Chapter 1536: Plum Rain Stops, Not Striving for Fame; Returning to the Valley Gate, Forgetting Life and Death

“What?!”

At that moment, Feng Zhong Zui's extremely shocked exclamation echoed across the five domains of the continent:

“Qing Jian Shu, third realm, Bu Shi Jian?!”

“Gu Lao has fused the seven great second realms, from Ru Shi to Chu Shi, forcibly bringing forth Bu Shi Jian…”

“Is he trying to achieve godhood and establish his legacy right now, becoming the Sword God of a new era?!”

The explosive tone and terrifying implications instantly ignited the thoughts and attention of all viewers before the Chuan Dao Jing.

At the front of Zang Jian Zong, Gu Qing and the others, along with the crowd of ancient Jian Xiu and Ling Jian Xiu seeking the Dao, were filled with terror and shock.

“This?”

Compared to other places where the ancient Jian Dao atmosphere was not as strong, everyone here shared a common foundational understanding:

The path of Jian Shen Gu Lou Ying required mastering the other eight great Jian Shu first, then using Qing Jian Shu's Bu Shi Jian to achieve godhood and establish a legacy.

Indeed, Gu Yu Xiu was walking the orthodox path of the Sword God, the same as Rao Yao Yao.

Around the battlefield, aside from Liu Fu Yu, perhaps only his Dao was the most pure, even surpassing Mei Si Ren's.

But there was a reason the Sword God could achieve godhood—everyone knew that to open the Xuan Miao Gate and draw upon the ancestral god's opportunity with Bu Shi Jian, the other eight great Jian Shu had to be completely perfected!

So… what was perfection?

Simple: At the very least, the eight great second realms from among Huan Jiu Wan, Mo Wu Xin, and Gui Cang Qing had to reach a level of proficiency and insight surpassing even Mei Si Ren's Ban Ruo Wu…

Could Gu Yu do that?

He couldn't!

Even though the number of Yi Yi Zhen Tu he summoned now seemed impressive, it still fell short of the true threshold for unleashing Bu Shi Jian.

—For Gui Jian Shu's second realm, the Yi Yi Zhen Tu of Feng Du Zhi Zhu, Gu Yu couldn't even summon it!

And even if he could…

Looking at the varying degrees of brightness and darkness in the Yi Yi Zhen Tu under the Mei Zi Yu Tian Jie, comparing it to Ye Ye's, and drawing from Zhong Yuan Zi's Da Dao Tu Lun…

It was easy to see that even in the strongest Jiu Jian Shu path, Gu Yu hadn't reached the state of “perfection,” and might not even match Mei Si Ren's Ban Ruo Wu.

As for things like Wu Jian Shu and Mo Jian Shu, he had only just scratched the surface, clearly having recently grasped their second realms.

With one of the eight missing and the others insufficient, it was like a barrel with uneven staves and a missing piece.

How could it possibly manifest Bu Shi Jian and fish out the opportunity for godhood from the Xuan Miao Gate?

This was suicide!

“Gu Lao's actions…”

In the vast Nan Yu Feng Jia Cheng, most people at the first viewing platform now had red eyes.

Of course, they could see this was a path to self-destruction, so was Gu Lao a fool who saw nothing?

He had gone mad from Qi deviation.

His Dao had already died once.

He knew he might never advance another step, so rather than retiring to the countryside for a dull life…

He might as well sacrifice himself, letting the world witness the true “Xuan Miao” of Bu Shi Jian and become the “one-sword master” for all in the five domains!

“Who in this vast world, among sword immortals who gaze at and belittle one another, has the courage to open the Xuan Miao Gate of Bu Shi Jian?”

Ba Zun An's eyes were full of admiration.

After watching these kids' fights for so long, maybe a few moves were eye-opening, but they offered no real Dao insight.

Now, with Bu Shi Jian emerging, though the outcome would surely be regrettable, he had finally seen something worthwhile.

“Bu Shi Jian…” Gou Wu Yue stared unblinkingly, not wanting to miss any detail.

Ba Zun An glanced at him. “When will your Dao reach this level?”

Gou Wu Yue had no response.

Dao Qiong Cang looked left, then right, and finally narrowed his eyes.

Xuan Miao Gate, godhood and legacy…

That would inevitably involve over ninety percent of the Dao, and surely touch upon the “Chao Dao Hua” he had mentioned earlier…

This was being forced open!

Calculating it, who else could do it without forcing?

Dao Qiong Cang subtly glanced at Ba Zun An beside him and sighed at his own lack of Jian Dao talent, unable to glimpse the true heavenly secrets.

He quickly refocused on the battle screen in his hand, his face contorting as if constipated.

“It's coming…”

“What?” Wei Feng didn't hear clearly.

“The feeling is coming…”

“What feeling?”

