Chapter 4 I Remember You

Mo Qing finally came home. The Suyi Pavilion had always been a deeply desolate and cold place. Ever since it plummeted from the clouds a century ago, the world seemed to have forgotten its existence in that very instant. In her early years, Li Mo Qing could not bear this chilling solitude. However, as she grew older, she gradually realized that she could not change anyone's mind. A desolate place, a desolate person—what was wrong with that?

Yet, after being away for a while, the Suyi Pavilion had grown even more empty and desolate. In the past, whenever she returned, the mountain-guarding disciples would invariably come out to welcome her; today, however, none appeared. From the distance came bursts of sonic booms. It seemed the battle had already begun, and now that she was here, she could not afford the slightest delay.

"Ha! Li Feichen, is this the full extent of your cultivation? Compared to your elder brother, you fall truly far short. Originally, I thought a man like you would make a rather fine opponent, but unfortunately, I was wrong. The opponent I desire is a man like your brother. What a pity, your brother is already dead, and I have missed the chance to cross swords with him. Today, if you truly perish at my hands, it is simply your fate!"

"Sky-Piercing Finger!"

Xuan Gang had now lost his patience. With a loud shout, terrifying fluctuations erupted across the heavens once more. Astonishing thunder energy condensed with overwhelming momentum into a massive finger, resembling a mountain peak suspended mid-air. The formidable and matchless pressure was enough to cause one's heart to skip a beat!

The earth shook violently, as if about to overturn the very heavens and earth in the next second. "Li Feichen, this is my ultimate finishing move. To witness this final technique of mine is your greatest honor!"

The colossal finger, now resembling a meteor, slowly and heavily descended toward Li Feichen. Indeed, it did not need to be fast; moving at this creeping pace, the oppressive weight was at its absolute peak!

Yet, Li Feichen showed not the slightest hint of fear. He was finally going to unleash the Undying White Flame. Given his current physical condition, he could not sustain this power for long, but today's battle was one he absolutely could not afford to lose!

"Vermilion Bird Divine Fire!"

Red flames instantly enveloped the man, forming a suit of blazing armor. The crimson fire churned continuously, amidst which the faint, low cries of a Vermilion Bird echoed!

This immensely powerful phoenix cry was enough to tear the entire sky apart! His face instantly turned deathly pale, and a mouthful of blood sprayed wildly from his lips. Was it still too much of a strain? His internal injuries were unexpectedly severe!

Although he had just obtained all of his elder brother's power, this energy was far too violent; taming it truly required time. But seeing as Xuan Gang would likely not grant him that luxury, he would simply have to tame this power continuously in the heat of battle!

"Vermilion Bird Divine Strike!"

The scorching flames condensed into a golden Vermilion Bird, which charged directly at the Sky-Piercing Finger. At this moment, these two peerless supreme arts finally collided!

Boom!

The astonishing shockwave caused the very fabric of the sky to warp. The watching disciples, upon witnessing this move, felt as though the heavens themselves had altered. Li Feichen was clearly already injured, yet why did this man still possess such terrifying might? If he had been in his absolute prime, just how formidable would he have been?

"Hahahaha! That's it! I knew a man like you would possess peerless strength. However, you truly underestimated me, brother. Did you not know that following the Sky-Piercing Finger comes the Sky-Piercing Fist? Even if you can block the Sky-Piercing Finger, how will you fare against the Sky-Piercing Fist?"

The ultimate techniques of this man Xuan Gang were known as the Three Sky-Piercing Ultimates: the first was the Sky-Piercing Finger, and the second was the Sky-Piercing Fist. With just these two moves, he was well-equipped to deal with the vast majority of opponents in the world!

Yet, his opponent today was Li Feichen. Even if this man's cultivation was inferior to Li Feiyan's, his true strength lay in his persistence—an eternal perseverance. No matter how many times he failed, this man could always stand back up! Through ceaseless failures, he only grew more formidable!

