Yet all the punishment and destruction in the world could not mend the wound buried deep in Zhang Zhiwei's heart.
His bond with Tian Jinzhong spanned decades—a brotherhood long since transcending the title of "fellow disciples." To him, Tian Jinzhong was closer than family.
He recalled those early years, when an offhand comment had revealed that Tian Jinzhong talked in his sleep. To protect that dangerous secret, Tian Jinzhong chose to cultivate Stillness Meditation, staying awake for decades without rest.
That sacrifice cut into Zhang Zhiwei's soul every time he remembered it. And Tian Jinzhong's death was a blow he could scarcely endure.
Just then, Rong Shan arrived at the scene. The moment thunder split the sky, he had felt dread rising in his chest—but even so, when he saw Tian Jinzhong's lifeless body before him, the reality still crushed him.
His master had once ordered him to protect Elder Tian; now that Elder Tian lay dead, guilt tore through him like blades.
"Ahhh! It's my fault! If I hadn't left, Uncle Tian would still be alive!"
His scream of grief echoed across the mountain.
The Old Celestial Master stood quietly to one side, eyes fixed on the maddened Rong Shan. Pain churned within him, but he knew he had to bring the boy back to his senses.
With a single sweep of his arm, spiritual force blasted Rong Shan backward. He hit the ground hard—but the shock cleared his head a little.
The Old Celestial Master's voice rang cold and firm:
"Enough! Look at yourself! Life and death are written by fate. Stand up!"
Though his tone was harsh, sorrow flickered deep within his eyes before being buried beneath razor-sharp resolve.
"Go," he ordered. "Tell Ling Yu and the others—they'll shoulder Dragon-Tiger Mountain's duties for now."
Then his aura turned murderous.
"I'll descend the mountain myself—and wipe Quanxing from this world."
Footsteps approached from the distance. Zhang Zhiwei turned toward the sound.
From the shadows walked Hikaru Uchiha, calm as starlight, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips.
"I'm curious," Hikaru said lightly. "If you leave the mountain, does that mean the Trinity Gate Gathering is canceled?"
Zhang Zhiwei's eyes narrowed, searching the young man's face. Instead of answering, he asked in return:
"I've had people look into your background. But it's as if you appeared out of thin air—no records, no traces. Tell me, Hikaru… are you with Quanxing?"
Hikaru's tone was indifferent. "Quanxing? They're not worthy."
Zhang Zhiwei believed him. After all, Hikaru's strength was beyond question—strong enough to sneer at that organization, even at its former era under Wugen Sheng.
He finally replied, "Since I'm leaving the mountain, the Gathering will be suspended. We'll speak of it again another time."
But Hikaru only shook his head. "That won't do. I'm quite interested in the Heavenly Talisman. If you stop the Gathering, I'll have to wait far too long—and patience isn't one of my virtues."
Zhang Zhiwei's patience ran out. After Tian Jinzhong's death, worldly affairs like tournaments meant nothing. All he cared about was crushing Quanxing.
He moved to pass by Hikaru without another word—only for Hikaru to extend an arm and block his path.
"How about a trade?" Hikaru smiled. "You fetch me the Heavenly Talisman, and in return, I'll bring Tian Jinzhong back to life."
Zhang Zhiwei froze. After a long silence, he met Hikaru's gaze. "…All right. I agree."
Without another word, Hikaru led him back to the fallen Tian Jinzhong. Before Zhang Zhiwei's stunned eyes, the corpse's wounds knit together, breath returned, and moments later, the man opened his eyes—as if he had merely taken a nap.
Hikaru's expression never changed. To him, reversing death itself seemed effortless.
Zhang Zhiwei had expected such defiance of nature to exact a terrible price—but Hikaru looked utterly unfazed. If Tian Jinzhong had been dead for decades, even he could not have done it; yet with his power to rewind time itself, the impossible became real.
Watching Tian Jinzhong stir, Zhang Zhiwei's heart trembled between joy and disbelief.
"Senior Brother… what… happened?" Tian Jinzhong murmured, confused.
Zhang Zhiwei seized him in a fierce embrace. "You're back, Jinzhong." His voice shook but remained steady with conviction. "No matter what's happened—you're back."
Warmth returned to Tian Jinzhong's heart, though memories of his death flooded back soon after.
"Senior Brother, I failed you." Tears welled in his eyes. "I guarded that secret for decades, only to have it stolen in the end. All my sacrifice—what was it for?"
Despair consumed him. A lifetime of restraint and shame, followed by the theft of what he'd sworn to protect, crushed his will to live. It was precisely that despair that Gong Qing had seen before striking the fatal blow, taking the sin upon himself.
Feeling Tian Jinzhong tremble, Zhang Zhiwei spoke softly:
"Jinzhong… it doesn't matter anymore. Once I descend this mountain, I'll make sure no one dares whisper another word."