In ancient times, the black lotus was regarded as a symbol of world destruction, and the followers and believers of Heaven's Proxy once treated the black lotus as a sacred object.
The emergence of the Black Lotus Cult was neither an accident nor a coincidence.
Gu Changge could also guess the reason for the Black Lotus Cult's sudden appearance: it was nothing more than an attempt to startle him into action and force him to show himself.
Because the Black Lotus Cult indeed had countless ties with the Dark Clans.
The ones who set this bait were betting that Gu Changge would be wary of the connection between the Black Lotus Cult and the Dark Clans.
Knowing that his own identity might be exposed, he would be unlikely to send his subordinates to investigate.
Since people like Chu Xiao had been working under him all along, they would undoubtedly be very familiar with Gu Changge.
Thus, in investigating the Black Lotus Cult, Chu Xiao and the others would very likely come to realize that the Lord of the Black Lotus, whom the cult worshipped, actually had a great connection to Gu Changge, and might even be the man himself.
This would, imperceptibly, increase the risk of Gu Changge's identity being exposed.
Therefore, after all these considerations, there was a high probability that Gu Changge would choose to personally resolve the menace of the Black Lotus Cult.
It was precisely because they had considered these aspects that the one who set this trap chose this moment to have Yao Yao bring the news of the Black Lotus Cult back to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
One could also say that the one who set this trap "understood" Gu Changge's origins and his goals exceptionally well.
And so, link by link, each tightly interlocked, this seamless and impeccably meticulous trap was laid.
This even made Gu Changge want to offer a word of praise.
Moreover, afraid that Gu Changge might not notice the Black Lotus Cult, the schemer had it roaming and appearing around the borders of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, revealing traces, and then "naturally" letting Yao Yao discover it.
Only Yao Yao remained completely ignorant, unaware that she had long become someone else's pawn without realizing it.
Although she had the life-saving jade talisman Gu Changge gave her, that did not mean she could repeatedly escape from Dao Realm existences after witnessing the Black Lotus Cult's sacrificial ritual with her own eyes.
Once or twice might be fine, but three or four times could not be simply chalked up to good luck.
At that point, any meticulous-minded person would notice something amiss and begin to suspect that someone was manipulating things from the shadows.
Alas, Yao Yao, this little girl newly exposed to the world, had not the slightest inkling of this; she even took pride in her good luck and thought about how to claim credit before Gu Changge.
"If it had been that cunning little devil Gu Xian'er, she'd probably have noticed something wrong long ago and started thinking of how to ferret out the manipulator behind the scenes…"
"Yao Yao is still far too green."
Gu Changge shook his head slightly.
He did not have any thought of blaming Yao Yao. After all, no matter what, everything Yao Yao had done was out of concern for him, wishing to help him with his troubles.
And, in fact, he had anticipated this trap of the Black Lotus Cult long before; he had just been uncertain by what method they would test him.
Now it appeared that those fellows were far more cautious than he had imagined.
Gu Changge had deliberately let the Heavenly Decline Faction and the Lesser Yin Faction know the news of his appearance in the world, and had very plainly told them that he was no longer at his peak, his strength greatly diminished, no longer the Lord of Heaven's Proxy who once awed the Vast Expanse, ruled the universe, and made all clans of all worlds tremble with fear.
Now, he did not even dare to reveal his true identity to the world.
He could only establish the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, gradually nibble away at all sides, secretly restore his foundations, even going so far as to let the Heavenly Faction mix the false with the true, drawing the gazes of all clans to the Land of the Dark Source where the Lord of Heaven's Proxy was sealed. This way, he could recover in peace and wait for his return to the peak.
Regrettably, even though he was in the "weakest period in history," those fellows remained so extremely cautious. Even when testing him, they would examine every detail to ensure it was flawless.
This gave Gu Changge a bit of a headache; the fish were so crafty that no matter how he baited them, they absolutely refused to bite.
Although he could easily break this trap now, Gu Changge did not intend to bother with it.
He still wanted to see what other methods those fellows would come up with and just who could keep their composure.
Right now, the day of the Immortal Dao Alliance's founding was imminent, and a splendid show was about to begin.
He was in no hurry at all; he would just see whether those fellows could hold steady, or whether they could not wait and would start hopping out.
