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

Gu Jingshan was still kneeling outside the cave.

His knees pressed against the cold bluestone, but his back was already slightly sweaty.

He waited another moment, but there was still no sound from the cave.

This isn't quite right, is it?! Could it be that the ancestor is unwilling?

Gu Jingshan's heart skipped a beat, but he still had to maintain a sorrowful yet respectful expression.

He took a deep breath and kowtowed again.

"Please, Ancestor, for the sake of the family and the greater good of the sect, sign the death warrant."

"The entire Gu family once again begs our patriarch to die!"

The sound was louder this time, and it sounded even more mournful.

It was as if they were really going to take out their heart, liver, and lungs.

But after shouting, Gu Jingshan himself was a little confused.

That shouldn't be the case! Based on his understanding of the Ancestor, the Ancestor should have already appeared by now.

Even if they look unhappy, even if they're unwilling, they should at least show up!

Then, with red eyes, he said a few more words about the hardships of the Gu family, the difficulties of the sect, and the incompetence of the younger generation, saying that he could only ask the ancestor for one last blessing.

The ancestor would usually remain silent for a while, then sigh, and finally accept the deathmatch contract.

That's how it should be! This is how the process should be done, isn't it?

Gu Jingshan had even planned out how he would cry, how he would kneel, and how he would get the younger members of the Gu family behind him to kowtow together.

But there's no reaction at all inside the cave.

What is this? Didn't the ancestor hear it?

Impossible! Even if a Golden Core cultivator is nearing the end of their lifespan, they are not deaf.

Gu Jingshan's Adam's apple bobbed, and his unease deepened.

At this moment, outside Lingdao Peak, several auras were hidden among the clouds and mist.

Several elders of the Xuan Yang Sect had arrived long ago, but none of them were willing to show themselves.

Why would I show my face for something like this?

Does it look good?

Forcing a senior Golden Core cultivator from a sect to die is not a glorious thing to talk about.

An elder in a grey robe stroked his beard, his brow furrowed deeply.

"The Gu family's actions were extremely ugly."

Someone nearby said calmly, "It may be ugly, but the sect still needs someone to fight. The Crimson Cloud Sect sent someone at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm; we can't send someone from the Foundation Establishment realm to their death."

"That doesn't mean you should force the patriarch of a family."

"Ha, forcing them? The Gu family has already spoken up, what can we outsiders say?"

After these words were spoken, the fog cleared up considerably.

Yes! They've already made their decision, so what can we outsiders say?

Feeling uncomfortable is one thing, but standing up for yourself is another.

Nobody's a fool. It's true that Gu Changjin's lifespan is almost over, but he is still a mid-stage Golden Core sword cultivator.

If you're really pushed to the limit, you might drag a few people down with you before you die. Who can stand that?

Moreover, the sect leader also had his intentions behind this.

Is it worth them defying the sect leader for Gu Changjin?

It's not worth it. In the world of cultivation, sympathy is the most abundant thing, but it's also the most useless thing.

Since the knife isn't at my throat yet, I'll wait and see.

On a distant cloud platform, Yun Qingli stood quietly, dressed in white as snow, her brows and eyes cold and aloof.

She looked at the cave dwelling on Lingdao Peak, her expression not changing much, but there was a hint of displeasure in her eyes.

Why hasn't Gu Changjin come out yet?

She had only recently taken over as sect leader, and her foundation was not yet stable.

The old sect leader is in seclusion, and the Supreme Master has also been out of the public eye for a long time. The elders in the sect are outwardly respectful, but they may not truly respect her behind her back.

Therefore, this time, she must establish her authority.

One of them is the cold marrow mineral vein.

Gu Changjin is the second.

If a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator whose lifespan is nearing its end is willing to die for her sect, it is tantamount to telling everyone that the entire Xuan Yang Sect must obey her orders.

Even veteran cultivators at the Golden Core stage are no exception.

Of course, the deathmatch was ostensibly for the sake of the mineral vein.

But Yun Qingli knew the real reason in her heart.

It was her junior brother, Lu Huaizhen, who got into a conflict with the disciples of the Chixiao Sect outside the mountain.

The Crimson Cloud Sect claims that Lu Huaizhen killed their sect leader's personal disciple and stole the Crimson Jade Token from him.

Yun Qingli didn't believe it at all.

