I became an immortal in the mountains

Chapter 705 Life is interesting precisely because it's uncertain!
The Heavenly Demon recalled that when Qingxu Daoist took out the lamp, he probably thought that he was the most suitable person to escape. However, if Chi Jinyu had escaped at that time, he would not have objected.

The Trinity is inseparable; even though they have formed their own wills, the connection between them remains the most unique.

Therefore, when the time came, for the sake of their common interests, the two powerful cultivators were willing to give their lives for the infamous Heavenly Demon Sword Master.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master stared blankly at the ancient bronze lamp floating in the air, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.

Above Qingping Dao Palace.

Gu Yuanqing suddenly looked up at the Demon-Sealing Sword and Demon-Slaying Sword in the illusory image of the Zhou Tian Star Array. He felt that the aura of the two swords had changed, as if they had suddenly lost some of their spirituality and vitality.

Suddenly, the gate of the Dao Palace opened a crack without a sound.

A faint light emerged from within the palace, and at the same time, three sword shadows descended simultaneously from within the Zhou Tian Star Array.

"Want to escape?"

Gu Yuanqing flashed and stood in front of the Dao Palace gate.

With a flick of his finger, the beam of light that had been sent out was annihilated by the Formless Calamity Finger, and a faint mist of blood was spreading around it.

At the same time, he raised his hand and waved it away, dispelling a huge palm print, and then reached for the three swords.

These three swords, though powerful, are only considered top-tier Dao artifacts once they are removed from the core of the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array. The strength of a Dao artifact depends on the person wielding it.

Gu Yuanqing immediately sensed that the Demon-Sealing Sword and the Demon-Slaying Sword, though seemingly powerful, were actually weak inside. They were merely mechanically activating their respective powers, and Gu Yuanqing could suppress them with just a slight interaction.

Although the Heavenly Demon Sword was somewhat weaker, it was unpredictable and in the end, it suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Gu Yuanqing opened his Void Heavenly Eye and chuckled: "The Heavenly Demon Sword Dao is ever-changing and unpredictable. Seeing it today, it is indeed extraordinary. However, to think you can leave in front of me like this is a gross underestimation of me!"

As soon as the words fell, the Demon-Subduing Sword Domain descended, and countless Demon-Subduing Sword Formations completely enveloped the space above the palace.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master revealed himself, holding a bronze ancient lamp in his hand, enveloped by a thin layer of white-gold firelight. The vanished Heavenly Demon Sword appeared directly between his eyebrows, transforming into an open sword eye.

He stared at Gu Yuanqing, then said coldly, "Mountain Master Gu, you've won. I won't fight for the Dao Palace's inheritance, but it's good to be lenient when possible. If we really fight to the death, it won't be good for anyone!"

Gu Yuanqing's gaze fell upon the ancient bronze lamp, and he said, "I was wondering why those two auras suddenly disappeared. It turns out they fell into this ancient lamp. If you were to truly activate this lamp, I'm afraid those two would immediately be annihilated, their souls scattered and their lives utterly destroyed."

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master sneered, "Since they have come to seize this opportunity, then let their fate be. Their skills are inferior to mine, so they have no one to blame but themselves for this calamity."

"is it?"

Gu Yuanqing chuckled and said, "Why don't you try and see if you can escape with your life from me using this lamp?"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master did not make a move, but said, "Mountain Lord Gu, what will it take for you to let me go?"

Gu Yuanqing said calmly, "Actually, you should understand what I want without me having to say it."

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master asked, "The Heavenly Dao Scripture?"

Gu Yuanqing said, "And there's the Heavenly Demon Sword between your eyebrows. Only when all four swords are gathered can the inheritance be considered complete, which will save me a lot of trouble."

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master sneered, "It seems you have no intention of giving me a way out. Without the Heavenly Demon Sword, what am I?"

Gu Yuanqing said, "You can live for at least another fifty years. It's already the life of an ordinary person. Find a place, abandon the past, get married and have children, and return to the secular world. Perhaps that would be the best ending for you."

"Get married and have children?" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master suddenly laughed, as if Gu Yuanqing's words had touched the place he least wanted to touch. For some reason, when he met Gu Yuanqing's gaze, he felt as if he had been completely seen through, as if he were a transparent person in front of him. There seemed to be a hidden meaning in his words. He had never felt this way before.

Gu Yuanqing said calmly, "What, is my suggestion not good enough?"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master said, "It is very good, but it is not what I want."

Gu Yuanqing sighed, "It's a pity that I meant well, but you refused to accept it! The fact that you dared to leave the Dao Palace shows that this lamp is extraordinary. It is not to be underestimated, as it uses the lives of two Hun Tian Great Cultivators as a sacrifice. However, whether you can leave alive depends on your own fate!"

