Chapter 1535: Settling the Red Dust with This Body, Once a Sword Opened the Mysterious Gate

"Chi chi chi!"

Demonic energy suddenly surged forth from nowhere, engulfing everything in black.

Mei Ziyu turned black, the Second World landscape scroll darkened, and even Fei Yun Ping and the charging Gui Yi Ji Jian became shrouded in black.

"What on earth is going on?" Feng Zhong Zui stared in disbelief, shocked for what felt like the dozenth time that day.

The surrounding ancient sword cultivators and the viewers watching through the Dao Transmission Mirror were equally clueless about what had just happened.

Everything had been going smoothly, so how had it turned like this in the blink of an eye?

Gu Lao hadn’t even put up much resistance!

He had simply unleashed his Great Silver God’s Fury normally, followed by a strike of Second World...

Could it be that Xu Xiao Shou’s Second World had single-handedly dismantled Gu Lao’s Mei Ziyu, Tian Jie, Second World, Fei Yun Ping, and Gui Yi Ji Jian?

—Absurd!

"This feels familiar..." Only Mei Si Ren furrowed his brow, tapping his paper fan against his chin as he gazed at the surging demonic energy, lost in thought.

"Hiss..." He inhaled sharply, still unable to recall where he had encountered this aura of demonic possession before.

The battlefield shook violently.

Gu Lao’s Second World completely collapsed.

Mei Ziyu’s Tian Jie halted abruptly, and Gui Yi Ji Jian didn’t just shatter—it backfired with overwhelming energy on its wielder.

From the sky, a figure enveloped in black demonic energy plummeted rapidly, his face utterly dazed, tears at the corners of his eyes, muttering incessantly.

He crashed into the ground with a thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.

If not for Fei Yun Ping’s passive protection, that fall might have broken the legs of this elderly, fragile ancient sword cultivator.

"This? Did Gu Lao suddenly succumb to demonic possession and get knocked out of his Tian Jie state?" Feng Zhong Zui exclaimed in disbelief. "What did Xu Xiao Shou do?"

No one knew what had transpired inside Xu Xiao Shou’s Second World moments ago, and no one dared imagine what could have happened in that instant to shatter the resolute Dao-seeking heart of Gu Lao.

Yes, it was self-destruction!

It seemed Xu Xiao Shou’s Great Silver God’s Fury hadn’t even taken full effect before Gu Lao’s three realms unified Gui Yi Ji Jian broke apart.

The only explanation for that failure was...

Something severe had gone wrong with Gu Lao himself!

Xu Xiao Shou had zeroed in on that flaw and poured salt into the wound—he was a master at that sort of thing!

Feng Zhong Zui quickly aimed the Dao Transmission Mirror at Gu Lao, checking if he could recover from his demonic state and continue fighting.

After all, only two strikes had passed since he’d promised Xu Xiao Shou three.

But the enlarged mirror only captured Gu Lao’s deranged, stuttering murmurs:

"True intent... there is true intent..."

"In this, there is true intent... yet to discern it is to forget words..."

His disheveled hair, aged appearance, and vacant eyes filled with self-doubt were a far cry from the confident "First Sword Immortal" he had been before the battle!

The viewers through the Dao Transmission Mirror felt a chill run down their spines. As the scene shifted to focus on another figure—Xu Xiao Shou—following Feng Zhong Zui’s train of thought, their minds raced wildly.

"Sure enough, it’s his doing. Fighting Xu Xiao Shou, losing is the best outcome."

"Old guys like this are easy for him to break. He’s a pro at messing with people’s minds!"

"So, what happened? Gu Lao was clearly in the lead just moments ago..."

Xu Xiao Shou had somewhat anticipated Gu Lao’s outcome.

First, Gu Yu was never one for conflict; his Dao lay in mountains and fields, not on the battlefield.

Yet, to advance further, he abandoned his secluded life and sought a Semi-Sage position at Sheng Huan Dian.

But true Dao isn’t hidden in a Semi-Sage position, is it?

Even if he obtained it, straying from his original path, could his Dao truly lead to Sainthood?

In a way, from the moment Gu Yu decided to climb Gui Zhe Sheng Mountain, his path had gone astray.

But without setting out, staying entrenched in his rustic life, he saw no hope and had no choice but to leave.

—What a contradiction!

For someone standing at such a self-contradictory crossroads, his Dao heart was inherently fragile.

Naturally, Xu Xiao Shou’s Second World hadn’t even fully unleashed its power before becoming the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

And the poem he used to fan the flames at the end gave Gu Yu another choice at that fork in the road:

Either give up seeking true intent and return to his original path, continuing to cultivate in peace, perhaps achieving a breakthrough later.

Or seize the true intent that Xu Xiao Shou offered and that he had just comprehended, break through the confusion, and achieve Sainthood on the spot.

A Semi-Sage position? Xu Xiao Shou could provide that easily!

But from Gu Lao’s outcome, he chose neither; he fell into confusion once more.

It was foreseeable!

Not everyone is like Kui Lei Han or Ba Zun An, with such clear and steadfast Dao-seeking hearts.

