Chapter 1323, The Love Tribulation Has Imprinted on You; Coveting the Mirror of Reincarnation

Translator: Fate

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

Elder Xian Yun stared at the familiar figures, feeling somewhat surprised. She had not expected Gu Changge to release not only her but also the others from the Imperial Celestial Palace. It would seem that he was not as evil as she initially thought. Although he did not fully abide by the Dao Oath, he did not harm anybody from the Imperial Celestial Palace either.

 

Watching the Elders and Disciples of the Imperial Celestial Palace walking towards her, she couldn’t help feeling an inexplicable sense of annoyance in addition to her delight. She originally thought that Gu Changge had specially come to loosen her restraints for her, but that was apparently not the case. It turned out that she was simply being too emotional.

 

The irritable feeling had come out of nowhere, seemingly without rhyme or reason. Even she herself did not know why she felt that way. Shaking her head, she pushed aside her emotions and turned around to join the people of the Imperial Celestial Palace.

 

“Everybody seems to be unharmed. It was just a false alarm.”

 

“Young Master Gu is magnanimous indeed. He even released the people of the Imperial Celestial Palace without causing trouble for the Imperial Celestial Palace.”

 

“The Imperial Celestial Palace has wronged him…”

 

Elder Jiu Lin, Elder Li Yu, and the others hurriedly joined Elder Xian Yun. Many of them had a look of shame and regret on their faces, having narrowly escaped death.

 

The Disciples had similar expressions of guilt and sadness. Having experienced the Primary Hope Covenant in person, they finally understood Gu Changge’s magnanimous choice to forgive the Imperial Celestial Palace. They knew that they could not have done what Gu Changge did and benevolently allowed their enemies to go free.

 

When Elder Xian Yun heard those words, her lips twitched in response. She was about to speak when she recalled what Gu Changge mentioned before he departed. In the end, she silently swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

 

“Where are the Young Ancestor and the Founder? Why don’t I see them?” However, the Elders soon realised that they could not see Ling Yuxian anywhere. Feeling astonished, they couldn’t help asking.

 

“The Young Ancestor was not imprisoned with us. But, she has a close relationship with Young Master Gu. I’m sure she won’t be harmed. On the contrary, the Founder…” The Ancestors involuntarily heaved a sigh at those words, feeling rather worried.

 

Gu Changge might have freed them, but that did not mean that he would also forgive their Founder, Ling Yuling. His decision to release them was not without certain requirements on their part. After all, he was not a particularly good person either.

 

Although the Imperial Celestial Palace did not suffer heavy casualties or damages like the other Forces, they could no longer hinder the expansion of the Heavenslayers Alliance in the future. They had to recognise the Heavenslayers Alliance as their Master and obey the orders of the Heavenslayers Alliance.

 

In short, they had effectively become the vassals of the Heavenslayers Alliance. That was the condition Gu Changge had given them before he released them.

 

Following a discussion between the Ancestors and the Elders of the Imperial Celestial Palace, they realised that they had no other choice in the matter. Compared to being imprisoned in the Dark Cage, it was better for them to temporarily compromise so that they could escape their current situation.

 

In any case, it was a relatively acceptable concession as a surrender. They just needed to go under the Heavenslayers Alliance.

 

The entire the Primary Hope Civilisation personally witnessed Gu Changge’s fearsome strength and the Heavenslayers Alliance’s mighty power. Innumerable Forces were already willingly joined the Heavenslayers Alliance during this period as a result, voluntarily accepting the constraints and authority of the Heavenslayers Alliance.

 

Elder Xian Yun was stunned. It never occurred to her that Gu Changge’s success and dominion were based on having them fall in line.

 

If even the Imperial Celestial Palace chose to surrender, then the entire the Primary Hope Civilisation would hereafter have to live under the shadow of the Heavenslayers Alliance. No wonder Gu Changge made that statement at the time. He had already predicted and manipulated the situation such that the entire Primary Hope Civilisation would end up like this from the very beginning.

 

On the other side, Gu Changge dispelled the Restrictions that bound Ling Yuxian’s body and then took her to meet her Older Sister, Ling Yuling, at her request.

