Chapter 1721. The third princess of the Cicada Clan, had no patience for playing hide-and-seek

Seeing this, the waiter was overjoyed. Carefully accepting the gift, he respectfully withdrew. He had never encountered a guest so generous; such a Dao source would even make a Dao-realm existence envious.

“Cangyun Ancient Domain… this should be the former territory of Xian Chuhao’s dominion. But after its destruction, it has become the territory of the Fatian Alliance.”

“Chenyi Ancient City was also one of the major cities of Xian Chuhao’s dominion. It seems that to investigate matters concerning the Fatian Alliance, I’ll have to stay here for some time.”

After the waiter left, the woman in black waved her hand, sealing the entrance to the cave mansion. Then, lost in thought, she murmured to herself.

The cave mansion seemed small from the outside, but inside it held a world of its own: mountains, ancient peaks, rivers, lakes—everything was complete.

She casually chose a mat to sit on, then raised her hand, and a stream of light appeared, forming a crystal-clear ancient mirror.

In the mirror, the scenes shifted: streams of fire fell from the sky, and deep within, broken rifts in space-time twisted endlessly. Endless black mist poured from these rifts, blotting out the heavens. Entire worlds were quickly consumed by this terrifying black mist until only desolation remained.

“I still can’t find the True Realm that Xiao Jiu had nurtured. Could it have already been offered as a sacrifice to the dark beings?”

“If that’s true… how am I supposed to face her then?”

The woman in black stared intently at the mirror, her brows deeply furrowed. She was the third princess of the Cicada Clan of the ancient Cang civilization.

During the time she had left the Cang civilization, she had been tirelessly pursuing the promise she made to Xiao Jiu.

The sudden Black Calamity interrupted her initial plans, forcing her to search for the True Realm Xiao Jiu had nurtured.

A newly born True Realm is truly like a speck of dust in the vast expanse of the universe. Against such a sudden catastrophe, there can be no real resistance. She feared for any accidents that might occur.

Even though she had once left the coordinates of the vast expanse, finding that True Realm afterward proved extremely difficult. Despite all her efforts, she could not trace its location; no matter how she calculated, there was no sign of it—as if it had never existed.

This worried her deeply. She feared that the True Realm might already have become sustenance for the dark beings, consumed by the black mist like so many other newly born True Realms.

If that were the case, how could she explain it to her sister, Xiao Jiu?

“Xiao Jiu, for the sake of the Cicada Clan, did not hesitate to lower her dignity and seek the High Priest’s forgiveness. Yet I… cannot even fulfill my small promise to watch over that newly born True Realm…”

The woman in black could not help but sigh. In her heart, she had already given up hope. Over the years of the Black Calamity’s resurgence, countless newly born True Realms had perished, sacrificed as nourishment. One more True Realm would hardly be surprising.

Now that she had arrived in the territory of the Fatian Alliance, she had to focus on her previous plans. She no longer had the energy to search for that True Realm.

Whether the Cicada Clan could escape its predetermined trajectory and break free from the torrent of fate depended entirely on this gamble.

Her eyes reflected deep contemplation. The main purpose of her visit to the Fatian Alliance’s territory was to determine whether it could truly “defy Heaven” as its name claimed.

The Alliance Leader, revered by countless cultivators and beings as godlike and omnipotent, could he truly accomplish this?

If he could, then even if her actions might plunge the Cicada Clan into irrevocable disaster, she would still take this gamble.

“Countless ages have passed. My Clan’s Patriarch was once a figure capable of shaping Heaven and Earth. Yet now, my clan can only serve as a subsidiary to a True Realm, dependent on others, coerced into submission… how pitiful…”

At this thought, her emotions swelled, her eyes filled with deep sorrow and unwillingness.

Nebulae swirled, chaos descended, and endless mottled mist enveloped this region. This was an unknown area, vast and boundless, accessible only at specific times and nodes.

Around the chaotic nodes, fragments of broken time swirled through the void. Even Dao-realm cultivators would find it difficult to pierce through.

