Many years ago, in the ruins of the Radiant Ancestral Court, a piece of Dao Source cracked open, and a woman of peerless elegance emerged, stirring all corners of the Vast Expanse at the time.
A group of old royal uncles and clan elders from the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty personally invited her back, and later learned that the woman was the legitimate descendant of the Radiant Ancestral Court, and in a true sense, the founding ancestor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty.
And as the sovereign of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, the Weiyang Emperor Lord, went to the Alliance of Righteous Unity to assume the position of Alliance Leader, the entire Weiyang Immortal Dynasty revered that woman as their master.
Under her sweeping iron-blooded governance, the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty was orderly, a scene of prosperity and peace.
But recently, news suddenly came out from the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty that the old ancestor intended to purge the direct confidants of the sovereign, the Weiyang Emperor Lord.
A bloody storm arose in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty; many clans and ancient aristocratic families were implicated in the purge. This naturally sparked dissatisfaction across the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and caused a great upheaval.
Not a few feudal princes took the opportunity to raise armies, rallying troops across various regions under the banner of restoring order to the dynasty and cleaning up the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, planning to march on the imperial capital.
Many saw that ever since the Weiyang Emperor Lord took over as Alliance Leader of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, he had almost ceased to concern himself with the affairs of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, as if he were directing all his energy toward the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
Naturally, this stirred the feudal princes of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty into restless scheming. Under their deliberate encouragement, many lands spread rumors that the old ancestor had usurped the master's seat, and her purge of the Weiyang Emperor Lord's direct line had gone too far...
Under such circumstances, the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty was no longer tranquil. Moreover, with the Weiyang Emperor Lord stationed at the Alliance of Righteous Unity and no longer inquiring, various regions began to descend into chaos.
Of course, in the imperial capital of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, other news also circulated, saying that the reason the old ancestor was purging the Weiyang Emperor Lord's direct confidants was actually to protect the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and rid it of current parasites.
The Weiyang Immortal Dynasty had long been infiltrated by the Dark Clans, and even the Weiyang Emperor Lord had suffered calamity, corrupted by Dark Matter, no longer the wise and sagely enlightened monarch he once was.
His choice to hold the position of Alliance Leader of the Alliance of Righteous Unity without leaving any explanation was also a helpless move; he did not want his own predicament to lead to the complete erosion of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty by the Dark Clans.
After all, that old ancestor was a descendant of Zhong Jun, the founder of the Radiant Ancestral Court, and had personally experienced the Black Calamity Catastrophe; her words carried great credibility.
This news spread throughout the imperial capital of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and soon caused a sensation across many cosmic territories of the dynasty. Whether it was true or false, no one could say for sure.
But the fact that the Weiyang Emperor Lord would assume the position of Alliance Leader of the Alliance of Righteous Unity and no longer concern himself with the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty did indeed harbor many doubts.
Of course, no one could guarantee that this wasn't just a fabricated charge by the old ancestor.
The Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, after all, was a famously powerful force in the current Vast Expanse, so the upheaval it experienced naturally drew extra attention. Yet in recent days, with the imminent establishment of the Immortal Dao Alliance, comparatively fewer eyes were on it, as more civilizations and true worlds fixed their gazes on the Ethereal Sacred Domain.
And with Gu Changge personally taking the field, even more attention was drawn there, to the extent that very few still inquired about the upheaval in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty.
"The Heaven-Slaying Alliance's Alliance Leader has personally taken the field; this suits my wishes perfectly..."
"The light of the Black Lotus will shine upon even more cosmic territories. With enough faith power, I can truly become the Lord of the Black Lotus."
In a certain space-time within the Vast Expanse, deep within a pitch-black and profound secret underground palace.
A figure cloaked entirely in darkness sat quietly cross-legged, donning ancient armor, with some areas showing mottled rust, exuding a primordial bloody aura.
Before him floated a black lotus pedestal, wreathed in bloody light. One could vaguely see an item enshrined within it, flowing with dense black mist.