"However, there is still another possibility. Could they think that I chose to ignore this matter because I sensed it was a trap specifically laid for me, and that this is a sign of guilty conscience and lack of confidence…?"
"If that's the case, then things will be far more interesting." Considering this possibility, Gu Changge suddenly smiled.
He did not rule out that there might be some fools among them who thought so.
Of course, he also did not rule out that this was a deliberate ploy and stratagem to confuse him, making him think they were very foolish.
And thinking a bit deeper: to have the courage and scheming to lay a trap to deal with him, they would surely also consider and account for many possibilities.
"If it's Shi Zuxu, he is meticulous and always plans before he acts. It's highly unlikely he would use such a method that appears flawless but actually has countless flaws against me. Or perhaps this is merely a facade to confuse me…"
Gu Changge's brows suddenly furrowed. In his profound eyes, billions of shifting scenes abruptly appeared—past, future, present, all kinds of timelines, the Three Thousand Great Daos, billions of arcane laws, the profound truths of all worlds—all flashed past in an instant.
He felt as if he had overlooked something. Recently, with everything fully under control, he had become somewhat careless and negligent.
Had he not suddenly performed a deduction just now, he would likely have suffered a setback this time due to underestimation.
"Ever since recovering those memories, I have also lost my former habit of planning before acting. I have become arrogant and conceited, looking down on all living beings in the worlds. This is not a good behavior." Gu Changge murmured softly, sighing lightly.
Whether it was the Lord of Heaven's Proxy, the Demon Lord, or his present self—all were him.
It was just that the memories and experiences brought by each identity were different. Moreover, after recovering that sealed part of his memories, his original habits and way of thinking were easily changed.
Had it not been for that mortal-like experience of living with Su Qingge in the Green Mountain Village, he would probably have long been overtaken and occupied by the "Heaven" nature.
If Shi Zuxu wanted to deal with him, then while setting up this trap, he would inevitably also think of how to first restrain the Old Faction of Heaven's Proxy.
After he founded the Heaven's Proxy Organization, Shi Zuxu was an "old-timer" who had followed him for a very long time, and knew his conduct and character very well.
Shi Zuxu would believe that he would commit the sin of arrogance, would underestimate the many matters implicated behind the Black Lotus Cult, and even less likely would he personally resolve a trap he knew was aimed at him.
Thus, this was actually not a trap aimed at him, but a trap aimed at the Old Faction of Heaven's Proxy—that is, the Heavenly Faction now under Wu Yue's command.
At the same time, after leaving the courtyard where Gu Changge usually secluded himself in cultivation, Yao Yao's expression was somewhat despondent and downcast.
She was still wondering if she had angered Gu Changge, or whether her casually using the life-saving jade talisman that day had greatly disappointed Gu Changge.
Even when she returned to the side hall where Jiang Weiyang and her group were waiting for her, she still had not come back to her senses.
"Miss Yao Yao, what's wrong? You seem distracted?"
It was Jiang Weiyang's slightly puzzled query that suddenly brought Yao Yao back to her senses.
"Ah, nothing. I was just suddenly thinking about something and zoned out for a moment." Yao Yao squeezed out a bright and radiant smile, shaking her head.
Jiang Weiyang did not press further; she nodded, then asked with some hope and nervousness, "So, Miss Yao Yao, did you mention my matter to the Alliance Master on my behalf? What was the Alliance Master's reply?"
Hearing this, Yao Yao was first stunned, then she reacted. The expression on her face immediately became a bit awkward and embarrassed as she hurriedly explained, "When I went to see my Master just now, he was busy and had no time for other matters. I only saw him briefly and was asked to go rest. I didn't even get the chance to mention your matter to Master. I am truly sorry."
Since the day she met Jiang Weiyang, Jiang Weiyang had been asking her, wanting to seek an audience with Alliance Master Gu Changge.
Yao Yao had agreed at the time, saying she would help put in a word before Gu Changge. However, whether Gu Changge would see her was not something she could decide.
Jiang Weiyang was joyfully grateful.
And this was the reason she had followed Yao Yao all the way to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
However, Yao Yao had completely forgotten about this matter. Earlier, in front of Gu Changge, she had only focused on talking about the Black Lotus Cult. She did not mention a single word about Jiang Weiyang's matter—not intentionally, she really had forgotten. Especially after Gu Changge subsequently indicated for her to leave, she was even more worried at heart and had tangled thoughts, so how could she even remember what Jiang Weiyang had asked of her?