Boom!

A ferocious iron fist slammed toward Li Feichen once again with overwhelming momentum. "My friend, you and I have known each other for so many years, but all grievances between us must finally be brought to an end!"

Truth be told, the man's own aura fluctuated slightly at this moment! However, now that the Sky-Piercing Fist had been unleashed, no matter how skilled Li Feichen might be, he surely could not withstand this!

Boom, boom, boom!

After three consecutive punches, Li Feichen could finally bear it no longer. Even with his formidable defensive capabilities, that defense had finally reached its absolute limit. It seemed that if he wished to win this battle, his only remaining option was to use the Heart Fire. Yet, once the Heart Fire was unleashed, the ultimate consequence would be death! Even so, what of it? For the sake of the Suyi Pavilion, he was willing to do anything!

"This is your ultimate move; I am well aware of it now. It seems conventional methods will not secure my victory. However, you need not worry anymore, for I am finally going to unleash my Heart Fire. Have you not desired to witness my Heart Fire for all these years? Very well, I shall satisfy you now, for after all, this is your final wish!"

The prerequisite for activating the Heart Fire was possessing formidable spiritual power. Given Li Feichen's current condition, he could at most muster half of its peak-stage power. Even at half strength, however, it should be more than enough to deal with Xuan Gang!

"Xuan Gang Physique!"

Xuan Gang was also finally prepared to unleash his true strength. His body underwent an astonishing transformation; his previously lean frame suddenly became immensely muscular, and his skin turned a deep bronze color. In this state, his defensive power had clearly reached its absolute zenith!

"My greatest strength remains my defense. Come! I have long heard that your Heart Fire power is peerlessly fierce, yet for all these years, I have never experienced it. I believe this shall be a rather marvelous experience, don't you?"

Among the four great sects of the world, each possessed distinct powers, and Xuan Gang's true mastery lay in his supreme defense. Yet, he rarely had cause to use his full defensive power because almost no one possessed the qualification to force him to do so. Xuan Gang had believed no such person would ever appear again. To be honest, his mood was exceptionally good at this moment; for him, this battle would also be his final one!

"Today's battle permits only one person to walk away alive. Old friend, show me the full extent of your power!"

"Hear me, all disciples of the Xuan Gang Sect! This is my personal battle and has nothing to do with any of you. Regardless of the outcome today, none of you are permitted to trouble Li Feichen. This is an agreement between him and me—you know nothing of the unfinished battle that has always existed between us!"

"I have waited for so many years precisely for this moment!"

The air in the surroundings began to pulse with a chilling, unsettling sound. It appeared to be a specialized chant; sound itself was a supremely powerful force, yet for many years, no one had ever truly mastered it. Had this man genuinely mastered it now?

"Demonic Sound Sword!"

These sounds materialized into a razor-sharp divine sword. Upon its appearance, the terrifying sword qi swept away everything in its vicinity. The Demonic Sound Sword possessed immense destructive might; truly mastering it required extraordinary cultivation. "Good brother, you have waited a long time as well. This man is the opponent we have both been eagerly anticipating, isn't he?"

Whoosh!

Sword qi filled the sky, and when gathered into a single point, it erupted with devastating power. This single strike should be enough to completely annihilate any opponent!

Only a heartless person could push swordsmanship to its absolute limit, and this sword strike was the culmination of everything the man possessed. At this instant, he truly resembled a dazzling shooting star in the night sky, becoming the undisputed focal point of heaven and earth!

Everyone present was witnessing the strongest sword strike in the world. Against such an attack, how could even the long-seasoned Li Feichen hope to defend himself?

Sure enough, upon seeing this sword strike, Li Feichen's face remained entirely devoid of fluctuation, as though he had anticipated it all along. "It seems this is your ultimate move. However, you still remain unaware of just how powerful I truly am. Allow me to let you experience my strength properly!"

