To the many martial artists, this was a choice that seemed foolish, even stupid.

It was precisely because of this reason that the both of them stopped in midair during the rise, unable to head up or down.

It was an undeniable rule that the Ancient One's Palace would only select a single successor.

Right now, Aiden's choice was challenging the rule of the Ancient One's Palace, challenging the might of the Ancient One himself!

The Guardian Elders were delighted upon seeing that.

If Aiden were to enter the Ancient One's Palace successfully, they would miss their chance of seizing the golden divine bone palm!

"How foolish! He doesn't know what's good for him!" A martial artist sneered.

Another martial artist shook his head and sighed. "To think that Void Blade would be such a sentimental man."

"Isn't that right? Not many people would have the courage to make such a choice."

If he entered the Ancient One's Palace, not only would he be able to survive, but he would also be able to obtain the Ancient One's inheritance – who could resist such a temptation?

Icewind Mountain's Sieanna Caliphe bit her lips and looked on with a conflicted expression.

What did his choice represent?

It meant that at this moment, this man was willing to abandon his life and the Ancient One's inheritance in order to save Holy Maiden Sylvie Deva!

Even if there was only a sliver of hope!

As a woman, she felt a tinge of envy towards Holy Maiden Sylvie Deva from the bottom of her heart.

"Let go!"

Holy Maiden Sylvie Deva frowned deeply; her eyelids were so heavy that she could not make out Aiden's face clearly and her frail voice carried a hint of anxiousness.

"Don't feel.. guilty. The reason I saved you.. is because you saved me before as well. If not for you, I would have been killed by that damned reverend long ago. I'm just repaying you right now.."

There was still no response.

"Let.. me go..." She sighed with difficulty.

It was still silent.

However, Holy Maiden Sylvie Deva could sense him hugging her even closer.

The both of them hovered in midair in a stalemate with the Ancient One's Palace.

The remaining few Guardian Elders were already on their way!

The two of them were already at the end of the road with no strength to fight back. Even without releasing their powers as Martial Grandmasters, the Guardian Elders could kill the two of them with just power at the level of Martial Knight realm.

"Die!"

The first Guardian Elder to arrive was from Sword Sect.

"Buzz!"

The sound of a sword buzzing rang out and an unparalleled sword beam flashed. Instead of aiming for Aiden's vitals, it tried to sever his wrist!

Aiden looked at that sword without moving.

Given his current condition, not just Martial Knight or Martial Master.. even a mere Martial Disciple would be able to kill him, let alone the Guardian Elder of Sword Sect.

*Swash!*

The sword beam struck the column of light from the Ancient One's Palace and created a ripple before vanishing instantly.

Aiden was unharmed!

"Huh?"

The Guardian Elders were alarmed when they saw that.

All of a sudden!

As though it was agitated, that column of light shone brightly in a bedazzling manner!

Countless beams of light shot forth and instantly penetrated the body of Sword Sect's Guardian Elder.

*Poof!* *Poof!* *Poof!*

Flashes of blood gushed out continuously!

The Guardian Elder's body was punctured by the illusionary beams of light and the next moment, he exploded into a blood mist without a corpse left!

Upon seeing that, the remaining few Guardian Elders were shocked and terrified.

Among them, Majestic Sky Sect's Guardian Elder had already released his secret skill which struck the column of light.

The column of light shook and shot forth countless beams once more, engulfing the Guardian Elder of Majestic Sky Sect.

That person was rather impressive as a glint of determination flickered through his eyes. Roaring, he released his power as a Martial Grandmaster, wanting to fight against the light beams before him.

*Bang!*

He turned into a mist of blood and died on the spot.

Although it was only a column of light beneath the Ancient One's Palace, its might could not be challenged and it was enough to suppress everything, killing with a single touch!

The others hurriedly stopped in their tracks and escaped, not daring to linger.

They only came to a stop outside the boundaries of the Ancient One's Palace before turning back to look with fear in their hearts.

