On the grasslands, the wind howled. Yuyi stood on a distant hillside, his gaze locked on the open ground below. The setting sun's afterglow bathed the grasslands, painting everything in golden-red hues.
His eyes fell upon a figure working in the distance. The man bent over, shearing wool from a spirit beast with practiced, focused movements. Occasionally, he would straighten up, wipe the sweat from his brow, then continue his work.
Yuyi's hand unconsciously tightened around the hilt of the Hanxiao Sword, his knuckles whitening from the pressure. His heart churned, unable to find peace.
This was Xuesha Ren?
This was the man who once struck terror into the entire cultivation world as the Blood Fiend Sect's top expert?
The peerless powerhouse whose killing intent was awe-inspiring and whose blade techniques were incomparably sharp?
Yuyi could hardly believe his eyes. The Xuesha Ren before him bore no trace of his former might. He was like an ordinary herdsman, living a mundane life on this remote grassland.
Yuyi took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He had waited for this moment for too long. Years of tracking, countless days and nights of waiting—he had finally found this man.
As dusk deepened, Xuesha Ren finally finished his work. He straightened up, stretched his limbs, then began gathering his tools.
Just then, a clear voice rang out: "Senior Xuesha Ren, quite a harvest today!"
Yuyi looked toward the sound and saw a young woman approaching from the other side of the grassland. She wore simple cloth clothes, her face bright with a brilliant smile.
Yun'er. Yuyi silently recited the name. Xuesha Ren's companion after his retirement.
Yun'er walked up to Xuesha Ren and helped him gather the tools. The two chatted and laughed, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Suddenly, Yun'er looked up and spotted Yuyi standing on the distant hillside. She paused, then her eyes lit up: "Is that... Senior Yuyi?"
Xuesha Ren heard this and also looked up toward Yuyi's direction. Their gazes met in the air, and Yuyi saw a complex emotion flash through Xuesha Ren's eyes.
"It really is Senior Yuyi!" Yun'er waved excitedly. "Senior, what brings you here?"
Yuyi didn't answer, only slowly walked down the hillside to stand before the two.
Xuesha Ren set down his tools and bowed deeply to Yuyi: "Senior Yuyi, it's been many years."
Yuyi looked at Xuesha Ren's respectful posture, and an indescribable feeling rose in his heart. The Xuesha Ren of the past—when had he ever been so respectful to anyone?
"Xuesha Ren," Yuyi spoke, his voice calm, "after so many years, you've made yourself quite comfortable."
Xuesha Ren smiled bitterly: "Senior jokes. After retiring, I merely raise spirit beasts and live an ordinary life."
Yuyi looked at Yun'er's innocent, bright smile, then at Xuesha Ren's peaceful expression, and the complex emotions in his heart grew stronger. This girl clearly knew nothing of the grievances between Xuesha Ren and himself from years ago.
"Since you're here," Yuyi said, "why don't I treat you both to Lingbao Pavilion for some spirit tea and refreshments."
Yun'er cheered and pulled Xuesha Ren toward Lingbao Pavilion. Xuesha Ren glanced back at Yuyi, a trace of worry in his eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.
Inside Lingbao Pavilion, the aroma of spirit tea wafted through the air. The three sat around a table, and Yun'er curiously examined the Hanxiao Sword at Yuyi's waist.
"Senior, this sword is so beautiful!" Yun'er's eyes were full of wonder. "Can I take a look?"
Yuyi unfastened the Hanxiao Sword and handed it to Yun'er: "Be careful. This is one of the Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures, its Sword Qi is sharp."
Yun'er carefully accepted the Hanxiao Sword, feeling the coldness emanating from the blade: "So light! So cold! Senior, this sword is truly magnificent!"
Xuesha Ren gently reminded from the side: "Yun'er, be careful, don't hurt yourself."
Yun'er stuck out her tongue and returned the Hanxiao Sword to Yuyi: "Senior, your sword is wonderful! By the way, Senior, is there something you need this time?"
Yuyi accepted the Hanxiao Sword, his gaze falling on Xuesha Ren: "Xuesha Ren, let's go outside and talk."
Xuesha Ren nodded and rose to follow Yuyi out of Lingbao Pavilion. Yun'er wanted to follow, but Xuesha Ren stopped her: "Yun'er, wait here. Senior Yuyi and I have matters to discuss."
Though puzzled, Yun'er nodded obediently: "Alright, I'll wait for you here."
On the grasslands, the night grew deeper. Yuyi and Xuesha Ren walked side by side, moonlight washing over them, casting long shadows.
"Xuesha Ren," Yuyi spoke, his voice calm, "you know why I've come to find you."
Xuesha Ren was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I know. Regarding the matter from years ago, I owe you an explanation."
"Not just an explanation." Yuyi stopped and turned to face Xuesha Ren. "I want to duel you."
A complex emotion flashed through Xuesha Ren's eyes: "Senior Yuyi, I've been retired for many years and no longer concern myself with worldly matters. Moreover..." He paused, "I have Yun'er now. I don't want her to worry."
