"It's fine. I must give you face."
Gu Changge smiled faintly and said, "The Heaven-Slaying Alliance is willing to establish and abide by the Prime-Origin Covenant."
Seeing Gu Changge agree so decisively, without even hesitating, Ling Yuling was momentarily stunned, somewhat caught off guard.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on Gu Changge's face, as if trying to discern his true intentions.
But seeing that Gu Changge still wore a faint smile, his expression unchanged from beginning to end, she could only let it go, hoping that Gu Changge wasn't joking.
If possible, she didn't want to stand on the opposite side of Gu Changge, nor did she want her earlier speculations to become reality.
"In that case, I must thank you, Lord Gu, for your cooperation," Ling Yuling said with a slight bow.
The others present also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, no one wanted to be enemies with Gu Changge and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Whether it was out of a desire to maintain the status quo or to compromise for the greater good, they were all considering their own safety.
The strength of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and Gu Changge was something everyone had witnessed.
"Since the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has made his choice, the Xiyuan Sacred Hall will naturally not stand idly by. We will work with everyone to establish the Prime-Origin Covenant."
Afterward, the Saintess Xiyuan also withdrew her gaze and spoke calmly, expressing her stance.
"Thank you," Ling Yuling nodded slightly.
She was somewhat surprised that the Saintess Xiyuan would follow Gu Changge's lead in making this decision.
However, things had gone more smoothly than Ling Yuling had initially expected.
Her biggest worry had been that Gu Changge would lead the Heaven-Slaying Alliance in opposing her proposal as soon as he arrived.
Fortunately, Gu Changge had given her face, but it was unclear whether he had other motives. Logically, he should have understood the purpose behind her establishing the Prime-Origin Covenant.
Yet he had still brought the Heaven-Slaying Alliance here in full force.
Could this truly be a gesture of goodwill?
However, Ling Yuling didn't have time to ponder this now. The establishment of the Prime-Origin Covenant wouldn't be completed overnight. She needed to discuss it with the leaders and patriarchs of various clans and factions. Otherwise, relying solely on her own strength, she wouldn't be able to create a covenant that could bind the entire Prime-Origin Civilization.
Once the Prime-Origin Covenant was implemented, it would have to carry the power of the Heavenly Dao and gain the recognition and acknowledgment of all living beings. All the strongest would swear oaths upon it.
Only then would this Prime-Origin Covenant possess the binding force to make everyone willingly abide by it, not daring to overstep.
This was the only solution Ling Yuling could think of at the moment.
"I won't participate in drafting the contents of the Prime-Origin Covenant. Once you've finalized it, just inform me and the Heaven-Slaying Alliance how to sign it," Gu Changge said with a faint smile.
Hearing this, the Saintess Xiyuan gave him a suspicious look.
When had Gu Changge become so accommodating? This time, the establishment of the Prime-Origin Covenant hadn't caused the chaos she had anticipated.
The others present were also surprised and shaken. Many looked at Gu Changge in confusion, wondering why he seemed so indifferent about such a significant matter.
Some of the ancient existences frowned, suspecting that Gu Changge might have ulterior motives.
The situation had gone much more smoothly than they had expected, and this smoothness made them uneasy.
"I think it's better for everyone to discuss and draft the covenant together. If Lord Gu is unavailable, you can have your representatives participate, so they'll know the rules and constraints when the time comes," Ling Yuling said softly, her brows furrowing slightly.
Although her intuition told her that this matter wasn't as simple as it seemed, she couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
Every word and gesture from Gu Changge seemed to carry deep meaning, requiring careful consideration. It couldn't be as straightforward as it appeared on the surface.
In her view, Gu Changge's thoughts and methods were far too terrifying, forcing her to be extremely cautious.
"In that case, Mu Yan, you, along with Jing Tianyuan, the White Bone Ancestor King, Mo Tong, and others, will stay here to discuss the Prime-Origin Covenant with everyone."
"With you here, I can rest assured," Gu Changge said with a light smile, then turned to the members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
"Understood. You can rest easy," Mu Yan replied, stepping forward from the crowd.
At this moment, many noticed this stunning woman with an extraordinary aura.