For ordinary cultivators, the aura here was terrifying; one moment could shred a person into countless fragments, making this one of the most dangerous forbidden zones.

“The entrance to Jie Kong Ridge is here. I only arrived by chance back then and met Shang Chongming, the second-in-command of Jie Kong Ridge.”

A young man with delicate and handsome features, speaking respectfully while looking at the chaotic region, said, “Shang Chongming has endured eight Heaven Decay Tribulations, yet he is only the second-in-command. The first-in-command of Jie Kong Ridge should surely be impressive.”

Next to him, a young man with the aura of a deity, elegant and otherworldly, smiled faintly at the remark. He wore a black narrow-sleeved robe, sleeves embroidered with sun, moon, and stars, hands folded behind his back, hair and sleeves drifting gently in the wind. He was none other than Gu Changge, who had left the Fatian Alliance.

“I did not meet the first-in-command of Jie Kong Ridge at the time, but Shang Chongming respects them greatly. Their power must be considerable,” the delicate young man remarked.

This man was Changming Daojun, who had long submitted to the Fatian Alliance. After the Xi Yuan Alliance Pact was destroyed, he had not had time to escape with Shang Chongming and the others. Captured and imprisoned, he voluntarily submitted to Gu Changge, pledging his service.

“I hope he does not disappoint me.”

Gu Changge smiled faintly, casually gesturing. The chaotic region before them tore apart like an ink painting, and a rift appeared ahead.

Since the birth of the Zhengyi Alliance, after deciding to rival the Fatian Alliance, Gu Changge had not been idle. While Ling Yuling managed the Alliance, he was also assembling a new force.

This force was temporarily named the Fatian Division, to distinguish it from the Tianzhong and Congzhong.

Unlike the fanatical believers of the Fatian Guards, those chosen for the Fatian Division must possess extraordinary abilities.

During this time, he had explored the surrounding areas of the Xi Yuan civilization thoroughly. No hidden existence could escape his perception.

Jie Kong Ridge was one of the stronger locations in his awareness.

Leading the way, Changming Daojun stepped forward, followed calmly by Gu Changge.

Passing through dense mists into the boundless star river, the area was vast and filled with brilliant stars.

Looking out, massive stars floated one after another, with layers of mountains suspended among the starfield. Each territory was vibrant, brimming with spiritual energy.

From above, oceans of azure water and lush land stretched across the stars, exuding a wild, primordial aura, as if untouched by the outside world.

“Dong, dong, dong…”

Ancient beasts ran through the mountains, scales gleaming, their lifeblood surging.

Immense primordial birds, like Vermilion Phoenixes, tore across the sky, blood-red, cries echoing across mountains and stars.

This was a prehistoric scene, where rare ancient species roamed.

Many tribes lived here, each naturally powerful. Though isolated from the greater cosmos and unable to traverse outer regions, they all understood cultivation and were formidable.

“Dang, dang, dang…”

However, as Gu Changge and Changming Daojun arrived, a tremendous bell began to toll.

The heavens trembled. An ancient bronze bell, shattering nearby mountains, rose amidst dust, swinging across the sky.

The grand bell’s sound rippled through the void, shattering millennia of silence, causing immediate commotion.

Deep within the massive stars, at the edge of the mountains, floating city-palaces, countless beings were stunned, rising into the air. They had not heard such a bell in countless years.

Jie Kong Ridge, a secluded forbidden land beyond mortal reach, had its tranquility shattered. This either meant an external enemy had arrived, or the ridge faced a terrifying force capable of destruction.

Boom!

Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted. Blood rained, white bone fragments scattered. Countless beings saw a figure plummet from the sky, drenched in blood, a massive hole piercing the chest, edges charred, exuding destruction.

The body struck the ground, shattering nearby stars, leaving terrifying chasms.

“I-is the Sixth Leader…”

Seeing the figure, all beings trembled in fear, unable to believe it.

