Elder Jin stood in the distance, looking at the cold-eyed Saintess Xiyuan, a trace of guilt and apology flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
Tonight's plan had indeed been carefully discussed and deemed foolproof before they invited the Saintess Xiyuan.
No matter how powerful the Saintess Xiyuan was, she could not escape under the combined siege of their group.
"I am doing this for the greater good. I hope you can understand my intentions."
Elder Jin spoke slowly, "I have discussed this with Chu Gucheng and the others. We will not harm your life. If you don't believe me, I can swear on my life."
"Once this matter is resolved, I will personally visit the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to apologize. If your master, the Sage Xi, returns, I will also explain everything to her. I believe she will understand."
Chu Gucheng stood nearby, his expression calm and composed. "I resorted to this plan out of necessity. I hope the Saintess Xiyuan can understand. Once the troubles of the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Prime-Origin Civilization are resolved, I will accept any punishment from the Saintess Xiyuan without complaint."
Behind him, Chu Xinyue stood, also showing a hint of guilt, but she quickly recovered, not letting this emotion affect her.
Those who achieve great things do not dwell on minor details.
Everything she had done was for the sake of the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Prime-Origin Civilization.
The Law Sage's figure was hazy, not fully revealed. His face was aged, and he remained silent, but the terrifying aura emanating from him made his stance clear.
The Saintess Xiyuan coldly looked at everyone, her skirt fluttering, her hair flying, a terrifying aura rising around her. In her hands, countless spells shimmered—wind, clouds, seasons, reincarnation, thunder... all the mysteries of the myriad worlds.
She had come to the banquet tonight with some caution.
Because of Gu Changge's earlier words, she had felt uneasy, but she also believed that the Immortal Chu Dynasty would not dare to act against her.
It wasn't until Chu Gucheng revealed his true intentions and proposed borrowing the Mirror of Reincarnation that she suddenly realized this so-called reconciliation banquet with Elder Jin was indeed a trap.
From the beginning, Chu Gucheng had not given up on his plan to obtain the Mirror of Reincarnation.
For days, he had Chu Xinyue approach her, making her gradually lower her guard—all for tonight's banquet.
But what gave Chu Gucheng the confidence to do such a thing?
Even if he trapped her, he could not force her to hand over the Mirror of Reincarnation.
Was he planning to capture her and use her to pressure the Xiyuan Sacred Hall into handing over the Mirror of Reincarnation?
In the eyes of Saintess Xiyuan, such a move was utterly foolish.
"Chu Gucheng, you are, after all, the ruler of a nation. But since you have chosen such a foolish path, have you considered the consequences?"
The Saintess Xiyuan's voice was icy, her body surrounded by immortal light and Great Dao light. In her slender hands, countless Dao principles seemed to float.
Her figure was hazy, as if she were carrying the entire heavens—both holy and transcendent—making people feel an urge to kneel and worship.
This terrifying and vast aura made everyone in the palace slightly change their expressions.
"The Saintess Xiyuan has indeed survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations. If we were to rely solely on our combined strength, we might not be able to trap her."
Elder Jin's eyes showed a hint of jealousy before he spoke solemnly.
The Saintess Xiyuan was a prodigy, something no one could deny. As a rising star, her cultivation had long surpassed that of an old-timer like him.
If the Saintess Xiyuan had brought the Mirror of Reincarnation with her, they might not have been able to deal with her.
Chu Gucheng also spoke with a serious expression, "I ask everyone to join forces with me to seal her away."
The old woman from Yinxu Cave had pure white eyes filled with dazzling starlight, exuding a majestic aura.
"The Profound Heaven Battle Array is the unique formation of our Yinxu Cave. She won't be able to unleash her true strength. Together, trapping her will be effortless," she said indifferently.
Although she was also somewhat surprised by the Saintess Xiyuan's strength, she was not overly concerned, clearly confident in the Yinxu Cave's formation.
As they spoke, the palace, which had been set up for the banquet, suddenly transformed, as if the seas and rivers were overturned, waves crashing.
A vast chaotic mist spread, as if they had suddenly arrived in the depths of an unknown void.
All the scenery became hazy, and towering pillars, surrounded by chaotic Dao principles, appeared in all directions.
The original palace had turned into a broken circular battlefield, the sky as dark as ink, with mist covering everything.
Around each of the towering pillars, black chains coiled, forged from the most precious Dao metals. Even a small piece was heavy enough to crush a universe.
Before this, Chu Gucheng and the others had already set up the formation, waiting for the Saintess Xiyuan to arrive.
To deal with the Saintess Xiyuan, whose cultivation far surpassed that of ordinary Ancestral Dao realm experts, they had made thorough preparations.
These Dragon-Sealing Pillars were treasures of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, capable of sealing Ancestral Dao realm true dragons.
Chu Gucheng had used four pillars this time, clearly determined to succeed.
The Saintess Xiyuan's expression also showed a hint of surprise. It seemed she had indeed underestimated Chu Gucheng's determination. He had even prepared such arrangements just to trap her.
The palace earlier had already been set up with a Veil of Illusion, making it seem ordinary, but in reality, it was no longer in the original space-time. This was to prevent the aura of the battle from leaking out and attracting attention.
