Chapter 1678
Chapter 1678. In my eyes, aren’t you just like ants?
“Then what kind of situation do you want? Honestly, I don’t think you’re foolish enough to use such methods against me,” Gu Changge said indifferently.
“What happened just now surprised me too. Before this, I never expected such things to happen.”
“I can swear by my Dao heart that this was not something I arranged, nor did I intend to treat you this way.”
Ling Yuling knew that Gu Changge likely wouldn’t believe what she was saying now, but she clumsily explained anyway.
Before this, there had been plenty of room for reconciliation, but now, apart from facing each other with weapons, there was no other possibility.
In fact, her mind was in chaos, and the whole situation was completely out of her control and expectations.
“By surprised, do you mean that not only did I survive, but I also came out unharmed?” Gu Changge asked casually upon hearing this.
Ling Yuling sighed quietly in her heart, knowing that her explanation was ultimately useless.
Gu Changge would never believe her again. Initially, with the signing of the Xiyuan Covenant, Gu Changge had given her enough face and trust by agreeing to come. He had even mentioned wanting her to assist him in the Pata Tian Alliance.
If she were in his place, being betrayed like this after making such an effort would be hard to accept.
“I’m sorry,” Ling Yuling could only apologize again after a moment of silence.
Gu Changge didn’t respond. His gaze was calm and indifferent as he swept over the people facing off against the Pata Tian Alliance, and his tone was exceptionally calm.
“I gave you a chance, but unfortunately, you didn’t seize it. Since you don’t care about the people of Xiyuan Civilization, why should I show mercy to you?”
His words made the leaders of various Daoist factions and powers’ faces change drastically. Many of them felt their hearts race in fear, realizing what Gu Changge’s words meant.
If it hadn’t been for what happened just now, there would still have been room for reconciliation, and they could have signed the Xiyuan Covenant and achieved peaceful coexistence.
But now, everything is ruined.
Gu Changge naturally wouldn’t sit down and talk with them. The Pata Tian Alliance would inevitably go to war with the various Daoist factions.
Many of the leaders had bitter expressions. They wanted to say something, but when the words reached their mouths, they could only swallow them. They knew they could not justify themselves. They had acted unscrupulously, using despicable methods, so why should the Pata Tian Alliance be concerned about morality and righteousness?
The Xiyuan Saintess glanced at Ling Yuling, looking like she wanted to say something but hesitated. She wasn’t sure whether Ling Yuling had plotted against Gu Changge. But one thing she was certain of was that if Ling Yuling didn’t act, the entire Xiyuan Civilization would soon face a terrifying bloodbath.
“I have always wanted the various tribes and factions to live in peace, without war or conflict. The dark disaster will strike again. If Xiyuan Civilization doesn’t stop internal strife, it will not survive this catastrophe.”
“This idea of mine has never changed.”
Ling Yuling looked at Gu Changge, knowing that at this moment, Gu Changge was definitely very disappointed in her. If it was anger, she probably wasn’t even qualified for it.
But she still wanted to try to maintain the current situation as much as possible.
“You keep saying that the dark disaster is coming and that you want Xiyuan Civilization to stop its internal strife, but from the current situation, it seems that it’s not the Pata Tian Alliance that wants to break all this.”
“Ling Yuling, should you be saying this to someone else? Have you chosen the wrong person to speak to?” Gu Changge chuckled lightly upon hearing this, but everyone could hear the mockery in his voice.
Ling Yuling’s expression froze, especially when she heard Gu Changge call her by her name. A faint sigh rose in her heart, and she felt an inexplicable sense of frustration. Was there really no way to salvage this?
“I’m also very confused right now, and I don’t know how to explain myself to you, but I swear by my Dao heart that none of this was part of a plan against you.”
“I truly don’t want to fight the Pata Tian Alliance. The Yuxian Palace, including myself, is indebted to you. How could we repay kindness with enmity? If our stances weren’t different, I think we could have had a drink together and become close friends.”
“Can you give me some time? Trust me once more, and I promise I’ll give you a complete explanation. I’ll find out who tampered with the Covenant Scripture and intentionally sabotaged the Xiyuan Covenant. This person’s intentions are malicious, and it is very likely that an enemy from the true-world civilization of Xiyuan Civilization is behind this…”
Ling Yuling’s gentle face, usually like water, now showed rare determination, her bright eyes firmly locked on Gu Changge as her voice became urgent and anxious.
Many of the listeners were stunned. Could it really be that Ling Yuling wasn’t behind this?
However, the Covenant Scripture was something she had forged with others, and she had personally overseen it.
How could someone else have tampered with it? Or was this just her side of the story, a delay tactic to buy time?
After what had happened just now, many were no longer willing to judge people by their appearances, realizing that Ling Yuling might not be as gentle and graceful as she seemed.
