The villains are redeemed, and the heroines cry and beg for forgiveness.

As Gu Ran continued speaking, she found it difficult to continue.

Even with his daily nourishment using spiritual energy, Cheng Caimeng's physical condition is such that she can only live for a few more years at most, and she would have to be lucky enough to never get sick.

"But... even so, I hope you can enjoy the last moments of your life instead of thinking about... things like that."

"Once things are settled in Canglong City, I can accompany you to other major cities to see different cultural landscapes. Or if there's any other place you particularly want to go or any other thing you particularly want to do, I'll help you make it happen."

Anyway, he had already decided to leave Canglong City after this matter was settled, and at that time he could spend some time with Cheng Caimeng.

Cheng Caimeng could feel Gu Ran's heartfelt concern, which made her move even closer to him so that he could hold her more tightly.

Happiness and contentment filled her heart, and Cheng Caimeng truly wished that things could stay this way forever, that she could always be with Gu Ran and her sister.

but......

“Gu Ran, I’m not saying this because I can’t bear the physical torment and am thinking of ending my life, but because I have no other choice.”

"The threat to Azure Dragon City, and even to human civilization, has not been eliminated. In outer space, that will has been watching the human world and determining its exact coordinates."

"After returning to Azure Dragon City, didn't you notice anything strange? Everyone's emotions have become more extreme, more irritable and easily angered, more prone to fighting, and even more likely to fight to the death."

Because she had spoken for so long, Cheng Caimeng's breathing became much heavier, and she had to rest for a while.

However, this brief pause also gave Gu Ran time to think.

If Cheng Caimeng hadn't pointed it out, he really wouldn't have noticed.

Azure Dragon City... seems to have indeed fallen into extreme emotional turmoil?

And even he himself... seems to be slowly falling into this state.

He became increasingly impatient, and his approach to things became more and more one-size-fits-all.

Cheng Caimeng continued:

"Demons do have the ability to manipulate people's hearts, but because you eliminated most of the demons before, the demons that still exist in Canglong City should not be able to cause such a big impact."

"I hadn't noticed that at first... because I don't really know much about demons, but after I used my power... I saw another enemy of yours..."

"He is... the will of the stars!"

"The consequences of Xueyingsong's summoning were not only the descent of those alien demons... but more seriously, it also turned its gaze upon the human world."

"As long as He follows the path that those other kinds of demons and monsters previously descended upon the human world... He will be able to find a way to the human world, and then the human world will face a continuous stream of these other kinds of demons and monsters..."

Cheng Caimeng was panting heavily, but this time she didn't stop to rest. Instead, she continued speaking:

"To stop Him... we must sever the 'path' through which those alien species and demons descended, but this is not a 'path' in the traditional sense; rather, it is the 'perception' of the human world by the will of the stars..."

"This requires the sword you pulled from the ruins; it's the weapon you used to sever the Starry Sky Will's 'perception' of the human world..."

As she spoke, Cheng Caimeng's eyes sparkled, her spirits soaring, as if even the feeling of weakness in her body had subsided considerably.

"I finally understand the sword's mission, and I finally understand my own mission... You are the master that sword awaits... and I am that sword's... 'Sword Spirit'... Using this term from fantasy novels feels quite fitting..."

Gu Ran had a bad feeling.

"Sword Spirit? What do you mean? Is this why you want me... to kill you?"

Cheng Caimeng nodded gently.

"That's right, the term 'sword spirit' is borrowed from the popular fantasy novels in Azure Dragon City. It actually means to merge my abilities with this sword... to bring this sword to its final stage."

"Do you remember how we first met? My ability helps me automatically avoid obstacles and find my way in daily life... so I usually don't pay attention to where I'm going, relying solely on my ability to navigate... but I never expected to run into you..."

That time, I did indeed "run into" him.

“But that’s just the simplest and most common application. The truly extraordinary aspect of my ability, as I’ve told you before, is the ‘foresight’ of fate… If my ability can be attached to that sword, you will be able to use it to ‘foresee’ the ‘path’ of the will of the stars’ descending, and then sever that ‘path’.”

Gu Ran remained silent, lost in thought.

Although he understood why Cheng Caimeng had said those things, he was not convinced.

