Just as the old patriarch forced me to my death, I achieved the unity of Dao and fruition.

Gu Changjin acted immediately.

A place like the sect's treasure vault certainly can't be delayed.

The items are there; they belong to the sect.

Only what you have in your own hands is truly yours.

In particular, Yun Qingli had already spoken, allowing him to choose any three items.

Not taking advantage of this kind of bargain would be a disservice to yourself.

Before the night had completely faded, a flash of sword light appeared on Lingdao Peak, and Gu Changjin's figure had already disappeared into the cave.

Behind the Xuan Yang Sect, there is a sacred peak that is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round.

From a distance, the mountain peaks don't look particularly high, and are even somewhat ordinary.

But the closer you get, the more you can sense that something is wrong.

The mountain is in front of us.

Yet it seems like it's not even in front of me.

Layers of clouds and mist entwined around the mountain, with faint patterns flowing within them.

If an ordinary disciple were to mistakenly enter this place, he would likely end up wandering around the perimeter until his death.

Gu Changjin stopped in mid-air, looking at the spiritual peak, his eyes slightly shifting.

Sect Treasury.

It can also be called Zangzhen Peak.

On the surface it is a mountain, but in reality the entire mountainside has been carved out into a semi-cave world.

It forms its own separate space.

Spirit stones, elixirs, magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, array plates, talismans, and most of the inherited relics left by predecessors are stored here.

If this place is robbed, the Xuan Yang Sect will not only be wiped out on the spot, but will at least be half-dead.

In the original owner's memories, the Xuan Yang Sect was once very glorious.

Although it can only be considered a first-rate sect in the Western Wilderness now, its ancestors were indeed wealthy.

The fact that this sect was able to open up a half-heaven indicates that it has produced at least a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Gu Changjin understood.

The Xuan Yang Sect is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

If we're really going to take action in the future, we'll have to consider how many old things are buried underneath.

His gaze then swept to another mountain peak not far away.

It was unusually quiet over there.

The entire mountain peak resembles a sleeping behemoth.

Yun Qingli's master, the Nascent Soul Grandmaster of the Xuan Yang Sect who was renowned throughout the Western Wilderness, was in seclusion there.

It is said that this person has not shown his face for nearly two hundred years.

There are other Nascent Soul cultivators in the sect.

When people mention the Nascent Soul stage of the Xuan Yang Sect, this is still the first person that comes to mind.

This shows that the old man was a formidable fighter back in the day.

Gu Changjin narrowed his eyes.

We still need to play it safe.

The late-stage Golden Core realm is very powerful.

Sword cultivators in the late Golden Core stage become even stronger with the addition of sword intent.

However, without reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one is still just one step away.

In particular, the world of cultivation is not the same as the world of martial arts.

The centenarian swordsman can silence the martial world with a single sword strike.

This won't work.

If a Nascent Soul cultivator were to suddenly appear, he would have to consider how to escape.

"We must expand our spiritual power as soon as possible."

"Let's continue with another one."

"Otherwise, I'll always feel uneasy."

With these thoughts in mind, Gu Changjin landed in front of Cangzhen Peak.

As he approached, a pair of eyes opened from the depths of the clouds.

"Gu Changjin?"

The voice sounded old.

But it is not false.

The clouds parted, revealing an old man in a gray robe sitting at the end of the stone steps, holding a black cane in his hand.

This person's name is Han He.

Elder guarding Cangzhen Peak.

Peak of the late Golden Core stage.

He was just one step away from reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Of course, this step was delayed by many years.

Even before the original body formed its core, Han He was already in the late stage of the Golden Core realm.

The original owner of this body is almost out of lifespan, while this old thing is still in the late stage of the Golden Core realm.

Judging from the looks of it, he doesn't have much time left to live.

The two didn't have a close relationship.

Having been in the same sect for many years, we were somewhat familiar with each other.

Han He looked at Gu Changjin, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"The sect leader has given orders that you may enter the treasure vault and retrieve three items."

Gu Changjin nodded.

"Thank you for your help, Elder Han."

Han He didn't say much, but got up and led Gu Changjin toward the mountainside.

The moment they entered the array gate, the world suddenly changed.

Outside, the Lingfeng Peak is shrouded in clouds and mist.

Inside, however, was a huge stone palace.

The stone hall is a hundred feet high, with jade platforms hanging on all four sides.

There are restrictions on the jade platform.

The forbidden area contains all sorts of treasures.

An ancient sword hangs in the air.

The bottle was sealed with wax.

Jade slips floated on the surface.

There were also some broken artifacts whose purpose was unclear, which were sealed separately in a black stone box.

Gu Changjin glanced at it and clicked his tongue inwardly.

There are quite a few good things.

The Xuan Yang Sect's resources are indeed far superior to those of the Gu family.

Han He walked beside him, his voice low.

"Take your time choosing."

"However, you can only take three items."

Gu Changjin smiled.

"I know."

Han He glanced at him.

Actually, he felt some sympathy for Gu Changjin.

In the journey of cultivating immortality, the greatest fear is growing old alone and destitute.

But what's even more frightening is that having someone to rely on is worse than having no one to rely on at all.

He had naturally heard about what happened to the Gu family.

His own people knelt outside the cave, begging their ancestor to die.

Just thinking about it makes me feel cold.

Han He even felt a little relieved.

He had no family, no disciples, and no ties to his sect in his entire life.

Although it's a bit lonely, at least I won't be put on the spot by so-called blood ties.

But that initial sympathy quickly turned into heartache.

Because Gu Changjin's goal was too clear.

He didn't take his time choosing at all.

After entering, they headed straight for the first layer of restrictions deep within the stone hall.

Han He's eyebrows twitched.

"You want to take this?"

On the jade platform, there was a small glass cup.

