I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1306: They jointly established and adhered to the Covenant of the Xi Yuan, but did they fall out?

The assembly in the grand hall quivered at the utterance of the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan.

A chill of fear gripped many upon her closing remarks.

Her mentor, once the bearer of the Reincarnation Mirror known as Xi Nu, had even glimpsed this looming fate?

Should the black catastrophe surge forth anew, what fate awaited the creatures of Cang Mang, and how might they stand against it?

Though they hadn't witnessed that ancient clash from eons past, the dusty chronicles offered faint insights into its harrowing and fearsome nature.

Myriad races, empires, societies, and realms were obliterated, dissolving into the annals of time.

And now, such devastation loomed on the horizon once again.

Terror seized many, rendering acceptance impossible. Some harbored dark premonitions that calamity would soon engulf the Xi Yuan civilization.

Chiefs from diverse sects and powers bore solemn faces. The Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan's abrupt revelation hinted at profound significance.

Ling Yuling echoed the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan's sentiments.

“Yes, that ancient conflict was brutally fierce. Innumerable ancestors and wise ones clashed and fell, bearing an immense toll. It was solely through such sacrifice that they bound the root of the black catastrophe.”

With a gentle tone, she inclined her head, “Yet, despite confining the black catastrophe's origin to its birthplace, certainty eludes us regarding its potential breakout.”

“Furthermore, only its essence was imprisoned; no entity in existence could shatter its form. Eons have elapsed since, and the six artifacts from the primordial era, employed for the sealing, have nearly faded into oblivion.”

“Uncertainty lingers too about whether any lineage still watches over the black catastrophe's birthplace.”

“It's possible the black catastrophe's core has already broken free, lurking silently in some alternate realm or timeline, eyeing the world.”

She observed how the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan fixed her eyes on Gu Changge throughout her discourse.

This sparked Ling Yuling's suspicions.

Did the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan grasp concealed facts or mysteries? She now wielded the Reincarnation Mirror, after all.

Prior to the Xian Chu Hao Earth's ruin, the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan had surely divined its doom, prompting her choice for self-preservation.

Yet presently, the whole Xi Yuan civilization and the expansive Cang Mang confronted their impending destiny.

“Long ago, the black catastrophe ravaged the realms, unleashing boundless agony. After endless ages, will it rise again?”

“True, celestial omens across lands have stirred restlessly of late. It appears fate decreed this occurrence.”

“In bygone times, forebears and luminaries battled the black catastrophe, enduring a staggering sacrifice, barely managing to confine it…”

“, woes persist endlessly… as one crisis ebbs, the next surges forth.”

As Ling Yuling uttered these lines, murmurs rippled through the crowd, faces etched with tangled emotions.

The Pioneering Heaven Alliance's unrest remained unresolved, and abruptly, word spread that the black catastrophe's origin, once scourging Cang Mang, could reemerge to dominate anew.

Furthermore, certain minds wondered if threads linked these twin crises.

Gu Changge's enigmatic origins fueled such thoughts. His true essence and temporal roots eluded all knowledge.

Meanwhile, Pioneering Heaven Alliance members displayed utter composure, as if this revelation posed no shock, fully expected. This stirred covert alarm and disquiet among Daoist cultivators. Evidently, the Pioneering Heaven Alliance had long foreseen these developments. Or maybe, it intertwined with the black catastrophe's lingering echoes.

“What views does the Pioneering Heaven Alliance's leader hold on this issue?”

Noting Gu Changge's evasion of her stare, the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan addressed him outright.

Xi Yin, positioned at her side, creased her brow faintly, inner worries churning.

She had initially harbored thanks toward Gu Changge for aiding the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan's escape from the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall. Without his dispatch of the Jing Clan's ancient forebear to alert the Xi Yuan civilization, they might have overlooked the Xian Chu Haotu plotters' scheme against the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan.

Yet subsequently, Xi Yin discerned the aid to the Xi Yuan Sacred Hall as mere pretense. Gu Changge's real aim was dismantling Xian Chu Haotu and orchestrating its fall. Numerous Daoist groups, Xi Yuan Sacred Hall included, served as pawns in his machinations.

The Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan had perceived this all along, hence her poise amid the Void Prison's confines. She even foresaw Gu Changge's eventual rescue post-Xian Chu Haotu's demise.

