Though this moon-disc Artifact possessed unfathomable power, Wei Guchang's frequent use of it exacted a heavy toll on his own reserves. In the heat of battle, he stuffed spirit pills into his mouth, hoping to replenish his Saint Yuan, but the effects were far less significant than he had hoped.
The five Return Void realm cultivators besieging him and Dong Xuan'er had grown cautious about making a move, refraining from going for the kill. Instead, they circled nearby in a skirmishing pattern, whittling down the pair's stamina and Saint Yuan — as if they intended to capture them alive.
Not far away, a Return Void Third Stage powerhouse stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his cold gaze fixed on Wei Guchang as he called out in a loud voice: "Nephew Disciple Wei, stop resisting in vain. Hand over the Heavenly Moon Silver Disc, and your uncle will spare your life!"
"Pah!" Wei Guchang spat contemptuously. His appearance was utterly disheveled, yet his face was filled with undisguised scorn. "Xie Chen, you were once an Elder of the Shadow Moon Sect, yet I never imagined you'd be so cowardly — not only did you conspire with demons and bring ruin to the Sect, but now you've willingly become that traitor's lapdog. Hahaha… If you want the Heavenly Moon Silver Disc, come and take it yourself!"
Wei Guchang was drenched in blood, yet his heroic boldness remained undiminished.
Xie Chen's expression turned frigid, killing intent blazing in his eyes.
Wei Guchang's words had struck squarely at his sore spot.
He took a deep breath and, rather than erupting on the spot, continued in an earnest tone: "Nephew Wei, you are a talented young generation — surely you've heard the saying 'a wise bird chooses the right tree to roost in.' The current Dark Star is under his absolute dominion. The glory of the Shadow Moon Sect and many other great sects is gone for good. Your uncle, considering your youth and ignorance, doesn't wish to hold too many grudges. Hand over the Heavenly Moon Silver Disc and you may leave. Otherwise… your death wouldn't matter much, but have you given any thought to Xuan'er? At her tender age, dying here alongside you — won't you feel even a shred of guilt?"
Wei Guchang's expression shifted slightly. In the midst of the fierce battle, he turned to glance at Dong Xuan'er, and the savage crimson in his eyes was instantly replaced by a look of tenderness.
There was no denying that Xie Chen was a cunning old fox — in just a few sentences, he had dismantled Wei Guchang's fighting spirit.
Dong Xuan'er gritted her silver teeth and cried out: "Senior Brother, don't listen to his ravings! He is no longer our uncle. Xuan'er would gladly live and die alongside Senior Brother in this lifetime — I have no regrets. The Heavenly Moon Silver Disc absolutely cannot be handed over!"
"Xuan'er…" Wei Guchang murmured her name softly.
At that very moment, the light in Xie Chen's eyes flared sharply. The man who had been holding back all along suddenly channeled his own refined Saint Yuan and thrust a finger toward Wei Guchang.
A beam of pitch-black radiance shot from his fingertip and struck Wei Guchang square in the chest during his momentary lapse.
Wei Guchang's body shuddered as though he had suffered a devastating blow. He coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, and his already weakened aura rapidly withered. He staggered back over ten zhang before he could steady himself.
"Senior Brother!" Dong Xuan'er screamed in horror, her shrill cry piercing and mournful, like a cuckoo weeping blood.
A vicious grin flashed across Xie Chen's face, and he laughed heartily: "You little brat, daring to fight me? Now let's see if you die or not — kill him!"
"Despicable!" Wei Guchang snarled through clenched teeth. He watched as several enemies bore down on him with murderous intent, their numerous Artifacts and secret techniques erupting in dazzling brilliance that engulfed him entirely. Yet his Saint Yuan was utterly depleted, unable to mount any defense. The silver disc that had been hovering above his head — shaped like a full moon — had gone dim and lifeless, utterly useless now.
Death was beckoning him.
Strangely, in that very instant, Wei Guchang's expression softened. He simply turned to steal one last look toward Dong Xuan'er, his eyes filled with guilt and heartache.
Behind Dong Xuan'er, two more Return Void realm fighters had already unleashed devastating attacks at her back.
She smiled at him, and in that moment, the entire world seemed to burst into vivid color.
Before death arrived, the two exchanged no words — only a single, simple glance. In that glance, they both knew they were content. They had not been born on the same day, but to die on the same day — what more could anyone ask for?
Wei Guchang reached out toward Dong Xuan'er, and she extended her delicate hand in turn.
Their palms clasped together in midair, as if their bodies and souls had fused into one.
Then they held each other tightly, closing their eyes, quietly awaiting the arrival of death.
At their ears came the terrified screams of those enemies — violent surges of energy erupting outward, the sounds of bones shattering. But the death they had imagined never came…
Wei Guchang furrowed his brow and opened his eyes in confusion, only to find a familiar face standing right beside him, looking down at him with a warm smile.
Wei Guchang froze. His eyes went wide, as though he could scarcely believe what he was seeing.
He rubbed his eyes hard, confirming that the person before him was no hallucination, before finally gasping: "Brother Yang!"
The one standing beside him was none other than Yang Kai!
Wei Guchang's heart was pounding wildly. Yang Kai had long since left the Dark Star for a far-reaching voyage across the vast Star Field — Wei Guchang knew this. He had heard Fei Zhitu mention it on more than one occasion, and each time, Fei Zhitu had worn a look of regret and vexation. If his cultivation hadn't dropped in rank back then, he could have left the Dark Star alongside Yang Kai and witnessed the wonders and splendors of the Star Field.
But fate had chosen that precise moment to strike him down, robbing him of his cultivation.
In the end, the only one from the Shadow Moon Sect who had departed with Yang Kai was Qian Tong.