Chu Gucheng's expression was subtly grim, but he was still suppressing his anger and did not lash out.
"Saintess Xiyuan, you must take responsibility for your words. If you are deliberately humiliating me, there is no need to twist right and wrong like this," he said coldly.
Saintess Xiyuan's expression remained calm, unbothered by Chu Gucheng's words.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she glanced at Gu Changge.
Seeing this, the other guests also had flickering gazes, their thoughts varied.
"What? Does Emperor Chu wish to shift the focus onto me?"
Noticing the many guests looking over, Gu Changge, seated at the banquet, raised his eyes and smiled, putting down the wine cup in his hand. He asked with interest.
Chu Gucheng had been bottling up his anger all day.
Earlier, he could still put on a facade in front of others, but now he no longer bothered to hide it.
He said coldly, "The Heaven-Slaying Alliance rose in the Immortal Spirit Civilization and, within a few short years, swept through the surrounding True Worlds. Many followers of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance have spread its teachings and accumulated faith everywhere. How is this any different from the remnants of the Black Calamity that once brought chaos to the vast expanse?"
"Oh? So Emperor Chu is also aware of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's teachings. Then tell me, what evils has the Heaven-Slaying Alliance committed since its establishment?"
Gu Changge chuckled lightly, completely unbothered.
"Because of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, the once peaceful and stable Immortal Spirit Civilization has become chaotic and turbulent again. Countless forces, orthodoxies, and lifeforms have been destroyed and vanished. Don't tell me you're unaware of these things, Young Master Gu? Do I need to remind you?"
Chu Gucheng flicked his sleeve and spoke indifferently.
"I once sent my subordinates to the Immortal Spirit Civilization to quell the rebellion and restore peace. But on the way, they witnessed endless slaughter and bloodshed, forcing them to stop. This shows just how fierce the battles in the Immortal Spirit Civilization are. Countless galaxies and universes have been lost and destroyed. Truly, 'tears fall at the sight of flowers, and birds startle at parting sorrow.'"
Before Gu Changge could respond, Chu Gucheng continued.
As he spoke, his face could not hide his grief and anger, as if mourning the forces and lifeforms that had perished in the Immortal Spirit Civilization.
A heavy atmosphere of sorrow spread throughout the hall.
Many ministers and generals of the Immortal Chu Dynasty also seemed to empathize, as if they had personally witnessed the tragedies in the Immortal Spirit Civilization.
"The Emperor is benevolent and compassionate, caring for the world. The Immortal Chu Dynasty's success today is entirely due to the Emperor's diligent governance. The Immortal Spirit Civilization, under the protection of our Immortal Chu Dynasty, has sent vast resources and fortune crystals every era as a token of gratitude."
"How can we bear to see it suffer such chaos?"
Many ministers also spoke up, their eyes filled with grief and indignation.
Seeing this scene, the guests also appeared interested.
Many had flickering gazes, their thoughts racing.
They were not foolish and would not easily believe Chu Gucheng's one-sided account.
Whether it was the Immortal Spirit Civilization or the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, neither could be explained with just a few words.
Previously, not many forces had truly investigated the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
On one hand, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was located in the Immortal Spirit Civilization, far from the Prime-Origin Civilization, and no one wanted to take such a risk. On the other hand, the Immortal Chu Dynasty had spread news that the Immortal Spirit Civilization had been occupied by the remnants of the Black Calamity.
The world feared and panicked at the terror of the remnants of the Black Calamity. How could they dare to go there?
But it was also possible that this was a smokescreen deliberately thrown up by the Immortal Chu Dynasty to mislead everyone and use them as pawns.
After all, the Immortal Spirit Civilization had submitted to the Immortal Chu Dynasty, only to be later occupied by Gu Changge, who established the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, creating a feud between the two.
As for what Chu Gucheng had just said, did it prove that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was related to the remnants of the Black Calamity?
It must be understood that the rise of any force is inevitably built upon the bones and sins of countless lives, and the Immortal Chu Dynasty is no exception.
This is the iron law of the survival of the fittest in the world.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
Suddenly, clear clapping sounds rang out, startling the guests.
Ling Yuxian and Saintess Xiyuan both turned to look at Gu Changge.
