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

The mountain mists suddenly thickened, and the fine drizzle continued to fall.

Raindrops pattered on the branches and leaves of the old pine tree, dripping down the needles and into the moss beside the stone table.

But the moment Gu Changjin sat down, the surrounding clouds seemed to be moved by an invisible hand, and layer upon layer of them enveloped him.

From outside the solitary peak, neither the Xuan Yang Sect's main camp nor the Chi Xiao Sect's side could see this place.

When divine sense sweeps in, it only crashes into a dense sea of ​​fog.

Gu Changjin's eyes flickered, but he did not stop him.

Li Chenyuan smiled, picked up the wine pot, and poured him a cup.

The wine was dark red, and when it was poured into the glass, a faint hint of fire rose up, but it was quickly suppressed by the cold mountain mist.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, please have a taste."

"This is my own Cabernet Sauvignon."

"It uses Crimson Cloud Fruit, which ripens only once every thousand years deep within the Crimson Cloud Sect's fire veins, along with several spiritual herbs that nourish the soul."

"Intense on the palate, yet mellow in the aftertaste."

"While it may not be a great tonic for Nascent Soul cultivators, it can still have some benefits in nourishing their soul."

Gu Changjin picked up his wine glass, glanced down at it, and didn't rush to drink.

Li Chenyuan wasn't annoyed and drank a cup himself first.

As the wine went down his throat, he narrowed his eyes, revealing a hint of contentment.

"rest assured."

"I'm not so stupid as to poison your drink on our first meeting."

Gu Changjin smiled.

"If Fellow Daoist Li truly used poison, this old ancestor will actually have to think more highly of you."

After saying that, he also took a sip from his cup.

The wine burned intensely upon entering the throat, then transformed into a warm, spiritual energy that slowly permeated the soul.

It's really good.

It's much more interesting than those pretentious spirit teas from the Xuan Yang Sect.

Seeing that he had drunk it, Li Chenyuan's smile deepened.

"I have seen what happened to Fellow Daoist Gu."

"His lifespan was about to end, and he was pushed onto the deathmatch stage."

"Everyone was waiting for you to die, but you didn't."

"If you turn back and the Gu family suffers another bloody disaster, with the entire clan dying, you will instead take the opportunity to form your Nascent Soul."

As he said this, he gently tapped his wine glass.

"Interesting, tsk tsk tsk!"

Gu Changjin said calmly, "Is Fellow Daoist Li praising me?"

"Of course it's a compliment."

Li Chenyuan laughed loudly.

"Looking at you, I think we're somewhat alike."

"Of course, I don't have as many exciting experiences as you."

"I am all alone, without any loving family members like Gu Jia, and I cannot be pushed to the Nascent Soul stage by anyone crying and begging."

These words sounded rather harsh, even sarcastic.

But Gu Changjin wasn't angry at all.

He just smiled.

"If Fellow Daoist Li is envious, he can also try to find a clan."

Li Chenyuan was stunned for a moment, then laughed even louder.

"Okay, okay, okay."

"I told you you were one of us."

As the laughter subsided, the casualness on his face gradually faded.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, I invited you here today not for a magical duel."

"I just feel that this sect war shouldn't be fought like this."

Gu Changjin's eyes flickered slightly.

Li Chenyuan put down his wine cup and looked down at the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, which was shrouded in spiritual mist.

"Look down below."

"Qi Refining disciples are pouring in in droves, while Foundation Establishment cultivators are scrambling for array flags and mountain passes."

"Even Golden Core elders occasionally get involved."

"Every battle results in a mass casualty."

"Fight another battle, and another batch will die."

He snorted coldly.

"I have several Golden Core cultivators under my tutelage, each one having taken hundreds of years to cultivate."

"Essence, cultivation techniques, spiritual lands, and opportunities."

"What doesn't require resources?"

"And the result?"

"Death happens in an instant."

"We still have hundreds of years of wonderful time ahead, why waste them all on this stupid war?"

He spoke very frankly.

He was even more candid than someone who was a Nascent Soul Supreme.

"But the sect war can't be avoided."

"Your Xuan Yang Sect cares about your reputation, and so does our Chi Xiao Sect."

"So many people below are shouting about blood feuds, revenge, and the greater good of their sect."

"If you tell them to stop, they'll think you're weak, like a tyrant."

Li Chenyuan looked at Gu Changjin and said something meaningful.

"So... this is difficult, Fellow Daoist Gu."

Gu Changjin slowly put down his wine glass.

He had only one thought in his mind.

broken.

I ran into a colleague.

Li Chenyuan spoke casually, but deep down he thought the same thing.

War must be fought.

But resources shouldn't be wasted.

People can die.

But one cannot die without purpose.

Gu Changjin smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Li is right."

"Continuing to fight like this is undoubtedly a waste of resources."

"But we can't not fight."

Li Chenyuan's eyes lit up.

Gu Changjin continued, "Since we can't avoid fighting, let's try a different approach."

"Oh?"

Li Chenyuan leaned forward slightly.

"Please explain in detail, Fellow Daoist Gu."

Next, atop the solitary peak, their voices grew softer and softer.

The fog grew thicker and thicker, obscuring everything and making it impossible to see or hear anything from the outside world.