“Leader, don’t listen to her one-sided words! A woman’s heart is the most poisonous—who knows what other schemes she’s plotting against you? Not everyone is as kind-hearted and tolerant as you.”
The people from the Pata Tian Alliance anxiously tried to persuade him. Many of them showed expressions of worry, fearing that Gu Changge might fall into the same trap as before and trust someone too easily.
“Ling Yuling, you’re a former wise one. You should understand that a Dao heart vow has little effect on beings like us anymore, right?” Gu Changge didn’t heed the advice of the Pata Tian Alliance. He looked at Ling Yuling, a faint smile on his face as he spoke calmly.
“Since you want me to trust you again, I will allow it. The Xiyuan Covenant can continue, but I have one condition.”
“From now on, all the Daoist factions and tribes of Xiyuan Civilization will be at the disposal of the Pata Tian Alliance. Anyone who resists will be dealt with according to the strict rules of the Xiyuan Covenant.”
“How does that sound? It will maintain the peaceful situation you want without bloodshed, resolve the concerns of internal strife, and establish a covenant to bind all the tribes and factions. Isn’t this a win-win situation?”
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuling was stunned, at a loss for words. Her red lips moved, but she didn’t know what to say. Even if she could agree to this condition, the various factions and tribes of Xiyuan Civilization would never accept it.
Not even the Xiyuan Holy Hall, at its peak, could have allowed the entire Xiyuan Civilization’s forces to be at the mercy of others.
This was no different from servitude and slavery. The faces of the leaders and heads of the various factions also grew grim.
How could they possibly agree to such a condition?
That would make them vassals of the Pata Tian Alliance! They would rather fight to the death, as there might still be other possibilities.
“I’m sorry, even though I would like to agree to your condition, I think it’s impossible,” Ling Yuling said with a hint of bitterness.
“The Yuxian Palace can agree to your condition, but I can’t speak for the other factions. They won’t agree to it.”
Gu Changge wasn’t surprised by this response. He just smiled faintly and said, “But isn’t this the best outcome for the people, for the various tribes and forces of all worlds? Why is it that the tribes and factions still refuse to accept it?””Is it because in their eyes, the so-called ‘all living beings and all tribes of the worlds’ actually only refers to themselves?”
“Except for my Pata Tian Alliance, no tribe or faction in this world cares about their lives.”
His words were sharp and direct, essentially tearing apart the facade of all the Daoist forces present, exposing it with bloody clarity.
Many of the leaders and headmasters turned pale, their eyes dark with frustration, unable to find any rebuttal.
The smaller factions in the myriad realms weren’t very surprised by this result, though many still felt a sense of bitterness and reluctance.
This world was cruel. For those immortal Daoist forces, all living beings were mere floating ants. Who would care about their survival?
They had once raised the banner of benevolence for all living beings, but at this moment, their selfish ambitions were nakedly exposed. Moreover, as Gu Changge said, no other force or Daoist faction, apart from the Pata Tian Alliance, would care about their survival.
Their supposed alliances for mutual support were nothing more than a laughable attempt to band together like ants in the eyes of these immortal Daoist forces.
At that moment, rather than being treated as cannon fodder by the various factions, wouldn’t it be better to simply join the Pata Tian Alliance and become one of them?
“Stop wasting time. Fellow Daoists, we don’t need to discuss morality with these heretics and traitors. Today, we’ll not sign the Xiyuan Covenant. Instead, we’ll unite and destroy the Pata Tian Alliance here!” The headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect said coldly, breaking the silence first.
Behind him, many elders and disciples of the Shouyang Tian Sect had murderous intent on their faces, fully prepared for a life-or-death struggle.
“Daoist Shouyang is right. At this point, words are useless. The Pata Tian Alliance is acting against the heavens and will eventually face retribution. What we do is just to follow the trend and act on behalf of the heavens.”
“Even if you choose to stand by and do nothing today, do you think the Pata Tian Alliance will not seek revenge in the future?”
“Amidst the vast True World, where countless tribes and forces are born and die every day, this is the eternal law of the heavenly Dao. Why should we feel guilty about it? We should follow nature, and the cycle of heaven and earth. We should act as such. Why should the ones sweeping the world care about a single house?”
A headmaster-level figure also stood up, his booming voice echoing in the world. His words caused the faces of many hesitant cultivators and beings around to change.
This statement was actually reasonable. Even if they felt guilty now, standing idly by, refusing to get involved, how could they explain their own involvement in plotting against Gu Changge? Wouldn’t they eventually face the Pata Tian Alliance’s revenge?
They were already tied together like crickets on a single rope. Moreover, in the vast True World, countless tribes and forces perished daily.
Who really had the time to worry about those few?
No matter how much they spoke, even if they won over people’s hearts, the true dragon would never care about the opinions of ants.
“Indeed, there is no other choice.”
