Chapter 119: A Smile at Meeting Dissolves All Grudges

The mysterious figure within the void of his inner core chuckled softly. "The Azure Dragon Sword is a blade of justice; the sword qi contained within it is, naturally, the purest righteous energy in heaven and earth. Tell me, what do you think fears righteous energy the most?"

"Evil energy?"

Bai Mu responded with some uncertainty, and suddenly, his mind cleared. Righteousness overcomes evil—was this not the immutable truth of the ages? The reason the Azure Dragon sword qi had taken the initiative to attack Gui Ge without any human guidance was surely because it had sensed the malevolent energy contained within him! And the reason it had not pursued Shen Que back at Mount Fuyu that day was because Shen Que possessed righteous energy, leading the sword to show mercy!

"Exalted One!" Bai Mu exclaimed with delight through his spiritual sense. "Your words have truly enlightened me, like a sudden awakening from a dream. So, my Azure Dragon sword qi is the nemesis of the Evil Clan!"

"It is more than just that," the mysterious figure continued to guide him. "The Azure Dragon sword qi does not only distinguish evil energy; it is naturally endowed with the power to resist its intrusion. Your void core was reshaped by the Azure Dragon sword qi in the past, and now, no evil energy in this world can invade your body. Even if a wisp of evil energy were to enter you, it would be devoured by the potent Azure Dragon sword qi within your core, further bolstering your cultivation!"

"In that case, does this mean I don't need to worry about the evil energy from that nine-ringed broadsword at all?" Bai Mu asked in astonishment.

"Of course not," the mysterious figure replied nonchalantly. "You are, after all, the legitimate successor of that old fellow Bai Ze, you have received training from Fan Sheng, and you possess the protection of the Azure Dragon Sword. Is a mere trifle of evil energy really enough to frighten you like this?"

"Watching your fight with that boy Gui Ge was truly awkward. Something that could have been resolved in a few moves was dragged on until now simply because you were timid and indecisive, forcing the Azure Dragon sword body to step in and handle the enemy for you!"

"Exalted One..." Bai Mu called out, feeling somewhat uneasy. This was the first time the mysterious figure within him had scolded him. He felt a measure of fear toward the entity's authority, for based on his speech, this figure was undoubtedly an ancient deity. It was strange, however, why he would reside within the void of Bai Mu's core. Though he knew the entity meant no harm, the thought of someone else inhabiting his body left him unsettled. Most puzzling of all was that whenever he encountered difficulty, this figure would guide him to use the Azure Dragon Sword, as if he were more familiar with the blade than Bai Mu, its rightful master.

"Stop mumbling and get back to the fight! Those three blades formed by sword qi are about to dissipate!" The mysterious figure reminded him impatiently before vanishing from Bai Mu's spiritual sense, clearly concealing himself once more.

Bai Mu had no choice but to withdraw his focus and observe the situation on the field with a grave expression.

By now, Gui Ge had been slashed by the Azure Dragon sword qi in several places; blood flowed from wounds on his left arm, right leg, and abdomen. Yet, he continued to grit his teeth, brandishing his nine-ringed broadsword to parry the attacks, showing no intention of retreating. This fearlessness moved the young Bai Mu somewhat. Gui Ge could have easily walked away earlier, yet he had stayed, which at least proved him to be a man of integrity—even if they were destined to be enemies for a lifetime.

Finally, as Gui Ge struggled to unleash three bursts of blade energy to strike the three spectral swords, the Azure Dragon sword qi—now spent—dissipated into nothingness, as if it had never existed. Had it not been for the blood still flowing from Gui Ge’s wounds, Bai Mu might have doubted he was hallucinating.

With the crisis averted, Gui Ge tremblingly drove his heavy blade into the dirt, leaning on it to remain upright, his breathing ragged. His legs shook involuntarily; clearly, the two exchanges had exhausted the vast majority of his evil spirit power.

"Gui Ge, you have lost," Bai Mu called out, standing ten meters away.

"I have not lost!" Gui Ge gathered the last of his strength to stand firm, his tone defiant. "The outcome is not yet decided. I am still standing—let us fight again!"

Though his voice was loud, it lacked conviction. The exertion caused his wounds to bleed anew, staining his grey-black robes a dark crimson.

"Do you still have the strength to fight?" Bai Mu asked with a hint of admiration. Seeing this man risk everything to defend the honor of the Evil King, his favor toward him increased slightly. However, Bai Mu also bore the burden of avenging Fan Sheng, so he would not hold back should they clash again.

"Hmph," Gui Ge sneered, swaying on his feet as he stared at the ancient sword in Bai Mu’s hand. "What is that sword of yours? How is it able to suppress my Nether Evil energy?"

"The name of the sword matters little. What matters is that if you wish to continue, I will use it against you again. You are at the end of your tether; to persist in this struggle may well cost you your life!" Bai Mu paused, then added, "Moreover, we are not mortal enemies; there is no need for us to fight to the death. If you were not of the Evil Clan, perhaps I would have called you a friend."

"Truly?" Gui Ge swept a suspicious glance at him before shaking his head with a bitter smile. "My birth is not something I can choose, but why must a hero be questioned on his origins?"

"Gui Ge accepts your friendship!"

"If you do not mind that I am of the Evil Clan, then let us be friends. How about it?"

"This..." Bai Mu hesitated. While he admired Gui Ge’s integrity, he thought of his duties as a disciple of the ancient god Bai Ze, his affection for Ling Yan, daughter of the Heavenly Emperor, and the help he had received from Fan Sheng. Would befriending a direct disciple of the Evil King be a betrayal of his divine ties? After all, Fan Sheng had been wounded only days ago by the treacherous Evil Prince Gui Rong and the Eight Trees of Guilin, and his fate remained unknown!

However, Bai Mu reconsidered: if he could use his own influence to guide someone as inherently decent as Gui Ge toward the right path, would that not be a great merit? Besides, he was a grown man; why should he care for the rigid constraints of the wild realms?

With that thought, Bai Mu laughed heartily. "In that case, I accept your friendship! My name is Bai Mu; from this day on, we are friends!"

"What?" Upon hearing the name Bai Mu, Gui Ge recoiled in shock, stumbling back several steps. "You are the disciple of the Great God Bai Ze—the youth Bai Mu?"

"Oh? Have you heard of me before?" Seeing Gui Ge’s dramatic reaction and the trace of fear in his tone, his natural instinct told him that there was more to this than met the eye.

Gui Ge trembled slightly, responding evasively, "The name Bai Mu... I seem to have heard it mentioned before. I was just surprised to encounter you in such a desolate place."

"I see..." Knowing the other would not reveal more, Bai Mu did not press. "Gui Ge, shall we continue this duel?"

"No, no," Gui Ge said, waving his hands hurriedly as he straightened his expression. "To be defeated by a disciple of Bai Ze is no shame. We had an agreement—ask what you will. As long as it does not touch upon my master's interests, I will tell you everything."

Though Bai Mu could not see the expression behind the mask, the resolve in his eyes told him that the words were sincere. Bai Mu composed himself and asked directly, "When you came here to seize the Fuxi Tooth, was there some conspiracy afoot?"