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

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

As soon as Gu Changjin said this, the atmosphere on Lingdao Peak instantly eased a lot.

Just moments ago, the two sides were on the verge of a fierce battle, as if an internal sect war was about to break out.

Now that Gu Changjin has suddenly brought up the matter of a death match, it's not impossible to discuss it.

This made many people have a thought.

Fortunately, although this old man is nearing the end, he will still consider the overall situation of the sect!

Yun Qingli slowly suppressed her displeasure, looked at Gu Changjin, and her tone became cold and proper again.

"Elder Gu's ability to prioritize the overall interests of the sect is commendable, and our sect will certainly not treat your Gu family unfairly."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingshan, who was lying on the ground, perked up his ears.

The elders and younger members of the Gu family couldn't help but look up one by one.

It's here!! It's finally here!!

I told you, the fact that I was almost killed by the patriarch's sword earlier was an accident.

As long as the benefits from the sect are in hand, this little bit of fright is tolerable.

Yun Qingli raised her hand, her sleeves fluttering slightly, and spoke in a cool voice:

"If Elder Gu is willing to sign the deathmatch agreement, our sect can grant the Gu family one spot as a true disciple."

Gu Jingshan's breath hitched.

A true disciple! This is no ordinary inner disciple!!

True disciples of the Xuan Yang Sect not only receive personal instruction from elders, but also gain access to the sect's core inheritance grounds.

As long as the Gu family produces a true disciple, their status within the Xuan Yang Sect will immediately change.

Before he could finish celebrating, Yun Qingli added, "I will also grant the Gu family three inner sect positions, three spirit fields, and one side courtyard of a spirit vein."

The eyes of several younger members of the Gu family turned red.

Three inner sect spots!!!

They can't compete with others for the main disciple spots, but the inner disciple spots aren't bad either!

Normally, if they wanted to enter the inner sect, they would have to fight tooth and nail with a bunch of other people. Now, the patriarch only needs to nod his head, and they can save themselves decades of struggle.

This deal is too good to pass up! They wish their ancestor would agree right now.

They all looked at Gu Changjin, who was suspended in mid-air, with burning eyes.

Of course, this is what they think is worthwhile, not what the ancestor thinks is worthwhile.

Yun Qingli's last sentence was the real highlight.

"Furthermore, for the next thirty years, the Gu family will be eligible to have one candidate for each Foundation Establishment Pill allocation by the sect."

boom.

Gu Jingshan's mind went blank for a moment.

Foundation Establishment Pill! This is the real deal!!

With this spot, the Gu family will no longer be gambling with their lives.

As long as the younger generation in the clan performs well, there will be opportunities for each generation to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

As long as the foundation is continuously built, the family will not decline.

This is not compensation; it is the foundation for the Gu family's future for centuries to come!

Gu Jingshan suppressed his overwhelming joy, unable to even control the slight trembling of his fingers.

Several elders of the Gu family had already begun exchanging glances.

Who gets the True Disciple spot? How are the Inner Disciple spots allocated? Who gets priority for Foundation Establishment Pill candidates?

They even started calculating in their minds which of the three spirit fields should be assigned to which branch.

Gu Changjin stood in front of the cave, his eyelids twitching as he listened.

No...no, wait, isn't this compensation for me?

Why does he always talk about family?

I'd rather fight to the death and my family make a fortune? Is that right?

I'm risking my life, right? You guys are just waiting for your turn.

The abacus beads all hit my face.

Gu Changjin kept a straight face, but he was already cursing inwardly.

He finally understands now.

This group of people never thought about him at all, from beginning to end.

In Yun Qingli's eyes, he was a brick in the grand scheme of the sect.

In the eyes of the Gu family, he was a familiar face used to exchange resources.

I'll move anywhere, I'll even die anywhere.

As long as the death is worthwhile.

Okay, so this is how you play it?

Gu Changjin suddenly raised his hand and covered his chest.

The next moment, he swayed.

"puff!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Blood splattered on the bluestone, a glaring red.

The Gu family members, who had just been beaming with joy, froze instantly.

Yun Qingli was also taken aback.

The elders hiding in the clouds twitched.

What's going on?

Didn't he just almost kill the entire Gu family with a single sword strike?

Why are you suddenly vomiting blood?

Gu Changjin leaned against the stone wall of the cave, his face pale, and his breath suddenly weakened.

His voice was hoarse, carrying an indescribable sorrow.

"I am naturally grateful for the sect leader's care for the Gu family."

"But as the sect leader has also seen, I am nearing the end of my lifespan and am riddled with old injuries. My forced sword strike just now has already damaged my very foundation."

As he said this, he coughed twice more, the coughs were so realistic that blood was flowing down the corners of his mouth.

But Gu Changjin remained calm.

The performance must continue.

How can I get extra money if I don't perform?

Yun Qingli frowned slightly.

She did indeed take that sword strike.

Although Gu Changjin's sword energy was powerful, there was indeed a sense of decline in his aura.

It seems this person's situation is worse than she thought; this won't do!

Gu Changjin looked up at Yun Qingli, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"If I were to fight to the death like this, I'm afraid I'd fall on the road before even seeing the people from the Crimson Cloud Sect."

"It doesn't matter if I die then, but what about the future of the sect?"

"What should we do about the Cold Marrow mineral vein?"

"What if the sect leader is too authoritative?"

Upon hearing these words, Yun Qingli's expression indeed became even more serious.

What she cares about most is the overall situation of the sect and the sect leader's authority.

Gu Changjin's words struck a chord with her.

He pressed his advantage and sighed.

"Therefore, the compensation for the Gu family can be postponed for now."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingshan's expression changed immediately.

What does it mean to take it slow?

Ancestor, please wake up!

Those belong to the Gu family!

But he didn't dare to speak.