"Sky Shield!"

All the surrounding air converged in Li Feichen's hands. Utilizing the power of the heavens placed a heavy burden upon him, but compared to the Undying White Flame, this burden was vastly lighter!

"Mo Qing, rest assured, Uncle will protect you. In the past, I never had the opportunity, but now I truly wish to keep you safe. The only regret is that we may never meet again after this. Still, I know that even without me, you will certainly thrive in the future. Uncle has always been well aware of your capabilities!"

"I am Li Feichen, and this is my home. Today, as long as I draw breath here, I will not permit you to act presumptuously. If you doubt me, try it—this may well be the last of my strength!"

"Ultimate Impact!"

The Heart Fire finally began to burn furiously, enveloping Li Feichen's entire body in scorching flames. To still be capable of such a feat at a time like this—this kid truly would stop at nothing to achieve victory. But would this battle truly be so simple?

The man's body transformed directly into a blazing fireball. Since they were fighting, it had to be a fight to the absolute end. This battle demanded a definitive victor!

Madman! You are an absolute madman! Would you really go to such lengths just to win? Why on earth is this man capable of going this far? Did Li Feichen not detest the Suyi Pavilion the most? He had stated more than once that given the chance, he would leave this place forever. Yet, as the years passed, he had never left. It was not because powerful sects had never tried to poach him, but because deep in his heart, he placed the sect above all else.

His affection for the Suyi Pavilion ran infinitely deep, a devotion no one else could comprehend. To be frank, he was covered in internal injuries and bleeding profusely; under normal circumstances, he would likely have had no strength left. Yet right now, this man was gritting his teeth and holding on by a single breath. No matter what, he had to persist until the very last moment. He had to see Mo Qing with his own eyes to set his mind at ease!

Until then, he would simply keep fighting. Only through relentless combat could his true strength continue to elevate. Truth be told, he rather enjoyed these battles. "Old friend, how is it? Are you truly terrified now? What a pity, no matter what you say, I will not give up on this fight!"

"In this world, you truly understand me best. Whenever a crucial battle arises, I never lose. I don't have many other special skills, but my greatest asset is persistence!"

"That is because I believe that as long as I persist, I will inevitably obtain everything I desire! Many battles in the past were won this way. I believe the final result this time will be no different!"

Boom!

"You want to defeat me? Hmph! If it were the past, perhaps you might have had a chance. Sadly, you are forced to fight me now, and I shall show you just how formidable I truly am! Do you have any idea how much I have sacrificed for this battle? The hardships I have endured over all these years—do you know any of them? Of course not, you know nothing of these things!"

"Very well! Since you wish to fight, I shall accompany you to the bitter end. I want to see what kind of power you still have left after this clash!"

Li Mo Qing now appeared to have stumbled into an entirely unfamiliar maze. Frankly, it was her first time encountering such an array. What on earth was going on here? How had this maze come to be? Why had things turned out this way?

"Li Mo Qing, stay within this maze for a while. I know you are exceptionally powerful, which is why I cannot afford the slightest carelessness. In truth, I knew you had arrived long ago, but I will never fight you—I am no match for you!"

"However, the plan to attack the Suyi Pavilion was decided by our four great sects many years ago. If you choose to leave now, it would be the best outcome for everyone. But if you choose to fight, you must first find your way out of this maze. Though, looking at it now, that seems entirely impossible!"

"You must be Xuan Gang? I have long since heard of your abilities. Word has it that you possess the strongest defense in the world. You think my uncle is ordinary? He has endured countless battles; given the opportunity, he will certainly defeat you! If you doubt it, just try! This maze was specifically prepared for you. Judging by your current reaction, I know you must love it!"

"I know a young girl like you has an affinity for fire, so my formation's attribute is Darkness. Do you know what Darkness is? The attribute of Darkness is to absorb everything. I am quite tired and lack the extra time to play with you. Enjoy yourself in this maze!"

