The arrival of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance reignited a spark of hope among the various races and civilizations that had already been pushed to the brink of despair.
At first, no one had expected that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would come to their aid. In fact, many had harbored deep malice, fear, and dread toward the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
For a long time, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had been regarded as a sinister and demonic force, a group that defied the natural order and brought endless disaster and war wherever it went.
Countless civilizations and true worlds had been invaded and conquered by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, forcing countless races, factions, cultivators, and beings to flee their homes, wandering aimlessly and suffering greatly.
But when the Dark Beings attacked, and the Alliance of Righteous Unity, which had promised to protect them, retreated and abandoned them, it was the Heaven-Slaying Alliance that arrived with its banners flying high, charging into battle with earth-shaking cries.
At the embankments and defensive lines of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, those who had already fallen into despair were struck with unparalleled shock and awe when they saw the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's armies rushing to their aid and charging toward the Dark Beings.
Almost everyone stood frozen in place, unable to believe what they were seeing.
"Master, our reinforcements have arrived, but it's not the Alliance of Righteous Unity. It's the Heaven-Slaying Alliance..."
"Can you see this from the heavens?"
"We are saved. Your sacrifice was not in vain. Someone has come to rescue us."
A cultivator suddenly felt his nose sting, his eyes reddening as a surge of heat rose in his chest. His fighting spirit soared, and his morale skyrocketed.
"Kill them! Suppress the Dark Tide!"
Reacting to the situation, all the cultivators and beings roared, following behind the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's armies as they charged toward the Dark Beings.
In the cities, war raged, black mist spread, the earth cracked, and rivers of blood flowed.
The cultivators and beings who had been fighting to the death stared in shock at the thousands of troops galloping in from the horizon. They were overcome with excitement, inspiration, and gratitude, trembling uncontrollably.
Reinforcements had arrived!
Although this was unexpected, it was like a bonfire in the darkness, a lighthouse in the vast ocean, illuminating their path and bringing them hope.
On this day, the armies of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance arrived in various universes. Many powerful figures took action, saying nothing as they charged in an orderly manner toward the invading Dark Beings.
In this era destined for sorrow and blood, the arrival of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance once again gave hope to the despairing cultivators and beings.
Across the land, earth-shaking battle cries erupted once more. In the star systems and universes, war broke out again as the powerful figures of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance led their armies to provide aid.
The high-ranking members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance personally joined the fray, fearlessly engaging the Dark Beings in life-and-death battles, completely selfless and unafraid of death or corruption by the black mist.
This scene shocked everyone.
Facing the Dark Beings, the high-ranking members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance treated them as mortal enemies, unlike other cultivators who were restrained and unable to unleash their full strength due to their fear of the Darkness.
"There are rumors that the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance possesses unimaginable power, capable of expelling the Darkness. Those under his protection will not fall into darkness or be corrupted by the Darkness."
"All beings of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance are under the protection of its leader." Many ancient beings were deeply shaken, recalling various rumors.
The bravery of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance could not be described with simple words. They were truly fearless, charging into the armies of the Dark Beings and fighting relentlessly.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that every member of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was surrounded by a faint glow, with runes flickering and mysterious forces intertwining, protecting them from the black mist and preventing corruption.
"When will the Black Calamity end?"
On an ancient warship, Ling Yuling's eyes were filled with deep coldness as she watched the tragic scenes unfolding across the land.
Memories of the past resurfaced in her mind.
In ancient times, when the Heaven-Warring Organization still existed and the Heavenly Dao's authority was coveted and usurped, the Dark Tide had been just as devastating as it was now, if not more brutal.
She still remembered how she and her sister had been summoned from seclusion, witnessing the heavens and earth darken, black mist spreading, the earth cracking, and stars falling and shattering. Everywhere they looked, there was desolation, with Dark Beings running rampant without fear.
In a village, a young boy dragged the corpse of an old woman from a pile of bodies, crying as he tried to hold her in his arms. The old woman's silver hair was stained red with blood, her life already extinguished.
A baby in swaddling clothes opened its innocent, clear eyes, reaching out with tiny hands to touch its mother's young but cold face.
...
The scenes of the past were playing out once more, but it was lamentable that the Alliance of Righteous Unity had already abandoned everyone, treating the border regions of the universe as cannon fodder.
Although Ling Yuling was filled with anger, she felt powerless to change anything.
The only thing she could do was lead the armies of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to aid these helpless and despairing beings.
In truth, Gu Changge had not ordered the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to aid the border defenses of the Alliance of Righteous Unity. It was only after Ling Yuling led the armies into the heartland of the Alliance of Righteous Unity that she learned of the Alliance of Righteous Unity's decision to abandon the border defenses, sacrificing the races and civilizations stationed there to delay the Dark Beings.
Not only that, but the high-ranking members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity had also expressed a willingness to negotiate peace with the Dark Beings, offering to cede territory and hand over large numbers of cultivators and beings as sacrificial offerings.
Ling Yuling was furious, her eyes flashing with cold lightning, her aura icy. She had never expected the Alliance of Righteous Unity to do something like this.
