Yun You was the last "confidant" to return.

As she stepped into the elevator, Jiang Wuji, the eldest disciple, simply nodded gently without saying much, then pressed the elevator button.

In the varied gazes of the outside world, the elevator doors slowly closed, ascending towards the top floor.

Everyone exchanged silent glances, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy. Each person seemed to have something to say, to ease the tension, but when words formed, they just couldn't speak.

Thus, they could only remain silent.

Ding—

At last, the elevator doors opened slowly, and everyone rushed out in a flurry.

Yun You also gripped her trembling hands tightly and, under the guidance of the guards, arrived at a secret room on the top floor.

Like the others, she almost dashed over, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

When the door was pushed open, a thick medicinal smell mixed with the scent of decaying wood instantly enveloped her and everyone.

The room was dimly lit, only a solitary bedside lamp cast a yellowish glow, outlining the figure almost buried under heavy blankets on the bed.

Here, Yun You finally saw her mentor.

Jing.

This was the first time she had seen Jin in two months.

Sometimes Yun You felt that humans were indeed strange creatures.

Just several days ago, the elder who was as steady as a mountain, physically robust, whose back was always straight like a strong pine, whose gaze could ignite hearts like a torch, now, seemed almost reduced to a mere shell.

Once plump cheeks had sunken, cheekbones protruding high, skin with a lifeless waxy yellow clinging tightly to bones, thin as if it might shatter upon touch.

Sparse white hair clung weakly to the pillow, appearing somewhat forlorn, and his chest barely rose under the blankets; only the breathing machine beside the bed emitted a monotonous, chilling hiss, as if the Death God was patiently counting the beats.

He looked far too old, aged beyond the bounds of time, leaving only pure fragility. His organs and skin had already deteriorated, wrinkles filled with cheapness.

Yun You couldn't even imagine how emaciated the body beneath the sheets had become.

But all of this, she and Jiang Wuji, and others, had known for a long time.

Three months ago, Jin's condition had already begun to worsen, his body aging more every day. Though strength remained, his body was starting to give in.

Hence, he could only proclaim to the outside that he was planning, rejecting all invitations.

People outside thought Jin was so busy managing countless affairs that he had no time for trivial matters, but only Jiang Wuji and Yun You knew the truth—Jin was actually unable to move freely...

The room was quiet, with only the breathing machine and the rustle of breaths. Two middle-aged men in plain clothing stood by the bed, likely Jin's last guards. They nodded silently upon seeing Yun You and others, then made way.

Everyone moved carefully to the bedside, steps light as if afraid to disturb Jin's rest.

Yun You slowly crouched, her gaze level with the familiar yet foreign face on the bed.

This close, the breath of life barely lingering became clearer, like the scent of fallen leaves in autumn.

Jin's tightly shut eyelids trembled slightly, the bloodless lips parting with a faint gap, seeming aware of everyone.

"Mas...ter..."

Yun You's voice caught in her throat, accompanied by a quiver she was unaware of.

She instinctively wanted to call him "Old Man," as all students except Chen Zaikun addressed Jin this way usually.

But ultimately, that was just a nickname; they never thought Jin would age to such a degree, so at the moment, it turned into "Master."

The young girl extended her hand, her fingertips suspended in the air, hesitating, afraid this slight touch might hasten the life's departure.

At that moment, Jin's eyelids painstakingly trembled a few times, the slow movement heart-wrenching.

Finally, a thin gap appeared. The cloudy eyeballs rotated once in the gap, fixed on Yun You's face.

This gaze... everyone felt their hearts clutched by an icy hand. Jin's eyes were devoid of their usual sharpness and wisdom, leaving only boundless fatigue.

"Does a God age?"

This had been a lingering question in everyone's mind.

And now, they all received the answer.

Gods age too.

Under the erosion of time, almost no one could escape the fate of aging.

Everyone understood in their hearts...

Jin didn't have much time left.

His heavy gaze swept over his students, with contentment, helplessness, guilt, serenity...

But mostly, regret.

The disciples all knew what he regretted.

As a teacher, his greatest wish was to see his students succeed, establishing their own remarkable achievements.

Now, the saplings he once shielded had grown into towering trees. He could even faintly glimpse the future achievements of these young ones, but... he ultimately wouldn't have the chance to witness them personally.

He struggled to extend his hand, beckoning his students.

They all hesitantly froze, then hurriedly crouched down like Yun You, leaning beside the bed.

Jin first looked towards his eldest disciple, Jiang Wuji.

He was the first disciple Jin took in following the failure thirty years ago, also his sharpest sword.