Qinghuo Gambling House.

When the news of Hong Yuan’s victory over Liu Mantang reached them, the entire place was in an uproar with incessant wailing. A large portion of the gamblers were ashen-faced, heading straight for the Phoenix Fall Bridge. Only a few lucky gamblers quietly celebrated their fortune.

"Thank goodness I followed that man’s bet on Hong Yuan, or I would be the one jumping off the Phoenix Fall Bridge right now," a gambler who had followed Zhu Wushang’s bet expressed immense relief. At that moment, he saw something of his own past self in Zhu Wushang’s certainty. So, he believed Zhu Wushang and bet on Hong Yuan with him, thinking to indulge himself just this once.

Suddenly, the gambler saw people ahead loudly arguing, and cries filled the air. He took a closer look and immediately realized that those who had lost everything were forcefully selling their wives and children.

"WAAAH! Daddy, I don’t want to..."

"You heartless man! Let go of me! Let go! I’m not his wife..."

Hearing the wailing that would bring tears to the eyes and pain to the heart, the gambler’s body jerked intensely. He remembered his gentle wife and adorable daughter at home and suddenly let out a terrified scream, "No! No more! I will not gamble ever again!!!"

One of the gambling house guards maintaining order looked at him and shook his head, thinking to himself, How clever our main bookmaker is. How could he possibly let them truly earn money and leave? It looks like we’ve got another fool. These suckers are so easy to fleece.

「Phoenix Imperial Peak, the location of the Spirit Beast Hall.」

The sale of the record stones that captured the battle between Hong Yuan and Liu Mantang was incredibly brisk. They often sold out as soon as they were stocked, bought by the other disciples of the Spirit Beast Hall. No matter how expensive, they were still in short supply!

Xu Haisheng and Xiao Youjun, who had grievances with Hong Yuan in their youth, lay powerlessly reclining on wooden chairs, looking at the record stone that had stopped playing the footage.

Strong, far too strong. Hong Yuan is just unreasonably strong, they concluded after watching the footage multiple times.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the door. A group of disciples was hurrying towards their courtyard.

"Xiao Youjun, I heard your worm control technique is modeled after Hong Yuan. Can you teach me?"

"Get lost! You used to say Xiao Youjun was a freak. Such a beautiful woman, yet she chooses to play with disgusting worms. She must be twisted and malicious inside."

"..."

Xiao Youjun looked down at the golden spider in her hand. She had still been thinking of finding an opportunity to challenge Hong Yuan again. She wanted to return the humiliation she had once suffered. But she hadn’t expected Hong Yuan to have become so formidable. Now, even her fellow disciple Long Zhandu, also one of the Nine Great Phoenix Creek True Transmissions, might not be a match for him.

"HEH..." Xiao Youjun’s face showed a relieved smile. "Let it go. Let it go."

The huge gap made the knot in her heart dissipate significantly.

「Eagle Immortal Blessed Land.」

Rugged mountains and ancient trees stood tall; myriads of eagles soared. In the sky above, the Eagle Immortal Palace levitated among the clouds, majestic and spectacular.

"I... am back..." Lin Daoyan looked at this scene with misty eyes.

Here, he had spent nearly half his life. He recalled the pride of becoming one of the Nine Great Phoenix Creek True Transmissions in his youth. Then came the desolation of witnessing the deaths of his eldest disciple and second disciple in his middle age, and finally, the despondency of having to yield this place and leave in his later years... The Eagle Immortal Blessed Land held too many memories for him. Because of it, Lin Daoyan had woken from many nightmares, only to feel a deep sense of loss and unending sorrow.

Now, he was finally back!

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, we’re finally back..." Zhu Wushang was also filled with a complex mix of emotions.

If it weren’t for Hong Yuan’s sudden rise, I would have regretted my lack of talent and aptitude for the rest of my life, he thought.

The Eagle Immortal Blessed Land was essentially a private domain of the Refining Equipment Hall. Master Lin Daoyan obtained it from his seniors in the Refining Equipment Hall. It was then successively inherited by Eldest Brother and Second Brother. But when it came to him, the third senior brother, he was powerless to keep it.

"Master, be careful..." Hong Yuan quickly stepped forward to support Lin Daoyan.

