"Hm?"
The moment Chu Feng spoke, a displeased hum emanated from within the ancient war sword.
At the same time, Chu Feng could sense what felt like two invisible gazes settling upon him.
Though those gazes were invisible, they radiated an overwhelming coldness. It was as if Chu Feng had been transported to a frozen wasteland, the hairs on his body standing on end in an instant.
Even so, Chu Feng remained composed, raising his head to look at the ancient war sword with perfect calm as he said:
"Senior, since this matter started because of me, I should be the one to bear the responsibility. There is no need for you to kill the seniors of the Ancient War Clan. If someone truly must die, then it should be me."
"Chu Feng, have you lost your mind? This has nothing to do with you — why would you throw your life away?"
Seeing Chu Feng volunteer to die in place of the Ancient War Clan members, the Queen — who had been seated in the Spirit Space — shot to her feet in alarm, hurriedly trying to dissuade him.
Upon hearing Chu Feng's words, the expressions of the Ancient War Clan members shifted as well. Though they could not raise their heads to see Chu Feng's face, they had heard every word he said.
They had heard clearly — Chu Feng was offering to die in their place.
"You would die in their stead?" the ancient war sword asked.
"Chu Feng, take back what you just said! You have no relation to them — how can you die for them?"
Before Chu Feng could answer, the Queen spoke up once more, desperately trying to dissuade him.
Yet Chu Feng completely ignored the Queen and addressed the ancient war sword again:
"This matter started because of me and has nothing to do with them. I am willing to die in their place."
"However, there is also a spirit world being inside my body, and this matter has nothing to do with her either. Senior, with your immense power, you should surely have the means to kill only me without harming her. So I humbly ask that you take only my life and spare hers."
"That can certainly be done. I can sever the bond between you, kill you, and return her to her own world," the ancient war sword said.
"Then please, Senior, do as you must," Chu Feng said calmly.
"You truly are not afraid of death?" the ancient war sword asked. At this point, the tone in which it addressed Chu Feng had noticeably changed.
It was no longer haughty and condescending. Instead, it was filled with genuine curiosity toward Chu Feng.
"Of course I'm afraid of death. Tell me — who in this world is not? But even if I fear death, I cannot let these people die because of me."
"A real man must shoulder certain responsibilities. Otherwise… he is no man at all," Chu Feng said.
"Good. I admire your courage. You are far superior to these worthless ones."
"So I will give you one more chance. Think it over carefully," the ancient war sword said.
Just as Chu Feng was about to speak, a voice filled with a complex mixture of fury and concern rang out in his ear.
"Chu Feng, shut your mouth this instant! You don't have to die — why would you give your life for them?"
"Think of your father. Think of your mother. To die here like this — don't you think that's a terrible waste?"
"Can you face your father, trapped in the Lower Realm, if you die like this?"
"Can you face your mother, who risked everything to enter the Asura Spirit World just to seal us inside your body?"
It was the Queen. She was screaming, roaring, her beautiful face twisted with fury.
She rarely reacted this way, but today her outburst came down to one thing — she refused to let Chu Feng die for nothing.
In her eyes, this was simply not worth it.
"I'm sorry. If I die here today, then naturally I will have failed my parents."
"But… I cannot stand by and watch these people die because of me."
"Besides, there is one more important point, Your Majesty. I believe this may all be an act," Chu Feng said.