Gu Changge stood up with a faint smile, clapping and sighing, "I never expected Emperor Chu to be such a benevolent and compassionate person. It seems I was blind. In that case, why doesn't Emperor Chu stop this war with the Demon Court? Can't you see the countless killings and sins rising at the border? Such overwhelming karma—are you turning a blind eye to it?"
These words made Chu Gucheng's children's expressions turn ugly.
Second Princess Chu Xinyue clenched her jade-like hands, barely suppressing her anger.
Chu Gucheng, of course, would not lose his composure at such a time. His expression remained unchanged.
"The Demon Court provoked my Immortal Chu Dynasty, invading on a large scale. How can the two be compared? Should my Immortal Chu Dynasty just sit back and let the Demon Court attack?"
"Young Master Gu, do you think my Immortal Chu Dynasty is wrong and should just offer our necks to the slaughter?"
A minister stepped forward, his face filled with righteous indignation, speaking with an air of justice.
Seeing this scene, the guests from various factions all had different expressions, clearly not wanting to stir up trouble.
Many even wished for Gu Changge and Chu Gucheng to fight right then and there.
The Temple of Light and Darkness, the Divine Ascension Cavern, and other orthodox forces had come to the banquet to give Chu Gucheng face, but that did not mean they stood with the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
At this moment, they really wanted Chu Gucheng to test Gu Changge's true strength.
However, Chu Gucheng was no fool. With so many problems plaguing the Immortal Chu Dynasty, he was already overwhelmed.
At most, he could vent his frustrations, but he would not truly break ties with Gu Changge.
So, he did not respond to the minister's words, his face as calm as water, showing no change.
Gu Changge let out a light laugh and said, "What a great excuse—'provoked first.' But as far as I know, the Demon Court's fury and attack were because the Demon Court's Ninth Prince, Di Wen, was killed by someone from the Immortal Chu Dynasty, wasn't he?"
"Emperor Chu, by shielding the murderer of the Demon Court's Ninth Prince, you've certainly gained a good reputation. But how many lives and cultivators have died because of your decision? The border regions are in ruins, and the land is scorched. Tell me, how does your action compare to my Heaven-Slaying Alliance?"
"Emperor Chu pities the clans and lives lost in the Immortal Spirit Civilization, but who will pity the soldiers and armies who died fighting for you at the border?"
It must be said that Gu Changge's words were extremely cutting, each word piercing the heart.
The minister who had spoken so righteously earlier now had a changed expression. He wanted to refute, but after opening his mouth, he found he had nothing to say. The expressions of the other ministers and generals also shifted slightly, clearly reminded by Gu Changge's words of the suffering of some in the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Even the Heavenly Divine General had fallen in this war with the Demon Court.
Originally, the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Demon Court would not have escalated to this point.
The catalyst was the death of the Demon Court's Ninth Prince, Di Wen, and the subsequent牵连 of Chu Lu, who was killed by the Demon Court's Tenth Prince.
If Emperor Chu Gucheng had chosen not to shield the murderer of Di Wen, would things have turned out differently?
"Young Master Gu is quite skilled at bewitching hearts. It's no wonder the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has accumulated so many followers in such a short time."
Chu Gucheng noticed the changed expressions of his ministers and generals, his eyes darkening, though his expression remained unchanged.
He knew that with these arguments alone, it was impossible to prove that Gu Changge's Heaven-Slaying Alliance was connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
Especially now that Saintess Xiyuan was openly siding with Gu Changge.
If he continued to press the issue, he would only end up losing face.
"Bewitching hearts? No, I'm just speaking the truth," Gu Changge smiled, his expression enigmatic.
The birthday banquet ultimately ended on a sour note. Chu Gucheng, citing the need to handle important matters and apologizing for the poor hospitality, left first, leaving several princes and princesses to host the guests.
Many guests did not leave the Immortal Chu Dynasty immediately. Quite a few were eager to see how the Immortal Chu Dynasty would handle the situation.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was not as terrifying as imagined, and it might not be related to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
The previous rumors and news might have been deliberately spread by the Immortal Chu Dynasty to use others as pawns.
Realizing this, many guests relaxed their guard, their wariness and caution toward Gu Changge lessening.
The Dao Realm elders from the Divine Ascension Cavern, their expressions softening, took the initiative to bring over some young people who had interacted with Gu Changge in Purple Return City in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain, apologizing for their previous hostility.
