Chu Feng had already realized from Baili Xuankong's gaze just how dangerous the Evil God Sword and the Slaughter Pen were, but he didn't press further. He knew that, at this point, Baili Xuankong would certainly tell him the truth.
"The Evil God Sword and the Slaughter Pen — both are extremely dangerous. The reason I can use the Slaughter Pen is because I'm trading my life force for it. Each use costs ten years of my lifespan. Back in the Moon Worship Cloud City, that was actually only the second time I'd used it." Baili Xuankong said.
"Each use costs ten years of your lifespan?" Hearing this, Chu Feng was visibly shocked. Even cultivators had limits to their lifespan, and at Baili Xuankong's age, how many decades did he have left?
"The Slaughter Pen is dangerous, yes, but its danger is at least visible and measurable. The Evil God Sword, however, is far more dangerous than the Slaughter Pen. The reason it's so dangerous is because it's a weapon that devours its master."
"This isn't idle speculation on my part. It was written in the place where the Evil God Sword was hidden."
"When you asked me earlier how I knew for certain this was the legendary Evil God Sword — it was because of those words."
"What words?" Chu Feng pressed.
"'The Evil God Sword subdues evil gods. Only those of extraordinary talent should wield the Evil God Sword. Those who do not meet this criterion will surely be devoured by its backlash, leaving nothing but bone and death.'" Baili Xuankong recited, word by word.
Although Chu Feng had already grown wary of the Evil God Sword's danger, hearing this still made his heart clench.
"I won't hide it from you — my Master, when he was on the verge of passing, attempted to conquer the Evil God Sword. But he was killed by its backlash. And though he was old and frail at the time, he was a second-level Martial Emperor." Baili Xuankong said.
"It's that powerful?" At this, Chu Feng truly grasped just how dangerous the Evil God Sword was. This blade was nothing like an ordinary half-emperor weapon — otherwise, how could it have killed a second-level Martial Emperor through its backlash?
"When I asked you to try conquering the Evil God Sword, I was gambling. Because I felt that if conquering it required not strength but talent, then you would be the only one capable."
"The truth is, you didn't disappoint me. However... the current you still cannot wield it." Baili Xuankong said.
"Perhaps." Chu Feng laughed bitterly. He had experienced the Evil God Sword's power and knew just how formidable it was, but the pain of its backlash was also something he could barely endure.
"For putting you at such great risk — you won't hold it against me, will you?" Baili Xuankong said.
"Wealth comes from risk, and the path of cultivation is no different. Elder, you did this for my sake. How could I possibly blame you?"
"There is one thing, however, that I'd like to be honest about, Elder." Chu Feng said.
"What is it? Speak freely." Baili Xuankong said.
"Elder, are you aware of Yao'er?" Chu Feng asked.
"You mean the Cangling Flower King? Of course I know her. That girl may be occasionally fierce, but her nature isn't bad. She would never bully the weak without cause." Baili Xuankong said, and it was clear he had a rather favorable impression of Yao'er.
No wonder, then, that despite being so dangerous, Yao'er had been able to remain at Azure Wood Mountain all this time.
"Yao'er is in danger right now. She's trapped inside our Azure Wood Mountain's Ancient Ruins. I'm going to save her." Chu Feng said.
"Ancient Ruins? Though the Ancient Ruins are quite dangerous, with that girl's abilities, there shouldn't be many places capable of trapping her. I wonder where exactly she's been held?" Baili Xuankong asked.
"Inside the treasure vault of the Ancient Killing Formation." Chu Feng said.
"What? That girl actually broke into the Ancient Killing Formation? The treasure vault — she entered the treasure vault?"
"That's impossible. Even I couldn't get through the Ancient Killing Formation — with her abilities, how could she possibly have broken through?" Baili Xuankong's face was full of disbelief. Having personally attempted the Ancient Killing Formation, he understood all too well just how terrifying it was. Throughout the ages, countless powerful cultivators had perished within it. It was, quite simply, a place of certain death.
"Elder, I'm not lying to you. Here's what happened..." Chu Feng recounted the full story to Baili Xuankong.
"I never expected such a thing." After hearing the full account, Baili Xuankong was thoroughly shocked. It took quite some time for him to recover. Once he had, however, he grew rather delighted. With a sly grin, he teased Chu Feng: "So it turns out that you, brat, joined my Azure Wood Mountain..."