At that moment, Lin Daoyan, trembling and wavering on his wheelchair, was attempting to stand up. Fortunately, Hong Yuan promptly went forward, holding Lin Daoyan steady. They slowly walked a short distance, leaving the people of Rainbow Fire Peak behind, silently watching.

Hong Yuan’s nose twitched slightly, smelling the increasingly rich scent of decay spreading from Master Lin Daoyan’s body.

Master’s vital breath has scattered... Hong Yuan sighed inwardly.

He understood that Master Lin Daoyan had fulfilled his final obsession and was about to approach his demise. Because the more aged a person is, the more they rely on that single breath of willpower to live. Once that willpower scatters, their spirit and soul can no longer resist the body’s decay. They will soon be mercilessly struck down by the blade of time. Fortunately, with his help, even if Master Lin Daoyan passed, he could depart with a smile.

"Yuan, that’s enough. I can’t walk anymore."

"Go on. Go and refine the core of the Eagle Immortal Blessed Land."

"The road ahead, you’ll have to walk on your own, but I believe you can do it."

Lin Daoyan’s thin and withered hand reached out, trembling nonstop, gently caressing Hong Yuan’s face. Zhu Wushang, Lin Yiru, Mo Yue’er, and others quickly stepped forward, ready to support him at any time.

Hong Yuan fell silent for a moment. He felt that Master Lin Daoyan had developed a will to die. The Vermilion Bird Spirit Fire and Green Dragon Wood Element within Hong Yuan were ready to stir one moment, then fell into silence the next.

Should I forcibly extend Master Lin Daoyan’s Life Span, or respect his wish...?

"Life and death are extremely common things, experiences that everyone will have. Even the Ancient Emperors are no exception; there is no need to take it too much to heart."

"To have been your master and walked this journey with you, I’ve been very happy," Lin Daoyan smiled with his eyes narrowed, then comforted Hong Yuan.

Hong Yuan looked at his own Life Span, which was over six million years. He then turned to look back at the people of Rainbow Fire Peak, an indescribable emotion spreading in his heart.

Indeed, who can claim they will live forever? For a cultivator to depart this world with joy is already a great blessing. Supreme beings like Tianli and the Soul Killing Demon Emperor, rumor has it, died with regrets and complaints. This path of pursuing immortality... ultimately, I can only walk it alone.

Hong Yuan found some relief. He nodded and said softly, "Being able to accompany you, Master, on part of your journey, has also been a very happy experience for me."

Under Lin Daoyan’s expectant gaze, Hong Yuan moved and transformed into countless Bee Beast Worms, rushing towards the Eagle Immortal Palace above the sea of clouds.

Lin Daoyan sat in the wheelchair, staring fixedly at the dim Eagle Immortal Palace. When he saw the Eagle Immortal Palace radiating a clear golden light, his mouth curved upwards, a content smile spreading across his face. The various moments he shared with Hong Yuan began to emerge one after another in his mind: their first meeting, the first time he was called Master, their first time refining Instruments together... Memories of the past now flooded his heart.

He slowly closed his eyes, his expression peaceful.

He had passed away...

"Father!" "Master!" "Grandmaster!"

Calls arose spontaneously. The people of Rainbow Fire Peak wept uncontrollably.

Hong Yuan reappeared. Looking at Master Lin Daoyan, who had become silent, his mood was incredibly somber. Man is not vegetation; who can be heartless?

But soon, Hong Yuan roused himself, his gaze resolute. He was now the leader of the Rainbow Fire Peak lineage; he absolutely could not show any signs of weakness!

"HMPH! Everyone, pull yourselves together! Let Master depart in glory. Don’t let outsiders mock him," Hong Yuan said with a stern voice. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Upon hearing this, the people of Rainbow Fire Peak all followed Hong Yuan’s arrangements. While harboring their sorrow, they started to arrange the funeral.

Suddenly, Hong Yuan sensed something and looked up at the sky above. He seemed to see Master Lin Daoyan nodding at him reassuringly. Master Lin Daoyan looked the same as when he had first met him:

"Dressed in scholarly green clothes, his body robust, his presence impressive, like a majestic lion in slumber!"

Lin Daoyan departed, slowly walking towards the dim and obscure Gate of Life and Death...