 

Black mist permeated the dark and gloomy dungeon. Dead silence blanketed the entire area, so there was no sound at all. It was almost as though one had been exiled to the frigid and eternal Boundless Void. A faint ripple suddenly spread out. In the next moment, Gu Changge appeared with Ling Yuxian.

 

Gu Changge did not step into the dungeon and simply waited outside.

 

Ling Yuling quietly sat cross-legged in meditation. Her hair was dishevelled. Beneath her skirt, her fair and slender ankles bled from countless small wounds caused by the abrasion from the shackles around her feet. Her clothes were also stained with blood. Although she looked absolutely miserable, she remained as elegant and dignified as a celestial snow lotus blooming in the middle of a bloody mire.

 

The stab wound that penetrated her abdomen was healing very slowly. In fact, the horrifying gaping wound could still be seen. There was another injury on her forehead that sliced so deep the bone below could nearly be seen. Scar tissue had formed around the sides of the wound, but the wound itself still occasionally oozed with blood.

 

“Sister!” When Ling Yuxian saw her Older Sister’s current condition, she felt a stab of pain in her chest. She covered her mouth in shock and horror, feeling a little faint. Despite knowing that her Older Sister was ‘suffering from her own misdeeds’, she could not bear to see her in such a pitiful state.

 

Her Older Sister had always loved cleanliness and maintained an image of flawless beauty, dignity, and elegance at all times. When had her Sister ever shown such a miserable appearance before?

 

“Yuxian…” Upon hearing the noise, Ling Yuling slowly opened her eyes. She did not complain about her current situation. In fact, her expression was very calm. “I’m afraid I have disappointed you, but you have to believe me.”

 

She glanced at Ling Yuxian with an apologetic look in her eyes. Then, she noticed that Ling Yuxian was not restrained by any shackles or collars. Thinking about her current situation, she involuntarily gave a self-deprecating smile.

 

Ling Yuxian nodded vigorously. “I believe you. I shouldn’t have doubted you. You’ve never been the scheming, vicious, and ungrateful person that they claimed you to be.”

 

Ling Yuling nodded and spoke with relief. “I’m relieved that nothing happened to you.”

 

Ling Yuxian snuck a glance at Gu Changge, who was standing outside the Dark Cage, and whispered, “Senior Brother Gu did not cause trouble for the Imperial Celestial Palace. In fact, he did not harm anybody in the Imperial Celestial Palace either. After visiting you, I will have to return to the Imperial Celestial Palace immediately. I cannot allow those in the Imperial Celestial Palace to feel frightened and uneasy, but I will definitely figure out a way to rescue you.”

 

Although she believed that her Older Sister was the one who conspired against Gu Changge, she had no evidence to prove her claim. Naturally, she had no evidence to prove Ling Yuling’s innocence either. The fact that Gu Changge had not harmed anybody from the Imperial Celestial Palace out of consideration for their past friendship was already an act of utmost benevolence. She could not expect him to also unconditionally release her Older Sister.

 

“It’s enough as long as you’re safe. I have dragged the Imperial Celestial Palace down with my actions. Your original idea and decision were correct. I was the one who was wrong…” Ling Yuling smiled slightly. She glanced at Gu Changge standing outside the Dark Cage. His figure might be hidden from sight by the black fog, but she was certain he was there. After all, how could her Younger Sister visit her without his permission?

 

Regarding the whole Primary Hope Covenant, there was no denying that Gu Changge had shown immense kindness and made great concessions to the Imperial Celestial Palace. She was involuntarily swamped with feelings of guilt and regret. If not for her prejudice and misunderstanding at the beginning, perhaps the situation might have had a completely different outcome altogether.

 

Afterwards, Ling Yuxian further discussed other matters with her Older Sister before she departed with great reluctance. She originally wanted to help heal some of her Older Sister’s wounds, but she was concerned that her actions might upset Gu Changge.

 

In the end, she could only watch helplessly as her suffered such pain. Her heart was filled with sorrow and helplessness at the sight.

 

“The Elders and Disciples of the Imperial Celestial Palace are waiting for you outside. From today onwards, the Imperial Celestial Palace will obey the rules and commands of the Heavenslayers Alliance. If a similar incident occurs in the future, I will not show mercy to the Imperial Celestial Palace again.” Outside the Dark Cage, Gu Changge calmly watched Ling Yuxian walking towards him and gently reminded her.

