She also knew that her current appearance must be very disheveled. Usually, she paid great attention to her appearance and demeanor, but this was the first time she had encountered such a situation.
Her hair was disheveled, blood stained the corner of her lips, and even her skirt was stained with blood. Some parts of her clothing were covered in dust, as if she had fallen into the mortal world and rolled in the dirt.
This was unbearable for her, who had always been transcendent and fastidious about cleanliness.
Unfortunately, sealed by the Dragon-Binding Chains, aside from recovering from her injuries, she could do nothing at the moment.
"I came here with good intentions to visit you, Saintess. Why are you blaming me as soon as I arrive?"
Gu Changge chuckled lightly, then walked directly toward Saintess Xiyuan.
Seeing Gu Changge approach her, Saintess Xiyuan was momentarily stunned. Then, remembering that she was currently sealed by the Dragon-Binding Chains and unable to move, she felt a wave of panic.
Although she had many hidden methods that she wouldn't use unless absolutely necessary, methods that could protect her purity, Gu Changge was not Chu Gucheng.
Her hidden methods would be useless against him.
"What do you want to do?"
Saintess Xiyuan's tone was slightly panicked as she tried to stand up. However, the Dragon-Binding Pillars around her trembled, and the sound of clanking chains filled the air. She was suppressed even more, making it impossible for her to move, let alone stand.
"Don't move recklessly."
Gu Changge shook his head slightly, holding a clean, plain embroidered handkerchief in his hand, and handed it over.
Seeing the clean handkerchief Gu Changge handed her, Saintess Xiyuan was momentarily stunned. Then, she realized that her reaction might have been excessive.
When Gu Changge had visited her before, although he had threatened and intimidated her, nothing had actually happened afterward.
Thinking of this, she instinctively reached out to take it.
But at this moment, both of her arms were tightly bound by the chains, making it impossible for her to move, let alone take the handkerchief.
"I forgot that you can't move right now."
Gu Changge seemed to notice her inability to move her arms only now, his tone carrying a hint of apology. Then, he reached behind Saintess Xiyuan's ear, removed her blood-stained veil, and used the handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of her lips.
Saintess Xiyuan was almost petrified as she watched this scene, her mind seemingly frozen.
She could feel the warmth of Gu Changge's hand, even though it didn't directly touch her face.
The thin, silk-like handkerchief brushed against the corner of her lips, and she could clearly feel the touch of his hand.
After Gu Changge finished wiping the blood from her lips, he casually used his magic to evaporate and clean the bloodstains on the veil, then placed it back on her.
This process wasn't long, and Gu Changge's actions weren't particularly gentle—they were even somewhat casual.
But Saintess Xiyuan remained petrified, staring blankly at Gu Changge, neither speaking nor stopping him.
At this moment, an indescribable warmth welled up in her heart.
Gu Changge was the great enemy she had foreseen in the Mirror of Reincarnation, the enemy of the entire Xiyuan Sacred Hall and even the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Yet, at this moment, it was this great enemy who had appeared to wipe the blood from her lips, saving her from her previous disheveled state.
"What a pity. I didn't bring a wooden comb."
Gu Changge smiled lightly and stepped back from Saintess Xiyuan, maintaining a distance between them.
Hearing his words, Saintess Xiyuan felt inexplicably flustered. She turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, but her voice carried a hint of embarrassment and annoyance as she said, "Do you really want to comb my hair for me?"
Since ancient times, only couples or spouses would be so intimate.
She and Gu Changge were enemies.
"Even if you wanted me to, I wouldn't comb your hair for you. Without the bloodstains, you do look much more presentable than before."
Gu Changge chuckled, not elaborating further on the topic.
Hearing Gu Changge's response, Saintess Xiyuan felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Was it because she looked unkempt earlier that he "mercifully" wiped the blood from her lips?
Saintess Xiyuan let out a soft hum, audible only to herself, and said in a cool voice, "If you had brought a dress, would you have helped me change into it as well?"
Gu Changge glanced at her blood-stained dress and smiled, "If you wanted me to, I could reluctantly help you with that."
"No need."
Saintess Xiyuan really wanted to glare at him fiercely and said, "Such matters don't require Gu Changge's assistance."
She didn't know why she had asked such a question earlier.
Before, she had even been able to act seductively to test Gu Changge, but now she couldn't bring herself to be so open.
"Did Gu Changge come here to laugh at me?"
"As you said before, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Chu Gucheng, is ambitious and treacherous. He conspired with Law Sage, Old Jin, Chu Xinyue, and the blind old woman from Yinxu Cave to scheme against me."
However, Saintess Xiyuan quickly regained her usual composure and changed the subject, saying,
"I'm not here to laugh at you. I just sensed that you were in danger and came to check on you."
Gu Changge shook his head and smiled, "Chu Gucheng's ambitions are not small. He wants to seize more benefits and unify the Prime-Origin Civilization. As an obstacle in his path, Xiyuan Sacred Hall will inevitably become his target."
Saintess Xiyuan didn't believe he was as kind-hearted as he claimed.
Did he really sense she was in danger and come to check on her? Did he actually care about her?
