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"Xi Luo, be careful." Tan Yueer warned while simultaneously drawing her twin swords. The "Nameless Sky Sword" unleashed the Heaven-Toppling Sword Dance to slice through space, while the "Demonic Sword Century" executed the Epoch-Sundering Sword Art to warp time. Crisscrossing sword energies formed a protective barrier around herself and Xi Luo.

Xi Luo's Eight-Colored Realm was originally extremely potent in offense—anyone caught within would face bombardment from various elemental forces, as if battling an entire cadre of grand mages. Unfortunately, his control over these energies was not refined enough, rendering his attacks ineffective against a true Sword Saint like Chen Xuanfeng. Moreover, with Chen Xuanfeng now hidden within the "Astral Sea," no matter how titanic Xi Luo’s power might be, how could he strike an enemy in another dimension?

In contrast, Tan Yueer's twin swords proved far more effective. The time-based sword art "Epoch-Sundering" could influence the enemy's speed, making Chen Xuanfeng's attacks from the void less unpredictable. The space-based "Heaven-Toppling Sword Dance" could cut across dimensions to parry his strikes, though it couldn’t pinpoint Chen Xuanfeng’s hidden form in the Astral Sea. Though ineffective for offense, it sufficed for defense.

Yet, the situation did not improve. Soon, they realized Chen Xuanfeng's sword and blade strikes from the void were multiplying and homing in on their vitals. Several attacks had already grazed Xi Luo's skin, leaving deep wounds. Were it not for Xi Luo’s divine healing magic—unlike a Sword Saint—he would have been incapacitated by now.

"This is bad—he’s mastering the reverse-realm manipulation. If this continues, we’ll lose sooner or later!" Xi Luo had identified the problem but found no solution. As he spoke, two more slashes struck him.

Tan Yueer fell silent for a moment before lifting her head, her eyes now gleaming with resolve.

Though Chen Xuanfeng’s attacks were evenly distributed between them, Tan Yueer fared better than Xi Luo, who was completely outmatched. After all, she wielded both time and space sword arts, allowing her to react faster in self-defense than when protecting Xi Luo. Thus, she bore only two thin wounds.

Suddenly, the ethereal maiden in white turned to Xi Luo and said, "One gambit remains to reverse our fate. Xi Luo, you must follow my next command without hesitation!"

"Understood." Though the young Pope was sharp and capable, he had always deferred to Tan Yueer’s judgment when they fought together, never questioning her orders.

The next moment, Tan Yueer shouted, "Left rear—strike!"

Xi Luo lunged forward without a second thought.

Crimson arced through the air.

A white-clad figure was impaled through the heart by the emerald-crystal blade of the Hero Emperor Sword.

Xi Luo’s expression contorted in dread.

His strike had not wounded Chen Xuanfeng—it had pierced Tan Yueer’s heart.

"How… Why… What…?" Though his mind reeled, he knew this was no accident. Tan Yueer had thrown herself onto his blade.

Blood gushed from her lips, but she smiled faintly, whispering weakly, "Miracles demand blood and sacrifice. It’s just… I won’t be by your side anymore…"

Before her voice faded, the female Sword Saint breathed her last. Her body erupted in an emerald radiance, dissolving into rivulets of emerald radiance that surged into the Hero Emperor Sword.

A wordless, anguished roar tore from his throat as grief overwhelmed him. Yet, at the same time, an arcane pulse of understanding flowed from the sword into his mind.

In an instant, the inexplicable events of the past became clear.

Long ago, after forging the Hero Emperor Sword, the Twelve Sages uncovered its fatal flaw. Though it bore the imprints of eight elemental forbidden spells, granting power surpassing any Sword Saint, its lack of a soul demanded impossibly precise control—beyond even most Sword Saints. This contradicted their original goal: "to let ordinary warriors wield power beyond the Saint Realm."

Thus, they resolved to forge a sword spirit, allowing the wielder to offload intricate manipulations to the spirit.

Once decided, the Twelve Sages pursued the optimal solution. And what soul could be more fitting than that of the Ancestor of Sword Saints, Leinster? So, the Sage of Necromancy and the Sage of Dreams collaborated, using a unique death artifact—the "Breathless Wheel"—to resurrect the deceased Sword Saint as an undead, intending further modifications.

Yet they hadn’t anticipated that Leinster, on the verge of death, had glimpsed the Sword God Realm. Though he hadn’t ascended, his soul had mutated beyond their magical tampering. Awakening mid-process, he shattered their control, thrashed the hubristic half-elves, and departed.

With their primary plan foiled, the Twelve Sages activated a backup: gifting the "Hero Emperor Sword" to another Sword Saint while secretly casting a soul-binding curse—the "Soul Coiling Seal." They planned to harvest his soul once it synchronized with the sword. But fate intervened. Before success, divine judgment struck. Under the Platinum Lightning’s eightfold barrage, the oblivious Sword Saint, driven by loyalty, shielded the Sages—perishing alongside his shattered blade, rendering their schemes void. The mutated "Soul Coiling Seal" thereafter bound the sword exclusively to his bloodline.