"What's this?" asked Sword One.
"The s.p.a.ce ring contained two First Cla.s.s Insurgent Qi from Gu Xuan. The talisman is what the Ancestor left for my father. Given you're also a swordsman, it should benefit you."
Sword One took the s.p.a.ce ring but hesitated as she looked at the talisman. After a few seconds of inner conflict, she shook her head. "The Ancestor gave it to your father; I have no right to take it."
"You can use it before he returns from his Mortal Dust. Plus, it's not like she forbade me from showing it to others. I'm sure Li Jun and Yan Liling will do the same after consulting me."
He knew these two were not selfish and would want to share such valuable resources with the elders of the sect–especially the Ancestors level characters. If they can improve their strength, it would only mean that the sect's foundation has deepened.
Sword One raised her hand to take the talisman but stopped above it. After thinking about it for an entire minute, she gritted her teeth and took it.
"Thank you," she said.
"No need. I know you would do the same if the situation were reversed." w.a.n.g Wei bowed to her before flying back to his mansion. Meanwhile, Sword One disappeared and returned to her own world.
With excitement, she activated the talisman. A projection of the Sword Empress manifested before her.
"Y-Young Lady!"
"I guess the kid was not selfish enough to keep the thing only for his family. Our legacy is good hands," commented Sword Empress. "Xiao Zhu, long time no see."
"Young Lady, Xiao Zhu is happy to see you again," said Sword One, tears falling down her eyes as she removed her silver mask. Sword Empress looked at her, caressing the gentle face she remembered and wiping the tears in her eyes.
She remembered a distant time, long ago, when she was a mortal and before she even met Brother Qiyuan. She was the rich Young Lady from a somewhat wealthy family. And she had a maid called Gao Zhu.
Even since childhood, Gao Zhu has been with her, following and caring for her. After meeting Qiyuan and beginning her cultivation journey, Xiao Zhu followed them for a while in their journey. However, Sword Empress had to leave her behind at some point because the situation was getting too dangerous.
"I should have taken you with me; I should never have left you behind."
"No," replied Sword One as she shook her head. "It was my decision to stay. I knew I would not be able to keep up with you. And guarding your inheritance has been very fulfilling."
Sword One had a second chance at ascending after Battle Maniac proved the Dao and asked her if she wanted to ascend with him. But she refused since she wanted to protect her Young Lady's sect and inheritance.
"Maybe, it was for the best," muttered Sword Empress, thinking about everything she had experienced since ascension. Things would have been more complicated if her enemy knew she had a weakness like Xiao Zhu.
"Let's get to the point since I cannot stay long. Do you know the situation about the upper dimension?"
"Yes, I learned it from the kid, and I sensed an anomaly in the Endless Void."
"Alright, that saves me an explanation. Without the upper dimension's restraint, many Emperors and other beings secretly hiding will begin to take action. The True Heavenly Dao is operating at a slower speed than usual, delaying the time it needs to repress these people or even reinforce certain rules.
"And when these people figure this out, the lower dimension might be clad in Chaos."
Sword One frowned as she instantly a.n.a.lyzed the situation. Heavenly Dao of any Heaven Will World is only equal to that of Second Cla.s.s Great Emperors. They have to borrow power from the True Heavenly Dao for a situation requiring more power. Therefore, if it has a problem, Heavenly Dao will become useless in most cases.
"I'm not worried about most of these people," continued Sword Empress. "I'm worried about the Eternal Emperors and Immortal Sovereigns remaining in the Lower Dimension.
"Some will definitely act on the Myriad Emperor World and the Dao Opening Sect."
"What? Master, what should we do?"
Sword One survived the Ancient Emperor and knew how scary these people were–especially the Immortal Sovereigns. If it were not for a limit to the amount of power they could use in the lower dimension, one of them was enough to conquer most of the Endless Void.
"You don't have to worry too much. The Immortal Sovereign will still have to act on the limit of their power."
Sword Empress knew that whether it was True Heavenly Dao or Supreme Unity, they would not allow severe damage to the Lower Dimension. But the consequence of any Tier 11 Ent.i.ty using its full power in the lower dimension could result in its destruction.
As a bottom line, Supreme Unity and Heavenly Dao will compromise and work together to ensure the world's safety.
"That's a relief."
"I have left a secret realm for you before the final lockdown. Inside, I've left something for you that would turn you into an Insurgent on par with Eternal Emperors. I've also left a few life-saving means for the sect. Hopefully, you won't meet one of these elite Eternals."
