Chapter 1305, Jointly Formulate and Abide by the Primary Hope Covenant; Were They Having a Falling Out?

Translator: Fate

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

The people gathered in the grand hall were extremely shaken by the Primary Hope Saintess’ statement.

 

The black fog had descended once more?

 

Was she referring to the Black Disaster that once brought chaos to the entire Boundless Expanse?

 

Many trembled in fear upon hearing the last sentence. After all, the Primary Hope Saintess’ Master was none other than Xi Nu. Even an existence like Xi Nu, the former owner of the Mirror of Reincarnation, had asserted that such an incident would occur in the near future.

 

Where would the people living in the Boundless Expanse go if the Black Disaster were to return? How would they fight back?

 

They might not have experienced the battle that took place countless years in the past, but they knew how difficult and devastating those wars had been from various ancient historical records. It was said that an immeasurable number of Forces, Worlds and Civilisations had perished and disappeared from the long river of history during that period.

 

Such tragic scenes were going to be re-enacted once more. Many couldn’t help feeling terrified as a result. It was hard for them to accept the situation. In fact, they could already predict that the Civilisation would soon be in great danger.

 

On the other hand, the leaders of various Forces turned solemn. The fact that the Primary Hope Saintess suddenly decided to speak at such a juncture might be a sign of something to come.

 

“Indeed. That battle was unimaginably difficult, and countless Great Sages fought to their deaths on the battlefield. They had to pay an extremely tragic price before they could break the source of the disaster. But…” Her voice was gentle as she nodded and continued, “Although the Master of the Black Disaster was sealed in the Land of Darkness Origin, nobody can be certain whether or not he has escaped his restraints.

 

“Not to mention, only his Will was sealed there. No living creature in the world can destroy his physical body. So many years have passed since then… Even the six First-Generation Civilisation Supreme Treasures that were used to imprison him have gone missing. There is no knowing whether any Force is still guarding the Land of Darkness Origin nowadays.

 

“It is possible that the Master of the Black Disaster has already escaped his restraints. He might even be observing the world quietly from a certain Spacetime.”

 

Ling Yuling noticed that the Primary Hope Saintess had been watching Gu Changge closely while speaking. The other party’s behaviour caused doubts to grow in her heart. [Did the Primary Hope Saintess know certain truths and unknown secrets about the situation? It would not be surprising since she currently possessed the Mirror of Reincarnation.]

 

[Prior to the destruction of the Land of Celestial Suffering, she probably predicted the outcome in advance and took action to protect herself at the end. But, she is now facing the annihilation of the entire the Primary Hope Civilisation. Did she make that statement because she had already made her choice?]

 

“The Black Disaster once swept across the world and caused endless disasters. Now that countless years have passed, are they planning to make a comeback once more?”

 

“The celestial phenomena in various areas have been unstable recently. So, this is the reason.”

 

“In the past, numerous Great Sages joined hands against the Black Disaster and paid an extremely terrible price. Be that as it may, they only barely managed to seal him away.”

 

“Sigh. It’s just disaster after disaster.”

 

After listening to Ling Yuling, many people whispered among themselves.

 

The matter regarding the Heavenslayers Alliance had yet to be settled, but they were already being informed that the Master of the Black Disaster, who once wreaked havoc throughout the Boundless Expanse, had probably revived and planned to reign over the world once more. How could they remain calm when they were faced with a series of troublesome issues?

 

Furthermore, there were speculations that these two matters were mysteriously connected somehow. It was particularly suspicious since Gu Changge’s identity remained secret even now. Nobody knew who he was or which era he came from.

 

On the other hand, the people of the Heavenslayers Alliance seemed to have expected the news. They were completely unsurprised by the information and remained very calm.

 

The Heavenslayers Alliance’s reaction caused the cultivators from other Forces to secretly feel scared and uneasy. It seemed as though the Heavenslayers Alliance had already known everything.

 

In fact, it might be that the Heavenslayers Alliance was closely connected to the remnants of the Black Disaster in the first place.

 

“What does the Heavenslayers Alliance Leader think about this matter?” Seeing that Gu Changge was ignoring her pointed look, the Primary Hope Saintess straightforwardly directed the question at him instead.

 

At the beginning, she was grateful to Gu Changge for assisting the Primary Hope Holy Church in rescuing the Primary Hope Saintess. If Gu Changge had not sent the Jing Family Early Ancestor to the Primary Hope Civilisation to inform them, they might not have known that the Primary Hope Saintess had been tricked and captured by the Land of Celestial Suffering.

