The former master and disciple became enemies.

     It was a decisive battle.

     In the end, because of his fragile core, Chu Wanning was no match for Mo Ran, who was young and fierce.

     “Don’t struggle anymore.” The more the young demon fought, the more his fighting spirit flourished. He grinned wantonly as Bu’gui and Huaisha met, clashing fiercely.

     Golden sparks of light flashed and dimmed.

     Faint blue flames reflected in the eyes of both master and disciple.

     Mo Ran glanced at Chu Wanning’s pale face, then turned to look at the gradually dissipating spiritual flow in Huaisha, his eyes full of ridicule.

     “You have no spiritual power left. If you continue to fight with me, your spiritual core will shatter. Shizun, you’re so proud. You won’t be willing to become mortal until death, right?”

     Chu Wanning clenched his teeth and didn’t answer, his thin lips bloodless.

     Finally, the glory of Huaisha completely disappeared, and Mo Ran knew that Chu Wanning’s spiritual energy had been depleted. He laughed heartily, his voice like a vulture.

     “What else can you use to resist me, Yuheng of the Night Sky… my high and mighty Shizun?”

     Chu Wanning knelt halfway on the ground, leaning on his sword, his white robes stained with blood.

     He raised his eyes. At that time, Mo Ran’s hatred was too deep. He could see the determination in his eyes but not the sadness buried deep underneath.

     Many years later, when Taxian-Jun committed suicide by taking poison, he unconsciously recalled this first fierce battle of his entire life.

     He couldn’t help but think that at that time, Chu Wanning was indeed determined to stop him with his life…

     All living beings come first, and oneself is last.

     He had once called him a villain who only knew how to talk a big game.

     But Chu Wanning was a man of his word.

     —“Remember kindness.”

     His Shizun said.

     “Do not harbor evil.”

     Golden light flashed.

     Mo Ran only had time to see the last bit of calmness in Chu Wanning’s eyes before he saw the blazing light in his palm. This Beidou Immortal—this man with no family or friends in the cultivation world—had sacrificed his own spiritual core to summon his three holy weapons once again.

     Jiu’ge, Tianwen, Huaisha.

     How much pride did Chu Wanning have?

     The mighty army created by Mo Ran was finally suppressed by the power of Chu Wanning’s spiritual core. Under the brilliant light of the holy weapons, the black and white chess pieces were crushed to dust one by one.

     Strangely enough, Mo Ran was standing directly opposite to Chu Wanning at that time, just a few feet away. He looked at this man who stubbornly resisted, the person who had poured in so much blood and effort, yet didn’t actually do anything to stop him.

     He just watched with astonishment and curiosity.

     He wanted to know how far this thin-skinned person before him could go for “all living beings.”

     He just watched.

     He watched as Chu Wanning used up the last of his spiritual power.

     The raging tide subsided, and the sparrows blocking the sun dispersed.

     One by one, the living people under his control recovered their consciousness, while the dead closed their eyes again and fell into eternal sleep.

     Mo Ran watched just like that.

     He saw Beidou Immortal’s spiritual core shatter, saw Chu Wanning’s brilliance fall, saw his Shizun kneel in front of him and finally fall into the dust.

     Mo Ran didn’t have much of an expression at the time. He slightly turned his face to the side and faintly heard his mother’s warning before she died. That kind-hearted woman stroked his cheek and said to him, “Repay kindness; do not seek revenge.”

     After so many years, he finally heard such a familiar sentence again. Before Chu Wanning offered his spiritual core, he said to him, “Remember kindness; do not harbor evil.”

     But he didn’t.

     His heart seemed to be filled with endless hatred, and only blood could give him a moment of respite—

     He destroyed Sisheng Peak, massacred Rufeng Sect, killed his aunt and uncle, killed several sect leaders, and dyed heaven’s lake red, turning the entire mountain into a pile of bones.

     In the end, the rebel army surrounded the mountain, and he committed suicide in front of the tower.

     He was the one who experienced all these things himself, the one who committed all these heinous crimes. In this appalling tragedy, he was the culprit. The blood of thousands of people stained Bu’gui, and the Zhenlong Chess Formation took the lives of more than ten thousand people.

     It was him.

     Mo Ran felt dizzy, and he was unable to catch his breath.

     Suddenly, he heard a muffled groan, which pulled him out of the mire of memories. He came back to his senses and saw that Mu Yanli’s shoulder had been pierced by a chess piece. Blood splashed on his face.

     “Pavilion Master!”

     “Pavilion Master, be careful!”

     The members of Tianyin Pavilion immediately rushed forward to protect Mu Yanli.

     Mu Yanli gritted her teeth, took a breath, and said, “It’s okay.”

     The Zhenlong chess piece in front of her drew its sword and, in front of everyone, deferentially knelt in front of Mo Ran, his face covered with a mask. He lowered his head and said, “This subordinate failed to protect you and caused Master to be disturbed. I deserve to die.”