“Zong! Shi! Jian! Yi!”

“Shishi lili…”

Under the Mei Zi Yu, time grew muddy.

The seven great Yi Yi quickly merged, causing the Da Dao to intersect and form a chaotic mist in the sky.

The heavens shook, and within the mist, an ancient and vast “gate” was opened!

The gate was formless and substanceless, colorless and shapeless, perhaps not even worthy of the name.

It appeared differently to different people—round or square, present or absent.

Some saw a riot of colors, others only chaos and darkness.

Around it evolved profound Da Dao sounds, every word a gem, forming coherent texts.

Falling into people's ears, it evoked vague sensations; yet it was like sand slipping through the soul, leaving nothing grasped.

Penetrating from the other side of the gate…

It imbued the chaotic mist with color and substance, spilling down beneath the Mei Zi Yu's coverage.

Soon, a vague, devout silhouette appeared in the void.

He spread his arms wide, lifted his head high, as if enduring the pain of staring at the sun, yet daring to fix his gaze on the slowly opening Xuan Miao Gate.

“The pilgrim!”

“No, the first Sword Immortal!”

In that instant, the world was captivated, even Xu Xiaoshou was moved.

He finally understood why Si Ren had advised earlier but ultimately let Gu Lao act freely without further interference.

It was too beautiful!

Who wouldn't be tempted by the path of Bu Shi transcendence?

But, just as with Gu Yu's past contradictory choices, this was a road of certain defeat and death!

With such an incomplete Da Dao foundation, forcing open Bu Shi Jian's Xuan Miao Gate—how could Gu Yu survive?

Yet, from another angle…

Who could stop fireworks from blooming?

In that moment, Xu Xiaoshou only felt appreciation and enlightenment.

His “perception” swept over all the ancient Jian Xiu and even the Lian Ling Shi present, each stirred in their own way.

Mei Si Ren covered his face with his fan, staring blankly, the fan depicting a schoolhouse, two withered trees, and a lone figure on a meditation mat.

Light fell on the paper fan, like blooming peach and plum blossoms.

Lei Shuang Xing slightly raised his head, his expression dazed, the Shenchuang Staff in his hand buzzing, declaring that his inner turmoil was not as calm as it seemed.

Light fell on the black cloth over his eyes, as if adorning them with new world's sight.

Liu Fu Yu parted her red lips, staring at the Xuan Miao Gate atop the Jian Lou.

She saw a figure emerge from within, indistinguishable, who lightly swung a sword, casting divine light over the five domains and bestowing the Dao called “Jian.”

Suddenly snapping back, Liu Fu Yu returned from the “Xuan Miao” within the gate, realizing everyone around was immersed in it.

“The Dao…”

The Dao was invisible and untouchable.

Yet the Dao could be passed down.

From Jian Lou, after entering the world, Liu Fu Yu never underestimated the ancient Jian Xiu of this realm.

The previous guardian of Jian Lou told her that Jian Lou guardians forever protected only “Jian,” not “Dao.”

The Dao wasn't locked in the Lou; it was in the world.

The era of ancient Jian Xiu was long past, but it continued to be inherited in the Lian Ling era, with Jian Lou serving merely as a guiding North Star.

It was the people of the world who truly named the nameless Dao and made the unmakeable Dao!

Among them, there needed to be geniuses like Ba Zun An, gathering the strengths of all schools, leading with unparalleled elegance;

There also needed to be inclusive figures like Mei Si Ren, teaching and spreading knowledge, promoting the splendor of a hundred schools to elevate the common people;

And emerging pillars like Xiao Kong Dong, Bei Bei, and Feng Zhong Zui, steadfast in their own Dao, innovating while preserving tradition;

Of course, there also had to be someone like Gu Yu, the Gu Lao before them, burning himself up like a candle to ash, solely to prove the direction.

Everyone played an indispensable role in the inheritance of ancient Jian Dao, whether knowingly or not.

It was this small group persevering that had shouldered the torrent of the Lian Ling era.

In return, they received only meager rewards, with faint sparks of hope amid the scarcity…

Beneath the Xuan Miao Gate, Da Dao Yi Yi was born.

Gu Yu clearly turned around; it was as if he were afflicted with Tian Qi Zhi, his clothes and skin dissolving bit by bit, literally merging with the light and dust.

He was clearly saying something!

On the battlefield, through the Chuan Dao Jing, everyone craned their necks, pressing their ears closer, trying to catch something.

Gu Yu was clearly speaking, but no one could hear his words or grasp his meaning.

The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao.

The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

Xu Xiaoshou even tried to read his lips, but suddenly realized he was fixated on the form.

Perhaps this was Gu Lao's moment closest to the true intent of the Dao, closest to godhood—but it was his opportunity alone.

Even if he wanted to leave something behind, his intent was to verify the Dao for the world.

