Chen Yi stared blankly at the white jade bottle tightly clutched in her hand. After a long while, she let out a faint sigh and collected her thoughts.
The tyrannical cold poison that had plagued her for so long in the Crescent Moon Sect had left everyone helpless, believing that her path forward was severed. It was precisely because of this that she had been chosen as a member of the Alliance of Righteous Unity's envoy team.
Yet, who could have imagined that the small bottle of pills would completely cure her of the cold poison? She no longer felt any trace of it, and it had not flared up again. This turn of events felt like a dream, leaving Chen Yi in disbelief.
This journey had been perilous, a true life-and-death struggle. She had already resigned herself to death, holding no hope of survival. Yet, against all odds, her cold poison was cured.
"I still don't even know his name…"
Chen Yi and the others set off once more, transforming into beams of divine light as they headed toward the territory of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
The vast desert stretched endlessly, with no horizon in sight. The sky and earth were a desolate yellow, and only the distant, towering city walls loomed faintly through the swirling sand.
The walls resembled a coiled dragon, overlooking the vast expanse of heaven and earth, and the myriad living beings.
Chen Yi and her companions, all at the Dao Realm, arrived at the city walls in an instant. The towering walls seemed to stretch to the heavens, with star remnants drifting in the cosmos. Massive stars orbited the walls, each inscribed with countless runes that shone brighter than the sun.
The ancient, weathered walls were a dull gray, covered in scars from swords and spears, telling tales of past battles.
The cultivators on the walls had already noticed Chen Yi and her group. Brilliant runes lit up, converging into a terrifying energy that could strike at any moment.
Feeling the overwhelming aura, Chen Yi and the others couldn't help but pale slightly.
As the dazzling divine light gathered, ready to strike, one of their group flew into the air and hurriedly clasped his hands, saying, "We mean no harm."
"In these troubled times, may we ask where you come from and why you have come to the territory of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?"
A man who appeared to be a commander stood atop the wall, coldly watching Chen Yi and the others as he shouted his question.
Although the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had not been invaded by the Dark Beings, they remained vigilant, not allowing anyone suspicious to enter.
"We come from the Alliance of Righteous Unity, sent by our sect leaders with a document to discuss matters with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and to collaborate on resisting the Black Calamity."
The cultivator who had spoken earlier took out a silk document from his robes and unfurled it. A dazzling light emerged, forming rows of text that hovered in the air, resonating with the aura of the Great Dao, exuding a divine and mystical presence.
"Envoys from the Alliance of Righteous Unity?"
The commander on the wall showed a hint of surprise. With a wave of his hand, the document flew into his grasp. After quickly scanning it, he nodded slightly and ordered the gates to be opened.
He had heard rumors that the Alliance of Righteous Unity would send envoys, but he hadn't expected them to arrive so soon.
Chen Yi and the others breathed a sigh of relief and, after expressing their thanks, entered the city.
Although they could have forced their way in with their strength, they dared not act recklessly in the territory of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
The soldiers and cultivators stationed on the walls all seemed fierce and menacing, exuding an aura of killing intent. They were not to be trifled with.
Meanwhile, as Chen Yi and the others finally set foot in the territory of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and headed toward its headquarters, Gu Changge had already returned with Mu Fuguang, Eternal Illumination Dao Lord, Beici Chanfu, Tong Xianyao, and others.
During his absence, he had left many matters in the hands of the White Bone Ancestor King, Zhuo Fengxie, and others.
As for Ling Yuling, he still did not fully trust her. Thus, he had her and the fake Saintess Xiyuan travel around, recruiting followers and expanding the influence of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Overall, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance remained prosperous and stable, unaffected by the Black Calamity or the emergence of the Alliance of Righteous Unity. Its expansion continued unabated.
Aside from a few individuals, almost no one knew that Gu Changge had left the Heaven-Slaying Alliance during this time.
He had sent Yao Yao away to train on her own, while Mu Yan, bored, had followed Ling Yuling on her travels.
When Gu Changge returned to the valley filled with peach blossoms, he was momentarily stunned by the sight of the fallen petals covering the ground, untouched and unswept.
The valley had been empty for some time, and the fallen petals added to the serene and tranquil atmosphere.
"Next, I just need to wait for the envoy team from the Alliance of Righteous Unity to arrive. Then, I'll have a legitimate reason to act."
Gu Changge brewed himself a pot of tea and leaned against a peach tree, closing his eyes as he pondered and refined his plans.
During his time away from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, aside from "recruiting" Mu Fuguang and the others, he had also done other things.
He had personally scouted the surrounding territories, identifying some well-hidden "big fish." However, it was not yet time to reel them in, so he had not made any moves that might alert them.
