The coffin was extremely ancient, as if it had just been dug out of the ground. Some parts were decayed, covered in moss and dirt.
The thick miasma clung to it like an inseparable shadow, drifting with the wind and spreading from afar, carrying an extremely terrifying corrosive aura.
It flew out from the depths of the Boundary Void Ridge, soaring through the sky and quickly descending toward this area.
"When a distinguished guest arrives, how could I not show myself? This old bag of bones can't withstand much trouble."
From within the ancient coffin came a hoarse, aged voice, like that of an old woman, accompanied by a cough, as if she had been ill for a long time.
"Great Boss..."
Shang Chongming and the others couldn't help but change their expressions, immediately becoming respectful.
Even the child-like being who had been filled with anger and was about to act out stopped in his tracks.
They hadn't expected that the Great Boss had always been in the Boundary Void Ridge and hadn't left for elsewhere.
Over the years, they had been completely unaware, and the Great Boss had never shown herself.
For all the beings of the Boundary Void Ridge, the Great Boss held extraordinary significance.
Not only had she created this place, but she had also provided sanctuary for all those who had reached a dead end, allowing them to live in peace for countless years.
In their eyes, the Great Boss's strength was unfathomable and indescribable.
No one knew what realm she was in.
And very few had seen her true appearance. Even among the nine bosses, only a handful had truly laid eyes on her.
"It seems you're finally willing to come out."
Gu Changge still wore a faint smile on his lips, his gaze as gentle as ever, though deep within his eyes, there was only an abyss of indifference, devoid of any emotional fluctuations.
"My Boundary Void Ridge can't withstand the trouble caused by a distinguished guest."
"How could I dare to continue hiding and not come out to welcome you?"
Amidst a series of coughs, the coffin descended from the sky and landed squarely in front of everyone.
Thick miasma swirled around it, along with wisps of chaotic mist and fragments of the Great Dao, creating a hazy, indistinct scene. Even Shang Chongming and the others couldn't see clearly what was inside.
However, when Gu Changge's gaze fell upon it, a slight ripple of emotion appeared in his expression.
The coffin lid was pushed open by an invisible, immense force.
A skeleton, pure white like jade and slender, sat up straight from within.
The upper half of the body rose, while the lower half remained lying in the coffin. Thick miasma enveloped the skeleton, completely shrouding it.
As Gu Changge's gaze fell upon it, faint, blurry energy began to appear on the surface of the skeleton.
The surrounding miasma swirled and wrapped around it, drawn by some force, attaching itself to the skeleton. Then, threads of blood and patches of flesh began to appear, gradually covering it.
In no time at all, a hunched old woman, dressed in coarse linen with large red and green flower patterns on her sleeves, slowly climbed out of the coffin, coughing.
She was spirited, with silver hair and a face full of wrinkles. Her eyes were bright, and her expression was kind, like a grandmother often seen standing at the village entrance, watching passersby. She exuded a sense of peace and tranquility.
"Great Boss?"
Shang Chongming and the others were seeing the Great Boss's appearance for the first time and couldn't help but widen their eyes in surprise.
It was hard to believe that this seemingly ordinary old woman was the Great Boss they had always revered and respected.
They hadn't truly seen her appearance before, only communicating with her through the miasma and mist, knowing she was a woman.
"It's been a long time since I crawled out of the ground. There's no need to be alarmed. When one gets old, this is how it is. Time spares no one. Even though I was once peerlessly beautiful, transcendent, and unparalleled in my youth, I couldn't escape the passage of time. My youth faded, and my beauty vanished. Perhaps it won't be long before I'm just a handful of dirt and a few bones..."
The old woman trembled as she climbed out of the coffin, pulling out a pitch-black cane from somewhere. Leaning on it, she spoke with a tone of reminiscence and nostalgia.
Her back was hunched, and she walked slowly, as if a gust of wind could blow her away or a few small stones could trip her.
Seeing her like this, Shang Chongming and the others were both shocked and worried.
Had it really been so long that the once-feared, peerless figure who had established this forbidden land and intimidated the vast expanse had become like this?
Or had she experienced something during this time, suffered some great calamity, that had left her so weak and frail?
The Eternal Illumination Dao Lord was also examining the legendary Great Boss of the Boundary Void Ridge, filled with confusion and surprise.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that this old woman was the Great Boss.
This wasn't about judging by appearance, but he could clearly sense the emptiness of her vitality, as if her origin had dissipated into a chaotic mass. It seemed she had truly reached the end of her lifespan, only holding on by sheer willpower, like a final flicker of light.
From beginning to end, Gu Changge simply watched the old woman quietly, his hands clasped behind his back, paying no attention to her nostalgic musings.
