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

"I'll hold out until I kill you, that's enough."

The moment Gu Changjin uttered those words, the tension on the deathmatch stage seemed to momentarily subside.

Zhou Lieyang gripped the Crimson Glass Sword, his gaze turning completely somber.

He no longer dared to regard the old man in front of him as an ordinary elixir of immortality nearing its end.

This guy is really capable of killing.

And they are truly willing to risk their lives.

The dark gray natal spirit sword hung in front of Gu Changjin, ugly beyond belief, yet terrifyingly heavy.

Zhou Lieyang's Crimson Glass Sword struck it several times, but each time it felt like hitting an iron mountain that had fallen from the starry sky.

The sword's edge went numb, and the golden core trembled.

His blood and qi were churning.

But this is a deathmatch arena.

They did not admit defeat.

There was no stopping there.

Today, either Gu Changjin or Zhou Lieyang will die.

Zhou Lieyang took a deep breath, and a ruthless glint slowly rose in his eyes.

"Since Senior Gu wishes to die with dignity, then this junior will grant your wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he slapped his chest.

puff!

He spat a mouthful of blood onto the Crimson Glass Sword.

The Crimson Glass Sword instantly shone with a brilliant crimson light.

The Nine-Circle Sword Sun, which had been shattered by Gu Changjin, has now reformed and is even more intense than before.

A ring of crimson fire patterns appeared around the edge of each round of sword sun.

This is to use essence and blood to power the sword.

It's not like we're risking our lives, but it's close enough.

The disciples of the Crimson Cloud Sect instantly became excited.

"Uncle Zhou is getting serious!"

"Blood Sun Sword Fire! This is a secret technique of the Crimson Cloud Sect!"

"Gu Changjin has already burned through his lifespan. As long as Uncle-Master Zhou can hold on until the very end, victory will surely be ours!"

The murmurs from the audience grew increasingly urgent.

On the Xuan Yang Sect's side, many disciples also became tense.

They didn't have much feeling for Gu Changjin before.

An old elder who had been in seclusion for many years and was nearing the end of his life was too far removed from them.

But things are different now.

They watched with their own eyes as Gu Changjin stood on the deathmatch stage, as he grew weary and aged, and as he fought to the death against the prodigies of the Crimson Cloud Sect for the sake of his sect.

The human heart is a strange thing.

I don't think it's a big deal to curse the old folks a couple of times.

But when I actually see the old man risking his life for the sect, I suddenly feel a tightness in my chest.

Gu Changjin stood on the stage, his face growing paler and paler.

He looked up at the nine crimson sword suns, a hint of disorientation appearing in his eyes.

Of course, it was all an act.

But when acting, you have to go all the way.

He suddenly chuckled softly.

His laughter was hoarse.

However, it traveled very far within the magic array.

"I entered the Xuan Yang Sect at the age of twelve."

That year, I was still a menial servant in the outer gate.

"Chopping wood, carrying water, and guarding the medicinal herb fields—I dare not slack off for even a day."

Zhou Lieyang was taken aback.

Why is this old man starting to reminisce about his life?

Gu Changjin ignored him.

He exuded a heavier sense of weariness, yet his aura was even more sharp.

His dark gray natal spirit sword floated behind him.

The sword was rough and ugly, yet it was entwined with wisps of fiery red sword energy and dark starlight.

Like a setting sun about to be extinguished, or a mountain of stars about to fall to earth.

"At fifty-seven years old, I have reached the Foundation Establishment stage."

"At two hundred and sixty-nine years old, I have reached the Core Formation stage."

"In the desolate western wilderness, demonic cultivators wreaked havoc on the border. I wielded the Jin Yang Sword and slew thirty-seven demonic cultivators in one night, reclaiming Bronze Ridge for my sect."

Gu Changjin's voice grew softer and softer.

But every word he uttered seemed to strike the hearts of the Xuan Yang Sect disciples.

