Ling Yuling was the first to step inside, followed by a powerful force that swept Zhu Xuan and the others along, quickly disappearing into the passage.
Zhu Xuan wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that A'Li and her snow-white Zhen Hao mount were unusually tense at this moment.
Soon, the spatial passage blurred before their eyes, and with a flash, they found themselves on a bright, picturesque plain filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds.
Surrounding them were towering mountains, ancient trees, and lush vegetation, with misty rays of light rising into the sky.
In the distance, emerald-like lakes dotted the landscape. Majestic deer lowered their heads to drink by the lakeside, occasionally lifting their heads to glance at the newcomers, unafraid of strangers. The green grass stretched like a carpet, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of peach blossoms.
A vibrant red caught their eyes in the distance—a vast peach orchard stretching as far as the eye could see. The peach blossoms were in full bloom, their petals fluttering in the air.
"The Alliance Leader lives in seclusion here."
Ling Yuling's voice brought everyone back to their senses. If not for seeing it with their own eyes, who would have believed that the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would choose such a serene and idyllic place for his retreat?
Passing through the peach orchard, a quiet and ancient cluster of courtyards came into view. Tall bamboo and ancient pines surrounded the area, with thousands of old cypresses and bamboo groves creating a peaceful and harmonious scene.
In the courtyard, a young man sat with his legs crossed, leaning lazily on a bamboo chair. He seemed to be brewing tea, resting his chin on his hand. Dressed in white robes and socks, with his black hair loosely draped over his shoulders, he exuded an air of casual elegance.
"You're here?"
Gu Changge seemed to hear the commotion and raised his eyes to glance outside the courtyard, a gentle smile curling on his lips.
"I've brought them all."
Ling Yuling smiled and walked over first.
Zhu Xuan and the others stood frozen in place, stunned, unable to connect the scene before them with the image they had imagined of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader.
In their minds, the Alliance Leader should have been a towering,威严 figure, exuding an overwhelming aura of authority and power with every word and action.
But the young man in white before them seemed too youthful and refined, more like an immortal who had stepped out of a painting, graceful and gentle.
If they had seen him elsewhere, they might have mistaken him for a noble young master.
"You've come at the right time. The tea has just finished brewing."
Gu Changge smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over Zhu Xuan and the others.
Zhu Xuan and the others stood outside the courtyard, feeling uneasy. Although Gu Changge's gaze seemed to only pass over them briefly, they felt as if his eyes were constantly watching them.
This made them extremely nervous.
Although the appearance of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader was unexpected, he was still the one who sat in that position of power, the one who had shattered the Dark Beings' summoning passage with a single palm strike. His strength was unfathomable.
How could they dare to speculate lightly?
"Come in. There's no need to stand outside. Ling Yuling has already told me in detail about the matters of the Floating Continent."
Gu Changge stood up from the bamboo chair, straightened his posture, and then waved his hand, signaling Zhu Xuan and the others to approach.
His smile was as warm as a spring breeze, easing the tension in Zhu Xuan's heart.
At this moment, Ling Yuling also took the opportunity to fetch a few teacups and pour tea for Zhu Xuan and the others.
The six great families of the Floating Continent had sent representatives along with Zhu Xuan, and they all stood respectfully outside the courtyard, not daring to enter.
"Greetings, Alliance Leader."
Zhu Xuan stepped forward first, took a deep breath to calm himself, and then bowed respectfully to Gu Changge.
Behind him, A'Li and the others followed, also bowing before standing to the side with their heads lowered.
Today, their main purpose for coming was to request Gu Changge's help in saving Zhu Xuan's grandfather. For this, they were willing to pay any price.
The people of the Floating Continent held onto hope. Elder Zhu had guarded the Sacred Ancestor Pavilion until the very end, resisting the invasion of the Dark Beings.
They did not want to see him corrupted by Dark Matter and transformed into a Dark Being.
"I've heard about your situation from Ling Yuling. I can indeed help your grandfather remove the Dark Matter that has corroded him…"
Gu Changge took the teacup from Ling Yuling, sipped it slowly, and then looked at Zhu Xuan.
Hearing this, Zhu Xuan's face lit up with joy, and the others from the Floating Continent also showed excitement and relief.
Beneath her bamboo hat, A'Li's eyes were fixed intently on Gu Changge's face, as if trying to see through him.
However, her usually sharp perception seemed to have failed her completely.
Whether she opened her eyes wide or closed them, she felt as if the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader before her did not exist.
What sat there was an invisible void, a deep and boundless darkness, an endless ocean.
This feeling made her break out in a cold sweat, her hands and feet growing cold.
She even felt that the Alliance Leader's gaze had been on her the entire time, scrutinizing her, seeing through all her truths and falsehoods.
