Loyal Heart Roaming the Skies

As Dong Axuan announced the start of the duel, the two long swords on the wooden platform clashed loudly!

Before the duel, Fang Peng had tried every possible way to avoid it. But once the duel began, he had no hesitation. He wielded his sword with great precision and ruthlessness, leaving no room for error. He was able to stand out among all the outer disciples of Fenglin Taoist Academy, and win the trust of Jiang Wang and others in the previous period of time, naturally not just a name.

But Jiang Wang was faster, steadier, and more decisive than him!

Because he had been waiting for fifty-seven days, and during these fifty-seven days and nights, he had been imagining this scene all the time.

Even if he was seriously injured, even if his illness was unbearable, even if he had been on the brink of death several times.

When facing an enemy, he could accept being injured or killed. But being betrayed by the person he trusted the most, the pain and suffering he endured in his heart were far worse than physical pain.

What sustained him through that period of time, in addition to his infinite thirst for life, was his deep-seated hatred!

With one sword, he broke Fang Peng's sword style.

The sword entered the person and he directly hit Fang Peng's long sword with his lower abdomen. When blood splattered, Jiang Wang swung his sword indifferently and cut Fang Peng's tendons!

Two wounds appeared almost at the same time, but one was active and the other was passive, and the outcome had already been decided.

Jiang Wang advanced again, using his elbow to strike fiercely at Fang Peng's chest.

Fang Peng had just lost control of his sword under intense pain, and in the next moment, he heard the sound of his own bones cracking clearly.

The whole person was blasted into a shrimp shape, flew out of the high platform, and was bounced back by the swaying branches, falling onto the high platform.

In just one round, Fang Peng was defeated!

"How is this possible? The gap... is so big?!"

There was a commotion under the high platform.

Everything happened too fast. The Blood and Tears Open Meridian Pill, which was mixed with Jiang Wang's hatred and pain, made Fang Peng's Dao Meridian appear for the first time and his momentum soared.

The sword that blended Jiang Wang's hatred and pain also made Fang Peng fall into the dust.

"He lost to himself, lost to fear." Zhao Rucheng said in a deep voice, "If it weren't for fear, he wouldn't have chosen to plot against Third Brother and use despicable means to snatch the Blood and Tears Open Meridian Pill. He knew that he had no other way to surpass Third Brother, and once the gap widened, he would never catch up again."

Ling He couldn't help sighing, "When Third Brother first came to the Taoist Academy, his strength was still at the bottom, far inferior to Peng. After a few years, his swordsmanship has become the first recognized by the outer disciples, and Peng has always been a proud person..."

Du Yehu angrily said, "It's all because he is incompetent and shameless!"

With a clang, Jiang Wang slowly pulled out the long sword that had pierced through his abdomen and threw it aside.

The blood-stained long sword fell to the ground with a bang, just like Fang Peng, who was spitting blood and helpless.Jiang Wang walked slowly with his long sword hanging by his side.

"Help! Dean, help! I am a member of the Fang family, one of the three major families in this city!"

Fang Pengju screamed in fear, with no trace of the demeanor of a rich and noble young man.

Dong A had no expression on his face. "Since this is a life-and-death battle of Dao, there is no turning back. Your opponent is the only one who can decide your fate."

"Third brother, third brother!" Fang Pengju propped himself up with his hand and kept backing away. "Spare me, spare me! Spare me this once!"

"The Fang family is a hundred-year-old family! But there hasn't been a mid-level cultivator in twenty years! One step too slow, every step too slow! How much time do I have left? I can't stop. I carry my deceased father's earnest hope. I can't stop!"

He looked at Jiang Wang with tearful eyes. "Will you give me your Opening Meridian Pill?"

Jiang Wang said nothing.

"My uncle went to the Yun Kingdom, but he couldn't buy the Opening Meridian Pill at all. Even if he could, he might not give it to me. The control of the Opening Meridian Pill is becoming stricter and is only awarded to the most promising outer disciples. You have achieved such a great feat, but I have no way. I have no way!" Fang Pengju cried bitterly.

Jiang Wang squinted his eyes. "I actually understand you. I understand your anxiety, uneasiness, and fear. The Fang family has given you a superior environment, but the competition is also fierce. I have known for a long time that human desire is infinite. I also know how much you desire to prove yourself and how much you want to fight for glory for your father who died young. You have said it, and I remember it. You are impatient, and your mind is confused. I can actually understand."

In the hopeful light that flashed through Fang Pengju's eyes, he continued, "But understanding does not mean forgiveness."

After saying this, Jiang Wang happened to walk in front of Fang Pengju.

The long sword drew a clear arc in the air and accurately pierced his chest without hesitation.

"If I give tolerance to hatred and jealousy, how can I repay love and warmth?"

"So, I have died once, and you have to repay it with your life."

Jiang Wang said slowly.

Fang Pengju used his intact left hand to grab the sword body, let the blade cut his palm, let the sword stay in his body, and let death come a little later.

He made a hoarse sound. "After taking your pill, I can't sleep every night. I regret it... I'm sorry. But, but you are safe, aren't you? We are brothers. Why... why can't you forgive me... just once?"

Many people under the high platform had complex emotions and couldn't bear to watch or listen anymore.

But Jiang Wang just looked at him calmly."Do you know the feeling of being betrayed? Do you know the pain and anger that burns within? I have experienced it once, but still chose to believe, and then you brought it to me again. You made my trust seem foolish, you made my experience feel like a joke, and you made my pain meaningless."

Memories flowed through his mind like water, calm and soothing, but unable to smooth over the deep rift.

Is betrayal present wherever there are people?

"Do you have the experience of lying weak and helpless on a haystack, waiting for death to come?"

"I saw two shadows swaying in front of me, I knew they were Black and White Impermanence. I could hear their slow, slow breaths ringing in my ears. I swore to overcome fate! But I knew I was about to die, and I had no way out."

"If you have experienced what I have experienced, you understand that some pain cannot be compensated for. I am someone who has already died once. If I forgive you, I am not qualified to face myself."

Jiang Wang stopped here, slowly and resolutely drawing out his long sword.

The high platform slowly descended, the branches contracted, and finally the entire fighting arena created by the dao art turned into a small sapling and burrowed into the ground.

Meanwhile, Fang Pengju lay still on the ground, his right hand hanging down, his left hand still gripping the long sword that took his life, as if holding on tight. His eyes were wide open, with remnants of pain and unwillingness, and various emotions.

But he was already dead.

Ling He sighed softly, walked over, took off his outer garment, and covered Fang Pengju's face.

Du Yehu opened his mouth, seeming to want to curse, but ultimately couldn't say anything.

Zhao Rucheng remained motionless, silent.

Jiang Wang stood quietly in place, not looking at anyone in the arena, but gazing at the endless and distant sky, as if looking at another version of himself in a different time and space.

"Rest in peace." He said in his heart.

His mind was clear. Suddenly, the earthworm in his spine became agile, leaping from his tailbone and swimming smoothly over a stretch of journey, spitting out a round, plump, and beautiful dao element.

Jiang Wang suddenly remembered a saying in his heart - "All things in the world are understood through cultivation, and a clear mind is the source of sustenance."