The White-Browed Star Lord, as a trusted confidant of Chu Gucheng, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, had been deeply relied upon and was responsible for many affairs of the dynasty.
When the Immortal Chu Dynasty was besieged by various forces, he did not flee but chose to lead many generals and ministers to confront the enemy.
However, although he was also an Ancestral Dao Realm existence, how could he possibly escape the joint siege of so many? In the end, he was naturally captured and suppressed by the combined forces of various factions.
The Saintess Xiyuan, who had been imprisoned and exiled in a void prison, was eventually located by Xi Yin using a secret technique. She led a team to rescue her.
The Saintess Xiyuan had been trapped for a full seven days. While seven days was not a long time, she was not worried.
She knew that Gu Changge would eventually step in to rescue her, as it aligned with his interests.
However, it was Xi Yin and others from the Xiyuan Sacred Hall who ultimately rescued her, which left the Saintess Xiyuan somewhat puzzled.
After her rescue, she did not see Gu Changge.
After orchestrating the grand scheme to destroy the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Gu Changge seemed to vanish without a trace, disappearing from the world.
The Saintess Xiyuan then worked with Xi Yin and others to handle the aftermath left by the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
On the day of the great battle, Chu Heng, the Champion Marquis of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, did not choose to fight to the last moment.
After receiving the white jade bottle containing the trace of Chu Wushang's true soul, he suddenly realized that he had been deceived by Chu Gucheng. Overwhelmed with rage, he immediately led his subordinates to surrender.
With Chu Heng's surrender and the revelation of Chu Gucheng's deception in the great hall, many ministers who had been loyal to the Immortal Chu Dynasty began to waver. They followed Chu Heng's lead and chose to surrender.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty fell into chaos, with war raging across its territories. Many factions and powers took advantage of the situation to plunder.
The various immortal factions that participated in the joint siege of the Immortal Chu Dynasty took away most of its accumulated resources.
The armies of the Demon Court and Purple Mist Mountain, stationed outside the borders of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, also advanced in full force that day, seizing territory.
With this battle, the Immortal Chu Dynasty was erased from the myriad worlds. An immortal dynasty collapsed rapidly, turning into ruins and becoming a thing of the past.
The once-prosperous and vast territories were carved up and occupied by various factions, reduced to their domains.
The aftermath of this war lasted for several years.
The remnants of the Immortal Chu Dynasty who had not surrendered fled in all directions but were later hunted down and exterminated by various clans and factions.
The former divine generals and star lords either surrendered or perished in battle.
The White-Browed Star Lord, who had been captured and imprisoned, was interrogated by various factions. From his soul, they finally extracted some information about the origins and secrets of the Yinxu Cave.
Initially, everyone thought that the mysterious Yinxu Cave was just a name fabricated by the remnants of the Black Calamity and did not truly exist.
But from the memories of the White-Browed Star Lord's soul, they uncovered some astonishing truths.
The Yinxu Cave seemed to be real, not a fabrication.
Its existence dated back to before the Black Calamity Era, even to the primordial myths of the Innate Era.
However, some found this absurd. If the origins of the Yinxu Cave were truly so astonishing, how had it never left any traces in the myriad worlds? Why had no one ever heard of its existence?
The remnants of the Black Calamity had roamed the Vast Expanse for countless eons, with methods that defied the heavens. Altering the memories and karma of an Ancestral Dao Realm existence was not beyond their capabilities.
Amidst the various theories and debates, the White-Browed Star Lord was imprisoned in the Void Prison of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, awaiting the return of Sage Xi for final judgment.
During this time, the black coffin that Zi Wanhe, the master of Purple Mist Mountain, had dropped during Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet also attracted significant attention.
Many factions turned their attention to Purple Mist Mountain, suspecting that it might have ties to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
The imitation of the Coffin of World Burial was the best evidence.
However, after the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, the master of Purple Mist Mountain withdrew with his disciples, claiming that the black coffin had been obtained by chance and that he had no knowledge of its connection to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
Whether the black coffin was related to the remnants of the Black Calamity could be investigated by the Saintess Xiyuan and others, as the coffin had been seized by various factions after the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
After all, even as an imitation of a Supreme Treasure of Civilization, it still held significant research value.
Later, the Saintess Xiyuan personally investigated the contents of the black coffin and confirmed that the black mist inside was not Dark Source material but something similar.
She speculated that someone had tried to imitate the remnants of the Black Calamity, creating this black mist resembling Dark Source material.