Yet at that level, even Sheng Di would be forgotten; how could what he gained leave a trace?

The crowd saw anxiety in Gu Yu's eyes and expression; even his hands moved, gesturing toward the Chuan Dao Jing.

Bathed in divine light, with the Xuan Miao Gate on his back, he seemed a celestial being, truly an immortal of the sword.

But precisely because of this otherworldly aura, a chasm had formed between him and the human world.

Unable to communicate!

Incomprehensible!

This wasn't Gu Yu's intention at all.

Mei Si Ren lowered his paper fan, returning from the “Xuan Miao”'s pull, and suddenly looked at Xu Xiaoshou, about to speak…

At that same instant, Xu Xiaoshou saw Gu Yu's mouth and hands stop moving, his gaze locking onto him.

“Zhi!”

In a flash, his hairs stood on end, as if targeted by death itself.

The information bar jumped: “Under stealth attack, passive value, 1.”

Clever as he was, without Si Ren's reminder, Xu Xiaoshou knew what Gu Yu meant in that moment:

Explanation was impossible.

But this third sword was prepared for you.

If you can withstand it… what can't be said or explained, perhaps you'll grasp it by being cut?

“Come!”

Xu Xiaoshou roared.

Afraid Gu Lao couldn't hear, he even extended a finger, provocatively beckoning.

But roaring was one thing; he didn't dare slack off against this third-realm-opened Xuan Miao Gate!

Forget the rules of the ancient Jian Xiu duel—they were already cast aside. He ignited the beastly desires in his mind…

“Boom!”

The Kuang Bao Giant appeared!

“Roar!”

The Ji Xian Giant lowered its gaze!

“Buzz!”

The Sheng Ming Dao Pan unfolded!

“Ren Jian Dao!”

The six ancient Wu paths merged!

“Meow…”

Uh, ghost beast transformation…

It wasn't a joke; in that moment, Xu Xiaoshou was truly afraid of death.

He maxed out all his sustain abilities to avoid being instantly killed by Gu Lao.

Even so…

The phenomena of the various ancient Jian Shu second realms appeared one after another!

The Ji Xian Giant's body rapidly dissolved like withering grass, turning into wisps of flowing clouds that merged into the nameless world, never to return.

In his view, Gu Yu seemed to divine, transforming into a colossal figure like a god or Buddha, heavenly might extinguishing the world, then exploding into endless sword rain, pouring down fiercely.

The raindrops carried cycles of life and death, piercing through time and space, melting muscles and bones; after riddling the Ji Xian Giant like a sieve…

The Xuan Miao Gate shook violently, like a sword sheath shooting out a super great sword charged for eons.

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even reacted when that Gui Yi Ji Jian, as large as the Ji Xian Giant's head, pierced straight through his chest!

“Boom!”

The Chuan Dao Jing screen went black.

Viewers across the five domains, who had nearly stuck their heads into the mirror to sense the Jian Yi, were suddenly cut off, furious enough to explode.

“What the hell!”

“Damn it, show it! Show it to me!”

“You piece of crap Chuan Dao Jing, you piece of crap Feng Zhong Zui… Did you black out the mirror at the critical moment? Is that the measure of you Feng family people? Talking about transmission but not letting us see?!”

“Useless, useless, useless! I knew I shouldn't have gambled; I should've gone to Zhong Yu. Ahhh, I want to go to the scene!”

Feng Zhong Zui shuddered at the cracking sound in his ears but couldn't tear his eyes from the battlefield.

He saw above the old Yu Jing Cheng site…

The Ji Xian Giant exploded with a boom!

A massive radiant great sword descended from the heavens, piercing through him, engulfing him, and plunging deep into the earth in a world-shaking manner!

If Yu Jing Cheng hadn't been taken by Ye Ye, the entire city would likely have been blasted to dust…

But in a blink, Feng Zhong Zui blinked and saw that Ye Ye hadn't moved at all and hadn't transformed into a giant.

The radiant great sword from the heavens, born of Xuan Miao, hadn't entered the battlefield or pierced the earth.

It was all an illusion!

Xuan Miao had never descended!

“Thud.”

Dust rose from the ground.

Amid the endless curses, the Chuan Dao Jing screen returned, showing Gu Yu slumped on the ground, hair disheveled, barely breathing.

“What happened?”

“Gu Lao… Wasn't Gu Lao about to strike? How did it end again?”

“You mother… Feng Zhong Zui, is this how you transmit? You'd better not let me find you, or else I'll mess you up!”

Curses erupted again.

Everyone stared at the mirror, wanting to wave away the black lines, only to realize the black line in the transmitted image wasn't their issue.

Just like in the first Sword Immortal battle, a thin black silk line ran through the middle of the Chuan Dao Jing's image.

This treasure seemed damaged before?

