"Father, don't worry."
"Your daughter knows what to do next."
As soon as Chu Gucheng finished speaking, Chu Xinyue's figure emerged from the void.
However, her appearance, tone, demeanor, and even her aura began to blur the moment she stepped forward. A strange mist seemed to swirl around her, enveloping her in an enigmatic and profound manner.
In the next moment, as the mist gradually dissipated, her entire form transformed into that of Saintess Xiyuan.
Her expression, posture, and movements were indistinguishable from those of the real Saintess Xiyuan.
This was no mere disguise or superficial transformation. It was a complete reconstruction of her foundation, a rebirth, as if she had been reincarnated and grown anew.
Even the most skilled ancient sages, adept at divination, would be unable to trace Chu Xinyue's origins through karma, fate, or other means.
"As expected of the pill bestowed by Senior Xingying's master. If Saintess Xiyuan and Xinyue were to stand side by side now, even we might not be able to tell who is real and who is fake."
Witnessing such a miraculous feat, Chu Gucheng, Law Sage, and the others couldn't help but show admiration in their eyes.
"Have I truly become Saintess Xiyuan?"
Chu Xinyue herself was also amazed. She could feel a flood of vague memories surfacing in her mind.
Although these were not the real memories of Saintess Xiyuan, they were enough to help her deceive others and avoid detection.
At this moment, she truly seemed to have become Saintess Xiyuan. Her every gesture, her every expression, was identical to the saintess. She had become the most transcendent existence of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
"The Great Creation Pill of Transformation bestowed by my master naturally has no flaws. It was refined from the Dao Fruit of the Mirage Ancestor, making it extremely precious. Even in Yinxu Cave, there are only a few such pills."
The old woman Xingying also nodded, showing a satisfied expression.
"How is this possible?"
Meanwhile, Saintess Xiyuan, who was imprisoned at the center of the Dragon-Binding Pillars, was utterly shocked and incredulous.
She had initially thought this was just a "smokescreen" by Chu Xinyue, a simple change in appearance.
After all, no matter what method of transformation was used, it couldn't alter one's essence. Even if the aura, demeanor, and appearance were perfectly replicated, there would still be flaws.
For beings at the Ancestral Dao Realm, a single thought was enough to trace one's karma and aura, thereby determining their true identity and origins.
But now, the Chu Xinyue before her seemed to be the real Saintess Xiyuan standing in front of her.
How could this not shock Saintess Xiyuan? How could she not find it hard to believe?
Could it be that this was Chu Xinyue's goal all along? Had she taken the pill given by the blind old woman and, through days of imitation and learning, perfectly transformed into her?
Looking at the woman who was almost identical to herself, Saintess Xiyuan suddenly felt a deep sense of worry.
During the time she had been trapped here, Chu Xinyue, impersonating her, had likely caused significant harm and influence to the entire Prime-Origin Civilization.
Especially now, with Chu Gucheng desperately seeking the Mirror of Reincarnation, the impersonated "Saintess Xiyuan" could easily change the situation with just a few words, potentially allowing Chu Gucheng to obtain the mirror.
Seeing the worry in Saintess Xiyuan's eyes, Chu Gucheng laughed heartily and said, "Saintess Xiyuan, don't worry. Xinyue is only borrowing your identity for a while. She will return it to you later, and it won't cause you any harm. In fact, it might even be a good thing for Xiyuan Sacred Hall."
"You might even thank me and Xinyue later."
Saintess Xiyuan had already calmed down. Hearing this, she merely gave him a cold glance, said nothing, and closed her eyes again, sitting cross-legged to continue recovering from her injuries.
Chu Gucheng didn't mind at all. He sneered and waved his hand. The Dragon-Binding Pillars around them emitted a hazy, multicolored light, forming a mysterious and obscure field that completely obscured the area.
Then, he tore through the void and left the place with Law Sage, Old Jin, and the old woman Xingying.
---
"What a brilliant method of stealing the beam and replacing the pillar. As expected of the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, this plan is truly seamless."
Meanwhile, in the quiet courtyard of the imperial capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, as the image on the golden page gradually faded, Gu Changge couldn't help but express sincere admiration.
However, Wu Xuan, Chu Bai, Chu Kui, and the others beside him were frozen in place, as if they hadn't yet recovered from what they had just witnessed.
Their hearts were in turmoil, and they could hardly believe their eyes.
Initially, when they saw Chu Gucheng and the others moving against Saintess Xiyuan, they thought it was too unbelievable and wondered if it was an illusion. Now, they were utterly horrified.
They never imagined they would witness such a terrifying scene one day.
If this matter were to spread, it would immediately plunge the Immortal Chu Dynasty into a dire situation.
