The Blood Demon Sect had obtained information about Miao Gift's movements in advance. They also knew Miao Gift was being protected by an Ultimate Grandmaster from the Sword Establishment Pavilion. The Blood Demon Sect directly dispatched six Ultimate Grandmasters to ambush them.

After a fierce battle, the Ultimate Grandmaster from Sword Establishment Pavilion died fighting while covering Miao Gift's escape. Miao Gift fled with severe injuries. The Blood Demon Sect didn't fare well either - two of their Ultimate Grandmasters were killed in the fight. The remaining four were seriously wounded, with one dying shortly after returning to their sect.

Miao Gift and the Sword Establishment Pavilion's Ultimate Grandmaster had effectively killed three Ultimate Grandmasters and severely wounded three others. This was an exceptionally glorious achievement.

Miao Gift hid while trying to return to Sword Establishment Pavilion. But he was intercepted by Zhou Qiyun, leader of the Blood Demon Sect. Already severely injured, Miao Gift fought with all his might but was no match. He ultimately met his end at Heavenly Summit Snow Mountain. A generation's unparalleled genius had fallen.

When Lin Jingzhi, leader of Sword Establishment Pavilion, learned his beloved disciple had been killed, he single-handedly attacked the Blood Demon Sect. Known as the Great Qian Empire's top swordsman, Lin Jingzhi possessed formidable strength. The Blood Demon Sect mobilized all eighteen remaining Ultimate Grandmasters. Lin Jingzhi suffered serious injuries but managed to kill four Ultimate Grandmasters and wound nine others before being rescued by Sword Establishment Pavilion's arriving Ultimate Grandmasters.

Three years later, just days ago, Lin Jingzhi announced he would step down as Pavilion leader and personally attack the Blood Demon Sect again. Having already lost seven Ultimate Grandmasters in these two encounters, the Blood Demon Sect was significantly weakened. Not daring to face Lin Jingzhi directly again, sect leader Zhou Qiyun declared he would fight Lin Jingzhi alone.

Lin Jingzhi's ultimate goal was to kill Zhou Qiyun with his own hands. The two agreed to duel seven days later at Heavenly Summit Snow Mountain where Miao Gift had died.

After hearing this account, your heart trembled. You hadn't expected Miao Gift to truly be dead. Your memory of him still lingered as that snot-nosed kid. You could vividly see his honest little face looking up at you, calling you "Uncle Yu." Your expression turned icy as anger burned within you at Miao Gift's death.

In your rage, you raged... then stopped. There was nothing you could do - at only mid-stage Bone Tempering, Zhou Qiyun could crush your head with one slap. No chance of winning, absolutely none.

You left the inn, heading southeast toward Sword Establishment Pavilion to pay respects at Miao Gift's grave. The journey would take a month. By the tenth day, news arrived about the duel's outcome: Zhou Qiyun's corpse had been impaled on a spear and hung from Heavenly Summit Snow Mountain's peak. Lin Jingzhi returned unharmed.

The martial world was shocked. Everyone knew Lin Jingzhi was ruthless, but none expected this. Despite being one of the three great demonic sects, their leader - among the very strongest Ultimate Grandmasters - had been defeated without Lin Jingzhi suffering a single injury.

The Blood Demon Sect panicked at this outcome. The day after Zhou Qiyun's death, they hastily appointed a new leader, declaring Zhou had only been a temporary leader without an official employment contract. His actions didn't represent the sect's stance, and they now severed all connections. This smooth series of maneuvers seemed well-rehearsed. You couldn't help but admire their crisis management.

Seeing the Blood Demon Sect's surrender, Sword Establishment Pavilion pursued the matter no further.

A month later, you arrived at Sword Establishment Pavilion. After identifying yourself, you were admitted. You met Wei Xia. Just one year younger than you, she was now in her seventies. Hearing of your arrival, she came out trembling with a cane. Unlike your still-youthful appearance, Wei Xia had white hair, deep wrinkles, and tear stains at her eyes. She examined you carefully before finally sighing, "I'm nearing my end, while Young Master He remains as elegant as ever."

You didn't see Miao Jiayao, knowing he must have passed away - he'd been nearly twenty years older than Wei Xia. Wei Xia slowly led you to Miao Gift's grave, where a peach tree bloomed vibrantly. As she burned paper offerings, she rambled about Miao Gift's life. Speaking of him brought light back to her dull eyes. She recounted all his glorious achievements - from his rise in Willow Tree Village to gaining fame in the martial world, joining Sword Establishment Pavilion, becoming the top disciple under the Ultimate Grandmasters, and finally being designated as the sole successor to become next Pavilion leader. She remembered every detail about Miao Gift, even the exact words he'd used when sharing good news.

As an old family friend, Wei Xia wanted to tell you everything about Miao Gift's life. The more she spoke, the happier she became, pride and joy shining in her eyes. Her wrinkled, sagging face showed a long-absent smile. But then her gaze fell on the grave. She froze as if suddenly deflated, realizing Miao Gift was truly gone. Shaking her head, she fell silent, all desire to speak vanishing.

With great effort, Wei Xia stood and turned away. "Actually," she sighed deeply, "our family could have lived happily in Willow Tree Village our whole lives." Hunched over her cane, she slowly shuffled away. Her small, thin back resembled that timid figure from decades ago when she'd first secretly visited your courtyard and been chased away.

You understood Miao Gift's death had devastated Wei Xia. The precious son she'd gone to such lengths to conceive had died before her - the pain was unimaginable. You burned more paper offerings for Miao Gift.

Then Lin Jingzhi arrived. This man who could easily kill fellow Ultimate Grandmasters stood before you. "Young Master He," he said, "truthfully, I was only Miao Gift's second master. You were his first."

"You flatter me, Pavilion Leader." You had merely accidentally started Miao Gift on his martial path and left some techniques and weapons - hardly qualifying as his master.

Lin Jingzhi produced a sizable box. "Young Master He, these were things he meant to give you, but couldn't find you to deliver." You guessed your deeper travels into Black Serpent Woods had made you unreachable.

Opening the box revealed 500 internal spirit pills and a gleaming treasured blade. Even buried underground, that snot-nosed kid was still dropping loot for you - truly giving his all. You pocketed the pills and sheathed the blade, patting Miao Gift's grave. "Good kid. Solid work!"