The emergence of the Alliance of Righteous Unity played right into his hands. However, to maintain the appearance of righteousness, he needed to choose the right moment to strike.
The arrival of the Alliance of Righteous Unity's envoy team provided the perfect opportunity.
This was also why, after saving Chen Yi and the others, he had seen a fragment of the future in them, which led him to formulate his subsequent plans.
In the following days, Gu Changge summoned Ling Yuling and the others back. He planned to have Mu Fuguang and the others follow Ling Yuling for a while.
After returning to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, he did not restrict Mu Fuguang and the others' freedom, nor did he assign them any tasks.
Mu Fuguang, Tong Xianyao, Beici Chanfu, and the others far surpassed ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm existences. Minor matters did not require their attention, and Ling Yuling currently lacked such powerful allies.
Although she was formidable, relying solely on her strength and her past reputation as a hero who resisted the Black Calamity was not enough to intimidate the other True Worlds.
It was time for the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to make its presence known and strike fear across the vast expanse.
A few days later, Ling Yuling returned to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance as promised. She brought back some information she believed to be crucial for the alliance's future development.
"Some of the nearby True Worlds are also resistant to the Alliance of Righteous Unity and are unwilling to join, fearing they would be entangled in significant karma."
"During my travels beyond the boundaries of time and space, I encountered the descendant of an old friend. He told me that behind the Alliance of Righteous Unity lies a massive shadow, unclear and indistinct, yet terrifying, like a colossal vortex…"
"He inherited my old friend's legacy and is skilled in celestial divination, predicting the fates of the void with unfathomable methods."
Ling Yuling, dressed in white, exuded an ethereal and cold aura, her skin as fair as snow. She approached, carrying a faint fragrance.
Under the peach tree, Gu Changge sat lazily, gesturing for her to sit beside him.
Ling Yuling hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting down. Peach blossoms drifted down, floating in the air, carrying their sweet scent.
"You've worked hard. Under your management, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has flourished, saving me a great deal of effort."
Gu Changge plucked a petal and tucked it behind her ear, smiling. "There is indeed a force behind the Alliance of Righteous Unity, attempting to spread its influence across the vast expanse. That person's ambitions are grand, and his courage is great, but he lacks the strength. Sooner or later, he will face retribution."
"As for the True Worlds you mentioned, they are not resistant to the Alliance of Righteous Unity. They are simply too far away to receive its protection and are unwilling to relocate their entire clans."
Ling Yuling's delicate, translucent earlobes turned slightly red.
"It seems you already knew all this. I need not worry, then."
She paused, then said softly, "In that case, you must already have a plan."
Gu Changge smiled. "Indeed, I do. Would you like to know?"
Ling Yuling hesitated, then shook her head. "If you wish to tell me, you will."
She did not press further. Some things were better left unknown, especially when it came to Gu Changge's inscrutable mind. Though he appeared gentle and flawless at this moment, his true thoughts were impossible to guess.
"I've recruited some powerful individuals. I'll have them assist you. They are intelligent and should save you a lot of trouble."
Gu Changge rose from under the peach tree and led Ling Yuling to the main hall of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Mu Fuguang, Beici Chanfu, Tong Xianyao, and the others, having received their orders, were already waiting there.
"Greetings, Alliance Leader."
They bowed respectfully as Gu Changge arrived.
Ling Yuling was astonished, her clear eyes filled with surprise as she examined the group of powerful individuals.
Some of them even gave her a faint sense of danger, indicating their formidable strength.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was currently lacking such high-level existences.
"You will follow her from now on. The vast expanse is about to become much livelier," Gu Changge said.
Mu Fuguang's beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Ling Yuling. "This must be the renowned founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace. Truly peerless in elegance and grace."
Though they had secluded themselves from the world, they were well aware of the happenings outside, especially the history of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
The founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace was considered one of the pinnacle existences of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Aside from those deeply hidden old monsters and living fossils, she could be considered the true number one expert.
After her initial surprise, Ling Yuling also recognized the origins of Mu Fuguang and the others.
Those from the forbidden zones rarely involved themselves in worldly affairs. Cultivators of profound Dao Realm could easily discern their backgrounds.
"I never expected you all to be brought out of the forbidden zones by the Alliance Leader."
"With your assistance, the day the Heaven-Slaying Alliance achieves its great cause will come even sooner."
She smiled warmly, her expression radiant.
Mu Fuguang and the others' expressions stiffened slightly, becoming somewhat unnatural.
They could sense the teasing tone in Ling Yuling's words.