 

“I understand. I am different from my Sister. I won’t get in your way.” Ling Yuxian nodded. Then, she raised her face and gazed at him as though she wanted to say something. However, she did not know what to say even though the words were on the tip of her tongue.

 

“Thank you for showing mercy for my sake. Otherwise, the Imperial Celestial Palace would definitely suffer an even worse outcome. My Sister has wronged you, but I believe that she was framed. I will definitely find the real culprit behind this incident and prove her innocence. I will not hinder you in any way.”

 

“I don’t know how I can repay you for your kindness, but I can’t possibly pledge myself to you like how I joked back then…” She mumbled. Seemingly worried that her voice might be too soft for him to hear clearly, she abruptly reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist. Then, she buried her head in his chest as though trying to hide the blush on her face and her flushed ears.

 

Lowering his eyes, he looked at her with a slightly complicated look. He initially wanted to push her away, but he slowly lowered his hand and stroked her hair instead. Then, he answered softly, “I don’t need you to repay me. Not everything in the world is done because we want to receive something in return.”

 

She suddenly lifted her head and stared at him with her beautiful eyes that resembled glittering stones hidden inside a pool of water. She murmured, “My Love Tribulation has probably been imprinted on you…”

 

Not daring to look at him directly, she shifted her gaze in a rare display of embarrassment. She never imagined that she, who had always been a straightforward person, would say such words one day.

 

He laughed and joked, “Then, you should come to me when you are ready to overcome your Love Tribulation.”

 

Those words stunned her for a moment. When she realised that he had twisted the meaning of her words, her face turned even redder than before. She hurriedly explained, “Ah! I-I didn’t mean it that way…”

 

What she meant was that he had solved the intermittent problems that she was facing.

 

Not every cultivator would experience the Love Tribulation. It might be caused by a fateful meeting that blossomed into love at first sight, a moment of impulse, an obstacle when breaking through the cultivation realm, or even a premonition of a great Tribulation in the future.

 

As for the reason she experienced the Love Tribulation, it just so happened that she experienced her first love after cultivating for countless years.

 

“I understand what you mean. It’s getting late, and those from the Imperial Celestial Palace are still waiting for you outside.” Gu Changge smiled and sent her out of the cage without letting her finish her explanation.

 

To him, she was just a chess piece. She always was and always would be, even in the future.

 

After Ling Yuxian’s figure vanished from sight, the smile on his face faded away. He seemed to be deep in thought for a moment. Then, he gently straightened his clothes and walked into the Dark Cage where Ling Yuling was imprisoned.

 

Ling Yuling seemed to have guessed that he would appear before her, so she did not close her eyes and resume her rest when Ling Yuxian departed earlier.

 

“Do you regret the choice you made that day?” He studied her current bedraggled state without the slightest hint of pity in his eyes.

 

She watched him walk towards her. When she heard the question, she first shook her head and then nodded instead. “I regret certain things but not others. If I had figured out everything earlier, then the situation would not have gotten so bad. You forgave the entire Imperial Celestial Palace, Young Master Gu. In addition, you rescued me from the Land of Darkness. Even though you showed me kindness on numerous occasions, I repeatedly failed your goodwill and trust.”

 

“How perfunctory… Your words sound nice, but you were so merciless and cruel when you attacked me. When will you finally mean what you say? In any case, I can’t be bothered to pursue that matter right now.” He swept an indifferent gaze over her.

 

“Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Gu. I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown me,” she murmured softly.

 

“If you are so grateful towards me, why don’t you tell me honestly? Who was mastermind helping you formulate the Primary Hope Covenant and form that Golden Book?” Gu Changge gave a glib laugh and turned to look directly at Ling Yuling.

 

Those words stunned Ling Yuling for a moment. She did not know how he knew about that matter when she had never mentioned anybody being involved in the formulation of the Primary Hope Covenant.

 

Likewise, she never told anybody about the Chaotic Spacetime Sea or Nan Zun either. How was he so sure that there was somebody helping her from the shadows?

 

“Is that the extent of your gratitude?” When he noticed her expression, he reached out and lifted her chin so that she stared directly into his eyes.

 

She swiftly returned to her senses and shook her head. “I took the initiative on this matter alone. There was nobody instigating or helping me from behind.”