It was unmistakably... a piece of flesh the size of an infant's fist, brimming with astonishing vitality, like the source of life at the dawn of creation, emitting drum-like heartbeats, as if it could transform into a human and revive at any moment.
This figure stared at that piece of flesh, his gaze filled with undisguised heat and fervor.
Threads of Dark Matter seeped from that piece of flesh, like a source of darkness.
Beneath the black lotus was a pool already filled with a layer of black mist.
As countless strands of silver faith power converged from the void, pouring into the pool, Dark Matter soon spread back along the paths from which the faith power had come.
Rather than calling it fusion, it was more accurate to say that the Dark Matter corrupted those strands of faith power.
Each thread of faith power represented a devout believer, and here there were countless threads, inexhaustible, like rivers and seas, overwhelming, almost pressing down every inch of void, showing just how many believers there were now.
The figure seated here, watching this scene, even his breathing quickened.
The step he longed for was drawing nearer and nearer.
Once he became the Lord of the Black Lotus, not even Progenitor Xu of the Heavenly Decline Faction, nor the Grand High Priest of the Heavenly Faction, could stop him from taking their places. In the current Vast Expanse, no one would possess the power to rival or match him; he would once again create a new Dark Era belonging to him.
"Soon, soon, getting closer and closer..."
"Once I become the Lord of the Black Lotus, I will step into the End of the Path realm, and by seizing Progenitor Xu's power, I can even advance a step further."
"Plotting with a tiger means you must always be prepared to be devoured."
Dense black fog surged forth, quickly submerging the underground palace, and also engulfing this figure, and his murmuring voice soon vanished.
Once, a great upheaval occurred within the Heavenly Faction, causing the Coffin of World Burial to be forcibly opened, and the flesh body of the Lord of Heaven's Proxy sealed within was coveted. Even though the Grand High Priest of the Heavenly Faction acted in time to suppress the situation, several pieces of flesh and some blood were still lost.
And now, one piece of flesh belonging to the Lord of Heaven's Proxy was enshrined in the deepest part of the Black Lotus Cult's underground palace, providing a nearly endless supply of Dark Matter for the entire cult, corrupting the faith power of its followers.
Now, in the central region of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, vast clusters of palaces and pavilions also stood. In some areas, ancient figures had established their own domains, boundless and forming worlds of their own.
"The Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has personally come to the Immortal Dao Alliance's observation ceremony, and scouts have noticed that many of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's armies originally stationed in the cosmos have suddenly disappeared..."
In one such domain, an ancient being clad in armor rose from his meditative mat.
A crack split open between his brows, and a golden vertical eye opened, gazing far into the distance, its terrifying golden light instantly piercing countless space-times.
"It seems they are about to move against our Alliance of Righteous Unity again?" The being's murmur rumbled like heavenly thunder, and as he stepped forward, he vanished from his spot.
In another region, amidst ethereal mountain ranges veiled in clouds and rosy light, full of immortal charm.
A white-robed figure quietly sat cross-legged among pavilions and terraces, with a clear stream flowing by and mountain breezes gently lifting his robes.
Before him lay a guzheng, but he was not playing it. Two servant boys at his side were brewing tea, the steam rising in a quiet atmosphere.
"As expected, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance will not cease hostilities just like that."
Suddenly, the white-robed figure seemed to sense something; confusion appeared on his face, but also some perplexity as he muttered to himself, "Is it because they are certain that the Alliance of Righteous Unity is weakened during this period, with no strong experts stationed here? Or are they supremely confident in their own strength, feeling emboldened?"
"Master, is the Heaven-Slaying Alliance coming to attack again?"
The two servant boys beside the white-robed figure couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
The white-robed figure nodded and said, "If my perception is correct, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is probably about to make a move again."
In the next moment, he swept his robe to take the two boys away and stepped away from these mountains.
The central palace of the Alliance of Righteous Unity had already gathered many figures.
Upon learning that Gu Changge had appeared at the Immortal Dao Alliance's observation ceremony, the Alliance of Righteous Unity immediately formulated a response. Many ancient figures rushed over, gathering in the great hall for deliberation.