A long time passed.

Suddenly, two people's laughter echoed through the mountains.

At first it was just a low chuckle, but then it turned into a loud laugh.

"Brother Gu, that's a brilliant statement!"

"Brother Li is not bad either."

"Come on, have another drink."

"Hahaha, that's great!"

The two Nascent Soul Grandmasters sat under an old pine tree on a solitary peak, drinking spiritual wine and discussing the war between their two sects.

A newly promoted Supreme Elder of the Xuan Yang Sect.

A Nascent Soul stage monster from the Crimson Cloud Sect.

The disciples of the two sects at the foot of Mingming Mountain were fighting to the death.

But here it feels like a reunion with old friends after many years.

Enjoyed talking.

After a while, the clouds and mist finally dispersed.

No one knows exactly what the two talked about.

On the Xuan Yang Sect's main camp, all that could be seen was Gu Changjin walking down from the lonely peak.

From the direction of the Crimson Cloud Sect, they saw Li Chenyuan still sitting under the old pine tree, drinking wine with a smile.

The two did not make a move.

There wasn't even the slightest hint of murderous intent.

When Gu Changjin returned to Yunduan, his expression was calm.

But there were already five thousand top-grade spirit stones in his storage bag.

Li Chenyuan gave it to him very readily.

It was said to be a gift for meeting.

It also shows sincerity.

Gu Changjin was very satisfied.

This sincerity is truly remarkable.

It's time to transform a few more strands of the Dao into one.

As for the content of the discussion, hehe.

Of course, fighting is allowed, but the intensity must be controlled.

The agreement is that both parties can engage in friendly sparring at the Golden Core stage, but must not cause any loss of life.

As for Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining, it depends on individual abilities, but casualties must be kept within a controlled range.

Moreover, with such a vast mountain range and so many demonic beasts, why can't we clear it out?

Isn't defeating monsters also a form of battle merit?

Just tell me whether you killed anyone or not, right?

Although it was a demon beast that died.

Furthermore, the positions controlled by both sides can be exchanged.

If you take one of my mines today, I'll seize one of your abandoned peaks tomorrow.

Wouldn't that result in an extremely impressive record?

And everyone deserves credit!

If you do good deeds today, I will do good deeds tomorrow.

Everyone has a bright future.

The people below were fighting fiercely, while the people above kept a neat account book.

The sect thought the war was progressing, while the disciples thought it was a bloody battle.

The real benefits, however, will simply pass through the hands of those who are meant to receive them.

Gu Changjin's face showed no smile, even though he had already added Li Chenyuan to his list of "people he could temporarily cooperate with".

This person is ruthless, and also sensible and sensible.

Most importantly, the purpose is clear.

Greedy for personal gain, yet unwilling to compromise one's reputation.

I don't want to waste my own golden core for no reason.

This kind of person is much easier to deal with than a fool who spouts empty morals.

of course.

Cooperation is possible.

We still need to take precautions.

Those who share the same path are the most dangerous.

Because what you can do, he probably can too.

A moment later, Gu Changjin landed back at the Xuan Yang Sect's main camp.

Yue Mingchuan and other Golden Core cultivators were already waiting at the camp gate.

Ten black iron warships hovered above the camp, their array patterns not yet completely extinguished.

Hundreds of Foundation Establishment deacons stood on both sides, while three thousand Qi Refining disciples lined up behind them.

All eyes were on Gu Changjin.

The solitary peak was shrouded in mist, and they couldn't see anything.

All that is known is that Elder Gu went to see Li Chenyuan, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator from the Crimson Cloud Sect, alone.

It should be noted that Elder Gu had just formed his Nascent Soul, and the fact that he was able to return unscathed speaks volumes.

Yue Mingchuan was the first to bow.

"Welcome back to camp, Your Majesty!"

The Golden Core elders behind them all bowed their heads.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Then, the voices of Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators suddenly rang out.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

The sound traveled through the camp, causing the mountain mists to ripple slightly.

Gu Changjin stood with his hands behind his back in mid-air, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

This feels pretty good.

No wonder everyone wants to climb up there.

Standing higher up makes even the angle from which others look down look better.

He nodded slightly.

"good."

Just two words.

This brought a sense of relief to many Foundation Establishment deacons.

Grand Master Gu was not angry.

That means that the meeting with the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Crimson Cloud Sect just now wasn't so bad that things got out of control.

Yue Mingchuan stepped forward and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, is Li Chenyuan here to threaten our army?"

Gu Changjin glanced at him.

"Just an old man, coming to test the waters."

"Ignore it."

Yue Mingchuan immediately lowered his head.

"Yes."

Gu Changjin landed in front of the main tent of the camp and waved his sleeve.

"All battalions shall remain as usual."

"Those who need to patrol the mountains should patrol the mountains, those who need to guard the positions should guard the positions, and those who need to heal their wounds should heal their wounds."

"Golden Core Commander, come to the main tent for a meeting in half an hour."

He paused at this point.

His gaze was fixed on the depths of the Broken Cloud Mountains.

The rain and fog had not yet dissipated there.

The mountains and forests were shrouded in mist.

Like a chessboard that has already been laid out.

Gu Changjin's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed it.

"This battle."

"It's time to change our strategy."