This matter should have been kept secret, but Chu Xinyue thought that if she decided to deal with Saintess Xiyuan, she might need the power of the Far-Reaching Heavenly Dynasty in the future.
Therefore, it wouldn't hurt to inform Ouyang Ji now.
"It's not about dealing with Saintess Xiyuan. It's just that we have to respond to her methods in order to protect ourselves," Chu Xinyue shook her head, her gaze deep.
Ouyang Ji frowned, feeling uneasy. "But no matter what, Saintess Xiyuan holds an extremely transcendent position in the Prime-Origin Civilization. If you do this, won't it mean you've completely offended the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and placed yourselves in opposition to the various orthodox forces?"
"Wouldn't that make the situation even worse for the Immortal Chu Dynasty?"
His expression was serious, as if he were weighing the pros and cons for the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
"Could it be worse than it is now?"
"At my father's birthday banquet, the master of Purple Mist Mountain, Zi Wanhe, personally delivered that black coffin in front of all the guests. This humiliation has already made the Immortal Chu Dynasty a laughingstock among the attendees," Chu Xinyue said coldly, her voice filled with resentment.
Ouyang Ji opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he chose to remain silent.
"Purple Mist Mountain has gone too far, completely disregarding our Immortal Chu Dynasty. That Gu fellow is clearly the mastermind behind my brother's tragic death. I even suspect that this sudden attack by Purple Mist Mountain is related to him. In such a situation, we have no choice but to take drastic measures."
Chu Xinyue realized that her tone had been a bit harsh earlier, so she softened her voice, speaking with a hint of helplessness.
"I understand how you feel, Xinyue, but..." Ouyang Ji sighed, still seeming very worried.
Chu Xinyue turned to look at him, her voice gentle. "I knew you would understand me, Ji Lang. You are the young master of the Far-Reaching Heavenly Dynasty, a peerless hero destined to rule the Far-Reaching Heavenly Dynasty in the future. You will definitely help me, right? Once the troubles of the Immortal Chu Dynasty are resolved, I will ask my father to arrange a marriage for us."
At the mention of "marriage," Ouyang Ji's eyes immediately lit up with joy.
He no longer cared about his earlier concerns and quickly nodded. "Xinyue, don't worry. Your matters are my matters. The affairs of the Immortal Chu Dynasty are naturally my affairs as well. I will definitely do everything I can to help you. Whatever you need me to do, just give the order. Whether it's climbing a mountain of blades or crossing a sea of fire, as long as you say the word, I won't be afraid."
Seeing Ouyang Ji's sincerity, Chu Xinyue also showed a touched expression, her voice soft. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
"However, Xinyue, the person you're dealing with this time is Saintess Xiyuan. You know her status and position. If this fails, what will the consequences be?"
Ouyang Ji couldn't hide his joy, but he also didn't let it cloud his judgment. He quickly calmed down and spoke with some caution.
Chu Xinyue was not displeased with Ouyang Ji's reaction and continued in a gentle tone. "What? Are you scared, Ji Lang? If Saintess Xiyuan's actions are completely unjustified, clearly because she sees the Immortal Chu Dynasty developing too quickly and fears we will overshadow the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, then she has deliberately opposed us in front of everyone. Since she has already taken action, how can we remain passive?"
Ouyang Ji nodded and didn't say anything more, following Chu Xinyue all the way to the depths of the palace.
The old woman from the Yinxu Cave had also left the banquet and was now in the depths of the palace.
Also present was Bai Hou Xingjun.
Chu Gucheng was discussing matters with the two of them, his dignified face unusually heavy.
"This attack by Purple Mist Mountain has completely caught me off guard. I suspect this was premeditated. Besides Purple Mist Mountain, there must be other forces secretly involved. If I'm not mistaken, it's probably the Heaven-Slaying Alliance behind that Gu fellow," Chu Gucheng said solemnly.
"Indeed, how could things be so coincidental? But that Gu fellow dared to appear alone in the Immortal Chu Dynasty. He must have some confidence and backing. I just wonder how confident you are, Your Majesty, in keeping him here permanently?" Bai Hou Xingjun, who had taken over after Uncle Fu retired to a leisurely position, was now Chu Gucheng's most trusted advisor.
He wore a white robe, his face lean, his long hair swaying gently in the wind. Hidden in his wide sleeves was a whisk, glowing with a hazy light, evolving the changing seasons, wind, thunder, rain, and lightning.
"I can't gauge that Gu fellow's strength. He gives me a terrifying, heart-palpitating feeling," Chu Gucheng frowned and said gravely.
