Chapter 443: I’ll Be With You Even in Death

Gu Jue paused, then thought for a moment before nodding. "There are only four fixed Ascension Platforms for ascending from the Lower Realm to the Upper Realm. You’re bound to appear at one of them after your Ascension."

"He’s now joined the Chixiao Sect along with the members of his old sect. He’s surrounded by powerful cultivators, so it shouldn’t be difficult for him to find three other Immortal King-level experts to guard the Ascension Platforms with him."

"Failing that, even three Daluo Golden Immortals would be enough. As long as they can stall you for a few moments to send him a message, he can rush over and kill you all the same."

Lu Sangjiu suddenly understood why Ji Li had made no further moves.

’He’s realized he was utterly defeated in the Spirit Void Realm, that he’s lost all his advantages.’

’Any further struggle would only be a nuisance to them; he wouldn’t be able to turn the tables at all.’

’So... he’s waiting for the moment they ascend!’

It wouldn’t just be Xie Ningyuan. Lu Sangjiu realized that the moment she ascended, she too would face Ji Li’s merciless annihilation!

The Spirit Void Realm was originally Xie Ningyuan’s Magic Treasure. According to Gu Jue, those with good aptitude who ascended from this realm should have been received by Xie Ningyuan’s backer, the Xuantian Sect.

But now that the Xuantian Sect had been destroyed, any powerful individuals who had ascended from the Spirit Void Realm must have also died when the sect was annihilated.

The remaining Cultivators who hadn’t entered the Xuantian Sect weren’t exceptionally talented, so it was unlikely they would achieve great things.

Furthermore, after the Xuantian Sect was destroyed, Ji Li sealed the World Origin, which meant that for a long time, no one from the Spirit Void Realm could ascend to the Upper Realm.

In other words, any Cultivator ascending from the Spirit Void Realm now would have absolutely no backing and no connections to anyone!

For Ji Li, killing two newly ascended Cultivators would be as easy as flipping his hand!

Especially since he still controlled a portion of the Spirit Void Realm’s Heavenly Dao Authority, Ji Li would surely sense the moment they ascend.

’...It’s unavoidable. Unless they stay out of the Immortal Spirit Realm for the rest of their lives!’

All three of them had thought of this problem, and an unprecedented silence fell over the room.

After a long time, Gu Jue was the first to speak. "Unlike Yuan Xin, I am not an Artifact Spirit. I cannot leave the Spirit Void Realm."

"So... I’m sorry. The only way I can help you now is by doing my best to wrest the Heavenly Dao Authority back from Ji Li."

"I am a Cultivator of the Spirit Void Realm, so he can’t harm me directly. It will come down to a contest of our true abilities, so I still have a chance of winning."

But it was only a small chance.

After all, Gu Jue’s cultivation was only at the Divinity Transformation Stage, while Ji Li was an Immortal King.

They all understood this, but it didn’t lessen Xie Ningyuan and Lu Sangjiu’s gratitude.

The two rose and bowed to him. "Thank you, Mr. Gu."

Gu Jue accepted their bow without demur, then said impassively, "As for the matter with He Guang, I, as the current Heavenly Dao, cannot interfere. You are all Cultivators of the Spirit Void Realm, so I cannot show any favoritism."

"That is something you will have to handle on your own."

Lu Sangjiu nodded. "Understood. We’ll stop him from harming more innocent lives on our own."

Xie Ningyuan then asked, "And what about the World Origin...?"

"Rest assured. Once I wrest back a portion of the Heavenly Dao Authority from Ji Li, I can unseal it."

Xie Ningyuan nodded, then glanced at Lu Sangjiu. "Perhaps we can use this to figure out a way to deal with He Guang."

After all, Ji Li, the Immortal Spirit Realm, and revenge were all still distant concerns. It was meaningless to worry too much about them for now.

The most pressing problem they had to solve was He Guang.

With that, the serious matters were concluded.

As Lu Sangjiu’s taut nerves began to relax, she was once again confronted with the fact that Gu Jue had been stripped of his emotions and desires.

’The way he is now... can he even be friends with us anymore?’

Even though she knew this, Lu Sangjiu couldn’t help but ask, "Mr. Gu, what will you do now? Will you... continue to stay at the Lingjian Sect?"

Gu Jue shook his head. "The way I am now, it is no longer suitable for me to cultivate in places where people gather."

"Have you heard the legends of Kunlun Mountain?"

Both were worldly and knowledgeable, so they immediately knew what he was referring to.

Lu Sangjiu spoke up. "Are you talking about the rumor that a Heavenly Dao Palace is hidden within Kunlun Mountain?"

Gu Jue nodded. "It’s not a rumor. It’s real."

Lu Sangjiu was surprised, then it dawned on her. "No one can reach the summit of Kunlun Mountain, not even those at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage."

"Some say it’s because there’s a powerful, natural illusory array there that only the strongest Array Master could possibly break."

"Others say it’s because that is where the Heavenly Dao resides, a place inaccessible to mere mortals."

Gu Jue hummed in agreement. "Both are correct, except the illusory array isn’t natural. It was set up by Yuan Xin."

"That was where Yuan Xin used to live, a place no one could disturb. I will go there to focus on my cultivation and concentrate on fighting Ji Li."

"If you need me for anything in the future, you can look for me at Kunlun."

"If it’s something I can help with, I will let you in."

Lu Sangjiu nodded. "What about your master and the others...?"

Gu Jue knew what she was asking.

"I haven’t told them the truth. Many of these matters don’t concern them, and knowing too much wouldn’t be good for them."

"I just said that I was planning to travel for a while, with no set date for my return."

Lu Sangjiu felt a complicated mix of emotions, especially a deep sense of guilt toward Gu Jue.

But things had already come to this... there was no point in saying anything more.

"Take care, Mr. Gu... If anything happens to the Lingjian Sect or your master, I will do my best to help. You don’t need to worry."

Gu Jue’s expression was impassive. He said only eight words: "Nature takes its course; everyone has their own fate."

The implication was clear: some things were predestined, and she might not be able to help even if she tried.

Those eight short words made Lu Sangjiu once again deeply understand the meaning of the Heavenly Dao’s indifference.

The Mr. Gu of the past—straightforward and quiet, yet fiercely loyal and valuing his bonds—was gone completely.

After leaving the Lingjian Sect, Lu Sangjiu contacted Duan Xingyun and the others, arranging to meet in the small town at the foot of the Seven Emotions Sect’s mountain.

However, the two of them didn’t tear through the void to get there directly. Instead, they took a Flying Boat, traveling at a leisurely pace.

They had learned too much from their meeting with Gu Jue and needed time to process it all.

This was especially true for Xie Ningyuan. He had suddenly learned of his past, was now burdened by a blood feud, and had a blade hanging over his neck, ready to fall at any moment.

It was a reality that anyone would find difficult to accept.

Of course, Lu Sangjiu wasn’t in a much better position. She had provoked a powerful enemy, and the day of her Ascension might very well be the day of her death.

The only good news, perhaps, was that if she and Xie Ningyuan were to die, they would surely die together. At least they wouldn’t be lonely on the path to the underworld.

"Xie Ningyuan, don’t keep everything bottled up inside. If you’re upset, just say it... I’m here with you. Even if we die, I’ll be with you. There’s no reason to despair, right?"