These ancient fossils hiding in the shadows really have no intention of showing themselves.

If they were to emerge, it would consume their vitality and shorten their already limited lifespan.

Therefore, even with the appearance of an Emperor’s weapon fragment, those people could still endure, watching from the shadows, believing that the younger generation could secure the fragment.

The appearance of Sword Immortal Changgeng and Dugu Changkong dispelled the thoughts of these ancient fossils.

“This matter involves the Mystic Azure Sect, it won’t be easy to handle.”

The Supreme Ancestor of the Linghe Sect, surprisingly, turned out to be from the Mystic Azure Sect. This revelation was shocking.

“Incredible.”

The high-ranking members of the Ancient Holy Sect were stunned for a long time, at a loss for what to do.

“Should we intervene?”

The old fellows hiding in coffins hesitated.

Just from Dugu Changkong’s one move, it was clear he was no ordinary peak Great Vehicle cultivator. The powerful figures from various sects couldn’t truly unite, and likely couldn’t handle him.

Moreover, with the karma of the Mystic Azure Sect and the fortune of the Emperor’s weapon fragment, the old fellows hiding in the shadows couldn’t sit idly by.

“What is the relationship between the Linghe Sect and the Mystic Azure Sect?”

Someone asked.

“There is no relationship,” Dugu Changkong shook his head and said, “I am merely temporarily residing in the Linghe Sect. It was so in the past, and whatever I do in the future has nothing to do with the Linghe Sect.”

“What do you mean by that?”

A powerful figure pressed.

“From today on, I am no longer the Supreme Elder of the Linghe Sect, but will live in this world as a member of the Mystic Azure Sect.”

Dugu Changkong glanced in the direction of the Linghe Sect, with some reluctance and nostalgia, but this day was bound to come, and he had long been mentally prepared, his expression calm.

“Ancestor!”

The elders of the Linghe Sect immediately panicked, wanting to step forward to inquire, but were blocked by a gentle force.

At this moment, an undeniable presence approached from afar.

Turning to look, an old man dressed in black cloth, walking unsteadily, with no trace of blood on his face, looking extremely weak, as if he didn’t have long to live.

The old man in black came from the Linghe Sect, crushed a great teleportation array talisman, and arrived here in a very short time.

“Old Holy Lord!”

The high-ranking members of the Linghe Sect recognized the old man in black at a glance, were startled, and then respectfully saluted.

The old man in black ignored the people of the Linghe Sect and walked straight towards Dugu Changkong, his murky eyes filled with deep emotion, his lips trembling slightly, clearly emotionally unstable.

He was the old Holy Lord of the Linghe Sect, a terrifying figure who had lived for over twenty thousand years.

“Brother, why are you doing this?”

The old Holy Lord ignored the assembled heroes and spoke to Dugu Changkong, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with reluctance.

Back then, the old Holy Lord and Dugu Changkong had hit it off at first sight, becoming friends through discussing the Dao.

Because Dugu Changkong was older, the old Holy Lord called him brother, and they were harmonious brothers, never having any estrangement.

The old Holy Lord was not yet the sect master at that time, and with Dugu Changkong’s help, he ascended to that position.

“In the past, I lived for myself, now I live for the will of the Mystic Azure Sect.”

Looking at his old brother, Dugu Changkong’s heart naturally felt uncomfortable. But some things he had to do.

In a daze, Dugu Changkong saw the back of his senior brother heading to the demon abyss, desolate, lonely, and resolute.

He knew he was not as good as his senior brother, retreating in fear before the battle.

He blamed himself and deeply regretted it.

Later, he had more than once thought of going to the demon abyss, but he extinguished those thoughts each time.

It wasn’t fear of death, but the desire to do something meaningful.

After nearly thirty thousand years of cultivation, he understood the power of the Mystic Azure Sect’s inheritance techniques. Though he hadn’t fully comprehended them, he had grasped seventy to eighty percent. So, he wanted to support the descendants of the Mystic Azure Sect, to slowly reclaim what was lost.

Since he planned to do something for the Mystic Azure Sect, how could he still bear the title of Supreme Elder of the Linghe Sect?

Tears glistened in the old Holy Lord’s eyes, his voice choked, and countless words condensed into two: “Brother…”

In the future, if Dugu Changkong were to settle old scores, he would inevitably become an enemy of the Linghe Sect.

The old Holy Lord understood this, feeling no resentment, only heartache.

Besides the old Holy Lord, no one could understand the helplessness and pain deep in Dugu Changkong’s heart.

The Linghe Sect’s prosperity today was inseparable from Dugu Changkong’s contributions.

However, Dugu Changkong would have to live under a different identity in the future, possibly destroying the Linghe Sect’s prosperity with his own hands, like destroying his own child, how tragic.

“No need to say more, my mind is made up.”

Dugu Changkong smiled at the old Holy Lord, looking very calm.

Only the old Holy Lord understood that his brother’s heart was definitely not as calm as it appeared on the surface: “I understand.”

In the future, could the two brothers still sit together and discuss the Dao over tea?

The old Holy Lord missed those days, as if they were yesterday, vivid in his memory, yet as distant as a past life, untouchable.

“The Linghe Sect’s actions against the Mystic Azure Sect in the past were done by our ancestors, but the descendants benefited and cannot shirk responsibility. If the Mystic Azure Sect seeks justice in the future, the Linghe Sect is willing to bear the corresponding responsibility.”

The old Holy Lord’s words represented the Linghe Sect’s stance.

In other words, the Linghe Sect was willing to give up the resources they had once taken from the Mystic Azure Sect and do their utmost to make amends for their ancestors’ mistakes.

For the sake of brotherhood, the old Holy Lord had done his best. At least, he didn’t want to be enemies with Dugu Changkong, nor did he want to make things difficult for him.

Taking a step back, for his brother, and to make up for the Linghe Sect ancestors’ mistakes.

After saying this, the old Holy Lord turned and left, not speaking a word to anyone else from beginning to end.

This time, risking a significant reduction in lifespan, the old Holy Lord had come to see Dugu Changkong up close.

Because he feared that if he missed this time, there would be no more chances in the future.

Watching the old Holy Lord’s departing figure, Dugu Changkong felt a mix of emotions.

It was precisely because the Linghe Sect valued harmony and emotions internally that Dugu Changkong had stayed for so long, feeling some attachment.

As for why Dugu Changkong didn’t return to the Mystic Azure Sect, it was obviously to avoid bringing trouble to the Mystic Azure Sect, and he didn’t think he was qualified.

“What do we do next?”

The powerful figures, having seen Dugu Changkong’s strength, were apprehensive.

Their abilities were not much different from the old man with the cane, and since Dugu Changkong could suppress the old man with one finger, he could easily kill them too.

Risking their lives to intervene was not a good choice.

But with the Emperor’s weapon fragment so close, could they really give up?

Everyone was in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat.

Over a hundred powerful figures dared not act, and Dugu Changkong had no time to wait, planning to leave with Wu Junyan and the others.

Just as Dugu Changkong turned around, a coffin suddenly drifted from the depths of the dark starry sky, a thick aura of decay spreading across the realms, causing hearts to palpitate and souls to tremble.