After receiving the news, she immediately contacted Gu Changge and informed him of the situation. Upon learning of this, Gu Changge asked Ling Yuling for her thoughts and opinions, seemingly aware of her anger. He then entrusted the matter entirely to her, allowing her to make the decision.
Ling Yuling was surprised at the time, not expecting Gu Changge to trust her so completely. But the situation was urgent, and she didn't dwell on it. She then led the armies of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance from the heartland to the border defenses, providing aid to the races and factions stationed there.
Regardless of the Alliance of Righteous Unity's actions and stance, these races and factions, who had held their ground at the embankments and defenses until the very end, refusing to retreat even a single step, were truly admirable and deserving of respect.
After Ling Yuling gave the order, the high-ranking members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance also received their commands, each leading their armies to aid the various defensive lines and embankments.
Figures like Mu Fuguang, Tong Xian, and Beici Chanfu, who hailed from forbidden zones, were no exception. At this moment, no one said much. Even they felt a sense of compassion and rushed to various regions to quell the chaos.
Their strength, of course, went without saying, far surpassing that of ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm beings.
Under their leadership, the armies of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were unstoppable, easily reaching the border embankments and defenses, where they faced off against the Dark Beings.
With the arrival of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, the situation began to shift, moving in a positive direction.
News spread quickly across the land, causing an uproar and shock.
At this critical moment, no one could have predicted that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would turn its spear and join the battle, sending large numbers of powerful figures to aid the various embankments, abandoning its campaign against the Alliance of Righteous Unity to jointly resist the Dark Beings.
The speculation that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Dark Beings were colluding was now completely debunked.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Righteous Unity was dealt a heavy blow, its reputation and influence plummeting to new lows. Many of the fleeing races and factions began to doubt the Alliance of Righteous Unity's intentions. Could it be that the high-ranking members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity had already been infiltrated by the Dark Beings? Were there Dark Beings among the Alliance of Righteous Unity's leadership?
After all, even the "ruthless and evil" Heaven-Slaying Alliance had chosen to join forces against the Dark Beings at this time, understanding the importance of justice and the urgency of the situation.
In contrast, the Alliance of Righteous Unity, which claimed to uphold righteousness and had garnered the attention of various civilizations and true worlds, had chosen to retreat, abandoning territory and countless races and beings.
This made other members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity begin to wonder: if the situation became more chaotic and the Alliance of Righteous Unity faced another major crisis, would they be the next to be abandoned?
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance was undoubtedly a true villain, but the Alliance of Righteous Unity was not necessarily a true hero. From all indications, it seemed more like a hypocrite wearing a mask of benevolence.
---
In the Crescent Moon Sect, the battle was intense. Rocks flew through the air, star systems trembled, and the air was filled with the fluctuations of divine abilities and Dao techniques. Two terrifying figures clashed in the cosmos, their movements causing time to flow and Dao laws to crumble.
It was as if they were traversing the ancient past, with their presence felt in the past, present, and future.
With each collision of their residual energy, the surrounding matter silently disintegrated and shattered. The scene was horrifying, a true representation of the creation of heaven and earth and the evolution of chaos.
The lingering will of the Crescent Moon Sect's Founder manifested, transforming into the figure of a heroic man surrounded by billions of strands of radiant light. It was as if he had truly awakened from ancient history. With a single finger pointed forward, divine chains flew out, formed from pure order and Dao techniques, representing his understanding of the Dao. He sought to trap the powerful enemy before him.
Meanwhile, Wu Yang's aura was overwhelming. With each breath he took, the black mist surged like waves, crashing down one after another, submerging the heavens and earth. Star systems fell like dust.
The black heavenly blade at his waist slashed out, shaking the heavens and earth, tearing through the universe, and startling the cosmos. A blinding white blade light, as if illuminating the ancient past, shone from the end of the river of time. Entire star curtains and universes shattered and collapsed in its wake.
The blade light cut through endless chains of order, cleanly splitting the void. Waves of time surged forth, flooding the emptiness.
He had encountered a formidable enemy. The Crescent Moon Sect's Founder's methods were astonishing. Even as a lingering will, he was incredibly powerful, with techniques that were nearly impossible to counter. If the Founder's true self were here, Wu Yang might not be able to defeat him.
This sense of defeat was something Wu Yang had never experienced before. Since leaving the Nightmare Demon Domain, this was the most powerful enemy he had encountered in the vast expanse.
However, he was not worried. He did not believe the lingering will of the Crescent Moon Sect's Founder could cause any real trouble. Behind him stood a High Priestess.
Moreover, a lingering will could not exist for long. Once its power was exhausted, it would eventually dissipate.
The two continued to fight, their clashes unleashing bursts of light that spread across universes, startling all of time and space.
Meanwhile, in the mountains of the Crescent Moon Sect, the battle was equally intense. Many elders and disciples fought with hatred and determination, engaging the Dark Beings in life-and-death struggles.
The lingering will of the Crescent Moon Sect's Founder had appeared, determined to send everyone away from the sect. But now, he no longer had the strength to do so. Blocked by a powerful enemy, his power was gradually dissipating.