This place served as the current headquarters of the Alliance of Righteous Unity, where member forces from all sides had stationed true foundational figures. Only a few members had accompanied Deputy Alliance Leader Zhao Tianqi and the others to the Immortal Dao Alliance.
When news from there reached here, the entire Alliance of Righteous Unity naturally braced itself as if facing a great enemy, highly vigilant.
"Alliance Leader, why do you still hide it from us even now? Which senior is truly backing the Alliance of Righteous Unity?"
At that moment, an ancient being spoke. He was wreathed in golden radiance, like a blazing sun, dazzling and remarkable—this was also related to his true form, having transformed from a Sacred Spirit, no weaker than an ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm existence.
"You need not inquire about this matter. You will naturally know when the time comes," Jiang Yun said indifferently.
The Master of Yinxu Cave was extremely cautious and would not easily show himself before the Alliance of Righteous Unity's members.
Until now, Jiang Yun still didn't know how many people here were pawns of the Master of Yinxu Cave.
And the Master of Yinxu Cave, for now, seemed not to be pressuring him further, as if unconcerned about him causing trouble or betraying him.
"The Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance has come personally to the Immortal Dao Alliance. I worry he might join forces with the Immortal Dao Alliance, and together they will exert pressure on our Alliance of Righteous Unity. Then we would be attacked from both sides and still have to guard against the Dark Clans' incursion..."
Another ancient being spoke, his aura in no way inferior to the Sacred Spirit just now.
"We have heard some news related to you, Alliance Leader, that you have long been corrupted by darkness. The question is whether this is true or false."
At this time, another being also spoke, his tone indifferent yet carrying a hint of amusement and skepticism.
Upon hearing this, the other beings who had rushed to the great hall also shifted their expressions slightly.
However, more beings simply shut their mouths, adopting a stance of neither interjecting nor inquiring.
Jiang Yun's expression remained cool. "What do you all think, is this news true or false?"
The being who had just asked merely smiled faintly and said nothing more, but a scrutinizing look crept into his eyes.
After all, waves don't rise without wind. The fact that the Weiyang Emperor Lord would assume the Alliance Leader role of the Alliance of Righteous Unity and cease to concern himself with the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty was itself filled with numerous doubts.
"Troops are amassing at the border of the Alliance of Righteous Unity. Make your preparations."
Suddenly, a calm voice rang out as ripples spread through the void, and a white-robed figure emerged.
"Senior..."
The senior members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity within the great hall all respectfully saluted, showing great respect for him. After all, they had witnessed him using The Fourth Ancient Killing Formation to trap the Deputy Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, Ling Yuling, and ultimately banish her.
Furthermore, this white-robed figure very clearly had a deep connection to the backer behind the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
Even the Alliance Leader, the Weiyang Emperor Lord, was not put in his eyes by him.
"Could it be that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance intends to act against our Alliance of Righteous Unity at this moment?" Someone realized the meaning behind the white-robed figure's words and was inwardly shaken, finding it inconceivable. Just after barely ceasing hostilities, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance wanted to stir up calamity again?
Many people's faces darkened, feeling that the Heaven-Slaying Alliance was truly arrogant and had gone too far.
The white-robed figure did not answer but instead looked flatly at Jiang Yun and said, "The Weiyang Emperor Lord's daughter, Jiang Weiyang, is now at the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, isn't she?"
Jiang Yun's expression remained unchanged. "That unfilial daughter disobeyed the marriage agreement and disrespected her father's orders. I have long ceased to care about her. Wherever she is now will not affect my stance. If you do not believe me, Senior, you can ask the Honored Master yourself."
This was also the first time he addressed the Master of Yinxu Cave, the Master of Fate, as Honored Master in front of others.
The senior members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity all had subtle changes in their expressions; they now understood that there was a Honored Master behind the Weiyang Emperor Lord. So his mysterious Honored Master was the true backer of the Alliance of Righteous Unity?
