Although the Heavenly Faction and the Eight Tribes have not reached the point of mutual hostility, the two factions have always been in dispute over the orthodox status.
Even within the Heavenly Faction, there are differing voices.
Compared to the Heavenly Faction, the Eight Tribes are actually more chaotic and mysterious. Each tribe does not know the location or identity of the others.
They only choose to meet after receiving messages from their contacts.
If they do not meet, the members of the Eight Tribes are indistinguishable from ordinary cultivators, provided they do not reveal their unique characteristics.
This is also why the Heavenly Faction finds them troublesome and difficult to deal with. Over countless epochs, even with the most favorable conditions and power, the Heavenly Faction has been unable to completely annex the Eight Tribes.
The old Taoist priest comes from the Heavenly Decline Faction, a sect with a very peculiar cultivation method. They choose the most primitive way to approach the Heavenly Decline Tribulation, seeking to comprehend and transcend it, thereby surviving the great calamities of each epoch.
If the Heavenly Decline characteristics are not revealed, the old Taoist priest is not much different from an ordinary ascetic cultivator.
As for Old Man Cold Crow, who belongs to the Lesser Yin Faction, they cultivate the Lesser Yin characteristics, which represent the most extreme and cold power in the myriad worlds.
The founder of this faction was born from the Extreme Yin Origin.
There are many rumors and legends about the Lesser Yin Faction—some say that their founder was created by the Heaven-Warring Lord, while others speculate that he might even be an avatar of the Heaven-Warring Lord.
There are many such rumors, but their truth can no longer be verified.
Old Man Cold Crow and the old Taoist priest discussed their opinions on the Mirror of Reincarnation for a while, then each went their separate ways.
Although the Eight Tribes may meet, they rarely collaborate.
Whether it is the Mirror of Reincarnation or the Gate of Eternal Life, the Eight Tribes want to seize them, as failing to do so would leave them at a disadvantage in their confrontations with the Heavenly Faction.
The old Taoist priest and Old Man Cold Crow are old acquaintances, but when it comes to competing for the Supreme Treasures of Civilization, they will not show any mercy to each other.
The Heavenly Faction has always claimed to be the orthodox heir of the Heaven-Warring Organization, seeking to gather the Six Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization to break the seal at the Source of Darkness and allow the Heaven-Warring Lord to return to the myriad worlds.
However, in the eyes of the Eight Tribes, this is just a grand banner waved by the Heavenly Faction.
Since the collapse of the Heaven-Warring Organization countless epochs ago, the truly fanatical believers have long since perished and dissipated in the river of time.
The current Heavenly Faction is merely using the pretext of restoring the Heaven-Warring Organization to regain the glory of the Black Calamity Era, to once again control the authority of the Heavenly Dao, and to dominate the myriad worlds.
Their motives are not pure.
The Six Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization each possess incredible power and creation.
Even the Heaven-Warring Lord, who was once omnipotent and dared to challenge the Land of Truth, was ultimately sealed because of these six treasures.
Therefore, the Eight Tribes will not allow the Heavenly Faction to gather all the Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization.
In a quiet and elegant pavilion within the Immortal Chu Dynasty, the Saintess Xiyuan was still unaware that the Mirror of Reincarnation in the Xiyuan Sacred Hall had already been targeted by several unknown and terrifying forces.
She sat quietly behind a thin veil, her figure hazy and indistinct, difficult to make out clearly.
"Did Chu Gucheng send you here?"
The Saintess Xiyuan was not wearing a veil. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and in her slender, jade-like hand, she held an ancient scroll, seemingly in contemplation.
In her other hand, she gently twirled a pure white, flawless jade wine cup, as if savoring its contents.
On the other side of the veil, amidst rising white mist, Chu Xinyue knelt respectfully and said,
"It was not entirely my father's idea. I also wanted to personally visit you, Saintess. During my father's banquet, I was occupied with attending to all the guests and could not find the time to come. I hope you can forgive me."
Her visit to the Saintess Xiyuan had gone smoothly, without any unexpected complications.
Upon hearing that it was her, the Saintess Xiyuan did not turn her away.
"Your talent is indeed remarkable. When you were cultivating in the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, you were only at the Quasi-Immortal Emperor realm. After so many epochs, you have already reached the True Dao realm."
The Saintess Xiyuan's gaze came from behind the veil, and she set down the ancient scroll in her hand.
Her voice was gentle and calm, like a heavenly melody that could cleanse the soul, making one unconsciously immerse themselves in it.
Chu Xinyue had once cultivated in the Xiyuan Sacred Hall for a period of time, and the Saintess Xiyuan had guided her back then.
