One million years ago!
Ancient times.
Demon Venerable Wuji stormed the Heavenly Court, charging through as the Gu Immortals of the Heavenly Court threw themselves at him in desperate opposition.
Demon Venerable Wuji strode forward unhindered. Not a single Gu Immortal could match him. The casualties were devastating.
The Central Heaven Gate crumbled to rubble. The Nameplate Palace didn't even have time to flee. The Sun Palace and the Five Divine Temples were fragile as paper before Demon Venerable Wuji, as if they existed solely as a joke.
Finally, when Demon Venerable Wuji arrived before the Central Grand Hall, the Heavenly Court trembled. The Will of Star Constellation descended, activating the backup measures once arranged by Immortal Venerable Star Constellation — the Ninety-Nine Unbroken Chain Formation.
Demon Venerable Wuji was trapped within the formation. He broke through a hundred layers before finally breaking free.
Beneath the Observing Heaven Tower.
Demon Venerable Wuji gazed at the Will of Star Constellation and spoke: "Star Constellation, you and I are both Venerables. You painstakingly arranged all manner of measures to restrict me. Though I hate you, I also admire you. Now it is a matter of you dying and me living. No matter how many measures you leave behind, what can they do? You think you can stop a living Gu Venerable? Such a wish is doomed to fail. A Ninth Transformation Venerable is invincible in this world. Only a Venerable of the same level can contend with one."
The Will of Star Constellation gave a bitter laugh and actually stepped aside, opening the path into the Observing Heaven Tower: "How could I not know what you say? But one must try every possible effort — otherwise, how could one be at peace? Please, enter."
Demon Venerable Wuji raised an eyebrow slightly: "You won't block me anymore?"
The Will of Star Constellation said calmly: "Since I cannot stop you, why bother with a futile gesture? Venerable Wuji, since you wish to destroy Fate Gu, you may as well let me accompany you."
Demon Venerable Wuji paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his chiseled face.
"Interesting," he said softly. Under the Will of Star Constellation's escort, he entered the Observing Heaven Tower and ascended all the way to the summit, where he laid eyes upon Fate Gu.
Not long after, Demon Venerable Wuji descended the tower and walked out the door.
What greatly astonished the group of severely wounded, near-death Gu Immortals of the Heavenly Court was that Demon Venerable Wuji had not destroyed Fate Gu. The Fate Gu remained completely intact within the Observing Heaven Tower. No one knew what had transpired inside the tower, nor what the Will of Star Constellation and Demon Venerable Wuji had discussed.
In any case, Demon Venerable Wuji's expression remained cold, though in his eyes there seemed to rest a thin layer of smoldering fury.
He swept his gaze around, and wherever it fell, every Gu Immortal of the Heavenly Court shuddered, their fighting spirit plunging to rock bottom.
Finally, Demon Venerable Wuji's gaze settled once more on the Will of Star Constellation: "Hmph. Immortal Venerable Primordial, Immortal Venerable Star Constellation — the measures and arrangements you two left behind in life surely can't be limited to just this much, can they? Are you looking down on me? Bring them all out. I'd very much like to see what you've got."
The Will of Star Constellation sighed bitterly.
But with Demon Venerable Wuji issuing the challenge, she could only see it through to the end.
And so, the bloody battle resumed.
The Gu Immortals of the Heavenly Court fell and perished under Demon Venerable Wuji's hand without the slightest suspense.
Wherever Demon Venerable Wuji went, pools of blood and corpses were left in his wake. The Will of Star Constellation followed behind him, step by step, calmly witnessing his slaughter.
After a bout of carnage, the waters of Forgetting Dao Lake had already been dyed blood-red.
Demon Venerable Wuji narrowed his eyes. The slaughter had filled him with a sense of pleasure.
At this moment, he gazed at the ripples upon the lake's surface and asked: "What is this lake?"
"Forgetting Dao Lake."
"Forgetting Dao Lake? The lake lives up to its name. A fine lake, a fine lake. What a pity to destroy it. Never mind, then." Demon Venerable Wuji suddenly felt a wane of interest. "Forgetting Dao, forgetting Dao — who can truly forget the Dao?"
After a long silence, the Will of Star Constellation spoke: "Venerable Wuji, you rarely visit the Heavenly Court. Why not take a walk and look around?"
Demon Venerable Wuji gave the Will of Star Constellation a deep look: "Aren't you afraid I'll destroy this entire Heavenly Court of yours?"
The Will of Star Constellation's tone remained calm: "You cannot destroy the Heavenly Court. Setting aside the supreme measures that would erupt the moment the Heavenly Court truly faces the crisis of annihilation — even if you destroyed the Heavenly Court, could you destroy Fate Gu?"
At this point, the Will of Star Constellation's expression turned solemn: "Most importantly — the true Heavenly Court is not here. It is in our hearts. Even if the Heavenly Court is destroyed, it will be rebuilt by the next generation. Surely you, Venerable Wuji, are not eternal?"
Demon Venerable Wuji stood motionless, staring at the Will of Star Constellation, the cold light in his eyes bone-piercingly frigid.
The Will of Star Constellation met his gaze, still perfectly calm.
After a long while, Demon Venerable Wuji nodded: "Worthy of being Venerable Star Constellation. You are right."
The Will of Star Constellation seemed entirely unsurprised: "Shall we continue walking?"
Demon Venerable Wuji climbed Star Racing Mountain, and at its highest peak, he beheld a pavilion.
This, too, was an immortal Gu House.
Demon Venerable Wuji stepped into the pavilion and gazed down upon the vast Heavenly Court. Apart from the trail of blood and devastation his intrusion had caused, the rest of the expansive grounds remained a picture of splendor and abundance.
Demon Venerable Wuji drew a deep breath and rallied his spirits: "A fine pavilion. What is its name?"
"Pavilion of Lingering Regret," the Will of Star Constellation answered.
Demon Venerable Wuji's eyes lit up. This Eighth Transformation immortal Gu House held no secrets from him — in a single glance, he had seen through the entirety of its structure and the mysteries of its operation.
He nodded: "Pavilion of Lingering Regret. A fine name, perfectly fitting."
"Lingering regret, lingering regret. The purpose of my journey cannot be fulfilled — truly a great regret. Whose life can be perfect, without gaps, without regret?"
He seemed to be asking the Will of Star Constellation, yet also muttering to himself, his tone desolate.
The Will of Star Constellation remained silent.
Demon Venerable Wuji suddenly let out a soft laugh, the desolate expression vanishing as he restored his usual cold demeanor.
He clapped his hands in praise: "What an Immortal Venerable Star Constellation, what brilliant arrangements. It's just that you've roused my interest once more."