Huaizhen had been by her side since childhood. Although she was a bit impulsive, she was the most sincere.

So innocent and carefree, she would even feel sorry for a mountain deer if it was injured. How could she possibly do something like murder and robbery?

It must have been a frame-up by the Crimson Cloud Sect.

However, the Crimson Cloud Sect refused to back down, and the cost of a direct war between the two sects would be too high.

That's how the death match came about.

The problem is, it's not easy to find the right person.

To win, you must be willing to die, and your death must be meaningful.

After much deliberation, Gu Changjin is the most suitable.

Besides, Gu Jia herself is willing, so what is there to hesitate about?

Yun Qingli tapped her cuff lightly with her fingertips, already feeling a little impatient.

She doesn't like this kind of procrastination.

Just then.

boom--

On Lingdao Peak, the cave entrance remained closed.

But a terrifying pressure descended without warning.

Gu Jingshan, who was kneeling at the front, turned pale instantly. The younger members of the Gu family behind him fared even worse, letting out a muffled groan as their foreheads slammed hard against the bluestone.

The unease in Gu Jingshan's heart eased somewhat at this moment.

It's here!! The ancestor has finally reacted!

Although the pressure was a bit too much and the temper was a bit too strong, that's normal.

After all, you can't expect someone to greet you with a smile when you're sending them to their death, can you?

It's alright. As long as the ancestor is willing to come out, things will be much easier from here on out.

Gu Jingshan immediately looked up, his eyes slightly red and his voice trembling.

"Ancestor, the Gu family is incompetent, and the sect is in grave danger. We have no choice but to..."

He was ready to begin his performance.

Separation by life and death, the family's trust is renewed.

The younger generation is unworthy, but the ancestors were righteous.

He had thought about these words over and over again on his way here.

But before he could finish speaking, a hoarse and cold voice suddenly came from inside the cave.

"Who should be sent to die?"

Gu Jingshan was taken aback.

He thought he had misheard.

"Ancestor..."

The voice rang out again.

"Who should be sent to die?"

Gu Jingshan's throat suddenly felt dry.

The surrounding air seemed to suddenly turn cold.

He forced a smile and said, "Of course... I beg the Ancestor, for the sake of the family, for the sake of the sect..."

The third sound faded.

"I ask you, who should die?"

This time, there was no emotion in his voice, but that was precisely what was most frightening.

On a whim, Gu Jingshan subconsciously replied with a sentence.

"To send you to your death."

There was a moment of silence in the cave.

then……

"Holy shit."

The two words weren't spoken loudly, but everyone who heard them felt their hearts skip a beat.

The next moment, a sword cry suddenly rang out on Lingdao Peak.

It wasn't just a simple sword cry; the entire mountain was awakened by the sword's energy.

A crimson sword light shot up from the mountaintop, tearing through the clouds in an instant.

It was a sword, its blade entirely crimson, as if forged from a sea of ​​blood, exuding a chilling killing intent.

This sword is none other than Gu Changjin's natal spirit sword, Jinyang.

When the sword light appeared, Gu Jingshan was completely dumbfounded.

No! This isn't right! The script is wrong! How could the patriarch just draw his sword like that?

Shouldn't he be angry, resentful, and finally lament and accept his fate?

Besides... who was this sword aimed at?

The answer came in the next instant.

The crimson spirit sword did not strike the Crimson Cloud Sect, nor did it strike into the distance.

Instead, it fell straight down on the Gu family members kneeling outside the cave.

Before the sword energy even arrived, the younger members of the Gu family were already pressed to the ground.

Some people were so frightened that their crotches felt hot and their faces turned pale.

Gu Jingshan's soul almost flew out of his body.

"Ancestor!"

"I am Gu Jingshan!"

"We are descendants of the Gu family!"

Upon hearing this, the sword light did not slow down at all; on the contrary, its speed increased several times.

Gu Changjin didn't want to listen at all.

Descendants?

Descendants my foot!

Open your mouth to beg the ancestor to die, shut your mouth to talk about family righteousness.

Do you really think of him as a memorial tablet enshrined in the ancestral hall?

When you need it, you kowtow twice; when you don't, you just wait to gather dust.

Kill! Kill a batch first, then we'll talk about the rest.

Amidst the clouds and mist, the expressions of several elders changed simultaneously.

"stop!"

"Gu Changjin has gone mad!"