 

Afterwards, she realised the truth. The so-called help that was extended to the Primary Hope Holy Church was just a cover. It was simply a justified excuse for Gu Changge to destroy the Land of Celestial Suffering.

 

Many Forces, including the Primary Hope Holy Church, were manipulated into becoming his pawns.

 

It turned out that the Primary Hope Saintess had already known everything. That was why she was so unconcerned even though she was imprisoned in the void cage. In fact, she knew that Gu Changge would come to rescue her as soon as the Land of Celestial Suffering was obliterated.

 

When Xi Yin understood the truth, she was angry and humiliated at the thought that she had been manipulated and deceived. At the same time, she couldn’t help feeling scared.

 

During the destruction of the Land of Celestial Suffering, Gu Changge had prioritised his goal over the welfare of in the Primary Hope Civilisation’s numerous Forces. It was not until after everything settled down that they finally realised what had happened.

 

That incident was enough to display his terrifying might. Even the powerful beings in the Ancestral Dao Realm were mere pawns in his hands. Now that he had even more powerful subordinates under him, it was not an exaggeration to say that he had enough strength to dominate any Force in the Primary Hope Civilisation.

 

“If the black fog has descended once more, isn’t it better for everybody to join forces and repel the enemy together? In my opinion, this is a great opportunity for the scattered Forces to unite as one.” Gu Changge smiled faintly, acting as though he did not notice the Primary Hope Saintess’ gaze.

 

“Young Master Gu is right. A disaster is coming. The best solution at this time is for everybody to join hands and fight together. We must eradicate the black fog again so that the black fog disappears from the world forever.” Ling Yuling nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement with Gu Changge’s words.

 

Her words caused the expressions of many ancient existences and leaders to change drastically. They were worried that she was siding with Gu Changge. Just as they were about to speak, she continued, “That is why I invited various forces to the Imperial Celestial Palace to discuss the formulation of the Primary Hope Covenant.”

 

“The Primary Hope Covenant?”

 

Her words shocked everybody. At the same time, those who had anticipated her actions breathed a sigh of relief to know that they had been worried for nothing. How could a Great Sage who fought against the Black Disaster like the Imperial Celestial Palace Founder conspire with the Heavenslayers Alliance?

 

With the checks and balances of the Primary Hope Covenant, the Heavenslayers Alliance would not be able to join forces with others and recklessly expand its influence. That would more or less curb the development of the Heavenslayers Alliance and circumvent the Heavenslayers Alliance’s ambition to unify the Primary Hope Civilisation.

 

It was the best solution that most could conceive at the moment. After all, nobody wanted to go head-to-head with the Heavenslayers Alliance. The outcome would not be favourable for them. Even if they won the confrontation, they would have to pay a heavy price for their achievement.

 

“Oh? The Primary Hope Covenant? If I remember correctly, King Chu Gucheng of the Land of Celestial Suffering also attempted to establish the Primary Hope Covenant with the Primary Hope Holy Church. Unfortunately, he failed and died in the process. Could it be that you plan to follow Chu Gucheng’s example and establish a holy covenant through a method similar to the Land of Celestial Suffering?” Gu Changge revealed an expression of astonishment, acting as though he was unaware of Ling Yuling’s intentions.

 

Hearing those deliberate words from Gu Changge, the Primary Hope Saintess clenched her fists tightly beneath her wide sleeves. She could barely restrain herself from glaring at Gu Changge fiercely. Her entire body felt uncomfortable.

 

The incident was a huge disgrace to her, so much so that she wished she could completely erase the incident from her memory. It was actually a rumour that Chu Gucheng deliberately instructed his Daughter, Chu Xinyue, to spread by impersonating her identity. Nevertheless, she considered the rumour a shameful defamation of her reputation. Just thinking about the incident made her nauseous and sick to her stomach.

 

“Chu Gucheng formulated the Primary Hope Covenant to satisfy his selfish desires. It was not to protect the people, so it was not strange for him to fail.

 

“I once worked with many other Great Sages to fight against the Black Disaster. At the time, we also established a covenant. It was later proven that our approach was the correct move. Without rules, there is no order.

 

“I actually proposed the formulation of the Primary Hope Covenant at this time in hopes that the Forces of the Primary Hope Civilisation will unite as one and abide by the rules. We must not fight each other for the sake of immediate profit. It will only destroy the stability and tranquillity that we have,” Ling Yuling explained gently.