Who would have thought that Chu Gucheng, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, would have the audacity to capture the real Saintess Xiyuan and have the second princess, Chu Xinyue, impersonate her and walk the world?
This was no mere act of defiance or provocation against Xiyuan Sacred Hall. It was an attempt to manipulate the entire Prime-Origin Civilization, to play with the forces and factions of the world.
This move was like dancing on the edge of a blade. One misstep, and they would be doomed, crushed to pieces.
"Gu… Gu Changge, why didn't you save Saintess Xiyuan?"
However, compared to their shock and horror at Chu Gucheng's audacity, Wu Xuan and the others were even more astonished by Gu Changge's methods.
From within this courtyard, using nothing more than an ordinary-looking golden page, he had easily uncovered the schemes of Chu Gucheng, Law Sage, and the others.
And Chu Gucheng and his group likely had no idea that a pair of eyes had been watching them with interest all along, observing their every move.
Such methods were truly incredible and hard to believe.
For Wu Xuan and the others, who already held Gu Changge in high regard and feared him, this only deepened their awe and trepidation.
"Why should I save her?" Gu Changge put away the golden page and asked with a faint smile.
"Isn't Saintess Xiyuan on your side?" Wu Xuan asked tentatively, his voice trembling slightly.
He recalled the scene at Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet, where Saintess Xiyuan had openly stated that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had no connection to the remnants of the Black Calamity. Wasn't that indirectly defending Gu Changge and siding with him?
Gu Changge smiled and said, "She was never on my side. If she had a choice, do you think she would have said those words? Today's events are the consequences of her own arrogance. Those who are overconfident will eventually pay the price for their actions."
He could indeed have intervened to help Saintess Xiyuan, but Gu Changge had no intention of doing so.
For him, Saintess Xiyuan's current predicament—captured and imprisoned in that void cage—was actually more advantageous.
Wu Xuan and the others understood Gu Changge's intentions but dared not speculate further. What they had witnessed today gave them a deeper understanding of Gu Changge's mysterious and unfathomable methods.
They weren't fools. From the various signs, it was clear that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was truly nearing its end.
The unseen calamity had long been looming over them, hidden from view.
Although the Immortal Chu Dynasty appeared stable and prosperous on the surface, beneath it all, the situation was already turbulent and dangerous.
The actions of Chu Gucheng, the ruler, had been steadily eroding the people's trust.
When they returned to the House of Talents tonight, they would definitely inform their acquaintances about what had happened.
Only by escalating the situation could they draw attention and make their hidden enemies think twice before acting.
Moreover, the audacity of Chu Gucheng in scheming against Saintess Xiyuan and capturing her—if this were to spread, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Seeing the expressions on Wu Xuan and the others' faces, Gu Changge knew that the next steps no longer required his intervention.
The chaos in the Immortal Chu Dynasty had already been set in motion and was irreversible.
"The master of Saintess Xiyuan is Sage Xi. Her prolonged absence likely indicates other schemes. On the other hand, Yinxu Cave's origins are worth investigating." Gu Changge took a sip of tea, his mind already turning to other matters.
Meanwhile, Han Feng and the others, having calmed their emotions, exchanged glances and saw helplessness and sighs in each other's eyes.
They were from the House of Talents, raised and trained by the Immortal Chu Dynasty since childhood. It wasn't that they had no feelings for the dynasty.
Now, seeing the Immortal Chu Dynasty facing such a calamity, their hearts were heavy.
However, they were not blindly loyal. Just moments ago, the imperial family had tried to take their lives.
Since the imperial family had acted unjustly first, they couldn't be blamed for being ruthless in return.
"The Marquis entrusted me with the Mandarin Duck Jade Pendant that he and his wife used as a token of their love. As long as I find the other pendant, I can restore and trace the scene of the day his wife was killed, identifying the true culprit."
Then, Han Feng glanced at the others and whispered.
"After the Marquis's wife committed suicide, her body was not buried. It is still preserved in the residence of the former Grand Tutor. Perhaps the other pendant is now in the hands of the former Grand Tutor." Chu Bai speculated.
The Marquis's wife, Qinglan, was the daughter of the former Grand Tutor. Although the former Grand Tutor no longer held office, his influence in the Immortal Chu Dynasty was still significant.
Many court officials, generals, and even the Marquis himself were his disciples.
"What I'm worried about now is that the enemy behind this, after tonight's failure, might target the former Grand Tutor and try to destroy the pendant…" Han Feng said with concern.
After experiencing tonight's events, he understood just how ruthless and unscrupulous the enemy behind this was.
The enemy's power was terrifying beyond imagination.
It was entirely possible that they would target the former Grand Tutor.
At this point, he was tempted to ask Gu Changge for help. After witnessing Gu Changge's methods tonight, he was more convinced than ever that Gu Changge's origins were extraordinary and his strength unfathomable, far surpassing the Ancestral Dao Realm.
