Chapter 1719. The Dao emphasized balance and restraint, and it was pleasing to witness such outcomes

After the formation of the Zhengyi Alliance, the civilizations of various True Realms seemed to have found a central pillar. They banded together, establishing mutual aid pacts.

Originally distant from one another, the True Realms began opening and connecting through temporal-spatial channels. This way, when dark creatures attacked, they could dispatch their strongest beings to assist immediately.

Moreover, within the Zhengyi Alliance, there appeared a group of Inspectors composed of beings at the Ancestral Dao Realm. Periodically, they patrolled the various domains, eliminating mysterious and potentially dark-creature threats.

The nations of the True Realms set aside past grievances, collecting ancient records from different eras to find methods of countering the dark creatures.

Within just a few years, around the territories of the Alliance, numerous rune-based barrier arrays were constructed, modeled after the Fatian Alliance’s safe zones.

Countless cultivators and beings patrolled these defenses daily, effectively leaving the dark creatures with no holes to infiltrate.

Amidst this opportunity, more and more sects and lineages began joining the Zhengyi Alliance, including the most powerful True Realms and even ancient divine kingdoms with Ancestral Gods seated within.

Unlike the Fatian Alliance’s “tyrannical and overbearing” style, the Zhengyi Alliance emphasized balance and fairness. There was no concept of governance or subjugation.

The Alliance’s rules stated that any member of the Zhengyi Alliance could receive assistance from other members when under attack by dark creatures.

Once the Black Calamity passed, the Zhengyi Alliance would naturally dissolve, imposing no restrictions on any member’s freedom.

Indeed, the Zhengyi Alliance arose out of justice during a special period of the Calamity. When the disaster ended, it would disappear naturally, with no need to continue existing.

Compared with the Fatian Alliance, the Zhengyi Alliance was far freer and more lenient—there was no so-called domination or governance.

Furthermore, the Alliance was established jointly by the strongest civilizations of the True Realms. At its founding, the beings at the Ancestral Dao Realm swore a great Dao oath, emulating the ancient sages, binding themselves with blood, invoking the words of the Heavenly Dao.

The Heavenly Dao of each civilization roared in response for months on end. The birth of the Zhengyi Alliance was under the protection of the Heavenly Dao, existing according to destiny.

Every member who joined the Alliance would, in some way, be bound by the celestial pact, ensuring the fairness of the agreement.

Unquestionably, once this news spread, it caused tremendous waves and shock throughout the boundless regions.

Countless clans and powers rejoiced and felt relieved, while those who had joined the Fatian Alliance early and were under its control felt complicated emotions—regret and resentment.

“Why wasn’t the Zhengyi Alliance formed earlier? Then we would have had more options.”

The appearance of the Zhengyi Alliance indeed played a significant role. In the current turbulent world, it provided a sense of security to the civilizations of the True Realms.

Even the ancient True Realms, not to mention the strongest ones with profound legacies, were enticed and joined the Zhengyi Alliance immediately.

For many, the rise of the Zhengyi Alliance seemed like an unstoppable trend. The ever-growing power of the Fatian Alliance had already made civilizations of the True Realms wary, feeling a terrifying pressure, prompting them to devise countermeasures. They could not allow the Fatian Alliance to dominate the entire expanse.

It could be said that the emergence of the Black Calamity accelerated the rise of this trend and led to the premature formation of the Zhengyi Alliance.

Even without the Black Calamity, a similar force would eventually arise to counter the Fatian Alliance.

The Dao emphasizes balance and checks; it would not allow the Fatian Alliance to grow unchecked.

“Zhao Xiuyan, how dare you…”

In the Broken Yang True Realm, amidst a desolate and shattered cosmos, a world-shaking battle had ended. Shattered star remnants floated everywhere, mingled with drifting blood mist.

A tall, stunningly beautiful figure stood amidst the dense magical fog. Black hair cascaded down, partially obscuring her flawless celestial face, only her ancient, cold, and profound eyes staring down at the broken figure beneath her.

Not far off, a hunched old man’s face was a mix of terror, anger, and resentment.

“Does he really dare to provoke me? It seems Wunian Mountain has declined in this era.”

