"This time, the birthday celebration of the Immortal Chu Dynasty's ruler will likely not be peaceful. If I go, it might bring unexpected trouble."
Ling Yuling gently shook her head, her gaze carrying a hint of complexity.
"In that case, I'll go in your place, sister. Since you haven't fully recovered your strength yet, it's better not to show yourself," Ling Yuxian nodded in agreement.
"This trip might be dangerous. I'll attach a strand of my Dao Law Avatar to you. If you encounter any danger, prioritize your safety."
Ling Yuling let out an almost imperceptible sigh, then raised her hand. A wisp of floating light appeared in her palm, transforming into a strand of green silk that wrapped around Ling Yuxian's fingertip.
"Sister, have you foreseen something?"
Ling Yuxian looked at the strand of green silk on her fingertip, sensing the vast and terrifying power contained within it. She couldn't help but ask with some confusion.
"I'm just a little worried, that's all," Ling Yuling shook her head, not saying anything more.
At first, her plans had been well-laid, but she had miscalculated the current situation of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
She had thought that the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, Purple Dew Mountain, and other forces were distancing themselves from the Immortal Chu Dynasty, avoiding it like the plague, because they didn't want to get involved in trouble.
She speculated that the Immortal Chu Dynasty might be the starting point of the calamity sweeping through the Prime-Origin Civilization.
That's why she had planned to reveal her identity, take charge of the Prime-Origin Civilization's affairs, and establish the Prime-Origin Alliance.
However, when the news of the battle between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty reached her, she was instantly stunned and felt that something was wrong.
Clearly, the Immortal Chu Dynasty had held an absolute advantage, yet they were still no match for the Demon Court's Seventh Prince.
There was definitely something strange going on.
So, Ling Yuling once again used the Heaven and Earth Chessboard to deduce the situation. In an instant, all her previous deductions were overturned.
Above the Immortal Chu Dynasty, an unknown and eerie shadow was gradually descending, even the vast sea-like fortune was being tainted and corroded.
Boundless karma surged and entangled with the originally radiant and blazing fortune dragon, turning it into murky black spots.
This shocking sight left her at a loss for words.
It was clear that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was facing more than just one enemy.
This so-called calamity wasn't a natural disaster but a deliberate scheme by some terrifying existence to plot against the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
An invisible game was silently descending, enveloping the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
"If the Immortal Chu Dynasty cannot survive this calamity, it will be destroyed, vanishing into the river of time."
Thinking of this, Ling Yuling became more cautious, worried that unexpected events might occur during the birthday celebration of Chu Gucheng, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
That's why she decided to let her younger sister, Ling Yuxian, go instead. Since her strength was relatively low, even if something unexpected happened, she wouldn't easily attract attention.
Moreover, with Ling Yuling secretly protecting her, Ling Yuxian could leave safely if anything went wrong.
The risk of her true self going was simply too great. After being schemed against by the Eternal Life Spirit, Ling Yuling had become much more cautious than before and didn't want to take unnecessary risks.
"During this time, have you paid attention to the movements of that Young Master Gu?"
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Ling Yuling asked softly.
"I've been cultivating here all this time and haven't paid much attention to the affairs of the Imperial Immortal Palace. However, I do know a bit about Senior Brother Gu. I heard from the disciples of the Cloudy Mist Dao Field that after returning from the Jing Clan, Senior Brother Gu only stayed in the Cloudy Mist Dao Field for a few days before leaving again. I don't know where he went, but he later returned."
Ling Yuxian frowned slightly as she spoke.
"He went somewhere in between?" Ling Yuling showed a thoughtful expression.
Seeing her sister's expression, Ling Yuxian wisely didn't disturb her.
Gu Changge was not only mysterious in origin but also unfathomable in strength.
After being reminded by her sister, Ling Yuxian had given up on probing into Gu Changge's background.
During this time, she had been staying deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace, cultivating diligently, hoping to achieve the Dao Seed and reach the Dao Realm, restoring her peak strength.
After all, she had reincarnated and rebuilt her foundation and body, so her cultivation speed naturally far surpassed her peers.
As long as she had enough time and resources, her cultivation would steadily rise.
A few days later, the entire Prime-Origin Civilization was still discussing the unexpected battle between the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Demon Court.
Within the Imperial Immortal Palace, several Dao Realm elders had already led many disciples onto the Domain-Shattering Flying Ship, opening a spatial tunnel to head to the Immortal Chu Dynasty to celebrate Chu Gucheng's birthday.
Although Ling Yuxian was among the disciples, she had been staying in her own courtyard, hardly stepping out.
