Chapter 474: The Approaching Great Army, Saved His Own Life
"You wish! Don't think you can scare us after you have taken the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains! Do you think two people can destroy the Nine Great Mountains? In your dreams!"
"There's no use having this much assistance when facing absolute power!" Gu Changge's words immediately enraged the Mountain Elders present and terrifying rays appeared in their eyes. The Nirvana Realm power unleashed penetrated the sky and caused stars to explode. A frightening great war was about to begin.
Except for the Second Mountain Elder who had fled, the other True Daoists of the Nine Great Mountains had shown up. The Third Mountain Elder in particular felt Gu Changge had tricked him, as he had been treating him with courtesy all this time and felt outraged and frustrated by the latter's actions.
"The Sky Deer Goddess is in cahoots with him!" Roared one of the Mountain Elders, glaring coldly at her. His eyes shone brightly with indistinct five-coloured light, which made him look powerful and stern. A black furnace appeared above his head, filled with towering flames which drowned out one part of the sky.
"I am naturally on the side of my husband." Sky Deer Goddess shook her head, looking ethereal. She hadn't expected Gu Changge to act upon getting the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains, but her tone did not change as she waved a hand.
Golden lotuses bloomed from beneath her feet which glowed brilliantly, each rotating like worlds of their own with rumbling sounds and unbelievable binding power. She was so strong that the average True Daoists were inferior to her and so three of them instantly rushed towards her wielding their abilities. They might be different in terms of what and how they cultivated, but they were already at a stage of understanding and control of the Great Dao, along with its Principles, which was unimaginable by normal cultivators.
Nirvana Runes appeared glowing with golden light, each one bigger than the night sky and containing intense heavenly power. They shone brilliantly and each pulse could destroy infinite stars and moons.
*Boom!* The war began and rapidly spread to the outside of the continent. The sky and ground collapsed as the mountain ranges nearby fell and mountains cracked apart. Many large rocks were reduced to ashes as well.
Under normal circumstances, the local energy field of the continent would be stabilised thanks to the support of the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains. However, the Celestial Seal had been taken by Gu Changge and it was impossible for things to not impact the Nine Great Mountains.
Three Mountain Elders had quickly rushed towards the Sky Deer Goddess, planning to bind her first. Three hands stretched down to grab her like the ocean sweeping towards her in huge waves. However, a golden lotus bloomed beside her, which wasn't a mere silhouette but a real lotus flower with mysterious power. It blocked the attack from the enormous hands while making a deafening sound that resonated throughout the universe.
At the same time, the others all displayed their great abilities, including a five-coloured three-legged cauldron, stepping on blades and also waving a golden trident. Beams of light shot out and transformed into godly weapons which could easily split the universe apart.
*Boom!*
One attacked Gu Changge first, exuding surges of power. This was the Ninth Mountain Elder, whose power rushed forward like the ocean. It was unrivalled in its force and formidability. Stars from outside the area shook with the force, each one as weak as a speck of dust compared to it.
"I see you are all bent on opposing me. I gave you a way out but you guys chose to die instead." Gu Changge shook his head, seemingly sad about this, yet his cold gaze was unwavering. [I don't mind the cumulative attack of True Daoists. The drop of True Blood which I have absorbed and consumed has made my cultivation improve even further, and besides, my own abilities have surpassed even you guys.]
He was only slightly concerned that the Nine Great Mountains would be hard to invade with the support of the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains, leading to other variables such as excessive use of military force. He had already put that into consideration and thus felt extremely confident after he got the seal. After all, he had been waiting for a chance to do this.
[After finding the Deep Cloud Graveyard, I told the experts staying on the ancient battleship to make preparations for this very moment.]
He attacked in the next instant, Chaos Qi and five-coloured light surging from him in response to the Ninth Mountain Elder's attack. His enormous golden hand, as strong as an Immortal, was all-encompassing, It hit the figure before him. With a loud boom, bright light exploded like stars and the force swept through the sky and land. The figure immediately shook violently as his body hurt intensely and terrifying cracks began to show.
[How is he so powerful? He isn't a True Daoist!] The Ninth Mountain Elder stared at Gu Changge with shock. The powerful Chaos Qi exuding from him was like an ocean. He then noticed a golden yellow gourd as big as a palm, covered with green patterns and beams of red light. It contained murderous power.
[The Immortal-Killing Gourd!? Why does he have it!?] The Ninth Mountain Elder recognised it immediately and felt more frightened, knowing how terrifying it was. He did not dare act recklessly. Nirvana Runes appearing all over his body as Nirvana Principles surged violently, transforming into an impenetrable shield as he tried to counter the attack.
The other Mountain Elders became shocked as well, knowing the strength and mystery of the item more than the ordinary person. They didn't know how the lost Immortal-Killing Gourd had ended up in Gu Changge's possession.