Although her cultivation was far inferior to the many Dao Realm existences present, she was not to be underestimated. She carried an immense amount of fortune, and her future achievements were likely to be remarkable.
Ling Yuxian, Jing Xiao, Xi Yin, and others noticed Gu Changge's affectionate address to Mu Yan, feeling somewhat surprised and curious about their relationship.
Meanwhile, many young cultivators were captivated by Mu Yan's beauty, finding her enchanting.
"It seems Lord Gu has been quite busy lately," Ling Yuling said, withdrawing her gaze from Mu Yan. She had seen many talented individuals, so she wasn't particularly impressed.
Still, she couldn't help but wonder about the relationship between this stunning woman and Gu Changge. They seemed quite close and natural together.
"It's just some trivial matters within the Heaven-Slaying Alliance that need handling," Gu Changge replied with a faint smile.
He wasn't lying. Recently, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had been extending its roots into the Dawn Civilization, where the Carefree Heavenly Palace was located. His attention had been focused there.
As for the matters in the Prime-Origin Civilization, they were all within Gu Changge's expectations, so he wasn't as concerned as before.
Additionally, he had sent people to the Endless Yang True World and the Calamitous Yin True World, planning to establish the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's presence there.
After the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, the existence of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance had spread throughout the Vast Expanse, causing many ancient and supreme True Worlds to become wary.
In the Endless Yang True World, Gu Changge had already planted his pieces. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for the right time to harvest.
Ling Yuling nodded and didn't ask further.
She was still uneasy, so she planned to finalize the Prime-Origin Covenant and then choose a new location for the signing. This way, even if Gu Changge had prepared in advance, he wouldn't have enough time to rearrange his plans.
Aside from Mu Yan, Jing Tianyuan, the White Bone Ancestor King, and others, many Dao Realm existences from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance remained.
The leaders and patriarchs of various factions also stayed, planning to discuss and draft the Prime-Origin Covenant together in the coming days.
After Gu Changge led the Heaven-Slaying Alliance away, the oppressive atmosphere in the area eased slightly. Many breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted.
"Today went surprisingly smoothly, beyond expectations."
"Perhaps it's because the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance gave Ling Yuling face, which is why he agreed so readily."
Many cultivators whispered, feeling both relieved and apprehensive.
"Why do I feel like a storm is brewing? The leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance must know that this Prime-Origin Covenant is aimed at him."
"But why did he agree to abide by it?"
Some were also worried, fearing Gu Changge's unpredictable methods.
The real challenge would be implementing the Prime-Origin Covenant.
Ling Yuling quietly watched Gu Changge's figure until it disappeared, then withdrew her gaze.
She thought of the ancient manuscript Nan Qing had given her in the Chaotic Time Sea, which contained many records about the Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization, including some descriptions of the Mirror of Reincarnation.
"Saintess Xiyuan, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you privately," Ling Yuling said softly, looking at the elegant figure not far away.
"What does Senior wish to discuss with me?" the Saintess Xiyuan asked, having been deep in thought before being interrupted.
Ling Yuling didn't say much. With a flick of her sleeve, a hazy light appeared, opening a passage through space-time. She stepped in gracefully, leading the way.
The Saintess Xiyuan was slightly stunned but quickly followed.
The others present watched in surprise but didn't ask questions.
From the current situation, the Saintess Xiyuan's attitude toward Gu Changge, the leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, seemed somewhat ambiguous and hard to define, leading to concerns that she might side with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance.
Even Xi Yin, the Saintess Xiyuan's senior sister, felt a hint of worry.
She didn't know what Gu Changge had done to bewitch her usually wise and transcendent junior sister, causing her to lose sight of priorities.
"I hope Senior can enlighten her," Xi Yin thought to herself.
Afterward, the elders and disciples of the Imperial Immortal Palace stepped forward to arrange accommodations for everyone. Drafting the Prime-Origin Covenant would take at least several months, if not longer, so everyone would have to stay at the Imperial Immortal Palace for the time being.
"Senior, what did you want to discuss with me privately?" the Saintess Xiyuan asked, her voice calm and composed.
"Do you suspect that I am colluding with the Heaven-Slaying Alliance? Or do you think I have an improper relationship with that man, Gu Changge?"
