this calamity to pass.
The Eternal Overcast Kingdom had emerged, and the Absolute Yin Heaven swept forth.
And now there was the even more mysterious Dark Heaven, hidden in the shadows like a dark pall, filling hearts with dread and unease.
Several days passed, and the turmoil of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty that had shaken all the powers of the Beyond gradually drew to a close.
Emperor Yu fought his former brother Yu Tianzheng at the peak of the Great Yu Imperial Capital, suffered a crushing defeat, and perished, his Dao extinguished.
Even the Chaos Dao Sword of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty fell into his hands.
That night, slaughter reached the heavens and rivers of blood flowed. A terrifying upheaval swept through the entire Great Yu Celestial Dynasty.
Countless Cultivators and living beings trembled, feeling despair and horror.
Armies from beyond the borders descended, the flames of war sweeping across boundless territories, while various orthodoxies took advantage of the chaos to loot.
Beset by troubles both internal and external, the many old emperors deep within the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty had no choice but to emerge and take charge, attempting to suppress it all.
According to the rules of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, although Yu Tianzheng had been exiled many years ago, the imperial blood flowing in his veins was an indisputable fact.
Moreover, in the duel, he had slain the former Emperor Yu, so he naturally had the strength to serve as the current Emperor Yu.
Thus, after deliberation, the old emperors decided to follow the dynasty’s rules and let Yu Tianzheng temporarily assume the throne.
The various ministers would assist him. If Yu Tianzheng’s virtue and ability proved inadequate for the heavy responsibility, he would naturally abdicate in favor of the worthy.
From then on, the great turmoil gradually subsided.
In terms of ability, Yu Tianzheng was in no way inferior to the former Emperor Yu. His previous defeat had merely been the result of falling into a scheme.
Under his iron-blooded, forceful methods, a great war of pacification erupted, purging many restless elements within Great Yu’s borders.
This served as his show of force since becoming the new emperor, and it truly intimidated many people.
Many ministers who had harbored complaints gradually shut their mouths and fell silent, unwilling to provoke the ascendant Yu Tianzheng at this time.
Some even speculated whether there was a connection between Yu Tianzheng and that Dark Heaven.
However, such speculation was rare. After all, there was no evidence indicating any connection between the black-clad True Daoists who had attacked Gu Changge that day and Yu Tianzheng.
And while the winds and clouds shifted in the outside world, deep within the current Great Yu Imperial Capital...
In a grand and ancient palace, the new emperor Yu Tianzheng stood there, reporting something in a low voice.
He wore a purple-gold crown and a loose dragon robe, its two sleeves adorned with numerous star patterns flowing with hazy radiance, like a peerless Son of Heaven.
Yet his expression was extremely humble and deferential, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
“Of the current Great Yu, sixty percent of its territory is already under my control. Apart from the General Who Guards the Nation and the former Grand Tutor who have yet to submit, all the other ministers have pledged allegiance.”
Before Yu Tianzheng, Gu Changge was dressed in white, holding a white jade wine cup, gently swirling the mellow wine within, his expression relaxed and natural.
“So it seems you haven’t disappointed me.”
He smiled and handed the white jade cup to Yin Mei beside him.
As the new emperor of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, Yu Tianzheng’s methods could be called iron-blooded.
Any minister harboring thoughts of resistance was arrested and thrown into the Heavenly Prison.
So compared to the former emperor, he appreciated Yu Tianzheng more.
Such a person was easier to control and more obedient.
He would not choose to anger him or do anything foolish without benefit to himself.
Of course, Gu Changge had no such worries. After all, Yu Tianzheng’s life had always been in his grasp.
Now, he was the true ruler behind the vast territories of this Great Yu Celestial Dynasty.
“I wouldn’t dare disappoint Gongzi.”
Hearing this, Yu Tianzheng’s expression tightened. He could never forget how Emperor Yu had been annihilated by Gu Changge’s raised hand that day—his methods could be called cold and cruel.
Now, the various heavens of the Beyond feared the Dark Heaven as they would ghosts and gods.
If he didn’t clearly know that those black-clad True Daoists had been sent by Gu Changge, even Yu Tianzheng would have wondered whether the matter had nothing to do with Gu Changge.
The depth of his concealment was simply unimaginable.
Moreover, his little life remained clutched in Gu Changge’s hand. When he had sought cooperation with Gu Changge back then, he had done so with the mindset of bargaining with a tiger for its skin.
Now he had gotten his wish, becoming the new emperor of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty and avenging the grudge from hundreds of years ago.
“Oh right, Gongzi. Yu Feiya seems to harbor suspicions about you. She feels there are many irregularities in Yu Tian...’s death, even a conspiracy.”
“These days she has been at the encampment outside the palace, seeking an audience with the old emperors within to inform them of this matter.”
“What do you think... should we find an opportunity to move against her?”
Then, Yu Tianzheng remembered another extremely important matter and spoke in a low voice.
As the Eldest Princess, even though the former emperor was dead, Yu Feiya’s status within the imperial palace remained exalted and noble beyond measure.
Even he didn’t dare act against her lightly. Moreover, many members of the imperial family knew that on the day Yu Feiya was born, she had stirred the Great Yu Immortal Scripture, which bestowed a secret art upon her.
