Gu Ling Shi Yan, seeing this fatal situation, refused to surrender. He mustered the last of his internal energy, a final, lethal strike.
“I, Gu Ling Shi Yan, will never give up. Drink this, Eight Smoke Heaven Sword, I am its edge.”
He channeled his remaining strength toward the two.
Yi Qi Xing and Bian Xi Jun wouldn't stand by and watch. Their internal energy had already reached its peak, and now they unleashed their ultimate moves.
“Holy Ink Six Precepts.”
“Sword Scoffs at Millenniums of Dust.”
The two moved in perfect harmony, a formidable force, rushing toward Gu Ling Shi Yan.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
The clash reached its end. In the middle of the battlefield, one figure stood alone, cold and still, his life force flickering at its last embers.
“Ugh, I, Gu Ling Shi Yan, will not fall, I will not fall…”
His voice trailed off, mingled with the flow of blood. The twin swords on his back weighed heavily, making him unable to fight any longer. The moment of his demise had arrived.
Yi Qi Xing and Bian Xi Jun stood coldly, uncaring, and with another forceful thrust, plunged the swords deeper, completely piercing Gu Ling Shi Yan's body.
‘Ah’.
A scream of agony, followed by a silent withdrawal of the swords. Blood gushed forth like a torrent, his life force waning like a candle in the wind.
Everything he had strived for his entire life seemed to have led to this path of death. The sound of his unwillingness was palpable.
But his last ounce of strength faded. His grip on the swords slackened, leaving only his face filled with discontent, as he roared at the heavens.
The yellow sand swirled, blurring the minds of men, but unable to extinguish the resolve of the steadfast.
Bian Xi Jun looked on coldly. He reached out and grasped the Yuan Sheng Zao Hua Orb.
“This thing, can it really save Huo Feng Xing?”
“I don't know, but it's our only option now. The Four Wonders were formed from this very orb. Du Wu Yu's physical form is complete, I will definitely revive him.”
Yi Qi Xing nodded. He understood his thoughts and his reasoning.
Suddenly, Bian Xi Jun struck again, severing Gu Ling Shi Yan's head.
Yi Qi Xing frowned, “Why?”
Bian Xi Jun explained, “Yi Qi Xing, this is something someone told me, Liang Shou Gong, come out.”
Liang Shou Gong emerged with a look of exhilaration.
“Hahaha, finally revenge, I’ve finally gotten my revenge, hahaha…”
Yi Qi Xing listened, hearing the sorrow and helplessness in his tone. He had finally released his pent-up emotions.
“Jian Su, a Grandmaster cultivator who practices the Wash Marrow Double Scroll technique. In this situation, there might still be a chance. To prevent his resurrection, only by severing his head and shattering his heart can it be truly stopped.”
Liang Shou Gong hesitated for a moment, then stated the reason plainly.
Yi Qi Xing, upon hearing this, was stunned. So that's it, he thought. No wonder.
He didn't speak any further. Now that he understood, it was for the best.
“Liang Shou Gong, then the rest is up to you.”
Bian Xi Jun said solemnly.
Liang Shou Gong nodded eagerly, he yearned to shred the Grandmaster to pieces.
“By the way, this is the Wash Marrow Double Scroll, I hope it helps.”
Bian Xi Jun and Yi Qi Xing received the scroll, glanced at it, and recognized it as the technique of Shifting Meridians and Transforming Channels. It was truly formidable.
No wonder he could revive himself, they realized.
“This technique is indeed mystical.”
Both were masters of cultivation and were well aware of its secrets. They committed it to memory.
“Thank you.”
Liang Shou Gong, having achieved his revenge, no longer cared, and left with Gu Ling Shi Yan’s corpse.
“Then we shall part ways for now.”
“Good. When there's good news, I'll notify you.”
Yi Qi Xing nodded and then left.
Bian Xi Jun was ecstatic, finally obtaining what he desired.
“The peacock comes from the sea village, its tail adorned with shimmering gold. It's known that the phoenix and crane are harmonious companions, not like the lowly chickens and ducks. Although the Yuanpu Red Cloud has ambition, the blue phoenix and green bamboo need you. Carry yourself for thousands of miles and return to Wu Yue, longing for the clouds deep within the sea and mountains.”
Bai Shou Liu Xian, who had been nearby, appeared. As long as there was trouble, he would intervene, ensuring no mistakes were made. This was his duty as a subject of Tianjiang.
“Old Immortal, this is the Yuan Sheng Zao Hua Orb.”
Bai Shou Liu Xian took it and sensed the Tianjiang aura radiating from it. He nodded. “Correct, it’s the Dragon Pearl of Zuo Long Que. It's a pity, he only came to the Bitter Realm searching for the Reverse Scale, but he was slain. What a shame.”
Bian Xi Jun fell silent. He knew nothing of this incident. All he cared about now was making his wish come true.
“Will you return and wait, or?”
“Old Immortal, I wish to follow.”
“That’s not impossible, but now Mu Shen is in trouble. When he'll leave seclusion, we don’t know. Therefore, I cannot be certain.”
“Old Immortal, rest assured, I understand. I won't put you in a difficult position.”
“Very well, but we need to alter our appearances. We cannot let anyone know.”
Bian Xi Jun didn't mind and presented the Wash Marrow Double Scroll.
“Old Immortal, this is the Wash Marrow Double Scroll. I hope it's of use to Mu Shen.”
Bai Shou Liu Xian, after receiving it, examined it with a confused expression, then was astonished by its mystique. It was truly remarkable.
“Impressive, it's incredibly powerful. This thing can shift meridians and transform channels, it's truly a vital life-saving technique.”
Bian Xi Jun nodded, he had a hunch about this, as long as it was helpful, the rest he could wait for.
“Besides, I have nowhere else to go. I hope you will take me in, Old Immortal.”
Bai Shou Liu Xian pondered for a moment, then said, “Alright, but it depends on Mu Shen’s thoughts later. I will handle this, you’ll know in time. Remember, when we arrive, do not reveal your identity. Otherwise…”
Bian Xi Jun nodded, knowing he was a reasonable man.
This was confidential information. He was an outsider, after all. If not for the Yuan Sheng Zao Hua Orb, he would never have learned this.
“Then let’s go.”
With that, they vanished in a flash of light.
The wilderness was left desolate, devoid of any remnants. Only the bleak aftermath remained, a tragedy indeed.
But it was the testament to sin, was it not?
The fall of a powerful figure was inevitable, an undeniable bleakness. The Bitter Realm was a place where authority shifted constantly.
Everything that happened was the envy of fate, the end of destiny. Who could say?
The grand scheme remained unchanged, but the smaller aspects could be altered. The same principles applied.
This was the essence of extraordinary beings.
A chilling silence, the wind carried a mournful sound, an unavoidable bond.
Different paths led to different choices, how sorrowful. They struggle in the world, only to end up as a wisp of smoke.
Once upon a time, they achieved great power, yet they were still dissatisfied and desired more.
The outcome was now sealed. The path was long and arduous, but who could believe that the future of others, where they would go, would be beyond words.
Bitter Realm, Bitter Realm, destined by fate.