The small cup contained half a cup of silvery liquid.

The liquid remained still, yet it seemed as if countless tiny starlights were breaking apart and then reassembling within it.

Gu Changjin didn't even look away.

"Soul-Splitting Star Essence".

This is a rare and wondrous artifact of divine soul in the treasure trove of the Xuan Yang Sect.

After taking it, it can expand the foundation of one's soul, and may even allow the soul to undergo a transformation.

Of course, the process was painful.

There are risks, too.

Normal Golden Core cultivators use it to increase their chances of success before attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

But for Gu Changjin, this thing came at the perfect time.

What he lacks most right now is the capacity to sustain his spirit.

The fusion of memories from three lifetimes has reached its limit.

If you want to connect with the second self, your soul must first expand.

The Soul-Splitting Star Marrow can perfectly fill this gap.

Han He couldn't help but say, "This item is good, but your lifespan is coming to an end and your spirit is declining. If you take it rashly, the backlash will be significant."

Gu Changjin sighed.

"Since we're all going to die anyway, how will we know if we don't try?"

Han He remained silent.

That's not wrong.

It's normal for a dying person to take a gamble.

He raised his hand and released the restraints.

With a flick of his sleeve, Gu Changjin directly took away the Soul-Splitting Star Marrow.

The first piece.

Then he walked on.

Han He was initially quite calm.

But when he saw where Gu Changjin stopped, his expression finally broke down.

"Gu Changjin".

"You want even this?"

On the jade platform in front of Gu Changjin, there was a palm-sized sword blank.

The sword blank was entirely dark blue, with starlight swirling on its surface, like a small patch of night sky sealed inside.

Star Sword Embryo.

These are relics left behind by a Nascent Soul sword cultivator from the Xuan Yang Sect after his death.

It is said that this item was forged by the Supreme Being from a meteorite in outer space. He originally intended to forge it into his natal spirit sword, but unfortunately, he died before it was completed.

This thing has been kept in the treasure vault for many years.

It's not that nobody cares.

It's not that they can't afford it.

To forge it into a sword, one would need at least the firepower and spiritual awareness of a Nascent Soul level.

Even if a Golden Core cultivator takes it, they won't be able to refine it.

Just because it can't be refined doesn't mean it's not precious.

Even Nascent Soul sword cultivators would be envious upon seeing this.

Han He felt so sorry for her that her eyes twitched.

Gu Changjin, however, was perfectly justified.

"I am a sword cultivator, so it's perfectly reasonable for me to take a sword embryo, isn't it?"

reasonable.

That makes perfect sense.

It was so reasonable that Han He wanted to curse.

What would someone who's going to fight to the death tomorrow do with the Star Sword Embryo?

Hoping to complete it tonight?

Are you dreaming?

However, the sect leader has ordered that any three items may be chosen.

Han He could only suppress his heartache and open the restriction.

Gu Changjin was in a very good mood when he took away the Starry Sky Sword Embryo.

Just because you can't practice it now doesn't mean you won't be able to practice it in the future.

With the Dao Fruit, the small pot, and the sword intent, reaching the Nascent Soul stage is only a matter of time.

Only when this sword blank falls into his hands can it be considered to have a future.

the second one.

Gu Changjin continued walking.

Han He has already begun to take precautions.

He discovered that Gu Changjin wasn't just picking randomly.

That old man has a very sharp eye.

They specifically target the truly hidden treasures in the vault.

really.

A moment later, Gu Changjin stopped in front of a row of pill bottles.

Han He's heart skipped a beat.

"You want this bottle too?"

On the jade platform, there was a blue-gold elixir bottle.

The bottle has a sealing talisman attached to it.

There are three words written on it.

Mysterious Elixir.

A high-grade elixir for Golden Core cultivators to enhance their cultivation.

It's not the kind of potent medicine that works instantly after you take it.

Instead, it can gradually refine the golden core, promoting steady growth in cultivation.

It is especially beneficial for cultivators below the late Golden Core stage.

If a bottle of Xuanji Pill were given to a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, and they were to seclude themselves for several years, they might even have the chance to advance to the late-stage Golden Core.

Of course, it will take time to digest.

Gu Changjin is currently only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, and a life-or-death battle is scheduled for tomorrow.

Han He looked at him, feeling very uncomfortable.

If this thing were given to another Golden Core elder in the sect, it might be enough to make him a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

It could be given to Gu Changjin...

Forget it.

What good is it to take a dying person?

Once he loses the fight, the item will naturally be taken back.

Even if you eat a few, there are still some left.

Thinking about it this way, Han He felt a little better.

He lifted the restriction and handed the Xuanji Pill to Gu Changjin.

"All three items are filled."

Gu Changjin took the pill bottle and nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, Elder Han."

Han He looked at him and suddenly sighed.

"Gu Changjin".

"Go to fight to the death. If things don't work out, then save yourselves."

Gu Changjin looked at him.

This old man actually said something sensible.

It's just a pity.

That saying is no longer applicable.

Gu Changjin gave a wry smile, acting very naturally.

"Once you sign a death pact, there's no way you can protect yourself."

"I will do my best."

Han He remained silent for a while.

"The sect will remember you."

Gu Changjin almost burst out laughing.

Remember?

It's best not to just remember.

It would be best to give more.

He carefully put away the three treasures and turned to leave.

His back view still showed signs of aging.

His aura was still suppressed to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

Han He watched his retreating figure, feeling heartbroken but saying nothing more.

Everyone is going to die.

Take some things with you, consider them as funerary offerings.

He just didn't know that.

After Gu Changjin walked out of Cangzhen Peak, he couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Soul-Splitting Star Essence.

Star Sword Embryo.

Mysterious Elixir.

These three items ended up in his hands.

Want to take it back?

Maybe in the next life.