     Everyone was horrified.

     “It’s a chess piece controlled by Mo Ran!”

     “He called him Master!”

     Mo Ran said, “No… that’s not it…”

     But who would believe him?

     Who would believe him?!

     Mo Ran shook his head in despair and retreated, looking at the faces filled with hatred and doubt.

     It’s not like that.

     He looked at Xue Meng, but he was too far away to notice the commotion. Then he saw Madam Wang and Xue Zhengyong.

     When the two of them saw this change, their expressions were extremely unsightly.

     Mo Ran’s lips trembled, and he wanted to say something, but he didn’t know how else to defend himself.

     Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a group of chess pieces emerging from behind Madam Wang. In a flash, he shouted, “Auntie! Watch out!!”

     This loud shout made everyone turn around. Xue Zhengyong was immediately alert, but because of the chess pieces on his left and right, it was too late for him to return.

     “Auntie!”

     “Mother—!”

     Clang!

     A metallic sound rang out. It was Jiang Xi who rushed out of the crowd. Xuehuang’s sword energy was menacing, and he repelled the chess pieces that were closing in on Madam Wang in one fell swoop.

     Madam Wang was shocked and said, “Shidi…”

     “...” Jiang Xi glanced back at her coldly and only said, “Keep your eyes open.”

     At this moment, Master Xuan Jing suddenly discovered that on the horizon, there was a dense layer of dark clouds approaching Sisheng Peak. At first, he couldn’t see it clearly, but when he saw it, he couldn’t believe it.

     It wasn’t until many people around him noticed the billowing black cloud that he finally confirmed it. He grabbed his beard and shouted, “How is that possible?! How many chess pieces are there?!!”

     The black chess pieces surged forward as far as the eye could see.

     Some were dead, and some were living. All of these people had their faces burned by some kind of spell, and their tongues were pulled out. Even if they recovered their consciousness, they still wouldn’t be able to speak.

     Behind them, there were flying beasts and animals controlled by chess pieces, including dragons and serpents.

     “Mo Weiyu!!”

     “Mo Ran…”

     At this moment, these people turned back to stare at him, but they were more afraid than angry. Some of the people who had been approaching him even took a few steps back involuntarily.

     “Madman… Mo Ran, are you crazy…?”

     “How many chess pieces have you refined?!”

     Mo Ran opened his mouth.

     He wanted to say, No, it’s not me.

     But if it wasn’t him, who else could it be?

     The Gate of Time, Space, Life, and Death opened again, and Taxian-Jun led millions of mighty soldiers to descend upon this world.

     What was the difference between him and Emperor Taxian-Jun?

     They both had the same memory and used the same techniques. Mo-zongshi was also adept at the Zhenlong Chess Formation Taxian-Jun used. If the chess pieces made by Taxian-Jun were not specifically ordered, they would also recognize Mo-zongshi as their master.

     Therefore, he killed his family, massacred the cities, and practiced forbidden techniques.

     Thousands of men and horses formed an army.

     To overturn the world and destroy all living beings.

     This was all his doing. No one had ever wronged him.

     More and more chess pieces were pouring in, and there was no end in sight. They were like black ink spreading rapidly on rice paper, getting closer and closer.

     Some people were already panicking. “What should we do?!”

     Mu Yanli said angrily, “Mo Ran! What excuses do you have?! You planned all of this! I only hate that Tianyin Pavilion didn’t intervene in this matter earlier and kill you!”

     Dark clouds covered the sun, and the sky was dark.

     The mountains were bleak and full of desolate winds. These tens of thousands of dead chess pieces were like giant bells hanging in the sky. They could fall down at any moment, shattering all corners of the world and killing people like ants.

     Mo Ran’s pupils contracted as he looked at the sky.

     No one wanted to surrender. Whether they flew on their swords or fought in close combat, they were already engaged in a chaotic battle with the chess pieces. This time, the battle was much more intense than before, and there was blood and screams everywhere.

     Heads were rolling.

     Intestines spilled.

     However, there was still a never-ending black tide surging in from the horizon. It was endless and terrifying.

     Suddenly, he heard Xue Meng’s shout from afar, “Father! Mother!”

     Mo Ran quickly turned around and saw that Xue Zhengyong and Jiang Xi were both covered in blood. The red blood was so bright that it was hard to tell whether it was from their own injuries or from killing the enemies.

     Xue Meng tried his best to squeeze towards his parents, fighting all the way, but he was outnumbered.

     “Xue Meng—!”

     Mo Ran wanted to help him, but Xue Meng looked very conflicted when he saw him. Xue Meng was avoiding him.

     Suddenly, a dead soldier from Rufeng Sect raised his sword and stabbed Xue Meng’s shoulder. Immediately, blood flowed, staining his light armor.

     “Xue Meng… Xue Meng!”

