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

At the foot of Lingdao Peak, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Gu Jingshan stood in front of the stone steps, his face gloomy.

The elders of the Gu family behind him were also suppressing their anger.

They originally thought that by bringing up the word "blood relatives," the disciples of Lingdao Peak would surely give way.

Unexpectedly, the other party actually dared to stop them.

The leading Foundation Establishment disciple was named Xu Heng, a true registered disciple of Gu Changjin, and also the current head steward of Lingdao Peak.

When a Golden Core Elder accepts a disciple, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can become his apprentice.

At the very least, a foundation must be laid.

Therefore, Xu Heng and his group are nominally the true disciples of Lingdao Peak.

That's why they felt even more uncomfortable.

The sect leader had personally promised that after Gu Changjin's death, 30% of Daoling Peak's resources would go to the Gu family.

Where does this 30% come from?

It's all taken from the mouths of those disciples.

With their master dead, they lost their backing and had to find another way out.

If one can inherit a portion of the resources of Lingdao Peak, one will have the confidence to become a disciple of another Golden Core elder in the future.

The Gu family is rushing up the mountain now, ostensibly to visit their ancestor, but what they really want to do is obvious to anyone.

Xu Heng gripped the hilt of his sword and said coldly, "Patriarch Gu, before Master went into seclusion, he gave an order that no one was allowed to enter."

Gu Jingshan's face twitched.

"Xu Heng, don't forget, you owe your success today to the support of the Ancestor."

"Our ancestor's life force is about to be extinguished. We, the Gu family relatives, have come to serve him on his final journey. How dare you, a mere disciple, stop us?"

Xu Heng sneered inwardly.

Serving?

What a filial son!

The ancestor is still alive, yet they're already in a hurry to protect the legacy.

But he couldn't say that out loud, so he could only say in a deep voice, "It is precisely because Master's life force is unstable that he must not be disturbed by outsiders."

"outsider?"

An elder of the Gu family was immediately enraged.

"I'm a member of the Gu family, but am I an outsider in your eyes?"

Another Foundation Establishment disciple behind Xu Heng couldn't hold back any longer.

"If you truly regarded your master as your ancestor, why did you force him to his death that day?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the Gu family changed completely.

Gu Jingshan's eyes were gloomy.

"presumptuous!"

He raised his hand, and a beam of azure light swept directly towards the disciple.

Xu Heng drew his sword instantly.

A horizontal slash of sword light.

boom!

The blue light and the sword light collided, and the stone steps at the foot of the mountain were shaken, causing stones to fly everywhere.

The two sides have completely broken off relations.

Several Foundation Establishment elders from the Gu family took action.

Lingdao Peak also refused to retreat.

One sword cultivator led the attack, two Foundation Establishment disciples activated talismans, and another person used a small seal to provide support.

Suddenly, a flurry of spiritual light appeared at the foot of the mountain.

Sword energy, talisman fire, and magical artifacts clashed together.

Many people in the distance had been watching this place for a long time.

The disciples from each peak stood at the bend in the mountain path, discussing in hushed tones.

"A fight broke out."

"The Gu family is really in a hurry."

"How can we not be anxious? Elder Gu was in such a state that day, everyone thought he wouldn't make it through the night, but three days have passed and he still hasn't passed away."

"Tsk, these filial sons and grandsons of the Gu family probably can't wait any longer."

Some disciples from the sect leader's lineage were also hiding in the shadows, watching silently.

Although Yun Qingli was overwhelmed by Lu Huaizhen's affairs, Lingdao Peak still had a Golden Core elder who was "about to die".

The sect naturally needs to keep an eye on what's happening here.

Someone sneered, "The disciples of Lingdao Peak may not be clean either."

"Their protection of Elder Gu at this time may not necessarily be out of loyalty."

"It's just a reputation."

"My master is dying, and I risked my life to protect the sect. Even if I later join another sect, people will still think that I respected my master and the Dao."

The world of cultivation.

There aren't that many truly good people.

Everyone has their own agenda.

At the foot of the mountain, the battle of wits grew increasingly fierce.

Gu Jingshan, after all, had been in the late Foundation Establishment stage for many years and possessed the most powerful magic.

He brandished a green wooden ruler, which forced Xu Heng to retreat several steps.

Xu Heng gritted his teeth, and his sword energy surged once more.

Just as the two sides were about to actually draw blood, an old cough suddenly came from the mountain.

"cough……"

The sound wasn't loud.

But it was like an invisible hand that suppressed everyone's magic power.

The flying sword stopped in mid-air, and the talisman fire instantly went out.

The green wooden ruler let out a mournful cry and fell into Gu Jingshan's hand.

Everyone's expression changed drastically, and they all looked up.

At the end of the mountain path, Gu Changjin slowly walked down.

He looked weaker than he had a few days ago, and his face was ashen.

His aura of twilight was so thick it was almost impossible to conceal.

Every step I take feels like I'm about to lose my last breath.

But he still came after all.

The Gu family members were initially startled, but then breathed a sigh of relief.

it is good.

Judging from this, it's definitely coming soon.

We can wait a little longer.

