"Qinglan, why did you do this to me?"
Chu Wushang growled in a low voice, his eyes filled with ferocity. With a flash, the space before him blurred, and he instantly vanished into it.
A moment after Chu Wushang disappeared, Uncle Fu's figure reappeared in the darkness not far away.
His aged face showed a trace of bitterness and helplessness. He sighed, shook his head, and then quickly vanished as well.
Meanwhile, in the palace where the Imperial Immortal Palace's members were resting, Gu Changge was reading a jade slip by candlelight.
At this moment, he seemed to sense something and glanced out the window.
"Whether the victim can turn the tables depends on tonight."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"What do you mean by 'victim'?"
Suddenly, accompanied by a cool breeze, a tall figure in a flowing, fringed dress pushed the door open and walked in.
"Sister Yuxian, isn't it a bit inappropriate for a man and woman to be alone together so late at night? What brings you here instead of resting?"
Gu Changge looked up at the approaching figure and casually closed the jade slip.
Ling Yuxian walked in on her own and said, "I just suddenly thought of what happened during the day and couldn't calm my mind, so I wanted to ask you something."
Gu Changge nodded slightly. "What matter couldn't wait until daytime and had to be discussed now?"
Ling Yuxian said bluntly, "Because if I don't clarify this matter, I probably won't be able to sleep tonight."
Gu Changge chuckled lightly. "Then please ask, Sister Yuxian. I will answer you truthfully and completely."
"Why did you come to the Imperial Immortal Palace? At first, I thought you were like me, someone who had reincarnated and stayed in the Imperial Immortal Palace to obtain the Mirror of Reincarnation. When we made our agreement, you also said that you had no ill intentions toward the Imperial Immortal Palace and were only here to retrieve what belonged to you. I also promised to do my best to help you."
"But the more time passes, the more I realize I can't see through you. I can't understand your thoughts, guess your intentions, or even tell which of your words are true and which are false."
"You've hidden too many secrets. I thought I had come to understand you, but today's events made me realize that what you've shown me is just the tip of the iceberg. Who are you really? What is your background? What are your intentions? I know nothing."
Ling Yuxian's beautiful eyes stared intently at Gu Changge as she spoke these words almost one by one.
During Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet earlier that day, ever since she learned that Gu Changge was the mysterious master behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, she hadn't spoken a word to him.
She had thought Gu Changge would explain things to her.
But who would have thought that after the banquet ended, Gu Changge would leave directly without any intention of discussing the matter with her?
This left Ling Yuxian restless after returning to her courtyard.
She had always felt that she and Gu Changge were somewhat familiar. Although they occasionally had some disagreements, they shouldn't be considered strangers anymore.
But Gu Changge's attitude toward her remained as distant as before—coming and going as he pleased, only approaching when he needed something.
And when he didn't need her, he wouldn't even bother with a perfunctory word, simply leaving without a second thought.
Ling Yuxian also knew deep down that her restlessness wasn't just because she wanted to know Gu Changge's intentions. It was because she kept speculating, wanting to know what Gu Changge thought of her and how he viewed her.
Originally, Ling Yuxian had wanted to tell her sister, Ling Yuling, about what had happened at the banquet, but she eventually lost interest.
Her sister had been right all along—she shouldn't have any curiosity about Gu Changge, nor should she develop any inexplicable fondness for him because of his actions.
But no matter the reason, she had to come to Gu Changge tonight to verify an answer.
She might now be facing the first love tribulation she had ever experienced in her countless years of cultivation.
And this love tribulation happened to be tied to Gu Changge.
Should she stay true to her heart and remain unmoved? Or should she embrace the path of detachment and cut off these emotions with a swing of her sword?
"Sister Yuxian, why are you so agitated all of a sudden? Why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea?"
Gu Changge looked at Ling Yuxian with slight surprise, then stood up and poured her a cup of tea.
He was somewhat puzzled by Ling Yuxian's sudden emotional outburst and the somewhat inexplicable words she had spoken.
He felt that, at most, he and Ling Yuxian were just using each other.
Back in the Imperial Immortal Palace, he had indeed deliberately approached Ling Yuxian for convenience.
But Ling Yuxian wasn't foolish back then. She had already known his intentions.
So those seemingly accommodating actions were just her playing along to help him deceive others.
As for the various rumors and gossip among the Imperial Immortal Palace members, Ling Yuxian had known the truth from the start.
She hadn't debunked the rumors, but she had never confirmed them either.
This was something both of them understood.
Their relationship had always been an act.
Could it be that this woman had taken the act too seriously and thought he had feelings for her?
Or was it that she actually had feelings for him?
As someone who had once stood at the peak of the vast expanse, having experienced countless storms, even after reincarnating and losing some memories, she shouldn't let such a small matter disturb her heart.
