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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
There was a moment of silence in Sky Deer Sanctum following the sudden shout. None of the seated leaders had expected someone to stand up and say something like this to Gu Changge. This surprised them so much that their heads turned to look at Xiao Yang in unison. Even the Supreme Mountain Elder beside him frowned slightly as he thought Xiao Yang was being too impulsive.
Many people grew alarmed when they began to recognise Xiao Yang. “It’s the disciple from the Nine Great Mountains. I heard that he is also the last disciple of the Nine Great Mountains’ Second Mountain Elder. The man in the golden robe beside him is Gu Wudi, the Chosen One from the Nine Great Mountains. Is he trying to get himself killed? Why is he saying something like this now?”
A majority of the crowd was a little dissatisfied. They were worried that Xiao Yang would upset Gu Changge with his behaviour. Now that they were in the same boat, Xiao Yang’s identity wouldn’t stop them from holding him accountable if he ended up affecting the outcome of the situation.
Gu Changge was neither surprised when he heard those words, nor did he care. He let out a small smile and hummed, “You want to see your Master and sister, you say? Sure. I’ll take the chance to show everyone my sincerity.”
As he finished speaking, several figures suddenly came in from outside the sanctum. Everyone couldn’t help looking over, their pupils dilating slightly.
The leader of the group was the Second Mountain Elder of the Nine Great Mountains, whose expression looked conflicted. Even though he hadn’t been tormented, he couldn’t use his cultivation, as it was still sealed.
Behind the Second Mountain Elder was Luo Ying. As for Luo Feng, Gu Changge did not let him come out, for now.
Everyone in the hall was shocked by the sight. When they came back to their senses, they carefully looked at the Second Mountain Elder and Luo Ying, and they let out sighs of relief when they found the duo unharmed. This must be what Gu Changge meant by him showing his sincerity—he didn’t harm his hostages.
This suddenly gave them hope. They might still have a chance of surviving at this trap of a meeting, contrary to their expectations. If Gu Changge wasn’t plotting something bigger, he might really intend to talk of a truce.
“Master… Ying…” Xiao Yang uttered, his eyes suddenly turning red when he saw the Second Mountain Elder and Luo Ying. Blood was thicker than water. Even though he had never met Luo Ying before, his instincts told him that this was his blood related sister.
“Xiao Yang…” The Second Mountain Elder didn’t expect that there would be a day when he would see his apprentice again. His expression was even more complicated. There were more traces of helplessness and regret than relief on his face. He could tell how much Xiao Yang had matured and grown out of his rash self in the past.
Luo Ying stared at Xiao Yang. “Yang…” She, too, was trembling as her eyes reddened. Xiao Yang would be her remaining relative in this world if everything had happened as she thought it would.
Gu Changge kept smiling. “I am a man of my word. I have no problem letting them go if the truce is successfully established.” However, he didn’t give them a chance to reminisce as he waved, and his subordinates beside Luo Ying and the Second Mountain Elder quickly brought them away.
No one in the sanctum dared to say anything to stop him despite seeing this. Xiao Yang, on the other hand, could barely hide his hatred for Gu Changge as a fire burned in his eyes. There were light green runes surging on his body, and his aura seemed to be evolving into an unknown state.
“Let go of my Master and sister, Gu Changge.” He was growling almost like a ferocious beast.
The Supreme Mountain Elder frowned when he saw this. “Be quiet, Xiao Yang!” he roared. Displeased with Xiao Yang, the rest from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains also had their eyebrows pulled together. If it weren’t for them holding themselves back in the presence of the Supreme Mountain Elder, many would have wanted to shut Xiao Yang up themselves. How could a Junior like him kick up a fuss when they, the real ruler of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, hadn’t even spoken yet?
“Please stop, Junior Xiao Yang.” This time, it was Gu Wudi beside Xiao Yang who sighed and tugged on Xiao Yang before he explained under his breath, “Gu Changge has promised to let the Second Mountain Elder and Junior Luo Ying go if the discussion on this truce goes smoothly. He will not go back on his words. You’ll only make matters worse if you keep going.”
Although Xiao Yang also knew this, he couldn’t come to terms with it, especially after seeing his Master and sister with his own eyes. How he wished he could save them and take them away right now.
