The imperial capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty was in great turmoil, with clouds of smoke and mist rising into the sky.
Squads of soldiers, their auras overwhelming and their strength formidable, shrouded in chaotic mist, rushed out from the depths.
Their momentum was fierce, as if they had emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The mounts beneath their feet kicked up endless dust, surrounding the temporary residence of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
The leaders were Dao Realm experts with cold, piercing eyes. Their figures were tall and imposing, their armor flowing with immortal light.
One of them held a spear as heavy as chaos itself, its cold light seemingly capable of shattering past and present.
"By the order of the ruler, the Heaven-Suppressing Army has come to exterminate the remnants of the Black Calamity."
These Dao Realm experts coldly gazed at the palace complex ahead, ready to command their troops to charge in at any moment.
Their voices were icy, filled with an iron-blooded aura. The sky trembled, and the entire imperial capital shook lightly.
All the guests and dignitaries were shocked and horrified by this scene.
Many figures rushed into the sky, watching from afar, their faces filled with disbelief.
They didn't know what had happened. Why had so many powerful beings suddenly arrived, surrounding the Imperial Immortal Palace?
Could it be that the Imperial Immortal Palace had colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity?
At this moment, the Dao Realm elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, who had come to attend the banquet, also emerged with their disciples, their faces grim as they stared at the army surrounding them.
Many of them were also confused and puzzled.
Why had the Immortal Chu Dynasty suddenly sent troops, and with such a fierce and murderous demeanor?
Exterminate the remnants of the Black Calamity?
What did this have to do with the Imperial Immortal Palace?
Could it be that the Immortal Chu Dynasty believed the Imperial Immortal Palace had colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity?
"What is the meaning of this? Do you think our Imperial Immortal Palace has colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity?"
One of the Dao Realm elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, scanning the army before him.
"This is the ruler's order. We are merely following commands. The Imperial Immortal Palace has colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity, bringing disaster to the Prime-Origin Civilization. The world will unite to punish you."
The leading general spoke coldly, his eyes like divine lightning, causing the void to tremble.
His strength was immense, almost reaching the Ancestral Dao Realm. He was a general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army, directly under Chu Gucheng.
He had spent most of his life leading troops in battles deep within the void, rarely returning to the imperial capital.
Today, he had received Chu Gucheng's orders and had specially opened a spatial passage to quickly bring his troops back.
The Heaven-Suppressing Army was one of Chu Gucheng's elite forces, part of the celestial soldiers he had once tried to establish.
To put it bluntly, every time the Heaven-Suppressing Army was deployed, it was accompanied by endless bloodshed.
"Hmph, if the Immortal Chu Dynasty claims that our Imperial Immortal Palace has colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity, then show us the evidence. Making baseless accusations is laughable."
The elder who had spoken earlier was furious, his gaze turning icy as a terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Although the Imperial Immortal Palace had declined in recent years, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. It was still far from being a force that a newly risen power like the Immortal Chu Dynasty could easily bully.
Moreover, the founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace had returned and was currently recovering his cultivation deep within the palace, waiting for the day he would regain his peak strength.
Ling Yuxian stood with the elders, her skirt fluttering, her expression equally cold.
The Imperial Immortal Palace had participated in the battle against the Lord of the Black Calamity and was truly one of the "pioneers" who had resisted the Black Calamity.
What right did the Immortal Chu Dynasty have to accuse the Imperial Immortal Palace of colluding with the remnants of the Black Calamity?
"Evidence? The Imperial Immortal Palace has always been associated with the remnants of the Black Calamity. This is something everyone has witnessed. Are you still trying to deny it?"
The general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army coldly scanned the members of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Then, his gaze shifted to the figures watching from afar and continued, "The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was established by the remnants of the Black Calamity, and the Immortal Spirit Civilization has long become a stronghold for the remnants. Your Imperial Immortal Palace, knowing that the man surnamed Gu is a remnant of the Black Calamity, still colluded with him, intending to bring chaos to the Prime-Origin Civilization."
