Now that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was powerful and encompassed many True Worlds and civilizations, all sorts of monsters and demons naturally came along—those with hidden agendas, ulterior motives, feigned submission; nearly every kind of being was present.
How could Gu Changge not know these things? He simply never brought it up and did not care.
As long as one believed in the doctrines of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and recognized its ideals, then one was a believer of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
As for whether the believers' hearts were pure and sincere, or whether they were devout, who could know better than Gu Changge?
Zhuo Fengxie, Hun Yuanjun, and others had all discovered that as long as one's heart was devout enough and contributed enough power of faith, one could receive due rewards. Over these years, their cultivation had become countless times stronger than before.
Although they were still some distance from the Ancestral Dao Realm, it was no longer hopeless in this life.
"Regarding the Ancient Treasure Civilization, Eternal, you will go there personally. Deliver my verbal decree: Have the Ancient Treasure Imperial Ruler bring people to see me. If he remains stubborn and unrepentant, then before my Grand Heaven-Slaying Ceremony, I will make an example of the Ancient Treasure Civilization first."
Gu Changge had no intention of punishing Demon Immortal Venerable and the others. Now the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was a mixed bag of good and bad, the same among its high-level members. Some submitted sincerely, while naturally others harbored ulterior motives. Now that End of the Path existences were returning one after another, these Ancestral Dao Realm figures no longer held much value in his eyes; whether he cared or not made no difference.
In any case, in his plans, they were all cannon fodder, at most the difference between big cannon fodder and small cannon fodder.
"Grand Heaven-Slaying Ceremony?"
The high-level members in the hall were all taken aback, and then were extremely shocked and shaken.
The Eternal Primordial God was the first to react. Without any hesitation, he respectfully said, "Yes, Alliance Leader."
Luo Zhu had been instructed by Gu Changge to retrieve the armor and had still not returned to this day.
Now, the Eternal Primordial God was the sole End of the Path existence in the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
The Eternal Primordial God also knew that the Ancient Treasure Civilization was now likely a dragon's pool and tiger's den. After the Epoch Mother Tree was taken away, the Ancient Treasure Civilization had undergone great changes. The Ancient Treasure Imperial Ruler had clearly stated that after half a month, he would give Gu Changge a reply.
Yet now, half a month had passed. The situation in the Vast Expanse had changed, so many End of the Path existences had returned, but the Ancient Treasure Civilization remained as silent as death.
The Eternal Primordial God guessed that some shocking change might have occurred within. The Ancient Treasure Imperial Ruler likely had some backing; perhaps it was the Heavenly Dao's Will?
Soon, the Eternal Primordial God departed.
The high-level members in the hall were still waiting for Gu Changge to speak. If it was only this one matter, Gu Changge probably would not have summoned them all.
As expected, they soon heard another instruction from Gu Changge.
"I intend to establish the Heaven-Slaying Platform. Zhuo Fengxie, you will be in charge of this matter. Hun Yuanjun and Chu Heng, you will assist. On the day the Heaven-Slaying Platform is completed, I will personally hold a Grand Heaven-Slaying Ceremony."
"On the day of the Grand Heaven-Slaying Ceremony, I will judge the Heavenly Dao." Gu Changge's gaze swept down and landed on Zhuo Fengxie.
These words made everyone in the hall feel a shiver of horror, utterly shocked, trembling all over. The moment these words were spoken, it felt as if some extremely terrifying will swept over from the unseen.
Yet it quickly dissipated again, as if it had been their imagination.
After snapping back to their senses, the gazes of all the high-level members in the hall turned over, collectively falling on Zhuo Fengxie and the others.
Zhuo Fengxie himself was shaken, and then stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Yes, Alliance Leader."
Zhuo Fengxie did not ask the reason, nor did he ask how to build it. He simply accepted the task.
He knew Gu Changge did not like nonsense.
As for what exactly the Heaven-Slaying Platform was, where it should be built, and what scale it required, he was completely clueless. If every little detail had to be instructed, then what would Gu Changge need them for?
Now Gu Changge was entrusting him with a heavy responsibility; it was a sign of valuing him, and he should be grateful.
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
Hun Yuanjun and Chu Heng also stepped forward. Both were among those who had followed Gu Changge from the very beginning, especially Chu Heng, who had once been the Champion Marquis of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Over these years, he had fought on all fronts for the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and had accumulated enough merit points. Thus, Gu Changge had also agreed to one of his requests: to help resurrect his deceased wife, Qinglan.
Now the husband and wife were already reunited.
"This is a Decree Token as if I am present myself. Throughout the territory of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, you may use this token to mobilize all resources."
"If anyone obstructs, suppress them directly without reporting."
Gu Changge casually gestured, and a rift split open in the void. A golden, gleaming token wreathed in a certain supreme aura landed before Zhuo Fengxie.
