Ye Qingluan sensed Yu Yi’s serious attitude and quieted down, preparing to listen to her words.
Yu Yi slowly revealed the truths of the past, explaining how the Everlasting Tribulation Sword and the Azure Wood Jade were perfectly compatible and why Ye Qingluan needed to take up this mission.
The sudden, massive influx of information hit Ye Qingluan with a tremendous impact.
“So I’ve already died once.”
“If you knew that a treasure like the Azure Wood Jade existed inside your body, you might have been hesitant in everything you did, fearing others would discover the secret. You might have even exposed its existence and invited all sorts of threats. That is why your Master has kept this a secret until now.”
Yu Yi’s expression remained calm as she slowly explained,
“The Sword Pavilion has controlled the Everlasting Tribulation Sword for years to maintain peace in the world. Now, the Sword Emperor can no longer sustain his strength, and the Everlasting Tribulation Sword needs a new Sword Bearer. If this sword falls into the hands of an evil person, it will surely bring chaos and disaster.”
“Qingluan, your Master knows that the mission I am suddenly asking you to shoulder is far too heavy. Therefore, you have the choice to refuse.”
Hearing Yu Yi’s final words, Ji Hongye instantly became anxious.
“Sister Yu!?”
They had clearly agreed to let Ye Qingluan take over the Sword Pavilion’s task and guard the Everlasting Tribulation Sword.
Was Yu Yi going back on her word?
“Pardon me, Senior, but Qingluan is this Grandmaster’s disciple first, and the most suitable Sword Bearer for the Everlasting Tribulation Sword second.”
Yu Yi looked at Ji Hongye, her narrow eyes radiating a cold determination.
“Regardless, this Grandmaster must prioritize my disciple’s safety above all else. Such a heavy mission cannot be forced upon Qingluan. This Grandmaster will not force her, and no one else in this world can force her! The choice lies in her own hands.”
Ji Hongye’s small face trembled slightly, as if she wanted to argue with Yu Yi.
If this were the Sword Pavilion, such a situation would be impossible.
If a mission fell upon a disciple of the Sword Pavilion, no matter how heavy it was, they had to accept and bear it. There was no room for choice.
The reason given was always to sacrifice the lesser good for the greater good.
This was the consistent style of the Sword Pavilion and why it had stood tall for hundreds of years.
They understood how to sacrifice themselves to win the big picture and bring peace to the world.
However, the Demoness of Among the Colorful Clouds was selfish, cold, and heartless.
Ji Hongye had known this from the start. Her old friend would use any means necessary and do anything for the sake of her disciples.
Therefore, even Ji Hongye lost the desire to argue with Yu Yi at this moment.
“As the Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion, I must be prepared to fulfill my duties to the end and face death at any moment.”
Ji Hongye’s expression turned resolute.
“If your disciple chooses to refuse, then let me continue to wield the Everlasting Tribulation Sword. Please keep it a secret from the world that I previously tried to have another take over the mission just so I could survive a little longer, Sister Yu.”
“By saying such things, aren’t you just putting more pressure on Qingluan?”
Yu Yi’s temper flared slightly.
As soon as she spoke, the aura she released caused the entire mountain forest to tremble.
Ji Hongye did not respond.
At that moment, Ye Qingluan, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke.
“If I accept this mission, will it change the world’s opinion of you, Master?”
“Qingluan, you…”
“Master taught me a Demonic Art and is called a wicked Demoness by the world. I don’t like it. We are simply practicing a different way than the Right Path. Everyone is constantly killing enemies to become stronger; that is the way of survival and the way of cultivation. Why are we viewed as evil monsters?”
A rare look of serious contemplation appeared on Ye Qingluan’s lazy face.
“I used to think about this question often, but now, I don’t want to anymore. Since the world thinks we are evil, I will take the Everlasting Tribulation Sword and let them know that Among the Colorful Clouds is not evil, but an existence that contributes to the peace of the world.”
“Qingluan, have you been thinking about these things this whole time? Have you not considered yourself at all?” Yu Yi asked.
“I am a disciple of Among the Colorful Clouds first, and Ye Qingluan second,” Ye Qingluan replied.
“Master gave me a new life, so how could I fail you? Naturally, I must prioritize what I can do for my Master and what I can do for my Sect.”
“So, you’ve decided…”
“I am willing to accept the Everlasting Tribulation Sword.”
Since Ye Qingluan had said this much, there was no need for Yu Yi to persuade her further.
Ye Qingluan’s resolve exceeded Yu Yi’s expectations.
Yu Yi was somewhat moved.
She thought to herself that the third disciple was indeed the third disciple; as an early-entry disciple, she knew how to look out for her Master.
Furthermore, Ye Qingluan had been alone for many years and never caused any trouble for Yu Yi.
She could solve any problem she encountered and could step forward without hesitation when needed.
‘Now this is my good disciple!!’
“However… I also have a small request. I hope Master will grant it~”
Suddenly, Ye Qingluan stepped forward and hugged Yu Yi’s arm, shaking it as she spoke.
“A request?” Yu Yi frowned.
“Speak, what is it?”
“Well, I want to tell Master after we get back. After all, right now…”
Ye Qingluan peeked at Ji Hongye, who was standing nearby.
Ji Hongye was clearly not interested in the private matters of this Master and disciple.
She felt a weight lift off her shoulders and let out a long sigh of relief.
***
Ye Qingluan used the power of the Azure Wood Jade to restore the mountain forest of Fengjiu County to its original state.
After exchanging the Wooden Sword for the Everlasting Tribulation Sword, she prepared to return to Among the Colorful Clouds with Yu Yi.
“Sister Yu, there’s no need for many words of farewell. This isn’t the first time we’ve parted, and it won’t be the last. We will meet again.”
Ji Hongye stood on the ground, watching the Fengshen Litter slowly ascend, and spoke to Yu Yi.
“I hope that the next time we meet, Senior will be wearing those new clothes,”
Yu Yi teased with a smile.
“I will,” Ji Hongye replied with a smile of her own.
As the Fengshen Litter soared into the clouds and toward the horizon, Ji Hongye waved her small hand to bid Yu Yi farewell.
Once the Fengshen Litter had completely disappeared from sight, Ji Hongye put both hands behind her back and said indifferently,
“No need to hide anymore. Come out.”
As soon as she spoke, several plumes of smoke suddenly rose behind Ji Hongye, and several masked men in strange outfits stepped out of the haze.
“Although your concealment abilities are extremely strong, if you had moved forward even half a meter just now, she definitely would have sensed you. It seems you are truly desperate,” Ji Hongye said, turning to face them.
“Ji Hongye, have you gone mad, giving the Everlasting Tribulation Sword to that Demoness!?”
“The Emperor will not let you off for making such a foolish decision!!”
These men were Martial Experts from the Palace, and they threatened Ji Hongye with uncontrollable rage.
“You were incompetent and only caught up to me now; you can’t blame anyone else. If you want to take back the Everlasting Tribulation Sword, you can go to Among the Colorful Clouds and ask her for it.”
Ji Hongye shook her head.
“But if you actually had the guts to do that, you wouldn’t have been hiding on the sidelines just now.”
The Palace experts gnashed their teeth, yet no one dared to argue.
Although they had failed to keep an eye on Ji Hongye and allowed her to successfully hand over the Everlasting Tribulation Sword to someone else, and would certainly be punished upon returning to the Palace to report…
That was just a punishment.
If they tried to snatch something from the Demoness?
That would be seeking death.