Omen of the Dark Turmoil, What Gu Qingyi Said
Omen of the Dark Turmoil, What Gu Qingyi Said
Those who chant the true name shall enter this world and gain eternal life — seeking subscriptions
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 dark hair cascading like a waterfall, dancing wildly in the mountain wind.
Her eyes were deep and seemed to carry a chill, 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 demoness in red whom the various immortal orthodoxies and supreme sects of the Beyond now feared and dreaded 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 Ancestor spoke 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, in her mind, a handsome and elegant figure gradually emerged into clarity, leaving her somewhat shocked and incredulous.
“Could it be... Gongzi?”
She murmured almost to herself, feeling it was impossible, but thinking it over carefully, there seemed to be no one else.
Although back in Kunwu City, when the demoness in red appeared to demand the divine stones, Gu Changge had fought with her, his attitude had seemed 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 asked about these things.
But today, Chan Hongyi suddenly brought it up to her, clearly with a 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.
“Ancestor, 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 mind and monstrous hostility.
During that time, the living beings and cultivators who died miserably at her hands were simply countless.
Chan Hongyi’s expression did not change at this. Only a strange glint flashed through her eyes as 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 never wanted to be any kind of calamity. I only wanted to find a place to belong in this world. That 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 and 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.
“That is not up to you. Your fate was sealed long ago. The person you believe you love most, the person you trust most, has in fact been coldly looking down on you from high above all along.”
“The touching moments you think you felt were merely things he deliberately showed 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 all of my 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 the heavens, 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, unable to believe it.
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 intimidated the entire Beyond. Why would she lie to her?
Chan Hongyi and Gu Changge actually shared such a deep connection?
Her Ancestor... 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 lips held an arc, as if she very much wanted to see this scene.
Gu Changge wanted to maintain his gentle and transcendent image in Su Qingge’s heart — she would simply not let him have his way.
“Everything of yours, I will destroy with my own hands.”
Chan Hongyi gazed toward the end of the sky. Deep in her eyes, terrifying hostility and demonic energy surged once more, but quickly returned to her previous transcendent and 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 on training journeys to return to their sects and quietly wait for this calamity to pass.
The Eternal Overcast Kingdom had appeared in the world, the Absolute Yin Heaven was sweeping in...
And now there was the even more mysterious Dark Heaven, hidden in the shadows like a dark silhouette, 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. Unable to match him, he suffered a crushing defeat, and afterward his body perished and his Dao vanished.
Even the Chaos Dao Sword of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty fell into Yu Tianzheng’s hands.
That night, slaughter flooded the heavens and blood flowed like rivers. 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, and the flames of war swept across the endless territories of Great Yu. During this time, many orthodoxies and powers took advantage of the chaos to loot.
Beset by internal strife and external invasion, the many old imperial ancestors 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 possessed the strength to assume the position of the current Emperor Yu.
Thus, after some deliberation, the many old imperial ancestors decided to follow the rules of Great Yu and let Yu Tianzheng temporarily hold the throne.
The various ministers would assist him. If Yu Tianzheng’s virtue and ability proved unfit for the heavy responsibility, he would naturally abdicate in favor of someone more 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 fall had only been due to falling into a scheme.
Under his iron-blooded and forceful methods, a great war of pacification erupted, purging the many restless elements within Great Yu’s borders.
This could also be considered the show of force he established 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 people 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 that the group of black-robed True Daoists who had attacked Gu Changge that day had any relation to Yu Tianzheng.
And while the winds and clouds shifted in the outside world, deep within the current Great Yu Imperial Capital...
Inside 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 wide 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, six-tenths 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 in his hand, 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 Yu, he appreciated Yu Tianzheng more.
Such a person was easier to hold in his grasp 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 hands.
Now, he was the true master behind the vast territories of the 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 with a casual raise of his hand that day — his methods could be called cold-blooded and cruel.
Now, the various heavens of the Beyond dreaded the Dark Heaven as if it were a ghost or god.
If he didn’t know for certain that those black-robed True Daoists had been sent out 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 sovereign of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty and avenging the grudge of several hundred years ago.
“Oh right, Gongzi. Yu Feiya seems to harbor suspicions about you. She believes there are many irregularities in Yu Tianyong’s death — even a conspiracy.”
