I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1325: The Heart of Righteousness

Guo Jiannan remained stunned in place for an extended period, his mind overflowing with boundless feelings.

It was only now that he appeared to fully comprehend the sheer horror of Brother Yi's cultivation level. Gripping the jade slip tightly, his pulse raced like thunderous beats; the poised air of a supreme master had vanished entirely from him, replaced by eyes brimming with profound astonishment and deep longing.

Yet, Guo Jiannan was far from a common individual.

Though the enormous disparity in their cultivation levels stirred feelings of remorse and embarrassment within him, he recalled his vital duty and recognized the perilous predicament facing Brother Yi!

Quickly stowing the jade slip away, a grave expression settled into Guo Jiannan's gaze.

"Confronting a horde of powerhouses and boldly proclaiming he can fend them off for twenty hours—Brother Yi indeed honors his famed status!"

"But I, Guo Jiannan, refuse to be a spineless weakling!"

"No point in dwelling too much; Brother Yi's plight right now has to be extremely perilous. That casual response must be meant to reassure me. I must not betray Brother Yi's valiant resolve, and I won't ease up even a bit!"

Guo Jiannan exhaled deeply, repeatedly steadying his mental focus.

Brother Yi certainly wielded fearsome cultivation and unwavering faithfulness. Though he might manage the powerhouses beyond the woods and dispatched the note out of kindness, things were far from as calm as portrayed. Should those foes call in backup from Wind and Snow Island, chaos would erupt uncontrollably!

Considering the dire outcomes, Guo Jiannan banished every stray thought and swiftly channeled his cultivation to press on with dismantling the array!

Right then.

Under the weight of various strains, he entered a kind of pristine mindset, immune to external distractions, utterly devoted to the vital mission of shattering the formation to preserve lives.

Regrettably.

The folks from Wind and Snow Island were no pushovers themselves. The Ten Directions Desolate Extermination Formation, which confined the Tree Venerable, drew from ancient array legacies. Built through the merged power of ten cultivators, it defied simple disruption.

Despite pouring in his utmost effort, Guo Jiannan drained vast reserves just to dissolve one formation node. Soon enough, the Invincible Sword Venerable dripped with sweat profusely!

Within the array's core.

The Tree Venerable, his breaths shallow, observed it all with profound sentiments in his gaze.

No one knew the Ten Directions Desolate Extermination Formation's dread better than he did. Even with multiple array masters assembled, few would boast of cracking it.

That Old Guo managed to undo several nodes alone proved his cultivation and array skills could rattle countless cultivators; he earned his title as Invincible Sword Venerable!

Even as the pace slowed markedly, it made perfect sense.

The Tree Venerable observed silently, burdened by self-reproach, his eyes laden with remorse. As moments ticked by and his life force steadily waned, his features displayed nothing but appreciation.

Sadly, this array proved utterly formidable. His presence grew fainter by the minute, and even maintaining his stance to watch his longtime companion grew ever harder.

The sun climbed and dipped; the luminous moon rose anew.

In a flash, twelve hours elapsed.

The Tree Venerable could endure no further, collapsing rigidly like desiccated timber. His frame, already restrained in cultivation, saw its essence relentlessly consumed until now, when every trace of vigor had fled.

In his hazy sight, Guo Jiannan halted his efforts, face twisted in turmoil.

Raising his eyes, bitterness flooded his stare.

Guo Jiannan paused for several breaths before finally balling his hand and uttering with strain.

"Tree Venerable..."

"I feel deep shame. I can't keep dismantling the formation to pull you free from this snare..."

Having shared friendship across tens of thousands of years, a single glance revealed each other's intent.

Before Guo Jiannan finished speaking, the frail Tree Venerable mustered a grin and inclined his head.

"Old Guo, no more words needed."

"I don't cling to existence out of dread of demise, and I recognize the path of honor."

"I witnessed all from last night. I realize Brother Yi still stands guard outside, stalling the Wind and Snow Island powerhouses. You and I crossed paths with Brother Yi by fate alone, yet he shows us such profound virtue. If we let Brother Yi wage a solitary desperate fight, wouldn't the whole world scorn us?!"

These spirited lines drained nearly all his leftover energy.

Guo Jiannan heard them, his gaze wavering, struck speechless for the instant!

The Tree Venerable's life ebbed like a flickering flame on the verge of snuffing out. Halting the array's breach at this point doomed him to fade away. Yet amid this ultimate crisis, his mind stayed sharp, clinging to ethics. How many could rival such resolve?

These firm declarations brimmed with devotion and dignity!