Sword Empress knew that even amongst Eternals, there could be a vast difference in strength. For example, she, Qiyuan, and Wu Hong had battle strength above 20% Grand Dao Source after proving the Dao.
"Thank you, Young Lady."
"No need. I still feel guilty. If I took you with me, you would have an even higher achievement in the cultivation path."
"There is no need to blame yourself," replied Sword One, shaking her head. "I still remember our life back then. I never thought I could have any achievements in the cultivation path because of my low talent. You motivated me and used countless efforts and resources, allowing me to achieve today's achievement.
"Although I would like to continue this journey, I'm still content with the speed at which I do."
After so long, Sword One had understood 48% of the Grand Dao Source and could power its power. Compared to the 4% she could control before becoming a 5-Root Dao Ancestor, she was happy and content despite the slow progress.
"Contentedness is good," added Sword Empress with a smile. "Alright, I must leave."
"So soon?"
"We will have another time for a reunion. Apologize to the others for me for not leaving something for them. Our situation is not the best, and I'm limited in my abilities."
The others left something for their Insurgent counterparts, most of which were in the secret realm. However, their method was not as directly beneficial as the one she left for Sword One. It can benefit them, but only in the long run.
"Young Lady, are you alright?"
"I will be. Protect the kid. He might be the answer to everything. And have him pay my debts to the others. I'm sure he has a way to provide a better cultivation environment for all of you."
As Sword One watched her Young Lady disappear, she tried to control her emotions and running tears. "Have a nice, young lady. Don't forget to eat and take care of yourself."
Tiny teardrops appeared on the corner of the Sword Empress' eyes. She had not heard these words for countless Yuan Epochs. Back then, Xiao Zhu would always tell her to eat and take care of herself even when she was a mighty cultivator feared by many and had no need for earthly necessities like food.
"I will," replied Yan Ai, as she always had.
Sword One took a few minutes to gather her composure. After taking a deep breath, she placed the mask back on her face. The old Xiao Zhu was gone, only leaving Sword One, the sword protector of the Dao Opening Sect.
She contacted the others and told them of the news and gave them the Insurgent Qis. Finally, she departed for the secret realm.
…
While flying home, w.a.n.g Wei suddenly sneezed.
"Is someone talking about me?" He stopped as the sneeze reminded him that he forgot to place the Deceiving Trial PaG.o.da in the sect. So, he summoned a few elders and asked them to find a place for it.
The elder gave him an att.i.tude, and when asked why, the latter explained how irresponsible he had been since becoming a sect master. He only attended a few meetings before leaving all the workload on them. They had the same complaints about Li Jun and Yan Liling, but w.a.n.g Wei's case was the worse.
Ashamed and embarra.s.sed, w.a.n.g Wei promised to take his Sect Master duties more seriously. He then flew back home, where he saw his lovely wife lying in bed, reading novels.
"I thought you would return to seclusion."
"I decided to create a clone with most of my power and abilities to go in my place. We can spend more time together."
"That's good, I guess," he replied somewhat blandly.
"Don't think about these things. Come write me a few more novels."
w.a.n.g Wei lay next to her. "Where is the pile I previously gave you? I thought you wanted to read them slowly."
"It's been so long."
"Not really. Anyway, which one is your favorite?"
"I like the one you write about cultivating Fate Dao. Although I know it's based on you, I still enjoyed reading it–especially since it was not a Harem."
"It's one of my best works. But, I'm not very satisfied with the beginning."
"It's not that bad. Anyways, it gets way better later on. You should write more in the same style. However, I want a female protagonist that is similar to me."
"Alright. However, have you tried writing yourself?"
"I did."
"Let me see."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to."
"Common. You know I'll pester you if you don't show it to me."
"Fine."
w.a.n.g Wei read through her novel. "I understand why you did not want to show it to me. You're a terrible writer."
"You want to say that again?"
"I finally found something you're not good at."
w.a.n.g Wei could tell her writing had no problem per se, but her plot, world-building, creativity, and character designs and development were so bland.
"You want to sleep alone tonight?"
"I'm sorry. But, there is nothing wrong with being bad at something."
"Says the boring and perfect man."
"I'm sure there is something I'm not good at. I just haven't found it yet," replied w.a.n.g Wei with a smug look, and Wu Hong almost slapped him into the moon.
"Whatever. Go write my novels. This Empress needs to be entertained."
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