Gu Changge was not at all concerned about Xiao Yang, who was on edge. To him, Xiao Yang was no different from a dead person. It didn’t bother him one bit to let Xiao Yang ‘bark’ for a bit.
“Young Master Changge, what exactly is the truce you have mentioned?” In the eyes of many, Xiao Yang’s incident was just an episode that was not worth mentioning. They only cared about the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains’ survival. At this moment, the Crimson Shack Domain Ruler stood up. Dressed in a fiery red robe, and even having red hair, he looked like the God of Flames. He exuded an unrivalled aura like a burning fire. His words were also the focus of everyone’s attention as they all looked over immediately upon hearing his words.
Gu Changge continued to unhurriedly sip on his wine as he stayed seated in the main seat. When he heard this Domain Ruler, he put down his cup and smiled. “It’s as the name suggests. I hope to restore peace to both realms and for there to be fewer killings.”
Many people felt their hearts tremble when he said those words. Even though they found it hard to believe, they couldn’t help feeling some hope. Restoring peace was the one thing they wanted more than anything. “Do you mean it?”
“Definitely. I swear on my Dao Heart. Of course, it’s on the premise of how the truce will turn out,” he smilingly hinted.
“You swear on your Dao Heart? Please carefully consider your words, Young Master Changge.”
Everyone present was no stranger to such Oaths, which could be said to be one of the most severe of Oaths for cultivators. No one would dare to violate such an oath unless they did not want to breakthrough their cultivation later in life or were corrupted by heart demons. For these reasons, they believed Gu Changge’s words. They even felt that this meeting did not seem to be as deadly as they thought.
“It seems that you are all clever men and women. Look how well the conversation went!” Gu Changge nodded slightly with a smile on his face. He then added unhurriedly, “Actually, this truce I’ll be suggesting is simple. From today onwards, the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains will be attached to the Upper Realm like the Lower Realm. Other than acting according to the will of the Upper Realm, you have to provide a certain amount of resources and other things every year…”
However, the looks on everyone’s faces had already changed before he finished speaking. Many of them stood up all of a sudden, their expressions immediately turned sullen.
“Don’t push it, Gu Changge! What is the difference between doing this and surrendering and becoming slaves to the Upper Realm? You speak of bringing peace, but what you call peace is clearly turning all of us to slaves! Do forgive us for not agreeing to it.” Several Domain Rulers stood up in unison with sour looks on their faces, and they expressed their anger immediately.
They had some expectations at first, but they finally understood now that they heard Gu Changge’s words. His ‘truce’ was only a guise to hide the fact that it was a slave contract.
“What difference is there between acting according to the Upper Realm’s command and surrendering to the Upper Realm?” The faces of the leaders of the other clans were also extremely gloomy. They thought that Gu Changge was going overboard. [He made us think that he’s merciful enough to let the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains off the hook. In the end, it turns out it was all a ploy to trick everyone here so that he can deal with us all at once.]
Everyone from the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains looked at the Supreme Mountain Elder who had been quiet all this while in hopes of having him voice his opinion.
“It’s not that I haven’t given you a chance. I gave you a choice.” Gu Changge still had a faint smile on his face. “It doesn’t look like you appreciate my offer.”
The moment he uttered those words, the unadulterated killing intent sent a chill up the crowd’s back. [Are we all going to die here?]
The Supreme Mountain Elder frowned again, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Is there no room for compromise?”
For him, this truce wasn’t that important. All he wanted was to save Luo Feng. The fate of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains had nothing to do with him anyway. However, it would be troublesome for him to have to spend time on finding Luo Feng, as Gu Changge hadn’t let him make an appearance yet. The best thing the Supreme Mountain Elder could do now was to drag this conversation on.
“What more do you want? What other choice do you think the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains has? It’s either you live or die.” The smile on Gu Changge’s face fell and turned indifferent. He then stood up, and with a wave of his hand as his words fell, there was a sudden vast and terrifying fluctuation outside the sanctum, like God had come to crush this place. The pressure didn’t stop at just one wave.
*Hum!* In an instant, the entire universe was encased. No creatures could escape from the million-kilometre sealed-off territory.
Everyone in Sky Deer Sanctum immediately paled upon seeing this. [Gu Changge is finally letting his true intentions show.]
I say, take the offer. Not like they have alternatives.
Well what did they expect ? Why would the victor would let go of their victory?
Is living not enough for them?