Chapter 1641. The final judgment, once again stirred up a storm

She knew that she must look a complete mess right now. Usually, she was very particular about her appearance and temperament, but this was the first time she had encountered such a situation. Her black hair was scattered, blood at the corner of her mouth, and even her skirt was stained with blood. Some parts were covered in dust, making it seem like she had fallen from the heavens and rolled through the mortal world.

This was unbearable for her, someone who was always aloof and very fond of cleanliness.

Unfortunately, she was locked in place by the Dragon Lock Chains, unable to do anything but recover from her injuries. Right now, there was nothing she could do.

“I came with good intentions to visit the Saintess, yet you immediately accuse me?” Gu Changge chuckled softly, then walked directly towards the Xiyuan Saintess.

When the Xiyuan Saintess saw Gu Changge coming towards her, she was stunned at first. Then she realized that, since she was bound by the Dragon Lock Chains, she couldn’t move at all, and she started to panic.

Although she had many hidden trump cards to protect her purity, she wouldn’t use them unless it was absolutely necessary, but Gu Changge wasn’t like Chu Gucheng. The methods she had to protect herself wouldn’t work against him.

“What do you want to do?”

The Xiyuan Saintess asked in a slightly panicked tone, trying to stand up, but the surrounding Dragon Lock Pillars trembled, and the sound of the chains clattering drowned her attempts to move. She was suppressed even further, making it impossible for her to rise.

“Don’t move.”

Gu Changge gently shook his head, holding a clean white handkerchief and offering it to her.

When the Xiyuan Saintess saw the handkerchief, she froze for a moment, then realized that her reaction might have been too exaggerated.

When Gu Changge visited her before, he had threatened and intimidated her, but nothing actually happened afterward. Realizing this, she instinctively reached out to take it.

But at that moment, her arms were tightly bound by the chains, unable to move at all, let alone take the handkerchief.

“I forgot that you can’t move right now.”

Gu Changge noticed that her arms couldn’t move and spoke apologetically. He then extended his hand behind her ear, removed her bloodstained veil, and used the handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth.

The Xiyuan Saintess was nearly stunned, as though her brain had short-circuited. She could feel the warmth of Gu Changge’s hand, even though he hadn’t touched her face directly.

However, when the delicate handkerchief wiped across her mouth, she could clearly feel the touch of his palm.

After cleaning the blood from the corner of her mouth, Gu Changge effortlessly used his magic to dry and cleanse the blood on her veil before placing it back on her.

This process was not long, and Gu Changge’s actions weren’t gentle. In fact, they seemed somewhat indifferent. Yet, the Xiyuan Saintess stood there in a daze, watching him without speaking or resisting.

At that moment, she couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable warmth rise in her heart.

Clearly, Gu Changge was the great enemy she had foreseen in her Reincarnation Mirror, the enemy of both the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and the entire Xiyuan civilization.

But now, this very enemy had appeared before her and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, sparing her from appearing as disgraceful as before.

“It’s a pity you didn’t bring a wooden comb.”

Gu Changge smiled lightly and stepped away from her, keeping his distance.

Upon hearing this, the Xiyuan Saintess felt a strange unease in her heart. She turned her head to avoid looking at him and spoke in a slightly irritated tone, “Are you planning to comb my hair too?”

Since ancient times, only those in a Daoist partner or married couple relationship were so intimate.

But she and Gu Changge were enemies.

“Even if you wanted me to, I wouldn’t comb your hair. Now that the bloodstains are gone, you look much more presentable than before.”

Gu Changge laughed, not continuing with this topic.

The Xiyuan Saintess felt uncomfortable at his response. Was it because she looked bad just now that he “graciously” wiped the blood from her mouth?

She let out a soft snort, barely audible to anyone else, and said coldly, “If you had a new dress, would you want to change me too?”

Gu Changge glanced at her bloodstained clothes and smiled, “If you want, I can reluctantly help you with that too.”

“No need.”