In her eyes, this was a woman of great talent and ambition, whose future achievements would be remarkable.
The Saintess Xiyuan held a certain appreciation for Chu Xinyue.
Otherwise, she would not have allowed her to enter. During this time, countless guests had come to visit her, but few had been granted an audience.
"Thanks to your guidance back then, Saintess, I have benefited greatly throughout my life," Chu Xinyue said respectfully.
A veil of mist separated them, and only the faint outline of the Saintess Xiyuan's graceful figure could be seen.
She raised her slender, jade-like wrist to her lips and took a sip from the white jade cup.
She made no comment on Chu Xinyue's words.
Chu Xinyue remained kneeling, and seeing that the Saintess Xiyuan seemed focused on savoring the wine, she softly said, "I once came across a bottle of Dao Immortal Brew sealed for dozens of epochs. If..."
Hearing this, the Saintess Xiyuan's gaze turned to her, as if trying to see through her intentions.
She smiled faintly and directly interrupted Chu Xinyue, then calmly said, "That won't be necessary. Speak, what is the reason for your visit? If it is to speak well of your father, Chu Gucheng, then you may as well save your breath."
Chu Xinyue shook her head, a hint of helplessness on her face, then solemnly said, "Saintess, you overthink this matter. As a daughter, how could I dare to casually speak on my father's behalf? I came to visit you, partly because it has been so long since we last met, and I wished to catch up with you. Additionally, I have some cultivation-related matters I would like to seek your guidance on."
After all, she had spent some time in the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, so she had some understanding of the Saintess Xiyuan's temperament.
At this moment, if she were to beat around the bush or be evasive, it would only displease the Saintess.
Therefore, it was better to directly state the purpose of her visit.
"Cultivation-related matters?"
Behind the veil, the Saintess Xiyuan raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Chu Xinyue.
She felt that this was merely an excuse on Chu Xinyue's part.
What cultivation-related matters could require her guidance? The Immortal Chu Dynasty was now filled with experts, and there were many Ancestral Dao realm existences. Given Chu Xinyue's current status and position, what cultivation-related matters could she possibly need to consult others about?
In the Saintess Xiyuan's view, this was likely Chu Xinyue's attempt to get closer to her and strengthen their relationship.
Then, when the time was right, she would bring up matters related to her father, Chu Gucheng.
If the hard approach didn't work, she would try the soft one?
"Recently, I have indeed encountered some difficult problems in my cultivation. I have consulted my father, my master, and others, but to no avail. That is why I took the liberty to come and seek your guidance, Saintess. If it is inconvenient for you, then I will not disturb your rest any further," Chu Xinyue explained respectfully.
This was the explanation she had prepared in advance.
The Saintess Xiyuan had always valued talent. Back in the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, she had guided Chu Xinyue multiple times and had even expressed interest in taking her as a disciple.
However, due to Chu Xinyue's special status and her eventual return to the Immortal Chu Dynasty, the Saintess Xiyuan had ultimately decided against it.
"This is hardly a disturbance. I will be staying in the Immortal Chu Dynasty for a few more days. During this time, you may come to me with any cultivation-related questions you have."
The Saintess Xiyuan nodded slightly, her gaze behind the veil as clear as water, with a faint glow.
Since the Immortal Chu Dynasty wanted to use a gentle approach on her, she would go along with it. This would help reassure the Immortal Chu Dynasty and prevent them from overthinking and resorting to desperate measures.
Of course, the Saintess Xiyuan was not particularly worried. She was confident in her own strength and believed that the Immortal Chu Dynasty would not dare to make a move against her.
Hearing this, Chu Xinyue immediately showed a look of joy and gratitude, saying, "Then I thank you in advance, Saintess."
Her face showed joy and excitement, but her heart was even more so.
This matter had gone even more smoothly than she had anticipated.
It was only the first day. If she could hold out for three more days, The Great Creation Pill of Transformation she had taken would completely capture the Saintess Xiyuan's traces, appearance, posture, aura, fortune, karma, and other aspects.
By then, she would be able to fully disguise herself as the Saintess Xiyuan.
The Saintess Xiyuan, however, did not notice anything unusual. Chu Xinyue's excited demeanor made her wonder if she had overthought the situation.
Afterward, Chu Xinyue did not waste any time and began to present the various cultivation-related doubts and confusions she had prepared in advance, seeking the Saintess Xiyuan's views and opinions.
The Saintess Xiyuan's expression became serious, and fine streams of light appeared around her ears as she listened attentively to Chu Xinyue's words.
