On Moon Gazing Platform, flames of war raged as demonic path experts clashed fiercely with Azure Cloud Sect disciples. Amidst the blood and sword shadows, Xiao Yi stood at the center of the platform, facing the most difficult choice of his life.
"Xiao Yi, time is running out!" Ling Yu urged, "Come with us, or die here?"
Xiao Yi looked at Ling Yu before him—this former close friend, now his enemy. His heart was filled with mixed emotions: anger, pain, and disappointment intertwined.
"Ling Yu," Xiao Yi's voice was cold, "do you really think I would join the demonic path?"
"Do you have any other choice?" Ling Yu countered, "Azure Cloud Sect doesn't want you, the righteous path won't accept you. Besides the demonic path, where else can you go?"
"I would rather die than ally with the demonic path!" Xiao Yi said firmly.
"Foolish!" Ling Yu raged, "Xiao Yi, you're too stubborn!"
Just then, Mo Wanxian suddenly rushed over and stood in front of Xiao Yi.
"Senior Brother Xiao, I believe in you!" Mo Wanxian said firmly, "No matter what happens, I stand by your side!"
"Wanxian..." Xiao Yi looked at the young woman before him, warmth surging in his heart.
"What a touching friendship," Ling Yu sneered, "but this changes nothing. Mo Wanxian, do you think you can protect him?"
"I can try!" Mo Wanxian drew her sword, pointing the tip at Ling Yu.
"Overestimating yourself." Ling Yu shook his head and struck at Mo Wanxian with his palm.
"Stop!" Xiao Yi shouted, blocking in front of Mo Wanxian and taking Ling Yu's palm strike head-on.
"Pfft!" Xiao Yi spat out blood but remained standing.
"Senior Brother Xiao!" Mo Wanxian quickly supported him.
"I'm fine." Xiao Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, "Wanxian, leave quickly. It's too dangerous here."
"I won't leave!" Mo Wanxian said firmly, "I want to stay with you!"
"Hahaha," the masked figure laughed loudly, "what a touching scene. But the game should end now."
With a wave of his hand, several demonic path experts immediately surrounded them.
"Xiao Yi, I ask you one last time," the masked figure said coldly, "come with us, or die?"
Xiao Yi looked around. The Azure Cloud Sect disciples were struggling in battle, unable to spare any attention for him. And those elders, though powerful, were too busy defending themselves against the demonic path's siege.
"My answer will not change," Xiao Yi said firmly, "I would rather die than submit!"
"In that case," the masked figure nodded, "I'll grant your wish. Attack!"
Just as the demonic path experts were about to strike, a brilliant sword light suddenly descended from the sky. The sword light was like a rainbow, instantly forcing back the surrounding enemies.
"Who dares harm my disciple!" A majestic voice echoed across Moon Gazing Platform.
Everyone looked up to see Qingyun Zi descending from the sky like an immortal, his robes billowing in the wind, his sword gleaming with cold light.
"Master!" Xiao Yi's eyes filled with tears.
"Qingyun Zi!" The masked figure's voice carried a hint of surprise, "I didn't expect you to come personally."
"For my disciple, I would go to the ends of the earth," Qingyun Zi said coldly, "Demon Lord, your schemes end here."
"Demon Lord?" Xiao Yi was shocked. The masked figure was actually the legendary Demon Lord?
"Hehe, Qingyun Zi, you're still as naive as ever," the Demon Lord laughed, "Do you really think your disciple is innocent?"
"I believe in my disciple," Qingyun Zi said without hesitation.
"Then you're destined to be disappointed," the Demon Lord said, removing his mask to reveal a face that was both familiar and strange.
Xiao Yi stared in shock. Although the face had changed somewhat, he could still recognize it—it was his senior brother from years ago, Chen Wuji, who had supposedly died in a demonic path attack!
"Senior Brother Chen?" Xiao Yi couldn't believe his eyes.
"Surprised?" Chen Wuji smiled coldly, "Yes, it's me. The senior brother you once respected is now the Demon Lord you fear."
"Impossible!" Qingyun Zi was also shocked, "Wuji, you... how did you become like this?"
"How did I become like this?" Chen Wuji's expression turned ferocious, "It was all because of Azure Cloud Sect's hypocrisy! You abandoned me when I needed help most, leaving me to die in that demonic cave. If not for the demonic path saving me, I would have died long ago!"
"Wuji, there must be some misunderstanding..." Qingyun Zi tried to explain.
"Misunderstanding?" Chen Wuji laughed maniacally, "There's no misunderstanding! I've seen through Azure Cloud Sect's true face. Today, I will destroy everything here!"
With that, Chen Wuji's body erupted with terrifying demonic energy, and the entire Moon Gazing Platform began to tremble.
"Everyone, retreat!" Qingyun Zi shouted, then turned to Xiao Yi, "Yi'er, take Wanxian and leave immediately!"
"Master, I won't leave you!" Xiao Yi said firmly.
"This is an order!" Qingyun Zi's voice was stern, "You are not his match now. Leave, and live to seek revenge for your master in the future!"
Xiao Yi looked at his master's determined expression and finally nodded with tears in his eyes.
"Master, take care!"
With that, Xiao Yi grabbed Mo Wanxian's hand and rushed toward the edge of the platform.
"Want to leave? Not so easy!" Chen Wuji struck out with his palm, sending a surge of demonic energy toward Xiao Yi.
Qingyun Zi immediately blocked the attack, but was sent flying by the powerful force.
"Master!" Xiao Yi wanted to turn back, but Mo Wanxian held him tightly.
"Senior Brother Xiao, Master wants us to live. We can't let his sacrifice be in vain!"
Xiao Yi gritted his teeth and continued running toward the platform's edge.
Behind them, the battle between Qingyun Zi and Chen Wuji had reached a fever pitch. Sword light and demonic energy collided continuously, causing the entire Moon Gazing Platform to crack.
"Qingyun Zi, you're old!" Chen Wuji laughed wildly, "Today is your death day!"
"Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!" Qingyun Zi roared, pouring all his cultivation into his sword.
The Azure Cloud Sword burst forth with unprecedented brilliance, like a blue dragon soaring into the sky.
"Azure Cloud Sword Technique—Heaven and Earth Unity!"
This was Qingyun Zi's ultimate technique, one that would cost him his life to perform.
"You're seeking death!" Chen Wuji's expression changed as he felt the terrifying power of this strike.
The sword light and demonic energy collided in the air, creating a massive explosion. The entire Moon Gazing Platform was destroyed in the blast, and countless rocks fell like rain.
Xiao Yi and Mo Wanxian had just reached the platform's edge when they were caught in the shockwave. The two were sent flying and fell toward the cliff below.
"Senior Brother Xiao!" Mo Wanxian reached out her hand.
"Wanxian!" Xiao Yi also reached out, but the distance between them grew larger.
In the end, both fell into the abyss, their fates unknown.
On the ruined Moon Gazing Platform, Chen Wuji stood alone, his body covered in wounds. He looked at the destruction around him and laughed maniacally.
"Qingyun Zi, even in death, you couldn't stop me! Xiao Yi, no matter where you hide, I will find you!"
His laughter echoed through the valley, chilling to the bone.