After the initial shock, Shang Chongming and the others quickly regained their composure, not showing the slightest disrespect toward the old woman despite her current appearance.
Then, they began to explain Gu Changge's identity and purpose to her.
At the same time, they were concerned that the old woman might not be aware of the current state of the outside world, so they filled her in on the many events that had occurred in the vast expanse during this time.
Listening to all this, the old woman seemed equally shocked.
Her aged face showed a mix of astonishment and disbelief, and she couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"I never expected that after countless years, the Black Calamity would descend again, and with such ferocity. So many True Worlds and civilizations have already fallen..."
"Ah..."
"It's a pity that I'm now just a broken shell. Even if I wanted to contribute in some small way, I'm afraid I no longer have the strength. I might even become a burden, causing more unnecessary trouble."
She sighed helplessly, coughing a few more times before quickly pulling out an embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve to cover her mouth.
The handkerchief was visibly stained with blood at an alarming rate, a shocking sight.
Shang Chongming and the others couldn't help but change their expressions, their concern evident.
"The older I get, the harder it is to suppress old injuries. If I were still young, such injuries would mean nothing to me. I would have fought the Dark Beings to the death."
Seeing the concern on Shang Chongming and the others' faces, the old woman waved her hand and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I won't die anytime soon."
"It's just that from now on, the safety of the Boundary Void Ridge will have to rely on you all."
"We had no idea that the reason for your disappearance all these years was because of these injuries..." Shang Chongming and the others said with heavy expressions.
However, a few of the bosses had puzzled looks in their eyes, feeling that the Great Boss's words today seemed unusually verbose. In the past, even when announcing important matters, she had always been concise and to the point, disliking any disturbance to her peaceful cultivation.
Could it be that her injuries had forced her to explain herself, lest she be forcibly "recruited"?
Or was this all an act?
After wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, the old woman hobbled over to Gu Changge, leaning on her cane.
She cupped her hands and smiled warmly, her expression kind and courteous. "A distinguished guest's arrival naturally brings great honor to the Boundary Void Ridge. I will have them prepare a banquet for you."
"Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality earlier."
She acted as if she were completely unaware of Gu Changge's purpose, treating him as an honored guest to be welcomed into the depths of the Boundary Void Ridge.
"Great Boss, the Alliance Leader has come from afar, not to listen to your pleasantries."
The Eternal Illumination Dao Lord frowned slightly, feeling that the Great Boss might be misreading the situation.
The old woman continued to smile warmly, her demeanor unchanged. "I understand, but recruitment is a matter that requires mutual agreement. It's like a marriage—both parties must be willing. A forced melon may not be sweet."
"Moreover, as you can see, I'm now just a broken shell. I'm afraid I can no longer be of service to the Alliance Leader."
"Even if I had the will, I lack the strength."
The Eternal Illumination Dao Lord had volunteered to lead Gu Changge to the Boundary Void Ridge to show his loyalty and earn merit.
But now, with the Great Boss standing her ground so firmly, he felt somewhat helpless, unsure of what to do.
Should they just give up?
"A forced melon may not be sweet, but at least it quenches thirst. And quenching thirst is enough."
At this moment, Gu Changge, who had been silently observing everything, suddenly smiled faintly.
The old woman looked at him with a hint of helplessness. "But Alliance Leader, this melon of mine can no longer quench thirst."
"Whether it quenches thirst or not can only be determined after it's picked," Gu Changge replied, still smiling faintly.
"This melon of mine is already like this. It might rot on the vine before you even get a chance to pick it."
The old woman coughed again, quickly pulling out her handkerchief to cover her mouth.
But at this moment, Gu Changge reached out and grabbed her withered, branch-like wrist, as if to examine her condition.
"I can see that you still have quite a few years left. In my opinion, it would be better to use the remaining time to illuminate the darkness ahead for all living beings in the vast expanse."
"As for the future safety of the Boundary Void Ridge, you need not worry. Under my protection, it will remain safe and sound," he said with a faint smile.
The old woman's expression changed slightly. She tried to pull her hand back from Gu Changge's grip, but it was as if her wrist had been welded in place by an iron clamp, completely immobile.
At this moment, she even felt that with just a thought, Gu Changge could cause her entire arm—or even her entire body—to explode into a cloud of dust.
No matter where she fled in the future, she would never escape Gu Changge's grasp.
It seemed that from the moment Gu Changge had grabbed her wrist, her life and death had been entirely in his hands.
"Great Boss..."
"Let go of the Great Boss!"
Seeing this, Shang Chongming and the others also changed their expressions.
Some even drew their weapons, their faces filled with anger and fear, ready to fight.
