Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery
Chapter 1156 - 1124: Escaping is Han Lin's Instinct

In this world, it seems everything has a beginning and an endpoint: lifespan, friendship, kinship, love—nothing is endless or eternal.

Even the most joyous of banquets must come to an end.

"Immortal, farewell..."

"My Lord, I hope to see you again someday..."

Many Immortals today are especially emotional, their eyes slightly red from not being the typically inscrutable old cultivators, bowing deeply to bid farewell.

Perhaps, many knew that this meeting might very well be their last.

From now on, there will be no more meetings.

"Swordsman, one day, I will stand before you and draw my sword..."

Amidst this slightly mournful atmosphere, one voice seemed quite unpleasant, coming from the Scorching Sun Swordsman of the Great Sun Sword Sect.

His gaze was filled with combativeness, murderous intent, a self-destructive madness, even attempting to draw his sword right now, and he hardly cared about matters like Heavenly Tribulation or lifespan.

However, no matter how tightly Scorching Sun Immortal gripped the sword hilt, he could not draw his longsword.

It was not Jiang Ding who stopped him.

Even if he was more tolerant, he would not show any mercy to someone who sought his life by initiating a sword duel; he would with magnanimity grant them death.

Rather, it was the Scorching Sun Immortal unable to overcome the fear in his heart.

Every particle of his divine soul, every instinct of his body screaming for survival, his body trembled under this terrifying instinct for self-preservation, making it impossible for him to draw his Life Flying Sword.

"Take care, everyone..."

Jiang Ding's gaze was sincere and attentive as he memorized the faces of all the old Nascent Soul True Monarchs, making sure he would not forget them. His heart felt somewhat heavy, but then he was amused by the Scorching Sun Immortal.

"May you achieve your wish."

Jiang Ding raised a glass of juice, not mocking but sincerely spoke.

This was not mere false comfort.

Within the system of the Great Sun Sword Pavilion, if a Great Sun Sword Cultivator dared to challenge the Swordsman, then this cultivator generally carries importance, significant or minor, to the Swordsman. There might even be some standout Elites capable of unexpectedly surpassing him, others not Swordsmen but comparable to one.

For such beings, to slay them would greatly benefit the Path.

For the Scorching Sun Swordsman, even a top-grade Harmonization Stage Divine Pill isn't as useful as such standout Elites.

"It surely will be."

Ultimately, the Scorching Sun Immortal was unable to draw out his Life Flying Sword, he sighed deeply and bowed before retreating.

"Immortal, take care..."

"Take care..."

"I wish for the Immortal to attain Dao and become an immortal, with endless Life Energy, and millions of years later, you can still recall today..."

One by one, the venerable old True Monarchs said their farewells to Jiang Ding, then resolutely walked out of the palace, looking back no longer, leaving no room for reluctance.

Their auras grew dense and suppressed again, regaining the domineering demeanor of Peak Nascent Soul Cultivators, ready to launch a fight-to-the-death against the unknown and frightful Huashen Heavenly Tribulation.

Jiang Ding silently watched their departing figures.

Many of them would now only exist in memories, for the Path is merciless.

...

Inside the Dark Demon Palace.

A green-clothed youth with a longsword hanging from his waist, sat on the throne.

Compared to just now, feasting with the old companions, he returned to his usual calm and indifferent demeanor, no longer constantly sporting a friendly smile.

A somewhat terrifying, icy aura spread through the palace.

As Gong Caiyu and Han Lin walked into the Dark Demon Palace, they immediately felt this subtle atmosphere, their hearts tightening, and their expressions becoming instantly grave.

"No need to be nervous, it has nothing to do with you."

Jiang Ding slightly shook his head.

Gong Caiyu had been steadfastly upholding the Tushan Law, running around for hundreds of years, greatly delaying the corruption of many High-Level Cultivators in Tushan Central Court.

As for Han Lin, there is even less need to mention.

This person does not seek fame or profit, he has a naturally low profile, and unless he is pushed to the brink of crisis, he is just the most ordinary one among the crowd, so ordinary that it is somewhat perverse, revealing nothing abnormal.

Even though he does not want to be corrupt, after seriously inspecting his surroundings, he immediately blended in and committed many misdemeanors, aligning himself with the other Immortals nearby, not acting out of line.

"I've asked you here because I have some gifts for you."

Jiang Ding raised his hand, and two squarely shaped gift boxes flew towards each person: "A top-grade Huashen Elixir, capable of increasing your chances of successfully transforming to Divinity by thirty percent. I hope you all are well. Hopefully, in the future, we can meet again and reminisce about the old days in Yue Country, chat and laugh together."

He had a deep affection for his veteran comrades, but there were differences in these affections.

Gong Caiyu, the most loyal supporter under his command, was a key figure in governing Tushan Central Court, the most reliable among the political worker maids, and also a companion from childhood, with different sentiments.

Han Lin, on the other hand, differed quite a lot, though he was also a childhood friend.

Between the two there was somewhat of a gentleman-like camaraderie, indifferent as water, neither owing each other anything. If there was spare time, it was merely convenient to give.

In the long stretch of time, there really weren't many close friends, and although Han Lin wasn't particularly close to him, he ranked quite high in order nonetheless.

These top-grade Huashen Elixirs were recently commissioned by Jiang Ding for the Xianmen Sect to refine.

The materials were collected over the years and confiscated from the treasure stores of the Horned Demon Emperor Clan Royal Family. A total of ten were made, and after reserving some for Zhang Junsheng, Dinghai Immortal, Luling Immortal, An Siyan, Jin Lingfeng and others, there were still two or three left, hence they were given to the two.

"Gong Caiyu's is a gift."

"Han Lin, yours is on loan, the old price, return tenfold after your Divinity Transformation."

Jiang Ding added.

A gentleman's friendship is as light as water.

This kind of relationship has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage is that they get along as equals.

The disadvantage, however, is that this is not a loyal subordinate or a close friend; giving something too precious makes it difficult for him to part with.

"Yes, sir."

Gong Caiyu's face showed excitement, and she promptly took it without any embarrassment.

"Little Uncle Master is truly a gentleman."

Han Lin bitterly smiled, also taking the Jade Box.

This Little Uncle Master indeed thought too highly of him. If he were given a top-grade Huashen Elixir, he would definitely accept it without any embarrassment, no need for pretense of a loan.

But though it's said like this, his Dao Heart was contrary, becoming much more translucent in an instant.

Han Lin knew himself.

He was an extremely self-centered person.

He cherished family ties, cherished friendships, and had bottom lines. He wasn't some old demon of the Immortal Path, but when faced with severe dangers, he would immediate run and wouldn't consider others.

These he cherished - family, friendships, romances.

But none of these affections compared to his desire for eternal life on the Immortal Path!

When others were too kind to him without any ulterior motives, he would feel a certain hidden discomfort.

Because with that, he couldn't justifiably run away first in times of danger, forced to consider favors, consider others, causing his Dao Heart to suffer.

Why should the Dao Heart suffer?

Because no matter what, he would always run first.

Even if he owed someone a huge favor, even if he felt uncomfortable, even if his Dao Heart was in fierce conflict, it wouldn't affect the speed of his escape, it would just be very painful, swamped by internal demons.

Rather than that, Han Lin would prefer not to owe others big favors from the start.