"I won't be in any immediate danger. Chu Gucheng wouldn't dare to harm me. At most, he'll keep me imprisoned for a while. The formations here can only trap me for a few years at most," she said.
"However, Chu Xinyue has taken a mysterious pill given by the blind old woman from Yinxu Cave. After consuming it, she has completely transformed into my appearance and will act in my place in the outside world."
"Chu Gucheng will undoubtedly use this opportunity to further his schemes."
Gu Changge naturally knew all about the things Saintess Xiyuan mentioned.
At present, these matters posed no harm to him.
On the contrary, they were causing the Immortal Chu Dynasty to dig its own grave, bringing it closer to collapse and betrayal.
"Oh, it seems Chu Gucheng's ambitions are even greater than I imagined. Not only did he capture and imprison the real saintess, but he also plans to have his daughter impersonate the saintess and deceive everyone?"
He showed a hint of surprise, as if caught off guard, then looked at Saintess Xiyuan,
"Your capture by the Immortal Chu Dynasty will undoubtedly complicate my plans."
"If that's the case, are you planning to rescue me?"
Saintess Xiyuan's bright eyes suddenly turned to Gu Changge, filled with a hint of expectation.
In this void prison, Chu Gucheng and the others had laid down at least tens of thousands of restrictions.
Yet, Gu Changge had entered silently, without alerting anyone.
Perhaps he could also help her escape unnoticed.
"Not yet."
Gu Changge shook his head slightly, ignoring the expectation in Saintess Xiyuan's eyes, and said, "The timing isn't right. It's not yet time for you to escape."
These words caused the expectant expression on Saintess Xiyuan's face to freeze. She hadn't expected Gu Changge to reject her so directly and decisively.
She had been harboring some hope, thinking that Gu Changge might have come to rescue her.
And what did he mean by "it's not yet time for you to escape"?
So, he could actually help her escape, but he simply wouldn't do it now.
Could it be that, like Chu Gucheng, he also wanted to imprison her somewhere?
"I'll find a way to escape on my own. I don't need your help." Saintess Xiyuan said stiffly, feeling inexplicably irritated.
Why had she even expected Gu Changge to help her?
"Then I'll have to trouble you to endure a little longer, Saintess. When the time comes, I'll naturally help you escape."
Gu Changge smiled lightly, ignoring the displeasure written all over Saintess Xiyuan's face. Then, without saying more, the hazy passage reappeared before him, piercing through the void. His figure dissipated like a wisp of smoke, soon vanishing completely.
After watching Gu Changge disappear, Saintess Xiyuan felt even more agitated.
She silently recited a calming mantra hundreds of times before her mood gradually settled.
There was no denying that Gu Changge's actions tonight had successfully stirred ripples in her heart.
"Why are his words and actions so different from what I saw in the Mirror of Reincarnation?"
"Should I believe what I saw in the Mirror of Reincarnation, or should I trust the Gu Changge I've seen with my own eyes…" she murmured.
The next day, an explosive piece of news spread from the imperial capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, shocking all the guests and dignitaries who had not yet left.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty had decided to join forces with Xiyuan Sacred Hall to establish the Xiyuan Alliance, jointly resisting the impending calamity facing the Prime-Origin Civilization.
This news left the guests from various factions and forces utterly shocked and astonished.
In addition to forming the Xiyuan Alliance, the Immortal Chu Dynasty and Xiyuan Sacred Hall also planned to establish a marriage alliance.
The ruler, Chu Gucheng, and Saintess Xiyuan appeared together before all the guests, standing close to each other.
Saintess Xiyuan, who had previously been cold and distant toward Chu Gucheng, now chatted and laughed with him, engaging in conversation.
This scene left all the guests and dignitaries stunned, wondering if they were seeing things.
Representatives from factions such as Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, Temple of Light and Darkness, Divine Ascension Cavern, and Imperial Immortal Palace found it hard to believe.
However, Saintess Xiyuan personally explained the situation, stating that after discussing matters with Old Jin, Law Sage, and others the previous night, she had carefully considered the situation.
She believed that the impending calamity facing the Prime-Origin Civilization was unimaginable and would be catastrophic for all factions and forces within the civilization. No single faction or race would be able to withstand it alone.
Everyone must unite to have even a sliver of hope to resist it.
This was also the prophecy she had received from the Mirror of Reincarnation: a wisp of black mist would descend upon the world once more, and the Immortal Spirit Civilization had already been shrouded by the black mist.
It had become a stronghold for the remnants of the Black Calamity.
Purple Mist Mountain had colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity, and even the Demon Court had been infiltrated by them, receiving support from the remnants.
Chu Gucheng, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, was a chosen one, favored by heaven, and bore the aura of an ancient Human Emperor. He was also the one destined to face this calamity.
Only by placing their hopes in him could the myriad beings of the world have a chance to survive this calamity.
Saintess Xiyuan's response contained a wealth of information, leaving all the guests and dignitaries shocked and horrified to the extreme.
Previously, during the banquet, Saintess Xiyuan had stated that the Immortal Spirit Civilization had no connection to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
The question of whether Purple Mist Mountain had colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity was still under investigation.