The two began to discuss the Dao.
These cultivation-related doubts were not fabricated by Chu Xinyue; they were genuine issues she had encountered in her cultivation.
If one ignored the true purpose of her visit, resolving these doubts would not only clear her confusion but also greatly benefit her future cultivation.
Time passed slowly, and half a day soon went by.
Around the veil, streams of light floated, strange mists swirled, and golden lotuses bloomed, exuding a sacred and ethereal aura. Each lotus seemed to carry the light of the great Dao.
These were the phenomena produced by the two discussing the Dao. Although they only appeared in the immediate surroundings and did not spread further, they were still quite astonishing.
The Saintess Xiyuan was deliberately suppressing these phenomena. Otherwise, given the cultivation levels of the two, the Dao principles and paths they discussed, as well as the views they exchanged, would have caused the surrounding universes to resonate and the great Dao to respond.
Chu Xinyue listened, almost forgetting herself, her heart filled with awe.
It had to be said that the Saintess Xiyuan was indeed a remarkable teacher.
Not only was her talent in cultivating the Dao terrifyingly high, but her understanding of the Ancestral Dao realm and her views on the path to Transcendence were also uniquely insightful, giving Chu Xinyue a sense of sudden enlightenment.
For a moment, her expression became complicated, and she felt a slight sense of guilt.
She had not intended to deceive or use the Saintess Xiyuan.
But given the current difficult situation of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, as the second princess, she had to stand with her people and consider the interests of all.
"I am only impersonating her for a short time. The Immortal Chu Dynasty will not harm the Saintess Xiyuan. Once the problem is resolved, I will apologize to her."
After silently apologizing to the Saintess Xiyuan in her heart, Chu Xinyue's expression returned to calm.
At this moment, she could already clearly feel a sense of familiarity with the Saintess Xiyuan's aura, traces, demeanor, and other aspects.
It was as if she could imitate the Saintess Xiyuan with just a simple thought.
The profoundness of The Great Creation Pill of Transformation was truly beyond her imagination.
Afterward, Chu Xinyue did not linger, saying that she would not disturb the Saintess Xiyuan's rest any longer and prepared to take her leave, planning to return the next day.
The Saintess Xiyuan remained seated behind the veil, only slightly raising her delicate chin and nodding, not attempting to keep her.
However, at this moment, a maid suddenly reported from outside the pavilion.
"Saintess, that Young Master Gu has come to visit and is now outside the pavilion."
These words caused Chu Xinyue, who was about to leave, to change her expression. A flash of shock and unease passed through her eyes.
Why would Gu Changge suddenly come to visit the Saintess Xinyuan at this time?
For the man who had caused her brother's death, Chu Xinyue wished she could personally eliminate him.
But remembering the deep wariness that the old woman from the Yinxu Cave had shown toward Gu Changge, she had no choice but to suppress the killing intent and hatred in her heart.
"What is he here for?"
Behind the veil, the always calm and composed Saintess Xiyuan could no longer maintain her composure upon hearing this, her face showing a ripple of emotion.
She thought of what Gu Changge had done to her in this pavilion that day, and her tone immediately turned cold. "I will not see him."
The Saintess Xiyuan's tone made Chu Xinyue slightly stunned. Why did it seem like the Saintess Xiyuan was very dissatisfied with Gu Changge? Her tone was also very blunt, completely different from the calm and detached demeanor she had shown toward her earlier.
But during the birthday banquet yesterday, the Saintess Xiyuan had clearly chosen to side with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
"Since the Saintess refuses to see me, but I have already entered, do you dare to drive me away?"
Just as Chu Xinyue was feeling puzzled, a light laugh sounded.
Gu Changge's figure appeared walking along the corridor of the pavilion, dressed in white, ethereal and flawless, as if he had stepped out of a painting, with the entire world becoming his backdrop.
Chu Xinyue's heart skipped a beat. With her cultivation level, she had not noticed Gu Changge's arrival at all.
"Greetings, Young Master Gu."
However, she was no ordinary person and quickly composed herself, offering a graceful and elegant smile as she greeted Gu Changge.
"Ah, so the Second Princess is also here."
Gu Changge seemed to only now notice Chu Xinyue, smiling slightly in response.
Chu Xinyue smiled and said, "Since Young Master Gu has business with the Saintess, I will not disturb you two and will take my leave now."
With that, she nodded slightly toward the Saintess Xinyuan behind the veil and then turned to leave.
She truly did not want to stay in the same room as Gu Changge.
Not only was she worried about being discovered by him, but she was also afraid that she might lose control and attack this enemy of hers.