A Master and Disciple's Legacy; The Weight of Failure. Unveiling the Dao—the Cauldron of One's Strongest Will.

Guo Xiaomei and Yang Wei soared through the End Mountain region on their swords.

The air between them remained as still as a pond on a windless day.

Guo Xiaomei didn't utter a word about the risky wager Yang Wei had made with Elder Qian. She figured it wasn't her place to meddle, and even if she tried to warn him about the consequences of staking his spirit root, it wouldn't change a thing – the deal was done.

Not one to bask in awkward silence, Yang Wei finally broke the ice. "Sister Guo, are you okay?" he ventured, hoping to gauge her mood.

Guo Xiaomei remained silent, her gaze fixed ahead as the wind whipped her qipao and robes around in the high-speed breeze. Just when Yang Wei thought she might be seething with anger, Guo Xiaomei spoke up.

"Do you know why Elder Qian decided to enter eternal seclusion?" she asked, her voice soft yet laden with emotion.

Yang Wei shook his head. "No clue."