"Is that so? Then I'll give it a try!" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master sneered and suddenly threw out the lamp in his hand. In an instant, flames filled the sky, as if they were about to engulf the entire Dao Palace Holy Mountain.

Gu Yuanqing calmly said, "Do you know why the Demon-Subduing Sword is the foremost of the four swords? It's because the other three swords are all within the confines of the Demon-Subduing Sword Dao, including the Heavenly Demon Sword Dao that you cultivate!"

The Heart Sword is like a mirror, reflecting all changes within its heart. It can even perceive the every move of the Heavenly Demon Sword Master without using the Heavenly Eye of Void.

As Gu Yuanqing traveled through the Qingping Dao Palace, his understanding of swordsmanship had become far more profound than before, especially after receiving the complete inheritance from the Heavenly Sword Elder, which made his insights into swordsmanship even more extraordinary.

Even though he had not yet fully mastered everything, in some aspects he was already far superior to the Heavenly Demon Sword Master.

In addition, due to the difference in cultivation level, the illusions cast by the Heavenly Demon Sword Master were of little use. Everything that seemed to be in full swing was like a mirage in front of Gu Yuanqing, and he was completely unmoved.

Even though the illusion and reality shifted and transformed into attacks, it was difficult to break through the protective barrier surrounding Gu Yuanqing.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master felt Gu Yuanqing's gaze follow his movements, and his heart sank. Did it really have to come to this?

"No, if he could find me, why didn't he make a move? Was he just toying with me, or did he have some other concerns?"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master's gaze suddenly fell on the Zhou Tian Star Array, as if he had understood something.

"You dare not make a move because you know that this lamp is too powerful. If it were to fully erupt before this Dao Palace, it would be enough to cause changes in the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array. Perhaps the power of the person in the painting could then be transmitted. That was the case before. You are afraid of him!" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master could no longer hide his presence and simply revealed himself.

Gu Yuanqing did not deny it, and smiled slightly: "What did he say to you?"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master sneered, "Want to know? Then go ask him yourself."

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master, cautiously guarding against Gu Yuanqing, transformed into a streak of light and headed down the mountain path, only to find that Gu Yuanqing had not yet made a move.

In a short while, he followed the path down the mountain and arrived at the foot of the mountain. His mind began to tense up. The farther he was from the Dao Palace, the greater the possibility that the other party would make a move. Even though his magic weapon was powerful, he still wasn't very confident in facing Gu Yuanqing.

Moreover, he was unwilling to actually activate the lamp unless absolutely necessary.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master traveled with trepidation straight to the Heavenly Demon Sword Domain. Once he reached the Reception Platform, he could use the Heavenly Demon Sword to summon the Gate of Entry and thus escape this realm.

He was overjoyed as he got closer and closer to the Heavenly Demon Sword Domain.

"This guy surnamed Gu is far too arrogant. That's right, I sensed earlier that he had an avatar in the Heavenly Demon Sword Domain. Perhaps he wanted to use this avatar to stop me, and also use me to hone his Heavenly Demon Sword Dao! Does this guy surnamed Gu really think I'm a Yin-Yang cultivator?"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master sneered. Now that Gu Yuanqing had reached this position, even if he made another move, the chances of him escaping would greatly increase with the lamp in his hand. Not to mention his clone, even his true self might not be able to stop him.

Unfortunately……

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master glanced at the lamp in his hand. He didn't pay attention at first glance, but when he looked a second time, he seemed to vaguely see the shadows of Qingxu Daoist and Chi Jinyu. But when he looked a third time, he felt that everything was an illusion.

For some reason, the further he went, the lower his spirits became. The joy of his impending escape had long since vanished. Even though he was already in the Heavenly Demon Sword Domain, he suddenly let out a bitter laugh and stopped in his tracks, as if all hope had vanished. The lamp in his hand also began to flicker.

Gu Yuanqing suddenly appeared beside him and chuckled, "Why aren't you leaving?"

Seeing Gu Yuanqing appear, Qiu Weifeng, the master of the Heavenly Demon Sword, did not make any move to defend himself. Instead, he stared blankly at the lamp in his hand and said, "Even if we get out, what good will it do? We'll just be prolonging our lives."

As they spoke, Gu Yuanqing suddenly noticed that the Heavenly Demon Sword Master's hair had turned gray and he looked much older.

A cultivator's appearance reflects their inner state. When the Heavenly Demon Sword Master displays this appearance, it indicates that his heart has grown old.

Gu Yuanqing added, "If you don't leave, wouldn't you be wasting their good intentions?"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master exclaimed in astonishment, "You know?"

Gu Yuanqing said calmly, "Even if you don't know, you can guess."

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master stared at Gu Yuanqing and said, "No, you definitely know something! Who exactly are you?"

