"You've finally arrived," said the Evil God Sword.
At this moment, a figure stood opposite the Evil God Sword.
It was a man — not particularly tall, not especially well-built, and certainly not what anyone would call handsome. He could only be described as thoroughly ordinary.
And yet, the feeling he gave off was something else entirely. One could even say that the aura he radiated didn't feel human at all.
That was right — despite his plain appearance, despite the simple cloth robes he wore, there was a quality that emanated from his very bones, something that no common mortal could rival.
This was none other than Chu Feng's father — Chu Xuanyuan.
Chu Xuanyuan wore a gentle smile. Upon seeing the Evil God Sword, he simply sat down cross-legged, unhurried and perfectly composed.
"You don't seem the least bit worried about your son's life," the Evil God Sword said.
"That's because I know he's still alive," Chu Xuanyuan replied.
"Impressive. Your perception is quite sharp. Your son was sealed by me so thoroughly, yet you were still able to detect signs of life," the Evil God Sword said.
It was not disturbed by Chu Xuanyuan's keen awareness — if anything, it seemed pleased.
"You're not so bad yourself," Chu Xuanyuan said with another smile. "Shall we have a talk?"
"What would you like to discuss?" the Evil God Sword asked.
"Why not start with where you came from and why you ended up in the Martial Continent?" Chu Xuanyuan suggested.
"What I know wouldn't be of any use to you, and besides, I have no desire to share it with you."
"Furthermore, you don't have the standing to negotiate with me," the Evil God Sword declared.
"Then let's cut straight to the point," Chu Xuanyuan said. "Tell me — what exactly is your purpose in occupying my son's body?"
"Your son's cultivation is far too low to bear my power. Even if I were to devour him completely, it wouldn't be long before his body and soul disintegrated entirely. That's not what I want."
"But you… are a different matter entirely." A flash of greed surfaced in the Evil God Sword's gaze as it looked toward Chu Xuanyuan.
"So it's my body you want. It seems you saw through my cultivation long ago?" Chu Xuanyuan asked.
"I saw through you the very first time I laid eyes on you — back in the Ancestral Martial Lower Realm, within those Heavenly Path ruins," the Evil God Sword said.
"So you chose me all the way back then." Chu Xuanyuan smiled faintly, almost as if joking. "What about now? Can you still tell what level my cultivation has reached?"
"Your cultivation has advanced once more, and at a remarkable speed. It's truly astonishing."
"I've never seen such staggering growth. You… will accomplish great things in the future."
"If you were to leave this star domain, it wouldn't be long before your name echoed throughout the entire Exalted Realm beyond," the Evil God Sword said.
"I'll take that as a blessing," Chu Xuanyuan replied.
"But unfortunately, you won't get the chance," the Evil God Sword said.
"You're that certain?" Chu Xuanyuan asked.
"Certain. Unless… you're willing to let your son die at my hands," the Evil God Sword answered.
"It seems you've already decided you have me cornered," Chu Xuanyuan said.
"That's right," the Evil God Sword confirmed.
"You're very confident," Chu Xuanyuan remarked.
"My confidence comes from my unrivaled power."
"Here, everything is under my dominion."
"Every single one of you — I can see through you with a single glance."
"Those three who've been trailing behind me are no exception. And neither are you."
"You are all beneath me. That is why… I am certain of my advantage."
"How about this — surrender your body to me, and I'll eliminate those three who've been targeting Chu Feng. Consider it my revenge on your behalf, father and son," the Evil God Sword proposed.
So the Evil God Sword had been fully aware of the Holy Deer Venerable and the old man shadowing it — and it had even sensed the Blue Demon God of Slaughter.
It was also clear that it had heard every word spoken between the Holy Deer Venerable and the old man.
"Rather than worrying about all that, you'd better look after yourself," Chu Xuanyuan said, slowly rising to his feet.
"You intend to fight?" A killing intent surged in the Evil God Sword's gaze. "I advise you — don't be reckless. The consequences of attacking me will be far worse than anything you can imagine."
"Heh…" Chu Xuanyuan chuckled once more, and then a bone-chilling coldness suddenly surfaced in his eyes.
*Shaa—*