Looking at this token, Zhuo Fengxie accepted it with utmost respect and excitement. All the high-level members in the hall cast envious and jealous gazes at him.
Although it was just a token, the aura it contained still terrified them. It felt like facing an endless deep sea that could erupt at any moment with towering, heaven-drowning furious waves.
Many suspected that this single token might be enough to suppress an End of the Path existence.
What inconceivable might this was.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was undertaking large-scale construction to build the Heaven-Slaying Platform. With this Decree Token in hand, obtaining anything was just a matter of a single word. Such authority and power truly made them red-eyed with envy.
If Zhuo Fengxie, Hun Yuanjun, and the others embezzled from this, who knew what would happen... But the moment this thought surfaced, many suddenly shuddered involuntarily. This was no mortal imperial court; Gu Changge could probably perceive everything they did with a single thought.
Who would dare have such audacity?
Soon, Zhuo Fengxie and the others accepted the orders and left. The high-level members in the hall, in response to Gu Changge's inquiries, honestly reported on the situation of the various universes under the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, including how the believers were, how the fortune was, and how the emerging Heaven-Ordained Protagonists were...
Overall, the momentum of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was rising day by day, without any signs of decline. The returning End of the Path existences and the Super Multiverses behind them had not encroached upon the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's territory.
It seemed everyone knew that in the current Vast Expanse, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was the most unprovokable force.
Of course, this was also related to the special nature of the Vast Expanse. Within the boundless Vast Expanse energy, even Super Multiverses could be easily accommodated without being affected.
There were rumors that the Vast Expanse had actually been expanding all along. Countless epochs had passed, and no one knew to what extent the Vast Expanse had expanded.
Supreme True Worlds were not the limit of the universe, just as above Ancestral Dao Realm existences there were still End of the Path existences.
Super Multiverses were universes more powerful than Supreme True Worlds, whether in terms of cosmic scale, number of living beings, density of fortune, or the peak power they could give birth to—each had an essential difference.
Supreme True Worlds could not give birth to End of the Path existences; if one wanted to appear, one had to enter the Vast Expanse.
Moreover, due to the special nature of Super Multiverses where a single Dao is exclusively cultivated, the cultivators within could more easily step into higher and more profound realms than cultivators in the Vast Expanse. With much preceding experience and wisdom, it was not impossible for a single Super Multiverse to produce two or even three existences comparable to the End of the Path.
But such figures could not be called "Masters"; they could only be considered later perfecters of that Dao.
After this meeting ended, all the high-level members withdrew.
At the same time, the news that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was going to establish the Heaven-Slaying Platform spread throughout the various True Worlds and civilizations, causing an enormous sensation.
Zhuo Fengxie and the others, holding the Decree Token, immediately summoned skilled craftsmen from all sides. With united hearts and focused minds, they deliberated on this matter. From ancient times to the present, no one had ever built a Heaven-Slaying Platform. What materials were needed, where to choose the location... every aspect needed consideration, and there was no precedent to follow.
Moreover, the very name "Heaven-Slaying Platform" was clearly an act of great defiance. During its construction, it would surely suffer all kinds of backlash and heavenly punishment.
Compared to the construction of the Heaven-Slaying Platform, the living beings of the various True Worlds and civilizations were actually more concerned about another matter.
That was Gu Changge's intention to hold a Grand Heaven-Slaying Ceremony on the day the Heaven-Slaying Platform was completed, and judge the Heavenly Dao.
Just hearing these words, one could feel that terrifying pressure and fear—to actually judge the Heavenly Dao.
The Heavenly Dao has hung high since ancient times, formless and intangible. No one has ever truly seen the Heavenly Dao, so how could it be judged? Treat it as a living being?
But to all living beings, the Heavenly Dao was the existence that governed all rules. Who could judge it?
Gu Changge, the Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, time and again caused all beings to tremble. He truly intended to slay Heaven.
Many people also began to speculate about Gu Changge's intentions, wanting to know what he was planning.
If the Heaven-Slaying Platform could be built, did it mean that the unseen general trend had already taken shape, and even the Heavenly Will could not obstruct it?
Did it match that saying, "Man's determination can overcome Heaven"?
From the day Gu Changge declared he would judge the Heavenly Dao, the entire cosmos and spacetime of the Vast Expanse changed. In many regions, terrifying phenomena could be seen even in broad daylight. Some said it was a change in Heaven, Heaven's wrath.
In some places, rain fell endlessly, boundless, accompanied by terrifying thunder. Ripples resembling the Great Dao appeared in heaven and earth, continuously expanding until they affected various universes.
In many other universes, blood-red snow fell, very thick, blanketing heaven and earth in crimson. That snow carried a strange power, corroding even spacetime and causing the void to directly collapse.