 

The matter regarding Nan Zun involved the descendants of her old allies, who ambushed and subdued the Heaven’s Proxy Group in the past.

 

There were too much at stake, so she could not divulge such information. Aside from that, it was not wrong to claim that she had decided on creating the Primary Hope Covenant by herself. She only briefly mentioned the Primary Hope Covenant to the current Holy Ancestor of the Chaotic Spacetime Sea, Nan Zun’s Daughter, and Nan Zun.

 

“It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me. I’m sure you will honestly tell me everything in the future.” Staring into her eyes for some time, he abruptly released his grip on her chin.

 

He was not surprised by this. Besides, he was only testing her to see whether she had been in contact with any other Great Sages. Judging by the current situation, she did not seem to be in contact with any other Great Sages. Nevertheless, it would seem that she was being guided by another existence.

 

She was so shocked by his words that it took some time for her to recover. While pondering over the meaning of his words, she suddenly found that the Dark Cage had melted away like ice and snow. She was standing in a beautiful mountain villa where peach trees and bamboo trees grew in abundance.

 

Birds chirped, and flowers bloomed. A clear spring gurgled nearby, accompanied by gentle breezes. There were various rare and ancient celestial flowers scattered throughout the mountain valley. Light flowed through the valley, creating a strange peace and tranquillity.

 

Meanwhile, the woman named Mu Yan stood nearby with her arms crossed. She was studying Ling Yuling in astonishment.

 

Ling Yuling looked around in bewilderment. She could not understand why Gu Changge brought her here.

 

Be that as it may, Gu Changge showed no intention to explain despite Ling Yuling’s look of confusion. He simply instructed Mu Yan, who was standing nearby, to help Ling Yuling wash and change.

 

“Give her a bath and some clean clothes. Don’t forget to take care of her wounds too,” he ordered calmly. After that, his figure vanished from the mountain valley.

 

Ling Yuling still had the shackles and collars restraining her, so she could not move around freely. Even her cultivation was suppressed. At this moment, she was no different from an ordinary woman.

 

Mu Yan did not have a good impression of Ling Yuling. When she heard Gu Changge’s instructions, she unwillingly stepped forward and angrily said, “Let’s go, Imperial Celestial Palace Founder.”

 

Ling Yuling did not know why Gu Changge allowed her to leave the Dark Cage, so she was very taken aback by the sudden turn of events. However, she obediently followed behind Mu Yan. It was just that she could not move fast. The heavy shackles were connected by several chains, causing each step to require immense strength. They completely restricted her movements.

 

“Alliance Leader, the Primary Hope Saintess did not manage to escape far that day. She reportedly fell into a Spacetime Turbulence due to her severe injuries, and her current whereabouts are unknown. Nevertheless, the situation is just as you predicted. Countless Forces are paying attention to the movements of the Primary Hope Holy Church. Even the other Civilisations outside the Boundless Expanse have sent spies to uncover the whereabouts of the Primary Hope Saintess and the Mirror of Reincarnation. There are just too many Forces coveting the Mirror of Reincarnation.”

 

Inside the great hall at the base of the Heavenslayers Alliance, various existences such as Hun Yuanjun, Zhuo Fengxie, and Chu Heng hurriedly came forward to report as soon as Gu Changge’s figure emerged. They quickly informed that the men they sent to investigate had returned.

 

The Primary Hope Saintess of the Primary Hope Holy Church had gone missing with the Civilisation Supreme Treasure, Mirror of Reincarnation. Her Senior Sister, Xi Yin, had been imprisoned in the Heavenslayers Alliance’s Dark Cage with several other Elders and Disciples.

 

As a result, many ancient beings of the Primary Hope Holy Church had consecutively awakened from their long slumber. They were extremely furious at the situation.

 

Although they wanted the Heavenslayers Alliance to release their people, they were simultaneously afraid of Gu Changge’s strength.

 

The Major Forces were also observing the situation.

 

During this period, they reportedly received support from other Civilisations.

 

With their support, these Major Forces of the Primary Hope Civilisation had their confidence naturally increase exponentially, and they planned to join forces with the Primary Hope Holy Church to demand the release of the prisoners from the Heavenslayers Alliance…