If Gu Yu could have grasped that intent from another world’s Tao Sheng in that moment, he probably wouldn’t have been entangled in doubts before, leading to this contradiction.

Talent sets the upper limit.

Character determines success or failure.

It could only be said that fate decreed it so.

And this, perhaps, is the life of most people...

Xu Xiao Shou withdrew his gaze from the surrounding ancient sword cultivators, who wore expressions of pity, and turned it back to Gu Lao’s face, twisted by demonic possession.

He had no intention of delivering a fatal blow. Instead, he extended his Heart Sword Technique, Mu Xia Jie Mo, drawing in Gu Lao’s demonic energy from afar.

After reversing and forcibly calming the old man, Gu Lao finally regained a thread of clarity in his mind.

"True intent..."

He murmured one last time before his eyes closed heavily, his mind replaying the events of his breakdown.

Though he said nothing, in that instant, he seemed to age decades.

"Gu Lao, I accept your concession."

Xu Xiao Shou bowed with Zang Ku in his arms, performing an ancient rite.

Though the victory came suddenly and the gains weren’t as high as expected, it was still worthwhile.

At least, Gu Lao’s three realms unified extraordinary Second World was something only Xu Xiao Shou, with his Sword Dao reaching 80 in proficiency, could easily break.

Anyone else might have been trapped for a long time or unable to resolve it at all.

By breaking it, Xu Xiao Shou not only saw but also learned from it.

And he was a perfected version—free from heart demon restrictions, with higher insights in the three Second Worlds, and a superior grade in Tian Jie Sword.

As for Gu Lao after the battle...

If this old sword immortal could overcome his inner demons and encounter a Sainthood opportunity, then refine his ancient sword techniques further, his three realms unified Sword Dao insights alone might rank him among the top ancient sword saints.

But that was all hypothetical.

Just as theoretically, his three realms unified Gui Yi Ji Jian could slay a Sage Emperor... in reality, Xu Xiao Shou could find and exploit its flaws, and a Sage Emperor wouldn’t give it time to charge anyway.

"Ah!"

Feng Zhong Zui felt a pang of regret.

The third sword immortal battle ended with such a abrupt twist, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

But he knew Gu Lao had no strength left to fight, and it wouldn’t be right to keep broadcasting his defeated image through the Dao Transmission Mirror.

Ancient sword cultivators valued their dignity.

Unexpectedly, before he could move the mirror, Gu Yu propped himself up with a trembling hand and shakily stood.

He extended his hand toward the distance:

"No!"

The entire gathering was stunned. He still wanted to fight?

Mei Si Ren flashed into the battlefield. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Help me up..." Gu Yu muttered softly under his breath. With Mei Si Ren’s support, he stood proudly. "I said three strikes, so it’s three strikes."

"Are you insane?" Mei Si Ren nearly threw him off. "In your condition, you want to unleash a third strike? You might as well aim for the heavens!"

"Xu Xiao Shou might not even lose to me now." Mei Si Ren whispered.

"Don’t try to save face for me." Gu Yu frowned.

"I’m not joking!"

Gu Yu glanced at his old friend’s serious expression, lowered his head, nodded in deep acknowledgment, then looked back at Xu Xiao Shou:

"A gentleman’s word is his bond; even a team of horses can’t chase it back. I said you’d learn something..."

Mei Si Ren let go abruptly.

Gu Lao’s words cut off as he staggered sideways, tripped over his own feet, and collapsed with a splat.

Feng Zhong Zui’s Dao Transmission Mirror, not "quite in time" to shift away, "accidentally" broadcast the scene.

Xu Xiao Shou watched in silence for a long moment before saying, "Gu Lao, there’s really no need to continue..."

This old man’s biggest flaw had already been exposed.

If they fought on, Xu Xiao Shou wouldn’t even need Second World; one Heart Sword Technique, Mu Xia Jie Mo, could finish him.

As for learning... there was no more experience to gain from this old sword immortal.

But a stubborn mule is a stubborn mule, always ignoring advice. "No! I said three strikes, so it’s three strikes!"

"Even if you threw thirty more, you still wouldn’t be my match."

Gu Yu’s face flushed red; those words stung, but he stubbornly replied, "I never said this third strike had to be against you!"

"Oh?"

Xu Xiao Shou was curious.

If not against him, then who?

His gaze swept over the surrounding ancient sword cultivators and settled on Mei Si Ren, deep in thought.

Ancient sword cultivators were known for holding grudges...

"It’s against myself." Gu Yu’s face grew somber. "And also against the world."

What did that mean?

Now, not just Xu Xiao Shou, everyone was baffled.

Feng Zhong Zui gripped the Dao Transmission Mirror tightly, sensing something was off, and recorded every detail without missing a beat.

Mei Si Ren suddenly returned, his face expressionless as he grabbed Gu Yu’s hand and said firmly, "You can’t beat Xu Xiao Shou!"

"I had a feeling..." Gu Yu smiled resignedly.

"You can’t do it!"

"No, Si Ren, you don’t know what I’m about to do."

"Others might not know you, but I do. Are you trying to die?" Mei Si Ren’s eyes flashed with anger.