The white-robed figure gave a faint smile. "It's not that I don't believe you. I'm just thinking, with such a great upheaval happening in the current Weiyang Immortal Dynasty—so much so that even the Princess of the Radiant Ancestral Court has appeared—the Weiyang Emperor Lord seems completely unconcerned and indifferent."
Jiang Yun's gaze sharpened, and he looked at him, deep voice. "If Senior speaks thus, then I also have some questions. Given your deep ties to the Radiant Ancestral Court, Senior, why haven't you gone to reunite with that Princess?"
The white-robed figure narrowed his eyes and said with interest, "It seems you know my identity."
"After all, The Fourth Ancient Killing Formation is in your hands, Senior. Your identity is naturally not hard to guess," Jiang Yun said.
"Interesting. It seems his taking you as a disciple was not merely to have you establish the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty."
The white-robed figure smiled lightly, then swept his gaze over the senior members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity and said, "Since the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is mobilizing forces to invade, the Alliance of Righteous Unity naturally cannot sit idle and wait for death. Now that the Alliance Leader of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance is not personally guarding their base, isn't this an opportunity for the Alliance of Righteous Unity to counterattack?"
Jiang Yun frowned but said nothing.
The senior members in the great hall, upon hearing this, were also stirred. Rather than wait for the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to attack again, why not seize this moment to strike first?
"I wonder how the Weiyang Emperor Lord feels about this?" The white-robed figure looked at Jiang Yun, his gaze carrying a hint of amusement.
Jiang Yun's heart sank. He knew that some of his actions had already raised suspicion, but the Master of Fate, for some reason, still had not shown himself in person. Could it be he still intended to continue lurking, waiting for the right moment?
The white-robed figure before him was clearly some method of the Master of Fate. He even suspected this was one of the Master of Fate's external incarnations.
"Senior's words are reasonable."
Jiang Yun nodded. "It is time for us to counterattack the Heaven-Slaying Alliance as well."
The senior members of the Alliance of Righteous Unity had no further objections at this moment. Immediately, edicts shot out like divine light from the halls, traveling to various cosmic spaces of the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
Boom, boom, boom...
At the same time, war drums were beaten across various universes, and ancient horns were blown. Their sound contained supreme Dao laws, like true dragons awakening, or like primordial demons murmuring, disrupting heaven and earth and startling the worlds.
On Ethereal Peak, the Immortal Dao Alliance ceremony proceeded as scheduled. This day was naturally the focus of countless eyes, with innumerable cultivators and beings watching, filled with tension.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly afterward; there were no twists and unexpected turns. The Dark Clans did not invade, and the Alliance Leader Gu Changge of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance personally appeared, presiding over the scene.
Foundational-level figures from all true world civilizations also took the field, appearing at the Immortal Dao Alliance ceremony and participating.
Ethereal Peak was a scene of joyous celebration and bustle, which could be called the largest grand assembly in recent epochs.
The number of Ancestral Dao Realm existences present was extremely high, all old monsters who had hidden themselves over long epochs. As for ordinary Dao Realm existences, they were even more numerous, simply uncountable.
Civilizations and true worlds from all sides signed the Immortal Dao Alliance treaty, agreeing to jointly resist the Dark Clans. The grand assembly was planned to last half a month.
However, on the fourth day of the grand assembly, an accident occurred. Across vast swathes of the Ethereal Sacred Domain, chaos erupted. Followers of the Black Lotus Cult appeared on a massive scale, building temple after temple, carried by giant black lotuses, crushing across the heavens and earth, scattering a black rain.
The experts of the four great families of the Ethereal Sacred Domain had long been monitoring the Black Lotus Cult's movements and immediately dispatched people to attack, attempting to encircle and annihilate them.
At the same time, an even greater riot broke out within Ethereal Sacred City.
Many dormant Black Lotus Cult believers revealed themselves. Among the guests from various true world civilizations observing the ceremony, a large number of experts were corrupted, and a chaotic battle erupted within Ethereal Sacred City.
Meanwhile, across the Vast Expanse, at the border between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity, an unprecedented great war erupted without prior arrangement. The ceasefire was abandoned, and this war was exceptionally fierce, far surpassing any previous clash.