Lin Heng and Long Qianli stood back to back.
In their last exchange, Lin Heng's Pangu Axe had struck a vital point on Long Qianli's body.
But Long Qianli had pulled back at the last moment, keeping his attack from landing on Lin Heng.
It had been a move meant to trade one life for another, yet in the end, only Long Qianli had suffered a fatal injury.
"Why?"
Lin Heng lowered the Pangu Axe in his hand and asked in a low voice, his back still turned to Long Qianli.
Long Qianli lifted his head and gazed at the sky. Sunlight shone on his face, bringing a trace of warmth to his icy eyes.
"I told you, I only wanted a battle between evenly matched opponents."
"I tried, but I failed in the end."
"Perhaps this is Heaven's will."
Long Qianli's explanation was clearly untrue.
But Lin Heng understood.
This was how Long Qianli answered to himself.
Or perhaps it was an answer to the guilt he felt toward Gu Jianying.
All these years, he had never forgotten his faith.
But Gu Jianying's death had tormented him day and night.
Caught between his faith and the woman he loved, Long Qianli had suffered endless torment.
That was until Lin Heng appeared, and the Ancient Clan said those words they did not mean.
As a result, the last hope in Long Qianli's heart of bringing Gu Jianying back to life had been shattered.
That had also led him to do what he had just done.
Perhaps this was the best outcome for Long Qianli as well.
The next second!
Long Qianli gazed at the sky and slowly closed his eyes.
Scenes from his past raced through his mind like clips from a film.
There was his rise to fame as