He actually had another thought he didn't voice: when he first met Gu Changge at the city wall, he even felt like prey in Gu Changge's eyes.
That spine-chilling, trembling feeling was something Chu Gucheng still found hard to believe.
"That young man surnamed Gu is unfathomably strong. I'm afraid I'm no match for him either. Before completely breaking ties, it's best not to conflict with him. Even if you could ultimately keep him here, the Immortal Chu Dynasty would pay a terrible price."
The old woman from the Yinxu Cave also spoke, her silver-white eyes, like starlight, showing a hint of wariness.
Even the old woman from the Yinxu Cave said this, making Chu Gucheng's expression even heavier. He clenched his fists, feeling a sense of powerlessness.
"Senior, don't worry. I understand the urgency of the situation and won't act recklessly," he said solemnly.
The old woman nodded. "Although this Gu fellow's origins are mysterious and his strength is unfathomable, it's not like there's no way to deal with him. If you can find a way to invite my master to intervene, all the troubles and problems will naturally be resolved."
"The master of the Yinxu Cave?" Chu Gucheng was stunned. He had actually thought of this before.
But the Yinxu Cave was extremely mysterious. No one knew its origins or whereabouts.
The master of the Yinxu Cave was undoubtedly powerful, but with his own abilities, how could he possibly invite such a figure to intervene?
The old woman seemed to know what Chu Gucheng was thinking and said directly, "My master is not one to teach indiscriminately. Over so many epochs, he has taken very few disciples. But he sent Bai Hou to assist you, which shows he sees something extraordinary in you, Emperor Chu. Moreover, my master personally gifted you that brocade box, showing how much he values you. If you sincerely wish to become his disciple, he might not refuse."
Her words shocked Chu Gucheng again, and his eyes flickered with interest, clearly somewhat tempted.
That mysterious brocade box was still carefully stored by him, and he didn't know what was sealed inside.
"However, I have already taken Law Sage as my master. Once a master, always a master. How can I abandon my original master and take another? Although I have long admired and respected the master of the Yinxu Cave, I would never do something so disloyal to my original sect..."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Chu Gucheng shook his head firmly, his tone resolute.
The old woman wasn't displeased by his words.
Instead, she showed a faint smile and then said, "Let's not discuss this for now. Emperor Chu, why don't you open the brocade box my master gifted you and see what's inside? Perhaps you'll find a way to deal with that Gu fellow."
Chu Xinyue, who had just arrived at the depths of the palace, happened to hear this conversation.
Originally, she had been considering whether to personally cause some trouble for Gu Changge.
But she never expected that Gu Changge's strength would make everyone feel helpless and wary.
Even the mysterious old woman from the Yinxu Cave said so.
However, the Yinxu Cave was so mysterious and unfathomable. The brocade box gifted by its master must be extraordinary.
She walked over, not disturbing Chu Gucheng and the others, and stood quietly behind them.
Ouyang Ji and the others from the Far-Reaching Heavenly Dynasty tactfully waited outside the palace, not following Chu Xinyue inside.
"Senior Xingying is right. I'll open that brocade box now."
Inside the hall, Chu Gucheng was also very curious about what was inside the brocade box.
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a stream of light flashed. The seemingly ordinary brocade box appeared in his palm.
The old woman's gaze fell on it.
She was also somewhat curious, wanting to know what her master had gifted Chu Gucheng.
Bai Hou Xingjun also looked on curiously.
As the brocade box was opened, a pill the size of a fist, glowing with seven-colored light, appeared inside.
This pill had seven orifices, each emitting a rich, glass-like mysterious aura.
These auras were hazy and formless, constantly transforming in mid-air.
Sometimes they took the form of a burly man, sometimes a young child, other times a beautiful woman, an elderly man, or even a ferocious beast or strange rock...
It seemed as if all the races and lifeforms of the world were reflected and transformed within those auras. Infinite universes and countless galaxies were encompassed, making it incredibly mysterious.
"What is this?"
Chu Gucheng stared at the pill in astonishment.
Despite his vast knowledge, he couldn't immediately determine its origin.
Bai Hou Xingjun and the old woman, however, were stunned the moment they saw the pill, as if they couldn't believe their eyes.
"Could this be the Great Creation Pill of Transformation that Master refined after slaying that Chaos Sea Ancestor and extracting its Dao Fruit?"
After recovering, the old woman still seemed unable to believe it, murmuring to herself.