"Feichen, you must have sensed it too—the young girl Mo Qing has arrived. But she cannot return, you see. Do you know why? Because that woman is strong, and if the two of you were to join forces, I would truly be helpless! Therefore, I will never permit it. Perhaps you cannot understand that I always wanted to surpass the two of you!"

"Unfortunately, I can actually do it now, which fills my heart with joy. For all these years, no one has ever truly understood what goes on in my mind. You are my longtime friend, yet I must defeat you today. Do you believe I can actually accomplish such a feat?"

"Yes, yes, I know your strength is formidable. In truth, this is my final test. Come on, what other tricks do you have left? Strike! What's wrong? Are you afraid of me now? Though you should know by now, even if you wanted to fear me, it's far too late!"

Hearing that Mo Qing had returned made Feichen genuinely happy; this was a true disciple of his Suyi Pavilion! Yet, from another perspective, he felt she should never have come back. Now that she was here, what of it? It truly changed nothing!

"Fight! This is our primal instinct. By now, both you and I have exhausted most of our strength. Yet the more it reaches this point, the less we can afford to surrender. I remember you taught me that!"

Words could no longer adequately describe this battle; this was a clash between apex powerhouses. Li Feichen and Xuan Gang transformed into two streaks of light, violently colliding mid-air!

The sky itself developed visible cracks due to the terrifying fluctuations, accompanied by countless flashes of lightning and a gloomy darkness that deeply shook the soul!

"That's right! I have always longed for a genuine battle like this with you. Naturally, I must unleash my ultimate cultivation. But as you can see, this is the absolute limit of my power. As for what will become of me after this clash, even I do not know!"

"To be honest, my heart is filled with terror right now. Do I enjoy losing? No, I detest failure more than anything. Yet I also know that I owe who I am today to the tempering of endless failures!"

"From that perspective, I should be deeply grateful to failure. Come! Let everyone watch closely and witness how I claim victory in the end!"

Li Mo Qing truly had no idea what to do. This maze was overwhelmingly powerful, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air. This was no ordinary scent; it was a deadly poison known as Beauty's Fragrance! She had heard of this poison before, but in all her years, this was the first time she had ever experienced such overwhelming power firsthand!

"Young girl, you must understand by now just how potent Beauty's Fragrance is. I suppose you still believe you can break through this place, don't you? What a pity—things are never that simple! Beauty's Fragrance clouds the mind and eyes, a fact you surely understand better than anyone else. Of course, if you believe you can pull it off, I have no objections."

"Yet, do you truly believe you can manage it? I think it is quite impossible!" Xuan Gang remained supremely confident in Beauty's Fragrance, having spent a massive amount of effort acquiring the poison back in the day. If it were easily undone, wouldn't things become rather dull?

"Very well, I now acknowledge that your formation and poison are indeed formidable. With my current cultivation, breaking them alone is likely beyond me. To be honest, I used to be extremely confident in my own power. Unfortunately, stepping into this array today has shown me just how much room I still have to grow. Still, do you think this is enough to defeat me? Matters are not nearly so simple!"

"I am currently studying the inner structure of this formation. Once I figure it out, your end will be death itself! Frankly, I would rather not let things come to this, but without it, things would be rather boring, wouldn't they?"

"Hmph! Little girl, if you can genuinely crack this formation of mine, I have no right to claim the Suyi Pavilion anymore. I will withdraw from this place immediately and renounce the title of martial artist!"

"For so many years, no such person has ever existed. Since you claim you can do it, I am quite delighted! Li Feichen, you heard that, didn't you? Your niece claims she will break my array. Do you think the young girl can actually pull it off? I wager she cannot, for I have never seen such a person in all my years."

"Hmph! Just because you have never seen one does not mean they do not exist! Mo Qing, I trust your abilities. Go ahead and do what you must; Uncle is here to handle everything else! Seeing you here makes me genuinely happy, though I worry deeply—how have you been all this time?"