"I haven't seen its strength yet. I might as well test it on you." Gu Changge's expression did not waver and with a split second's thought, the Immortal-Killing Gourd shimmered with crimson light seemingly constituted from infinite rays of sword Qi. And then, a red beam of light shot from the mouth and through the universe and time. It bore a murderous intent as it moved as fast as lightning. With a popping sound, it went through something accompanied by a surge of blood.
The body of the Ninth Mountain Elder suddenly split apart at the neck, blood spilling like a geyser from his wound. There was terror and disbelief in the man's gaze as his body and soul were forcefully split apart. The other Mountain Elders felt frightened and felt a coldness at their necks. This wasn't just a simple decapitation as his life had been split apart as well.
[Seems like killing the weakest True Daoist holds no issues.] Gu Changge watched this with satisfaction. The strength of the Immortal-Killing Gourd was dependent on the power and cultivation of its Master and he was still quite far from being a True Daoist. However, this Ninth Mountain Elder could only be considered a weakling at that level, which meant that the Gourd was the sharpest tool of its kind and yielded effective results. Of course, it was impossible to use it again in a short time.
[If we attack at the same time, he won't be able to stop us by himself!] The Third Mountain Elder looked wary, as he knew how terrifying the Immortal-Killing Gourd could be as well. Besides, they didn't know what other abilities he possessed until now. The only solution was to attack him at the same time.
"I don't believe that we can't kill him with the number of people we have."
"Master, they are all weaker than him. Please stop," Gu Wudi advised, looking conflicted as he watched the Third Mountain Elder prepare to attack Gu Changge.
"You traitor!" The Third Mountain Elder didn't know when Gu Wudi had betrayed him and the Nine Great Mountains, and his expression was as cold as stone.
He had already guessed Gu Changge's background, The Upper Realm and the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains were both irreconcilable. Only when one side vanquishes could their enmity end. The Nine Great Mountains belonged to the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains and had sent their disciples out of isolation to counter the invasion of the Upper Realm.
"If the Upper Realm Armies arrive, I will never let you all go. Don't forget what I've assigned you to do." Gu Changge watched the attacking Mountain Elders without any change in his expression. Instead, stared at Gu Wudi.
"Don't worry, Young Master." Gu Wudi's expression shifted, not daring to stay when his life was in the other man's hand. He transformed quickly into a divine rainbow and flew towards the Second Mountain.
Just as Gu Changge, the Sky Deer Goddess, and the Elders of the Nine Great Mountains were fighting, the enormous Gu Family Army was approaching the borders of this place. A bright light illuminated the sky as disciples of the Nine Great Mountains wielded different artifacts and activated arrays at different parts in an attempt to defend the continent. This led to another battle of an unimaginable scale, and was unable to be stopped.
"I am attacking the Nine Great Mountains according to Young Master's orders!" A tall muscular, middle-aged man with a formidable aura headed forward with a cold expression. He was in the Sacred Emperor Realm, covered head-to-toe in gold armour, with a spear in hand as he rode on a golden lion.
Behind them were a sea of bloodthirsty knights approaching like a rising tide, all exuding terrifying auras and heavenly light. Even the weakest of them was in the Sacred Lord Realm. This mighty army was filled with those in the Sacred Lord and Sacred King Realm, with several who had even reached the Sacred Emperor and Quasi-Nirvana Realm!
All soldiers wielded mighty blades as they cut down enemies from all sides, containing powerful and frightening auras. The beasts they were riding on were strong and eager for blood as well, expelling clouds of mist and shining with dark light. The knights all followed behind their leader like they were from an ancient battlefield.
The military forces surged towards the other parts of the continent, causing ancient mountains and runes to collapse as they marched on. Nothing could stop their progress. As the Sacred Emperor Realm expert waved his golden spear, it seemed like a True Dragon waving its tail, conjuring runes which destroyed the great arrays before it. The disciples of the Nine Great Mountains all coughed up blood from the impact, feeling like their bodies were about to explode.
At the most crucial moment, a Quasi-Nirvana Realm expert tried to attack back. However, Ah Da, clad in shimmering armour made of Hell Iron, sliced his black spear through the air and created a flood of black light. It drowned out the sky as he fought against the Quasi-Nirvana Realm enemy.
It was a vicious battle, and no one other than a Quasi-Nirvana Realm expert could stand a whiff of the aura from another expert in the same realm. The Sacred King Realm disciple who had just appeared was struck by the spear and immediately cracked from the vibrations of the impact. He then spat giant mouthfuls of blood and collapsed into broken pieces, which sent dust into the air.
*Voo! Chik!* A terrifying yet deafening sound came from the horizon as an ancient battleship approached. Surrounded by mist, it seemed to shatter the sky as it approached. It was grand and enormous, at a scale comparable to the sun and the moon. It also had innumerable lines of interweaving runes around it. The sky might as well have collapsed from its sheer size and the sound it made.
The disciples of the Nine Great Mountains shivered with fear at the sight and became desperate. It was clear they didn't have enough force to counter the great army approaching, and how were they going to push it back when more of its reinforcements were arriving? There weren't many disciples in the Nine Great Mountains as it was isolated for far too long, and the only disciple they had accepted all these years was Xiao Yang.