This Demon Race titan had weathered endless trials and once dominated storms, instilling fear across vast lands. Right up to life's close, he embodied the Tree Venerable's lofty poise!

Seeing his longtime ally strain to voice his thoughts, Guo Jiannan grew quiet.

Though a thousand sentiments swirled within, not one could escape his lips.

Long ago, he'd learned that true character shines brightest at death's edge, stripping away life's illusions like fleeting mist.

Now, he perceived the Tree Venerable with unmatched clarity.

This companion's pride and moral fortitude outshone those fleeting prodigies swept by time's currents. Though of Demon Race origin, he stood as a genuine paragon, an authentic world hero!

Who claims alien kin lack reliability?

Hearing his companion echo the inner conflict tormenting him, Guo Jiannan's reluctance deepened. His sole remaining trusted ally faced oblivion with such composure, dooming him to lifelong sorrow alone...

No sorrow rivals this in the realm.

Noting Guo Jiannan's prolonged silence, merely staring with gravity, the Tree Venerable recalled bygone days and burst into hearty laughter.

He recalled vividly...

Their initial encounter in youth's vigor, both radiant and spirited. Each burned with fervent zeal against the fiends, brimming with endless vigor and assurance.

Yet divided by race, mutual wariness lingered. Back then, Guo Jiannan, sword slung over his shoulder with raven locks veiling his eyes, merely regarded him intently.

"I seek a partner in battling the fiends; do you harbor a righteous soul?"

That sword intent, baring his essence outright, emanated from his entire form.

The warrior mirrored his blade, poised to rend the skies!

Tens of thousands of years later.

The once Invincible Sword Venerable stood as a silver-haired elder. His piercing, bold aura had softened; only those earnest eyes echoed the past.

A mere instant, yet a full existence slipped by, dreamlike.

To forge such a bond with this soul in this era—he could depart content.

A grin spread across the Tree Venerable's visage, showcasing a vast-hearted release of all burdens.

"Old Guo, I scaled peaks to ally with you then. Now you waver so; do you aim to tarnish my life's legacy? If that's the case, I might harbor some regrets."

At the teasing lilt, Guo Jiannan's furrowed brow eased a touch.

"Tree Venerable, you..."

The ancient tree's grin carried effortless charm, akin to that enigmatic Demon Race lad from yore, whose moral leanings proved elusive.

"Hahaha..."

"We've shared a lifetime's acquaintance; why falter at the finale? If our inaction led to Brother Yi's harm or demise just to prolong my timid existence, neither you nor I could stomach it."

"Having traversed this path thus far, this Seat feels fulfilled! Should you later achieve the noble quest against the fiends, even from the underworld, I'll rest in peace!"

Upon these words, Guo Jiannan forced a grin as well.

He'd judged this one rightly.

This ally embodied a virtue towering to the heavens. Even in his final throes, he upheld their inaugural vow of valor.

A noble's pledge defies four steeds to drag away.

Though it spans a lifetime to honor, one embraces the end without remorse!

Such is the essence of masculine bond.

Before such a paragon, excess compassion would demean!

Guo Jiannan at last released a heavy sigh, grinning and affirming with a nod.

"Very well."

"Should I fulfill the great endeavor against the fiends, I'll make offerings to inform you!"

As he declared this, Guo Jiannan drew exquisite liquor from his robe, a gleam in his eyes.

Grinning at his companion, his sight misted over.

The lined elder seemed to rewind the years, reverting to the dashing, haughty sovereign of old, beaming back at him.

Beholding that bold poise from their debut meeting, Guo Jiannan grinned too and recited the grave oath from ages past.

"Demon Race youth..."

"If righteousness dwells in your heart, then share this drink with me! With Heaven and Earth as witnesses, let us defy the Devil Race side by side!"

At these lines, the Tree Venerable replied with the identical rapport from before!

"Hahaha..."

"It's vowed! Heaven and Earth witness us!"

The pair met eyes and roared with laughter, hearts surging with sentiment!

"Hahahaha!"

Though their mirth rang vast and unrestrained, tears inevitably gathered in their gazes.

At their cultivation heights, they'd transcended mortal fears of mortality long ago. To uphold his friend's parting honor, Guo Jiannan pivoted, clenched his jaw, and ripped the void asunder. Only then did his tears cascade like scattered stars.

When he gazed anew upon entering the rift, his eyes blazed with unyielding combat fervor!

He'd avenge this with manifold fury!

Failing to rescue the Tree Venerable marked his life's deepest sorrow. He couldn't allow Brother Yi to court peril once more. Even unto death, they'd stand and fall as one!