Many elders sensed that the invading Dark Beings had a specific target: the Crescent Moon Sect. The Dark Beings had another goal in mind; they did not intend to sacrifice the Crescent Moon Sect.
This realization filled them with both anger and helplessness.
Gu Xian'er, with the Crimson Bird perched on her shoulder, fought the Dark Beings while retreating toward her cave dwelling.
The sudden attack by the Dark Beings had caught everyone, including her, off guard. This had completely disrupted the Crescent Moon Sect's plans to evacuate the next day.
She was no longer sure if she could escape the Crescent Moon Sect alive. Her only hope now was the mysterious white-robed woman.
Even as the Dark Beings attacked, the white-robed woman had not left the cave.
Thus, Gu Xian'er retreated to take her with her.
"Senior, have you remembered anything? If you don't act soon, we'll all perish at the hands of the Dark Beings," Gu Xian'er asked anxiously as she returned to the cave.
The white-robed woman was lost in thought, staring at the scene outside, holding an ancient bronze mirror in her hand. She seemed not to have understood Gu Xian'er's meaning.
"I'm sorry, I still can't remember."
She shook her head, her tone filled with helplessness.
Gu Xian'er sighed. There was nothing she could do. She didn't know if the woman was telling the truth, but she had no choice but to take her out of the cave. While fending off the Dark Beings that charged at them, she made her way to join Lan Xin and the others.
"Junior Sister Xian'er..."
In the distance, divine light surged, and mist rose. Various divine abilities and immortal techniques intertwined, creating a dazzling spectacle.
Lan Xin and the other disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect were locked in a fierce battle with the Dark Beings.
Endless black mist surged like a tidal wave, countless Dark Beings emerging from within. They were endless, and in the blink of an eye, several people were swallowed by the black mist, their lives extinguished.
Gu Xian'er arrived with the white-robed woman, joining the battle and immediately easing the pressure on Lan Xin and the others.
However, the unfamiliar white-robed woman, who wore a veil and had never been seen before, caused many to pause in surprise. But there was no time to ask questions. The Dark Beings were attacking again, and everyone needed to focus fully on the battle.
"Could this white-robed woman be Gu Xian'er's protector?"
In the distance, Song Yu frowned slightly, his expression one of surprise as he speculated.
After learning that Gu Xian'er was from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, he had no doubts about her and did not dare to underestimate her, especially after Uncle Lan had warned him.
He also did not believe that Gu Xian'er was in any real danger.
Song Yu guessed that Gu Xian'er had stayed in the Crescent Moon Sect for the same reason he had: to seek the Nine Restraints of Heaven.
"Wu Yang, you're too slow."
Outside the Crescent Moon Sect, amidst the endless black mist, the gentle woman under the oil-paper umbrella shook her head lightly as she watched the distant battle.
She smiled softly, then extended a flawless, jade-like hand, reaching out directly.
In the dark, deep cosmos, a horrifying scene unfolded. A white jade-like hand descended, covering the entire expanse of time and space.
The lines on the palm and the blood vessels were clearly visible. Each finger was as white as peeled scallions, and the nails were as smooth and lustrous as polished gemstones, inspiring endless imagination.
The mountains and islands of the Crescent Moon Sect began to tremble, as if a massive earthquake had struck. A terrifying gravitational force appeared, threatening to pull everything into the palm of the hand.
All the elders and disciples engaged in battle, regardless of their cultivation level, were struck with terror, their bodies unstable and on the verge of collapsing.
Many felt their spiritual energy in chaos, their souls threatening to leave their bodies as the ground beneath them was pulled away.
The beautiful, delicate hand had now become the heavens above them, covering everything. It descended slowly, like a piece of the sky falling, threatening to crush all living beings into a mist of blood and powder.
Even Dao Realm beings were filled with terror, feeling as if they were immobilized, trapped in place.
"High Priestess Li Shuang has made her move..."
Wu Yang, who was battling the lingering will of the Crescent Moon Sect's Founder, frowned slightly, then returned to his usual cold indifference. Since the High Priestess had acted, there would be no surprises.
He did not know why the young lady had specifically ordered that every blade of grass and tree in the Crescent Moon Sect be taken, even if it meant reducing it to ruins.
Many elders of the Crescent Moon Sect roared in despair, their bodies glowing, their blood boiling as they ignited their souls, using all their strength to break free. But it was futile.
This hand was like the true hand of the heavens, invincible, sealing off everything. All their resistance was in vain.
"You must leave! This enemy cannot be defeated. Preserve the final spark of hope for our Crescent Moon Sect..."
The sect master of the Crescent Moon Sect roared, his aged body already drenched in blood. His hair was disheveled, his once-immortal demeanor gone.
Cracks appeared on his Dao Realm Dao fruit, then it shattered, emitting light. His entire body seemed to transform into a shower of light as he charged forward, trying to break through the hand and create a path for the others.
He was resolved to die, and this act was also to atone for his previous guilt toward Chen Yi and the others.