"Oh no, oh no. That fellow must have come back for revenge this time."
"Back in the Ancient Era, the Three Thousand Great Daos surrounded and tried to judge him. After the Modern Era began, they repeatedly attempted to erase him in the mortal world too. Anyone would hold a grudge over such things, let alone You Di. Now that he's returned from death, he's definitely come to take revenge on the Three Thousand Great Daos."
"Shishu, don't scare yourself. If You Di wanted revenge against the Three Thousand Great Daos, he'd have probably already stormed the Nine Heavens. Why would he leisurely chat with us common folk on the ship?"
"Then why did he openly reveal his identity in front of everyone for no reason? He clearly wanted to tell all the heavens and myriad realms that You Di has returned from death!"
"You Di didn't announce his identity. We were the ones who suspected it, and he merely acknowledged it."
"He could have simply refused to admit it!"
"He knew perfectly well that the Cloud-Water Sword had exposed his identity. With the facts staring him in the face, how could he not admit it? Shishu, I don't think You Di is a bad person."
"What? What did you say? You Di isn't a bad person? Qingqing, what's wrong with you today? After just one meeting with You Di, your temperament has changed. You keep defending him over and over. What do you mean he's not a bad person? Get this straight—he is the Original Sin!"
"It's true that You Di is the Original Sin, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will harm the Heaven and Earth Great Dao or endanger all living beings. Don't forget, when the Daoless Mountain descended back then, the ancestral incarnations of the Three Thousand Great Daos descended to surround him, yet they still couldn't erase him. In the end, it was You Di himself who ignited the Original Sin Karmic Flames and burned himself. If he truly wanted to harm the Heaven and Earth Great Dao, why would he ignite the flames and burn himself?"
"Silly girl! Don't you forget either that it was precisely because You Di ignited the Original Sin Karmic Flames back then that the Original Sin awakened. I'm afraid his fundamental purpose in igniting those flames was to awaken the Original Sin. After all, he has transcended life and death, possesses the ability to perish and be reborn, and can't truly die..." Qingqing and Li Xin began to argue over Gu Qingfeng.
Finally, Old Lady Jin Hua stepped in to mediate. "Li Xin, Qingqing, stop arguing. Qingqing, what your Shishu Li Xin says is correct. You are still young and didn't experience the Ancient Era. You have no idea how terrifying You Di was back then. Don't think that just because you've met him once, you understand him. The You Di you saw earlier was merely a facade. The true You Di is far more terrifying than you can imagine."
"Grandmother, I'm not saying I understand You Di. I just... forget it. Pretend I never said anything." Qingqing shook her head. She had wanted to say more, but the words died on her lips. In truth, she didn't know what was wrong with her today either—why she was arguing with her shishu over someone she had only met once, and about whether his nature was good or bad. Calming down to think about it, she found it somewhat ridiculous herself.
Old Lady Jin Hua continued, "Also, Qingqing, regarding that Cloud-Water Sword You Di gave you... this old woman thinks... you should stop nurturing it!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Silly girl, do you even need to ask? It won't be long before today's events spread. Soon, everyone will know that your Lingyu Sword is actually the Cloud-Water Sword, one of the Five Elemental Swords You Di used to rampage across the Great Desolate." Immortal Li Xin glared at Qingqing. "What kind of existence is You Di? He is intolerable to Heaven and Earth, the greatest sinner of all. By nurturing his sword, aren't you just asking for trouble? Do you know how many people You Di killed with the Five Elemental Swords back then? What if people misunderstand and think you have some connection to You Di? How will you explain it then? You won't be able to clear your name."
Old Lady Jin Hua added, "That's true, Qingqing. While one should harbor no ill intent toward others, one must also guard against the ill intent of others. Sometimes, public opinion and rumors can be terrifying. They can not only ruin your reputation but also reduce you to ashes. No matter what, You Di is the universally known Original Sin of Heaven and Earth. We'd best not have any connection with him, not even the slightest. If someone uses this matter to deliberately frame you, we won't be able to defend ourselves even with a hundred mouths."
Although Qingqing was reluctant, she had to admit that Old Lady Jin Hua and Immortal Li Xin spoke the truth. She raised her hand, a shimmering light gathering in her palm as the Cloud-Water Sword materialized. Gazing at the sword floating above her palm, Qingqing felt a deep reluctance.
After all, the Cloud-Water Sword had once saved her life.
After all, the Cloud-Water Sword had grown up with her, and she held special feelings for it.
After all, she had only just learned the sword's secret, had only just fused with it, had only just met its sword spirit. They hadn't fought side by side yet, she hadn't repaid it yet... Was she really supposed to give it up now?
"Qingqing, Shishu knows you're reluctant. But the Cloud-Water Sword in your hand is now a hot potato that could even bring disaster upon you. No matter how reluctant you are, you must let it go. You should discard it."
"What? You want me to throw the Cloud-Water Sword away?" Without even thinking, Qingqing shook her head. "No! I won't discard the Cloud-Water Sword!"
"Girl! Why are you so stubborn? This isn't the time for sentimentality. Just think about whose sword this is! If you don't throw it away, what are you keeping it for? What if it brings disaster upon you later? And don't forget, in recent years, the Canghai Blessed Land has been constantly looking for trouble with our Changsheng Pavilion, just waiting for a handle against us. If they find out about this, they'll definitely make a huge issue out of it."
"But... but... the Cloud-Water Sword saved my life. No matter what, I won't discard it. And when I fused with it, I swore I would take good care of the Cloud-Water Sword spirit."
"Silly girl, it's just a sword!"
"To you, the Cloud-Water Sword is just a sword. But to me, it's more than just a sword!"
"You! You're going to be the death of me!" Immortal Li Xin was furious, pointing at Qingqing, feeling anxious, angry, and helpless. She was about to scold her again when Old Lady Jin Hua beside her cut her off.
"Li Xin, say no more. Qingqing indeed cannot discard the Cloud-Water Sword."
Immortal Li Xin exclaimed in surprise, "Grandmother, why are you saying that too? Weren't you just telling Qingqing to throw the sword away?"
"This old woman only said Qingqing should temporarily stop nurturing the Cloud-Water Sword. I didn't say to discard it. While the Cloud-Water Sword may invite criticism and even calamity, it cannot be thrown away. After all, it was You Di who gave it to Qingqing. If You Di later finds out Qingqing discarded the Cloud-Water Sword... wouldn't the trouble be even greater?"
Hearing Old Lady Jin Hua's words, Immortal Li Xin's heart also skipped a beat. She thought about it and realized it was indeed true.
Keeping the Cloud-Water Sword might invite calamity, but if they discarded it and offended You Di, the calamity would be far worse.