"Does that matter?" Gu Yuanqing asked.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master remained silent, his gaze fixed on the lamp. After a long while, he said, "Yes, that's not important. With my cultivation level, it's impossible for me to take the Heavenly Dao Scripture from you, nor can I take the Qingping Dao Palace. So everything else is unimportant."

At this point, he turned to look at Gu Yuanqing and said, "So, you deliberately let me leave. You guessed that I didn't bring the lower volume of the Heavenly Dao Scripture, and you wanted to use me to go and find it. If I die, you will have nowhere to look for me."

Gu Yuanqing smiled calmly: "You think too highly of yourself. Even if I don't let you leave, I can still get what I want."

"Is that so?" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master did not argue, because it was equally unimportant to him.

"So what are you going to do now? Kill me to eliminate demons and uphold justice? But if you're going to kill me, could you wait a moment?" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master looked down and landed on the long corridor connecting the floating islands below, placing the lamp in his hand on a stone pillar of the corridor.

Suddenly, he formed a hand seal, and the ancient bronze lamp flickered with a faint light.

A faint figure emerged from within, none other than Chi Jinyu. He angrily cursed, "Heavenly Demon, you idiot! You've already escaped to this point, why didn't you keep going? You're a complete coward! I truly regret entrusting my hopes to you!"

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master whispered, "I just suddenly realized that I'm tired, I'm really tired."

"Tired? A simple 'tired' is enough to make you give up everything. We sacrificed everything for this opportunity, even at the cost of our lives, just to give you a chance to escape. But now that the opportunity is right in front of you, you give up halfway and tell me you're tired. How can you face us?" Chi Jinyu was very agitated and could no longer tolerate the Heavenly Demon Sword Master's actions.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master leaned on the railing, his expression calm, as if he had been relieved. He said, "Go ahead and curse me if you want. It's too late for me to regret it now. Besides, what good would it do to escape? You'd all be gone, and I'd have to carry everything alone again. Or should I just cut myself off again, forget everything, and wander far away? What would be the point of ending up like you?"

Just as Chi Jinyu was about to speak again, Qingxu Daoist also emerged from the path. His body shimmered with crystalline light, revealing only a remnant soul.

"Forget it, what's the use of cursing? Besides, if we're talking about running away, it's you and me who are truly running away, and he's the one who has to bear everything. That's why you and I gave him the last chance to live. But who would have thought he would suddenly have such a thought!" Qingxu Daoist spoke calmly, his figure standing to the left of the Heavenly Demon Sword Master.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master turned to look at Qingxu Daoist, then turned his gaze back to the distance, and said softly, "For so many years, all I've wanted is to enter the Qingping Dao Palace. Although I haven't achieved my ultimate goal, seeing this scenery here is perhaps a way to give an account of my efforts over the past ten thousand years."

Chi Jinyu snorted coldly and stood to the right of the Heavenly Demon Sword Master. Although he was still somewhat unwilling, there was nothing he could do. When the Heavenly Demon Sword Master made a hand seal to break the seal of the ancient lamp and release their souls, it would be too late to regret it.

The three stood in a row, looking alike, as if they were the same person dressed in different ways at different ages.

Gu Yuanqing also stopped to the side, looking at the scenery in the distance.

Daoist Qingxu turned around and asked, "Fellow Daoist, you don't seem to find anything strange about what you just heard?"

Gu Qianmian said calmly, "Why is it strange? The cultivation world is full of wonders. Besides, what do your affairs have to do with me?"

Qingxu Daoist then asked, "So, Fellow Daoist Gu, how do you intend to deal with us?"

Gu Yuanqing stood with his hands behind his back, looking into the distance, and calmly said, "Leave the ancient lamp behind, leave the Heavenly Demon Sword behind. Within thirty years, bring the Heavenly Dao Scripture to Qianyuan Island, and I can give you a chance!"

"Opportunity? What opportunity?" Chi Jinyu asked.

Gu Yuanqing said, "Didn't you want to read the first volume of the Heavenly Dao Scripture?"

Upon hearing this, the three of them were shocked.

"Why should I believe you?" The Heavenly Demon Sword Master turned around and said in a deep voice.

"Believe it or not, it's up to you. You can come or not. Perhaps if you come, you will get what you want; or perhaps if you come, you will be walking into a trap. Or perhaps the first volume of the Heavenly Dao Scripture is actually in your hands right now. You can take it out and try your luck. Isn't life interesting because of all these uncertainties?" Gu Yuanqing chuckled.

The Heavenly Demon Sword Master's gaze met that of Qingxu Daoist and Chi Jinyu, and finally he said in a deep voice, "Alright, no need for thirty years, I will come to Qianyuan Island within ten years!"

(End of this chapter)