Grasping this fully, Xi Yin brimmed with irritation and resentment, sensing manipulation. Lingering dread also gripped her. In the vast scheme toppling Xian Chu Haotu, every Xi Yuan civilization Daoist faction became Gu Changge's instruments, mere pieces on his board. Only post-event realization dawned, underscoring his dreadfulness.

Even Ancestor Dao realm might, formidable as it was, amounted to tools in his grasp. Now, with legions of mighty experts in tow, his might could overrun and pulverize any Daoist power within Xi Yuan civilization.

“With the black mist descending once more, wouldn't uniting all creatures to confront it be the wisest path?”

A subtle smile played on Gu Changge's lips as he replied, seemingly oblivious to the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan's regard.

“Precisely as Young Master Gu states. Catastrophe looms near, so the optimal strategy is collective resistance to dispel the black mist anew, scattering it from the realms.”

Ling Yuling dipped her head in accord with Gu Changge's view. Her words shifted the countenances of attending elders and sect chiefs, fearing her tilt toward Gu Changge.

But before voices could rise, Ling Yuling pressed on.

“Thus, I summoned these powers to Yuxian Palace for deliberation on forging the Xi Yuan Covenant.”

“The Xi Yuan Covenant?”

Her words jolted and roused the chamber's occupants. Those foreseeing this breathed sighs of ease, their earlier anxieties dispelled.

Should the Xi Yuan Covenant forge equilibrium in strength, the Pioneering Heaven Alliance would hesitate to rampage and absorb neighbors as formerly. It would curb the Pioneering Heaven Alliance's expansion, thwarting its dream of dominating Xi Yuan civilization.

This mirrored the prime resolution many had mulled beforehand.

After all, direct clash with the Pioneering Heaven Alliance promised dire results. Victory, if snatched, would exact a ruinous price.

“Oh? The Xi Yuan Covenant?”

“If memory serves, Xian Chu Haotu's sovereign, Chu Gucheng, once sought to bind the Xi Yuan Covenant with Xi Yuan Sacred Hall, yet met failure and death.”

“Does Miss Yuling intend a marital union like Chu Gucheng's, allying with Xi Yuan Sacred Hall? Shall you tread Xian Chu Haotu's doomed trail?”

Gu Changge voiced mock astonishment, feigning ignorance of Ling Yuling's designs.

His pointed barbs made the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan clench her hidden hand beneath flowing sleeves. Fury brewed to unleash a sharp glare at him.

Disgust roiled within her. The subject branded utter shame, a stain she yearned to obliterate from recollection. Though Chu Gucheng's fabrication via his daughter Chu Xinyue's impersonation, it clung like a degrading yoke.

Each recollection stirred nausea, a choking revulsion.

“Chu Gucheng's bid for the Xi Yuan Covenant stemmed from base cravings alone. Lacking intent to shield worldly beings, his downfall was inevitable.”

“My forebears and I once defied the black catastrophe, crafting a covenant. Ultimately, it validated our method — absence of order breeds turmoil.”

“The Xi Yuan Covenant's aim now is to rally Xi Yuan civilization's Daoist factions, enforcing guidelines to avert petty squabbles from sparking strife and depletion. Stability and harmony must prevail.”

Ling Yuling's words flowed mild yet resolute.

“Precisely, Senior. Rules beget structure. In this pivotal era, a fresh covenant is vital to bind all, halting rash deeds that defy statutes and unyielding edicts.”

“As Shouyang Tianzong's chief, I declare our foremost endorsement. We pledge to honor the Xi Yuan Covenant, collaborating to forge and safeguard Xi Yuan civilization's order and laws.”

The sect leader, crowned in black-gold Daoist attire and draped in violet robes, voiced assent first.

Though Shouyang Tianzong's legacy lacked the antiquity and renown of Yuxian Palace, Zixiao Mountain, or Ling Shen Cave, it boasted a Grand Dao realm expert. Its influence demanded respect. This Grand Dao realm head dared confront Gu Changge alongside peers.

“Absolutely. Xi Yuan civilization stands transformed. Imminent peril spares none. Selfish pursuits and solitary endurance will doom us all in this storm.”

“Fellow cultivators, Xian Chu Haotu's fate warns us. Eyes wide, seize the proper path now.”

Shouyang Tianzong's headmaster led, prompting other chiefs and sect heads to echo approval. They vowed alliance with Yuxian Palace in birthing the Xi Yuan Covenant.