The Eternal Illumination Dao Lord shuddered and quickly summoned his own weapon, standing in opposition to the other bosses.
"What do you think of my suggestion?"
Gu Changge, however, acted as if he were completely unaware of the reactions around him, still smiling faintly as he asked.
The old woman's mind raced, countless thoughts flashing through her head in an instant. She continued to smile warmly and said, "Since the Alliance Leader has extended such a gracious invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"
"Smart people. I always prefer reasoning with smart people."
Gu Changge smiled and released her wrist.
The old woman felt like rolling her eyes, but given the circumstances, she maintained her kind smile and said, "Hehe, the Alliance Leader is right. I also prefer reasoning with people."
"Everyone, put away your weapons. The Alliance Leader has kindly invited us. How can you still be pointing weapons at him?"
"From now on, we're all on the same side."
She looked at Shang Chongming and the others, telling them to stand down. If a fight broke out, no matter how many of them there were, they would never be a match for Gu Changge.
From the very beginning, she had realized that in the face of such a being, any resistance or trickery was futile.
How laughable that she had even thought to try.
Shang Chongming and the others exchanged glances, stunned by how quickly the Great Boss's attitude had changed.
They suspected that Gu Changge must have done something to her, or else why would she act like this?
Though they were filled with frustration and disappointment, they had no choice but to comply. They couldn't disobey the Great Boss and attack Gu Changge.
Moreover, even if they did attack, the outcome would likely be the same, and they would pay a heavy price for it.
The Great Boss of the Boundary Void Ridge was named Mu Fuguang, as she had told Gu Changge herself.
Gu Changge had seen through her true nature as a "White-Boned Demon" at a glance, but he didn't care much about her name or background.
His purpose in forming the Heaven-Slaying Division was simple: to recruit a group of powerful beings to serve him. He wasn't particularly interested in their origins.
Mu Fuguang had initially appeared as an old woman, hoping to deceive him and avoid being "recruited."
But Gu Changge had come to the Boundary Void Ridge specifically to "recruit" her. He couldn't even be bothered to expose her little act.
Mu Fuguang eventually realized that Gu Changge had come for her.
Though she was furious, there was nothing she could do. She could only reluctantly accept the "recruitment."
Faced with such a being coming to "recruit" her, even if she wanted to escape, there was no possibility.
At first, Mu Fuguang thought that Gu Changge had left some kind of life-and-death mark on her when he grabbed her wrist.
But upon further reflection, she realized that wasn't the case. Gu Changge must have left the mark on her before even arriving at the Boundary Void Ridge.
And she had been completely unaware of it.
When Gu Changge grabbed her wrist, it was merely a warning and a scare.
Such methods were simply unimaginable, beyond comprehension, and utterly terrifying.
Even Mu Fuguang, who had experienced countless strange and horrifying things, couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine, her bones prickling with goosebumps.
As they left the Boundary Void Ridge, the Eternal Illumination Dao Lord still felt a bit dizzy, his mind struggling to process everything.
He found it hard to connect the stunning, alluring woman in the bright red dress before him with the frail, hunched old woman from the Boundary Void Ridge.
Especially when this woman smiled, her eyes curving slightly, exuding an intoxicating charm that nearly ensnared him.
And he was a being who had endured countless trials and tribulations, finally reaching the Ancestral Dao Realm.
His willpower was incredibly firm, and no illusion or mirage could shake his resolve.
If an ordinary person were to face her, what would happen?
However, he also didn't know which appearance was the true form of the Great Boss of the Boundary Void Ridge.
Each form seemed equally real, making it impossible to tell which one was truly her.
"The desire for beauty is universal. This humble one doesn't want to always appear as a wretched old woman. You, little one, act as if you've never seen the world before..."
Mu Fuguang held a crimson folding fan, half-covering her face, her eyes sparkling as she spoke with a smile.
Her current appearance was indeed captivating. Her delicate features, slender and graceful figure, skin as white as snow, and eyebrows like ink without need for adornment. A red dot adorned her forehead, and her lips were a lush, enticing red. Her fiery red dress only enhanced her bewitching beauty, like a femme fatale who could bring ruin to nations.
The Eternal Illumination Dao Lord kept his eyes downcast, knowing full well that her strength was far beyond his own. He would never underestimate her based on her appearance.
As for her calling him "little one," he acted as if he hadn't heard it.
"Hehe, Alliance Leader, are you planning to recruit me to fight the Dark Beings?"
"But let me make this clear—I'm not good at fighting. I've always lived a life of vegetarianism, meditation, and cultivating kindness. I never engage in combat." Mu Fuguang's gaze fell on Gu Changge as she smiled brightly.