“These days she has been stationed outside the imperial tomb, seeking an audience with the old imperial ancestors 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 Yu was dead, Yu Feiya’s status within the imperial palace remained exalted and noble beyond measure.
Even he did not dare to 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 such as dragons and phoenixes soaring and immortal cranes carrying lingzhi in their beaks.
Several old imperial ancestors 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 entire younger generation of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty — this point was absolutely beyond doubt.
Therefore, the many old fossils of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty all regarded Yu Feiya as the future successor. It was Yu Lie, on the contrary, whom they did not favor.
If something happened to Yu Feiya, the many old fossils would be alarmed, and it would cause enormous trouble.
Hearing this, a strange glint 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, so...”
He knew what to do.
“What?”
Yu Tianzheng was utterly shocked. Since when had Yu Feiya also become one of Gu Changge’s people?
If Yu Feiya knew 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 within this palace. To the outside world, he claimed he was recuperating from his injuries, but in truth, he was constructing the embryonic form of the Heavenly Court within his Inner Universe.
In fact, he had harbored this plan for a very long time.
Back then, however, the embryonic form of his Inner Universe had not yet been perfected. Even though manifestations like the ancient Heavenly Court and the Heaven’s Gate appeared in the world, their effect was minimal.
Gu Changge still remembered how, back in the Celestial Ancient Continent, while searching for the inheritance left behind by the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being, he happened to encounter a good-for-nothing youth of the Black Hawk Clan named Hei Ming.
Calling him a good-for-nothing wasn’t entirely accurate, though. In terms of talent, he was far stronger than ordinary Cultivators.
It was just that among his own clan, he seemed rather mediocre.
Through that youth’s hands, he spread the Entanglement Immortal Spell, and thereby took control of the entire Celestial Ancient Continent’s clans.
And the method of that manifestation had been the embryonic Heavenly Court constructed within his still-immature Inner Universe.
Later, although he had instructed Hei Ming to gather believers from All of Heaven and Its Thousand Worlds, so they could make contact with the “Absolute Being,”
not the slightest sign had come through after all this time. Clearly, the matter had not gone smoothly.
After all, Gu Changge had only been testing the waters; he hadn’t truly expected it to succeed.
Now, with the Dark Heaven emerging into the world, looming over the Beyond like a shadow, it presented him with an excellent opportunity to gather and harvest.
Boom!
The next moment, brilliant light erupted before Gu Changge’s eyes. A silver portal emerged, dazzling and astonishing, as though it connected to another ancient world.
Beyond the portal lay an entirely different realm.
The three ancient silver-gleaming characters of “Heaven’s Gate” seemed reflected upon the River of Time, radiating a glorious, indelible might.
A grand and solemn Immortal Palace stood atop the clouds. A single one of its pillars seemed capable of propping apart heaven and earth.
All around, clouds and mist churned, Chaos Energy surged—it was like the peak of an ancient, boundless universe.
It was a sight enough to make all living beings tremble.
A single wisp of this place’s aura alone seemed capable of crushing all of spacetime, of annihilating the myriad worlds through the ages.
And as Gu Changge stepped inside, the energy here grew even more blazing and resplendent, surging toward him like a vast ocean.
At the summit of the Immortal Palace, a blurry figure slowly condensed, sitting cross-legged there, utterly hazy and indistinct, with three thousand ancient worlds revolving around it.
Countless True Dragons and Celestial Phoenixes coiled about, White Tigers and Black Tortoises prostrated themselves, as if overlooking the ages, seated above reincarnation itself.
The River of Time surged, rushing beneath its feet, as though converging and flowing through all the worlds of heaven.
“The Dharma Body within the Dark Heaven—this level of grandeur is still far from enough.”
“It’s still far from enough to awe the world.” Gu Changge frowned at the scene before him.
Still, this was only an embryonic form for now; it would need to be gradually perfected.
Afterward, within the Inner Universe, one life-bearing ancient star after another gathered at Gu Changge’s will, forming a magnificent sea of stars that revolved around the surroundings.
Upon these life-bearing ancient stars, buildings, pavilions, palaces, and Buddhist towers began to rise from the ground—grand and ancient, permeated with the aura of the Great Dao.
