The dark golden patterns spread out like the wings of a butterfly. As Nan Qing finished reading the contents of the letter, the patterns quickly dimmed and silently vanished.
"Has she detected the traces of the Eight Follower Tribes appearing in the Prime-Origin Civilization?"
Nan Qing's expression remained unchanged. She pondered for a moment, then looked up at the disintegrating floating continent.
"Regardless, it's more important to stick to the original plan."
"I must obtain the Creation Pool."
At this moment, Nan Qing's gaze became deep and indifferent.
In her eyes, scenes of mountains and rivers shifting, epochs changing, and worlds collapsing played out.
With a wave of her slender hand, the entire floating continent, which was collapsing and crumbling, suddenly trembled violently. All the mountains and pavilions shook.
The heavens and earth seemed to be lifted and held by an invisible force, rising from the chaotic spacetime.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that the black fog, which had previously filled the sky, now condensed into a massive hand outside the floating continent, holding it firmly.
The floating continent, completely enveloped in black fog, rapidly shrank to the size of a fist and then transformed into a streak of light, flying into Nan Qing's hand.
All the Dark Beings kneeling in the distance felt a deep, primal fear and trembling, as if it came from the very source of their existence.
Even Wu Yang, as powerful as he was, couldn't escape this feeling. His face, hidden beneath the ghostly iron mask, paled slightly, and his gaze toward Nan Qing was filled with fear and reverence.
Screech!
A terrifying cry, as if piercing through spacetime, echoed as a black celestial horse with nine grotesque heads, wreathed in black flames, galloped out from the depths of the black fog. It pulled a luxurious, ancient carriage, stopping before Nan Qing.
The black celestial horse exuded an eerie, cold aura. Each of its nine heads was different—some resembled dragon heads, others phoenix heads, and some were covered in hard, black scales. Thick black flames surrounded it, constantly burning and corroding the surrounding void and rules.
"Since the Grand Sacrificial Ritual has begun, it's time for me to return."
"I wonder which fools will dare to provoke the Great High Priest this time…"
Nan Qing withdrew her gaze, letting out a faint, enigmatic laugh, then returned to her usual calm and serene demeanor. Her figure disappeared into the luxurious carriage.
Her maid, Xiao Die, also appeared in the carriage, and they drove off.
Wu Yang and the other Dark Beings remained silent and solemn, bowing their heads in place. Only after the carriage had completely disappeared did they dare to look up.
Many of the Dark Beings still had fear and trembling in their eyes.
It was a primal fear, as if facing a natural predator, deeply rooted in the core of their souls.
"This young lady is even more terrifying than the rumors suggest…"
"I thought A'Li was fearsome enough, but compared to her, she seems almost gentle…"
"After all, there are so many rumors about this young lady's origins. Who knows how many are true…"
Some of the Dark Beings couldn't help but whisper as they watched the direction in which the luxurious carriage had disappeared.
Hearing these whispers, Wu Yang's expression beneath his mask suddenly changed.
He turned, his cold green eyes filled with killing intent, and harshly scolded, "Silence! Such matters are not for you to discuss. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you."
Hearing this, the Dark Beings immediately fell silent.
The ones who had been speaking were especially terrified, knowing that Wu Yang wasn't joking.
If even he was so fearful and wary, the rumors about the young lady must be far more terrifying than they had imagined.
"The more you know about things you shouldn't, the faster you'll die."
"This young lady has countless ways to make you suffer far more than death…"
Wu Yang said coldly.
As someone who had barely managed to enter the core of the Nightmare Demon Domain, he knew that some topics were taboo, and those who touched upon them would surely die.
Hearing this, the Dark Beings were even more terrified and didn't dare to say another word.
"The Grand Sacrificial Ritual has begun. Welcoming the return of our master is the top priority."
"Any force or individual who dares to obstruct us will be crushed by our dark army." Wu Yang said coldly, as thick black fog once again enveloped his figure.
As he moved, the endless tide of Dark Beings began to spread out from the chaotic spacetime sea, advancing toward the surrounding universes.
Although Wu Yang had been sent to this chaotic spacetime sea, the Grand Sacrificial Ritual had begun, and he now had other tasks to attend to.
This chaotic spacetime sea almost directly connected to the heart of the Prime-Origin Civilization, making it a natural passage for their descent.
In the depths of the Imperial Immortal Palace, the chaotic spacetime sea, which had been violently turbulent, suddenly erupted with a deafening roar.
Amidst the surging waves, fragments of shattered universes appeared, followed by ancient warships rapidly emerging.
"We've finally made it out."
Many of the Imperial Immortal Palace elders and ancestors, who had been waiting, stood up to greet them.