"As long as you are willing to save my grandfather, I am willing to pay any price."
Zhu Xuan's voice was filled with emotion, interrupting A'Li's swirling thoughts.
She raised her eyes to look at Zhu Xuan, seeing him about to kneel, but an invisible force suddenly appeared, holding him up and preventing him from kneeling.
"Saving your grandfather is not difficult, and I don't need you to pay any price. After all, Ling Yuling has already pleaded on your behalf. How could I refuse?"
Gu Changge smiled faintly and waved his hand, signaling Zhu Xuan to stand up.
Hearing this, Zhu Xuan and the others were stunned, then looked at Ling Yuling with immense gratitude.
They could tell that Senior Ling Yuling and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader had a special relationship. Otherwise, how could she come and go so freely and meet the Alliance Leader at any time?
"..."
A faint blush appeared on Ling Yuling's face, and she glanced at Gu Changge subtly. "The Alliance Leader is kind and compassionate. Even if I hadn't pleaded, he would have helped you."
She had not actually asked Gu Changge to save Zhu Xuan's grandfather.
But at this moment, he had said this, making Zhu Xuan and the others grateful to her. Was there another purpose behind his words?
Gu Changge smiled, sipping his tea without saying more.
Seeing this, the people of the Floating Continent breathed a sigh of relief, their faces filled with joy and excitement. They were deeply grateful to Gu Changge and Ling Yuling.
Zhu Xuan's heart was also filled with gratitude and joy. He had prepared himself to pay any price, but he had never expected things to go so smoothly, completely beyond his expectations.
Whoosh!
A faint light emerged as Zhu Xuan released his grandfather, Elder Zhu, from his storage space. The old man was unconscious, his body shrouded in black mist.
Since being corrupted by Dark Matter, his grandfather had fallen into this semi-comatose state. Only the space in his brow, where his consciousness resided, remained uncorrupted.
"The method used to stabilize his consciousness is quite good. It has bought him at least half a year."
Gu Changge glanced at Elder Zhu's condition and nodded in approval.
Hearing this, Zhu Xuan and the others couldn't help but feel sorrow, thinking of Qing Xianzi, who had sacrificed herself to save them.
As soon as Gu Changge finished speaking, he extended a finger and pointed at Elder Zhu's brow. A tiny black hole formed there.
A terrifying suction force emerged, as if space-time itself was about to collapse. Strands of black mist twisted and rose, like a thick fog, seeping out from every pore of Elder Zhu's body and rapidly converging into the small black hole, being drawn away.
"What?"
Everyone was shocked and horrified by this unbelievable scene, their eyes wide.
The Dark Matter, which all living beings feared and avoided, was powerless before the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader. It was drawn away like ordinary mist.
"Back on the Floating Continent, Qing Xianzi once said that the Sacred Ancestor had tried many methods to expel Dark Matter from her comrades, but none succeeded. The origin of Dark Matter might be connected to the legendary Land of Truth. Ordinary methods are ineffective. In fact, the more one tries to expel it, the faster it spreads. Magic, consciousness, thoughts, faith—even a single thought—can become a medium for its spread…"
"But now…"
The head of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Qing, muttered in disbelief, her eyes wide.
Such a method was simply unbelievable. If word of this spread, it would cause an unimaginable uproar.
As Elder Zhu's originally pale and lifeless face gradually regained its color and vitality with the removal of the Dark Matter, Zhu Xuan couldn't help but tremble with excitement. He tightly grasped his grandfather's hand, his eyes red.
"Alliance Leader, your great kindness is something I can never repay in this lifetime…"
With a thud, he knelt before Gu Changge, his voice trembling with emotion.
The others from the Floating Continent also knelt, expressing their gratitude.
A'Li, who had been staring in shock at Gu Changge's method of saving Elder Zhu, was forced to kneel with the others to avoid standing out.
"How is this possible?"
The shock and horror in her heart were beyond words.
Could Dark Matter really be expelled so easily?
Who exactly was this Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader? How did he possess such an unbelievable ability?
"The Dark Matter has been expelled. With some rest, he will recover."
Gu Changge shook his head slightly and flicked his finger. The black hole that had absorbed the Dark Matter vanished, disappearing without a trace, as if it had never existed.
"Wonderful…"
"Thank you, Alliance Leader."
Zhu Xuan looked at his grandfather, whose complexion was hundreds of times better than before, and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
This kindness was nothing short of a rebirth for him.
Even if the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader asked him to serve as an ox or a horse, he would not hesitate.
"There's no need to thank me. I helped you because I have my own reasons. Perhaps in the near future, you will also be able to help me."
Gu Changge waved his hand, smiling faintly, then gestured for Zhu Xuan and the others to rise.
Zhu Xuan was stunned by these words. In the near future, he might be able to help the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader?
