Not only that, but the energy armour, which had previously dissipated, reappeared on Chu Feng’s body.
It was the array power from the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s tomb.
And now, this array power was far stronger than before.
This was the more complete form of the array power.
“Senior, this…”
Chu Feng was overjoyed but also felt somewhat undeserving.
He had clearly failed…
He had abandoned the inheritance…
He had let down the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s kindness…
“Don’t look at me with those grateful eyes.”
“You passed my test and gained their approval, which is why you received the inheritance,” the Demon-Slaying Emperor said with a smile.
“Passed the test and gained approval?”
Chu Feng was still puzzled, but soon his expression shifted.
“Could it be, if I hadn’t given up the inheritance to save the Secret Cave Saints and instead continued to merge with it, I wouldn’t have gained approval?”
Chu Feng asked.
“Exactly.”
“Someone who pursues power at the expense of loyalty doesn’t deserve my inheritance.”
“Nor do they deserve my Demon-Slaying Sword.”
“Though it’s now just a shell, I hope it finds a master worthy of it.”
As he spoke, the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s body began to melt, turning into wisps of energy that drifted toward the void.
“Senior, you…”
Seeing this, Chu Feng’s heart tightened.
He could tell the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s remnant soul was about to dissipate.
In a hurry, Chu Feng released his barrier power, trying to stabilise the remnant soul to prevent its complete dissolution.
“Young friend, stop.”
“If I didn’t want to fade, I could live for at least another ten thousand years.”
“But I’m tired… After waiting so many years, I’m long weary.”
The Demon-Slaying Emperor said.
“Senior, you mean…?”
Chu Feng suddenly understood the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s intention.
It wasn’t that his remnant soul had reached its limit; he was actively dissipating it, choosing to vanish completely.
He was choosing to truly die.
Though Chu Feng didn’t fully voice his question, the Demon-Slaying Emperor nodded with a smile, confirming Chu Feng’s guess.
“I should’ve died long ago. I left this remnant soul not out of attachment to this world but to find someone to inherit my legacy.”
“In fact, across the Ancestral Martial Galaxy, I left many tombs; this is just one of them.”
“In life, I had some fame, so I knew after my death, countless people would covet my treasures.”
“That’s why I created many tombs to mislead others.”
“This tomb is probably the least convincing one.”
“And it did fool many.”
“But in truth, this is where my remnant soul rests, my true place of repose.”
“Young friend, do you know why I placed my remnant soul here?” the Demon-Slaying Emperor asked.
“Please tell me, Senior,” Chu Feng said.
“In my life, I loved someone. Though she wasn’t skilled in martial cultivation, she was passionate about studying prophecy.”
“I once asked her, if I died and wanted to find an inheritor, where would be the best place to look.”
“She told me about this place.”
“She studied prophecy for years but wasn’t very good at it. Her predictions rarely came true, and I only asked casually back then.”
“But later, without anyone knowing, I placed my remnant soul in the place she mentioned.”
“Who would’ve thought, that girl, wrong so many times, got it right this once.”
By now, most of the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s body had vanished, with only his upper half remaining. Yet, he showed no fear, his face bearing a faint smile.
It was a smile of happiness.
It was as if he was recalling that moment, filled with warmth.
Though Chu Feng didn’t know what the Demon-Slaying Emperor’s beloved looked like, he could feel the depth of his love for her.
“Young friend, my tombs are scattered across the Ancestral Martial Galaxy, true and false, numbering over a thousand.”
“But there are only two true tombs: this one, where my remnant soul lies.”
“And another, hiding my true treasures.”
“The Demon-Slaying Sword is the key to that tomb.”
“Remember, that tomb is in the Flower Sea Mortal Realm of the Ancestral Martial Galaxy.”
“There lies my true treasure.”
“There lies my true inheritance.”
“But don’t open it until you reach the Martial Venerable realm…”
“Thank you, Senior, but…”
Suddenly, Chu Feng knelt halfway, bowing deeply.
At this moment, Chu Feng was overwhelmed with grief. He desperately didn’t want the Demon-Slaying Emperor to die like this.
Especially as the remnant soul dwindled, about to vanish completely, Chu Feng’s reluctance grew…
“Don’t be sad. In my life, I’ve gained fame, wealth, and power others could only dream of.”
“I achieved everything I pursued…”
“But those pursuits cost me what mattered most.”
“In hindsight, compared to her, fame, wealth, and the respect of others meant little.”
“When she left, I realised what I truly wanted.”
“Yet, after thousands of years dominating the martial path, I still had attachments.”
“Now, my final wish is fulfilled.”
“My life’s achievements have found an inheritor.”
At this, the Demon-Slaying Emperor closed his eyes, a smile of anticipation on his face.
“Girl, I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you in life, and even in death, I made you wait so long…”
“But it’s alright, now I’m coming to join you…”
As his words fell, his remnant soul fully dissipated, leaving only his voice echoing in the space.
But when that voice faded, there was no trace of the Demon-Slaying Emperor left.
Chu Feng knew he was truly gone.
Thus, his heart was filled with sorrow.
Chu Feng could sense that in life, the Demon-Slaying Emperor must have been an extraordinary figure.
He could survive as a remnant soul and, with special means, could have continued to dominate the world.
He didn’t even have to die…
But Chu Feng felt he was determined to die.
And why?
Chu Feng suspected it was largely because of that girl…
They say even heroes fall to love, and it was true.
But Chu Feng felt there was nothing wrong with that.
In this world, who can escape the pull of emotion?
Be it familial love, romantic love, or friendship, it’s all emotion.
From birth, our lives are destined to revolve around it.
It’s this emotion that gives us bonds, and meaning, to our lives.
To be as cold-blooded as the Storm Mad Clan—that’s the true tragedy…