In still other regions, scorching suns plummeted down. A terrifying sun fell from the highest point of heaven and earth, instantly igniting the entire universe, burning and roasting all things.
True catastrophes had descended. Many ancient existences lamented, knowing this was an omen of heaven and earth facing tribulation.
Meanwhile, the various Super Multiverses seemed to be watching and waiting.
...
"Judging the Heavenly Dao seems to have truly enraged the heavens. The scenes in various places these days indeed resemble the descriptions in historical texts of calamity stars descending, with heaven and earth shaking in fury."
Ling Yuling sighed softly. She was also observing the scenes in various places. Now, even some border universes of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had similar sights.
Many beings became terrified, feeling this was a manifestation of provoking the heavens. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was committing great defiance, and they too would suffer punishment.
It had to be said that the appearance of these phenomena did affect the morale of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to some extent; this was also inevitable.
"This level is still far from enough," Gu Changge said. He stood on a nameless mountain with his hands behind his back, as if all the changes and movements of the entire Vast Expanse surfaced in his eyes.
"Still not enough?" Ling Yuling's black hair fluttered, revealing a look of surprise.
She had thought this was already an omen of the impending great tribulation, but had she underestimated the extent of Heaven's fury?
"Naturally not enough. To truly provoke the heaven, there are still many things to do. Judging the Heavenly Dao is only the first step," Gu Changge said. Before Ling Yuling, he had nothing to hide.
Constructing the Heaven-Slaying Platform and judging the Heavenly Dao would at most only make Heaven angry.
His so-called "slaying Heaven" was not the same as what the world understood by slaying Heaven.
"What exactly is Heaven? Is it a concept, or a truly existing being? Yet from ancient times, no one has ever truly seen it. In the past Great War Against Heaven, only Heavenly Avatars appeared. Heavenly Avatars have always appeared with the faces of living beings, yet they do not seem to be the true Heaven."
"And Heavenly Avatars can only be sealed, not killed. The Land of the Nine Heavens is precisely because too many Heavenly Avatars are sealed there that it became a place where Cataclysmic Tribulation does not descend." Ling Yuling still harbored doubts about the many secrets of this world.
These Super Multiverses, because they had End of the Path existences presiding over them, completely hid within the Vast Expanse, avoiding the descent of the Cataclysmic Tribulation. But if the End of the Path existence within passed away, the Cataclysmic Tribulation would still descend.
This gave her a feeling that the Heavenly Will was not flexible, merely operating according to some fixed will, like a puppet.
"Heaven has the Heavenly Ancestor, earth has the Earth Ancestor, and the myriad living beings also have the Spirit Ancestor. Everything in this Vast Expanse, even a speck of dust, actually possesses life and will. But telling you this now, you wouldn't understand. When your cultivation breaks through to the End of the Path, perhaps you will be able to perceive it," Gu Changge said.
Ling Yuling was instantly speechless.
As the former leader who resisted the Black Calamity Catastrophe, she had thought she already stood at the peak of the Vast Expanse. But with the emergence of these Super Multiverses one after another, she realized how small she was. No wonder Gu Changge had told her from the start that her cultivation was far from sufficient.
But in the current environment, was there a chance for her to achieve the End of the Path?
Though she knew Gu Changge possessed some mysterious substance that she could use for cultivation, causing her cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds, just like Mortal Realm cultivators absorbing heaven and earth spiritual energy, that mysterious substance also needed to be absorbed and refined.
Even eating and drinking requires taking it slowly; one cannot become fat in a single day.
Absorbing that substance day and night to achieve the End of the Path would likely take at least a million years.
In one epoch, the emergence of a Dao Realm existence was already quite good. For the Ancestral Dao Realm, it required the accumulation of thousands of epochs. As for the End of the Path? The Master of Fate was a being that had existed since the Innate Era, and only now had barely become End of the Path. One could imagine how difficult this process was; it required not only the right moment but also heaven-defying creation and opportunity.
Even now, in the vast Vast Expanse, End of the Path existences probably did not exceed thirty. And this was already the accumulation and limit of all eras and epochs in the Vast Expanse.
From this, one could also understand the miraculous nature of that substance.
But could Gu Changge's Great Plan to Slay Heaven wait until the day she became End of the Path?
Gu Changge knew what Ling Yuling was thinking. This was also what he had said from the start: whether it was Yue Mingkong or Ling Yuling, their current cultivation and strength could no longer help him in any way, and had no effect on his plans.
But if they wanted to cultivate and become stronger, or help him, then he would let them do as they pleased, without interfering.
"An old friend has come. Come with me to meet them."
At this moment, Gu Changge seemed to sense something.
Ling Yuling was taken aback, but seeing a black rift appear before Gu Changge, and him stepping into it, she followed suit.
Gu Changge's old friend? Who could it be?