"Uncle, I am well—truly well. I returned for the sake of the family. Even though you all always wanted me to leave, I have lived under the family's protection for so many years. In the past, I lacked the ability, but now? If I truly have the strength, I ought to contribute more!"

"Then just how confident are you in dealing with this? If I were in your shoes, it would certainly be hopeless. After all, this array contains Beauty's Fragrance, a poison that has claimed the lives of countless heroes in the past. If you can genuinely destroy it today, I must thank you in advance!"

Boom!

"Li Feichen, you had better worry about how you're going to get out of this yourself! Trapped in my formation, you will never escape alive!"

There was a strict time limit here; if she failed to break out within the allotted period, she would discover firsthand what a horrific end awaited her!

"As for you, Li Feichen, hmph—you have already been crippled by me. The meridians throughout your body can no longer channel even a sliver of cultivation. How on earth do you expect to defeat me now?"

"I know my current cultivation can no longer defeat you. I am well aware of the internal injuries that have plagued me for so many years, but I never cared about them. From the moment I stepped onto the path of cultivation, I knew my life would likely end this way!"

"I used to be somewhat afraid, but not anymore. I am determined to drag you down with me today. You know as well as I do that if I am willing, I can certainly accomplish it!"

"You truly are a strange man. However, your remaining life force is practically exhausted. If you keep fighting like this, you won't even live to see my end. Are you truly unaware of that?"

"Of course I know. But what of it? Perhaps you haven't noticed, but your own breathing has grown somewhat erratic at this moment. No matter how well you conceal it, I know the one who is truly terrified right now is you!"

"Naturally I am terrified, because achieving what I have today was no easy feat. You want to drag me down to die with you? Hmph, you lack the qualification! Not just you—no one in this world possesses that qualification! In this world, I am the supreme and invincible one!"

Even at this juncture, Xuan Gang still believed his cultivation was unmatched. Very well, since the man was so confident, they would simply put it to the test!

"Xuan Gang, don't be so smug just yet. Do you really think my previous attacks were entirely useless? You probably sense it by now—there is a terrifying power brewing inside your body right now, and it belongs to me. How is that? You should be quite familiar with my energy!"

"Many years ago, you could easily neutralize my cultivation. But what about now? Can you still do it? Come on, I know you can!"

"Your power is indeed formidable. I realize now that you poisoned me. Splendid! I haven't experienced a sensation like this in many years. It seems determining a victor in today's battle won't be so easy after all! But shaking me off won't be simple either!"

"Little girl, you had better hurry up and give it your all! If you don't break out, your uncle might actually die. Do you truly wish to see that happen? Though, you probably can't even hear me at this point!"

Li Mo Qing naturally could not hear him; she had forced herself into seclusion, believing that entering deep meditation was her only remaining path.

The power of Beauty's Fragrance was simply too terrifying. Was there genuinely no alternative left? Was there truly no way out?

"Little girl, you might as well surrender. It would be best for you after all. Reaching where you are today was no small feat; looking at you reminds me of my own past. I too was once obsessed with power, craving absolute strength. Yet do you know how I survived all these years? I have endured countless failures!"

"Little girl, why aren't you speaking? I know your heart is filled with terror, isn't it? Such a feeling is likely something you haven't experienced in a long time. Still, seeing you like this is quite rare, isn't it?"

"Do you think you can still fight? What kind of strength do you possibly have left? You will soon discover what my niece is capable of—she is currently in deep seclusion!"

Seclusion was something that hadn't happened in many years. Child, you can rest easy now. As long as Uncle is here, I will never let anyone harm you. In the past, I never had the chance to protect you; Uncle made you suffer through many hardships over the years. But it was precisely those hardships that forged your strength today, wasn't it?"

"Uncle, you don't need to say anything more. I have anticipated this battle for a very long time. I must win this fight, because if I fall, I will truly have nothing left!"

