Now that Nie Li and Xiao Yu had safely escaped, the others rejoiced!
What else did they have to worry about?
âEveryone, retreat!â Li Xingyun barked.
The Demon League and Heavenly Path League split into dozens of smaller groups and charged out, retreating while fighting off their enemies.
Gu Heng led his men in a chase for a few hundred kilometres. Although both sides had suffered quite a few losses, at least half of the Heavenly Path and Demon Leaguesâ combined forces managed to retreat safely. Gu Heng could only watch as they escaped.
A quick count told Gu Heng that the Heavenly Path and Demon Leagues had suffered a total of five thousand casualties, while heâd suffered six thousand. Li Yufueng had also suffered over a thousand deaths.
Three of his Deityâs Lakes were gone and heâd suffered more losses in personnel than his enemies. Gu Heng was extremely depressed.
He looked out at the horizon, in the direction that the Heavenly Path and Demon Leagues had escaped to, and rays of wrath flashed through his eyes. âIf we were only killing each other out of hatred, then maybe the family elders wouldnât be bothered over it. However, I donât think thatâs the case anymore, since you dared to commit actions like destroying Deityâs Lakes! Gu Bei, letâs see if your position as first-in-line successor is still stable!â
Gu Heng led a group of men and rushed back to the Divine Feathers Sect.
He definitely had to get the elders riled up about this, then make them impeach Gu Bei!
Destroying three of his Deityâs Lakes was just too vicious a move. He definitely had to make Gu Bei pay the price!
One day later, Skysoul Institute, Gu Beiâs courtyard
Gu Bei, Li Xingyun, and Lu Piao were gathered together.
Gu Bei frowned and questioned, âWhy isnât Nie Li back, yet?â
Li Xingyun smiled. âXiao Yu unleashed a mysterious inscription pattern array at the last minute to save them. It looked like some kind of space-time array. Since theyâve already stored their fate souls, theyâll only be able to die once before they return. Thereâs nothing to worry about!â
Since the outside world was so vast, sending out a search party wouldnât be a good idea.
Gu Bei nodded. âAlright then. Letâs just forget about it for now!â
Lu Piao wasnât worried for Nie Li in the slightest.
They began discussing the arrangements for compensating the members of the Heavenly Path and Demon Leagues whoâd died. Suddenly, a servant anxiously walked in. That servantâs name was Gu Teng. He was one of Gu Beiâs direct subordinates.
âMaster Bei, I just received news that Gu Heng is trying to contact the elders of the Gu Clan to impeach you!â Gu Teng anxiously reported.
âImpeach me?â Gu Bei was stunned for a moment.
âIt seems to be about the destruction of their three Deityâs Lakes!â Gu Teng reported.
Gu Bei furrowed his brows briefly. Indeed, thereâd never been a precedent for destroying a Deityâs Lake. Perhaps they really had gone a little too far this time. But what about the fact that Gu Heng had poisoned his sister? That was even more vicious. This was âan eye for an eye, a tooth for a toothâ.
âHow does Gu Heng plan to accomplish his goalâ Gu Bei asked with furrowed brows. If Gu Heng was going to play petty tricks, then Gu Bei would have to guard against them!
Both Li Xingyun and Lu Piao were listening beside them. This was part of the Gu Clanâs internal affairs; outsiders like themselves wouldnât be able to provide much help. They could only help him come up with ideas.
âGu Heng has gathered dozens of elders and is preparing to pressure the Patriarch. They want you to either give up your position as first-in-line successor, or compensate for the loss of three Deityâs Lakes. One of those elders actually supports Miss Gu Lan and secretly told this news to the Young Miss. Young Miss then asked me to pass the message to you!â Gu Teng said.
A chilling ray flashed through Gu Beiâs eyes. Before heâd displayed his strength, Gu Heng had been the first-in-line successor; therefore, many elders had good relationships with Gu Heng. After Gu Bei had destroyed three of Gu Hengâs Deityâs Lakes, Gu Heng wasnât resigned; he was trying to use the clanâs power to deal with Gu Bei!
âGu Bei, what are you going to do?â Lu Piao asked.
Gu Bei went silent for a moment, then said, âI already have an idea! Gu Teng, go investigate which elders Gu Heng has contacted!â
âYes!â Gu Teng bowed and replied.
Gu Bei busied himself.
The outside world, a mysterious and hidden valley
Surrounded by towering, precipitous cliffs was a valley, flourishing with grasses and flowers. A small spring flowed out from a densely packed forest. The Heavenly Energy was especially rich in this area.
Nie Li didnât know how far he was from the Divine Feathers Sect. Heâd never been here before, not even in his previous life.
After Xiao Yu had activated the space-time array in his ring, he and Nie Li suddenly appeared in this valley. Theyâd shaken Gu Heng off their trail, but Xiao Yu had suffered severe, almost fatal, injuries from the dragon flames.
Xiao Yu only had a 5-fate cultivation. His entire body had been charred black by the dragon flames, and his life was hanging by a thread. With his current cultivation, recovery wouldnât be easy.
Nie Li shouldâve bought a set of Grade 6 armour for Xiao Yu, too. He couldnât help feeling guilty about that.
Xiao Yu struggle to sit upright, and leaned on a big tree to do so. He forced his head up to look at Nie Li and weakly said, âHealing these wounds is too difficult for me, especially in this state. Kill me. That way, I can revive back in the Soul Hall!â
Nie Li squatted down next to Xiao Yu, inspected his wounds, and confidently replied, âYou wounds might be heavy, but recovery isnât impossible! As long as your soul realm hasnât collapsed, I can do it!â
Xiao Yu showed an embarrassed expression and said, âForget it!â
âThere still a chance! Why are you giving up?â Nie Li said in confusion. He looked at Xiao Yuâs ring and said, âI never thought youâd have this sort of hidden method up your sleeve. It looks like an ancient space-time attributed ancient artifact. I actually donât recognise it! It looks like itâs connected to your blood and is a part of you.â
Xiao Yu lowered his head and looked at the ring on his finger. Then, he shifted his eyes and gazed off into the distance, âIâm an orphan, adopted by my foster father. Back then, I was still a infant who knew nothing. Everything that was related to my birth is gone. Only this ring was left behind. The ring is extremely important to me â itâs the only proof of my existence in this world!â
Nie Li shook his head at Xiao Yuâs words. âA personâs existence isnât something that can be proven with just an item. Have you heard the saying before? âLike the empty air; life is as tranquil as a blooming flower; all is fleeting and illusory; let your heart be as clear as a mirrorâ1. Everyone is born into this world empty-handed. Your existence doesnât any proof. Live life with a merry heart and appreciate what is there! Things like origins arenât that important!â
Xiao Yu looked at Nie Li with a dumbfounded expression. Although Nie Li was younger than he was, Nie Li sounded like a sage whoâd already seen through the illusions of life into reality. Xiao Yuâs desolate heart found comfort in Nie Liâs consolation.
Xiao Yu looked at the ring on his finger and said in a serious tone, âI understand your meaning. Iâll take your advice and appreciate life. But I still want to know of my origins!â