3: Relieve sorrow

Sun Ping was as impatient as ever. Li Xiangyun had only retorted slightly, but he had already lost his composure and said fiercely, "Li Xiangyun, you... you're asking for death!"

As he spoke, a murderous intent surged from Sun Ping, and a terrifying Spiritual Pressure assailed Li Xiangyun.

Li Xiangyun showed no fear, his eyes narrowed as he said coldly, "Sun Ping, you'd better think carefully. I, a dying man, am not afraid of these things. At worst, I'll take you down with me!"

At the same time, an astonishing cold Qi began to spread outwards, freezing everything in its path.

"How much strength do you have left now?"

Surging flames rose from Sun Ping, blocking the erosion of the cold Qi.

In an instant, the entire mountain peak was enveloped by both ice and fire, winds churned, and the clouds on the horizon were dyed in vibrant hues, forming a magnificent spectacle.

If it weren't for the entire Xiangyun Peak being covered by a Formation, the vegetation on the mountain would have long since been destroyed.

This was the power of a Golden Core; every action could trigger a celestial phenomenon.

This terrifying and grand scene was naturally noticed by the Disciples below.

"Such terrifying Spiritual Pressure, even from here I can feel it."

"It seems like the Golden Core Elders are fighting, right?"

"From the looks of it, it should be Elder Li and Elder Sun."

"This Elder Sun is truly shameless. When Elder Li wasn't injured, he was meek, but now that he's injured, he starts to flaunt his power."

"Watch your words! Golden Core Immortal Masters are not for us to discuss."

The Disciples below discussed animatedly as they watched this scene, but undoubtedly, most of them sided with Li Xiangyun.

After all, Li Xiangyun had always been humble and kind to others.

Sun Ping, on the other hand, due to his resentment, had always been irritable and somewhat sinister in his behavior.

Therefore, comparatively, Li Xiangyun naturally had more popularity... "You can try!"

Above the mountain peak.

Li Xiangyun was also genuinely provoked. Although he and Sun Ping had been openly and covertly competing for so many years, there was no deep-seated enmity between them.

But if the other party went too far, he wouldn't mind dying together with him!

Immediately after, the cold Qi intensified again, and dense ice shards began to condense in the air, even freezing Sun Ping's flames.

Sun Ping was somewhat surprised; the sudden terrifying coldness made him involuntarily take a step back.

In a daze, it felt as if he had returned to the era shrouded by Li Xiangyun's shadow.

This made Sun Ping's mood fluctuate.

Sun Ping's purpose in coming this time, besides probing Li Xiangyun's true condition, was more to worsen Li Xiangyun's injuries.

He didn't genuinely want to fight Li Xiangyun to the death.

Although Sun Ping felt that Li Xiangyun was mostly bluffing at this moment.

But why should he gamble? After all, Li Xiangyun's Lifespan was limited, while he still had a great future ahead of him!

What if Li Xiangyun severely injured him before he died? Wouldn't that be a huge loss for him?

Thinking this, Sun Ping already had thoughts of retreating.

But Sun Ping also felt that if he, after making such a big fuss to come here, backed down so hastily, wouldn't it be somewhat cowardly?

Most importantly, if he backed down first, wouldn't it make the world think even more that he was inferior to Li Xiangyun... At the same time, a cold sweat began to appear on Li Xiangyun's forehead.

After all, his Golden Core was already shattered, and forcibly activating his spiritual power would not only cause him immense pain but also accelerate the Golden Core's dissipation.

Therefore, it could be said that his Lifespan was rapidly dwindling with every passing moment.

Yet, despite this, Li Xiangyun had no intention of backing down and begging for mercy.

Because once he showed weakness, what would follow would be Sun Ping's crazy retribution.

He had to use this to deter Sun Ping in one fell swoop, so that he could die peacefully.

Moreover, his pride would not allow him to bow his head to a former defeated opponent!

Therefore, a great battle was on the verge of breaking out!

Suddenly, a cold snort echoed in the air, shaking away the colorful clouds.

"Sun Ping, do you know that the Sect forbids internal strife?"

Hearing the voice, Li Xiangyun and Sun Ping both tacitly stopped their actions, quietly awaiting the Sect Master's reprimand.

The Sect Master appeared above, dressed in luxurious robes, with a dignified demeanor and anger on his face.

Accompanying him were the various Elders.

"Sun Ping, as an Inner Sect Elder, you knowingly broke the rules. You are temporarily stripped of your position as Inner Sect Elder and exiled to Tianyun Cave to guard the spiritual mine."

The Sect Master's voice was full of solemnity, carrying an undeniable authority.

Sun Ping's expression changed, but he still reluctantly bowed and said, "Yes!"

Tianyun Cave was the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's largest spiritual mine, containing a fourth-grade spiritual vein, and was one of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's largest sources of income.

Therefore, every ten years, a Golden Core Elder would be assigned to guard it.

And besides the Elders of the four pavilions, there was originally an Elder of the Law Enforcement Pavilion.

The reason he had not appeared was that he was stationed at Tianyun Cave.

This punishment was neither light nor heavy. Although guarding Tianyun Cave meant being far from the Sect and carried a certain degree of danger.

However, Tianyun Cave had abundant Spiritual Qi and was quite lucrative, so it was also a good place to Cultivate.

What truly made Sun Ping reluctant was being stripped of his position as Inner Sect Elder.

After all, the Inner Sect Elder not only represented status but also received extremely generous Cultivation resources every year.

Li Xiangyun watched this scene with cold eyes. Compared to Sun Ping's foolishness, he clearly knew that all of this was a show for him and the Disciples below.

After all, the Sect Master's voice just now was extremely loud.

It made sense; one was a Golden Core with only one year of Lifespan left and about to leave the Sect, and the other was a Golden Core in his prime.

Anyone would know how to choose, let alone the Sect Master.

Therefore, there was naturally nothing to resent.

So, Li Xiangyun cupped his hands and bowed, "Sect Master, I shall take my leave."

After speaking, without waiting for a reply, he had already left the spot.

The Sect Master's eyes flickered for a moment, but he ultimately did not stop him.

Then, he gave Sun Ping a meaningful look before disappearing... "Cough~ cough~"

In a certain wilderness, Li Xiangyun's figure appeared, stumbled, and spat out fresh blood.

Clearly, the reason he left in such a hurry was that if he delayed any longer, his condition would be exposed.

Li Xiangyun did not heal his injuries but simply adjusted his Qi, then conjured a blue Flying Sword and sat upon it.

Then, he controlled the Flying Sword and flew off into the distance.

"The setting sun and lonely wild geese fly together, the autumn waters share the same color as the vast sky."

This was Li Xiangyun's favorite poem from his previous life.

Passing by a long river, Li Xiangyun looked at the beautiful sunset and the free wild ducks in the sky, and this poem involuntarily came to his mind.

Recalling it now, for all these years, he had single-mindedly Cultivated, and although he had reached the Golden Core, he had never truly seen this world.

"But it's not too late now!"

Li Xiangyun smiled freely, bought a flask of clear wine, and lay on his Flying Sword, enjoying the sensation of the sunset's caress.

"This cup, to all those in despair!"