Chapter 216 | The Galgame Martial Saint

Trouble arrives the moment you speak of it.

Gu Chengming seriously suspected his mouth might be cursed. Just as he was muttering about having a buffer before the leaking disaster arrived, that second moon impatiently hung itself in the sky.

The current situation was clearly not as simple as a “sudden event.” There are many coincidences in the cultivation world, but behind every coincidence, there is often destiny. It was like his attainment of the Dao Throne, receiving the inheritances of the Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch and True Monarch Jiahao, and obtaining the Unfettered Freedom Art.

Then again, even the so-called Great Powers are ultimately under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Dao. How could a Great Calamity personally orchestrated and brought down by the Heavenly Dao be a mere coincidence?

Thinking of this, Gu Chengming pointed at that second cold moon in the sky and turned to Mo Wu beside him, speaking with a subtle tone.

“Senior,” he chose his words carefully, “is the early arrival of this leaking disaster because of you?”

Mo Wu's expression on the other side was already becoming a bit strained.

Just as Gu Chengming said, under normal circumstances, this leaking disaster absolutely shouldn't have arrived so quickly.

Since this change had occurred out of nowhere, the reason could only be that she had brought something along with her on her way back to the sect.

Could it be that the Heavenly Dao had already targeted the group of True Monarchs who escaped from the Place of Calamity?

Thinking of this possibility, Mo Wu's face darkened even further.

She had hurried back specifically to ensure the Wenjian Sect's inheritance remained unbroken, yet she hadn't expected her return to become the trigger that brought the disaster.

Gu Chengming saw her expression clearly and didn't press her further on the matter.

Now that things had reached this point, there was no meaning in pursuing who brought the disaster. The urgent task was to first figure out exactly what was hanging in the sky.

“Senior, according to what you said just now.” He turned the conversation to the main topic. “Since this is a disaster that leaked from the Place of Calamity, what do you know about it?”

According to Mo Wu's previous words, she should have some understanding of the different leaking disasters while she was at the Place of Calamity.

Hearing this, Mo Wu immediately suppressed the bit of embarrassment on her face. Her expression turned solemn as she gave Gu Chengming a detailed introduction.

“This calamity is called the ‘Dream Moon’,” she began, her gaze landing on that second moon. “It is a relic of Penglai.”

Penglai?

Could it be the Penglai Immortal Sect that True Monarch Liuyun Suyu mentioned?

Hearing these two words, some guesses suddenly surfaced in Gu Chengming's heart. Mo Wu then proceeded to tell him the origin of this Dream Moon.

“This Dream Moon was once a town-protecting artifact of Penglai, most skilled at turning void into reality and manifesting the virtual as real.” She spoke slowly. “A thousand years ago, the Penglai Immortal Sect was completely wiped out. All the artifacts, treasures, and sect-protecting arrays within the sect were swallowed by the passage of time.”

“And this Dream Moon is one of them. However, for some unknown reason, the last Sect Leader of Penglai didn't completely dissipate after Penglai's destruction. Only a single obsession remained, which fused with this Dream Moon. Over time, it devolved into one of these Great Tribulations of Heaven and Earth.”

She paused, her tone growing even more solemn. “Anyone who sees the moon will be taken into it and become a part of Penglai.”

Gu Chengming felt a chill in his heart.

Becoming a part of Penglai and enjoying eternal bliss and freedom sounds like a wonderful thing.

But in reality, Penglai had long vanished from time and karma; it was a dead thing that no longer existed.

If one truly entered that Penglai, it would be equivalent to surrendering oneself to the annihilated past, effectively vanishing from the world of the living.

Because of this, the Dream Moon was classified as a genuine Great Calamity.

Just then, a familiar figure drifted over from not far away—it was True Monarch Liuyun Suyu.

She had clearly noticed the abnormality of that moon in the sky. Her moon-white robes were gently lifted by the wind. On that usually cold and aloof face, a rare and complex expression now surfaced.

“The Dream Moon...”

Mo Wu let out a sigh and explained the origin of the Dream Moon, along with the secret of the last Sect Leader's obsession merging with the artifact to become a calamity.

Gu Chengming's heart suddenly sank. When others saw the Dream Moon, they would at most be tempted by the illusion of eternal bliss. But True Monarch Liuyun Suyu was different. The rebuilt Penglai promised by this Dream Moon might be exactly what she obsessed over.

