"I'm not your match yet, old man—but next time, I'll be back." With a flick of his sleeve, the youth named Little Sword cast a cold glance at Fengyun Wuji, then shot off like a great bird, vanishing into the distance.
Such a distinctive personality—Fengyun Wuji had never encountered a disciple quite like him. Judging by the look on Dugu Wushang's face, it was clear he held this young man in high regard. Fengyun Wuji was beginning to understand: why Gudu Piao had chosen to leave Dugu Wushang, why he had sought out the Path of Ruin, and why, when he failed to draw his sword in Fengyun's presence, he had broken into a cold sweat.
"Senior, about what we discussed earlier—what are your thoughts?" Fengyun Wuji's gaze lingered in the direction Little Sword had flown. This man's cultivation in the way of the sword was strikingly similar to the realm of the Sword Sovereign. If he could be convinced to join, it would be a tremendous boon. As for Dugu Wushang, he was indispensable—his strength was something even Fengyun Wuji couldn't fully fathom.
"Don't get your hopes up," Dugu Wushang replied, still with his back turned. "Little Sword will never align with any faction—be they demons, angels, or humans. To him, it's all the same."
Even though Dugu Wushang now floated mid-air, his presence remained utterly unassuming. Fengyun Wuji couldn't detect the slightest hint of martial aura from him—it was as if he were an ordinary man standing calmly on solid ground. The contrast was uncanny.
"Any true swordsman will one day return to the Sword Domain," Fengyun Wuji murmured to himself, eyes fixed on the horizon.
"I hope you'll consider joining the Sword Domain," he said aloud, turning to face Dugu Wushang.
Dugu Wushang finally turned around. "Why? If Ximen Yibei sent you, then you'd best return. As a martial artist, my allegiance is to the path of cultivation itself—not to any person or cause. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed in this place for tens of thousands of years."
"I'm not asking you to join out of personal ambition. The Sword Domain was not created to challenge the other four domains or to vie for dominion."
"Oh? Then why?"
"If you're interested, perhaps we can discuss it in detail inside."
Dugu Wushang nodded. "Convince me, and I will consider it. If not—well, I've only ever cared for martial arts. All you have to do is defeat me."
With that, he turned and walked into the cave.
The two of them sat cross-legged inside. Fengyun Wuji broke the silence. "Even Ximen Yibei has admitted that he wouldn't dare draw his sword before you. Though I have attained the realm of the Sword Sovereign, my power is only marginally above that of your disciple, Little Sword. He's no match for you—and I'd have little chance as well."
"...You're honest, and straightforward. Speak. I'm listening."
"I did establish the Sword Domain to gather power—but that is not the true reason. The real reason is..." He began recounting his experiences in the Primordial Era—how a human woman had bitten her tongue and died before him, and he had been powerless to stop it; how his disciple had ascended to a higher plane, only to be hunted by the Night Clan, her heart torn out, yet she still dragged herself before him on sheer willpower—and again, he had been unable to help.
As he spoke, a single tear slipped from Fengyun Wuji's otherwise expressionless face. He did not wipe it away. Every time he thought of these memories, guilt weighed heavily on him. Why? Why was I so helpless then?
Even Dugu Wushang, with his unshakable heart honed over millennia, showed visible change. With a cold snort, he struck the ground. The cave walls exploded with streaks of sword energy, dense with countless fine scars.
"Even the Da Zizai Wanderer claims to be righteous. The Blade Domain also parades as the path of justice, yet they stood by as the Demon Realm's Second Prince defiled a human woman. Not only did they fail to stop it—they aided him! I've met the Blade Sovereign—thought he'd at least have a sense of justice. But no, his words were no different from those cowards. 'We mustn't kill, we mustn't interfere, we must endure humiliation.' Must peace for the human race be bought with the sacrifice of women? With the suffering of hundreds of thousands—millions—of our kind in the Demon Realm? If peace comes at such a cost, then it's not worth having."
His long silver hair drifted as his emotions surged. Raising his head, he let out a long sigh.
"I've lived in the Primordial Realm for ages. I've long known that these ancient humans, who've existed for millions of years, are rigid and stagnant in their thinking. But I never imagined they could be this corrupted. So be it. I am Dugu Wushang—known as the Sword Demon. Before I ascended, I sought only one thing: to find a worthy foe. But first and foremost, I am human. Only then am I a martial artist. If our people have fallen so far, then we martial artists cannot stand aside. We may not be able to fight the heavens—but we can still shoulder some responsibility. So be it. The vow I once swore to never leave this valley—let it end now. If anyone dares to oppose your Sword Domain, they'll have to answer to me first!"
"As for Little Sword—I'll try to persuade him, but don't get your hopes up. He was born with only logic, no sense of emotion. In the future, if you ever need help, just send word through Diao'er. He can travel ten thousand miles a day—not much slower than a Roc. No matter where I am, your message will reach me instantly."
As he finished, a giant black condor emerged from outside the cave, its head bowed as it lumbered in.
"Diao'er, this is Fengyun Wuji—master of the Sword Domain, and my friend. If you ever hear his call, go to him at once. Do not delay. Understood?" Dugu Wushang gently stroked the creature's head.
"Krah!"
The condor let out a hoarse cry, nodded, then turned its sharp, penetrating gaze on Fengyun Wuji. After a moment, it turned and with a beat of its wings, vanished into the vast sky.
"With your promise, Senior, I feel more at ease. Perhaps our people still have a chance," Fengyun Wuji sighed and rose to his feet.
"I've heard that atop the Southern Rising and Northern Dipper Peaks, there's a swordmaster known as the Violet Sovereign. He has several close female companions—ascenders like us, all said to possess great martial prowess. I may go and see for myself. If I can secure their help, then perhaps... the Sword Domain may truly rival the Four Realms. A great endeavor may yet succeed," Dugu Wushang said after a pause.
"I've met the Violet Sovereign once before, on those same peaks. From what I observed... I fear it's unlikely," Fengyun Wuji replied. With that, he leapt from the cave like a great bird, vanishing into the sky.