High Immortal Qingqing had previously heard Immortal Li Xin mention that something strange had happened outside while she was still on the ship.
It was said that the master of the Cloud-Water Sword, that mysterious Upper Immortal, not only claimed to have spent time in the Nine Nethers, but also went by the Daoist title Chixiao. It was said his surname was Gu. When this news spread at the time, it truly startled many people, making them think You Di had been resurrected.
Although Huode later stepped forward to deny it, another puzzling incident followed. It was said Yuanwu, for offending You Di, was beaten bloody by Huode. After the beating, Huode threw Yuanwu before the master of the Cloud-Water Sword for him to deal with, saying Yuanwu had offended the master of the Cloud-Water Sword.
Immortal Li Xin said Yuanwu had only offended You Di, not the master of the Cloud-Water Sword, so she had been unable to make sense of it.
When she heard Immortal Li Xin recount this matter, High Immortal Qingqing hadn't paid it much mind, nor had she taken it to heart. But now, thinking it over carefully, the master of the Cloud-Water Sword, that mysterious Upper Immortal, might truly be You Di!
At this thought, High Immortal Qingqing's heart and mind were thrown into turmoil, her thoughts became chaotic, and now even her consciousness began to grow hazy.
Although You Di had turned to ashes at Mount Wudao back then after igniting the Karmic Sin Flame, throughout the countless years of the Present-Ancient Era, news of You Di's resurrection and return had never ceased. It was everywhere across the myriad heavens and worlds. Even the Holy Maiden Empress had been waiting all along for You Di's return.
Who could definitively say You Di was dead?
Could it be...
That man...
Was truly You Di?
That couldn't be possible, could it?
High Immortal Qingqing carefully recalled. That master of the Cloud-Water Sword had no cultivation to speak of, no fortune, no bearing, no imposing presence—he lacked everything one could want.
That wasn't important.
After all, cultivation, fortune, bearing, and presence didn't prove anything.
The important thing was...
That man had no proper posture whether standing or sitting. He was either lying back or lounging with his legs crossed. Not only was his speech frivolous, his behavior was extremely casual. He constantly referred to himself as 'this lord' or called people 'big sister' or 'little thing'. He even fought to eat those three Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruits, and not content with that, he even chewed up and swallowed the pits. He was simply like a ruffian or hooligan from the mortal world.
Such a person, viewed from any angle, no matter how you looked at him, bore no resemblance to the legendarily aloof, domineering, cold, and ruthless ancient overlord, the Nine Nethers Emperor!
How could You Di, who made the Holy Maiden Empress pine and yearn so bitterly, possibly be that kind of ruffian hooligan?
But...
If he wasn't You Di, then how to explain the Cloud-Water Sword?
How to explain the Five-Phase Swords?
How to explain these Dao Judgments within the Cloud-Water Sword? How to explain the Tide Secret Realm? And why did he go by the Daoist title Chixiao? Why did he say he had spent time in the Nine Nethers? And why was his surname Gu?
There were too many signs, far too many, that forced High Immortal Qingqing to suspect the master of the Cloud-Water Sword might be You Di.
Whether he was or wasn't...
High Immortal Qingqing didn't know.
Nor did she dare to think too deeply about it.
As a disciple of the Eternal Life Pavilion and the direct disciple of Fulsheng Emperor Lord, not only did she bear the Mandate of the Immortal Dao, but also the Mandate of Great Nature. She was even a Child of Destiny for the Present-Ancient Era. Regarding the words 'Original Sin' from the Era Without Dao, she understood a fair amount.
She clearly knew that if the master of the Cloud-Water Sword truly was You Di, then for the Three Thousand Great Daos, for the myriad heavens and worlds, for all living beings, it would likely be a terrifying nightmare, even a disaster, a cataclysm...
Outside.
On the Xuantian ship.
Gu Qingfeng, Huode, Immortal Li Xin, Old Lady Jin Hua, and the others were unaware of what was happening to Qingqing inside the Cloud-Water Sword's spirit world.
Especially Immortal Li Xin. Ever since learning Gu Qingfeng was the Cloud-Water Sword's former master, she had been worried he would demand the sword back. Now, watching as the Cloud-Water Sword merged bit by bit with Qingqing, the stone that had been weighing on her heart finally settled.
She had thought she would be content just to keep the Cloud-Water Sword. She never expected that not only would they keep the sword, but Qingqing would also perform a blood ritual to claim ownership. Now, the Cloud-Water Sword had completely accepted Qingqing. From now on, with a mere thought from Qingqing, she could summon the Cloud-Water Sword at any time.
Although this fellow had eaten three Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruits and they still owed him one condition...
Nevertheless.
Immortal Li Xin felt it was all worth it. Not just three Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruits, even ten would be worth it.
It was true that Ten-Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruits were precious, but they were merely precious. If Immortal Li Xin was willing, she could still obtain them.
But this Cloud-Water Sword was absolutely a treasure one could encounter but never seek out. Among the myriad heavens and worlds, there might be many sentient magical treasures and immortal swords, but those containing sword spirits were exceedingly rare. And this Cloud-Water Sword contained vast water-elemental power, possessed profound mysteries, and was endlessly mutable. It was truly a genuine article among genuine articles, an immortal sword among immortal swords.
"The Cloud-Water Sword really found the right person this time."
Watching the merging Qingqing and Cloud-Water Sword, Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but nod in praise. "Big Sister Qingqing's temperament, mental state, and heart-mind are all quite compatible with the Cloud-Water Sword. The two of them are really well-matched. Honestly, for the Cloud-Water Sword to follow Sister Qingqing is truly its great fortune."
"Great Lord, you jest. For the Cloud-Water Sword to accept Qingqing should be Qingqing's great fortune, and the greatest honor of her life."
Immortal Li Xin stood up and poured a cup of wine for Gu Qingfeng, then said, "Great Lord, this humble woman toasts you."
"Oh? Big Sister, your words are quite sweet."
Gu Qingfeng threw back the wine in his cup. "But don't forget what you promised this lord."
"Of course. I won't forget, cannot forget, and dare not forget. Whenever the Great Lord needs anything in the future, this humble woman will certainly do everything in her power to satisfy the Great Lord's request."
"Really?"
Gu Qingfeng asked with a playful smile, "Anything at all?"
Feeling Gu Qingfeng's brazen gaze sweeping over her, Immortal Li Xin felt quite uncomfortable. She didn't avoid it but met Gu Qingfeng's eyes. After a moment, she responded, "Has the Great Lord ever heard a saying?"
"What saying?"
"'If you want it, if I have it.'"
"That does sound somewhat familiar."
"Hehe, that saying was spoken by the venerable You Di himself."
"You Di?"
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng chuckled in surprise and asked, "When did he ever say such a thing? How come this lord doesn't know about it?"
"It is said that before Mount Wudao descended, the Holy Maiden Empress once sought out You Di. The Empress knew that with Mount Wudao's descent, You Di's fate upon going there was uncertain, life or death. And the Empress knew she could not stop You Di. So, the Empress made a request of You Di. The Empress did not specify what the request was, and You Di did not ask. He only spoke eight words: 'If you want it, if I have it...'"