A tribe leader, whose face showed hesitation and struggle, quickly made up his mind. His cold eyes showed a trace of ruthlessness as he secretly signaled his people behind him, preparing for action at any moment.
Under the urging of the headmasters of Shouyang Tian Sect and others, the leaders of many tribes and forces, whose resolve had wavered before, became steadfast again.
They couldn’t guarantee peace with the Pata Tian Alliance in the future, nor could they be sure they wouldn’t face revenge today, so the only solution was to join forces and destroy the Pata Tian Alliance here and now.
Any lingering guilt faded away in the face of tribal interests.
“Heh, this is the true nature of humanity. All this talk of the greater good for all living beings, and the tribes of the world—it’s all nonsense when it comes to personal gain.”
“Once that mask is torn off, I see that you are no different from the heretics and evil sects. How dare you say the Pata Tian Alliance is a heretical path?”
The Cold Crow Elder from the Pata Tian Alliance sneered openly.
“Haha, since you all want to die, we’ll fulfill your wish.”
“With our Alliance Leader here, you have no chance or hope.”
Behind the Cold Crow Elder, many of the Pata Tian Alliance’s strong experts also laughed, their faces full of ridicule and disdain.
“A room that isn’t well-kept—how could it manage a country?”
“You draw the line between yourselves and ants, but it’s truly laughable. In my eyes, what difference is there between you and them? Aren’t you just ants too?”Gu Changge’s eyes were cold as he looked at the various tribes and Daoist forces in front of him, with no emotion in his gaze.
“Heretics and immortal practices, deceiving the masses with demonic words, must be eradicated!”
The headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect couldn’t bear the indifferent, ant-like gaze from Gu Changge. He let out an angry shout.
The previous Yin-Yang Double Swords appeared, flying out from his palm, roaring and transforming into two black-and-white Yin-Yang fish that spanned across the heavens. The two fishes swam and merged into a sword, howling as they slashed down, sending a shocking aura that could make even Daoist-level beings tremble and bow.
The many immortal kings, quasi-immortal emperors, and even immortal emperors in the surrounding cosmic space felt oppressed by the immense aura. Unable to resist, they kneeled, feeling compelled to bow in reverence.
This terrifying and grand aura swept across the entire Myriad Realm Mountain, radiating to the surrounding cosmic spaces.
After the headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect made his move, the other Daoist-level elders behind him also joined in. The radiant Daoist rules wove together into a great net, creating chaos that obscured the heavens, casting a shadow over the vast ancient sky, and heading toward Gu Changge.
Without warning, the chaotic battle erupted again, and many of the palaces in Myriad Realm Mountain instantly collapsed.
Under the full force of the Daoist-level attack, there was no room for resistance. Everything was turned into dust in an instant.
Gu Changge coldly watched as these people charged toward him. He simply raised his hand, sweeping it forward.
In an instant, the terrifying aura surged like a burst of floodwaters, covering the entire space and enveloping the headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect and others.
Crack!
A crisp sound was heard from the Yin-Yang Double Swords, as if they were shattered by some force. The headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect coughed up blood, taking the brunt of the attack. His arms exploded, and disbelief filled his eyes.
“How… is this possible…” His voice trembled.
The area fell into complete darkness, no light breaking through, only a layer of overpowering pressure filling the space, crushing all surrounding rules to dust.
Every piece of the universe’s space quivered in response, and without the protection of Daoist-level beings, this terrifying aura alone would be enough to destroy everything.
The figures that had rushed forward from Shouyang Tian Sect were now all enveloped in this darkness. There was no sound, only deep, suffocating silence.
The many ancient beings in Myriad Realm Mountain shuddered with fear, unable to see what was happening. Even Gu Changge’s figure was no longer visible to them.
Then, a horrifying boom echoed, as though it had exploded from an ancient time, reverberating through the entire space and time.
The headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect’s figure was suddenly sent flying, his eyes wide open, his forehead pierced. With white bone fragments and blood drained, he fell to his demise.
In his shattered pupils, it seemed as though ancient phantoms appeared, revealing glimpses of long-forgotten scenes. It was as if he saw an unimaginable ancient era, with figures whose true forms were unseeable, coming from the distant river of time. One such figure held a massive dark halberd, its blade cold and sharp. With a simple sweep, entire ancient universes and the strongest True Worlds were reduced to ash and dust. All the beings within them perished instantly.
The overwhelming aura grew more terrifying as the figure advanced.
Every beam of light exceeded the highest of realms. With each step he took, it erupted, shattering the ancient heavens and the nine heavens.
“How… is this possible…”
Before falling, the Daoist-level being had glimpsed an inconceivable scene.
No one knew what the headmaster of Shouyang Tian Sect had seen. In just a brief encounter, he died tragically, and even in his final moments, disbelief, fear, and horror still lingered in his eyes.