All the various cultivation resources Gu Changge had previously collected—the Seven-Colored Altar, the Celestial Ancient Sacred Stele, the Emperor Scriptures, the insights of Sacred Emperor Realm beings—all flew out, transforming into a rain of light that fell upon those buildings, filling out their foundations.
“Those who chant my true name may draw a wisp of their True Soul to this realm, enter the Dark Heaven, and attain eternal life.”
“I am the Supreme Creation Heavenly Emperor of Great Freedom Beyond the Heavens.”
As Gu Changge burned the Sacrificial Scripture, reinforcing the laws of heaven and earth within his Inner Universe, he 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, it would inevitably provoke unexpected consequences.
Now that the Celestial Path was about to appear, all sorts of old monsters were beginning to emerge. If one day the aura of the Celestial Domain descended and touched this world, it would no doubt bring some trouble.
Omens of the Dark Turmoil, as Gu Qingyi Said
As Gu Changge ignited the Sacrificial Scripture and stirred the vast Power of Faith gathered by the Mortal Palace,
astonishing phenomena emerged across the vast heavens of the Beyond.
Many Cultivators, in a trance, glimpsed at the edge of the sky an ancient, magnificent palace complex rising and falling—carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade, gleaming with immortal light, like an undying celestial capital.
Some even heard the chanting of billions of gods and Buddhas ringing in their ears, incomparably vast.
This sight persisted for a long time, reflected across the skies of every heaven, drawing shock and discussion from countless Cultivators, who speculated whether this was some kind of omen from heaven and earth.
Of course, there were also those who heard the ancient summoning voice of the Dark Heaven, arriving across the River of Time.
It was as if a voice from the unseen was telling them: find where the Dark Heaven resides, and you may attain eternal life.
And this voice was not heard by ordinary Cultivators alone.
Even some Sacred Emperor Realm beings in secluded cultivation, and even True Daoists, sensed it, their hearts seized with utter dread.
They understood clearly that this required not only profound cultivation on the caster’s part, but also an unimaginably vast Power of Faith, in order to stir the senses of all living beings.
Which was to say—the Dark Heaven had long since come to possess countless believers.
This conjecture left the various powers and orthodoxies palpitating with fear, their hair standing on end.
“In other words, without us ever knowing, the Dark Heaven has already infiltrated countless corners...”
“Even the kin at our sides could be believers of the Dark Heaven...”
Many Cultivators felt chills run down their backs, their scalps tingling.
This was simply too terrifying. After all, judging from what had happened that day in the Imperial Capital of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, the Dark Heaven dared even to assassinate Gu Changge.
Thinking of it that way, was there anything in this world the Dark Heaven would not dare to do?
Some of the older generation of Cultivators sighed, “I already have a premonition that in the near future, the Beyond will face a great upheaval. Perhaps the Dark Turmoil of ancient times will be brought about by this Dark Heaven.”
“When that time comes, even True Daoists may be unable to protect themselves. The Beyond will descend into even greater chaos. No one will be spared. Endless darkness is about to shroud the land.”
And while undercurrents surged across the heavens of the Beyond, Gu Changge had already left the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty and returned to the Longevity Gu Family.
Although he had publicly claimed his injuries were serious, judging from his feat of single-handedly contending against three black-clad True Daoists, he should be mostly fine.
So after returning to the Longevity Gu Family, only his father and a scant few others came to see him; the rest of the clan elders did not show themselves.
By now, Gu Changge shone like the midday sun—both in the Beyond and within the Longevity Gu Family.
Even those True Daoist Ancestors who usually moved like ghosts treated him with courtesy, no longer regarding him as a junior.
He handed the many matters of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty over to Yin Mei, as well as to Tianzheng.
Yin Mei, who now controlled the Alliance of Thousand Merchants, took such matters very much to heart. After all, the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty was no Alliance of Thousand Merchants.
It was an immortal dynasty of extreme antiquity even within the Beyond, and the power it contained was truly terrifying. Gu Changge had only just begun to take control of it; he had yet to fully infiltrate it with his own people.
After all, those foundation-level beings slumbering in seclusion, those old antiques, were not blind. It was impossible they wouldn’t notice anything amiss.