 

“Senior is right. There will be no order without rules in place. Now is precisely the time to establish a new covenant to restrain everybody, lest somebody acts unscrupulously and tramples the rules at will.

 

“The Solar Heavenly Clan will be the first to agree to the covenant. We are willing to abide by the Primary Hope Covenant and work together to maintain the order of the Primary Hope Civilisation.” The leader with the Black-Gold Dao Crown above his head and the purple Daoist robes around his shoulders was the first to voice his agreement.

 

Although the Solar Heavenly Clan did not possess a heritage comparable to the top Forces such as the Imperial Celestial Palace, Purple Sky Mountain, and the Towering Divine Cave, it was protected by several Ancestral Dao Realm experts. Its strength was not to be underestimated.

 

Moreover, he himself was an Ancestral Dao Realm expert. That was why he dared to fearlessly challenge Gu Changge when he stood among the other leaders earlier.

 

“That’s right! Today’s the Primary Hope Civilisation is different from the past. The Great Purge is coming, and nobody will be spared. If you keep being selfish and care only for your own survival, then you will perish during this calamity.”

 

“My fellow cultivators, it has not been long since the destruction of the Land of Celestial Suffering. We should open our eyes wide and choose wisely.”

 

Following the declaration of the Solar Heavenly Clan’s leader, the other leaders quickly followed suit to express their approval and agreement to establish the Primary Hope Covenant with the Imperial Celestial Palace.

 

“We, too, are willing to abide by the Primary Hope Covenant and move forward with everybody else.”

 

Afterwards, the leaders of the Sun Covering Mountain, the Sanskrit Temple, the Hook Palace, the Rotary Light Cave, and the Nine Nethers Sparrow did not hesitate for long before they expressed their agreement to join the Primary Hope Covenant. It could be said that the rest of the Forces had made their position and attitudes clear.

 

Only the highest-ranking Forces, such as the Imperial Celestial Palace, Purple Sky Mountain, and the Bright Light Temple, remained quiet about their stance in the matter. Even the ancient existences, who had just returned to society recently, made their choice to side with the others after a brief moment of consideration.

 

None of them was stupid. Rather than be forcibly integrated into the Heavenslayers Alliance, it was better for them to take the initiative and join forces with each other to resist the pressure from the giant organisation… That was better than inexplicably becoming part of the Heavenslayers Alliance…

 

In the eyes of numerous cultivators and forces, the Heavenslayers Alliance was not so much a cancerous tumour as a poisonous scorpion that should be avoided at all costs. After all, the Heavenslayers Alliance was very strange indeed.

 

Despite having never come into contact with the Heavenslayers Alliance, the Heavenslayers Alliance seemed to possess a mysterious power that could silently convert a person into a loyal Disciple without a trace. Even the Jing Family Founder, Jing Tianyuan, Purple Sky Mountain Sect Master, Zi Wanhe, and the current Di Kun of the Beast Court, Di Kun, were no exception. How could ordinary cultivators resist such power?

 

“The contents of the Primary Hope Covenant will not be decided by me alone. We will gather ideas from everybody so that we can involve as many forces as possible. That will ensure impartiality without favouring any one party.”

 

Ling Yuling glanced at the remaining Forces that had yet to express their position. Among them were the most prominent Forces in the Primary Hope Civilisation, such as the Primary Hope Holy Church, the Towering Divine Cave, and the Bright Light Temple, and the Tathagata Buddha Realm.

 

In her opinion, the approval of these Forces was the most important. That was because these Forces controlled many powerful Families and Clans, in addition to uncountable Forces under their jurisdiction.

 

“Junior Sister, what do you think?” Xi Yin inquired with a sideways glance at the Primary Hope Saintess beside her. Although her seniority was higher than the Primary Hope Saintess, the decision involving such matters would depend on the Primary Hope Saintess.

 

“There’s no need to rush regarding the Primary Hope Covenant. Let us observe for now.” The Primary Hope Saintess shook her head and responded through divine sense. She was honestly rather worried about the situation.

 

It was obvious that Gu Changge could guess Ling Yuling’s intentions. He clearly knew the reason why Ling Yuling made the announcement to the public, so why did he bring the people of the Heavenslayers Alliance with him?