“We likewise commit to the nascent Xi Yuan Covenant, uniting with you all,” affirmed heads of Tuoyang Mountain, Fanyin Hall, Gouchen Palace, Xuanguang Cave, and Jiuyou Mingque, unhesitatingly.

Evidently, beyond premier immortal Daoist bastions like Yuxian Palace, Zixiao Mountain, and Guangming Temple — yet silent — lesser groups pledged fealty.

Even fresh-awakened ancients, after scant reflection, joined the chorus. Wisdom prevailed — better to band with Yuxian Palace's might than face Pioneering Heaven Alliance's maw.

This surpassed enigmatic absorption into the Pioneering Heaven Alliance.

To myriad cultivators and groups, the Pioneering Heaven Alliance loomed not merely as a blight, but a lethal serpent or scorpion to shun utterly.

The Pioneering Heaven Alliance shrouded in mystery. Sans direct dealings, it wielded an arcane knack for ensnaring souls, turning them into fervent devotees unwittingly. Even titans like Jing Clan's elder Jing Tianyuan, Zixiao Mountain's Ziwang He, and Demon Court's Di Kun had succumbed.

“The Xi Yuan Covenant's terms won't stem from me alone. It demands joint crafting, drawing widest participation from factions and collectives for equity, shunning bias,” Ling Yuling declared, eyeing undecided powers. Elite Xi Yuan civilization entities like Xi Yuan Sacred Hall, Ling Shen Cave, Guangming Temple, and Tathagata Buddha Kingdom featured among them.

She deemed their positions crucial, given their vast networks and subordinate Daoist allies.

“Junior Sister, your thoughts on this?” Xi Yin queried, voice-transmitting to the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan.

Though Xi Yin held slight precedence in rank, the choice rested with the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan.

“Defer the Xi Yuan Covenant for now. We'll watch developments,” the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan replied, head shaking lightly.

Unease plagued her. Gu Changge plainly fathomed Ling Yuling's aims and her bold proclamation's purpose, yet guided Pioneering Heaven Alliance folk here. For what reason?

“Amitabha, the Xi Yuan Covenant bears immense weight. Tathagata Buddha Kingdom ever cherishes mercy for all life. We abhor calamity's shadow. Thus, we concur with Senior Ling Yuling,” proclaimed the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom's representative.

Absence marked the kingdom's sovereign, but a modest monk in frayed garb and faded Buddhist helm spoke. Hands pressed in reverence, he shared a look with flanking ancient Buddhas, voicing backing.

Thereafter, powers like Guangming Temple and Ling Shen Cave swiftly aligned, pledging collaboration to erect the Xi Yuan Covenant for Xi Yuan civilization's multitudes.

Ling Yuling, poised elegantly with serene poise, beamed at the sight. “Your collective endorsement blesses Xi Yuan civilization's denizens greatly. In their name, I offer thanks,” she intoned warmly.

Diverse Daoist chiefs and heads clasped hands hastily, retorting gratefully, “Senior overpraises. Your guidance for the folk honors us deeply.”

“Else, who can say Xi Yuan civilization's plight?”

“We honor Xi Yuan Sacred Hall and revere Senior Xi Nu, yet never foresaw its apathy toward Xi Yuan civilization's woes.”

“Xian Chu Haotu's just collapse marks tragedy for Xi Yuan civilization too.”

Besides uncommitted Pioneering Heaven Alliance folk, merely stray outer-Cang Mang cultivators and Xi Yuan Sacred Hall withheld assent.

Irritation brewed among many, questioning the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan's position.

During Xi Yuan Sacred Hall's prior Xian Chu Haotu tenure, she avowed safeguarding Gu Changge, denying ties between Pioneering Heaven Alliance and black catastrophe remnants sans proof.

Later, post-Zixiao Mountain Lord's false burial coffin dispatch, sparking Xian Chu Haotu chaos, the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan affirmed the black coffin's irrelevance to black catastrophe echoes.

One instance might pass, but repeated acts eroded trust in the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan's word.

With Xi Yuan Sacred Hall's silence persisting, Daoist groups' discontent swelled.”Junior Sister…” Xi Yin gazed anxiously too.

Yet the Sacred Maiden of Xi Yuan stayed composed, as if this unfolded as foreseen.

“Young Master Gu, pray share your take on the Xi Yuan Covenant I proposed?” Ling Yuling bypassed others, fixing on Gu Changge for his view.

Ling Yuling, neck slender and bearing refined, addressed with a