Chapter 1661
Chapter 1661. It was like an invasive species from abroad, with the winds and clouds converging in the Yu Xian Palace
In the vast galaxy and universe, streams of light flew swiftly across the sky as practitioners from various factions hurried from different places.
Countless figures were traveling through the cold and deep cosmos, stirring up waves of time and space. Even from afar, their aura was so powerful that it struck fear and trembled into people’s hearts.
In the ancient domains of the Yu Xian Palace, many disciples and elders, who had been instructed in advance, were waiting to greet and lead the guests from various factions.
At the Qian Yun Daochang, a beautiful and graceful middle-aged woman was leading many disciples to welcome guests.
“Long time no see, Qian Yun Elder. You still look as youthful as ever, and your cultivation seems even more profound than before.”
From a distance, a hearty voice could be heard.
A tall and burly middle-aged man, dressed in a purple Daoist robe and wearing a crown, was accompanied by many young disciples and elders as they arrived.
Qian Yun Elder’s gaze fell upon him, and with a slight smile, she said, “Mountain Master of Tuo Yang Mountain, long time no see. I didn’t expect you to personally bring people here. It’s already been several million years since we last met.”
As she spoke, a hint of nostalgia appeared on her face, and it was clear she was familiar with the man in front of her.
Tuo Yang Mountain was a hidden sect of the Xiyuan civilization. While it wasn’t as powerful as the immortal-level factions like the Yu Xian Palace, its background was not to be overlooked.
The sect had many ancient Daoist figures in residence, and it was rumored that there was even an ancient ancestor who had almost stepped into the Grand Dao realm.
“This time, the appearance of the Yu Xian Palace’s Grandmaster truly shocked all of us. If the ancient ancestor hadn’t been traveling around the world, we wouldn’t know where he is now, but he would likely have personally returned to pay respects to this venerable predecessor,” the burly middle-aged man laughed heartily.
Qian Yun Elder nodded slightly and said, “I’ve heard that the ancient ancestor of Tuo Yang Mountain is about to step into the Grand Dao realm. This journey is probably to seek opportunities, and perhaps next time we meet, he will have entered the Grand Dao realm. Tuo Yang Mountain’s strength and foundation will surely improve even further.”
“Haha, then I’ll take Elder Qian Yun’s good fortune to heart,” the middle-aged man laughed heartily.
Soon, while chatting and reminiscing, they continued deeper into the Yu Xian Palace. However, on the way, when the topic turned to the Grandmaster of the Yu Xian Palace, the middle-aged man’s face showed a hint of difficulty.
“Elder Qian Yun, since we are old acquaintances, I hope you won’t mind me asking something a bit bold. This time, the Grandmaster of the Yu Xian Palace has made his appearance, but what exactly is the reason? Is it because of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance?” The middle-aged man deliberately lowered his voice.
Upon hearing this question, Qian Yun Elder also hesitated for a moment before shaking her head and replying, “We, the elders, also don’t know the details, but the Grandmaster’s return seems to be for discussing a great matter with the various factions.”
She had also noticed the rapid rise of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, and its development was indeed quite astonishing. Moreover, it was once that Gu Changge had impersonated the eldest disciple of the Qian Yun Daochang and even threatened her.
Although Gu Changge had not bothered her after that, Qian Yun Elder still clearly remembered that period of time.
“Sigh, Elder Qian Yun, you know that our Tuo Yang Mountain’s territory is near the fallen Xiang Chu Hao Tu, and now, the territory of Xiang Chu Hao Tu has been fully occupied by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. With its expansion, it’s likely that it won’t be long before it reaches Tuo Yang Mountain.”The middle-aged man spoke with great concern, “I am really worried. The Heaven-Slaying Alliance seems to have some sort of magic power that has caused even immortal factions like Purple Cloud Mountain and the Demon Court to willingly submit. Now, within Tuo Yang Mountain’s territory, there have already been several Heaven-Slaying Shrines appearing…”
“We dare not expel or obstruct them, fearing it might cause trouble. But if this issue is not dealt with, Tuo Yang Mountain might end up like other factions, slowly being consumed by the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.”
As the Mountain Master of Tuo Yang Mountain, his decision to personally lead the elders and disciples to Yu Xian Palace was driven by this concern, seeking allies to find a solution.
Qian Yun Elder sighed lightly as she listened. She had already noticed that the elders and disciples from Tuo Yang Mountain all wore troubled expressions, forcing smiles as they met her, clearly burdened by worries. In fact, the guests she had received recently all seemed to be facing similar dilemmas.