She had not noticed it at the time, but it was likely the work of the old woman from the Yinxu Cave.
However, there was no point in saying more now. The Saintess Xiyuan's expression turned cold again, and she clapped her hands.
Billions of rays of light swirled, forming pools of Dao principles, thunder mountains, and celestial cities. She then summoned an ancient four-legged bronze cauldron. The cauldron was archaic, its surface engraved with scenes of ancient rituals, national worship, mountain spirits transforming, and devouring the morning mist.
Then, these scenes twisted, transforming into various terrifying creatures—true dragons, Pixiu, Qilin, Taowu... all coming to life, as if rushing out from the ancient river of time. Their murderous aura soared to the heavens as they pounced toward Chu Gucheng and the others.
With a loud boom, Chu Gucheng, the Law Sage, and the others did not hesitate, immediately attacking with extremely powerful techniques to suppress the Saintess Xiyuan.
The old woman from the Yinxu Cave stood in place, not making any extra movements, but she seemed to be chanting something.
As if echoing the heavens and earth, her body was surrounded by dazzling silver starlight.
Around her, bright lights lit up again. These were the most intense Dao chains,缠绕 like willow branches, forming a cage to trap the Saintess Xiyuan.
At the same time, in the void, one after another dazzling Great Dao runes flickered. This terrifying power contained the endless mysteries of the myriad worlds. As soon as they appeared, scenes of earth, thunder, wind, fire, and the annihilation of heaven and earth emerged. Chaos divided, and the myriad worlds evolved.
Everyone here was at least at the Ancestral Dao realm, their understanding and comprehension of the Dao realm profound to an unimaginable degree.
To put it bluntly, they were the embodiment of the Dao itself. A single thought, a single word, could create a Dao principle, evolving into a new Dao.
Thus, their methods were even more unfathomable, creating all things and evolving living beings as if in a single thought.
Around the Law Sage, crystalline light particles appeared one after another. Each particle was pure energy, exploding in an instant—blooming like fireworks—then transforming into small worlds that surged toward Saintess Xiyuan.
The birth and destruction of worlds, the vastness of the universe—all were contained within those small worlds.
"Dao is natural."
The Law Sage's ancient and weathered face reflected the aspects of all living beings. He clasped his hands together and pressed forward. All the energy particles surged, forming an ancient Dao character.
Boom!
The ancient bronze cauldron summoned by Saintess Xiyuan trembled violently as it was struck by the Dao character. It continuously emitted deafening roars, while the ancient ferocious beasts that had come to life were instantly annihilated, dissolving into a rain of light and scattering.
Chu Gucheng also attacked. His knowledge was vast and all-encompassing, and at this moment, his entire body seemed to glow. A blurred figure of a Human Emperor condensed behind him, its face identical to his—majestic and imposing like a prison. Every movement was entwined with the Dao, carrying overwhelming power as it struck toward Saintess Xiyuan.
Saintess Xiyuan's hair flowed wildly as she stood in the air, her face cold and unyielding. She clapped her hands, causing the entire void to tremble. All the energy particles boiled furiously before silently annihilating.
She seemed to be propelling the myriad worlds forward, her vast and surging power pressing down with unstoppable force.
At this moment, she no longer resembled a cold moon goddess but rather a peerless war goddess—fierce, sharp, and overwhelmingly domineering. Alone, she faced Chu Gucheng, the Law Sage, Elder Jin, and the others, yet her imposing presence was in no way inferior to theirs.
The scene was chaotic, the battle extremely intense. The Saintess Xiyuan displayed her formidable skills, her entire being seeming to become the embodiment of the Dao. At the same time, she manifested several Dao avatars, engaging Chu Gucheng and the others. The entire void space trembled violently.
However, no matter how strong she was, there were signs of exhaustion. It was impossible for her to face so many Ancestral Dao realm experts alone.
The old woman from Yinxu Cave was immensely powerful. She had yet to take direct action, merely controlling the formation to suppress Saintess Xiyuan's strength, making it difficult for her to unleash her full power—restraining her to some extent.
Although Chu Gucheng had summoned the Human Emperor avatar, he had not used his strongest techniques, nor had he borrowed the Immortal Chu Dynasty's fortune. After all, such a commotion would be too great, and the entire Immortal Chu Dynasty would feel it.
They were trying to make the Saintess Xiyuan reveal her weaknesses and quickly exhaust her.
Under these circumstances, although the Saintess Xiyuan could initially hold her own, she was at a disadvantage. As time passed, she soon suffered injuries and coughed up blood.
Chu Gucheng seized the opportunity, his palm glowing brilliantly. A terrifying palm imprint, entwined with billions of Dao principles and divine light, struck Saintess Xiyuan, forcing a grunt from her as she was sent flying backward through the void. Her white skirt was stained with blood—a striking and piercing sight.
In Elder Jin's hand, star sand coalesced into a Divine Whip, whistling through the air. The dazzling Great Dao light carried a destructive aura, lashing directly at Saintess Xiyuan and leaving a horrifying blood mark on her body.