Gu Changge couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Compared to her sister, Ling Yuling, who was as cunning as an old fox, Ling Yuxian was as pure as a blank sheet of paper.
This kind of purity, maintained over countless years, was, in Gu Changge's eyes, even rarer than a white flower in a field.
Ling Yuxian glanced at the tea Gu Changge had poured and pursed her lips.
She also knew that her emotions tonight were a bit off.
At this moment, she composed herself, trying to appear natural, and waved her hand. "There's no need for tea. Although my tone was a bit harsh earlier, that's the answer I want to know."
"Is this answer really that important to you, Sister Yuxian?" Gu Changge smiled, picked up the teacup, and walked to the window.
The cold moonlight spilled down, and the silver mist rose, lingering in the courtyard like a vapor, exceptionally chilly. The night in the Immortal Chu Dynasty was quieter than expected.
"It's very important."
Ling Yuxian didn't know what Gu Changge meant, but she answered honestly.
Gu Changge shook his head. "But I think this answer isn't actually important. My identity, background, or intentions won't have any impact on you, Sister Yuxian."
Ling Yuxian stared at him with her beautiful eyes. "How could it not affect me? You never mentioned before that you were the mysterious master behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Although the Heaven-Slaying Alliance hasn't been around for long, it has already caused a huge uproar and panic in the Prime-Origin Civilization. Countless cultivators and living beings believe the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity. They tremble at the mention of it and wish to eradicate it."
"Whether the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity or not, it's the same for the Imperial Immortal Palace. I've already said that I have no ill intentions toward the Imperial Immortal Palace. If I wanted to harm the Imperial Immortal Palace, why would I have saved you and your sister earlier?"
Gu Changge smiled.
"Perhaps you think I did all this to obtain the Gate of Eternal Life. But if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have even known the Gate of Eternal Life was in your sister's hands."
Ling Yuxian listened to these words in a daze, unsure how to continue.
She actually knew all this.
But was this the answer she wanted?
No, this wasn't the answer she wanted.
She just wanted to know what she meant to Gu Changge during this time.
What was his attitude toward her? That was all.
But why did he avoid answering this question? Was he truly indifferent to her?
"If Sister Yuxian is really worried that I might harm the Imperial Immortal Palace, you can take precautions in advance. I'm not a good person, and you should know that very well."
"To avoid regretting it later when you see my true nature, it's not too late to act now. Of course, I don't wish to see the day when we cross swords, Sister Yuxian."
Looking at Ling Yuxian, who was standing still and silent, Gu Changge smiled again.
"The night is deep. If you have nothing else, Sister Yuxian, you should go back and rest."
With that, a gentle force, like a breeze, gently pushed Ling Yuxian out of the courtyard.
The door creaked softly as it closed, seemingly cutting off the two worlds completely.
Ling Yuxian stared blankly at all this, as if she hadn't yet processed Gu Changge's words.
She suddenly felt wronged. Even though she knew Gu Changge was the mastermind behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, she had never doubted him, let alone believed the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
She had never even considered that Gu Changge might harm the Imperial Immortal Palace.
But why did he have to say such indifferent and hurtful words so calmly?
Did he really not trust her at all? Did he always think she was suspicious and wary of him?
Ling Yuxian didn't know how she returned to her courtyard that night. Her sister tried to contact her through the Mirror of Flowers and Water, but she didn't respond.
She sat on the soft couch like a lost soul.
Having never experienced a love tribulation before, Ling Yuxian suddenly understood why countless predecessors had wasted countless years on this tribulation, growing old and dying without ever overcoming it.
The events at Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet in the Immortal Chu Dynasty naturally couldn't be kept secret.
They spread like wildfire to all corners, reaching the ears of countless cultivators and living beings.
The Prime-Origin Civilization was in an uproar, and the world was shocked.
No one had expected such an unbelievable event, one that could cause great turmoil in the Prime-Origin Civilization, to occur on Chu Gucheng's birthday.
At the border between the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Demon Court, the master of Purple Mist Mountain, Zi Wanhe, appeared in person, leading many Purple Mist Mountain experts to reinforce the Demon Court and engage in a fierce battle with the Immortal Chu Dynasty's army.
The Heavenly Divine General of the Immortal Chu Dynasty had even fallen in battle.
This explosive news was enough to leave countless cultivators and living beings dumbfounded, utterly shocked.
On that day, the black coffin personally delivered by the master of Purple Mist Mountain to the Immortal Chu Dynasty began to emit endless black mist from where it had fallen. In just half a day, it had spread across vast regions of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Many ancient domains were affected, submerged in the black mist, leaving no trace of life.
The clans and forces living in those ancient domains had no choice but to flee.
Along the way, some life-bearing star systems were also invaded by the black mist, extinguishing them in the vast universe.