Xu Heng and the other disciples of Lingdao Peak immediately lowered their heads.

"Master."

Gu Changjin did not speak.

He simply raised his hand and waved it.

Snapped!

Xu Heng was pulled back three steps by an invisible magical force, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

On the other side, Gu Jingshan and several elders of the Gu family were also swept away.

With several thuds, both sides landed awkwardly.

impartial.

They were all fined.

Gu Changjin stood on the stone steps, his gaze sweeping over them.

After a long while, he finally spoke in a low voice.

"I'm not dead yet."

"Are you in such a hurry to split up?"

The sound was very soft.

But it sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Gu Jingshan quickly knelt down.

"Please calm down, Ancestor. We are just worried about your health and have come to visit you."

Xu Heng also lowered his head.

"This disciple is eager to protect the mountain; please punish me, Master."

Gu Changjin didn't look at them again.

He just waved wearily.

"All of you, step back."

"Don't disturb my peace and quiet."

After saying that, he turned and walked up the mountain.

His silhouette was unreal.

It looks like it might collapse at any moment.

The members of the Gu family exchanged glances. Although they were unwilling, they dared not cause any more trouble.

A hint of restraint flashed in Gu Jingshan's eyes.

almost.

It's really coming soon.

hold on.

The disciples of Lingdao Peak also put away their magical artifacts.

They achieved their goal.

Firstly, they adopted a posture of protecting the mountain gate.

Secondly, it also helped us ascertain the Master's condition.

It seems they really can't hold on much longer.

Both sides quickly stepped back.

The onlookers dispersed.

However, the news that Gu Changjin was about to "pass away" quickly spread throughout the Xuan Yang Sect.

……

After returning to the Gu family home, Gu Jingshan became increasingly angry.

We didn't get any resources today.

He was even swept away in front of everyone by the ancestor.

What made him even more uncomfortable was that the disciples of Lingdao Peak dared to bare their teeth at the Gu family.

It would be better if the ancestor were really dead.

But he was clinging to life.

It's neither dead nor alive.

It's like living but not really living.

It's absolutely torture.

Unable to stay in the mansion, Gu Jingshan went to the back mountain instead.

The Gu family was affiliated with the Xuan Yang Sect, but was not located within the sect's core mountain gate.

The innermost circle of the Xuan Yang Sect consists of the spiritual veins of each peak and the sect's grand formation.

Further out lies the mountain range where the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment families reside.

As a Foundation Establishment family, the Gu family is in a decent position, but it cannot be considered a core family.

The back of the mountain is connected to a mountain range, and few people come here on weekdays.

Gu Jingshan wandered aimlessly along the forest path, still pondering in his mind.

After the ancestor dies, we must seize Lingdao Peak as soon as possible.

Otherwise, the disciples of Lingdao Peak, the sect leader's lineage, and the elders of each peak would all come to share the meat.

As he was thinking, he suddenly tripped.

"Um?"

Gu Jingshan looked down and realized he had kicked an inconspicuous black stone.

The black stone was half-buried in the soil, with a rough surface.

Just as he was about to move his foot, a flash of blood suddenly appeared in the crack of the stone.

Gu Jingshan was stunned.

Bloodshed?

He crouched down and reached out to pick up the stone.

The stone felt slightly cool to the touch, but it seemed to vibrate subtly inside, as if there were something alive within.

Gu Jingshan's heart skipped a beat.

He had read many fantasy novels about cultivation when he was young.

Finding treasure in the mountains?

What do you mean by "good fortune comes in old age"?

What? He accidentally obtained an ancient inheritance and defied fate to change his destiny.

He used to take it as a joke.

But now, the stone is in his hands.

Is it...

Did I also have a chance?

Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Jingshan immediately stuffed the black stone into his storage bag.

He then looked around warily.

no one.

The mountain breeze blew through the woods, causing the shadows of the trees to sway.

Gu Jingshan quickly left.

Half an hour later.

He quietly returned.

After circling around twice to make sure no one was following him, he left again.

One hour later.

Gu Jingshan's figure appeared at the edge of the woods for the third time.

It turns out he hadn't gone far at all.

It has been hiding nearby.

Only after he was completely sure that no one had discovered him did he finally breathe a sigh of relief and turn back to the Gu family home.

late at night.

Gu Family Ancestral Hall.

Gu Jingshan sat alone in front of the ancestral tablets.

He set up soundproofing talismans and activated a small protective array before carefully taking out the black stone.

Divine sense probed in.

boom.

A line of blood-red ancient characters instantly appeared in his mind.

Gu Jingshan's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Bloodline Primordial Law..."

He murmured the name.

The more I looked, the more rapid my breathing became.

Using the bloodline of the same clan as a guide, the primordial embryo of bloodline is formed.

Once the primordial embryo is formed, it can help break through realms, prolong life, and change one's inherent constitution.

Gu Jingshan's eyes gradually brightened.

Blood ties, lifespan extension, breakthroughs.

In that instant, the first person who came to mind was none other than himself.

It was none other than the old ancestor on Lingdao Peak who had been refusing to die for so long... Gu Changjin.