The Saintess Xiyuan grunted again, her eyes even colder and filled with anger.
Seizing this opportunity, the old woman from Yinxu Cave's pure-white eyes suddenly shone with a blinding light.
"Go."
She said indifferently, her dry hand waving forward.
The Dao runes around her rushed toward the Saintess Xiyuan, striking her as she flew backward.
These Dao runes seemed alive, each one transforming into the most primitive and ancient characters, entering the Saintess Xiyuan's body. Her aura immediately weakened, no longer as strong as before.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
At the same time, the sound of chains moving echoed. The chains on the Dragon-Sealing Pillars, following the old woman's wave, also flew out, causing the entire void space to tremble.
The Saintess Xiyuan's mouth was stained with blood. Despite the pain, she tried to dodge the chains.
However, these chains seemed alive, heavy as if forged from entire universes. They resembled the spines of true dragons, with their phantom shadows appearing, roaring as they pounced toward Saintess Xiyuan's arms and torso, seeking to completely seal her.
The Saintess Xiyuan's arm glowed, Dao runes appearing as she struggled to break free from the Dragon-Sealing Chains.
But the Dragon-Sealing Pillars around her also glowed, the ancient engravings on them erupting with endless chains of order. These chains connected directly to the Dragon-Sealing Chains, dragging Saintess Xiyuan down from the sky.
"How is this possible..."
Saintess Xiyuan was somewhat incredulous, feeling her strength suppressed to an unimaginable degree, unable to break free.
Then, she fell to the ground, her disheveled hair partially covering her jade-like face. Blood stained her lips and skirt—a rare sight of distress and vulnerability.
Seeing this, Chu Gucheng, Elder Jin, and the others showed joy and smiles.
"Do you know how the Profound Heaven Battle Array of our Yinxu Cave came to be? Countless epochs ago, a figure named Profound Heaven Sovereign nearly stepped into the End of the Path realm. This formation was created by my master after slaying him, using his Dao fruit. Even those who have survived nine Heavenly Decline Tribulations would be suppressed by it."
"Although my strength is inferior to yours, with this formation, trapping you is effortless."
Although the old woman was blind, everything that happened was clear to her.
She looked at the fallen Saintess Xiyuan, now trapped by the Dragon-Sealing Chains. A hint of mockery surfaced on her otherwise indifferent face, as if ridiculing the Saintess's overconfidence.
Saintess Xiyuan, however, had sensed the anomaly from the very beginning. The Dragon-Sealing Pillars alone weren't enough to imprison her or suppress her cultivation. It was the strange patterns and domain inscriptions carved onto them that were truly at work.
She had indeed been careless, thinking that after surviving eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations, no one in the Prime-Origin Civilization could threaten her.
Chu Gucheng dared to scheme against her, so he must have made thorough preparations.
At this moment, Saintess Xiyuan recalled Gu Changge's earlier warning, feeling a tinge of frustration and regret. If she had heeded his advice and been more wary of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, tonight's events might never have unfolded.
Without this pre-arranged formation and the combined efforts of Chu Gucheng, the Law Sage, and Elder Jin, it would have been difficult for the Immortal Chu Dynasty to deal with her.
"Senior, what a good move."
However, the Saintess Xiyuan quickly regained her composure, speaking indifferently.
She knew that Chu Gucheng neither had the courage to kill her nor the strength. Though she was trapped, she still had confidence.
After all, her master was the founder of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, a true sage. Although her master had not been heard from for many epochs, no one knew if she had passed away or was traveling through some remote void.
Even if the Immortal Chu Dynasty obtained the Mirror of Reincarnation, they would not dare to offend an ancient sage.
"Thank you, Senior Xingying."
Chu Gucheng, seeing the Saintess Xiyuan regaining her composure, finally showed a confident smile.
He first thanked the old woman from the Yinxu Cave, then turned to the Saintess Xiyuan and said, "Today's events were indeed disrespectful. Afterward, I will definitely find a way to compensate you and apologize."
As the Saintess Xiyuan had thought, Chu Gucheng indeed did not dare to harm her.
His goal was only to obtain the Mirror of Reincarnation and resolve the current crisis first.
The Saintess Xiyuan coldly glanced at Chu Gucheng, not speaking, then sat down cross-legged to recover from her injuries.
She guessed that Chu Gucheng would next try to force her to hand over the Mirror of Reincarnation. As for using her life to threaten the Xiyuan Sacred Hall into surrendering the Mirror of Reincarnation, Chu Gucheng likely did not have the courage.
"Next, I must ask the Saintess Xiyuan to stay here for a while. Once the crisis of the Immortal Chu Dynasty is resolved and we unite with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to unify the Prime-Origin Civilization, I will personally come to lift the seal on you."
Seeing that the situation was settled, Chu Gucheng felt reassured and smiled.
The Saintess Xiyuan frowned, opening her eyes to look at Chu Gucheng, wondering what he meant.
"Xinyue, the next steps are up to you."
Chu Gucheng, seeing her look, felt quite pleased and satisfied. The Saintess Xiyuan had repeatedly turned him away, humiliating him in front of many guests. How could she have imagined that she would one day become his prisoner?