     Mo Ran rushed towards him anxiously, but there were too many people fighting, and he was too far away. He couldn’t get through… He couldn’t make it…

     After being injured, more chess pieces rushed towards Xue Meng. The young man’s figure was quickly swallowed by a group of Zhenlong chess pieces with red eyes.

     “Meng-er!”

     “Meng-er—!”

     Miserable screams rang out.

     It was Madam Wang and Xue Zhengyong’s voices.

     Mo Ran had never heard such screams like this that shattered his muscles and bones.

     His scalp was tingling.

     Xue Meng…

     No.

     It shouldn’t be like this.

     There must be a way! There has to be a way!

     Since Hua Binan asked him to come here and set up this situation, it definitely wasn’t to let him see Sisheng Peak being destroyed. What did Hua Binan want him to do?

     What was he supposed to do?! What did Hua Binan want him to do?! What was this “surprise” for? How could he end all this? How could he let him go?

     Suddenly—

     He thought about it and understood.

     Mo Ran was stunned for a moment, and then his heart began to beat wildly.

     Hua Binan was ruthless. Not only did he want to ruin his reputation, he also wanted him to have no way to turn back… He understood.

     Nangong Si had done this on Mount Jiao.

     Chu Wanning had done it in his previous life during their battle.

     He had no spiritual power now… but his spiritual core was still there. He could feel the brilliance flowing through his chest, rising and falling together with his heartbeat.

     Emperor Taxian-Jun’s savage and ferocious sneer seemed to appear in front of him again—

     “You have no spiritual power left. If you continue to fight with me, your spiritual core will shatter. Shizun, you’re so proud. You won’t be willing to become mortal until death, right?”

     He knew what he had to do.

     His eyes were filled with warm tears amidst the flames of war around him. But Mo Ran was suddenly calm.

     In his previous life, Chu Wanning had martyred himself to personally tell him that the saying “all living beings come first and oneself is last” was not an empty statement.

     He seemed to see Chu Wanning’s pale face in his previous life before he had overdrawn his spiritual core.

     Back then, his Shizun thought that he would definitely die. Before he did so, he said to Mo Ran:

     “Remember kindness; do not harbor evil.”

     The earth rumbled.

     “What happened?”

     “What’s going on?”

     Everyone was stunned. While dodging attacks, they looked for the source of the disturbance.

     Actually, there was no need to look for it.

     Where Mo Ran was standing, a blazing flame suddenly erupted. It wasn’t a real flame but a strong spiritual current from when a fire element spiritual core was overdrawn and burned, wrapping Mo Ran entirely within.

     Mo Weiyu.

     The Emperor Taxian-Jun of the previous life had become a zongshi in this life.

     He… in the face of a great calamity, he actually… actually was trying to stop all of this…

     He had broken his own spiritual core!

     Just like Nangong Si and Chu Wanning, the destruction of his spiritual core allowed him to suddenly obtain his greatest level of spiritual power. His eyes were dyed red by the flames, but there was no pain on his handsome and righteous face.

     Who was he at this moment?

     Could he stop being the Emperor Taxian-Jun despised by tens of thousands of people?

     If possible, he also wanted to be like Chu Wanning.

     His spiritual core slowly shattered and melted in his chest.

     The flames burned brighter and brighter, piercing through the clouds and fog and illuminating the endless sky.

     At this moment, he suddenly felt that all those pure and honest dreams of his childhood were slowly falling back to the bottom of his heart. Standing in the flames, he saw Duan Yihan and Chu Wanning.

     He saw her touching his cheek in the woodshed and saying, “Repay kindness; do not seek revenge.”

     He saw the youth outside Wubei Temple, holding rice porridge and feeding it to him carefully.

     “Drink slowly. If it’s not enough, there’s more…”

     In his two lifetimes, he originally wanted to be a good person.

     He didn’t do it in his previous life.

     In this life, when he looked back and asked himself what had happened before, he had been sad for nearly ten years.

     He didn’t know how to make amends. He suffered day and night but still didn’t get a result.

     If he told others that he also had the dream of protecting all the poor people of the world, who would believe him?

     There would only be ridicule, abuse, and mockery.

     Because he was Mo Weiyu, Emperor Taxian-Jun.

     He had gone astray and killed people, so no matter what he did to make up for it, it was all useless.

     It was all wrong.

     No one could forgive him.

     Perhaps only in this flame, only when his spiritual core was shattered, only when he martyred himself and walked the path of Chu Wanning in his previous life, could he find the slightest bit of comfort.

     Only then could he cautiously say:

     “If possible, I also want to be like Chu Wanning.”

     Please don’t laugh at me when you hear this wish.

     Don’t despise me.

     I was stupid, and for a long time, I had no one to accompany me.

     I walked like this for two lifetimes and took the wrong path for twenty years.

     I’m too stupid. I don’t know why I ended up in endless darkness. I don’t know why things ended up like this. Looking back, it was all wrong.

     I can’t find my mother.

     I can’t find Shizun either.

     Please, hell is too cold.

     Just let me go back, okay?

     I want to go home.