"It's alright…"
"The Alliance Master deals with countless matters daily; governing the huge Heaven-Slaying Alliance is certainly no easy task, and it's normal for him to be busy." Jiang Weiyang was also stunned for a moment, and the hopeful look on her face suddenly dimmed. However, she quickly recovered, flashing a radiant smile, bright and moving, expressing understanding.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll go pay respects to Master again, and I'll help you ask about this matter then." Yao Yao nodded, exhaling in relief.
Zhu Fuyi watched this scene and could not help but sigh softly, feeling an indescribable restlessness and gloom in his heart.
He had constantly followed behind Jiang Weiyang, watching the expression on her face shift from initial hope, nervousness, and anxious unease as she tightly clutched the hem of her skirt,
to later, even when she could not see clearly, still standing on tiptoe and watching, unable to hold back her impatience,
and finally to the current disappointment, helplessness, and resignation.
Wasn't this exactly the same as himself back when he had tried to invite Jiang Weiyang to travel together? The nervousness and hope at the beginning of the invitation, then the melancholy and disappointment after being rejected, and then comforting himself, coming to terms with everything and letting go.
This process was truly identical. The only difference now was that the cool, aloof goddess, high as the moon in the sky and out of reach, had been ground into dust, no longer transcendent.
Zhu Fuyi felt a mix of emotions.
His choice to follow Jiang Weiyang without complaint or regret, serving as her carriage driver and protecting her safety, was largely with the thought that those in a favorable position gain advantages.
After all, the Weiyang Emperor Lord intended to select a husband for Jiang Weiyang; if he could win Jiang Weiyang's favor, then in the future, he would have a great advantage.
The marriage alliance between Jiang Weiyang and the Ninth Prince of the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom was not necessarily an unbreakable arrangement.
Regrettably, during this period, Jiang Weiyang spent most of her time inside the carriage and rarely spoke to him. Even when they did speak, it was only to express gratitude and then to urge him to turn back, to not get drawn into this whirlpool.
On the contrary, after that red-robed woman appeared, the one Jiang Weiyang talked about and inquired about most often was the Alliance Master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
She held an exceptionally strong admiration, veneration, and curiosity for that Alliance Master, whose origins and identity were a mystery, whose strength was unfathomable, and who pressed down upon all worlds of the Vast Expanse like a terrifying mountain.
She often sought out Yao Yao to ask about matters related to the Alliance Master, talking for a whole day or through the entire night.
Driving the carriage, Zhu Fuyi listened to their laughter and chatter, listened to Jiang Weiyang endlessly asking about another man, and his heart was filled with unspeakable restlessness and mixed feelings.
Of course, he knew that a small figure like himself had no right to be jealous of or envy the Alliance Master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Even his grandfather, even the Weiyang Emperor Lord of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, did not have that right.
But this emotion grew uncontrollably nonetheless.
"The Alliance Master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance… he is definitely an ancient and powerful figure even greater than the Weiyang Emperor Lord. In his eyes, whether it's a princess or the Immortal Monarch himself, they are all just a bunch of juniors. I've been overly fixated on appearances, thinking too much…"
Zhu Fuyi could only tell himself this repeatedly in his heart, comforting himself.
Afterwards, Yao Yao took Jiang Weiyang and the others to rest. Many within the Heaven-Slaying Alliance noticed this young woman wearing a veiled hat and speculated about her identity. However, due to their deference to Yao Yao, no one went forward to ask anything.
As for the carriage holding the Sacred Child of the Black Lotus Cult, Yao Yao had people guard it strictly, forbidding anyone from approaching, and gave these instructions in Gu Changge's name.
Thus, even the senior leaders of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance lacked the courage to lift the black covering and see what was inside the carriage.
Early the next morning, Yao Yao went to the courtyard where Gu Changge usually rested, intending to seek an audience and inform him of Jiang Weiyang's matter.
However, to her great surprise, Gu Changge, who in the past would rarely leave the courtyard for even a step, was nowhere to be found at that moment.
The senior leaders of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were also completely unaware of this.
Ling Yuling had long grown accustomed to Gu Changge's elusive comings and goings. When Yao Yao found her, she was still pondering Ji Hanjing's matters and wondering what Gu Changge had said to her at the end.