The Xiyuan Saintess wanted to glare at him and replied, “Such matters don’t require your help, Young Master Gu.”

She didn’t even know why she had asked such a question just now.

Before, she had used her charm to test Gu Changge, but now she couldn’t seem to act as freely as she used to.

“Is Young Master Gu here to watch me make a fool of myself?”

“As you said before, the ruler of the Xian Chu Hao Tu, Chu Gucheng, is ambitious and has teamed up with the Sage of Law, Elder Jin, Chu Xinyue, and the blind old woman from the Yin Ru Cave to set a trap against me.”

However, the Xiyuan Saintess soon regained her usual calm and shifted the topic, saying, “But it’s not like I’m watching you make a fool of yourself. I suddenly realized you were in danger, so I came to check on you.”

Gu Changge shook his head and smiled, “Chu Gucheng has great ambitions and wants to seize more benefits. He intends to unite the Xiyuan civilization, and with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall standing in his way, he will certainly find a way to deal with you.”

The Xiyuan Saintess didn’t believe that his intentions were as kind-hearted as he made them sound. Did he really care about her safety?

“I am not in much danger for now. Chu Gucheng wouldn’t dare to do anything to me; at most, he’ll trap me for a while. The array here can only confine me for a few years at most.” She continued, “However, Chu Xinyue took a mysterious pill from the blind old woman of the Yin Ru Cave. After swallowing it, she completely transformed into my appearance and will replace me in the outside world.”

“Chu Gucheng will surely make use of this opportunity to do something.”

Gu Changge was already aware of all the things she mentioned. As of now, these matters posed no harm to him. In fact, they were pushing the Xian Chu Hao Tu closer to its collapse, nearing a point of disintegration and betrayal from within.

“Oh, it seems that Chu Gucheng’s courage is even greater than I imagined. Not only did he capture the real Saintess, but now he plans for his own daughter to impersonate the Saintess and deceive everyone?”

He showed a hint of surprise, as if a little taken aback, then looked at the Xiyuan Saintess. “Your capture by the Xian Chu Hao Tu is indeed going to make things troublesome for me in the future.”

“Are you saying you want to rescue me?” The Xiyuan Saintess suddenly looked at Gu Changge with anticipation in her bright eyes.

Inside this void prison, Chu Gucheng and the others had set at least tens of thousands of prohibitions. However, Gu Changge had been able to enter silently without anyone noticing. Perhaps he could help her escape in the same manner.

“Not yet.”

Gu Changge gently shook his head, ignoring the anticipation in the Xiyuan Saintess’s eyes. “The timing isn’t right yet. It’s not the moment for you to escape.”

Her hopeful expression froze immediately upon hearing his direct refusal. She hadn’t expected him to reject her so decisively and without hesitation.

She had been a little hopeful, thinking that perhaps Gu Changge had come to rescue her. But what did he mean by “the timing isn’t right”? Does that mean he can help her escape, but not now?

Could it be that, like Chu Gucheng, he also wanted to find a place to imprison her?

“I will find a way to escape on my own. There’s no need for you to help me.” The Xiyuan Saintess said firmly, her tone tinged with irritation.

Why had she even expected anything from Gu Changge? Why did she think he would help her?

“Then it looks like the Saintess will have to endure for a while longer. When the time comes, I will come to help you escape.” Gu Changge smiled lightly, ignoring the unhappiness written on her face. He said no more.

The hazy passageway appeared once again, stretching through the void of time and space. His figure drifted away like smoke and quickly vanished.

After watching Gu Changge disappear, the Xiyuan Saintess’s mood grew even more irritable.

She silently recited the “Calming Mind Mantra” in her heart hundreds of times before she could slowly calm her mind.

One could not deny that Gu Changge’s actions tonight had successfully caused ripples in her heart.

“Why are his words and actions so different from what I saw in the Reincarnation Mirror?”

“Should I believe what the Reincarnation Mirror showed me, or should I trust what I saw with my own eyes…?” She murmured to herself.

