Above the sky dome, outside all the worlds, that mysterious and unknown dark land was slowly approaching the Vast Expanse.
The barriers and boundaries between all the worlds now seemed to have become transparent, like two distinct rivers flowing at a unhurried pace, waiting for the moment of their convergence.
There, dense, smoke-like dark substance continuously erupted and emerged, then spread in all directions, about to moisten and permeate the myriad heavens and worlds.
This scene was utterly terrifying. Even ordinary living beings could see it clearly — it seemed like an omen before the great destruction, and also like a countdown waiting for death.
No one knew when that mysterious unknown land would border and collide with the Vast Expanse and all the worlds, nor in what way the erupting dark substance would seep and spread.
It was as if a sharp sword hung above the heads of all living beings in the worlds. No matter who, they could feel that terrifying sense of urgency, their spines cold, waiting for judgment.
One ancient warship after another traversed and shuttled through the universe, quickly moving away. Ling Yuling, standing proudly upon them, looked up in a daze, silently gazing at all this above the sky dome, letting her beautiful hair scatter and beat against her cheeks.
The high-ranking member of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance who had been questioning her, seeing this, wisely closed his mouth.
The others who had been discussing and deliberating also fell silent. The ancient warship sank into a deep quiet.
Everyone knew that Ling Yuling was a sage who had once fought against the Black Calamity catastrophe, and that she must have contributed her efforts and merits to sealing the former Lord of the Dark Calamity.
Now, seeing that mysterious land reappear in the world once more, her heart would certainly not be calm.
However, compared to the panic and urgency of all races in the worlds, the people of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were rather composed and calm, not so worried or afraid.
Because in many people's view, with Alliance Lord Gu Changge presiding over the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, even if the Land of the Dark Source fell into the Vast Expanse and darkness swept through all the worlds, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance would still have a measure of self-preservation.
"That mysterious white-robed powerful figure — I will personally go and test him. You need not worry too much." Ling Yuling spoke, her voice clear, cold, and calm, breaking the silence on the ancient warship.
She withdrew her gaze from the sky beyond the worlds and paid no further attention to that Land of the Dark Source.
"Since Senior Yuling is taking action, we naturally need not worry anymore." The Heaven-Slaying Alliance powerful figure who had asked earlier breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, cupping his hands respectfully.
Ling Yuling's strength was no less than that of those few Taboo Existences. It would naturally be best for her to personally test the true capabilities of that mysterious white-robed powerful figure.
White Bone Ancestor King, Hun Yuanjun, Chu Xiao, and the others also said nothing more. Although the entire Vast Expanse and all the worlds had now fallen into panic, filled with boundless fear of that mysterious unknown Land of the Dark Source,
the Heaven-Slaying Alliance's primary target remained the Alliance of Righteous Unity.
The descent and appearance of the Land of the Dark Source had only given them a sense of urgency — they must capture the Alliance of Righteous Unity before then, to avoid delaying and causing more trouble.
"Why did that place appear so early…"
"Was the sealing power loosened? Or was it guided by the Dark Beings? Or was there some other reason?" Ling Yuling's figure flickered and disappeared from the ancient warship. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, and a bad premonition arose in her heart.
She had participated in that sealing war back then and knew that the seal of the Land of the Dark Source would not loosen so easily, nor could it emerge so prematurely.
Could it be that some variable had appeared? Or had some Dark Beings found its time-space coordinates and damaged the seal within?
But regardless of which possibility, the premature emergence of the Land of the Dark Source was already a foregone conclusion.
The only thing that could be done now was to find a way to prevent it from bordering and colliding with the Vast Expanse and all the worlds, and even more so to prevent the sealed Lord of Heaven's Proxy within from emerging.
Once the Lord of Heaven's Proxy revived and once again ruled over the world, who knew what kind of terrifying disaster it would bring.
All the worlds and myriad realms would be shrouded in boundless darkness.
"Alliance Lord…"
Ling Yuling's delicate brows were tightly knitted. She pondered for a moment, then a crystal clear jade-like communication talisman appeared in her fair, slender jade hand with a flash of light.
She intended to contact Gu Changge to inform him of the urgency and terrible consequences of this matter.
At this time, continuing to deal with the Alliance of Righteous Unity was not a wise choice; it would likely allow the Dark Beings to benefit from the conflict and reap the rewards.