He could only proceed slowly and carefully; he could not afford to be too hasty.
However, what surprised Gu Changge was that Gu Qingyi actually came to see him of her own accord.
Though it was only a few simple words, for her, it was exceedingly rare.
“The Celestial Gate is about to open. The Celestial Domain of old will emerge into the world once more. The barrier severing earth from heaven will vanish, and all will return to the Celestial Ancient era.”
“It seems the Beyond will soon fall into great chaos. This era is anything but ordinary—not only is there the opportunity to become a Celestial, but also many futures and strangenesses.”
Gu Qingyi stood upon a bluestone, her countenance peerless and otherworldly, cold and pure as a moonlit immortal, sleeves fluttering, hair dancing lightly as she spoke softly.
She seemed to be saying this deliberately, and unusually, she spoke at some length.
“Great chaos in what way? Are you saying you’re going to enter the Celestial Domain?”
A trace of something inscrutable flickered across Gu Changge’s expression before he asked.
Even now, he could not see through Gu Qingyi’s cultivation in the slightest. One had to know that even Remnant Immortals would find it hard to conceal all their aura before him.
Moreover, Gu Qingyi had never once concealed her aura from beginning to end.
Her existence was like a clear breeze and bright moon—utterly natural, yet also like an unfathomable void, inherently one with all of heaven and earth.
Still, Gu Changge had long suspected that Gu Qingyi shared a deep connection with him.
Her origins were naturally anything but ordinary.
Hearing this, Gu Qingyi lifted her eyes, rippling like autumn waters, and glanced at him. She gently shook her head, then nodded, saying nothing more.
She understood Gu Changge well, so she wasn’t worried about what impact the chaos of the Beyond might have on him—even with the Celestial Domain emerging into the world.
It was Little Wang Yue, following behind her, who wrinkled her dainty nose and said, “You irresponsible master! Qingyi-jiejie came to say goodbye to you.”
“Say goodbye to me?”
This time, Gu Changge was genuinely taken aback. He looked at Gu Qingyi with some confusion. “You’re leaving the Gu Family?”
Though Gu Qingyi was an ancient freak of the Gu Family, even many of the Ancestors couldn’t clearly explain her true origins.
When she spoke of leaving, did she mean going to the Celestial Domain, or somewhere else?
“It’s not exactly leaving the Gu Family. I’m simply returning to where I ought to return.”
Gu Qingyi said softly, extending her slender, jade-like fingers to tuck back a strand of hair falling by her temple.
Gu Changge fell silent for a moment, then smiled. “Then walk with me for a while.”
Gu Qingyi gave a soft hum of assent. Then, with a gentle wave of her sleeve, Little Wang Yue’s figure vanished from the spot, sent back to the small world where she had previously resided.
After that, the two walked side by side down from the mountain peak toward its foot. Clear radiance spilled down, mist curled about them, breezes drifted through the mountain forests, deer called softly, and a hundred birds sang sweetly.
Gu Changge did not speak, and neither did Gu Qingyi. The two simply walked at leisure across the land and rivers beneath their feet. Between them seemed to exist an indescribable tacit understanding, maintained for thousands upon thousands of years.
Even across countless epochs, even after trudging through endless ages, it remained clearly etched into their very bones.
In a single day, the two traversed countless mountains, rivers, and streams, crossed endless Mystic Mountains and ancient peaks, and finally, beneath the warm hues of the setting sun, arrived at a boundless, vast grassland stretching beyond sight.
The mountain wind blew, and the green grass rippled. The sky hung low, the moonlight faint—a beauty beyond words.
“It has been a very long time since I last looked properly upon this land.”
Gazing at it all, some emotion seemed to stir within Gu Qingyi’s eyes.
“It has also been a long time since I last looked upon this land like this,” Gu Changge said with a smile.
“You once said the same thing.”
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Gu Qingyi’s lips. “Do you still remember the wager we once made?”
“A wager? What wager?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow slightly.
“You will remember it sooner or later.” Gu Qingyi shook her head, her gaze suddenly becoming incomparably deep. “After all, that is your ultimate goal.”
PS: I’ve been badly stuck with writer’s block. Tonight I’ll sort out the upcoming plot and try my best to fill in all the loose ends that need filling.