Bai Hou Xingjun was also puzzled. Why would their master gift such an incredibly precious but seemingly useless pill to Chu Gucheng as a birthday present?
Seeing the confusion on Chu Gucheng and Chu Xinyue's faces, he explained, "This pill is called the Great Creation Pill of Transformation. It was refined by Master after slaying a Chaos Ancestor, extracting its Dao Fruit, and combining it with various rare treasures. After consuming it, one can transform into any person in the world without any flaws. Even a Path-End level figure wouldn't be able to deduce their true origins."
"The Chaos Ancestor is a great fiend of the Ancestral Dao Realm. For countless years, it has hidden in the Chaos Sea of Time and Space. Almost no one could find its true body, let alone slay it."
"This pill, refined from its Dao Fruit, shows just how rare and precious it is."
Chu Xinyue was stunned by its value but still didn't understand why the master of the Yinxu Cave would send such a pill.
Chu Gucheng, however, quickly grasped the master's intention.
"I never expected Senior from the Yinxu Cave to be so powerful. He must have foreseen the Immortal Chu Dynasty's predicament and left this pill as a stroke of genius."
"Such great kindness and virtue—I am truly grateful."
His face was filled with excitement and joy.
"After consuming the Great Creation Pill of Transformation, one doesn't immediately transform into the desired person. During this time, one must find a way to come into contact with that person. After the transformation, aside from the inability to replicate true strength, everything else—aura, movements, expressions, memories—will be almost identical to the original."
The old woman, now understanding her master's intention, explained. "So that's how it is. I understand."
After listening, Chu Gucheng nodded.
He more or less understood the miraculous use of this Great Creation Pill of Transformation.
It wasn't so much a transformation as it was a direct replication of a body almost identical to the original.
However, during the replication process, one needed to come into contact with the original.
This contact wasn't physical touch but rather a close-range simulation and learning.
"Father, this is truly heaven helping us!"
Chu Xinyue also understood the pill's miraculous use and was extremely excited and uplifted.
In other circumstances, this pill might seem useless.
But in the Immortal Chu Dynasty's current predicament, it was perfectly timed, like a stroke of genius, quietly resolving all troubles and dangers.
As for the extremely mysterious master of the Yinxu Cave, both father and daughter were now filled with admiration and gratitude.
"I was still a bit worried that the previous decision might lead to unpredictable and terrible consequences."
"But now it seems everything was predestined. The Mirror of Reincarnation belongs to the Immortal Chu Dynasty."
Chu Gucheng smiled, now fully confident.
Meanwhile, on the other side, after Chu Gucheng left the banquet, the guests not only didn't feel uncomfortable but became even more lively.
Jars of immortal wine and delicacies were brought out, and the guests drank freely, toasting and enjoying themselves, as if they had completely forgotten that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was currently under attack by the Demon Court and Purple Mist Mountain.
They also seemed to have forgotten that not long ago, Emperor Chu Gucheng had fought with the master of Purple Mist Mountain, Zi Wanhe, and lost face.
This, however, was hard on the ministers who had stayed behind.
Several princes, princesses, and other members of the Chu family also felt like they were sitting on pins and needles.
The eldest prince, Chu Wushang, had been on guard against Gu Changge, worried that after his father left, Gu Changge would take the opportunity to cause trouble.
But he didn't expect that Gu Changge would take the initiative to approach him, smiling and toasting.
Unable to figure out Gu Changge's intentions, Chu Wushang could only force a smile and toast Gu Changge from a distance.
The other guests, seeing this, naturally didn't want to be rude and also toasted him.
The immortal wine served to the guests was no ordinary drink.
Even Chu Wushang, who usually had a good tolerance for alcohol, eventually felt dizzy and lightheaded.
He tried to use his cultivation to dispel the effects of the wine, but it had little effect. This wine was a rare treasure that could even make Dao Realm experts drunk.
It also contained fragments of Ancestral Dao Realm laws, which could help cultivators comprehend and refine them.
By refining and comprehending these law fragments, cultivators could enter a state of enlightenment akin to drunkenness.
"Is it finally over?"
Looking at the now-empty hall as the guests gradually left, Chu Wushang rubbed his head, trying to stay clear-headed.
This birthday banquet was supposed to last several days, but due to today's events, it had to end abruptly, making it a complete anticlimax and a laughingstock.
Chu Wushang swayed as he stood up, nearly falling.
The few princes who had stayed behind quickly supported him.
"Big brother, you're drunk. Let us help you back to rest. You've had too much to drink today."