But the stubborn mule remained unmoved. Gu Yu shook his head again, squinting at the unpredictable sky and the ever-changing Dao, murmuring softly:

"To hear the Dao at dawn is to die content at dusk."

At the Dong Yu Zang Jian Zhong, before the Dao Transmission Mirror, Su Qian Qian, holding the Mo Jian Wan Bing, suddenly lost focus, her mind going blank.

She had thought Gu Lao looked familiar since he chose to battle Xu Xiao Shou, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity, though they had never met before.

Until this moment!

Until these words!

Recalling his challenge and observing his current demeanor, Su Qian Qian finally realized where that familiarity came from.

Wasn’t this exactly like the scene in the inheritance pearl from her third uncle, where her grandfather challenged Ba Zun An?

It was identical!

Even the post-battle words were the same!

In an instant, Su Qian Qian’s eyes reddened. She didn’t know what Gu Lao intended, but she could almost foresee the outcome.

In Ba Gong.

Xiao Qi Xiu, having digested the insights from Viewing Spirit Sword Technique, widened his eyes and stared at the mirror.

This mirror truly "transmitted the Dao"—just from Xu Xiao Shou’s three battles, the realm of ancient sword cultivators across the world had elevated by more than a level!

In Nan Yu.

Xiao Wan Feng, Feng Xiao Se, and others stared intently at the mirror.

Gou Wu Yue and Ba Zun An pondered deeply, their gazes shifting between Mei Si Ren and Gu Yu.

On the battlefield.

Xu Xiao Shou, seeing the aura of heroic resolve rising from Gu Lao, tightened his grip on his sword and declared firmly:

"The fight is off!"

Gu Yu turned his head.

Everyone followed the Dao Transmission Mirror’s view.

Xu Xiao Shou spread his hands and chuckled. "I concede."

In that moment, he sensed something was amiss, as it reminded him of Su Qian Qian.

The difference was, Xu Xiao Shou now felt like the Ba Zun An from back then, with Gu Yu as the soul about to be claimed by his sword.

Xu Xiao Shou had gone from disapproving of Ba Zun An’s actions against the Su family to now respecting the courageous spirit of ancient sword cultivators who offered their lives for fame or the Dao.

Yet, respect was one thing; it didn’t mean he wanted to become that kind of person or "aid" them like Ba Zun An had.

His sword only slew those who deserved it.

For anything else, unless necessary, Xu Xiao Shou wouldn’t toy with lives.

Gu Yu seemed to understand what the young man was thinking.

This time, he rose from the ground on his own strength and stood firm.

He summoned his hand, calling forth Mei Ziyu, which was damaged even in its blade after the Tian Jie was broken.

He stroked the sword in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the surrounding ancient sword cultivators, finally settling on the Dao Transmission Mirror as his voice grew impassioned:

"I have a strike to account for my past, take responsibility for my choices, and illuminate my path!"

"I have a strike to sever cowardice, cut indecision, and reveal my true heart!"

"I have a strike!" Gu Yu’s voice suddenly dropped as he turned to Xu Xiao Shou, his tone low and grave:

"I’ve lost my way and can never return."

"I hope you’ll remember it well, keep it in your memory for me."

He paused, then looked back at the Dao Transmission Mirror, his eyes filled with longing, and declared loudly:

"Remember it!"

Xu Xiao Shou opened his mouth to speak, but before he could,

Gu Yu hurled his sword upward, a fierce sword intent erupting from his eyes as he merged man and sword in an instant.

Mei Ziyu, secondary Tian Jie!

"Xixixili..."

The drifting rain threads fell once more, now filled with resolve and decisiveness, without a trace of the earlier hesitation.

Xu Xiao Shou turned his startled gaze to Mei Si Ren.

The latter said nothing, sighed deeply, and vanished from the battlefield.

No one knew better than Mei Si Ren how profound this change in Gu Yu was. He could have sheathed his sword, spared himself, and let the ancient sword path be.

But that was just how his life had turned out.

No one can control whether a person chooses a peaceful life or a brilliant moment.

As a friend, the best wish now was to see it through.

The sudden turn of events left Xu Xiao Shou reeling, let alone the others.

Feng Zhong Zui clutched the Dao Transmission Mirror, unsure what to broadcast next, so he kept expanding the view, feeling that something big was coming.

Suddenly, within the range of Mei Ziyu’s Tian Jie...

"Weng weng weng weng weng!"

Sword energy surged wildly, the auras of the nine great sword techniques intermingled and fused, birthing an array of profound meanings.

Another one lit up!

And another!

And yet another!

"One, two, three, four... seven? Seven profound meaning arrays? Fully seven Second Worlds?" Feng Zhong Zui gripped the mirror, not daring to shake, his eyes nearly bulging out. "What is Gu Lao trying to do? Has he gone mad?!"

What responded,

What the world anticipated,

Was no longer the repeated "Fei Yun," the exhausted "Liu Guang," but a straightforward, unyielding voice:

"Enter the world, and never return from it!"

"Xu Xiao Shou, watch closely... Sword Unleashed! Xuan Miao Gate!"