"I now understand just how formidable the power of Beauty's Fragrance truly is. Rest assured, I will fight with all I have. After all, even I do not know how far I can push myself in this battle!"

"Hahaha! This is wonderfully entertaining! These energies are truly exceptional! Li Feichen, to be honest, I am quite eager now. I genuinely want to see just how formidable your strength truly is!"

"Hahaha! Is that so? Then come and try it for yourself! Perhaps my power will shock you in the end. Perhaps you never knew what I had to sacrifice to acquire this strength!"

"All the hardships of these years—I can finally unleash them! I have spent so many years searching for a true opponent, and my cultivation has reached the absolute extreme. I finally realize that my true opponent has been you all along! The Suyi Pavilion harbors many experts, and a man like you is frankly not enough to look at. Yet you remain blissfully unaware of this!"

"Hahaha! The Suyi Pavilion harbors many experts? How on earth would you know such a thing? Still, I must tell you—no matter what power you employ, it is entirely useless! In this battle, I am the true supreme powerhouse!"

"A powerhouse? Hahaha! Do you truly believe you can win? Very well! I shall let you know that no matter how many experts the Suyi Pavilion holds, it matters not to me! Just how formidable I am in today's battle, you shall soon witness!"

"Yes, yes! There is actually one thing I've been meaning to tell you. The headquarters of the Suyi Pavilion has already dispatched a massive force of experts. If I told you they've known about your attack since the moment you arrived, would you actually believe it?"

"Hahaha! Is that so? Splendid! If that is true, things are about to get quite interesting. Just how terrifying are these experts of the Suyi Pavilion? I am most eager to find out!"

"Hearing you say that makes me look forward to this battle even more. Truly, how will this fight turn out? What will the final outcome be? I am filled with anticipation!"

"Li Feichen, it seems you have truly sacrificed a great deal for this battle. If that is the case, things are getting genuinely amusing. Looking at you now, however, you clearly lack any spare strength!"

"True enough. My entire cultivation has likely been crippled by you. But even so, what of it? For me, the more severe my injuries, the more ferocious my cultivation becomes! I have simply been waiting for the right moment. As long as I retain a sliver of peak power, I will inevitably defeat you. You should know that by now!"

"What's wrong? Just how formidable is your cultivation? In truth, you will find out very soon. Pity that I can do nothing more for you now. Mo Qing, I am truly helpless. The outcome of this final battle must ultimately rest in your hands. Of course, if circumstances permitted, I would have loved to share one final, breathtaking battle with you. But after all these years, I know my pursuit of martial arts has reached its absolute limit!"

"I can no longer fight. To be honest, I wish I could return to how things used to be, but I know all too well that such a thing is utterly impossible!"

"You little brats, since you have arrived, I am handing this battle over to you. That should present no problem at all, right?"

"Sir, to be frank, you should have handed this fight over to us long ago, because we are the only ones capable of suppressing this madman. Xuan Gang, it has been many years—do you still remember me? Ah, you are a busy man of high standing, so you have naturally forgotten me long ago. Still, the humiliation you inflicted upon me back then is something I have remembered every single day! Since I am here today, we must settle our score properly!"

"Hahaha! What kind of thing are you? I have had countless formidable enemies in my life, but none like you. Though I know not who you were, you were no match for me back then. After all these years, just how much stronger my cultivation has grown is something you couldn't possibly imagine! But you will soon find out. I have waited all these years precisely for this best opportunity to prove that I am the true number one martial artist! You actually dared to ruin my Suyi Pavilion to this extent—you must know that a price must be paid!"

"A price? Hahaha! This is immensely amusing! Since you put it that way, I am rather looking forward to this battle. Tell me your name, for I am a man who does not kill nobodies!"

"I have become a nobody now? Very well. My name is Breaking Heaven—a name you have likely forgotten by now, haven't you?"

"No... I remember you."