Published: March 9, 2025
The Sword Spirit's face was expressionless, and its gaze was vacant. It no longer felt worry or fear, nor did it feel despair.
After all, it had been abandoned for certain, so what use was there in worrying? It might as well accept its fate. This process had been experienced nine times already, having gone through too much loneliness, it had gradually grown accustomed to solitude...
However, this time, after being shattered, it feared that it would never again experience a moment of complete awareness in this lifetime.
Chu Yang then solemnly said, "I cherish my brother's life just as much." He paused and added, "I cherish the life of my beloved even more!"
"And I equally cherish the lives of my friends."
Chu Yang slowly raised his head and declared, "For these people, I am willing to pay any price. If you had threatened me to kneel using any of this earlier, I would have knelt without hesitation."
"The Sword Spirit is just a soul entity; I know this, and I know it better than anyone."
"It exists because of this sword; I understand that too."
"It has no ability to resist me, and I know that as well."
Chu Yang's voice grew somber.
The Sword Spirit's expression even showed a hint of confusion.
"But I have never regarded the Sword Spirit as a mere void soul, nor have I ever seen it as a powerless slave!"
"My brothers would lay down their lives for me, and I can do the same for them." Chu Yang softly stated, "But before that, the Sword Spirit has saved my life countless times. It is my friend! It was in the past, it is now, and it will always be in the future!"
"My brothers outside are brothers, and the friends inside are also friends."
Chu Yang suddenly lifted his head, his eyes shining with a compelling brilliance, and declared, "Sacrificing the Sword Spirit would bring me invincible power; this choice is easy, but... I can sacrifice the Sword Spirit, but I will absolutely not sacrifice my friends."
"Invincible power I might still have a chance to obtain in the future. But if I lose this friend, it will be gone forever."
Chu Yang solemnly stated, "I am not the previous eight Nine Calamity Sword Masters; therefore, I will not allow the Sword Spirit to become the sword soul."
"Even if there is no sword soul forever... I am still Chu Yang."
As Chu Yang spoke, his voice grew clearer and more resolute: "Moreover, I once promised my friend that if one day, he could completely condense into a physical form, we would fight side by side and stand proudly under the blue sky and white clouds together!"
As he reached this point, the Sword Spirit trembled all over, but it was not from fear; it was from excitement.
It was almost speechless, with red light flickering around it, a feeling of intense emotion, as if it were on fire.
The White Shadow's eyes sparkled with an indescribable expression, and it softly asked, "Is this the choice you've made!?"
Chu Yang smiled, "Yes."
"You don't regret it? There is no regret medicine in this world!" The White Shadow pressed tightly.
"I, Chu Yang, have never regretted my actions throughout my life!" Chu Yang raised his sword-like brows.
The White Shadow let out a hearty laugh, "Good!"
Suddenly, with a loud laugh, it surged into the sky and disappeared without a trace, as if it had been a fleeting dream.
Only the White Shadow's voice echoed far away, entering Chu Yang's ears: "Very good, I hope you never regret today's decision for the rest of your life. I will be watching you as you move forward."
Chu Yang silently vowed in his heart: "I will never regret it; for my friends, how could there be regret!"
The White Shadow laughed heartily, "Let me tell you some good news: There is a reward for you in the Nine Calamity Space, but... you need to reach a certain level to take it out and use it... Hahaha... kid, remember to cultivate well, don't forget, you still have a battle with me ahead!"
Chu Yang solemnly replied, "Even if you forget that battle, I will still stand opposite you! I will draw my sword and challenge you!"
The White Shadow laughed heartily, shaking Chu Yang's heart, and its last words echoed from afar: "Next time you see me, call me Brother Jun!"