When Second Master suddenly said it was too late, Hu Ma was startled.
He thought that in the few months he had been away, Second Master had already passed away.
But upon hearing the reason, Hu Ma's heart sank a little.
Second Master had guarded the Pure Yang Furnace his entire life and had pondered over it for just as long.
He always wondered how those with greater abilities had managed to move on, while his own furnace had reached its limit.
Now, Hu Ma's words had cleared his doubts, but they also made Second Master sigh with emotion.
Having pondered over it for so long, Second Master knew his body best.
The method of transitioning from life to death required not only a strong furnace but also a robust body.
He was already old, with most of his lifespan behind him, and could no longer endure such a taxing path.
It also dawned on him why the old master he had met years ago had only taught him for a few years before sending him back.
That was the moment when he had no hope of learning further.
The old master had used him to the fullest but never told him he didn't need to guard the furnace anymore.
Hu Ma didn't realize how much Second Master had been thinking about.