With the great power of Nan Yu Feng family, they still couldn't fix it.

“Shishi lili…”

The rain continued, the ground muddy.

“Under fright, passive value, 1.”

Xu Xiaoshou broke out in a cold sweat, snapping back to look at the scene, realizing the Xuan Miao Gate had closed at some point.

Gu Yu had returned from Bu Shi Jian, ending his “divine” state…

That's right!

Earlier, he had struck me with a sword?

Xu Xiaoshou felt his memories fuzzy, as if he had activated the Ji Xian Giant to block it, but maybe not?

Checking his Qi Hai, it was depleted.

He didn't really have a Qi Hai anymore, and even the various Sheng forces and Ling Yuan filling his body were completely exhausted.

These traces all proved he had just endured an extremely fierce battle, but…

Xu Xiaoshou could hardly recall the process!

“What the heck?”

He didn't want to fight anymore.

He flashed to Gu Lao's side.

But by then, someone else was already there.

Gu Yu was helped up to a sitting position, his messy white hair dry and curly, devoid of luster, his face pale as paper and covered in wrinkles.

Mei Si Ren's ever-present paper fan lay discarded on the ground.

With his left arm around his old friend, his right hand circled the cold body, trying to impart warmth while patting Gu Yu's back, sighing:

“Why bother? It's just chasing the moon in water, a grand dream.”

Gu Yu, with more breath leaving than entering, suddenly inhaled sharply, choking into a heavy cough, as if laughing:

“Heh, ha…”

“Si Ren, you… saw it, right…”

Mei Si Ren closed his eyes, trying hard to recall, but his mind was blank.

He held his old friend closer, leaning his head to his ear, letting raindrops fall from the sky, trickle down his cheeks, and said with a light laugh:

“More than saw it, I remembered it. I remembered it.”

Gu Yu's body stiffened, a smile appearing on his face, then he fell completely still and silent.

Mei Si Ren's body also stiffened, grief welling in his eyes like surging tears.

Just then, the person in his arms twitched again, sharply inhaling a turbid breath, followed by heavy coughs:

“Si Ren, then you… impressive…”

“I… anyway, whatever… can't… remember…”

Mei Si Ren took a deep breath, deciding to hold back.

As he was about to speak, Gu Yu struggled in his arms, weakly raising his hand toward Feng Zhong Zui.

“Child, come here.”

Tears already in Feng Zhong Zui's eyes, he couldn't bear to point the Chuan Dao Jing at Gu Lao, but now he had to move closer.

“Face… me…”

He could only adjust the Chuan Dao Jing again, transmitting the fallen, desolate image of the first Sword Immortal to the world.

Gu Yu seemed not to care at all. After that, he lacked the strength to turn, simply gazing quietly at the rain.

“Si Ren, under the Xuan Miao Gate… I realized… a poem…”

“What?”

“I said! I realized… a line of poetry! Cough cough…”

“Stop messing around.” Mei Si Ren suppressed the urge to slap him. “You country bumpkin, what do you know about poetry? Others might not know you, but I do? You're great at growing melons and farming, but poetry?”

Glancing at the Chuan Dao Jing behind him, Mei Si Ren held back. “Well, you do have some talent, I suppose.”

Gu Yu coughed and laughed hoarsely, pausing for a long time before speaking again.

“Si Ren…”

“Hmm?”

“I said… you judge… one judge…”

“Heh, alright.”

Gu Yu then extended his hand toward the sky, letting the merciless rain, now devoid of the power of withering and flourishing, flow down his arm from his palm.

Yet he felt nothing.

He didn't care, as if seeing Xuan Miao again; his aged eyes gained a glow, and he recited with deep emotion:

“Plucking chrysanthemums… under the eastern fence, leisurely! Seeing South Mountain…”

Xu Xiaoshou's lips curved, but he couldn't smile.

Mei Si Ren recognized it as plagiarism, unsure whose masterpiece it was, but still praised:

“Good poem! Good line! Looks like after years of seclusion, you didn't waste your time…”

“Si Ren!” The person in his arms trembled heavily, interrupting.

Mei Si Ren lowered his head. “What now?”

Gu Yu's eyes were unfocused, staring blankly at the shattered sky through his fingers, at that elusive Dao.

He stared for a long time, finally glimpsing the light from the Xuan Miao Gate after the clouds parted…

More light?

It seemed to beckon him again.

Gu Yu's face gained some radiance.

But the light vanished, and he found his mind still empty; the light couldn't enter, as if Xuan Miao had never come.

Gu Yu was lost, exerting all his strength to grasp at the void, catching nothing.

It was even just an illusion!

His hand had already struck the ground, twisting into an awkward pose; even the burning in his throat couldn't produce a sound.

“Si Ren, the Mei Zi Yu… stopped…”

The rain persisted, the ground muddy.