Chapter 234: Eternal Life

Everyone was puzzled and astonished by the old man who had suddenly appeared because of the Demon Grand Duke. They couldn’t understand why the Demon Grand Duke would sacrifice his own heart to bring this old man here at such a critical moment.

The Imperial Capital Guild President seemed to freeze for a moment due to the sudden change in scenery. He glanced at the vast, bizarre, and treacherous Void around him, then turned his gaze toward the grim-faced Weisasi and the other cultivators.

Judging from the old man’s expression, he didn’t seem panicked by his sudden appearance here—at most, he looked somewhat surprised.

This only made everyone feel confused and bewildered. Was this the reaction an ordinary person with no cultivation should have?

Or was it because, as the President of the Imperial Exorcist Association, he was well-traveled and experienced, and wouldn’t panic even in a situation like this?

“Everyone… what is this—”

The Imperial Capital Guild President looked at the cultivators, seemingly about to ask something to understand his current situation.

But before he could finish, Weisasi cut him off.

“Stop pretending, old man. Do you think you can still play the innocent ordinary person now that I’ve dragged you here?”

“Now’s not the time for you to keep up the act. There’s a problem with our plan. It’s time for you to make your move.”

Hearing this, a vein bulged on the Imperial Capital Guild President’s forehead. He glanced at the others, who had instantly tensed up under Weisasi’s words, then glared hatefully at the Demon Grand Duke.

He should never have agreed to cooperate with this bastard in the first place. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be stuck on this sinking ship right now.

“So even you’re one of the Demon Grand Duke’s people? How long have you been undercover?”

Bai Qiuyin stared at this unremarkable old man and asked with a serious expression.

“Undercover? I’m not some spy. I simply chose the option that benefited me the most.”

Realizing that his identity had been exposed and there was no point in pretending anymore, the Imperial Capital Guild President stopped putting on an innocent act and looked at everyone with a calm, unashamed expression.

“Honestly, you might not believe this, but he and I are merely partners. I help him do things within my authority, and he helps me stay alive.”

“Stay alive?”

Li Xueman paused, then seemed to understand something. She let out a soft sigh and said:

“So another person trying to extend their lifespan?”

Li Xueman had seen too many people like this.

Too many people refused to let go of life and strayed down the wrong path. Even when they knew full well that the Underworld and spirits existed after death, they still refused to lose their lives.

Even when they eventually turned into monsters—neither human nor ghost—they still held on.

“Extend my lifespan?”

As if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, the Imperial Capital Guild President suddenly burst into laughter, doubling over and nearly falling over from the force of it.

Weisasi watched all of this coldly, without any reaction.

He knew this man’s personality well. The old man had held it in for too long. If he didn’t let it out now, he might slack off later when his help was needed. In that case, it was better to let him vent now than to have him drag his feet—it wouldn’t waste much time anyway.

Weisasi sensed the game of “he runs, she chases” playing out in the real world, and his expression darkened even further.

“What use is merely extending my lifespan?”

As if he had finally tired himself out from laughing, the Imperial Capital Guild President gradually returned to normal. Looking at the cultivators whose expressions ranged from confusion to seriousness to pity, he said:

“Compared to you lofty, all-powerful cultivators, I’m just an ordinary person. Even if I extend my lifespan, my body’s limits are right there. How much longer could I possibly last?”

As he spoke, he seemed to get worked up again, his breathing growing heavier.

But after all, he had sat in the position of President of the Exorcist Association for many years—he still had the composure befitting his station. He quickly calmed himself down and continued:

“What I want is a lifespan far longer than yours, you cultivators. I want a life where even after you’ve all turned to dust, I’ll still be alive in this world!”

The Imperial Capital Guild President’s gaze swept across everyone, and he unconsciously spread his arms wide, as if embracing a beautiful future.

“In other words, what I want is immortality! Eternal life!”

Seeing the Imperial Capital Guild President in this crazed state, everyone fell silent.

Because as cultivators, they had never thought about things like lifespan. Naturally, they couldn’t understand the Imperial Capital Guild President’s obsession and pursuit.

But Li Xueman looked at him and saw countless people like him reflected in his image.

She let out a soft sigh and said:

“Why do you have to do this? If you just want to keep living, wouldn’t becoming a spirit be a good choice?”

“A spirit? You mean those mindless monsters that stay in a daze until they reach a certain realm?”

The Imperial Capital Guild President sneered disdainfully.

“What kind of immortality is that? That’s just a lingering ghost barely clinging to existence—mere remnants of a dead human. And you dare call that immortality?”

Hearing his merciless words, the few Ghost Cultivators among the group had ugly expressions on their faces.

Li Xueman didn’t mind much. She had seen plenty of people who looked down on spirits. One more Association President wasn’t a big deal to her.

But…

“That immortality you speak of—are you so sure the Demon can actually give it to you?”

Bai Qiuyin glanced at Weisasi, who had remained silent this whole time as if he had shifted his focus to the real world, then looked at the Imperial Capital Guild President and asked:

“How can you be certain that the immortality the Demon grants you is actually something good?”

“Of course I’m certain.”

The Imperial Capital Guild President let out a disdainful snort.

“Because I’ve already experienced it firsthand. That kind of immortality is true immortality.”

With that, he didn’t wait for Bai Qiuyin to say anything else. He looked at Weisasi and said directly:

“Sorry for the wait. Let’s begin.”

The moment those words fell, Bai Qiuyin’s expression tightened. Without sparing another thought, she launched an attack at the Imperial Capital Guild President.

A dazzling sword light rent the Void apart, striking toward him in an instant.

She didn’t know what these two were planning, but whatever the enemy wanted to do, she absolutely couldn’t let them accomplish it!

However, what happened next was somewhat beyond Bai Qiuyin’s expectations.

She watched as the Imperial Capital Guild President was instantly sliced to pieces by her sword light, and her brow furrowed slightly.

She had thought Weisasi would block the attack for him, but instead, he let her strike freely. Did he have some kind of confidence?

Before Bai Qiuyin could think further, she suddenly froze. Her gaze snapped toward the pile of remains where the Imperial Capital Guild President had been.

Everyone else’s eyes also fixed on that pile of remains, their expressions solemn.

They heard it.

From within that pile of remains, a heartbeat echoed.

Was it an illusion?

Or was it that…

He truly had obtained immortality?