Chapter 1327: The Will Of Heaven

Outside the Crimson Moon Forest, desolation reigned, yet the Heavenly Hall remained as magnificent as ever. However, at this moment, the hall was eerily empty. Even when numerous elders came to deliver urgent news, they could not find the island master. As they discussed the shattered soul jades, they paced anxiously in front of the hall's entrance, as if facing an impending catastrophe. The once solemn and dignified place had suddenly descended into chaos.

Deep within the unknown peach forest, however, tranquility persisted as it always had. The island master, Luo Tianbei, sat cross-legged among the trees, his hands clutching ancient jade beads. His temples were streaked with white, bearing the marks of time. For a long while, he remained motionless, as if he had turned a deaf ear to everything happening on Frostwind Island.

Suddenly, the string of the jade beads snapped, and the ancient beads scattered across the ground. The precious treasures rolled into the dirt, as if signaling an ominous omen.

Luo Tianbei slowly opened his eyes.

"The Crimson Moon Forest's certain death trap has been broken. It seems Guo Jiannan's fate is not yet sealed," he murmured. "This... is the will of Heaven."

As he spoke, the supreme ruler of Frostwind Island visibly aged, his face gaining more wrinkles. Yet, strangely, his expression seemed to lighten, as if a burden had been lifted. He glanced at the scattered jade beads on the ground but made no move to retrieve them, as if he had already seen through everything.

Just then, a sound broke the silence.

"Whoosh!"

Luo Tianbei raised his gaze. In his line of sight, a figure emerged from the ripples, riding a snail. The person exuded no aura, appearing as ordinary as a mortal. Luo Tianbei observed him for a few moments, showing no surprise. His tone was calm, as if he had anticipated this meeting.

"You've finally come," he said.

Yi Feng, hearing the voice, paused for a moment before dismounting from his snail and walking steadily forward. He stopped a few feet away from Luo Tianbei and spoke.

"You must be the island master," Yi Feng said. "It seems you already know what has happened and have come to terms with it."

Yi Feng had originally intended to settle all remaining troubles as a final act of justice for his friend Guo Jiannan. He hadn't expected the island master to have already accepted his fate, which was somewhat surprising.

Luo Tianbei nodded calmly. "Of course. I have ruled Frostwind Island for tens of thousands of years. I am not blind or deaf. A battle like the one in the Crimson Moon Forest could never escape my notice."

As he spoke, a hint of reluctance flickered in Luo Tianbei's eyes. "Sir," he continued, "your cultivation far surpasses anything within our realm. To lose to you, I accept wholeheartedly. Guo Jiannan's fortune in befriending you is indeed his blessing. The victor becomes king, and the defeated become outcasts—such is the way of the world.

"But before I die, could you tell me truthfully... who exactly are you? As for the claims of being a mortal or a cultivator from a mundane star, there's no need to repeat them. I have already conceded and am willing to bear all consequences. I only wish to know who it is that has defeated me."

Hearing this, Yi Feng couldn't help but regard Luo Tianbei with newfound respect. The island master was indeed a remarkable figure. Even in defeat, he faced it with grace and dignity, embodying the qualities of a true leader. His composure alone far surpassed the countless petty individuals Yi Feng had encountered before.

But when it came to the question of who he was, Yi Feng found himself at a loss.

Who am I?

The question left him momentarily bewildered. Back in Pingjiang City, he had been the master of a martial arts school and a mentor to others. Though he was just an ordinary mortal, he had lived a simple and content life, enjoying the small pleasures of daily existence.

Later, as his system awakened, Yi Feng embarked on the path of cultivation. Yet, driven by his quest for death, he had been constantly on the move, his understanding of the world repeatedly shattered and rebuilt.

A mortal? A common cultivator? A practitioner from a mundane star? These identities felt like temporary labels, unable to encapsulate the entirety of his existence.

As memories of his past flashed through his mind, Yi Feng suddenly felt a void in his thoughts. He raised his gaze to the endless sky, where the clouds shimmered like brocade, dazzling yet fleeting. Only the sun, high above, remained constant, illuminating the world below.

In such a vast and boundless world, what significance did a single individual hold? No matter what identity one assumed, they were but an insignificant speck.

With a sigh, Yi Feng softly voiced the thoughts in his heart. "I don't know who I am anymore."

Dressed in white, he stood beneath the heavens, his gaze fixed on the sky. His eyes seemed to hold the vastness of the stars and the depths of the ocean, and his words carried an air of profound mystery.

Luo Tianbei was momentarily stunned. Following Yi Feng's gaze, he looked up at the sky, sitting in silent astonishment for a long while. It seemed he had finally understood something, and he nodded slowly, his expression one of acceptance.

"I see..." Luo Tianbei murmured. "To have lost to you in this lifetime... I have no regrets."

After a few more moments of reflection, Luo Tianbei slowly closed his eyes. In mere moments, the island master began to age rapidly, his face withering before Yi Feng's eyes. With a serene expression, he passed away, sitting in peaceful repose...