 

“Amitabha. The Primary Hope Covenant is extremely important. It is no secret that the Tathagata Buddha Realm has always shown compassion and sympathy to all living creatures in the world. Naturally, we do not wish for disaster either. Our views on the matter are consistent with the beliefs of Senior Ling Yuling.” The King of the Tathagata Buddha Realm naturally did not attend the meeting. In his place was the leader of the envoys, an Elderly monk dressed in simple Buddhist clothes and a tattered Buddhist hat. Clasping his hands together, he exchanged a look with the other monks and announced their stance on the matter.

 

Afterwards, forces such as the Bright Light Temple and the Towering Divine Cave did not hesitate to express their willingness to jointly formulate and abide by the Primary Hope Covenant to benefit the people of the Primary Hope Civilisation.

 

Ling Yuling had a graceful figure, in addition to a light and elegant demeanour. A radiant light surged around her body, illuminating her flawless appearance. A smile spread across her face when the other parties expressed their agreement. “It is a blessing for the people of the Primary Hope Civilisation that you sincerely acknowledged and responded to this matter. On behalf of the people, I would like to thank you for your support.”

 

The leaders of the various Forces hurriedly cupped their fists and declared politely.

 

“You are too polite, Senior. It is a blessing to have you come forward and lead the people towards unity. Otherwise, there is no saying what will happen to the Primary Hope Civilisation in the future.

 

“We respect the Primary Hope Holy Church, but we hold even greater respect for you, Senior Xi Nu. It never occurred to us that the Primary Hope Holy Church would turn a blind eye to the current situation in the Primary Hope Civilisation.

 

“The Land of Celestial Suffering was undoubtedly a victim of various schemes, but the Land of Celestial Suffering ultimately deserved the punishment. However, that does not represent the whole of the Primary Hope Civilisation.”

 

Apart from the Heavenslayers Alliance, which had yet to express their opinions, only the Primary Hope Holy Church and several wandering cultivators from other civilisations outside the Boundless Expanse had yet to agree to the covenant. Countess people began to feel rather dissatisfied because they did not know the intentions of the Primary Hope Saintess.

 

The Primary Hope Saintess previously expressed her position back in the Land of Celestial Suffering. At the time, she defended Gu Changge by claiming that there was no evidence to prove the connection between the Heavenslayers Alliance and the remnants of the Black Disaster. Furthermore, she also came forward to prove that the black coffin was not related to the remnants of the Black Disaster when the replica of the World Burying Coffin delivered by Purple Sky Mountain Sect Master caused the deaths of innumerable people in the Land of Celestial Suffering.

 

Her actions could have been disregarded if they only happened once, but she had repeatedly taken the same stance. It was not surprising that her credibility had diminished among the people. Many Forces naturally became resentful when the Primary Hope Holy Church remained ambiguous regarding its position in this matter.

 

“Junior Sister…” Looking at the current turn of events, Xi Yin couldn’t help feeling concerned.

 

On the other hand, the expression of the Primary Hope Saintess remained unchanged. It was almost as though she had already anticipated the situation.

 

“Young Master Gu, what do you think about the Primary Hope Covenant I mentioned?” Meanwhile, Ling Yuling ignored the others and turned to look at Gu Changge as if to ask for his opinion instead.

 

“I have nothing to dispute against the Primary Hope Covenant since you proposed the idea with the welfare of the common people in mind, Lady Yuling. I fully agree to the proposal, and I am willing to discuss the details of the covenant together,” Gu Changge responded with an agreeable smile. “But, what will you do if negotiations for the Primary Hope Covenant falls through, Lady Yuling? As acquaintances, I believe there is no need to hide these things from each other.”

 

Ling Yuling had a fair and slender neck, which gave her an elegant appearance. When she heard those words, she replied apologetically, “I will never forget how you saved me, Young Master Gu. Unfortunately, the Primary Hope Covenant is related to the future of the people living in the Primary Hope Civilisation. It is necessary for me to proceed with great caution. I hope you can understand my position, Young Master Gu. If we fail to agree on the covenant, then I will simply have to think of another solution. I will not sit back and watch the current situation unfold in the Primary Hope Civilisation without doing anything.”

 

Upon hearing Ling Yuling’s statement, everybody was stunned for a moment. Then, they immediately understood. It turned out that Gu Changge, the Heavenslayers Alliance Leader, once saved the life of the Imperial Celestial Palace Founder. Hence, they could be considered quite familiar with each other.

 

Would that mean the Primary Hope Covenant would not be suppressed by any parties?