Golden lotuses descended from the sky, clear springs gushed from the earth, divine light shone brilliantly, illuminating the heavens. Auspicious omens filled everything within ten thousand li, and there were even phenomena of dragons and phoenixes soaring and immortal cranes carrying lingzhi in their beaks.
Several old emperors who had stepped into the True Daoist realm were alarmed into emerging, personally bestowing cultivation techniques upon her.
In terms of cultivation talent alone, Eldest Princess Yu Feiya overshadowed the younger generation of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty—this was absolutely beyond question.
Therefore, the many old fossils of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty all regarded Yu Feiya as the future successor, while Yu Lie was not favored by them.
If something happened to Yu Feiya, the many old fossils would be alarmed, causing enormous trouble.
Hearing this, a strange color flashed through Gu Changge’s eyes. Then he shook his head and said, “No need. You only need to tell Yu Feiya that you are working for me. She’s very clever—she’ll know what to do.”
“What...” Yu Tianzheng was greatly shocked. When had even Feiya become one of Gu Changge’s people?
If Yu Feiya learned that her imperial father had actually been killed by Gu Changge’s own hand, what would she think?
He suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
Over the following days, Gu Changge remained in this palace, claiming to the outside world that he was recuperating from his injuries, when in fact he was constructing the embryonic form of the Heavenly Court within his Inner Universe.
Actually, he had harbored this plan long ago.
But back then, the embryonic form of the Inner Universe was not yet complete. Even if the ancient Heavenly Court, Heaven’s Gate, and such manifested into the world, the effect was minimal.
Gu Changge still remembered that back in the Celestial Ancient Continent, while searching for the inheritance left by the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being, he happened to encounter a good-for-nothing youth of the Black Hawk Family named Hei Ming.
Calling him a good-for-nothing wasn’t quite accurate either. After all, in terms of talent, he was much stronger than ordinary Cultivators.
It was just that among his clan, he appeared rather mediocre.
Through that youth’s hands, he spread the Entanglement Immortal Spell, thereby taking control of the entire clan of the Celestial Ancient Continent.
And the method of manifestation that time was through the embryonic form of the Heavenly Court constructed within the still-immature Inner Universe.
Later, although he had instructed Hei Ming to gather believers from All of Heaven and Its Thousand Worlds who could use it to contact the “Absolute Being”...
So much time had passed without the slightest sign of progress. Clearly, the matter had not gone smoothly.
After all, Gu Changge had only been trying it out and hadn’t expected it to succeed.
Now that the Dark Heaven had emerged, shrouding the Beyond like a shadow, it presented an excellent opportunity for him to gather and harvest.
Boom!!
The next moment, brilliant light erupted before Gu Changge’s eyes. A silver portal appeared, dazzling and astonishing, as if connecting to another ancient world.
Within the portal was an entirely different world.
The three silver-radiant ancient characters “Heaven’s Gate” seemed reflected across the river of time and space, bearing a glorious, indelible might.
A grand and majestic Immortal Palace stood atop the clouds. A single one of its pillars seemed capable of propping apart heaven and earth.
Clouds and mist roiled around it, Chaos Energy surging, like the peak of an ancient, primordial universe.
It was a sight enough to make all living beings tremble.
A mere wisp of this place’s aura seemed capable of crushing all of time and space, annihilating the ages of all worlds.
And as Gu Changge stepped inside, the energy here grew even more blazing and resplendent, surging toward him like a vast sea.
At the peak of the Immortal Palace, a blurry figure slowly condensed, sitting cross-legged there, utterly hazy and impossible to see clearly, with three thousand ancient worlds revolving around it.
Countless True Dragons and Celestial Phoenixes coiled about, while White Tigers and Black Tortoises prostrated themselves.
As if overlooking the ages, seated upon reincarnation itself.
The River of Time surged, rushing beneath its feet, as if converging and flowing through all the worlds of the heavens.
“Still far from enough to awe the world...” Gu Changge frowned at this sight. The Dharma Body of the Dark Heaven—this level of grandeur was far from sufficient.
However, this was still only an embryonic form, with much left to be gradually perfected.
Then, within the Inner Universe, life-bearing ancient stars gathered one by one at Gu Changge’s will, forming a mighty sea of stars revolving around the surroundings.
Within these life-bearing ancient stars, buildings, pavilions, palaces, and Buddhist pagodas began to rise from the ground, grand and ancient, permeated with the aura of the Great Dao.
The various cultivation resources Gu Changge had previously collected—colored altars, Celestial Ancient Saint Steles, Emperor Scriptures, Sacred Emperor Realm insights—all flew out, transforming into rain of light that fell upon those buildings, filling their foundations.
“Those who chant the True Name may draw a wisp of their True Soul to this world, enter the Dark Heaven, and attain eternal life.”
“I am the Great Unfettered Supreme Creation Divine Sovereign of the Heaven Beyond Heavens...”
While burning the Sacrificial Scripture to strengthen the rules of heaven and earth within the Inner Universe, Gu Changge simultaneously offered up the vast Power of Faith from the Mortal Palace, triggering resonance among the Cultivators of the outside world.
Although here he was like the lord of heaven and earth, able to control everything, accidents were still hard to avoid.
Now that the Celestial Path was about to appear, all sorts of old monsters were beginning to emerge. Perhaps one day, the aura of the Celestial Domain would descend and touch this world, which would more or less bring some trouble.