"You're afraid of falling?" Yuyi's voice carried a trace of mockery.
Xuesha Ren smiled bitterly: "It's not fear of falling, but... I now have someone I want to protect. If I fall, Yun'er will be heartbroken."
Yuyi retrieved a Protective Talisman from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xuesha Ren: "This is a Protective Talisman. After falling, you can be immediately reborn. You don't need to worry about Yun'er being sad."
Xuesha Ren accepted the Protective Talisman, surprise flashing through his eyes: "Senior Yuyi, you..."
"What I want isn't your life." Yuyi's voice was calm. "What I want is respect. Years ago, you killed me, and I lost. Now, I want to defeat you honorably once. To me, this is more important than killing you."
Xuesha Ren was silent for a long while, then finally nodded: "Very well. Since Senior insists, I will give my all."
The two came before the Rebirth Formation. Under the moonlight, the formation's patterns shimmered with a faint glow.
"Let's begin." Yuyi drew the Hanxiao Sword, its Sword Qi awe-inspiring.
Xuesha Ren also drew his blade, Blade Qi surging. Though retired for many years, his blade techniques remained incomparably sharp.
In the first exchange, both struck simultaneously. Yuyi's Hanxiao Sword carried fierce Sword Qi straight toward Xuesha Ren's chest, while Xuesha Ren's blade swept across, Blade Qi like a rainbow.
The two forces collided in the air, producing a deafening sound. Yuyi and Xuesha Ren each retreated a step, evenly matched.
Yuyi was secretly astonished. Xuesha Ren was merely at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, while he himself was a Deity Transformation Stage cultivator—he should have been able to easily suppress the other. Yet Xuesha Ren's Blood Fiend Demon Blade possessed astonishing power, its Blade Qi containing overwhelming killing intent, and combined with his rich combat experience accumulated over years of actual battle, he could actually bridge the gap of two major realms to stand as Yuyi's equal.
"Excellent blade technique," Yuyi praised.
"Excellent sword technique," Xuesha Ren responded.
In the second exchange, Yuyi struck first. His Swift Sword Art unfolded, layers of sword shadows sweeping toward Xuesha Ren like a violent storm.
Xuesha Ren remained composed, swinging his blade to block. His blade technique was steady and powerful, each strike perfectly neutralizing Yuyi's attacks.
However, Yuyi's sword technique grew faster and sharper. Xuesha Ren gradually found it harder to keep up, and flaws began to appear.
Just then, Yuyi discovered a flaw in Xuesha Ren's Heart Method. Though his Blood Fiend Demon Blade was immensely powerful, when used continuously, there would be a momentary pause between the Blade Qi.
Yuyi seized this opportunity, thrusting his sword toward Xuesha Ren's shoulder. However, Xuesha Ren reacted extremely quickly, sweeping his blade across, the Blade Qi slicing across Yuyi's arm.
Blood sprayed. A deep wound was cut into Yuyi's arm, but he didn't retreat. Instead, using the force of that blade strike, he spun his body, the Hanxiao Sword piercing toward Xuesha Ren's chest at a strange angle.
Xuesha Ren tried to dodge, but it was too late. The Hanxiao Sword pierced through his chest, Sword Qi raging within his body.
Xuesha Ren's body slowly fell, but his eyes held no resentment—instead, they carried a trace of relief: "Excellent sword technique... Senior Yuyi, you've won."
Yuyi withdrew the Hanxiao Sword, watching Xuesha Ren's remains gradually transform into points of light, disappearing into the Rebirth Formation.
Moments later, Xuesha Ren's figure reformed within the Rebirth Formation. He opened his eyes and looked at Yuyi with a trace of respect: "Senior Yuyi, your sword technique is indeed stronger than mine."
Yuyi shook his head: "It's not that my sword technique is stronger than yours, but that I discovered a flaw in your Heart Method. Your Blood Fiend Demon Blade is powerful, but when used continuously, there's a momentary pause between the Blade Qi. That's the flaw I exploited."
Xuesha Ren suddenly understood: "I see... I've cultivated the Blood Fiend Demon Blade for years, yet never discovered this flaw. Thank you, Senior, for the guidance."
Yuyi felt a great weight finally lift from his heart. Years of vengeance had finally reached a satisfactory conclusion. He hadn't wanted to kill Xuesha Ren—he had wanted to defeat him honorably once. Now, he had done it.
"Xuesha Ren," Yuyi spoke, "the grievances between us end here."
Xuesha Ren nodded: "Thank you, Senior, for your mercy. Also..." He paused, "Please, Senior, keep this secret. Don't tell anyone I'm still here. I wish to continue living a peaceful life."
Yuyi nodded: "Very well. I won't tell anyone."
With that, Yuyi turned and left. Under the moonlight, his silhouette appeared especially lonely, yet carried a trace of relief.
Years of vengeance had finally come to an end. Yuyi felt an unprecedented sense of peace. He knew he had finally let go of his past obsession and could begin a new life.