Following the Divine Ascension Cavern's lead, elders and clan leaders from other factions also stepped forward to greet and converse with Gu Changge.
Regardless of their stances, Gu Changge's terrifying and unfathomable strength was enough to make them all take him seriously.
Even the Buddhist Kingdom, which had good relations with the Immortal Chu Dynasty, was no exception.
The Kujizhen monk took the initiative to greet Gu Changge, inviting him to visit the Buddhist Kingdom to discuss the path of faith.
The Buddhist Kingdom was also very interested in how the Heaven-Slaying Alliance accumulated followers and absorbed faith, eager to learn from it.
After all, most Buddhist cultivators also believed in the wisdom of the Buddhas, the World-Honored One, and Ksitigarbha, transforming the power of wishes into their own cultivation.
Kujizhen himself had established countless large and small Buddhist kingdoms. This method of cultivation within the Buddhist kingdoms was also known as the True Buddha of the Great Thousand Buddhist Realms.
Wherever he was, his followers were as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, uncountable.
The followers of those Buddhist kingdoms had, over countless years, accumulated infinite faith and wish power for him.
Kujizhen had relied on that faith power to repeatedly overcome the Heavenly Tribulation, achieving his current level comparable to the Ancestral Dao Realm.
Gu Changge naturally had no plans to visit the Buddhist Kingdom at the moment.
But considering that he might have dealings with the Buddhist Kingdom in the future, he did not outright refuse Kujizhen's invitation.
Chu Xinyue watched as Kujizhen and others took the initiative to converse with Gu Changge, her heart so gloomy it seemed to drip water. Her jade-like hands clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Yet, in front of so many guests, she could not lose her composure and had to maintain a graceful and elegant smile.
"Xinyue, you should leave first. Father is probably in a troubled state of mind right now. Go talk to him and help ease his worries."
The eldest prince, Chu Wushang, noticing Chu Xinyue's barely contained anger, worried that she might lose control and do something detrimental to the current situation, giving Gu Changge an excuse to act. Thus, he suggested she leave first.
"Big brother..."
Chu Xinyue glanced worriedly at Chu Wushang.
Although her eldest brother had always been steady and diligent in his cultivation, his innate talent and bone structure were limited.
Even with Chu Gucheng's help, using various heavenly treasures to cleanse his body and seeking many opportunities, he had only overcome four Heavenly Tribulations. There was no hope for him to reach the Ancestral Dao Realm in this lifetime.
"Don't worry. In the capital, no one dares to act recklessly. Besides, there are many experts here, and our master and several seniors are still present," Chu Wushang gave her a reassuring look, knowing she was worried that his cultivation level would not be enough to maintain order.
Chu Xinyue nodded and then left the banquet.
Ouyang Ji, the young master of the Carefree Heavenly Dynasty, followed her, along with a group of servants. He had been following Chu Xinyue for some time.
Though he presented himself as a suitor, in the eyes of many, he was more like a lackey.
Chu Xinyue, who had initially been uncomfortable with this, had gradually grown accustomed to it. She no longer bothered to put on airs and directly ordered Ouyang Ji around.
Ouyang Ji's willingness to serve her both disgusted and flattered Chu Xinyue.
The young master of the Carefree Heavenly Dynasty, a hero who had overcome several Heavenly Tribulations, destined to rule the Carefree Heavenly Dynasty in the future, was willingly serving her, bowing under her skirt?
It was just a pity that Ouyang Ji was too cowardly. After being injured by Gu Changge once, he didn't even dare to think of revenge, let alone actively seek trouble.
"Saintess Xiyuan standing by that Gu fellow's side was completely unexpected."
"She even defied an elder like Jin Lao. It seems she's determined to oppose our Immortal Chu Dynasty."
"Father's earlier decision was right. We must prepare early."
After leaving the banquet, Chu Xinyue headed straight for the depths of the palace to discuss matters with Chu Gucheng.
Thinking of what had just happened, her eyes turned extremely gloomy.
"Xinyue, are you planning to take action against Saintess Xiyuan?"
Ouyang Ji, following beside Chu Xinyue, noticed her troubled expression and couldn't help but feel concerned, asking cautiously.