While this black mist could corrode and infect the souls of cultivators and living beings, it was only dangerous to those below the Immortal King Realm. Those beyond that realm could easily dispel it.
Nevertheless, the coffin still caused significant trouble.
In the following centuries, the various factions of the Prime-Origin Civilization worked to stabilize the situation after the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, calming the turmoil.
The fall of an immortal dynasty was indeed extraordinary, and the news had spread to other civilizations, causing a great stir.
Many clans and factions that had attended Chu Gucheng's birthday banquet felt complex emotions upon hearing the news.
The faction behind Elder Jin of the Dawn Civilization also fell silent. The death of an Ancestral Dao Realm existence in the Prime-Origin Civilization was an unbearable loss for any faction.
The birth of an Ancestral Dao Realm existence was incredibly difficult. In the vast expanse of the Vast Expanse, even over hundreds of epochs, only a few might emerge.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty, blessed by heaven and with astonishing fortune, had produced several Ancestral Dao Realm existences in just over a hundred epochs. This was already an incredible feat that shook the ages.
Of course, during this time, many clans, factions, and nations were also paying attention to the movements of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Especially Gu Changge, the mysterious and unfathomable master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, who had captured the attention of many civilizations.
However, in the five hundred years following the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, no one had seen him. It was as if he had vanished from the world after that battle.
In the sixth hundred year after the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, branches of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance quietly took root in the former territories of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Many large and small clans and factions were quickly absorbed—or rather, willingly joined the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, becoming part of it.
This naturally drew the immediate attention of the various factions in the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Logically, for an external force like the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to take root in the Prime-Origin Civilization, it would take centuries of accumulation. During this process, it would face exclusion and oppression from local factions.
However, the various factions, including the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, could only watch as the branches of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance took root and grew like towering trees.
In just a hundred years, the surrounding cosmic territories, Great Thousand Worlds, and Middle Thousand Worlds were all incorporated, with countless followers and believers. The endless stream of faith power was as dazzling as a galaxy, drifting through the depths of the cosmos.
In the territories of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, Heaven-Slaying Shrines were erected, enshrining a blurry statue of a young deity, perpetually shrouded in incense smoke, its features indistinct.
This young deity seemed to stand at the other end of the myriad worlds, overlooking all living beings, eternal and majestic.
He was the most mysterious master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Before the Heaven-Slaying Shrines, no cultivator or living being dared to act recklessly. As long as they prayed sincerely and offered sufficient tributes, they could receive the blessings and protection of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's master.
With such rapid spread, Heaven-Slaying Shrines sprang up across the former territories of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
The various factions of the Prime-Origin Civilization witnessed all of this.
Although they knew this was the Heaven-Slaying Alliance expanding into the Prime-Origin Civilization, they dared not stop it, let alone destroy it.
Although the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had disappeared in recent years, his might loomed like a vast mountain and sea, instilling awe in every cultivator and living being.
This situation continued for several hundred years. Then, one day, the Demon Court of the Endless Demon Domain suddenly announced its intention to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, becoming a part of it.
This news shook the entire Prime-Origin Civilization, leaving countless factions trembling in disbelief.
The Demon Court was no ordinary faction. Di Huang, the Demon Ancestor, was an existence that had survived eight Heavenly Decline Tribulations, stronger than Chu Gucheng at his peak.
Had he also agreed to let the Demon Court join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and become part of it?
After the war between the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Demon Court, Di Kun, the Seventh Prince of the Demon Court, had rightfully become the new Demon Emperor, ruling over all demons.
In recent years, he had personally led the armies of the Demon Court in battles across the Endless Demon Domain, expanding its territories. Under pressure, many demon clans that had previously resisted the Demon Court were forced to submit.
The Demon Court grew stronger, though it was still far from its former glory of overlooking the heavens and receiving homage from all clans. Its might was already far greater than it had been centuries ago.
The iron-fisted methods of the new Demon Emperor also instilled fear and obedience in the demon lords and generals. Those who did not submit were dealt with according to the laws of the Demon Court, and even demon lords were executed without mercy.
The decision for the Demon Court to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was made by the new Demon Emperor.
As for why Di Huang, the Demon Ancestor, had no objections, many demon lords and generals speculated.
In fact, after the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had personally visited the Demon Court.
At that time, Di Kun, who was not yet the Demon Emperor, had accompanied him. Deep within the Abyss of Yu, Di Huang had personally received the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, showing great respect.