The scent of blood was thick in the air as the continent, which had resembled a paradise, was reduced to ruins. It was a decisive massacre with a clear winner, as some eventually surrendered due to their fear. However, the terrifying army above the sky did not show any mercy and crushed them under the paws of their beasts.
Meanwhile, in the Second Mountain, the great mountain was covered in ancient trees and mist. Light glowed from many different parts of the mountain as its disciples readied themselves for battle with grave expressions. They had already sensed the terrible and shocking quakes from the battle being waged somewhere in the distance and felt like prostrating themselves from the aura.
They had just been taken back by the Second Mountain Elder and hadn't really understood what had happened before they saw blood-coloured light on the edge of the continent, like a massacre was coming from that location. All of a sudden, a bright rainbow landed; it was Gu Wudi with a pale and terrified face.
"Where's the Second Mountain Elder? There's an enemy attack. Take me to him now. My Master and his companions cannot hold on any longer!" He looked pale, and his voice shook from the shock from which he hadn't recovered yet. The disciples of the Second Mountain were surprised to see him, not understanding why he was here. However, they did not dare hesitate any longer after hearing his words. He was still the Chosen One of the Nine Great Mountains no matter what had happened in the test.
Soon, Gu Wudi was taken to a palace within the Second Mountain. The Second Mountain Elder looked solemn as he was conversing with Xiao Yang. The two of them didn't look too happy to see Gu Wudi. Xiao Yang in particular wore a cold and hateful expression.
"Why are you here?" His tone was frigid as he recalled how Gu Wudi had cheated when they spared just to defeat him. Anger and frustration rose inside him at that thought and thus he didn't want to treat him with courtesy.
However, Gu Wudi didn't look like he had heard him, directing a desperate expression towards the Second Mountain Elder. He fell to his knees with a thump at the same time, looking regretful as he spoke with a shaking voice.
"Second Mountain Elder, I have realised my mistake. Please go save my Master. We've been tricked by Gu Changge! Even the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains had fallen into his hand! We shouldn't have listened to him back then and followed his instructions to defeat Junior Brother Xiao Yang.
"I've made a mistake and I hope both you and Junior Brother Xiao Yang will forgive me. If you don't act now, my Master and the rest will be in danger. The terrifying army from the outside world is here! They even brought with them an ancient battleship! It has already stepped into the Nine Great Mountains and we cannot even impede their progress!"
He looked dejected, guilty, and tormented, and his words made Xiao Yang stunned and disbelieving. With his strength, he could only sense something suspicious happening there but could not know what had exactly happened. He hadn't expected the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains to be taken by Gu Changge as well; did that mean that the Nine Great Mountains now had no defences left?
The Second Mountain Elder looked like he had already known what Gu Wudi wanted to say and sighed lightly while looking outside. "With my abilities, I can easily sense the terrible war occurring in the distance. The many Mountain Elders haven't fought in so long. Yet, at this moment, they chose to attack in unison. This can only mean one thing—the Nine Great Mountains are facing an unprecedented crisis. I already know what you are talking about but I still have more pressing matters to attend to."
He did not have the energy to blame Gu Wudi right now and looked at Xiao Yang with an unreadable expression. "I'll send you off first."
"Master!" Xiao Yang couldn't hide his reluctance, especially since the Nine Great Mountains were facing grave danger and he didn't know when he could return.
"You must go and find out who you are." The Second Mountain Elder shook his head. "I've already taught you what is required. From now on, you have to rely on yourself for the rest of your journey. If possible, seek out the Supreme Mountain Elder. Besides that, I may still have surviving relatives that might be able to help you."
"Okay, Master." Xiao Yang looked forlorn.
"If you have to send him away, Second Mountain Elder, send me away with him. I don't think I will be of help if I stay here. Now that the Nine Great Mountains are in a terrible crisis, I can at least still ensure Youngest Junior Brother is safe even if you encounter any danger. That way, we can ensure the continuation of the teachings of the Nine Great Mountains." Gu Wudi looked like he had suddenly recalled something and became excited and pleased.
[Coward!] Xiao Yang felt disgusted by his words and looked scornful. The first thing Gu Wudi thought of wasn't to fight the enemy with his fellow disciples but to flee. He was a disciple of the Nine Great Mountains and also the Chosen One. Yet, he was behaving like this. This infuriated him.
"You're right. Another person leaving means another hopeful chance." The Second Mountain Elder sighed again at the suggestion. However, his eyes were fixed on Gu Wudi as he continued, "However, you must swear on your Dao Heart to never harm Xiao Yang."
He was still distrustful of Gu Wudi and decided to keep an eye on him. After all, it would be far too easy for Gu Wudi to get rid of Xiao Yang with his Sacred Emperor Realm might. Gu Wudi had no excuse for refusing and quickly agreed. He sighed simultaneously in relief as he had completed Gu Changge's instructions, which meant he had managed to preserve his own life.