"Nonsense! Do you have any evidence to prove that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity? Are you just taking advantage of the fact that this is the territory of the Immortal Chu Dynasty to act without restraint?"
The elder of the Imperial Immortal Palace roared in anger.
During the banquet, Saintess Xiyuan had already clarified the matter.
Now, the Immortal Chu Dynasty was bringing it up again. What did this mean?
Were they bullying the Imperial Immortal Palace because it had declined and no longer had its former prestige?
He had been meditating in seclusion these past few days and hadn't paid attention to outside matters, so he didn't know about today's news.
Ling Yuxian, however, frowned when she heard this.
When she had received the news earlier, she had felt that something was off.
Saintess Xiyuan had suddenly changed her stance, overturning all the clarifications she had made during the banquet.
She had been worried, not knowing what had happened between Saintess Xiyuan and Gu Changge.
Why had Saintess Xiyuan suddenly sided with the Immortal Chu Dynasty?
"These are the words spoken by Saintess Xiyuan herself. Representatives from various factions are currently in the depths of the imperial capital, discussing this matter with the ruler. If you don't believe it, you can go and verify the truth yourself."
The general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army sneered.
Today, their target was actually Gu Changge.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty didn't want to offend the Imperial Immortal Palace under the current circumstances.
That's why they had said these things, hoping the Imperial Immortal Palace would back down and not interfere.
"What?"
The elder, who had been furious, was momentarily stunned when he heard this.
Had Saintess Xiyuan personally said this?
"Saintess Xiyuan did indeed say such things today, but I suspect there's more to it…"
Ling Yuxian looked at the stunned elder and transmitted her voice, "If Senior Brother Gu were really connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity, why would he have helped us rescue our founder?"
She didn't believe that Gu Changge was connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity. Instead, she felt that Saintess Xiyuan might have reached some agreement with the Immortal Chu Dynasty to deal with Gu Changge.
"This…"
These words caused the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace to look conflicted.
They knew Ling Yuxian's identity and were aware that it was Gu Changge who had helped the Imperial Immortal Palace rescue their founder in the Jing Clan's territory.
But now, these words had been spoken by Saintess Xiyuan herself.
For the entire Prime-Origin Civilization, this situation was completely different.
"Even Saintess Xiyuan cannot casually accuse someone of being connected to the remnants of the Black Calamity without evidence."
Ling Yuxian said coldly, her gaze sweeping over the general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army.
"Hmph, what does a junior like you know? Do you dare to defy Saintess Xiyuan's words and oppose the entire Prime-Origin Civilization?"
The general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army sneered, his eyes as deep as the ocean. With a single glance, it felt as if the universe was opening and closing, worlds were being born and destroyed. A terrifying pressure bore down on Ling Yuxian, forcing her to kneel and bow.
"How dare you!"
Seeing this, the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace turned pale. They could no longer hesitate.
Ling Yuxian's identity was extraordinary. How could she be bullied and humiliated in such a place?
Their auras erupted, their mana vast and boundless. They struck out with their hands, attacking the general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army together.
"Don't be ungrateful. If you refuse a toast, you'll be forced to drink a forfeit."
The general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army's eyes turned cold. He seemed to suddenly stand at the end of the universe.
A terrifying dharma body filled the sky, and a giant hand descended, carrying the aura of someone close to the Ancestral Dao Realm. The attacking elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace were sent flying, coughing blood, and crashed into the palace buildings behind them.
He was a being who had survived six Heavenly Decline Tribulations, a peer of Champion Marquis and the Heavenly Divine General before his fall. He was one of the most outstanding figures of the House of Talents in that era.
Although not as dazzling as Champion Marquis or the Heavenly Divine General, his fortune and talent were still terrifying, making him a rare genius throughout the ages.
The elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, although also Dao Realm experts, had only survived two or three Heavenly Decline Tribulations. Their strength was worlds apart from his.
Seeing this, the guests watching from afar felt a chill run through their bodies, filled with shock and awe.
They had thought that Chu Gucheng had already revealed most of the Immortal Chu Dynasty's hidden strength during the banquet.
But who would have thought that was likely just the tip of the iceberg?
"Chu Yuan, the general of the Heaven-Suppressing Army, was a peer of Champion Marquis Chu Heng and the Heavenly Divine General. He was one of the most brilliant figures of the House of Talents in that era…"
Some ministers of the Immortal Chu Dynasty who knew him spoke with admiration and awe.
After a hundred epochs, both Champion Marquis and the Heavenly Divine General had reached unfathomable levels of cultivation, breaking through to the Ancestral Dao Realm.
Although Chu Yuan had not yet broken through to that realm, he was likely not far off.
With that single strike, everyone felt an endless, vast sensation, as if a Dao Ancestor stood between heaven and earth, wielding the Great Dao and ruling the universe.
Chu Yuan, clad in armor with only part of his face visible, looked extremely cold. His eyes seemed to cause stars to fall as he stood there, his body flowing with immortal light. His overwhelming aura was undeniable, causing people to tremble and want to kneel in worship.
It seemed as if all beings in the myriad worlds would kneel and bow to him.
This was an overbearing, kingly aura, declaring supremacy over heaven and earth.
In the imperial capital, Chu Gucheng, Law Sage, Old Jin, and the gathered guests, including representatives from Temple of Light and Darkness, Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, and Divine Ascension Cavern, all watched this scene.
All the guests were shocked.
For an ancient faction with a history of hundreds of epochs, having a few Ancestral Dao Realm ancestors was already an unimaginably deep foundation.
But in such a short time, the Immortal Chu Dynasty had already produced several Ancestral Dao Realm experts and beings close to that realm.
Such hidden strength was truly unfathomable, causing fear and awe.
No wonder Chu Gucheng had such grand ambitions, wanting to establish the Xiyuan Alliance and unify the Prime-Origin Civilization.
"Chu Yuan's strength has grown significantly since the last time I saw him. It seems he has a chance to condense a Dao Fruit of the Ancestral Dao Realm and survive the seventh Heavenly Decline Tribulation in this epoch."
Chu Gucheng smiled, his expression filled with satisfaction.
Although Ling Yuxian was the reincarnation of a sage of the Imperial Immortal Palace, her current cultivation was no match for a being who had survived six Heavenly Decline Tribulations.
After the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace were sent flying, coughing blood, the shockwave from Chu Yuan's palm continued to ripple through the void, as if endless shockwaves were annihilating everything, threatening to engulf Ling Yuxian and explode.
He was extremely cold and ruthless. Although he could tell that Ling Yuxian had an extraordinary background, she was currently just a junior who hadn't even reached the Immortal Emperor realm.
How dare she defy him and speak to him in such a tone?
"I won't kill you, but I'll teach you a lesson, letting you know what respect and hierarchy mean, and how to respect your elders."
Chu Yuan controlled the strength of his palm strike, ensuring it wouldn't kill Ling Yuxian, but it would at least severely injure her, making her wish for death for a period of time.
"You will regret your actions today."
Ling Yuxian's face was icy. Since awakening her past life's memories, this was the first time she had encountered such humiliation.
At this moment, a faint light emanated from between her eyebrows. The mark left by Ling Yuling was about to awaken.
Seeing this, Chu Yuan was slightly surprised but still didn't care.
He had already received Chu Gucheng's orders. During the banquet, Ling Yuxian had embarrassed Chu Gucheng, causing him to lose face in front of the guests.
Although Chu Gucheng might have been magnanimous at the time, such an act during his banquet naturally required Ling Yuxian to pay the price.
