NOVPUBAs the Bronze Ancient Sword was freed, the entire hall began to crumble, the Celestial Realm collapsing around them.
While Mu Zhi’an was still trying to process what had just happened, the seemingly emotionless Sword Palace Master turned her head, as if sensing something.
“You’re here rather quickly.”
Boom!
The hall completely collapsed, transforming into a void. Fortunately, everyone was a Core Formation cultivator and quickly summoned their flying swords, hovering in mid-air.
Mu Zhi’an almost fell, but he managed to grab onto Wei Mengrou’s waist in time.
He looked down at the endless darkness below and sighed with relief. “That was close.”
Wei Mengrou glanced at him coldly. “Can’t you fly on your sword?”
“I used up too much Spiritual Energy,” Mu Zhi’an explained.
Although she doubted his words, Wei Mengrou didn’t have time to dwell on such trivial matters.
She could sense a figure rapidly approaching them through the void.
…
Mu Zhi’an naturally also sensed the approaching figure and looked up.
At the edge of his vision, a woman in a pure white palace dress appeared. Her skirt billowed around her, outlining her alluring figure. One moment she was far away, the next, she stood before them.
Her waterfall-like hair was simply tied up with a hairpin, her breathtakingly beautiful face radiating a cold elegance. Her skin was fair, and her aura exuded nobility.
However, what truly captivated Mu Zhi’an was her ample bosom, rivaling even Bai Ruoxi’s.
Just one glance was enough to make one feel drawn to its ‘unfathomable’ depths.
His first thought was: So big and white. Then, as he took a second look, he froze.
Holy crap, isn’t that my wife?
But why does her aura feel different?
The woman before him was indeed Bai Ruoxi, but her appearance and attire were different. However, just by looking at her impressive cleavage, Mu Zhi’an instantly recognized her.
There was no mistaking it. This woman was Bai Ruoxi!
Looking at the stunning beauty, a thought suddenly struck Mu Zhi’an. He instinctively glanced at the Sword Palace Master standing nearby.
He hadn’t noticed before, as the Sword Palace Master’s aura had been too intimidating to look at directly. But now, after careful observation and comparison, a realization dawned upon him.
There are two Sword Palace Masters…?
Countless question marks flooded his mind.
The ‘Bai Ruoxi’ who had just arrived looked exactly like the Sword Palace Master who had been encased in ice within the hall!
…And then, a thought struck him: Wouldn’t this mean double the happiness?
The two women before him, apart from their attire, were nearly identical in appearance and aura. If they appeared before him at different times, he wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
At this moment, not only Mu Zhi’an, but the other cultivators were also astonished.
It was possible for two people to resemble each other, but to look exactly alike was rare…
Especially when one of them was the Sword Palace Master.
“Your task is complete,” ‘Bai Ruoxi’ said to the Sword Palace Master in a dark dress, her voice calm.
“Severing the Heavenly Dao will not only kill me… but you as well,” the Sword Palace Master replied, her expression emotionless, as she stared at ‘Bai Ruoxi’.
However, a beautiful smile curved ‘Bai Ruoxi’s’ lips.
“Who said I need the ‘Heavenly Dao’ to achieve Dao Integration?”
An ancient bronze sword silently materialized from her cleavage.
‘Bai Ruoxi’ grasped the hilt, and the Bronze Ancient Sword instantly radiated an aura that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.
Mu Zhi’an instinctively tightened his grip on Wei Mengrou’s waist, feeling a deep sense of fear.
The aura emanating from the Bronze Ancient Sword was far more powerful than when Bai Ruoxi had used it in Tianxuan City… He felt an urge to bow before it.
The other Core Formation cultivators couldn’t withstand the pressure. Despite their resistance, they fell to their knees, their hands supporting their bodies, unable to look directly at the sword.
They didn’t even understand why there were two Sword Palace Masters. They could only tremble instinctively.
Surprise flickered in the Sword Palace Master’s usually impassive eyes. She looked up at ‘Bai Ruoxi’ and said coldly, “The Human Dao…?”
“How is that possible? You’ve already merged with me. How can you achieve Dao Integration again?”
“The laws of heaven and earth never said that a Dao Integration cultivator can only merge with the Dao once,” ‘Bai Ruoxi’ replied with a faint smile, swinging the Bronze Ancient Sword in her hand.
Hum!
The Bronze Ancient Sword vibrated slightly, then emitted a piercing hum.
Boom!
‘Bai Ruoxi’s’ seemingly simple sword strike transformed into a golden light, engulfing the Sword Palace Master.
The Sword Palace Master, who had moments ago seemed like a merciless killing god, didn’t resist the attack. Instead, she stared at ‘Bai Ruoxi’ in disbelief, her voice barely a whisper as she faced the overwhelming pressure of Spiritual Energy. “So that’s why… You chose to perish alongside me…”
There had been countless speculations about the Sword Palace Master’s death. Some believed she was killed by a mysterious, ominous force, while others thought she had succumbed to inner demons while creating a new cultivation technique, leading to her silent disappearance.