The tall, beautiful figure had chaotic mist swirling around her palm, interwoven with eternal, undying magical light.

A crimson heart beat forcefully in her delicate, pale palm, like a war drum, vibrating the entire universe.

Her tone was cold, emotionless, like an eternal iceberg.

“You may be the most likely young master of the Zhaomiefu, but you cannot humiliate Wunian Mountain like this.”

The hunched old man, as its protector, had failed to safeguard it. Even if he returned alive, he could not escape blame. His eyes reddened as he charged at Zhao Xiuyan in fury, intending to make her pay.

Yet Zhao Xiuyan did not even blink, merely watching coldly.

Boom!

A terrifying pale hand shot from the void, crushing the old man.

Blood illuminated the universe, the void, sun, moon, and stars dyed crimson, bones splintering and scattering. It was as if a blood-red sun erupted there, horrifying in scale.

Countless beings and cultivators trembled in fear. A near-Daorealm being was annihilated in this universe. The force unleashed was unparalleled. If not for the strong rules of the Broken Yang True Realm, the entire universe might have exploded.

“Xiuyan, you are too domineering. He only dared to provoke you verbally…”

A pale middle-aged woman emerged from the void, slightly helplessly looking at Zhao Xiuyan.

“It’s fine. Wunian Mountain will no longer trouble me,” Zhao Xiuyan replied calmly, closing her eyes, seemingly replaying the battle in her mind.

The middle-aged woman shook her head, clearing the battlefield and bloodstains with a wave of her hand.

“This is over ten thousand points of Destiny Energy—enough to support my next projection.”

“Hongmeng Golden Book…”

Zhao Xiuyan whispered in her mind. A radiant golden light appeared, an ancient golden book unfolding in her consciousness. Lines of ancient, blurry text appeared in her mind:

[Name]: Zhao Xiuyan

[Cultivation]: Late Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm

[Fate Talent]: Born with a demonic heart, cursed body

[Recent Trajectory]: To break through the Immortal Emperor Realm, sought great fortune, killed the core seed of Wunian Mountain (Mu Tong), retaliated by Wunian Mountain, rescued by a mysterious person, successfully passed eight Calamity Tribulations, later absorbed Jiesheng Hall and the Afterlife Cave, annihilated Wunian Mountain

[Destiny Energy]: 20,000 points (can currently be consumed once, will reset to zero afterward)

“After reaching the late Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm, each projection of recent trajectory consumes 20,000 points of Destiny Energy?” Zhao Xiuyan mused.

“At this pace, I wonder how long it will take to break through the Dao Realm.”

She was certain Wunian Mountain could not trouble her because she knew its future, soon to be punished and destroyed by her father, the head of Zhaomiefu.

She also knew that Wunian Mountain’s demise was part of the grand trend.

Currently, Broken Yang True Realm and Shangyin True Realm had set aside enmity, joining other True Realms to form the Zhengyi Alliance against the Black Calamity.

Her father, the Zhaomiefu Master, with help from a mysterious person, successfully passed eight Tribulations, absorbing Jiesheng Hall and the Afterlife Cave.

Previously, Jiesheng Hall had fractured because its master, sensing the Tribulation, forcibly attempted eight Calamity Tribulations and failed.

One who passes eight Tribulations in the now-fallen Broken Yang True Realm is of unmatched significance.

Wunian Mountain’s clash with fate made it a warning to others.

“Hongmeng Golden Book, consume 20,000 points of Destiny Energy, project the next recent trajectory…” Zhao Xiuyan thought.

A golden light flickered in her mind. The Golden Book’s ancient text twisted and changed:

[Recent Trajectory]: Fought in the Unpeaked Sea for a hundred years, comprehended the Immortal Emperor’s truth, formed Immortal Emperor Dao Fruit, broke through to the Immortal Emperor Realm, designated successor of Zhaomiefu by its Master, joined Zhengyi Alliance’s Vanguard, while patrolling defenses, ambushed by dark creatures, corrupted by dark matter, severely wounded.

“Ambushed by dark creatures, corrupted by dark matter, severely wounded? I must prepare in advance.”

“Feng Yi, let’s go.”