In the hazy, isolated space, the Saintess Xiyuan stood gracefully, her beauty transcendent. She turned to face Ling Yuling, her lips curving into a faint, mesmerizing smile beneath her veil, though no one could see it.
Ling Yuling waved her hand again, and a wave of Chaos Light spread out, completely enveloping the surroundings. Only then did she speak softly, "I do not suspect you. I just think your approach is somewhat misguided."
As she spoke, she handed the ancient manuscript Nan Qing had given her to the Saintess Xiyuan.
"What is this?" The Saintess Xiyuan was slightly surprised but took it and began flipping through it.
As she read further, her pupils contracted slightly, and she was deeply shocked.
This ancient manuscript contained detailed records about the Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization.
Among them were descriptions of the Mirror of Reincarnation, some of which were even more detailed than what she, as its current master, knew.
This left the Saintess Xiyuan feeling both incredulous and absurd.
"Senior, where did you obtain this? Even the Xiyuan Sacred Hall does not have such detailed records about the Mirror of Reincarnation," the Saintess Xiyuan said, trying to keep her voice calm.
But at this moment, her heart was anything but calm. As the current master of the Mirror of Reincarnation, she knew many of its secrets.
Some of the profound insights about the Mirror of Reincarnation recorded in this manuscript could only be understood by its master.
Yet, logically, in the entire Vast Expanse, aside from herself and her master, Sage Xi, there should be no third person who knew these things.
Where had Ling Yuling obtained this? And who had written this manuscript?
"I came across it by chance. You need not worry; I will not spread it," Ling Yuling said, not surprised by the Saintess Xiyuan's reaction.
She fully understood how shocking and unbelievable it would be for the owner of a Supreme Treasure of the First Civilization to see such a manuscript.
After all, she had reacted the same way when she first saw it.
"Because of this manuscript, I learned some of the profound mysteries of the Mirror of Reincarnation, and only then did I understand your reactions and actions toward the Heaven-Slaying Alliance."
"What exactly did you see in the Mirror of Reincarnation that made you unable to take any action against the fall of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, watching it collapse before your eyes? And now, do you plan to watch the entire Prime-Origin Civilization meet the same fate?"
Ling Yuling looked at the silent Saintess Xiyuan and continued softly.
The Saintess Xiyuan hadn't expected Ling Yuling to say this to her. Even her senior sister, Xi Yin, didn't know these things.
She hadn't wanted to involve others, as the future was full of variables and uncertainties.
The fewer people who knew about the future, the smaller the impact and changes to that future would be.
She was well aware of this, which was why she tried not to interfere with other outcomes, ensuring that the future she had simulated in the Mirror of Reincarnation aligned as closely as possible with the true future.
Only then could she truly change the fate of the Prime-Origin Civilization and the world.
"I cannot tell you these things. You have your methods, and I have mine," the Saintess Xiyuan said calmly.
"Is it because letting me know about that part of the future would alter the future you desire on that worldline?"
Ling Yuling wasn't surprised by the Saintess Xiyuan's response, as she had anticipated it.
As an existence beyond the Ancestral Dao Realm, she naturally understood the mysterious and elusive nature of fate and destiny.
She could perceive and control the fate of all things and countless living beings, exploring their past, present, and future.
But when it came to matters concerning herself, everything became unpredictable.
She still couldn't truly control her own fate or understand her own destiny. The Great Dao was constant; to gain something, one had to pay a price.
The Saintess Xiyuan remained silent, not answering.
She knew this might seem selfish, but she had no other choice. In every future she had simulated, the fate of the Imperial Immortal Palace never changed.
In other words, Ling Yuling's approach was wrong. The path she was walking was a dead end.
"I understand."
Ling Yuling looked at the silent Saintess Xiyuan and couldn't help but sigh softly, not blaming her.
From the Saintess Xiyuan's reaction, she had already guessed what part of the future the Saintess Xiyuan had seen.
But she still didn't want to give up or lose hope.
"Perhaps my strength alone is too weak to change that part of fate."
"Senior, if you are willing, after the Prime-Origin Covenant is established, please come to the Xiyuan Sacred Hall."
"I still want to try again."
As Ling Yuling turned to leave the isolated space, the Saintess Xiyuan, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.
She bit her lip and made a decision...