Some even believed she had perished due to a world-altering event, struck down by the ‘laws of heaven and earth’.
But the truth was, the Sword Palace Master hadn’t died. She had simply severed the part of herself that resonated with the ‘Heavenly Dao’.
Before her ‘death’, she had created a ‘scabbard’… to achieve rebirth.
And that ‘scabbard’ was Bai Ruoxi.
As ‘Bai Ruoxi’s’ sword struck, the Sword Palace Master’s body transformed into a wisp of dark Spiritual Energy. Then, this dark energy silently flowed into ‘Bai Ruoxi’, or rather, the true Sword Palace Master.
Her white palace dress was subtly adorned with dark patterns, adding a touch of allure to her pure and beautiful appearance.
A dark line also appeared on the Bronze Ancient Sword, giving it a sense of history and weight.
This scene was so sudden that no one could react.
The reason for two Sword Palace Masters remained a mystery.
However, aside from their initial confusion, a fervent light gradually appeared in their eyes as they looked at the Sword Palace Master.
There was no doubt that this Empress was the true Sword Palace Master!
Everyone present possessed exceptional sword talent, and the simple yet profound sword strike she had just executed could only be performed by the Sword Palace Master.
Combined with the Bronze Ancient Sword in her hand… it was clear that this woman was the Sword Palace Master, the world’s only Sword Emperor!
She wasn’t dead. She was standing before them, alive and well!
The Sword Palace Master glanced at the cultivators nearby, her gaze lingering on Mu Zhi’an for a moment before shifting to Wei Mengrou.
“Are you all from later generations?” she asked, her beautiful eyes observing them.
A young cultivator immediately cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. “The Sword Palace reappeared a few days ago, Senior. I’ve always admired the Sword Emperor’s legend and came here hoping to witness the Sword Palace’s glory and confirm if you were still alive.”
He had said so much, but his true intention was to obtain the Sword Palace’s cultivation techniques.
The Sword Palace Master naturally understood, but she didn’t mind. Her melodious voice echoed through the hall, “The Sword Palace will collapse soon. Within it are the cultivation techniques I left behind. Whether you can obtain them… depends on your fate.”
The cultivators exchanged glances, excitement in their eyes.
They had not only met the true Sword Palace Master, but this powerful being was also willing to bestow upon them a great opportunity… This was naturally a cause for celebration.
The Sword Palace Master raised her finger, and the void silently transformed back into the dimly lit hall.
The cultivators vanished from the hall, only a single voice lingering in their ears: “Go.”
Mu Zhi’an watched them disappear, wanting to cheekily ask, ‘Aren’t you going to give me some benefits, wife?’
However, remembering that she wasn’t the real Bai Ruoxi, he held back his words and observed the beautiful woman before him.
Compared to Bai Ruoxi, her aura was completely different. If Bai Ruoxi was a pure and innocent young lady with no malicious intent, then the Sword Palace Master was more mysterious, noble, and perhaps even a bit manipulative.
Sensing his gaze, the Sword Palace Master looked at him.
Her cold eyes seemed to soften slightly.
After a moment of silent staring, Mu Zhi’an finally spoke, “Should I address you as Ruoxi or Sword Palace Master?”
“You can call me whatever you like,” Bai Ruoxi replied, her lips curving into a smile, her eyes sparkling.
“Bai Ruoxi is the Sword Palace Master…?” Mu Zhi’an asked after a moment of silence, finally voicing his most pressing question.
“She is the scabbard I left behind in the mortal realm, the one who will dominate in the future.”
Bai Ruoxi glanced around casually and chuckled. “I know you have many questions, but this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go somewhere else.”
She glanced at the silent Wei Mengrou and snapped her fingers.
The environment shifted from the dimly lit hall to a vast grassland. Bai Ruoxi sat down at a table carved from white jade and poured Mu Zhi’an a cup of tea, pushing it towards him.
Mu Zhi’an looked at her, her ample bosom pressed against the table as she gazed at him intently.
She’s definitely different from Ruoxi. Her desires seem much stronger… Mu Zhi’an thought, taking a sip of tea calmly. “What do you mean by ‘scabbard’…?”
“Bai Ruoxi is the person I created when I resonated with the Human Dao. To put it simply, she is the scabbard, and I am the blade.”
Bai Ruoxi smiled faintly. “As for the reason… it’s related to the Heavenly Dao.”
“The Heavenly Dao…?” Mu Zhi’an had heard this term countless times, but he was still filled with questions. He patiently waited for her explanation.
As Bai Ruoxi spoke, he gradually understood.
The Sword Palace Master had been unparalleled in her time. There had been various speculations about her death. Many believed she had been attacked by a mysterious enemy or had succumbed to inner demons within the Sword Palace.
But the truth was, the Sword Palace Master hadn’t died. She had simply been reborn in a different way.
Dao Integration meant merging with one of the three Dao: Heaven, Earth, or Human.
The Sword Palace Master had initially comprehended the Heavenly Dao, resonating with it and becoming the Sword Emperor of the Nine Realms.
However, for some unknown reason, she had severed her connection with the Heavenly Dao and the part of herself that resonated with it.