Jie Kong Ridge had nine leaders, each having endured multiple Heaven Decay Tribulations. Even the Third and Second Leaders had reached the Ancestral Dao Realm after seven tribulations.

Yet now, the mighty Sixth Leader fell, heavily wounded, having resisted nothing.

From the depths of the heavens, terrifying energy still surged, blood-colored lightning interweaving into a boundless ocean.

A figure in a black robe emerged leisurely, hands folded behind him, calm and indifferent, as if gazing down upon all beings. Every soul felt a bone-chilling cold, as though frozen.

Changming Daojun could not hide his shock, following Gu Changge respectfully. He had not noticed the sudden arrival of the Sixth Leader, despite being an Ancestral Dao Realm existence himself.

But the Sixth Leader’s might was useless; he had not even reached Gu Changge before a casual point of his finger sent a light beam through his chest, hurling him away severely wounded.

“Esteemed guest, Jie Kong Ridge apologizes for any lack of hospitality and disturbances.”

From deep within the city-palace, figures emerged. At the forefront was an old man, bowing respectfully, his eyes filled with fear.

He was not human; a pair of black horns protruded from his forehead, yet he was larger than ordinary beings.

Behind him, more figures arrived, ancient beings of all races native to Jie Kong Ridge. Their eyes were filled with terror at Gu Changge.

Among them, other leaders moved to help the fallen Sixth Leader.

“Esteemed guest… I seek not you, but the Grand Leader. Have them appear directly, and much trouble and time can be saved.”

Gu Changge descended from the air, smiling faintly, speaking directly.

“Greetings, Alliance Leader.”

From afar, Shang Chongming appeared, solemn, already anticipating Gu Changge’s arrival.

Having fled previously, he had avoided returning to Jie Kong Ridge until his injuries healed.

The Fatian Alliance had been expanding, absorbing neighboring civilizations and True Realms. Coupled with the Black Calamity, he had no chance to act until now.

Regarding the Xi Yuan Alliance Pact, he said nothing, only informing a few trusted leaders. Initially, they feared repercussions, but eventually relaxed when nothing occurred.

“Oh? You’ve returned to Jie Kong Ridge. You do not seem surprised by my presence. But I am not here as an enemy. Today, I intend only to recruit your Grand Leader.”

Gu Changge’s gaze briefly swept across Shang Chongming. His casual, disdainful demeanor made the Ridge’s inhabitants tense; they did not see it as mere arrogance.

His recruitment was effortless but carried implicit threat, evident from his immediate severe attack on their Sixth Leader.

Though Jie Kong Ridge had no contact with the outside world, it was aware of events beyond.

The Fatian Alliance’s reputation had already spread across all realms, feared and avoided by countless beings.

Many civilizations and True Realms had been consumed; defiance meant annihilation. And today, the Alliance Leader himself had arrived—how could they not be terrified?

“The Grand Leader has not appeared for many aeons. Whether they remain here, we do not know.”

“If the Alliance Leader wishes to see the Grand Leader, other means may be required…”

Shang Chongming spoke with sincerity, having witnessed Gu Changge’s methods firsthand. Even combined forces and the Cycle Mirror of civilization treasures could not resist him. He dared not conceal anything.

Gu Changge’s expression remained unchanged. He smiled faintly.

“I have no patience for hide-and-seek. I know where your Grand Leader is. They would not want me tearing apart Jie Kong Ridge either.”

Shang Chongming and the others’ expressions changed drastically. Though Gu Changge spoke casually, they felt an indescribable terror, suffocating even their breath.

“Second Leader…”

A child-like being with a high ponytail frowned at Shang Chongming, eyes full of anger and frustration.

Once, they had been supreme figures, ruling worlds, unafraid of life or death. Now, being threatened so directly was unbearable.

Shang Chongming’s face paled. Just as he intended to speak, a heavy sound erupted from deep within Jie Kong Ridge, from an area shrouded in miasma and mist.

An ancient, decaying coffin shot out, dense, surging miasma spiraling skyward like smoke, obscuring the heavens.

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