The Reverse Flow River flowed silently.
The further upstream one went, the calmer the river's surface became.
Yet in the hearts of those who struggled against it, the Reverse Flow River surged inward, stirring up countless waves, rebelling against every thought of pressing onward.
Destruction was not terrifying; what was terrifying was the destruction of one's will and spirit.
The Human Ancestor had also been defeated in the Reverse Flow River. Now these Gu Immortals seemed poised to follow in the Human Ancestor's footsteps.
"Damn it — I can't hold on!" In the next moment, Yu Yiyuezi finally reached his limit, unable to advance, and was swiftly swept downstream by the Reverse Flow River.
Then came the second Central Continent Gu Immortal, the third...
Shi Zhengyi exhausted his strength, lost consciousness, and was washed away by the river.
Bu Zhenzi was unwilling, but could only watch himself drift further and further from the others.
Bi Chentian and the others' expressions grew grimmer with each Central Continent Gu Immortal's elimination.
Before long, from the originally numerous Central Continent side, only the Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal Wei Lingyang remained.
To have achieved the Eighth Transformation — that willpower was truly astonishing!
Wei Lingyang demonstrated the full depth of an Eighth Transformation powerhouse.
As for the Gu Immortals who had been swept out of the river, Bi Chentian received each one of them in turn, gathering them safely. They were not obstructed by Old Ancestor Snowbeard or the Dog Tail Life-extending Mink Mao Liqiu.
"Why have all our Gu Immortals been washed away, yet these unrelated people remain in the river?" Some of the Central Continent Gu Immortals looked upon Ying Wuxie, Fang Yuan, and the others with poorly concealed displeasure.
"Merely at the Sixth Transformation, and their willpower is truly remarkable. But we've all been washed out — they won't be long either." A Central Continent Gu Immortal who had just been eliminated from the Reverse Flow River spoke up.
Yet the others did not wait for Fang Yuan or Ying Wuxie and the rest to exhaust themselves. Instead, they saw a situation develop on Ma Hongyun's side.
Ma Hongyun, who had been swimming with all his might, suddenly choked on a mouthful of water and was nearly swept away.
"Watch out!" Even Bi Chentian couldn't help but cry out.
Ying Wuxie was overjoyed — but in the next moment, Ma Hongyun rallied and continued to paddle forward with renewed strokes.
A false alarm.
"It's that girl — tsk tsk, her willpower is quite impressive." It was Mao Liqiu who had spotted the details.
It turned out that at the critical moment, Zhao Lianyun had exerted herself to give Ma Hongyun a helping hand, stabilizing him once more.
In truth, after the Reverse Flow River had returned to normal, the surface was calm and the physical toll was not significant. Especially upstream, where the water grew slower and shallower, but the force resisting one's will and resolve only intensified.
"Hongyun, we can't be separated again."
"Do you know how much I've been through, how much suffering I've endured, how much I've lost, just to be with you once more?"
Zhao Lianyun could no longer speak. At this moment, she had no strength left to open her mouth.
Her aged body had erupted with a power that even Zhao Lianyun herself found unbelievable.
She had forgotten her own physical limitations, her old age. She wanted to be with Ma Hongyun.
Even if it meant swimming with all her might, with no chance to glance at the people beside her.
Even if she couldn't speak, with death hanging by a thread.
"Even if the outcome is tragic, I'll do everything I can to hold on. Every single minute, every single second — as long as I'm with him, shoulder to shoulder, no matter what we're doing or what situation we're in, I feel happy!"
Ma Hongyun and Zhao Lianyun continued to press forward. Though their pace was agonizingly slow, their situation had finally stabilized.
A false alarm.
Bi Chentian and the other Central Continent Gu Immortals, as well as Hong Jizi and Xuan Jizi, had been so frightened their hearts nearly leapt from their chests.
Old Ancestor Snowbeard let out a cold snort, unable to hide his disappointment.
The Reverse Flow River, which all the immortals watched with bated breath — every shift in its conditions pulled at the hearts and minds of the observing Gu Immortals.
Even among them were beings as exalted as the Eighth Transformation. Even the Sixth and Seventh Transformation Gu Immortals were powerhouses among their peers, elites of their respective regions.
"Even an Immortal Zombie body feels exhaustion?" Ying Wuxie laughed bitterly.
Perched atop his head was Zishan Zhenjun, who was pulling at Ying Wuxie's hair, screaming and causing a ruckus, then suddenly bursting into tears or cackling with laughter.
"I am merely a split soul of my true body. I haven't been in this world for long."
"But from the very moment I appeared, I knew the responsibility I bore!"
"Now, Lord Zi has gone mad again. If left unattended, he could even drown in the river. I am the Shadow Sect's only hope."
"Even if I die of exhaustion here, I cannot give up. Capture Ma Hongyun and Zhao Lianyun — only then will I have leverage to buy time, to争取 Lord Zi regaining his senses!"
Responsibility drove Ying Wuxie onward.
Bai Ningbing clenched her teeth, her chest heaving steadily.
"Hehehe." She even let out a soft laugh, her face somewhat twisted, her eyes radiating a touch of fanaticism.
"Wonderful!"
"This is truly wonderful!"
"In the Reverse Flow River, I've experienced a thrill like never before. This is the very path the Human Ancestor once walked!"
"How interesting — truly too interesting!!"
"Even if I fail, this trip was not in vain. Even if I lose my life, it was worth it!"
Hei Loulan, on the other hand, was seething with rage.
"How can I stop here?"
"Mother — your blood feud, I haven't avenged it yet!"