Both the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity should set aside their past grievances, join forces, and work together to prevent this impending disaster.
Soon, runes flickered on the talisman, and a phantom image appeared. Gu Changge was shown with his back to Ling Yuling, seemingly brewing tea, still extremely leisurely.
Ling Yuling did not waste any words. She went straight to the point, explaining her concerns and thoughts just now.
"Do not worry about this matter. The Alliance of Righteous Unity is in league with the Dark Beings, colluding together. To prevent this calamity and disaster, we must first deal with the Alliance of Righteous Unity. All of this is under my control."
Gu Changge's voice remained unhurried, as if he did not take this calamity of the Vast Expanse and all the worlds to heart.
Ling Yuling looked at his back in the talisman, moved her red lips as if to say something, but stopped.
Since Gu Changge had said so, what more could she say?
Although nominally she was the Deputy Alliance Lord of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, all instructions and orders required Gu Changge's consent.
If he did not agree to set aside past grievances with the Alliance of Righteous Unity and join forces to prevent the Land of the Dark Source from approaching, then even if she talked until her lips were worn out, it would be useless.
No one could shake Gu Changge's decision.
"That mysterious white-robed powerful figure who has appeared recently in the Alliance of Righteous Unity — it would be best to capture him alive and bring him here. You alone may not be able to take him down. Convey my meaning to Mu Fuguang, Tong Xian, and the others, and have them assist you in taking action." Gu Changge's indifferent voice came again from the talisman.
Ling Yuling was startled. Gu Changge already knew about this matter? It seemed that although he never left his home, nothing in the current Vast Expanse and all the worlds could escape his knowledge.
But why was he so sure that she alone could not take down that mysterious white-robed powerful figure?
And what was the origin of that mysterious white-robed powerful figure?
Ling Yuling still had many doubts, but the light on the communication talisman before her had already gone out and dimmed; Gu Changge's figure had disappeared.
The Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity did not stop their fighting and killing because the Land of the Dark Source had reappeared in the world. The war remained fierce.
The situation in the entire Vast Expanse grew increasingly urgent. All races and various traditions and civilizations were desperately seeking countermeasures.
And in this process, many reclusive races that had previously remained silent and had not emerged also could no longer sit still.
To prevent this disaster, many ancient figures appeared, walking the world, beginning to visit various races, trying to dissuade the war between the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity, and urging that the focus be placed on preventing the Land of the Dark Source from approaching.
The same was true for those traditions and civilizations that had originally watched the fire from across the shore, stood by with folded arms, and sought only to save themselves regarding the reappearance of the Dark Beings in the world. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and step into the fray.
The current Dark Beings were already troublesome enough. If the Dark Beings were allowed to guide back the Land of the Dark Source and revive the sealed Lord of Heaven's Proxy within, the consequences would be unimaginable.
It must be said that the eruption and reappearance of the Land of the Dark Source had made all races and civilizations in the Vast Expanse feel a terrible sense of urgency and immediacy.
Previously, all races and traditions had only swept the snow in front of their own doors, caring only for their own interests and ignoring the bigger picture. But now, they were forced to "unite."
Many races and civilizations began to search for the handwritten records left by the sages who had once fought against the Black Calamity catastrophe, hoping to find a way to resist the Land of the Dark Source and prevent its descent and approach.
If the Lord of Heaven's Proxy truly broke the seal, revived once more, and ruled over all the worlds, how would they resist? Could they replicate the methods of those former sages?
Where were those Six Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization now?
Meanwhile, during this period, many traditions and powers also began to point their fingers at the Dark Beings, believing that it was the reappearance of the Dark Beings that had guided back the Land of the Dark Source.
They must completely exterminate the Dark Beings before they could revive that Lord of Heaven's Proxy.
While the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and the Alliance of Righteous Unity were locked in fierce war, one punitive expedition after another also erupted in various cosmic lands currently occupied by the Dark Beings.
Many territories of the Dark Beings were attacked. Powerful figures from various races led armies to kill them, determined to drive out the Dark Beings and cleanse the darkness.
"How truly laughable human nature is. But at this critical moment, the Land of the Dark Source suddenly appears, throwing the entire Vast Expanse into chaos, with war raging to the heavens and boundless karmic debt. Could this be your doing again…"
"I am increasingly suspicious of your identity."