The crimson spirit sword is still in the sky.

Gu Changjin ignored him completely and continued to say to Yun Qingli, "The most urgent task is to help this old man survive this life-or-death battle."

"Longevity pills, vital energy replenishing pills, soul nourishing pills, meridian-protecting elixir—use everything that's available."

"I do not ask to return alive, but only to wield a few more swords before I die, so as not to fail my sect."

That's so well said.

I will live up to the expectations of my sect.

Even Gu Changjin himself almost believed it when he heard it.

Yun Qingli pondered for a moment.

The elders around them secretly felt that something was wrong.

That old man wants resources and compensation!

Moreover, the moment he opened his mouth, he tried to shift the compensation from the Gu family onto himself.

Unfortunately, it's hard to refute this statement.

They're fighting to the death, and they need medicine to heal their wounds. Is there a problem with that?

no problem.

You can't just send people to their deaths without giving them any medicine.

That would be really ugly.

Yun Qingli is still young after all.

Or rather, she was used to giving orders from a high position and had never really cared about these mundane matters.

She felt that Gu Changjin's words made sense, so she nodded.

"Can."

Gu Jingshan's heart sank. Oh no! The compensation from our Gu family!!

Yun Qingli continued, "Part of the Gu family's reward can be converted into pills and spiritual items for Elder Gu to prepare for the battle."

Gu Changjin's eyes lit up, but he quickly suppressed them.

Don't rush... it's not over yet.

Yun Qingli thought for a moment and then added another sentence.

"Furthermore, this sect grants you permission to enter the sect's treasury and take any three items."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the elders in the clouds all changed.

Choose any three items from the sect's treasure vault?

This is no ordinary reward.

There are some things in the treasure vault that even the elders covet.

Gu Changjin almost lost his composure.

Oh my god.

This naive and innocent girl really doesn't know the cost of living when she's not in charge of the household.

If we have a few more sect leaders like this, the Xuan Yang Sect will be emptied out sooner or later.

However, he still looked weak and simply nodded slightly.

"The patriarch's righteousness."

"I am deeply grateful."

After he finished speaking, he coughed twice more.

This time he didn't vomit blood.

Don't vomit too much.

If you vomit too much, you'll easily give yourself away.

Seeing that the matter had finally been suppressed, Yun Qingli raised her hand and took out a black and gold contract.

The contract hung in mid-air, emitting a faint bloody glow.

A deathmatch pact.

Once signed, a sect law decree serves as proof.

Three days later, Gu Changjin must represent the Xuan Yang Sect in a life-or-death battle against the Golden Core cultivators of the Chi Xiao Sect.

Gu Changjin glanced at it.

He sneered inwardly.

Three days.

enough.

As long as there's any progress on the return of Dao Hen, it's still uncertain who will die.

He raised his hand and forced out a drop of blood essence, which landed on the contract.

The black gold contract trembled slightly, then transformed into a streak of blood-red light and disappeared into the void.

The matter seemed to have been settled.

However, the Gu family members were not happy.

Although it wasn't said that the quotas for true disciples, inner disciples, and candidates for Foundation Establishment Pills would be cancelled, they would first be allocated to the patriarch's preparations.

Who knows when this will happen?

What if the ancestor used them all up before the final battle?

What if the patriarch dies after the duel, and the sect turns its back on him?

Gu Jingshan felt bitter inside.

But before he could swallow his bitterness, Gu Changjin suddenly looked down at him.

Jingshan.

Gu Jingshan immediately knelt up straight.

"Ancestor."

Gu Changjin spoke in a flat tone.

"Order the Gu family to send all the spirit stones, pills, talismans, and magical artifacts from their treasury to Lingdao Peak."

Gu Jingshan was stunned.

"what?"

Gu Changjin's eyes turned cold.

In mid-air, the crimson spirit sword turned slightly.

The tip of the sword was aimed directly at Gu Jingshan's brow.

Gu Jingshan instantly regained his senses.

Gu Changjin said slowly, "What? Is there a problem with this old ancestor taking some supplies from his own family?"

Gu Jingshan's lips turned white.

problem?

This is a huge problem!

The clan storehouse is the foundation of the entire Gu family.

If we take everything out, how will the Gu family operate?

But would he dare to say that?

He dare not.

Because he suddenly realized that his ancestor would actually kill someone today.

Gu Jingshan forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"No...no problem."

"As our ancestor prepares for a desperate battle, the Gu family will naturally offer their full support."

Gu Changjin nodded in satisfaction.

"That's more like it."

He turned to look at the Lingdao Peak disciples beside the cave.

These disciples, who had been pretending to be dead with their heads down, suddenly snapped to attention when the patriarch saw them.

Gu Changjin said, "You will all go with Patriarch Gu to confiscate their property."

Several disciples: "..."

Gu Jingshan: "..."

Yun Qingli: "..."

Gu Changjin coughed and changed his words, "No, it's to collect resources for this old ancestor's preparation for war."

The disciples immediately lowered their heads.

"Your disciple obeys."

Gu Jingshan's face turned green.

But he could only kowtow.

"I will obey the decree of the ancestor."

Gu Changjin then withdrew his gaze.

After finishing his business, he did not fly back to his cave.

Instead, he turned around and walked step by step toward the summit.

His back was aged, and his black robe fluttered in the mountain wind, giving him a truly desolate air of someone going to their death for the sake of their sect.

Many elders watched this scene from a distance, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Gu Changjin has grown old.

But in the end, they still considered the bigger picture.

Only Gu Changjin himself knew the truth.

Walk slowly.

We must walk slowly.

How can we not maximize the tragic effect to do justice to the blood he just spat out?

As for a death match?

Oh.

Let whoever wants to die go to their death.

Anyway, he only has one thing on his mind right now.

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