"At the age of 320, during the Battle of Red Stream Valley, I lost an arm three months ago and escorted the sect's disciples back to the mountain."

"At the age of four hundred and ninety, the sect's spiritual veins were attacked. I fought to the death with three Golden Core cultivators and held out for seven days."

"This life..."

He slowly raised his head.

It was as if fire was burning in his eyes.

"I owe the sect nothing."

"But the sect can support me, pass on its sword manual to me, and give me a place to stand."

"This sword strike of mine today is returned to the sect!"

boom!

His aura suddenly surged.

The gray, twilight air was burned through by the flames.

He was suddenly lifted into the air.

His dark gray natal sword hung behind him, emitting a deep, resonant sword cry.

The sword's sound was unclear.

It's not fancy either.

But it was like a dying old beast that opened its eyes at the last moment, ready to drag its enemies into the abyss.

Some people in the audience had tears in their eyes.

"Elder Gu..."

"This is the true spirit of an old cultivator from my Xuan Yang Sect."

"Those people from the Gu family are truly despicable."

"If they hadn't pushed him to this point, Elder Gu wouldn't be in this situation."

Some of the older elders also fell silent.

They didn't have much of a relationship with Gu Changjin.

As fellow Golden Core cultivators from the same sect, seeing this scene inevitably evoked a sense of shared sorrow.

Who can guarantee that they won't end up like this when they get old?

Yun Qingli stood on the high platform, her expression complex.

At that moment, she was also somewhat moved.

If Gu Changjin wins this battle, the prestige of the Xuan Yang Sect will surely rise.

The old cultivators of the sect are willing to die for the sect.

Her authority as the new sect leader will be more secure.

This is a good thing.

However, the unease in her heart still lingered.

What's going on with Huaizhen?

Why haven't the disciples she sent out returned yet?

On the deathmatch stage, Zhou Lieyang was already on the verge of losing his composure.

No.

What does it have to do with me if you reminisce about the great kindness of your sect?

You're shouting so passionately, so why is all the sword pressure coming down on me?

He felt the air around him getting heavier and heavier.

The dark gray sword shadow hovered behind Gu Changjin. It was ridiculously ugly, yet it made it difficult for him to even breathe.

We can't delay any longer.

If this drags on any longer, the old man's momentum will only grow stronger.

Zhou Lieyang gritted his teeth and pointed his Crimson Glass Sword at the sky.

The nine crimson swords merged into one with a thunderous roar.

A hundred-foot-tall crimson sun hung above the arena of deathmatch.

Within the Blood Sun, the Crimson Glass Sword transformed into its core, resembling a burning crimson dragon.

"Nine Yangs Return to One!"

"Burning Heaven Sword!"

Zhou Lieyang roared, transforming into a streak of blood-red sword light, carrying a hundred-foot-long sword sun, and crashing down on Gu Changjin.

Inside the deathmatch arena, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged back in a frenzy.

The Nascent Soul formation was violently shaken.

The disciples below the stage felt as if everything was blood red before their eyes, and they could not see anything clearly.

Gu Changjin coughed softly.

A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

This blood is real.

It's not an injury.

He forced himself into it.

It's acting, after all.

How can I feel anything if there's no blood?

He looked at Zhou Lieyang approaching, but his heart remained calm.

almost.

It's time to wrap this up.

The dark gray natal spirit sword slowly fell into his palm.

In an instant, Gu Changjin looked as if he had aged ten years.

At the same time, the sword energy also increased tenfold.

He gripped the ugly sword with both hands.

Correct.

hands.

Like an old man whose life force is waning, he used his last bit of strength to grasp the sword that had accompanied him throughout his life.

then.

He slashed down with his sword.

There were no fancy sword techniques.

There were no sword shadows filling the sky.

Only a single streak of gray and red sword light descended from above, cleaving the Blood Sun in two.

Click.

The hundred-foot-long blood-red yang split open.

The Crimson Glass Sword wailed.

Zhou Lieyang's pupils contracted sharply, and true fear finally appeared on his face.