The next day, an explosive piece of news spread from the imperial capital of Xian Chu Hao Tu, shocking all the guests and dignitaries who had not yet left.

Xian Chu Hao Tu had decided to ally with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to establish the Xiyuan Alliance and jointly resist the upcoming calamity facing the Xiyuan civilization.

This news left all the guests from various Daoist factions greatly shocked and surprised.

In addition, Xian Chu Hao Tu and the Xiyuan Sacred Hall not only planned to form the Xiyuan Alliance but also had intentions of a political marriage.

The ruler, Chu Gucheng, and the Xiyuan Saintess appeared in front of all the guests, standing very close to each other.

The Xiyuan Saintess had completely changed her previous cold attitude towards the ruler, Chu Gucheng. Now, she was chatting and laughing with him, engaged in conversation about something.

This scene stunned all the guests and dignitaries, causing them to question whether they were seeing things correctly. Representatives from various Daoist factions, such as the Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, Guangming Temple, Ling Shen Cave, and Yu Xian Palace, were all deeply shocked and found it hard to believe.

However, the Xiyuan Saintess personally appeared and explained the situation. She stated that after discussing with Elder Jin, the Sage of Law, and others the previous night, she had spent some time thinking things over. She realized that the catastrophe facing the Xiyuan Saintess was unimaginable. This impending disaster would be catastrophic for all Daoist factions of the Xiyuan civilization, and no single faction would be able to face it alone. Everyone would need to unite in order to have even a slim chance of survival.

This conclusion was also supported by what she saw in the Reincarnation Mirror, where the dark mist was once again descending on all worlds. The Xianling civilization had already been covered by this mist, and the area had become a lair for the remnants of the Black Calamity.

Zixiao Mountain was in cahoots with the remnants of the Black Calamity, and even the Demon Court had been corrupted by it, receiving help from the Black Calamity’s remnants behind the scenes. Chu Gucheng, the ruler of Xian Chu Hao Tu, was destined by fate, favored by the heavens, and bore the manifestation of the ancient human emperor. He was the one who had been chosen to face this calamity. Only by placing their hopes on him could the masses possibly survive the great tribulation.

The Xiyuan Saintess’s response was laden with critical information, leaving all the guests stunned and shocked to the core. It could be said that everyone was completely overwhelmed by the revelation.

Previously, the Xiyuan Saintess had stated at the banquet that there was no connection between the Xianling civilization and the Black Calamity’s remnants, and whether Zixiao Mountain was in league with them was still under investigation.

But now, why had she suddenly made a definitive statement?

What has happened in the past few days?

These matters were spoken by the Xiyuan Saintess herself, and although many guests were confused, they didn’t dare to question her.

Many doubts appeared in the minds of those present. No one could understand why the Xiyuan Saintess had suddenly changed her stance. Moreover, since Xian Chu Hao Tu was to form an alliance with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to establish the Xiyuan Alliance, why was there talk of a political marriage?

Although Chu Gucheng had not mentioned the specifics of the marriage, many guests speculated that it would involve a union between him and the Xiyuan Saintess.

The Xiyuan Saintess, as the leader of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, was also the most transcendent figure in the current Xiyuan civilization. Her status was almost unparalleled.

But now, suddenly, she was going to marry the ruler of Xian Chu Hao Tu, Chu Gucheng?

Such an event was like a meteor falling into the deep sea, causing a massive upheaval. Whether true or not, this was something unimaginable and deeply shocking for all cultivators and beings. For all the various Daoist factions, this was also a very ominous sign.

The Xiyuan Sacred Hall had always remained neutral, never interfering with the rise and fall of the various Daoist factions. But now, if they were to get involved with Xian Chu Hao Tu’s affairs, wouldn’t it force the other Daoist factions, such as Yu Xian Palace, Ling Shen Cave, Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, and Guangming Temple, to follow Xian Chu Hao Tu’s orders and revere it?

This would shatter the long-standing stability of the Xiyuan civilization.

