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

Guo Jiannan remained rooted in place, stunned for what felt like an eternity, his mind surging with boundless feelings.

It was only now that he fully realized the sheer horror of Brother Yi's cultivation prowess. As he gripped the jade slip tightly, his pulse thundered like battle drums; the poise of a supreme master had utterly vanished from him, replaced by eyes brimming with profound astonishment and desire.

Yet, Guo Jiannan was far from an average individual.

Despite the enormous disparity in their cultivation levels stirring guilt and embarrassment within him, he recalled his vital duty and recognized the perilous bind Brother Yi faced!

Quickly stowing the jade slip away, a grave resolve filled Guo Jiannan's gaze.

"Confronting a horde of powerhouses and boldly proclaiming he can fend them off for twenty hours—Brother Yi has truly earned his legendary status!"

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

"No point in dwelling; Brother Yi's predicament must be gravely perilous right now. That casual response is clearly meant to ease my worries. I won't betray Brother Yi's valiant resolve, nor will I falter even a bit!"

With a deep exhale, Guo Jiannan kept refining his mental focus.

Brother Yi's cultivation was indeed fearsome, and his loyalty unmatched. Though he might manage the foes beyond the woods and had dispatched the note out of kindness, things were surely far more tense than portrayed. Should those foes call in backup from Wind and Snow Island, chaos would erupt uncontrollably!

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

This instant.

Under mounting strains of all sorts, he slipped into a pristine mindset, immune to external distractions, utterly immersed in the vital mission of shattering the formation to preserve lives.

Regrettably.

Wind and Snow Island's folks were no pushovers themselves. The Ten Directions Desolate Extermination Formation, which confined the Tree Venerable, drew from ancient array legacies. Powered by the merged might of ten cultivators, it defied simple breach.

Though Guo Jiannan poured every ounce of effort in, decoding just one array node drained vast reserves. Soon enough, the Invincible Sword Venerable was drenched in sweat!

Deep within the array's core.

The Tree Venerable, breaths shallow and ragged, observed it all with profound sentiment in his stare.

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

That Old Guo managed to solo several array nodes proved his cultivation and array skills could rattle countless cultivators; he lived up to being the Invincible Sword Venerable!

Even as the pace dragged to a crawl, it made perfect sense.

The Tree Venerable observed in silence, burdened by remorse, his gaze heavy with remorse. As moments ticked by and his life force steadily ebbed, his expression held only thankfulness.

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

Sun climbed and dipped; the luminous moon climbed anew.

In a flash, twelve hours slipped away.

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

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

Raising his eyes, bitterness flooded his look.

After a few hesitant breaths, Guo Jiannan balled his hand into a fist and forced out the words.

"Tree Venerable..."

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

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

Before Guo Jiannan wrapped up, the frail Tree Venerable mustered a grin and dipped his head.

"Old Guo, no more words needed."

"I'm no fool who dreads death and clings to existence, and I grasp the path of honor."

"I've witnessed all from last night. I know in my core that Brother Yi still stands guard outside against Wind and Snow Island's elites. We crossed paths with Brother Yi by fate alone, yet he shows us such profound virtue. If we let him wage this grueling fight solo, wouldn't the whole realm scorn us?!"

These spirited lines drained nearly all his leftover vigor.

Guo Jiannan absorbed them, his eyes flashing, struck speechless for the moment!

The Tree Venerable's life force waned like a flickering wick. Halting the array breach now would doom him for sure. Yet amid this dire crossroads of survival, he stayed sharp and clung to principle. How many could rival that?

Such steadfast declarations brimmed with devotion and dignity!

This Demon Race titan had weathered endless trials, once bending storms to his will and instilling awe across lands. Right up to his final breaths, he embodied the Tree Venerable's lofty poise!

As he watched his companion strain to voice his thoughts, Guo Jiannan grew quiet.

Even with volumes to say, none would come.

Long ago, he'd learned that death's edge alone unmasks true character, stripping away life's illusions like mist.

Now, he beheld the Tree Venerable in sharper clarity than ever.

This companion's pride and moral fiber outshone the so-called prodigies swept by time's currents. Though of Demon Race birth, he stood as a rightful sage, a genuine world hero!

Who claims foreign kin can't be relied upon?

Sensing his companion echo the turmoil in his soul, Guo Jiannan's reluctance deepened. His sole trusted ally in existence met demise with such composure, dooming him to lifelong sorrow...

No sorrow rivals this in the world.

Noting Guo Jiannan's prolonged silence, fixed in solemn regard, the Tree Venerable recalled old days and burst into laughter.

He recalled vividly...

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

Yet from differing lineages, doubts lingered. Back then, Guo Jiannan, sword slung across his back with dark locks framing his face, merely regarded him with gravity.

"I seek a fellow warrior against the fiends; do you bear a righteous soul?"

That blade-like aura conveying his essence seemed to emanate from his entire form.

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

Ten thousand years onward.

The once Invincible Sword Venerable had silvered into an elder. His former piercing valor had softened; only those earnest eyes echoed the past.

A mere instant, and existence had flown, dreamlike and fleeting.

To forge such a bond in this existence—he could depart content.

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

"Old Guo, I sought you out from on high in those days. Now you waver so; do you aim to tarnish my legacy? If that's the case, I might harbor some regrets."

Catching the lighthearted 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 of yore, whose moral leanings blurred between light and shadow.

"Hahaha..."

"We've shared a lifetime's acquaintance; why dither now at the close? If our inaction led to Brother Yi's harm or demise just to buy my timid endurance, that's beyond what you or I could stomach."

"Having navigated this existence thus far, this Seat holds no complaints! Should you one day fulfill our vow against the fiends, even from the underworld, I'll rest easy with a grin!"

These lines drew a strained smile from Guo Jiannan too.

He'd judged this one right.

This ally was a paragon of virtue soaring to the heavens. Even in his final throes, he recalled their inaugural oath of valor.

A noble's pledge outlasts any chariot's pull.

Though it span a lifetime to honor, one meets the end without remorse!

Such is the essence of masculine bonds.

Before such a legend, excess pity would demean!

At last, Guo Jiannan released a hefty sigh, grinning and affirming with a nod.

"Very well."

"Should I achieve our cause against the fiends, I'll make an offering to inform you!"

As words flowed, Guo Jiannan drew exquisite liquor from his robe, a gleam in his eyes.

Beaming at his companion, his sight misted over.

The lined elder appeared to rewind years, reverting to that bold, haughty sovereign of old, smiling radiantly in return.

Beholding that audacious air from their debut clash, Guo Jiannan grinned and recited the grave vow from ages past.

"Demon Race youth..."

"If righteousness dwells in you, share this drink with me! With the cosmos as witness, together we'll defy the Devil Race!"

These phrases prompted the Tree Venerable to reply with the identical accord from before!

"Hahaha..."

"A vow sealed! Let the cosmos witness!"

The pair met gazes and roared with laughter, hearts swelling with sentiment!

"Hahahaha!"

Their chuckles rang vast and unbound, yet tears inevitably gathered in their eyes.

At their cultivation heights, life's end held no terror. To uphold his companion's parting honor, Guo Jiannan pivoted, clenched his jaw, and rent the fabric of space. Only then did his tears drift like fallen stars.

Upon reopening his eyes to enter the rift, his stare burned with unyielding fight!

He'd avenge this ten thousand times over!

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