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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
Editor: Etkan
It went without saying that the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being was far from pleased. Gu Changge’s rogue actions, particularly the public announcement of his existence, rankled the powerful entity. The feeling of being a pawn in his disciple’s game was a bitter pill to swallow.
“My disciple,” the Supreme Being began, his voice a low rumble that held a carefully veiled edge of irritation. “While I appreciate your…enthusiasm, informing me beforehand would have been the proper course of action.” Despite his annoyance, his expression remained a mask of benignity, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
Gu Changge, ever the master of deception, offered a nonchalant shrug. “Master,” he replied, his tone smooth as silk, “the situation in the Upper Realm is precarious. The Eternal Overcast looms, and their fear cripples them. By revealing your potential as their savior, we can leverage their desperation to achieve our goals.”
The Supreme Being studied Gu Changge with a piercing gaze that seemed to see through all pretenses. A silent conversation passed between them, a complex dance of hidden agendas and unspoken threats. Did Gu Changge truly believe his own words? Or was there a deeper, more manipulative scheme at play?
Undeterred by the scrutiny, Gu Changge pressed on, outlining his plan in meticulous detail. He spoke of manipulating the Immortal Forces, playing them against each other in a desperate scramble for the Supreme Being’s favor. The ensuing chaos would create the perfect opportunity for him to make his own move.
A flicker of approval, genuine or otherwise, crossed the Supreme Being’s face. Gu Changge’s ruthless cunning was undeniable, a valuable tool in the grand scheme of things. However, a seed of doubt lingered. Could Gu Changge, once unleashed, be controlled?
The answer, the Supreme Being knew, would determine the fate of the Upper Realm. A storm was brewing, and even the most powerful beings were not immune to its fury.
“Very well,” the Supreme Being finally conceded, a hint of resignation in his voice. He knew better than to argue with Gu Changge within the confines of the Immortal Gu Family’s territory. Besides, there were other matters at hand. During his seclusion, he had undoubtedly sensed Gu Changge’s attempts to decipher the ancient well fragments. He knew the young man was hiding something, something potentially of immense power.
Gu Changge, for his part, was well aware of the Supreme Being’s suspicions. A smug smile played on his lips. He had lured the ancient entity into a false sense of security, positioning the Gu Family as a deterrent against any rash actions. The Supreme Being would likely underestimate him, perhaps even attempt to lure him away from the safety of his familial home base.
[He thinks I fear him,] Gu Changge thought with a hint of amusement. [He’ll try to draw me out, perhaps to some forgotten corner of the Upper Realm. A perfect opportunity to strike.]
“Indeed, a wise decision, Master,” Gu Changge replied, his voice dripping with false sincerity. “To maintain the momentum, I shall announce that you will appear in the Divine City within seven days to discuss the Eternal Overcast with the combined forces of the Upper Realm.”
The Supreme Being’s expression flickered ever so slightly. He hadn’t anticipated Gu Changge having everything so meticulously planned. Refusal, at this point, was not an option.
News of the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being’s impending arrival spread like wildfire through the Upper Realm, meticulously fanned by Gu Changge’s machinations. The announcement sent shockwaves rippling across every corner – the legendary figure, a beacon of hope in these desperate times, would appear within a week. Once again, the Upper Realm braced itself for another earth-shattering event.
The cultivators who doubted his existence were gobsmacked by the news and decided to head over to the Divine City to witness things for themselves.
Thanks to this piece of news, the Upper Realm was in a state of flurried action.
The Godly Illusion Clan, Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, Unrivalled Celestial Dynasty, Hidden Celestial An Clan, and far too many other Forces jumped into action as well. They sent their Ancestors or even their hidden experts to the Divine City to meet the legendary figure of the Celestial Ancient Era. Some ripped through the universe while others rode over on their border-shattering ancient battleships.
When it came to seniority, the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being was even more ancient than the Mortal Ones of Mortal Palace.
Only those who had a clear understanding of what he represented knew the significance of the fact that he was still alive.
The Upper Realm was full of commotion. Every day, there were a multitude of divine rainbows cutting across the skies with the Divine City as their final destination.
The younger generation was just as intrigued and excited by this news as the older ones.
Even though they knew that the Successor of Demonic Arts was most likely hiding somewhere and that they ran the risk of becoming the Successor’s prey, they remained unafraid.