If it were any other True Monarch, Gu Chengming might have been able to offer some advice.

But with this matter falling on True Monarch Liuyun Suyu, even though he had a thousand words, he didn't know how to speak for a moment.

The facts were exactly as he expected.

Regarding the destruction of Penglai, if there was anyone in this world who most hoped for Penglai to exist again, it was surely this True Monarch who was a native of Penglai and had watched her home be annihilated.

But the complexity in True Monarch Liuyun Suyu's eyes soon faded, and her reaction completely exceeded Gu Chengming's expectations.

“Little friend,” she withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Gu Chengming. “I know you might think that since this Dream Moon can turn virtual into real and recreate Penglai, it might be a good thing for me.”

“But in my view, it is merely using the skin of Penglai to perform acts of assimilation and devouring. The true Penglai stayed in the past forever with that destruction a thousand years ago.”

At this point, a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes. “Even if a ‘Penglai’ built on devouring the lives of the world could truly stand, it would no longer be the Penglai I hold in my heart. If I truly accepted it, that would be the greatest betrayal to Penglai.”

Gu Chengming listened quietly, his heart already clear.

These words from True Monarch Liuyun Suyu seemed calm, but the struggle hidden between the lines was not something that could be fully expressed in a few sentences.

He didn't speak to interrupt, only silently waiting for her to swallow that struggle.

After a long while, True Monarch Liuyun Suyu took a deep breath, and the last trace of hesitation in her eyes completely vanished. She turned around and spoke seriously to Gu Chengming.

“Little friend, I would like to ask you to end this calamity with me.”

Gu Chengming naturally understood the weight of these words. Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded solemnly and agreed.

“Senior, rest assured. Chengming will definitely end this calamity together with you.”

...

Now that he had agreed, the next step was how to set about solving this calamity.

Because of the special authority of “Freedom of Body” from the Unfettered Heaven Dao Throne, Gu Chengming did not exist within karma or time.

In other words, among everyone, the probability of him being assimilated by the Dream Moon was undoubtedly the smallest.

Others would be taken in upon seeing the moon, but he could rely on this protective authority to come and go freely within the Dream Moon without suffering the pain of assimilation.

Because of this, Gu Chengming immediately made up his mind to personally go to the Dream Moon to investigate, getting a good sense of its reality so he could properly address this Great Calamity later.

And for such a dangerous investigation, he naturally wouldn't leave behind his capable assistant who had just gained a physical body.

So Gu Chengming called out Ano.

As soon as Ano heard they were going to investigate the Dream Moon, her eyes lit up instantly. She showed no fear at all, instead leaning in with great excitement.

“ I know this artifact!” She patted her chest, looking quite proud. “The owner of this Dream Moon back then was my best friend!”

Hearing this, Gu Chengming's thoughts suddenly stirred.

Ano had previously said she had a very close friend who was the Sect Leader of Penglai and was most skilled in the art of divination.

A thought suddenly popped into his mind, and his expression became a bit subtle.

It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it? Could the obsession of the “last Sect Leader” within this Dream Moon be the very friend Senior Ano spoke of?

With this subtle guess, Gu Chengming activated the authority of the Unfettered Heaven Dao Throne and stepped into that Dream Moon hanging high in the sky, taking Ano with him.

Between the shifting light and shadows, once the scenery before his eyes solidified again, Gu Chengming couldn't help but be slightly startled.

What a magnificent Penglai Immortal Sect.

As far as the eye could see, it was a peaceful scene.

The pavilions and towers were elegantly arranged, surrounded by ethereal spiritual mist. The disciples passing by all had smiles on their faces, looking like a picture of prosperity and peace. There wasn't the slightest hint that this was the interior of a Great Calamity that devoured people.

A disciple guarding the gate spotted Gu Chengming, and his eyes lit up as he warmly approached.

“A True Monarch senior from the outside, right?” The disciple looked delighted. “Oh my, it's been a long time since we've had a guest. Please, come in quickly. I'll go inform the Sect Leader right away!”

Ano held Gu Chengming's hand, her brow furrowing slightly.

Everything was too normal. The disciple's warmth and the sect's harmony were so natural that it was as if they were truly visiting a Penglai Immortal Sect that was still in the world of the living, without any of the danger or eeriness a Great Calamity should have.

Gu Chengming grew more alert, but he remained calm on the surface. Holding Ano's hand, he followed the enthusiastic disciple deep into the sect.