The demon lords and generals did not know what was discussed, but they later heard that Di Huang had been furious and had almost stormed out. It was only after Di Kun persuaded him that Di Huang reluctantly stayed.
It was clear to onlookers that Di Kun, the Seventh Prince, had the support of the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, which was why he dared to act so boldly in attacking the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
The other princes of the Demon Court were resentful, feeling that Di Kun had manipulated them. In a fair fight, they might not have been weaker than him.
Di Huang, as an ancient being who had lived through countless epochs, naturally understood that the conflict between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty had been orchestrated by Gu Changge.
Even the death of his youngest son, Di Wen, was related to Gu Changge, who had schemed against him.
Otherwise, why would Di Wen have left the Solar Tree of Tang Valley to chase a seven-colored light into the territories of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, causing havoc and ultimately being killed by its people?
Although this incident had happened long ago, Di Huang still felt uneasy whenever he thought of it.
Especially now, when his favored son, Di Kun, seemed to respect Gu Changge more than his own father?
That day, although the demon lords and generals did not witness Di Huang and the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance clash, they later heard rumors.
After the banquet, Di Huang had indeed attacked the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
The reason no news of this spread was that Di Huang had been severely injured by a single palm strike from the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and had been too ashamed to stay.
He then went into seclusion in the depths of time and space to recover, leaving the affairs of the Demon Court to Di Kun, the Seventh Prince.
It was from that day that Di Kun finally solidified his position as the Demon Emperor.
These rumors, though only circulating within the Demon Court, eventually leaked out, shocking many factions.
Even someone as powerful as Di Huang, the Demon Ancestor, had been severely injured by a single palm strike from the master of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Was there anyone in the Prime-Origin Civilization who could stand against him now?
A few decades after the Demon Court joined the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, the Jing Clan of the Sheng Yang Ancient Domain also announced its intention to join the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, becoming part of it.
The Jing Clan's ancestor, Jing Tianyuan, was a contemporary of the founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace, a true living fossil.
His decision shocked and bewildered many.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance's growth was becoming increasingly rapid and terrifying, far surpassing the former Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Although the Immortal Chu Dynasty had absorbed many factions during its rise, none could compare to the Demon Court or the Jing Clan.
At its peak, the Immortal Chu Dynasty could only rival the Demon Court and the Jing Clan.
In just a few hundred years, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had taken root in the Prime-Origin Civilization, its accumulated resources already on par with those of immortal factions and nations.
This made many factions increasingly uneasy and worried.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty had once made them wary, but how did the Heaven-Slaying Alliance compare now?
A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.
For Dao Realm cultivators, a thousand years was but a fleeting moment.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance in the Immortal Spirit Civilization, though not as formidable as in the Prime-Origin Civilization, had also absorbed many surrounding True Worlds, turning them into its territories.
Heaven-Slaying Shrines sprang up across various cosmic territories, becoming symbols of faith for many clans, factions, and civilizations recovering from tribulations.
In the Tai Xu Realm, before a grand Heaven-Slaying Shrine that stood like a celestial palace at the peak of the world, a graceful figure clad in silver armor and veiled gazed down at the countless cultivators and living beings kneeling outside the shrine.
Her cold, icy expression finally softened into a faint smile.
"Chen Jinhan, the Heaven-Slaying Guard, has finally fulfilled her mission, spreading the name of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance across this world."
She stood before the Heaven-Slaying Shrine.
As the voices of countless cultivators and living beings rose in prayer, the statue within the shrine, previously obscured by incense smoke, seemed to come to life.
Its blurred features solidified, and a pair of deep, boundless eyes gazed across infinite time and space, looking directly at her.
"What reward do you seek?"
The majestic, god-like voice echoed in Chen Jinhan's mind.
She recalled the moment her sister had heartlessly abandoned her in the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons and the day she had rebuilt her body and gained immortality in that remote temple.
An intense, almost maddening desire surged within her.
"The Heaven-Slaying Guard seeks no reward. She is willing to dedicate everything to the great Heaven-Slaying Lord."
Chen Jinhan gazed fervently at the shrine, at the statue that seemed to have come to life, her voice resolute as never before.
"A person of peculiar fate, how interesting. If you have the audacity to blaspheme the gods, why not act on it?"
"Giggle, let me help you then, descending into the mortal world."
From the depths of the void, a gaze filled with curiosity pierced through the vast expanse of time and space, landing on the Kunxu True World...