The Sword Palace Master who had been encased in ice was a remnant soul of the Sword Palace Master who had merged with the Heavenly Dao, or rather, a ‘remnant soul of the Heavenly Dao’s will’.
“I remember reading in ancient texts that the three Dao – Heaven, Earth, and Human – are equal in strength. Why did you sever your connection with the Heavenly Dao?” Mu Zhi’an asked.
Bai Ruoxi shook her head. “There was a problem with the Heavenly Dao. Those who chose it would either have to submit to it, surpass it, or merge with it again.”
The Sword Palace Master, in her unparalleled brilliance, had severed her connection with the Heavenly Dao, even severing a part of herself…
And in the end, she had chosen a different path, merging with the ‘Human’ Dao.
Bai Ruoxi was the answer she had created.
“I hid my consciousness within three bronze fragments, each containing a third of my soul. The Heavenly Dao’s will probably wanted to eliminate one of those fragments first. She didn’t expect that the other two fragments would be reunited so soon.”
Bai Ruoxi’s eyes softened. “You’re much more capable than I imagined.”
Mu Zhi’an hesitated for a moment. “After you returned, where did Ruoxi go?”
Bai Ruoxi tapped her chest lightly and tilted her head with a smile. “Here.”
“She can hear our conversation now.”
“And I can also hear your conversations with her in the future.”
So it’s like a shared soul… Mu Zhi’an thought, understanding the situation.
Then, he felt a strange sensation.
It seemed the ‘Female Lead’ designation on his personal interface wasn’t wrong after all. Everyone he knew seemed to have a ‘cheat’, and Bai Ruoxi was no exception.
“Weren’t you worried that I wouldn’t be able to obtain all three bronze fragments or that I wouldn’t come to the Sword Palace, Senior?” Mu Zhi’an suddenly asked.
If he hadn’t come to the Sword Palace with Bai Ruoxi, or if he hadn’t outbid Ye Yu for the first bronze fragment, none of this would have happened.
Had the Sword Palace Master foreseen this through divination?
“I knew you would come,” the Sword Palace Master said with a beautiful smile, playing with the Heart-Binding Lock that had emerged from her sleeve.
“I made a promise with someone in the past. She swore by the Great Dao that after I severed my connection with the Heavenly Dao, she would help me reappear in the world through the Human Dao.”
“Someone…? When did this happen?” Mu Zhi’an asked.
The Sword Palace Master pondered for a moment. “About ten thousand years ago.”
Ten thousand years…?
Mu Zhi’an looked at her black and white dress and her alluring figure, smiling on the surface but complaining inwardly: Was the Sword Palace Master tricked by someone?
Ten thousand years was a long time. Who knew what could happen in that time?
If he hadn’t coincidentally obtained the bronze fragment from Regina, he wouldn’t have awakened the Sword Palace Master’s consciousness, nor would he have been able to eliminate the last remnant of the Heavenly Dao’s will, allowing her to achieve Dao Integration through the Human Dao.
“What are you thinking?” the Sword Palace Master asked, her eyes smiling as she gazed at him.
She possessed Bai Ruoxi’s memories and naturally had a favorable impression of him. After all, he had helped her by drawing the sword and freeing the third bronze fragment, allowing her consciousness to fully merge.
“I’m just wondering who made that promise with you… If I hadn’t come to the Sword Palace, who knows how long it would have taken for that person to fulfill their promise,” Mu Zhi’an said tactfully.
“What are you talking about?”
The Sword Palace Master chuckled. “Hasn’t she already fulfilled her promise? Right now.”
But I’m the one who came to the Sword Palace…
As Mu Zhi’an thought this, a realization suddenly dawned upon him.
His smile slowly faded, his expression hardening.
A sudden realization struck him.
He had obtained the second bronze fragment from Regina.
And Regina had traveled all the way from the Southern Wilderness to the Eastern Realm.
…What was her purpose?
—The Ascension Ceremony.
So the question was, why would the Southern Wilderness send Regina to the Ascension Ceremony?
—Someone from the Southern Wilderness had proposed a wager, and Shang Yanfei had accepted.
Since Regina was the most talented individual in the Southern Wilderness, they were determined to win the Imperial-Grade Medicinal Herbs at the Ascension Ceremony and regain their lost face. Therefore, they would definitely send Regina.
And after arriving at the Two Polarities Sect, with her Soul Reading constitution, she would naturally sense the Innate Celestial Furnace and discover the Rebirth Spiritual Energy within that could enhance one’s physique.
But this raised a question.
Under normal circumstances, whether the Innate Celestial Furnace would be exposed depended on Mu Zhi’an’s will.
“…”
Despite the pleasant surroundings and the gentle breeze, Mu Zhi’an shivered.
“What’s wrong?” Bai Ruoxi asked, tilting her head slightly as she played with the Heart-Binding Lock in her hand.
Mu Zhi’an stared at her blankly, his voice trembling as he asked, “The person who made a promise with you ten thousand years ago… was it Sect Master Shang Yanfei?”