A Dao Realm expert could not be insulted, especially a ruler of a nation.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out, as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had split apart. Surging energy erupted, causing the entire sky of the Immortal Chu Dynasty to tremble.
A vast expanse of chaotic mist spread, pressing toward Chu Yuan. His expression changed as the hand he had struck out with seemed to hit an indestructible wall. His arm and fingers instantly shattered, revealing a bloody section of bone.
However, the residual force didn't diminish and continued to ripple toward his body.
Chu Yuan was somewhat incredulous and quickly retreated.
At the same time, his eyes showed ruthlessness and decisiveness. With his other hand, he grabbed his own arm and twisted it, severing it completely, like a lizard shedding its tail.
Everyone watched this scene in shock, trembling with fear.
Despite Chu Yuan's immense strength, close to the Ancestral Dao Realm, he still had to sever his own arm to avoid severe injury.
In the palace, Chu Gucheng's satisfied smile instantly froze, his expression turning gloomy.
"Why don't you teach me what respect and hierarchy mean?"
From within the spreading chaotic mist, Gu Changge's figure appeared.
His expression was calm as he caught Ling Yuxian, who had been sent flying, with one hand. With his other hand, he reached forward and gave a light shake.
With a bang, Chu Yuan's severed arm, still in mid-air, suddenly exploded into a mist of blood.
"The master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, you've finally shown yourself."
Chu Yuan's face was cold, filled with humiliation and unwillingness. He had thought that with his strength, he could completely intimidate everyone in the Imperial Immortal Palace.
But not only had Ling Yuxian, a junior, refuted him, she hadn't given him any face.
Now, facing Gu Changge, he had been forced to sever his own arm in front of everyone to protect himself.
"Are you alright?"
Gu Changge ignored Chu Yuan and instead looked at Ling Yuxian, whose face was still icy.
Ling Yuxian's decision to stand up and refute Saintess Xiyuan on his behalf had surprised Gu Changge.
"I'm fine."
Ling Yuxian shook her head and gently pulled her hand away.
That day in Gu Changge's courtyard, she hadn't received a clear answer from him. After that, the two hadn't met again.
Ling Yuxian still remembered the casual, indifferent tone he had used when speaking.
She had been deeply troubled and upset by Gu Changge's constant suspicion and lack of trust in her.
So, she had simply avoided meeting him to avoid further distress.
"Master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, you have colluded with the remnants of the Black Calamity, intending to bring chaos and overthrow the entire Prime-Origin Civilization. Everyone deserves to punish you."
Seeing that Gu Changge completely ignored him, Chu Yuan's expression darkened again as he spoke coldly.
Thick blood mist spread in the air, each drop of blood glowing with a kaleidoscope of colors, reflecting the myriad worlds. The power of great worlds flowed within, and the life force was unimaginably strong.
Then, the blood mist flew toward Chu Yuan's severed arm, quickly trying to reform.
"Is this how the Immortal Chu Dynasty casually accuses people? At least show me some convincing evidence."
Gu Changge casually glanced at Chu Yuan and smiled faintly.
As his gaze swept over, the blood mist rushing toward Chu Yuan seemed to be blocked by an indescribable force. Then, with a bang, it ignited and turned to ash in an instant, leaving nothing behind.
Seeing this, Chu Yuan's expression turned even uglier.
This was his life essence. With it destroyed, his entire arm was effectively crippled and wouldn't recover anytime soon.
He was furious and icy cold. In such a situation, Gu Changge was still so casual and domineering, not putting anyone in his eyes.
No wonder Chu Gucheng regarded him as an unprecedented enemy.
"These are the words spoken by Saintess Xiyuan herself. Could Saintess Xiyuan possibly frame you?"
Chu Yuan said coldly, the Heaven-Suppressing Army behind him surging forward.
Everyone's bodies were surrounded by faint light, and array patterns flickered into existence. They were forming a formation, preparing to join forces to attack their enemy.