I have changed my destiny and become an unparalleled immortal.

Zixu Sect, Martial Arts Arena.

Today is the grand competition held by the outer sect every three years.

The numerous young disciples were all in high spirits, and the swords on the arena flashed incessantly.

Above the high platform, an elder in the Foundation Establishment stage sat upright.

Furthermore, there are rumors that the Golden Core Ancestor's divine sense will scan this place to select outstanding talents.

This is a place where geniuses can showcase their talents.

In the shadowy corner at the very edge of the training ground, a figure huddled in that spot.

This figure seems out of place in the current atmosphere.

Gu Yun was wearing a loose-fitting long robe.

He wore the robe to conceal the stench emanating from the erysipelas.

Even after being washed, erysipelas still retains its odor.

He wore a straw hat, trying his best to hide his skeletal face from others.

Even so, a vacuum area was still formed within a five-meter radius.

"Isn't that the old monster from the abandoned alchemy room?"

"Please stay away from him. It is said that he ingested inferior elixirs in his quest to become an immortal, and his body is full of poison. If even a tiny bit comes into contact with him, his skin will ulcerate."

Several passing servant disciples covered their noses as they walked past, their eyes filled with disgust and loathing.

Gu Yun lowered his head, and there was not a trace of inferiority in his cloudy old eyes.

Having once been a king or nobleman, what does this slightest cold shoulder amount to?

He came here today not to enjoy the play, but to do something else.

He is looking for someone.

He is seeking a benefactor, and even though he is currently at the first level of Qi Refining and is suffering from severe poisoning, he can still obtain opportunities through the help of this benefactor.

Outstanding figures in the field? That won't do either. These people are too conspicuous, too closely connected to various causal relationships.

Gu Yun's eyes kept scanning back and forth on the periphery of the crowd.

Until his gaze fell on the crooked ancient locust tree not far away.

In the middle of the tree branch, there was a dirty old man lying down.

He was wearing tattered clothes and had a worn-out gourd hanging from his waist.

The old man's sleeping posture was very unsightly.

The surrounding environment was extremely noisy, but he felt as if he were in another place.

Most importantly, that's where he was.

Thousands of disciples walked by, but not one of them offered him any guidance or comment, as if they subconsciously ignored his existence.

Even many law enforcement officers on patrol acted as if they didn't see him.

The truly wise live in seclusion amidst the bustling city...

Gu Yun's heart clenched suddenly.

This person is no ordinary person!

It's him!

Gu Yun took a deep breath, and the Book of Destiny was slowly opened, with golden light flowing in the darkness.

[Subject: Gu Yun]

Current lifespan: 82 (two years remaining)

Gu Yun clenched his teeth, thinking about certain things. Then, his divine sense, like a pen, continuously traced patterns on the pages of the book, and at a relatively fast speed.

Changing one's destiny:

Fifty years ago, in a corner of a bustling, ordinary city, you encountered a wandering beggar. Instead of showing disdain, you shared a cup of wine with him from his broken bowl. The old beggar chuckled, saying, "Though he's a wealthy commoner, he has a certain peculiar charm."

That was your first encounter with him.

The pen falls.

hum!

Suddenly, a violent tremor ran through my mind, as if something had been abruptly pulled out.

[Deducting lifespan: one year.]

Gu Yun swayed and almost fell to the ground.

My already weak body suddenly felt even heavier, as if that year had ended in an instant.

There is one year left.

This is a huge gamble!

At that very moment, the dirty old man in the ancient locust tree suddenly stopped snoring.

He suddenly opened his eyes, which looked rather cloudy, but a light brighter than the stars flashed across them for a moment before disappearing quickly.

The old man scratched his messy, bird's-nest-like hair, then sat up in a daze.

"How strange..."

He muttered to himself as he looked in that direction, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through the void and land directly on Gu Yun in the corner.

Eyes facing each other.

Gu Yun held her breath, her palms covered in cold sweat.

Suddenly, a brand new memory appeared in the old man's mind.

It was an ordinary day fifty years ago. There was a bowl of wine that wasn't very clear, a young man from a wealthy family, and an old beggar who was living a rather happy life.

"That little skeleton covered in erysipelas... why does it look so familiar?"

The old man smacked his lips, and for a fleeting moment, an indescribable sense of closeness appeared in his eyes.

"It seems this child is destined to be with me."

Gu Yun was overjoyed; he had made the right bet!

But, the next moment.

The old man frowned slightly, as if he sensed something was amiss, or perhaps he was simply a rather carefree person.

"But... something feels off?"

The old man stared at Gu Yun for three breaths, but in the end he just shook his head without much interest.

"Well, I'm sober now, so I need to find another place to sleep."

After he finished speaking, his body suddenly moved.

Suddenly, it vanished without a trace from the branch of the tree.

He didn't even come down to say a word to Gu Yun.

The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.

"They...they left?"

Gu Yun's expectant expression froze.

He was in the shadows, like a weathered stone statue.

One year's lifespan!

A full year of lifespan!

All you get in return is a single glance from the other person?

From the center of the training ground came a thunderous cheer, as if a prodigy had won a competition.

But this commotion had nothing to do with Gu Yun.

He felt a chill run through his entire body.

"Heh...hehe..."

Gu Yun let out a few hoarse laughs.

He didn't look at the competition again.

He turned around, the setting sun casting a long shadow as he walked towards the stinking, abandoned alchemy room.

The night was as dark as ink.

Behind the Purple Void Sect, in the abandoned alchemy room and grotto.

This is the dark side hidden behind the sect's outward appearance of glory; even rats wouldn't want to dig a hole there.

"Cough...cough cough cough!"

In that dark environment, a coughing sound came from within, a cough that sounded particularly distressing.

Gu Yun curled up on the tattered straw mat, coughing up large chunks of black blood with each cough.

During the day, a year's lifespan is lost, and the barely maintained balance completely collapses.

When erysipelas flares up.

excruciating pain.

But he didn't make a sound, he just bit the tattered cloth tightly, his eyes fixed fiercely on the empty space.

He has no regrets.

Since you've already gambled, you should accept the loss.

Even death should be a journey on the path of seeking the Way, not an old age and death in bed.

Just then.

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

A joking voice suddenly rang out in the quiet cave.

"Look, it didn't utter a sound at all. It's much better than many delicate-skinned dolls in the inner circle."

Gu Yun's pupils contracted sharply, and she abruptly looked up.

Then I saw a person sitting on top of that pile of waste pill residue.

It was that dirty old man who disappeared during the day!

He was still holding that old, worn-out gourd in his hand.

He tilted his head back to drink, while looking at Gu Yun with a playful gaze.

"S-senpai..."

Gu Yun tried hard to stand up, but fell down again due to the intense pain.

"Alright, alright, stop worshiping."

The old man waved his hand, swayed slightly, and immediately appeared in front of Gu Yun, bringing with him a very strong smell of alcohol.

He bent down, his eyes clouded, staring straight at Gu Yun as if trying to see right through her.

"During the day, I always feel like I have known you before, and a memory of drinking with you has appeared in my mind."

The old man laughed, then pointed to his head.