The sun set beyond the western hills.
A spatial rift tore open atop Seven Star Peak. Long Aotian emerged covered in wounds, without a single patch of uninjured skin on his body.
He weakly crawled out, planted one foot on the grass, his leg trembling violently, and collapsed with a thud.
Lying on the ground, he looked up at the first scattered starlight appearing in the blue sky. As he panted, a tear slid from the corner of his eye, and he closed his eyes.
Hun Tiangang walked over. "Congratulations, my disciple. I never expected that, in such desperate circumstances, you could fight your own way back from the brink. You've already reached the peak of the Four Gates. A cause for celebration indeed."
Long Aotian covered his eyes with one arm while his other hand clutched the grass.
"Master... killing Cheng Wen... was too hard for me..."
"Though you brothers have old grudges between you, you are both hot-blooded men. After spending so long together, how could there be no brotherly bond? There will be many more trials ahead. Rest for now."
At that moment, another spatial rift tore open.
Zhao Ritian poked his head out and dropped straight to his knees with a thud. He raised his head, his eyes bloodshot.
"Long... I killed him... I already..."
Then he suddenly saw Long Aotian lying on the ground, looking at him in despair and weakness.
Zhao Ritian, who had not had a shred of strength left, lunged at him. "Long Aotian! I'll strangle you to death!"
Long Aotian's tongue stuck out from the choking, his eyes bulging. He wanted to explain, but no words would come out.
Fortunately, their master was there and pulled Zhao Ritian away.
Their master held Zhao Ritian back. "Ritian, it was an illusion. The