He smiled wryly, thinking this was just Gu Changge's way of comforting him.
He knew his limits. Although he could contend with Quasi-Immortal Emperor-level beings, his strength was insignificant compared to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance Leader.
How could he possibly help Gu Changge?
The others from the Floating Continent were also surprised by these words, their faces filled with confusion.
"The Black Calamity has returned to the world, and the entire vast expanse will face this trial and disaster. You are a descendant of the Pan Clan, and you hold the key to the Creation Pool."
"Your current strength may not be enough to influence this turmoil, but who can say what the future holds?"
Gu Changge smiled faintly, then glanced at the people from the Floating Continent. "You should also be able to guess the purpose of the Dark Beings' sudden invasion. As descendants of the ancient sages, you must be well aware of the six supreme treasures of the first civilization."
"Now, one of the civilization treasures has already appeared…"
These words shocked even Ling Yuling, who couldn't help but look at Zhu Xuan. He was actually a descendant of the Pan Clan?
"Zhong Jun, Nan Zun, Dong Huang, Xi Sheng, Bei Di… Zhu Xuan is actually a descendant of Dong Huang?"
She naturally knew of the being once revered as Dong Huang.
The leader of the Pan Clan was revered as Dong Huang, and the Pan Clan was known as the Heaven-Opening Divine Clan in that era, their strength unmatched.
Moreover, the clue to the Creation Pool was actually with Zhu Xuan? Had the Pan Clan also been destroyed?
Ling Yuling was deeply shaken. Moreover, Gu Changge had already known all this and was fully aware of Zhu Xuan's origins.
No wonder he had agreed to save Zhu Xuan's grandfather.
Zhu Xuan and the others were also deeply shaken by Gu Changge's words, and they fell into silence.
Without Gu Changge needing to elaborate, they understood how chaotic and turbulent the current situation in the vast expanse was.
Everyone was in danger, and many civilizations had already fallen into despair.
Of course, what surprised them the most was how Gu Changge had discerned Zhu Xuan's origins and knew that he held the key to the Creation Pool.
After all, they had never discussed this with anyone, not even Ling Yuling.
Gu Changge seemed to sense their confusion and smiled casually. "If I want to know something, I will know. There's no need for you to wonder. The Gate of Eternal Life, one of the six supreme treasures of the first civilization, is now in my hands. This is no secret."
"The Mirror of Reincarnation is with the Saintess of the Prime-Origin Civilization, and the Coffin of World Burial has fallen into the hands of the Dark Beings."
"Next, the Dark Beings will surely try to seize the Mirror of Reincarnation and search for the Creation Pool, the Tribulation-Crossing Disk, and the clues to the other civilization treasures…"
"If given the chance, the Dark Beings will also try to destroy these supreme treasures of the first civilization, ensuring they do not remain in this world."
"If the various realms and civilizations of the vast expanse do not unite, the time left for all living beings is running out. The return of the Black Calamity is nothing compared to the great reckoning that will follow."
At this point, Gu Changge sighed softly, his eyes becoming deep and vast, as if he could see the countless tragedies of the future.
"The great reckoning?"
"Is the situation really that dire?"
Zhu Xuan and the others were deeply shaken, feeling an almost suffocating sense of terror from Gu Changge's words.
They seemed to see a future where the vast expanse was engulfed in darkness, blood and fire erupting from the void, endless Dark Beings slaughtering everything, the heavens and earth overturned, universes collapsing, and order crumbling.
Ling Yuling's heart also tightened. She looked at Gu Changge, her brows furrowed, sensing that he was not joking but had truly seen something.
"However, you need not worry. Before that day comes, I can still buy some peace and tranquility for all living beings." Gu Changge smiled faintly, breaking the heavy and solemn atmosphere.
Zhu Xuan and the others came back to their senses, still feeling a weight in their hearts.
In this chaotic and turbulent era, no one could truly remain aloof and unaffected.
However, Gu Changge's words made them admire and respect him even more. This was the true magnanimity of a leader revered by all.
"The most urgent task now is to retrieve the Creation Pool before the Dark Beings do. We cannot let them destroy it."
"Back then, the Sacred Ancestor and the other sages relied on the six civilization treasures and paid a great price to barely seal that existence."
"If the civilization treasures are destroyed, the vast expanse will no longer have the power to threaten the Dark Beings. I fear that the return of the Black Calamity is actually a grand sacrificial ritual prepared by the Dark Beings to revive that existence…"
Shangguan Qing's voice was heavy.
Gu Changge nodded slightly and looked at Zhu Xuan. "Zhu Xuan, you hold the key to the Creation Pool. The task of retrieving it before the Dark Beings falls to you. I cannot leave the Prime-Origin Civilization at the moment."