So, when she came out for some fresh air and walked around, she was almost shocked to find that Gu Changge was also among the disciples heading to the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
The Domain-Shattering Flying Ship was massive, like a floating continent, with its own internal space. The spiritual energy was dense, and runes intertwined. There were mountains, lakes, and marshes, and each disciple had their own courtyard and palace, making it quite grand.
During the journey to the Immortal Chu Dynasty's capital, few disciples came out to wander around.
So, Ling Yuxian didn't know which elders and disciples were on this trip.
"It seems that Senior Sister Yuxian isn't very welcoming of me. Why the look of surprise?" Gu Changge spoke, his face still wearing a faint smile.
"How could I not welcome you, Senior Brother Gu? I just didn't expect you to be here," Ling Yuxian shook her head, her expression complex as she looked at the young man in white before her. She always felt an indescribable sense of strangeness and unease.
This was the first time she had seen Gu Changge since they parted ways in the Jing Clan.
He was still as transcendent and extraordinary as before, as if he had stepped out of a painting, his demeanor gentle and easily likable.
But whenever she thought of what her sister had said, the strange feeling in Ling Yuxian's heart grew stronger.
Although she didn't feel outright fear or resistance, she always felt that something was off.
What kind of origin and identity was hidden beneath Gu Changge's seemingly flawless exterior?
"After all, it's the birthday celebration of the Immortal Chu Dynasty's ruler, inviting the entire Prime-Origin Civilization. Naturally, I wanted to join in the excitement and see the world," Gu Changge said with a faint smile, as if answering Ling Yuxian's earlier question.
Ling Yuxian's expression returned to normal.
At least from the current situation, although Gu Changge's origins and identity were unclear, he didn't seem to harbor any ill intentions toward the Imperial Immortal Palace.
"I don't believe Senior Brother Gu would be interested in such boring matters," she shook her head slightly, clearly not buying it.
"That might not necessarily be boring," Gu Changge also shook his head and smiled.
Ling Yuxian's beautiful eyes flickered, sensing that there was more to his words. She was about to ask if she could get more information.
But Gu Changge suddenly changed the subject, saying with interest, "By the way, do you remember the agreement we made earlier, Senior Sister Yuxian?"
Ling Yuxian was slightly stunned, then remembered and felt a little guilty.
"Didn't Senior Brother Gu already obtain the Gate of Eternal Life?" she asked in return.
From her sister, she had learned that Gu Changge wasn't the true owner of the Gate of Eternal Life.
In other words, back in the Sunny Ancient Domain, Gu Changge had known about her misunderstanding but hadn't explained. Instead, he had rightfully taken the Gate of Eternal Life.
Gu Changge shook his head, "The Gate of Eternal Life is the Gate of Eternal Life. The agreement we made didn't specify that what I would take was the Gate of Eternal Life. How can the two be conflated? Are you trying to go back on your word, Senior Sister Yuxian?"
Ling Yuxian retorted angrily, "Who's going back on their word? It was you who tricked me into thinking you were taking back the Gate of Eternal Life. Shouldn't you explain why you deceived me back then? And shouldn't you return the Gate of Eternal Life?"
Since Gu Changge had said this, it was tantamount to admitting that he wasn't the true owner of the Gate of Eternal Life.
Ling Yuxian naturally spoke frankly with him.
Her personality was like this—she didn't like to beat around the bush.
"The Gate of Eternal Life was originally an ownerless object. If I had handed it over to you and your sister back then, would you have dared to take it?"
Gu Changge let out a light, indifferent laugh.
Ling Yuxian felt both embarrassed and annoyed, feeling that she was being looked down upon, but she couldn't find the words to retort.
After all, it was the truth. In that situation, the Gate of Eternal Life had been tainted by dark energy, and even its spirit had been corrupted.
Her sister had already been schemed against by the Gate of Eternal Life's spirit once. How could she dare to take it again so easily?
With a cold snort, Ling Yuxian turned and left, feeling that Gu Changge was deliberately disturbing her mind.
Wherever he was, she simply couldn't calm down.
"It's a pity that before this good show begins, I haven't yet dragged the Imperial Immortal Palace into the water. But it seems that although Ling Yuling is suspicious and cautious, she hasn't fully made up her mind and is still somewhat wavering."
Gu Changge looked in the direction Ling Yuxian had left, his eyes showing a hint of intrigue.
He had naturally noticed that Ling Yuling had placed some means on Ling Yuxian.
Even without leaving the Imperial Immortal Palace, she could learn about everything happening outside through Ling Yuxian.
The conversation he had just had with Ling Yuxian had undoubtedly been observed and understood by Ling Yuling, who was far away in the Imperial Immortal Palace.