If not for Gu Changge's coercion, why would they have left seclusion, involving themselves in worldly affairs and inviting trouble?
Ling Yuling understood this well, yet she still spoke this way, showing that she was not as detached and otherworldly as she appeared.
Subsequently, Mu Fuguang and the others briefly explained their origins to Ling Yuling. The forbidden zones they came from were each infamous, representing endless bloodshed and chaos.
Even Dao Realm existences would tremble in fear at the mention of them.
This force was incredibly terrifying. Even the most powerful True Worlds would hesitate and fear them. Yet, here they were, obediently serving the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
In front of Gu Changge, they were nothing like the dreaded rulers of the forbidden zones that the world feared.
Thinking of this, Ling Yuling's heart could not remain calm.
Every time she thought she had glimpsed Gu Changge's strength and understood his depths, she would quickly realize it was all an illusion.
He truly seemed… omnipotent and invincible.
Half a month later, the envoy team from the Alliance of Righteous Unity finally arrived safely at the capital city of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Chen Yi and the others had traveled through various cosmic worlds, witnessing the sights of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Temples and shrines were everywhere, with divine statues towering amidst clouds and mist. The dense aura of faith resembled an endless ocean, surging in the depths of the heavens, converging into a dazzling galaxy.
They feared being tainted by the strange aura of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, silently being converted into its followers.
Although the Heaven-Slaying Alliance appeared peaceful, with no conflicts and all races and forces adhering to the rules, cultivating in pursuit of the Dao, the fervor of the shrine worshippers and followers made them uneasy. They felt that this tranquility was an illusion created by demons and monsters, utterly bizarre.
If this facade were broken, the scene beneath would surely be horrifying, filled with corpses and desolation.
Even as Dao Realm existences, they felt this unease, unable to discern the truth. How much more so for ordinary cultivators?
To them, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was even more dangerous and bizarre than the rumors suggested. In a world of turmoil and unrest, how could the Heaven-Slaying Alliance maintain such peace and tranquility?
It was like the eye of a hurricane, eerily calm, exuding an overwhelming sense of strangeness and abnormality.
Perhaps from the moment they set foot in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's territory, what they saw was not real.
Illusions and reality intertwined, making it impossible to distinguish.
Time passed, and in a cold, secluded side hall where guests were received, Chen Yi, Huijue Jushi, and the others sat restlessly, waiting. Everyone was extremely tense, their backs and palms drenched in cold sweat.
The hall was filled with the scent of incense, with clouds of smoke rising from the censer, exuding a calming aura.
Yet, this aura did nothing to soothe their nerves. Instead, they grew increasingly anxious.
After bringing them here, the people of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance seemed to have forgotten about them. As envoys of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, they were treated as if they were invisible, with no regard for their dignity or status.
This left them feeling both helpless and deeply sorrowful.
Caught between two colossal forces, even Dao Realm existences were insignificant.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the side hall, causing everyone inside to perk up.
Before they could rise to greet the newcomers, a blinding golden light shot into the sky, illuminating the cosmos like a rising sun.
An overwhelming surge of runic power erupted, as if millions of stars had exploded. The entire side hall was instantly reduced to dust, completely obliterated.
"How dare you…"
"Attempt to assassinate the Alliance Leader!"
"You're seeking death!"
"Capture them!"
A furious voice roared amidst the endless light.
The sky itself seemed to tremble with rage, the sound reverberating across the land.
Countless star systems in the cosmos quaked, like waves crashing in a vast ocean, as if the heavens themselves were enraged and ready to punish all living beings.
Countless cultivators and beings trembled in fear at this earth-shattering outburst.
"Is this the opportunity you spoke of?"
In another hall, Ling Yuling's beautiful eyes widened as she turned to Gu Changge in disbelief.
Gu Changge sat calmly, sipping his tea. "Compared to direct action, I think this is more justified."
Ling Yuling was speechless, unsure of how to respond.
"Truly, a crime fabricated without evidence," she murmured.
Gu Changge smiled. "To act without justification is not only ineffective but also dangerous."
"I won't harm them. At most, I'll detain them for a while and let them suffer a bit. The Alliance of Righteous Unity is ambitious, acting against the natural order, attempting to obstruct the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's rise. They deserve to be punished."
The news of the Alliance of Righteous Unity's envoys attempting to assassinate the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance spread like wildfire across the vast expanse, causing an uproar.
Countless cultivators and beings were shocked and incredulous.
In these times, how could the Alliance of Righteous Unity dare to do such a thing? It seemed utterly insane.
Some questioned the authenticity of the event.
But regardless of its truth, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was enraged. A massive army was mobilized that very day, gathering from all corners of the cosmos.