The spread of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance felt like an invasive foreign species, rapidly siphoning the resources of the Xiyuan civilization, growing stronger as it took over the territories and resources that once belonged to various factions. It had become a singular force, thriving by consuming the vitality of others.
This had raised alarms among many factions, who now feared the sinister nature of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance. Despite its claims of upholding righteousness and protecting the people, its actions did not align with these ideals.
“Do not worry, everyone. There will definitely be a way to resolve this matter,” Qian Yun Elder reassured them.
The people from Tuo Yang Mountain felt a little relieved, but their worries were still apparent.
Suddenly, from the northwest direction, a brilliant Buddhist light appeared.
Countless Buddha and Bodhisattva figures manifested in the sky, and faint sounds of ancient Buddhist scriptures chanting could be heard. Some Buddhas smiled as they held flowers, while some Bodhisattvas sat serenely, and auspicious clouds rolled in like a tide.
Qian Yun Elder and the others looked up and saw many ancient monks and arhats from the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom arriving. They were being guided by other elders from the Yu Xian Palace.
In another direction, dazzling rays of light flickered, and there were fluctuations in the fabric of space. Other factions were also arriving.
Factions like Ling Shen Cave, Guang Ming Temple, and Chang Sheng Lake had already arrived early.
Looking around, the sky was filled with starlight and Daoist law, with flying ships and ancient vessels cutting through the sky, all coming from influential figures of the Xiyuan civilization.
Deep within the Yu Xian Palace, the guests who had already arrived were being led by the palace’s disciples and elders to various immortal mountains and divine islands, enveloped in mist and ethereal clouds.
Everywhere, the air was filled with heavenly Qi and Daoist rhythms. A network of bridges and pavilions connected different star regions, showcasing a vast and awe-inspiring cosmic landscape.
Yuxian Palace, being one of the oldest and most enduring Daoist factions of the Xiyuan civilization, commanded an enormous territory. The vastness of its domain, including its control over the Great Universe, was enough to astonish any guest.The stars, surrounded by chaotic energy, rumbled loudly as they rotated. On them were built layers of palatial halls and pavilions.
A waterfall-like river of stars seemed to have fallen from the heavens, a white mist swirling around, its splashing sound resonating throughout the entire universe.
The guests arriving were greeting each other, and many had ancient, weathered faces. Some had a rustic air, and their clothes were of very old, ancient designs—figures that made others feel uneasy and awestruck.
These beings seemed like they had just emerged from various tombs, still carrying the fragrance of soil, as if they had been asleep for countless epochs. Their eyes moved with the weight of the cosmos, as though entire universes were colliding within them.
The aura they emanated stirred even Dao-level practitioners, causing their hearts to race and making some almost cough up blood from the intensity.
Among these ancient beings, there were others who appeared plain and unremarkable, yet they drew attention in a unique way. One man, dressed in a simple gray robe, of medium build, appeared ordinary, but his presence caused the ancient beings around him to react with surprise.
“That elder is Daoist Changming, isn’t he? Didn’t they say he died when attempting the Eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation? To think that after several hundred epochs, we would see him again…”
A Dao-level practitioner whispered in awe, recognizing the gray-robed man. “Daoist Changming is an example for all of us. Every time he faced the Heavenly Decline Tribulation, he paid an enormous price. It’s said that a much older senior once predicted that he would never reach the Dao realm in this life, but Daoist Changming defied the odds and has come this far.”
“It seems Daoist Changming has successfully survived the eighth Heavenly Decline Tribulation,” another voice added, filled with admiration.
Aside from Daoist Changming, there were several other ancient practitioners of incredible lineage, long absent for hundreds of epochs, who were now present. Even their own Daoist sects had lost track of them, never expecting them to reappear under such circumstances.
Clearly, the news of the Yu Xian Palace’s Grandmaster’s return had stirred everyone, even these ancient figures, who had rushed from distant parts of time and space to witness this event.
In addition to the ancient figures from the Immortal Dao Civilization, there were also several godly figures, surrounded by divine halos and accompanied by divine attendants. Their faces were blurred, their expressions neutral, and their aura was sacred. Faintly, one could hear sounds of rituals and world-chanting emanating from them.
“To think even deities from the Divine Dao Civilization have arrived… but I wonder if these are their real forms or just projections…”
“The Divine Dao Civilization has been in seclusion for countless years, and it’s rare to see their figures in the current vast world,” many practitioners murmured in astonishment.