So why had she suddenly made such a definitive statement now?
What had happened in the past few days?
Since this was something Saintess Xiyuan had personally stated, none of the guests dared to question her, despite their confusion.
Many questions arose in the minds of the attendees. Everyone felt as though the situation had suddenly taken an unexpected turn.
Why had Saintess Xiyuan suddenly changed her stance?
Moreover, if the Immortal Chu Dynasty and Xiyuan Sacred Hall were joining forces to establish the Xiyuan Alliance, why was there talk of a marriage alliance?
Although Chu Gucheng did not elaborate on the details of the marriage alliance, many speculated that it would involve Saintess Xiyuan and him.
Saintess Xiyuan, as the leader of Xiyuan Sacred Hall, was also the most transcendent existence in the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Her status and position were almost unparalleled.
Yet now, she was suddenly forming a marriage alliance with Chu Gucheng, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty?
This was like a meteor crashing into the deep sea, instantly stirring up monstrous waves.
Whether true or not, this was an extremely shocking and unbelievable event for all cultivators and beings.
For the various factions and forces, this was also an ominous sign.
Xiyuan Sacred Hall had always remained neutral, never interfering in the rise and fall of other factions and forces.
Now that it was getting involved in the affairs of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, wouldn't this force other factions like Imperial Immortal Palace, Divine Ascension Cavern, Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, and Temple of Light and Darkness to submit to the Immortal Chu Dynasty's authority?
This would completely disrupt the long-standing stability of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Many suspected that Saintess Xiyuan had been deceived or coerced by Chu Gucheng into making such statements.
The Silent True Buddha from Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, as well as elders from Temple of Light and Darkness and Divine Ascension Cavern, personally went to visit Saintess Xiyuan to learn the truth.
In the imperial palace of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Chu Gucheng, Law Sage, Old Jin, and others had already anticipated this and were waiting for the arrival of the guests.
At the same time, Saintess Xiyuan, whom everyone wanted to meet, was also there, appearing as transcendent as ever, showing no signs of abnormality.
"The Immortal Spirit Civilization has been invaded by the black mist and has become a stronghold for the remnants of the Black Calamity. The master behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is also connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity. During the banquet, I was wary of his strength and wanted to stabilize him, which is why I said those words. Afterward, I discussed matters with Old Jin and others in secret and made this decision."
Saintess Xiyuan, wearing a light veil and standing tall, seemed surrounded by immortal mist. Her expression was calm and transcendent as she explained the situation.
"I am an old acquaintance of Sage Xi, the master of Saintess Xiyuan. How could I possibly quarrel with her over such a trivial matter in front of so many guests? Everything I did at the time was merely to confuse that man surnamed Gu."
Old Jin also smiled as he explained to the crowd.
"All the fellow Daoists who have come here are trustworthy individuals, so I won't waste words. The remnants of the Black Calamity have long been secretly infiltrating and eroding the Prime-Origin Civilization. Purple Mist Mountain has completely become a pawn of the remnants. If we do not stop them, once the remnants grow stronger and devour large swathes of the Prime-Origin Civilization, no one will be able to stop them. The calamity of the Prime-Origin Civilization will begin because of this."
Chu Gucheng spoke with a serious expression, slowly scanning the guests who had gathered.
Representatives from Divine Ascension Cavern, Temple of Light and Darkness, Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, and other factions, as well as Dao Realm experts from other regions of the Vast Expanse, also wore grave expressions.
Although they had some doubts about Saintess Xiyuan and Old Jin's explanations, they did not question them.
After all, the recent actions of Purple Mist Mountain and the black coffin they had sent were highly reminiscent of the remnants of the Black Calamity.
No one dared to take this matter lightly.
"Since Chu Gucheng, Old Jin, and Saintess Xiyuan have all said so, I naturally believe you. However, if even you are so wary of that Gu Changge behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, how do you plan to deal with him?"
An ancient powerhouse with a thin face asked. He was a reclusive cultivator from a mysterious region of the Vast Expanse. Although not at the Ancestral Dao Realm, he was still a force to be reckoned with.
There were quite a few ancient reclusive cultivators like him present.
In addition, there were also Dao Realm experts from other true worlds and civilizations.
If this force were to unite, it would be a formidable power.
"Everyone, rest assured. Since Saintess Xiyuan and I have dared to release such news, it's because we have a way to deal with that man surnamed Gu. However, when the time comes, we may need everyone's assistance."
Chu Gucheng spoke with a solemn expression.
Although he appeared calm, his heart was not at ease. The people he had sent to deal with Champion Marquis's confidants had mysteriously disappeared without a trace the previous night.
This meant that there was another powerful force in the imperial capital opposing him and protecting Champion Marquis's confidants.
Chu Gucheng didn't yet know who was behind this, but he suspected it might be related to Gu Changge.
At the same time, deep within the imperial capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, ancient portals opened one after another. Multicolored light surged from within, and strange mists billowed, accompanied by countless strands of order.
From these portals emerged many powerful figures, clad in rainbow-colored armor and wielding celestial blades, halberds, and spears. Their strength was formidable, and they quickly headed toward the temporary residence of the Imperial Immortal Palace.