Gao Shijie did not return to the cultivation world; he wanted to stay in the demon realm to see Pei Zhi off on her final journey.

However, Sikong Ren led Pei Zhi back to the ancient tree and activated a barrier, preventing anyone from entering.

Sikong Ren wiped away the bloodstains for Pei Zhi and helped her straighten her skirt.

Sikong Ren also changed into the red wedding dress that Pei Zhi had prepared for him, and then lay down with Pei Zhi.

"It's a bit of a pity that we couldn't get married in the end."

Sikong Ren gripped Pei Zhi's hand tightly. "I'm starting to regret it."

"If I hadn't proposed to you, would things have turned out differently?"

"You are still that sword immortal's disciple, the daughter of the first sect leader, forever audacious and innocent."

Sikong Ren was left to speak alone, but no one gave him any response.

"I regret it a little. I should have married you sooner, so that you could have been my bride while you were still alive."

"I never imagined that one day I would actually think that death could be a happy thing."

Sikong Ren gently kissed Pei Zhi's forehead. "Pei Zhi, I love you."

Then, Sikong Ren waved his hand, and a silk scroll was sent out of the barrier.

Sikong Ren's body began to spontaneously combust, and the ancient tree, which had been somewhat withered, seemed to be nourished by sweet dew.

The Left Protector, along with Gao Shijie, Liu Meiniang, and others, had been guarding outside the barrier. Upon seeing the silk scroll, they immediately reached out and took it.

This can also be considered Sikong Ren's last words.

His funeral arrangements were kept simple, and he devoted himself to assisting the next Demon Lord, coexisting peacefully with the cultivation world.

A blinding light emanated from within the barrier, and then the barrier disappeared.

Gao Shijie charged forward first, flames raging around Sikong Ren and Pei Zhi.

Liu Meiniang stopped Gao Shijie, who was about to rush forward, saying, "Are you crazy? This is demonic fire."

"Ke Zhizhi..."

Liu Meiniang's eyes also reddened. "Don't bother them. Let them disappear together."

Gao Shijie took these words to heart.

Pei Zhi finally put on her wedding dress, intending to marry Sikong Ren.

It was probably what Pei Zhi wanted to disappear along with Sikong Ren.

At this point, Gao Shijie could no longer hold back his emotions and burst into tears.

"Pei Zhi, you bastard, you're usually so good at hiding, why did you go up there to your death this time?"

In the past, whenever Gao Shijie and Pei Zhi encountered danger while going down the mountain together, the two of them would hide faster than anyone else.

If they can't avoid it, they'll definitely grab someone else to take the blame.

Liu Meiniang patted Gao Shijie on the shoulder, "But this time, it seems that only Pei Zhi's death can break the deadlock."

"She protected all of us."

This war, which seemed to have started because of Pei Zhi, ultimately ended with Pei Zhi's death.

Gao Shijie took out Pei Zhi's storage bracelet and cried even more fiercely.

Gao Shijie now understands that Pei Zhi was talking to him about her will back then.

Pei Zhi was prepared to sacrifice herself from the very beginning.

That's why she gave him the bracelet and said those ambiguous things to him; they were clearly her last words.

You bastard, you're such a bastard.

The demon realm welcomed a new demon lord, and after Elder Liu and the others were released, they devoted themselves to assisting the new demon lord.

As for the cultivation world, it was as calm as still water.

Originally, several sects had planned to hold a grand banquet to celebrate the sword immortal's entry into the Mahayana stage.

Now, no one dared to mention it anymore.

The main problem is that after Zhong Changyuan returned to Wuwang Peak, no one has seen him since.

No one dared to disturb him, except for his disciple Qi Yan.

That day, Qi Yan went to his master's courtyard to pay his respects as usual.

There was still no reaction. Just as Qi Yan was about to leave, the courtyard gate opened and Zhong Changyuan came out.

Qi Yan stared at his master's hair, speechless with shock.

His master's once black hair had turned completely white.

Qi Yan quickly asked with concern, "Master, are you alright?"

"Today marks the hundredth day since she passed away."

Qi Yan counted the days and realized that today was indeed the hundredth day since Pei Zhi's death.

"Master, an invitation has been sent from the demon realm for their new demon lord's enthronement ceremony."

Zhong Changyuan seemed slightly puzzled: "The new Demon Lord?"

"Their previous demon lord has been dead for a hundred days."

After Qi Yan finished speaking, he was afraid that his master would get emotional.

Zhong Changyuan simply nodded slightly, "I see."

Qi Yan was somewhat surprised. His master knew that Sikong Ren and Pei Zhi had died on the same day, but his master had no reaction at all.

Zhong Changyuan murmured, "I really envy him."

Qi Yan didn't understand: "What?"

Zhong Changyuan truly envied Sikong Ren for being able to leave with Pei Zhi.

Unlike him, Zhong Changyuan also wanted to follow Pei Zhi and go.

But Zhong Changyuan was also afraid that it would cause trouble for Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi had already rejected him in every way while she was alive.

He can't possibly chase after Pei Zhi after she dies, causing her trouble, can he?

Therefore, even if he suffers, he can only live.

Holding onto the mountain peak and the memories of Pei Zhi, he endured it all.

"Master... The sect leader brought back a girl from the mortal realm, hoping that Master can take her as his disciple."

Qi Yan thought for a moment and then added, "Rumors are circulating that she is the sect leader's illegitimate daughter and bears some resemblance to my junior sister."

Zhong Changyuan sneered, "Go tell him that I will never take on another disciple in this lifetime. Let him think twice."

Pei Zhi is dead, and Pei Tianming is worried that Zhong Changyuan might leave Tianyuan Sect.

Therefore, Pei Tianming used this method to find a substitute similar to Pei Zhi.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!