Many of them breathed a sigh of relief, having been worried that something might have happened to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members who had ventured into the chaotic spacetime sea.
During this time, extremely terrifying fluctuations had emanated from the depths of the chaotic spacetime sea, as if many powerful figures had been fighting there. The shockwaves had reverberated across vast distances, causing the entire Imperial Immortal Palace to tremble.
Subsequently, the Imperial Immortal Palace had sent many people to wait here and guard the entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea.
"Countless Dark Beings have appeared in the chaotic spacetime sea, and the black fog is spreading. It will soon engulf the Prime-Origin Civilization…"
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. I must report this to the leader and seek his decision. I won't linger to chat."
Chu Heng emerged from the ancient warship, transforming into a streak of light as he approached the elders and ancestors of the Imperial Immortal Palace.
His expression was extremely grave. He briefly explained the situation in the chaotic spacetime sea, then, without waiting for a response, tore through the universe and crossed space, rushing back to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to report the matter.
Such a major event filled Chu Heng with anxiety and unease, so he decided to return ahead of the others.
If he had waited to return with the rest, it would have delayed things further.
During their escape from the depths of the chaotic spacetime sea, they had been constantly on guard, fearing that the Dark Beings might pursue them.
Fortunately, the spacetime tunnel Nan Qing had opened for them was stable, and they had managed to return safely to the Prime-Origin Civilization.
However, Chu Heng and the others didn't dare to relax. The passage to the chaotic spacetime sea was located deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace, and the remnants of the Black Calamity might seize the opportunity to emerge and descend upon the Prime-Origin Civilization.
If that happened, it would bring unimaginable disaster to the entire Prime-Origin Civilization.
"What?"
The elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace hadn't yet grasped the meaning of Chu Heng's words when his figure vanished into the void, as if he were in a great hurry.
"Everyone, this matter is of utmost importance. We must station many powerful experts at the entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea to prevent the remnants of the Black Calamity from suddenly attacking."
"This matter is somewhat complicated…"
On the ancient warship, Zhuo Fengxie and the other members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance also landed, their expressions grave as they explained to the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace what had happened in the chaotic spacetime sea.
Meanwhile, Zhu Xuan and the other inhabitants of the floating continent remained on the warship.
Many of them looked around curiously, taking in the grand palaces and pavilions, the immortal mountains and islands shrouded in radiant light and colorful mist.
This was their first time leaving the floating continent and coming to the outside world. It had been many epochs since they had last interacted with the outside world.
"The environment here is indeed more suitable for cultivation than the floating continent. If we had left earlier, perhaps we could have helped Fairy Qing during this disaster…"
Some looked at the magnificent scenery with sorrow, their hearts aching.
They were deeply troubled by Fairy Qing's sacrifice, holding off the Dark Beings to ensure their escape.
"I never thought the Black Calamity would reach the Prime-Origin Civilization. I thought this disaster was far from us…"
"The speed of this disaster has far exceeded everyone's expectations."
The elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace, after the initial shock and horror, gradually calmed down, their expressions grave as they considered how to respond.
Many of them wore bitter expressions, explaining to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members what had been happening across the vast expanse in recent days.
The remnants of the Black Calamity had reappeared in the world several days ago, shocking the entire vast expanse.
The thick black fog had spread endlessly, unstoppable, engulfing many regions and advancing at a terrifying speed to once again consume the vast expanse.
During this time, many civilizations and true worlds had sent out pleas for help, seeking alliances to resist the Black Calamity.
The Prime-Origin Civilization had naturally received this news.
However, they had believed that the Black Calamity was still far from the Prime-Origin Civilization and that it would be a long time before it reached them, so there was no need to worry too much.
But who could have guessed that Dark Beings had already appeared in the chaotic spacetime sea deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace?
"It seems the remnants of the Black Calamity had planned this long ago. The return of this disaster was definitely premeditated. The timing couldn't have been a coincidence."
"If even the Prime-Origin Civilization, with its Supreme Treasures of Civilization, is being invaded by the Black Calamity, then other true worlds and civilizations are unimaginable…"
The members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance wore heavy expressions, their hearts burdened.
Having fought the Dark Beings in the chaotic spacetime sea, they knew all too well how strange and terrifying these creatures were.
The inhabitants of the floating continent on the warship were equally shocked.
They had thought that the remnants of the Black Calamity were only trying to exterminate the descendants of the ancient sages, to root them out completely.
But who could have imagined that the remnants of the Black Calamity would dare to descend again, bringing chaos to the world once more.
"The remnants of the Black Calamity wouldn't simply descend upon the world without a purpose…"
"Even more terrifying things are surely yet to come."