This was also why he had brought up the matter in front of Gu Changge.
"I can guess your thoughts, but that is a matter between your Marquis and the Immortal Chu Dynasty. I saved you tonight without asking for anything in return, which is already more than enough." Gu Changge smiled faintly, glancing at Han Feng and the others.
Han Feng's expression turned awkward, realizing that Gu Changge had seen through his intentions.
However, as someone trusted by the Marquis Chu Heng, he naturally had his strengths. He quickly regained his composure and respectfully said, "If Gu Changge can help the Marquis resolve this crisis, the Marquis and I will be eternally grateful. Whatever Gu Changge needs, just say the word, and we will brave any danger, no matter how perilous."
Gu Changge chuckled lightly and said, "Can you speak on behalf of the Marquis?"
Han Feng hesitated, then said, "If the Marquis knew what was happening in the imperial capital, he would definitely agree. I know him well."
"Let's not discuss this for now. When your Marquis personally says these words to me, I'll consider it."
Gu Changge waved his hand and smiled. "Besides, how do you know I can even help you now? I'm barely able to protect myself at the moment."
Han Feng, Chu Bai, and the others' expressions changed. They understood what Gu Changge meant.
With his strength, how could he possibly be in danger?
"Young Master Gu, you must be joking. With your power, you can traverse endless time and space at will. Who in this world could possibly threaten you?" Han Feng said, cupping his hands respectfully.
"Heh, with Chu Gucheng now having Saintess Xiyuan's support, he will undoubtedly come after me first. I had hoped to enjoy a few more days of peace in the Immortal Chu Dynasty, but it seems that's no longer possible…" Gu Changge smiled lightly and took a sip of wine.
Hearing him speak so casually, Han Feng and the others realized he must have been joking.
If even he were in danger, then the current power of the Immortal Chu Dynasty would be enough to sweep through the entire Prime-Origin Civilization.
Perhaps it was because they had just witnessed Gu Changge use an ordinary golden page to easily uncover the schemes of Chu Gucheng, Law Sage, and the others that Han Feng, Chu Bai, and the others felt an indescribable confidence in Gu Changge.
Afterward, Han Feng, Wu Xuan, and the others, realizing they couldn't persuade Gu Changge to help, expressed their gratitude once more and left.
They planned to return to the House of Talents first, then seek refuge with the former Grand Tutor to identify the true culprit behind the Marquis's wife's humiliation.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty was now in a state of turmoil, and no one knew what would happen the next day.
After Han Feng and the others left, Gu Changge finished the last sip of wine in his cup and slowly stood up.
"He's set up numerous void restrictions. It seems Chu Gucheng is determined to imprison Saintess Xiyuan for hundreds of years."
He flicked his hand, and the golden page reappeared, glowing with a soft light. A black vortex, large enough to fit half a person, emerged.
Then, Gu Changge stepped into it, his figure vanishing like a wisp of black smoke.
At the same time, deep within the void prison, Saintess Xiyuan, bound by the Dragon-Binding Chains, suddenly sensed something. A look of confusion flashed across her calm, expressionless face.
"What's going on?"
She murmured in confusion, feeling a vast aura emanating from the depths of her Void Space.
Saintess Xinyue frowned slightly and sent her divine sense to investigate. She saw a brilliant golden light surging like morning mist, sacred and radiant.
The golden page she had sealed away had become transparent and holy, with blurry characters appearing on it, as if trying to open a hazy passage through time and space.
"Didn't I seal this golden page? Why isn't it working?"
She grew even more puzzled, feeling as though the golden page was about to break free.
She hadn't discarded the golden page Gu Changge had left behind. Instead, she had placed numerous restrictions on it and sealed it with several ancient artifacts before storing it deep within her Void Space.
But now, the golden page was emitting an overwhelming aura, causing the Dragon-Binding Pillars around her to tremble slightly.
"Could it be that he left this golden page to truly help me?"
The thought stirred her emotions, which had been as calm as still water, now rippling like a disturbed pond.
In the next moment, the hazy passage was fully opened. A tall, indistinct figure emerged from the depths of her Void Space, stepping directly toward Saintess Xiyuan.
"You…"
Seeing Gu Changge emerge from her Void Space and appear before her, Saintess Xinyue's eyes widened slightly. The words she had been about to say caught in her throat.
"It's been a few days, Saintess. Why are you in such a sorry state?"
Gu Changge stood before Saintess Xiyuan, his hands clasped behind his back, examining her with interest and teasing her knowingly.
"You really are up to no good. You tampered with the golden page you left me."
Saintess Xiyuan raised her eyes, meeting Gu Changge's gaze, and spoke in a cool, indifferent tone.