Ano looked around as she walked, occasionally nodding with satisfaction.

“Not bad, not bad...” She marveled. “Even after all these years, Penglai is still so rich.”

Gu Chengming was helpless.

Senior Ano, is there a possibility that everything here is just an illusion?

Oh, wait.

His thoughts shifted. He felt it might not be a common illusion, but a real scene created through some secret method. He remembered what Mo Wu had said about “turning virtual into real.”

While he was thinking, they reached their destination.

It was a grand and magnificent hall. The three gilded characters for “Sect Leader Hall” on the plaque were written with powerful strokes.

And at the head of the hall sat a woman.

The woman leaned lazily against the main seat, her posture casual and free, exuding an indescribable air of relaxation.

The moment she saw the visitors, the corners of her lips curved up slightly into a light laugh.

Gu Chengming had actually already made full preparations to activate Unfettered Heaven and flee with Ano at any moment. But to gather more information, he maintained his composure on the surface, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke with a smile.

“Senior, please forgive my intrusion.” His tone was respectful. “I am Gu Chengming, an elder of the Wenjian Sect. I have come today specifically to observe the Penglai Immortal Sect...”

Before he could finish, Ano, who was beside him, spotted the woman, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

“A—”

She seemed about to blurt out the other's name, but as the name reached her lips, it was as if it had been suddenly erased by something. She couldn't remember it no matter what. She opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't make a sound.

And the woman on the main seat clearly showed a flash of intimacy and joy at seeing Ano again.

But seeing Ano's look of having the words on the tip of her tongue yet forgetting them, she ultimately just opened her mouth and then smiled with resignation, as if she had expected it, not pointing it out.

Then, she turned her gaze toward Gu Chengming, her lazy eyes shimmering with a faint light.

“An elder of the Wenjian Sect...?” she repeated softly, then changed the subject. “You are here to solve the ‘Great Calamity,’ aren't you?”

Gu Chengming's heart leaped.

This senior didn't seem to be trapped in a self-created illusion without realizing it. Instead, she seemed to know everything about the outside world perfectly?

If that were true, then this matter would be a huge problem.

A calamity source that understood the outside world clearly was far harder to deal with than an obsession lost in an illusion.

His thoughts raced, and he almost instinctively wanted to activate Unfettered Heaven to flee, but he heard the woman continue unhurriedly.

“No need to be so nervous.” She smiled, her tone warm. “You have a fate with me, and you are a friend of my old friend. I will not harm you.”

“My Penglai only takes in people based on ‘willingness’.”

She spoke slowly. “Only those who truly and sincerely take Penglai as their belonging will choose to enter my Penglai.”

Seeing her attitude was vastly different from the monstrous calamity he had imagined, Gu Chengming's heart settled a bit, and his courage grew.

After a series of probing questions and answers, he gradually came to understand the inner workings of this calamity.

It turned out that this so-called Dream Moon was created by this senior to recreate Penglai, turning virtual into real so her annihilated home could stand in the world again.

And those who entered Penglai were not deceived by any secret methods or illusions at all. Instead, they each joined Penglai with true sincerity and willingness.

This was because Penglai could fulfill the long-held wish in their hearts and become their final belonging.

The more Gu Chengming listened, the stronger the sense of wrongness in his heart became.

What did she mean by final belonging?

As if seeing his confusion, the senior who called herself the Penglai True Monarch explained leisurely, “A so-called final belonging must first have an ‘original belonging’ to be established...”

The corners of her lips curved up. “And that is exactly the reason why I could attract those who had nowhere to go right from the start.”

She could help people find their true selves and rediscover that “original belonging.”

And what she relied on—

“Is this divination art.”

Gu Chengming's heart stirred slightly.

Ano had said before that this senior was most skilled in divination, able to determine a person's past and deduce their life and death in the future with a single glance.

But this talk of “finding the true self through divination” was far too mystical, sounding as ethereal as a flower in a mirror or the moon in water.

The Penglai True Monarch seemed to see the doubt in his eyes. She blinked and smiled with interest. “Since you don't believe it, little friend, I shall perform a test for you, and then you will know the truth of this divination art.”

“For example, regarding your origins, little friend.”

Gu Chengming's heart stirred.

He thought she would divinate his Wenjian Sect background, or perhaps his secret status as the successor to True Monarch Jiahao and the Life-Defying Calamity-Slaying True Monarch. He immediately tensed up, ready to respond.