The few remaining elderly figures from the floating continent exchanged glances, their eyes filled with fear and gravity.
The elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace no longer had time to inquire about the origins of Zhu Xuan and the others.
They quickly left, asking the Heaven-Slaying Alliance members to help guard the area to prevent a sudden attack by the Dark Beings.
Meanwhile, they rushed to ring the Imperial Immortal Palace's mountain bell. The deep, ancient tolling of the bell reverberated like ripples, instantly spreading across the surrounding starfields and universes.
The surrounding universes were shaken by the deep, heavy tolling of the bell, the sound echoing through the heavens.
Beings and cultivators of all levels and realms couldn't help but tremble and look up, wondering what major event had caused the Imperial Immortal Palace to ring its mountain bell, something that hadn't happened in countless epochs.
The Imperial Immortal Palace summoned all its disciples, elders, and ancient figures to announce the arrival of the Black Calamity.
The urgency of this matter was comparable to the return of their founder, Ling Yuling.
At the same time, the Imperial Immortal Palace quickly spread the news to all the factions and regions of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
Meanwhile, the Heaven-Slaying Alliance also received the news brought by Chu Heng.
The high-ranking members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance quickly made a decision, ordering all clans and factions to send their strongest experts to guard the chaotic spacetime sea deep within the Imperial Immortal Palace.
Purple Mist Mountain, Divine Ascension Cavern, The Demon Court, Tathagata Buddha Kingdom… Almost all the supreme forces of the Prime-Origin Civilization mobilized, following the orders of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and sending their strongest experts to the chaotic spacetime sea.
Ancient warships, cloud boats, and war chariots, carrying countless cultivators and beings, broke through the barriers of their universes and sped toward the chaotic spacetime sea.
The news that countless Dark Beings were about to emerge from the chaotic spacetime sea quickly spread throughout the Prime-Origin Civilization, causing an unimaginable uproar.
Countless beings and cultivators were horrified and terrified, never expecting this day to come so soon.
The news caused a shockwave akin to a meteor crashing into the ocean.
Nearby true worlds and civilizations also quickly learned of the news. In their shock and disbelief, they began to prepare and remain vigilant.
If the Prime-Origin Civilization fell, the ancient civilizations and true worlds that relied on it would also be doomed.
Moreover, if Dark Beings had appeared in the chaotic spacetime sea, who knew how else the Black Calamity might descend?
At this moment, many civilizations and true worlds were filled with unease, everyone fearing that disaster might strike at any moment.
Across the vast expanse, many regions had recently discovered Dark Beings.
Even some supreme true worlds were not spared.
Ancient figures from immortal factions had been silently corrupted by Dark Matter, transforming into Dark Beings and turning against their own clans, slaughtering their former allies.
The vast expanse, which had been quiet for so long, could no longer maintain its peace. With the reappearance of the remnants of the Black Calamity, chaos began to spread everywhere.
"Leader, this is the full account of what happened…"
In the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, Chu Heng stood respectfully before Gu Changge, reporting in detail everything that had happened during their time in the chaotic spacetime sea, leaving nothing out.
Beside Gu Changge, the high-ranking members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance were deeply shaken, never expecting Chu Heng's journey to have been so perilous, almost certain to end in disaster.
If it hadn't been for the woman named Nan Qing, who had selflessly held off the Dark Beings, buying them time to escape, they might never have returned safely to the Prime-Origin Civilization.
"I never thought the Dark Beings would be so formidable, even Chu Heng was injured and defeated…"
Di Kun, the current ruler of The Demon Court, also wore a grave expression.
He knew how strong Chu Heng was. Even ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm experts might not be his match.
Yet, facing the Dark Beings, Chu Heng had shown deep fear and trembling.
"Nan Qing…"
Ling Yuling stood beside Gu Changge, listening intently to Chu Heng's report.
When she heard that Nan Qing had selflessly sacrificed herself, drowning in the black tide to save the people of the floating continent, she couldn't help but tremble.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she fought back tears, her eyes red, her slender hands clenched tightly, and her flawless jade-like face filled with sorrow and grief.
Chu Heng couldn't help but glance at Ling Yuling. He had learned from the people of the floating continent about the relationship between Ling Yuling and Nan Qing.
Ling Yuling and Nan Zun were close friends, and Nan Qing was Nan Zun's only child, who had ultimately perished protecting the floating continent.
Her selfless sacrifice and unwavering resolve filled him with deep admiration.
"The Dark Beings have arrived faster than I expected."
"In that case, station troops at the entrance to the chaotic spacetime sea to guard against the Dark Beings' attack."
Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back, quietly listening, his expression barely changing.