Many people began to suspect that the Xiyuan Saintess might have been influenced or coerced by Chu Gucheng to say such things.

The “Silent Buddha” from Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, elders from Guangming Temple and Ling Shen Cave, and others all personally set out to visit the Xiyuan Saintess to understand the cause behind this sudden shift.

In the imperial palace of Xian Chu Hao Tu, Chu Gucheng, the Sage of Law, Elder Jin, and others were already waiting, having anticipated the visits of the many guests.

At the same time, the Xiyuan Saintess, who was also present there, appeared as serene as usual, seemingly unaffected by any changes.

“The Xianling civilization has already been invaded by the dark mist and has fallen to become the lair of the remnants of the Black Calamity. The master behind the Heaven’s Punishment Alliance is also related to these remnants,” the Xiyuan Saintess explained. “At the time of the birthday banquet, I was concerned about his strength and was also trying to stabilize him, which is why I said what I did. Afterward, I secretly discussed with Elder Jin and others and we have now made a decision, which led to my current choice.”

Standing there, draped in a delicate veil, her tall figure surrounded by a misty aura, the Xiyuan Saintess spoke calmly and detachedly, explaining the cause of the events.

“My master, Xiyuan Saintess’s mentor, Xiyu, is an old acquaintance of mine. How could we possibly argue or cause a scene in front of all the guests over such trivial matters? Everything I did at the time was simply to mislead that Gu-surname man,” Elder Jin explained with a smile, addressing the guests.

“Everyone here, my fellow Dao brothers, are trustworthy people, so I won’t waste any more words. The remnants of the Black Calamity have long been secretly eroding and corrupting the Xiyuan civilization. Zixiao Mountain has completely become the pawn of these remnants. If we don’t take action to stop this, once the Black Calamity’s demonic forces grow stronger and begin to devour large swaths of the Xiyuan civilization, no one will be able to stop it. The great tribulation for the Xiyuan civilization will thus begin,” Chu Gucheng said with a serious expression, slowly scanning the faces of the guests who had arrived.

The representatives from Ling Shen Cave, Guangming Temple, Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, and other Daoist factions, as well as Daoist existences from other regions of the vast world, appeared grave and somber. Although they had some doubts about the explanations given by the Xiyuan Saintess and Elder Jin, they did not question them outright. After all, the actions of Zixiao Mountain recently, and the black coffin they had sent, were eerily similar to the remnants of the Black Calamity.

No one dared to take this matter lightly.

“Since Lord Chu, Elder Jin, and the Xiyuan Saintess have all said this, I will certainly believe you. However, if even you are so cautious of that Gu Gongzi behind the Heaven’s Punishment Alliance, how do you plan to deal with him?” An ancient and weathered figure, a hermit cultivator from a mysterious region in the vast world, asked. He wasn’t at the Ancestor Dao realm, but he was certainly not someone to be underestimated.

There were other ancient cultivators in this place, and a number of Daoist existences from other realms and civilizations. If these forces united, they would be a formidable force that could not be ignored.

“Rest assured, everyone. Since the Xiyuan Saintess and I dared to release this information, it is because we have a way to deal with that Gu-surname man. However, we will likely need your help when the time comes,” Chu Gucheng said, his expression heavy.

Though he appeared calm on the outside, internally he was not at ease. The night before, the people he had sent to deal with the Champion Marquis’s close confidants had mysteriously vanished without a trace. This suggested that there was another powerful force in the imperial capital working against him, protecting the Champion Marquis’s confidants.

At that moment, Chu Gucheng had no idea who was behind this, but he suspected it might have something to do with Gu Changge. Meanwhile, deep within the imperial capital of Xian Chu Hao Tu, ancient portals began to open, bathed in radiant glow. Strange mists swirled, and countless orders of power filled the air. From within these portals, many powerful figures emerged, all dressed in colorful armor and wielding large blades, halberds, and spears, their strength unmistakable. They made their way towards the building complex where Yu Xian Palace had temporarily set up camp.

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