"No--"

The sword light fell.

His voice abruptly stopped.

His body was cleaved open from his brow to his chest by a single sword strike.

Just as the golden core was about to escape, the gray-black sword shadow trembled slightly and crushed the crimson golden core in mid-air.

boom!

Blood and fire exploded.

Zhou Lieyang died.

Flames surged and lingered inside the deathmatch arena for a long time.

The audience was silent.

On the Chixiao Sect's side, Li Fenshan's face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.

But he didn't say anything.

He was obliged to fight to the death.

Witnessed by the various sects of the Western Wilderness.

The Nascent Soul Supreme watched from the clouds.

Zhou Lieyang died; he could only blame it on being less skilled than his opponent.

Gu Changjin stood in the center of the deathmatch arena, his body swaying slightly.

The ugly, gray-black sword was stuck in the ground.

He held his sword with one hand and clutched his chest with the other, looking gloomy and lifeless, as if he were about to pass away at any moment.

The Xuan Yang Sect disciples below the stage could no longer contain themselves and burst into cheers.

Yet, beneath the cheers lingered a hint of inexplicable sorrow.

Won.

But it seems Elder Gu is also failing.

Yun Qingli slowly exhaled.

Won.

The sect's prestige has been preserved.

The cold marrow mineral vein was also preserved.

Gu Changjin's victory might even make the Xuan Yang Sect more stable.

Just Huaizhen...

The communication jade talisman in her sleeve still showed no reaction.

Yun Qingli's unease grew stronger.

The members of the Crimson Cloud Sect collected Zhou Lieyang's remains, snorted coldly, and prepared to leave.

Li Fenshan gave Gu Changjin a deep look, his eyes chillingly cold, but ultimately remained silent.

Gu Changjin knew very well.

Everyone now thinks he's about to die.

This is the perfect time to leave.

He looked up at Yun Qingli, his voice weak.

"metropolitan."

"I have successfully completed my mission."

"But his life force is already weakened, and he probably won't last much longer."

"I humbly request that the Sect Master grant me permission to return to Lingdao Peak to arrange my affairs after my death."

Upon hearing this, the welcoming peak fell silent for a moment.

Many people looked at him with complicated expressions.

This is probably what it feels like when an era comes to an end.

A veteran Golden Core sword cultivator, he burned out his last bit of life force to win a death match for his sect, and then returned to his peak to await his death.

Too respectable.

That's so tragic.

Yun Qingli immediately said, "Elder Gu has made great contributions to the sect, so he should return to the peak to recuperate."

She thought for a moment, then added another sentence.

"Our sect will send another batch of longevity pills and vital energy replenishing items later, so Elder Gu can rest assured and recuperate."

Many people in the audience looked at the Gu family with even more strange expressions.

For Gu Changjin?

Isn't that for the Gu family?

That damned Gu family.

The ancestor is almost dead, yet we still want them to have one more meal.

On the side peak, Gu Jingshan and the others were stunned for a moment, and then a hint of eagerness couldn't help but emerge from the depths of their eyes.

The old ancestor is dying.

If these things are sent to Lingdao Peak, and the patriarch passes away, won't they still belong to the Gu family?

This time, the Gu family is finally going to rise again.

However, they didn't see it.

The moment Gu Changjin lowered his head, a hint of sarcasm flashed across his lips.

He did not linger.

The ugly, gray-black sword trembled slightly, lifting his aged body.

The next moment, the sword light flew directly towards Lingdao Peak.

They walked very fast.

It happened so fast, it didn't seem like someone who was about to die at all.

Of course, to outsiders, this was because the old swordsman didn't want anyone to see his final, pathetic state.

Only Gu Changjin knew.

If we don't leave soon, everyone's attention will turn back to him.

His vast divine sense had already detected a hasty sword light rapidly approaching from the direction of the sect's mountain gate.

Those were disciples sent out by Yun Qingli.

Lu Huaizhen's matter has been revealed.