“Hehe, today is truly lively. I used to think that the Xiyuan Civilization wasn’t as powerful as imagined, but it seems we cannot underestimate them. Just the Grand Dao-level figures here already surpass seven—this doesn’t even include the hidden old-timers…”
“I told you we shouldn’t act rashly. We must observe and wait. If we act too hastily, we’ll suffer greatly.”
“The Celestial beings have always known about the Reincarnation Mirror in the Xiyuan Civilization, but they’ve never taken action, knowing that the Xiyuan Civilization is not easy to deal with. It’s a tough nut to crack.”“Heh heh, but today it’s actually better this way. It’ll be easier for the two of us to slip in unnoticed. Before, it wasn’t so easy—there was a real chance we’d be discovered.”
On a desolate star, two figures appeared, standing atop a hill and gazing towards the vast depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace. These two were none other than the old Daoist from the Decay Faction and the Elder Han Crow from the Minor Yin Faction.
As they spoke, their figures shifted, transforming into two streaks of flowing light as they pursued a pale-moon-colored flying vessel wreathed in immortal mist ahead.
“Who’s behind us?”
Onboard the pale-moon flying vessel, a transcendent woman sitting cross-legged at the bow opened her eyes. Shrouded in moonlight and veiled by mist, her brows furrowed slightly. With a wave of her jade hand, the moonlight condensed into an ancient, crystalline mirror, revealing the two figures trailing them.
“To think I cannot see through their cultivation. Could they be using some secret treasure to conceal themselves? It seems there truly are remarkable figures arriving at the Imperial Immortal Palace this time.”
Beside her, a stunningly beautiful woman also turned her gaze toward the mirror, speaking with faint surprise.
The people aboard this flying vessel were from the Saint Hall of Xiyuan. They had not expected to be shadowed within the territory of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
“Sneaking about with ill intent.”
The Xiyuan Saintess withdrew her gaze. With a lift of her slender hand, the ancient mirror vanished. At the same time, she pointed back towards the rear. From the void there suddenly emerged several ribbons as light as moonbeams. With a swish, they shot forth, piercing through space and time with overwhelming might.
“Eh? Fellow Daoists ahead, do not be offended. We bear no malice—merely lost our way and wished to accompany you along the route.”
The old Daoist following behind revealed his surprise. He had not expected that the vessel he casually chose to tail would contain such an extraordinary presence. That single strike just now was exceptional—ordinary Ancestor Realm cultivators might not even be able to withstand it.
Even as he spoke, his broad robe shook, scattering a skyful of starlight that unfolded into a vast cosmos. Within it, the Great Dao manifested like a blade, slashing down to shatter the moonlight ribbon that had pierced through.
The Elder Han Crow had been about to act as well, but was stopped by the old Daoist. With a cold snort, he could only suppress his dissatisfaction.
“Ordinary Ancestor Realm cultivators would be no match. Since when did the Xiyuan Civilization have so many existences surpassing the Ancestor Realm?”
The Xiyuan Saintess was a bit astonished. She had only intended a probing strike, not a true battle—not within the Imperial Immortal Palace’s domain. Thus, she quickly held her hand.
“Perhaps they are from another civilization,” Xiyin speculated.
“Then this must be the renowned Xiyuan Saintess. To possess such unfathomable strength at such a young age—it truly inspires our admiration and envy.”
Before long, the old Daoist and the Elder Han Crow were invited aboard the vessel by a few of the Saint Hall’s female disciples.
As they studied the veiled Saintess before them, they immediately guessed her identity.
Within the entire Xiyuan Civilization, it would be hard to find a second woman with such extraordinary bearing and strength.
“May I ask where the two venerable seniors hail from?”
The Xiyuan Saintess inclined her head slightly, also examining them.
She paid little attention to the cold aura of the Elder Han Crow.
It was the old Daoist, exuding a foul stench and the signs of Heavenly Decay, who made her frown.
The Five Signs of Heavenly Decay manifest as: ragged clothing, withered hair, foul stench of the body, sweat dripping from the armpits, and dispersal of the vital essence.
These are omens of the approaching Heavenly Decay Tribulation.
Yet the old Daoist before her showed no signs of having triggered such a tribulation, nor of his cultivation leaking away. Only his eye sockets were hollow, with no eyeballs, oozing pus and blood—a ghastly sight indeed.