Chaos broke out across the Immortal Chu Dynasty. Once order collapsed, the original rules naturally became meaningless and ineffective.
Even though Chu Gucheng immediately sent many ministers and generals to deal with the black mist invading various regions, it was too late.
The speed at which the black mist spread far exceeded his expectations. In an instant, it had engulfed billions of miles of territory.
Under the black mist's relentless corruption, life-bearing stars had their vitality stripped away, leaving behind only desolation, death, and coldness.
These tragic scenes shocked countless orthodox forces.
Many cultivators and living beings began to suspect that Purple Mist Mountain had long been colluding with the remnants of the Black Calamity. Wasn't this method exactly what the remnants of the Black Calamity had used when they wreaked havoc in the past?
As rumors and speculations fermented and spread, even many ancient, reclusive clans were stirred and had to step forward.
Some clans and forces that had submitted to the Immortal Chu Dynasty even called for all forces to unite and requested the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to intervene, forming an alliance to eradicate Purple Mist Mountain, a force colluding with the remnants of the Black Calamity, and restore peace to the land.
However, under such circumstances, another major event occurred in the capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, shocking all the guests and distinguished visitors.
Emperor Chu Gucheng was furious, smashing the desk in the palace with a single palm.
The ministers who learned of the news were also extremely shocked, finding it hard to believe.
On the night the birthday banquet ended, a tragedy occurred at the Champion Marquis's residence. The Champion Marquis's wife was tragically violated, and the servants who went to rescue her were all slaughtered.
Afterward, unable to face the Champion Marquis, who was away at the border, the Champion Marquis's wife hanged herself in the residence with a white silk ribbon.
This incident shook the entire capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, leaving the ministers and guests in shock.
The Champion Marquis's wife was the daughter of the former Grand Tutor, named Qinglan. She had been famous throughout the capital many years ago, renowned for her beauty, and pursued by countless young talents.
In the end, it was Emperor Chu Gucheng himself who arranged her marriage to the Champion Marquis, Chu Heng.
Since their marriage, the couple had been loving and harmonious, and Chu Heng had never taken a concubine. This had always been a beautiful tale in the capital.
No one had expected such an unbelievable event to occur on the night of Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet.
Who would dare to be so bold as to commit such a crime in the capital, under the Emperor's nose, where experts were as numerous as clouds?
Not only were the ministers furious and shocked, but even the distinguished guests found it hard to believe.
The Champion Marquis had just led his troops to the border, and on the very same night, his wife was violated and took her own life?
Wasn't this a direct provocation to the Immortal Chu Dynasty? How would the Champion Marquis, who was leading his troops in battle at the border, feel about this?
Chu Gucheng was both furious and anxious, immediately sending people to investigate and identify the culprit.
Naturally, the distinguished guests also became suspects under scrutiny.
Of course, some experts immediately rushed to the scene to trace back the events of that night. As long as the perpetrator's strength wasn't too overwhelming, there would inevitably be traces left behind.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty had no shortage of experts skilled in deduction and tracking.
Many ministers and generals who were on good terms with the Champion Marquis also rushed to the scene, determined to find the culprit.
Such a major event in the Immortal Chu Dynasty naturally couldn't be kept secret.
The Champion Marquis, who was leading his troops to the frontlines to confront Purple Mist Mountain and the Demon Court, was also furious, wishing he could immediately return to the capital to avenge his wife.
He didn't know who he had offended.
But this was undoubtedly a deliberate act to target him, disrupt his mind, and throw him off balance.
"When I was conquering the Ghost Marsh Clan, I obtained a pair of Yin-Yang Jade. Later, I asked a master craftsman in the capital to forge them into a pair of Mandarin Duck Jade Pendants. One was with me, and the other was with Qinglan."
"Take this pendant back to the capital. As long as Qinglan's pendant is still there, we can trace back and reconstruct the scene of her violation..."
The Champion Marquis, Chu Heng, sat astride a fierce ancient beast resembling a heavenly wolf. Beneath his armored visage, his eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse as he handed a pendant to his trusted subordinate.
"Yes, my lord. I will spare no effort to uncover the truth behind my lady's death."
The trusted subordinate took the pendant and spoke solemnly, his figure instantly vanishing into the void.
Chu Heng looked at the increasingly close border, where the overwhelming aura of slaughter and bloodshed rushed toward him.
There, a vast, dark mass of the Demon Court's army and the cultivators of Purple Mist Mountain pressed forward, their momentum enough to strike fear into anyone's heart.
Ancient warships, like blazing suns, traversed the universe, tearing through the sky and creating a terrifying abyss filled with demonic energy. Countless troops poured out, advancing step by step with relentless pressure.
"Kill!"
Chu Heng roared, leading his troops and charging forward, determined to vent all his grief and anger on the battlefield.