The man and woman were still hovering in midair within that gigantic column of light, hugging together without separating.

The Guardian Elders looked grim with indignant expressions.

There was no way they could get their hands on the golden divine bone palm given the current situation.

"Let's wait a little more, there might still be a chance.."

After a moment, another Guardian Elder composed himself and said slowly with a shimmering gaze.

"That's right. Not everything is lost yet."

Overlord Sect's Guardian Elder said in a dark tone. "He's only a mere Martial Knight realm martial artist and yet he dares to challenge the Ancient One's Palace? He's bound to fail! If this carries on, the both of them will definitely die!"

The few Guardian Elders nodded in agreement.

If the two of them were dead, the Ancient One's Palace would either disappear or select a new successor.

No matter the outcome, the successor of Holy Fire Island would lose the protection of the Ancient One's Palace.

At that time, they would have the chance to sever his wrist and fight for the golden divine bone palm!

Right now, all the Guardian Elders had to do was wait.

Holy Maiden Sylvie Deva leaned in Aiden's embrace motionlessly and it was unable to tell if she was dead.

Aiden's aura was also getting increasingly weaker.

Raising his head, he looked at the mysterious entrance of the Ancient One's Palace and narrowed his gaze with a resolute expression. It was as though he would never relent nor compromise!

A long, long time later..

Just as Aiden was gradually losing consciousness, a change happened in midair!

The two of them started rising slowly, as though they were pulled by something

.

In the blink of an eye, both of them entered the Ancient One's Palace and disappeared!

There was a deathly silence.

Upon seeing that, everyone was dumbfounded and even forgot to breathe.

"How.. is that possible?"

A long time later, the old Guardian Elder that spoke first murmured to himself with widened eyes and a lost expression.

"The Ancient One's Palace actually came to a compromise? Did HE come to a compromise?"

Overlord Sect's Guardian Elder chuckled bitterly.

Since the Ancient One's Palace was sentient, it naturally possessed the intent of the Ancient One.

historical

Throughout history, the Ancient One had been the strongest entity in existence and was unparalleled. Since the Ancient One's Palace represented him, how could it bow down and relent?

Furthermore, how could it do so for the sake of a mere Martial Knight realm martial artist?

If everyone had not seen it for themselves, none of them would have believed it.

Was it pity.. or was there some other reason?

Nobody knew.

The entrance of the Ancient One's Palace closed.

*Bang!* *Boom!* *Boom!*

The ancient palace shook and dust fell endlessly as it rose into the air slowly, disappearing beyond the horizons of the heavens.

The clouds dissipated and the thunderstorm subsided, spilling warm sunlight everywhere.

The skies were clear once again.

Yet, there was a murky fog in the hearts of all the Guardian Elders.

—

The Ancient One's Palace had long disappeared.

However, the paragons who managed to survive and the Guardian Elders of the super sects looked in its direction for the longest time with conflicted expressions in silence.

They felt an inexplicable sense of repression.

"That man.. should be dead, right?"

A long time later, Majestic Sky Sect's paragon asked hesitantly.

Overlord Sect's Shadow Raven nodded. "He should be."

After a moment, as though he was trying to convince himself, Shadow Raven repeated with conviction, "He must be!"

"That's right, he's definitely dead."

"He's already so badly injured! Unless there's some divine method to resurrect the dead and regrow flesh, he's definitely dead for sure!"

"That's right. The Ancient One's Palace only contains its inheritance, how could there be anything to save his life?"

Almost at the same time, the remaining paragons heaved a sigh of relief, as if a burden was lifted off their shoulders. All of them looked at ease and smiled gently.

The Guardian Elders present were expressionless as they exchanged glances. All of them could tell of the worry in the others' eyes.

To old people like themselves who had lived for hundreds of years, the reactions and deductions of their juniors felt more like lies to make themselves feel better.

Even they were unsure if the successor of Holy Fire Island was still alive.

That was because nobody knew what was inside the Ancient One's Palace!