Within the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, Ji Hanjing's lips held a hint of contemptuous smile, but her gaze was extremely profound.
When a great disaster truly loomed, all races and powers began to act without regard for consequences, somewhat frantic.
Previously, when asked to deal with the Dark Beings, they would have deliberated repeatedly, weighing various pros and cons. But now, concerning the safety of the entire Vast Expanse and also their own survival, the blade had been suspended above their heads, and they could no longer sit still.
This was the truest human nature.
However, all this had nothing to do with her. No matter how chaotic the Vast Expanse became, no matter what turbulent situation followed, it had nothing to do with her.
She only wanted to kill her enemy with her own hands in this era, to repay all the pain and suffering of these countless ages.
Bringing her thoughts back, Ji Hanjing swept her gaze downward, her tone cold and unruffled, carrying vast majesty.
"You mean that Weiyang Emperor Lord Jiang Yun once ventured alone into the depths of time and space, disappeared for a long period, and for some time after his return, he was somewhat off?"
The great hall was deathly silent. Only a tall, sturdy man stood there with cold sweat on his forehead, his head bowed respectfully.
It was the Divine Martial General Zhu Cangning of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, the right-hand man of the Weiyang Emperor Lord, who had accompanied him in conquering all directions, establishing the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, and rendering countless meritorious services.
"Yes… yes… Ancestor…"
Zhu Cangning did not even dare to raise his head, his back covered in cold sweat. He carefully chose his words, not daring to hide anything.
He did not know how this Ancestor had come to know of this matter. Before being summoned, he had never imagined being asked about such a thing.
It must be known that the matter of the Weiyang Emperor Lord having ventured deep into time and space and suffered severe injuries was known to only a handful of people in the entire Weiyang Immortal Dynasty — not even the Weiyang Princess knew. But apart from him, who could have leaked this matter?
The Weiyang Emperor Lord had ordered them not to spread this information. Who would dare defy the Weiyang Emperor Lord's command?
Could it have been leaked by the State Preceptor Xingming?
"So it was indeed contracted back then?"
While Zhu Cangning was perplexed and his thoughts were aflutter, Ji Hanjing spoke as if to herself, her eyes growing deeper and colder.
These words first stunned Zhu Cangning, then surprised him, and disbelief appeared on his face.
He had already guessed the meaning of the Ancestor's words, as he had suspected and speculated before.
But he dared not think too carefully in that direction, because it was too shocking and terrifying. If even a hint of news leaked out, it would definitely cause a major earthquake in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, stirring up boundless waves and storms.
He believed he understood the Weiyang Emperor Lord Jiang Yun very well, having accompanied him in conquering and subduing various traditions and clans.
Therefore, he believed that a wise and sagely emperor like the Weiyang Emperor Lord Jiang Yun would not possibly marry off his daughter Jiang Weiyang, whom he regarded as his reverse scale, to the Ninth Prince Ye Wudao of the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom.
Nor would the Weiyang Emperor Lord Jiang Yun have made the decision to choose a son-in-law for the Weiyang Princess.
Either there were hidden circumstances, or the Weiyang Emperor Lord had other plans. But judging from his subsequent series of actions, it did not seem like a premeditated plan.
This series of actions left Zhu Cangning completely perplexed. The Chancellor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and others also could not understand or fathom the Weiyang Emperor Lord's intentions.
"Ancestor, do you mean that back then, His Majesty the Emperor Lord had already been contaminated by dark substance?"
Although he guessed so, Zhu Cangning was still unsure and could not help but cautiously inquire.
Ji Hanjing seemed to come back to her senses at this moment, glancing at him calmly and saying, "It seems you are not entirely stupid; you can still figure it out."
Receiving a definite answer from Ji Hanjing, Zhu Cangning felt both heavy and relieved.
He also did not want to see the once wise and sagely Weiyang Emperor Lord undergo a drastic change in temperament. Knowing that he had been contaminated by dark substance, he finally felt somewhat better.
But then, boundless worry followed.
After all, since ancient times, every existence contaminated by dark substance had without exception fallen into darkness and become Dark Beings. No one had ever been able to wash away and remove the dark substance and recover.
Even a figure as towering and world-shaking, dominating past and present, as the Weiyang Emperor Lord was no exception. After being contaminated by dark substance, his temperament had drastically changed.
"Ancestor, is there any solution?" Zhu Cangning asked cautiously.