“The legend of the Celestial of Heavenly Sorrow has been passed down to this day. No one knows why he slaughtered half the Cultivation World back then, nor how he managed to achieve Ascension. The only clues he left behind are a single grotto-mansion and the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping.”
“Everyone speculates that the Grotto-mansion of Heavenly Sorrow can only open after the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping recognizes its master. Countless powerful figures in the Cultivation World have been waiting for that moment, but throughout all these years, the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping has never shown the slightest reaction.”
At this point, Ying WuHuo paused and looked at Chi Miao: “But recently, the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping has shown signs of awakening. It’s precisely its revival that has suppressed the spiritual power of all swords in the Sword Cemetery, nourishing itself.”
Chi Miao listened very attentively, only showing excitement when she heard the last part.
“So you mean, it’s possible that the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping has taken a liking to me? It’s acting possessive, preventing other swords from choosing me?”
Ying WuHuo: “…How did you reach that conclusion?”
Although he currently thought the same, for Chi Miao to say it herself was simply too shameless.
This was the personal sword left behind by a genuine Ascendant—how precious, how powerful it must be!
No matter how talented you are, why would it restrict other swords just for you?
Saying such things would get you beaten up!
Chi Miao said: “You said yourself it only started reacting recently—isn’t that precisely because I came to Nine Sword Mountain for training? Since it can suppress all other swords, then preventing them from choosing me is perfectly reasonable. Most importantly… if this isn’t the reason, can you explain the current situation any other way?”
“Moreover, since you brought this up to me now, deep down you actually think the same as me, don’t you?”
Chi Miao had laid all her cards on the table, leaving Ying WuHuo completely speechless.
Because everything Chi Miao said was true.
He said: “I can’t be certain, but if you want to try, I can take you to attempt it.”
He himself had tried to form a contract with the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping before.
The Sword of Sorrowful Weeping told him he wasn’t worthy.
With his Innate Sword Soul, he had once caused Myriad Swords Resounding at Nine Sword Mountain, yet he was still deemed unworthy. As for others… aside from Chi Miao, he truly couldn’t think of anyone else the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping might fancy.
Chi Miao was eager to try, rubbing her hands together: “Of course we should try! I can’t pass up good treasures.”
Seeing her like this, Ying WuHuo frowned and massaged his temples.
“Show some respect—that is, after all, the personal sword of an Ascendant senior.”
“But don’t get your hopes up too much. After all these years, that sword has long lost its former power, and… it might not have actually taken a liking to you.”
Chi Miao: “If it doesn’t want me, I’ll just force it.”
“?” Ying WuHuo took a deep breath: “I’m warning you, don’t do anything reckless.”
Despite his words, Ying WuHuo still led Chi Miao to the hidden location of the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping.
It was a narrow cave, dark and damp, but the further they went, the more they felt an indescribable palpitation—as if their most painful memories from this lifetime were being dredged up and suspended around their hearts.
The sword’s hum grew fainter, becoming a lament.
Chi Miao’s mind was in chaos.
She recalled her previous life’s experiences as an orphan.
Then she remembered when she first transmigrated, sitting alone by the village manure pit while other children mocked her.
“Look at that fool, she’s stunned! So, how does the manure taste?”
Then came memories of scavenging through trash in the village and town.
“Get lost! You motherless brat, don’t you know thieves get their hands chopped off?!”
“I… I didn’t steal. I saw he didn’t want it anymore, threw it on the ground, so I picked it up to eat.”
“Spit! Whatever my young master discards still belongs to him! Even if it were fed to dogs, it wouldn’t be for you! Get lost!”
“Why… why? I just want to survive. I just want to live.”
She remembered again—that day she decided to change everything.
The day he was betrayed by his best friend.
Taking the blame for someone else’s theft, receiving fifty lashes before being abandoned in the wilderness, nearly dying.
“Host, as long as you complete the missions, you can change all this. The world is cold and indifferent—why must you remain noble? Deceive, deceive… how do you know whether those you deceive are even human?”
“…”
That day, it rained heavily.
She waited until the rain stopped before speaking expressionlessly.
“Really… can this change everything?”
“I want to survive.”
She hated these memories because they constantly reminded her of her suffering.
…
“Tch—”
“Damn it!” Chi Miao snapped back to reality, clutching half of her face.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ying WuHuo looked at her in surprise, his expression shifting when he saw her face. “What happened? What did you see? Your expression… is quite frightening.”
Expression?
Probably because she saw those memories she’d rather not recall, making her appear ferocious.
But why would Ying WuHuo ask that?
“You didn’t see anything?” Chi Miao asked.
Ying WuHuo: “See what?”
After a moment of silence: “Nothing.”
The Gou Shi System provided the answer: “Host, you were just… Soul Searched. Something was peeking into your memories.”
Right then.
An explosion echoed from deep within the cave.
The culprit had been found.
Her Spirit Root was special—anyone who performed Soul Search on her would explode. Wasn’t this like walking right into a trap?
Well then, you worthless sword actually dared to make her recall these unpleasant memories? Don’t blame her for being ruthless!
Little sword, you’d better behave.
Ying WuHuo suddenly sensed the intimidating aura emanating from the person behind him and had a bad feeling. “We’re about to meet the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping. Don’t do anything strange.”
Chi Miao smiled, her expression growing brighter the more she smiled. “How could I? I’m a good girl who grew up under the sunlight. Why would I do anything strange? Of course… if it doesn’t know what’s good for it, then don’t blame me.”
Ying WuHuo: “…”
You’d better not!
Soon they reached the depths of the cave, where a dull, corroded “sword” emitted a faint glow.
It looked more like a rod than a sword, and was slightly rusty.
Chi Miao: “This design is rather ugly.”
Ying WuHuo’s face darkened: “Must you always comment?”
Chi Miao stepped forward, examining the sword before her.
The Sword Light was so weak it seemed on the verge of extinguishing at any moment.
“Hmph.” Chi Miao snorted coldly.
What are you pretending for?
You dare to Soul Search her with such weak energy?
She reached out, touching the blade. “I’m giving you a chance to follow me. Will you take it? Don’t be ungrateful.”
Ying WuHuo’s face turned completely black: “…”
The Sword of Sorrowful Weeping showed no reaction.
Ying WuHuo took a deep, calming breath.
“Could you phrase it more politely? This is, after all, the Personal Sword left behind by an Ascended being.”
“Politeness? I’m giving it face!”
Chi Miao chuckled, gripping the Sword of Sorrowful Weeping tightly.
“This sword dared to search my soul without my consent, and its technique is terrible. Does it have any manners? Playing dead, huh? Just wait… I have plenty of ways to deal with you.”
Just as Ying WuHuo was about to say something more, Chi Miao did something earth-shattering.
It left both Ying WuHuo and the elders observing from outside the water mirror utterly dumbfounded.