"Does he really intend to kill the entire Gu family?"

Some people shouted urgently, but didn't move immediately.

This sword is too fierce. Even a mid-stage Golden Core sword cultivator, with their lifespan nearing its end, would find it difficult to deal with.

Whoever goes first will be the first to suffer from the sword energy.

At times like these, everyone works in perfect harmony.

Shouting is one thing, moving is another, but slowing down is nothing to be ashamed of.

But Yun Qingli can't be slow, otherwise she'll lose face.

Her face turned cold, and a white jade magic seal flew out from her sleeve.

The Dharma Seal swelled in the wind, growing to a size of ten feet, and stood above the heads of the Gu family members.

"Gu Changjin!"

"You dare!"

boom!

The crimson sword light struck the white jade seal, causing the seal to tremble violently.

Yun Qingli's face paled slightly, and she actually took half a step back, a look of disbelief flashing in her eyes.

Wasn't Gu Changjin's life force waning? Was he about to die? How come he still has such powerful sword energy?

She, a mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator, almost lost her footing when she took the sword strike head-on.

The next moment, two more elders attacked simultaneously.

With a flick of his whisk, a thousand threads formed a net, binding the sword light.

One of them unleashed a cyan spiritual shield to protect the Gu family members.

A few other people also moved.

However, the movements are very particular.

It made quite a show of force, but its power was only so-so.

It's like I've made a move, but I don't intend to risk my life for anyone.

The crimson spirit sword spun in mid-air, its tip pointing directly at Yun Qingli.

The cave entrance slowly opened, and Gu Changjin emerged from the shadows.

He wore an old black robe, his white hair was disheveled, his face was aged, and his eyes were bloodshot.

The members of the Gu family lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to even lift their heads.

That sword strike just now really terrified them.

They finally remembered that their ancestor wasn't a dying piece of flesh.

The ancestor was a Golden Core sword cultivator, a Golden Core cultivator who fought his way out of a sea of ​​people.

Yun Qingli stood in mid-air, her voice chilling.

"Gu Changjin, are you betraying your sect?"

Gu Changjin looked at her, then glanced at the Gu family members on the ground, his killing intent still lingering.

Traitor?

That's a really skillful way to put on that hat.

He really wants to explode right now.

Anyway, this body doesn't have much lifespan. I died once in my previous life, so dying again doesn't seem to matter much.

That's what they say.

If you can live, who wants to die?

He is afraid of death.

I'm very scared.

Being afraid of death is not shameful.

It's shameful to be driven to your death.

Just as Gu Changjin was pondering whether he should first slash Yun Qingli with his sword before he died, and then kill a few ungrateful members of the Gu family to take him down with him.

A sudden jolt ran through the depths of his consciousness.

An ancient Dao fruit slowly manifested.

That fruit is formless and without appearance, yet it seems to contain countless versions of oneself.

An old man, a young man, a mortal, a demonic cultivator, a swordsman, an immortal...

In an instant, Gu Changjin seemed to understand something.

The Dao fruit is unique, but the traces of the Dao are countless.

What is scattered throughout the heavens is not an opportunity, not a reward, and certainly not some bullshit system task.

That was originally his property.

Once the Dao traces are restored, he will have a path to heaven.

Lifespan, foundation of the Dao, predicament—none of these are dead ends.

Gu Changjin's expression changed instantly.

I was just thinking it would explode.

It's different now.

There's a way out now... If there's a way out now, who would still want to fight you?

The murderous intent on his face slowly faded, and even the crimson spirit sword retreated half a foot.

Yun Qingli frowned, and the elders were also a little stunned.

What kind of show is this?

One moment they were ready to kill the whole family, the next their momentum vanished?

Gu Changjin looked down at Gu Jingshan.

Gu Jingshan was trembling all over, and his lips turned white.

Gu Changjin suddenly smiled, but it was very faint and fake.

"Sect Master, please don't be anxious."

"I was just momentarily overcome by anger and blood, merely trying to scare these unworthy descendants."

He raised his hand and summoned the Ember Sun Sword back to his side, his tone surprisingly calmer.

"A fight to the death is not out of the question."

Gu Jingshan was stunned.

Yun Qingli was also stunned.

Gu Changjin sneered inwardly.

谈。

Of course we need to talk.

If I don't get all of you into this mess, I'll change my surname to yours.