While the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace were leading their disciples back to the palace in haste.
Another major event was unfolding in full swing within the Prime-Origin Civilization.
At present, a conflict had arisen between the Immortal Chu Dynasty and the Demon Court. The armies of both sides were confronting each other at the border, their vast numbers blotting out the sky and casting a shadow of fear over all who witnessed it.
Chu Gucheng's 130th birthday banquet was about to be held, and invitations had been sent far and wide.
Summoning leaders and renowned figures from various supreme forces and clans.
Even the Purple Dew Mountain, which had a history of enmity with the Immortal Chu Dynasty, was not excluded.
A birthday banquet hosted by a figure as significant as Chu Gucheng was naturally no ordinary event.
Every prominent figure in the Prime-Origin Civilization had been invited, and none could afford to slight Chu Gucheng.
After all, Chu Gucheng was one of the most powerful figures in the Prime-Origin Civilization, wielding immense authority. A single thought from him could determine the fate of entire worlds.
Even some demonic forces from the Endless Demon Domain had received invitations and were invited to attend.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty's blatant invitation of so many guests sent shockwaves through the various factions and traditions of the Prime-Origin Civilization, sparking endless speculation.
Some feared that this might be a trap—a "Hongmen Banquet[1]."
Chu Gucheng, fully aware of the precarious situation the Immortal Chu Dynasty was in, seemed to be deliberately setting a trap to scheme against the leaders of various factions.
Others suspected that this might be Chu Gucheng's strategy to form alliances.
He might be attempting to use his birthday banquet as an opportunity to forge agreements with certain forces and clans to jointly face the impending calamity.
In addition to this, Chu Gucheng's 130th birthday banquet also included invitations to supreme figures from other civilizations, such as the Dawn Civilization, the Calamitous Yang True World, and the Ancient Treasure Civilization—some of the most renowned civilizations in the Vast Expanse.
Chu Gucheng had a wide network of friends,
having traveled extensively throughout the Vast Expanse and formed many connections. Now, as his birthday approached, those who had received invitations were likely to attend.
This was also Chu Gucheng's way of showcasing his influence and strength to the various factions and traditions of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
This move caused even greater shock and speculation among the forces of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
At the same time, the Demon Court found itself in an awkward position. While it had not received an invitation, other demonic forces from the Endless Demon Domain seemed to be leaning closer to the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Chu Gucheng's actions were, in effect, a show of force to intimidate the Demon Court.
Some of the Demon Court's demon lords knew that when Chu Gucheng invited other demonic forces from the Endless Demon Domain to attend his birthday banquet, the Demon Ancestor Di Huang was furious upon hearing the news.
The golden crows of the Demon Court took flight, and the nearby universe around the Yu Abyss was scorched and collapsed.
It was clear that Chu Gucheng was now making a desperate move. Amid the chaos between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty, he was forcefully inviting other demonic forces from the Endless Demon Domain, pressuring them to take a stance.
This move completely disregarded the Demon Court's authority.
Even the Purple Dew Mountain, which had a history of conflict with the Immortal Chu Dynasty, now adopted an ambiguous stance,
seemingly content to watch from the sidelines and reap the benefits, unwilling to involve itself in the conflict between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Originally, the Demon Ancestor Di Huang believed that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was being plotted against by the various forces of the Prime-Origin Civilization.
With the Demon Court serving as a pawn in the forefront.
However, at this critical juncture, the other forces chose to remain inactive and indifferent, as if the conflict had nothing to do with them.
It was clear that they intended to let the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty fight to the death.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty, fully aware of this, seemed unbothered, determined to make an example of the Demon Court.
The Demon Ancestor Di Huang was enraged. He immediately blew the Demon Gathering Conch, summoning all demons to attack the borderlands of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
In recent days, an overwhelming killing intent had risen at the junction of the two forces, and the sounds of endless battles shook the heavens.
Countless figures clashed on the battlefield, rivers of blood flowed, and bones littered the ground. Large swathes of the universe were shattered, and the flames of karma spread from the battlefield, radiating into the territories of the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Many ancient beings felt that the celestial signs were becoming increasingly obscure and difficult to grasp, making it harder to discern any hints of the future.
The war between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty could be considered the most intense conflict in the Prime-Origin Civilization since the current era began, resulting in countless deaths and an immense buildup of karma.
Even those not skilled in divination or fortune-telling could see that the fortunes of the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty were beginning to taint with impurity.
This was not a good omen.
---
In the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, within a serene, mirror-like lake.
A grand temple stood, radiating a hazy, brilliant light. It rotated slowly, emitting a low, resonant hum.
At the center of the temple, a figure clad in radiant robes knelt on a translucent, ancient mirror.
Her eyes were closed, and her delicate jade-like hands rested on the mirror's surface, as if she were in the midst of divination.
This was a woman of breathtaking beauty, as radiant as a pearl, ethereal and graceful.
Her snow-white robes were pristine, and her jade-like bones seemed naturally flawless. Even with her eyes closed, her face was nearly perfect, exuding an otherworldly charm.
Her skin was flawless, as smooth as immortal jade, without a single blemish.
"Saintess, the ruler of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Chu Gucheng, has come again. Accompanying him is an old man in a golden robe."
A maid reported, breaking the temple's silence as she descended like a rainbow.
The Saintess of Xiyuan frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by the interruption.
However, she opened her eyes and calmly said, "How many times has Chu Gucheng come now? Tell him I am in the midst of a critical cultivation session and cannot see anyone."
Though her words were calm, a hint of annoyance was evident.
This was at least the fourth time Chu Gucheng had come. After being rejected three times, she had thought he would understand her stance.
Yet, he persisted, seemingly determined to see her no matter what.
"But Saintess, this time it is not Chu Gucheng who wishes to see you, but the golden-robed elder accompanying him," the maid explained hesitantly.
"Hmm? A golden-robed elder?"
The Saintess frowned again, trying to recall who among her acquaintances would wear a golden robe.
"Could it be Elder Jin? Why would he come to the Prime-Origin Civilization?"
The Saintess suddenly felt a headache coming on.
She sighed imperceptibly, raising her delicate hand to massage her temples, as if trying to relieve the tension.
If it was indeed Elder Jin, then she could not refuse the meeting.
It was Elder Jin who had first sensed the resurgence of the dark calamity and suspected it might be related to the remnants of the Black Calamity.
He had sent word to the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, alerting them to the danger.
It was through the information provided by Elder Jin that the Saintess had become vigilant and began using the Mirror of Reincarnation to divine the future.
The Mirror of Reincarnation possessed the profound ability to reshape fate and divine the threads of destiny.
Recently, she had been using it to seek a glimmer of hope for the Xiyuan Sacred Hall amidst the impending calamity.
If the trajectory of fate remained unchanged, then the future foretold by the Mirror of Reincarnation would soon come to pass.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty was not far from its day of destruction.
[1] In modern usage, a "Hongmen Banquet" refers to a situation where an invitation or meeting is actually a trap or an ambush, often in a political or business context. It implies hidden dangers behind a seemingly friendly gesture.