The woman in white and the woman radiating killing intent still stood in their original positions, though the observation formation that had been locked onto the desert space now displayed Chu Feng and Eggy instead.
"That Chu Feng, he really is bold — he wasn't intimidated at all."
"My lady, do you think he figured out this was a test? Do you think he knew we would never actually take his life?"
The woman with killing intent asked the woman in white.
Putting herself in his shoes, if she had been the one facing that choice, she might have given up.
After all, if Chu Feng surrendered, both he and Eggy would survive.
That was why she found his choice almost unbelievable — and unreasonable.
"Chu Feng is very brave. There are many things he's willing to gamble on."
"But this is the one thing he would never dare gamble with," the woman in white said.
"My lady, then has Chu Feng passed the test?" the woman with killing intent asked.
She wasn't sure whether the test would continue. This entire trial had been orchestrated by the woman in white.
"Of course."
"Back then, choosing his son over Jie Ranqing was a risky move."
"But looking at it now, that risk was well worth taking."
"If it had been Jie Ranqing, Eggy might not have had such unwavering resolve."
"The fusion of that power would not have gone so smoothly."
"After all, back then, we approached her under the guise of family — but…"
The woman in white seemed to recall something, and she shook her head with a bitter smile.
Because she had witnessed Eggy's resistance firsthand, she understood just how difficult it was for Eggy to hold firm this time — and how extraordinary her determination had been.
And she knew it was all thanks to Chu Feng.
She then turned to the woman with killing intent: "That is why sometimes you simply have to believe that love is the greatest source of courage. It can even transform a person into someone entirely new."
"But it must be the right person. The right person makes you better."
"If it's the wrong person, you may fall into an abyss with no end."
The woman with killing intent seemed to think of something as well, and she smiled. "I know my lady found the right person."
"Why bring that up all of a sudden?" the woman in white asked.
"I've actually heard your story before, my lady. It's the kind of love every woman dreams of," the woman with killing intent said.
Hearing this, the woman in white smiled.
"The rumors are wildly exaggerated. Don't take them too seriously."
Though she said that, the very mention of it drew a gentle smile to her lips.
The current rumors were indeed all manner of strange and outlandish.
But that true experience was etched deep in her memory, even after countless ages had passed.
"My lady, does that mean the Asura Sword has accepted Chu Feng?" the woman with killing intent asked.
"It's not that simple."
"That sword's ambitions are enormous. It won't be tamed so easily — it's far more complex than you think," the woman in white said.
"I've heard certain things about this sword. But I've also heard that since the Asura Sword first appeared, it has only ever unleashed its blade twice."
"Once was in that great figure's hands."
"The other was in Chu Feng's hands."
"Could it be that I heard wrong?" the woman with killing intent asked.
"No, that is true. So Chu Feng has gained the Asura Sword's preliminary acknowledgment, at least."
After this remark, the woman in white turned her gaze to the woman with killing intent once more.
Her expression shifted, and within those beautiful eyes, gratitude and guilt surfaced: "It's been so long — in the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. You've been stationed here all this time, and it's truly been a hardship for you."
"After they leave, you can go home," the woman in white said.
"My lady, please don't say such things. It was you who gave me a second life."
"Besides, in the Asura World I have no friends — only enemies. Being able to work for you here makes my existence feel meaningful," the woman with killing intent said.
"Those events of the past are long over. I assure you, no one will hunt you down if you return now. You can live whatever life you choose."
"After Chu Feng and the others depart, come back," the woman in white said.
Hearing this, the gratitude on the woman with killing intent's face deepened. She knew full well how heavy the sins of her past killings had been. Though there had been reasons behind them, many among her enemies were powerful figures with formidable backing.
Aside from this lady, there were precious few in the entire Asura World capable of guaranteeing her safety.
…
Within that mist-shrouded world.
Eggy had been crying in Chu Feng's arms for quite some time.
Chu Feng had never seen Eggy so vulnerable — she truly seemed like a little girl who had gotten lost and finally been found by her family.
That sense of grievance, that fear — Chu Feng could feel every bit of it.
Because he, too, was terrified.