The Divine City stood tall and majestic like an Immortal City amidst the mortal world. It dazzled with shining rays and mists of light.
There were many islands and Mystic Mountains within the city. The silvery waterfalls and blankets of stars made it seem like an ancient Small Universe. Countless palaces and pavilions were nestled within the city. Just the city gates alone felt like the pillars of heaven that could hold up all four corners of the universe, giving off a feeling of boundlessness.
Not many ancient cities in the Upper Realm had the honour of becoming known as a Divine City. When the demoness in red rose from the Demon-Burying Abyss, Gu Changge teamed up with other experts to ambush her at a Divine City she was certain to pass through.
That Divine City was nearly wrecked from the fight. A large portion of the city walls had crumbled into a pile of rubble.
Countless runes collapsed and were destroyed by the millstone of eternity.
The current Divine City was different from the one which had been almost levelled, but it also had endless runes carved into its city walls.
Deep within this part of the universe, the divine light shone so brilliantly that it dazzled even in broad daylight.
The city was full of defensive devices and covered in the brilliance of Dao which made its atmosphere rather intimidating.
No one apart from the True Daoists dared to move around with ease.
For the past few days, the city gates were wide open as many ancient battleships, flying ships, and dragon carriages arrived carrying all of the most prominent people of the Upper Realm.
Many cultivators were floored to find the Sect Masters of various Immortal Sects carefully and respectfully accompanying a few elderly people with white hair and clouded eyes.
They were both shocked and frightened when they realised that the cultivation of these elderly people could only be described as unimaginable and incomprehensible.
Even the True Daoists paled in front of them.
“I didn’t think that the hidden experts of the Immortal Forces would have surfaced as well…”
“They could be Remnant Immortals or those who came close to that realm.”
The cultivators within the Divine City were stunned to the core. No one could sit still any longer once the news broke out that the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being was going to make an appearance.
*Rumble!*
The void trembled as an enormous ancient battleship cut a path through the sky. The words ‘Godly Illusion’ were clearly visible on the battleship’s clan flag. It landed deep within the Divine City.
The experts of the Godly Illusion Clan had arrived.
A golden-haired woman with a tall, slender body and a dignified aura stood atop the battleship. She was a great beauty. Her eyes seemed to sparkle like two brilliant suns, but her sharp, piercing gaze struck fear in the hearts of the cultivators who met her eyes. They all quickly lowered their heads.
Jiang Luoshen, the Princess of the Godly Illusion Clan, had once come into close contact with Gu Changge when they were inside the Godly Illusion Tomb. She was then taken hostage by him and brought into the Demon World where she ended up spending some time with him.
Although it had been quite a long period since she last appeared in the Upper Realm, not many would have forgotten her. After all… she was the legendary woman who had the gall to criticise Gu Changge. Though, they also heard that she suffered greatly when he taught her a fairly harsh lesson later on.
Nevertheless, this did not affect the breathtaking image that everyone else had of her. Her long, golden tresses that seemed to flicker with golden light and her flawless, sculpted features to her noble and aloof air. Everything about her made her seem to stand high above all others.
Many cultivators were surprised to find that she had come to the Divine City at this time, especially the younger ones.
The older ones did not pay any attention to her presence. Their eyes were attracted to the golden-haired old woman beside her instead.
The old woman was hunched over and had the dried-up trunk of an unknown tree in hand. Every now and then, she would let out a cough.
Although she bore an amiable expression, she had a terrifying aura. She did not seem like any ordinary old woman. Instead, she was like a murderous beast thirsting for blood that could rip the earth apart with her bare hands.
Jiang Luoshen carefully helped the old woman into the Divine City while many of the experts of the Godly Illusion Clan trailed behind them.
This scene got a lot of people’s attention. They tried to guess who the golden-haired woman was.
Some of the older ones who were somewhat familiar with ancient secrets gasped and reacted in shock.
“Could she be her? The Godly Illusion Clan’s…” they mumbled in disbelief.
Over the next few days, the experts from the Unrivalled Celestial Dynasty, Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, and other Immortal Celestial Dynasties showed up as well.
Even though Yue Mingkong, the current Empress of the Unrivalled Celestial Dynasty did not show up, she also sent a group of worthy representatives in her place.