Zhao Xiuyan opened her eyes, looking at the middle-aged woman nearby. In just a few thousand years, she had advanced from the Immortal King Realm to the late Quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm, thanks largely to the Hongmeng Golden Book bestowed by Gu Changge.

Her breakthrough speed was considered miraculous in the Broken Yang True Realm. She was widely regarded as the most likely future Young Master of Zhaomiefu.

The middle-aged woman was her protector, a virtual Dao Realm being who had passed three Calamity Tribulations.

Suddenly, a blinding light shot up from the center of Broken Yang True Realm, illuminating the universe, making space transparent and crystalline.

Divine and ancient phenomena appeared: gigantic Daoic golden lotuses, dragons responding, phoenixes soaring, tigers crouching… countless signs of ancient times, all manifested.

Stars trembled as if shaken, waves of terrifying energy spreading across space and time, chilling every being to the bone.

“Someone has passed eight Calamity Tribulations…” an Ancestral Dao Realm exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.

Passing seven Tribulations already placed one at the pinnacle of the boundless; eight Tribulations was nearly unattainable.

In the Broken Yang True Realm, none had passed eight Tribulations in countless eons.

At that moment, even nearby ancient True Realms were affected. This supreme aura spread through space-time, flowing into every corner of the void.

At the center of Broken Yang True Realm, a towering figure stood, wrapped in infinite light, surrounded by three thousand ancient realms, countless beings bowing.

Various sacred, ancient sounds—ritual, world, cosmic—resonated throughout, reverberating across the heavens.

“This is the Master of Zhaomiefu, he passed eight Calamity Tribulations…”

“Unbelievable… how could it be him?”

Many of the strongest in Broken Yang True Realm were shocked beyond belief.

“Indeed, he passed,” Zhao Xiuyan observed calmly, unaffected by the grandeur around her.

She was not surprised by her father’s achievement, only curious about the mysterious person who aided him.

The rise of the Zhengyi Alliance seemed connected to this mysterious figure.

Zhao Xiuyan had a premonition: the Zhengyi Alliance’s emergence would not stabilize the world; instead, it would intensify chaos.

The Black Calamity’s appearance further accelerated the turmoil, driving events towards unpredictable paths.

“However, such chaos benefits me. Only with more people of great fortune appearing can I break through the Dao Realm sooner…”

“He said that day, we would meet again.”

A fleeting hope appeared on Zhao Xiuyan’s icy expression.

Centuries passed.

Since the Zhengyi Alliance’s formation, uniting the True Realms against the Black Calamity, it had grown massively. More sects and civilizations joined, gradually forming a force rivaling the Fatian Alliance.

Yet the Fatian Alliance remained unmoved, continuing its expansion and absorbing nearby civilizations, like a snowball rolling at a fixed pace.

Even with the Zhengyi Alliance, it could not alter the fate of civilizations near the Xiyuan Civilization. The Alliance’s reach was limited, and those civilizations had to submit to the Fatian Alliance to survive.

Some civilizations attempted to migrate en masse to the Alliance, only to be ambushed by dark creatures mid-journey, devoured by black mist.

Centuries in the context of the ancient boundless expanse were but fleeting moments. Dark creatures continued rampaging, clans were destroyed, civilizations consumed.

Some of the strongest True Realms neither joined the Alliance nor heeded the Fatian Alliance, relying on their own strength to resist.

For Gu Changge, all changes over these centuries—the birth of the Zhengyi Alliance, the demise of clans, the extinction of True Realms—were all as expected.

The prelude had only begun; the grand drama was yet to unfold. He had not interfered with the Fatian Alliance’s expansion, in fact, he welcomed the rise of the Zhengyi Alliance. He even hoped it would grow strong enough to counterbalance the Fatian Alliance.

Deep within the Unending Immortal Dynasty, in the grand imperial capital, a vast immortal isle hung suspended.

Within the isle, few halls and palaces existed. Only a quiet residence stood, surrounded by seven-colored mists. Crystal-clear waters rippled.

A tall, slender figure stood by the lotus pond, where endless lotus leaves stretched to the sky. Pearly dewdrops fell, creating ripples in the water.

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