In his heart, his sense of public duty has diminished; he now wants to become a little more "selfish."

He hopes that the people around him can live a better life.

However... when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. If the will of the stars truly possesses the power to destroy humanity...

Suddenly, Gu Ran realized that this might not be the first time the human world had been invaded by extraterrestrial space.

During the first general administration of the Human Alliance, the entire human force was mobilized to launch an attack in outer space.

That was an epic war for humanity.

But the final result... wasn't good.

It could even be described as a failure.

It only temporarily halted the invasion of extraterrestrial aliens and demons. The first Grand Ruler—the chosen one at the time—ultimately met his demise...

Like the other destined ones, they disappeared.

It has not only physically disappeared from this world, but it has also disappeared from history and from humanity's collective "memory".

Therefore, humanity is indeed unable to stop alien species and demons from outer space, and unable to resolve the crisis of world destruction.

"Moreover... Gu Ran, this is also a way for us to reunite."

Cheng Caimeng's tone was melancholic, tinged with sadness and hope.

Gu Ran was startled.

He suddenly remembered that Cheng Caimeng had mentioned "reunion" at the beginning, but he had been distracted by other things and hadn't noticed it at the time.

But Cheng Caimeng repeated this point once again.

So... what she means is...

"The 'reunion' you speak of... do you mean meeting again? And that you can be resurrected?"

Gu Ran's voice was slightly excited.

After a slight silence, Cheng Caimeng did not answer the question directly, but sighed:

"You'll know when we meet again."

Gu Ran suddenly felt that something was wrong.

If he misunderstood Cheng Caimeng's words, then what did "reunion" mean?

Cheng Caimeng smiled slightly: "Anyway, the final result is death. Rather than being tormented by illness in the last period of time, it is better to die in a glorious way now. In this way, we can save Canglong City, save human civilization, and 'reunite' with you."

Clearly, she was not afraid of death.

She was even more afraid that the people she cared about would die in the apocalypse.

Gu Ran finally understood what Cheng Caimeng meant, but he still found it hard to accept.

Is this the only way?

Cheng Caimeng slightly raised her head and looked at the sky.

"This is the only method I know, and even this method must have been painstakingly planned for many years before the conditions for its implementation were prepared."

"The cultivation techniques I practice, the sword in the ruins, and the Reverse Origin Martial Arts Hall may all be waiting for this moment to arrive. The torrent of destiny is formed by the convergence of countless tributaries. One or two tributaries may not be able to change the torrent... but once the flow of the tributaries increases, then there is definitely a possibility of changing the direction of the torrent!"

Surprisingly, Cheng Caimeng stopped coughing at this moment. She seemed to have recovered from her illness, and her cheeks were rosy.

She really doesn't have much time left...

Gu Ran remained silent.

"Gu Ran, don't hesitate anymore, and don't think about it too much. This is the best way right now, and you could even say it's the only way."

"You could also think of it as not killing me, but saving me. In doing so, you also saved Azure Dragon City and human civilization. If you hadn't done this, we wouldn't have been able to 'reunite,' and my death would have been in vain..."

The last sentence touched Gu Ran.

He found himself seemingly forced to agree.

Because refusing would have even worse consequences.

Sensing that Gu Ran's attitude was softening, Cheng Caimeng couldn't help but feel a little happy.

"I will use a blood sacrifice to lock my soul and abilities within this sword. Perhaps, this can be considered a form of immortality?"

Cheng Caimeng smiled, then she remembered that she had her back to Gu Ran.

Gu Ran couldn't see her face, and she didn't want Gu Ran to see her face now.

I'm feeling a little down.

But in an instant, the thought that she seemed to be with Gu Ran forever in another way made her happy again.

"The blood sacrifice method requires the weapon to be plunged into the heart of a martial arts master, absorbing the heart's blood. Then, the chosen martial arts master must cooperate by voluntarily emptying their mind and attaching their soul to the weapon. You also need to cooperate with me, concentrating your will on the weapon and becoming one with my mind."

Cheng Caimeng's tone became serious.

“Throughout the entire process, we must cooperate seamlessly; no one can afford to make a mistake, or the blood sacrifice will fail. This is not a conventional blood sacrifice, but it is the most suitable blood sacrifice for us.”

"Gu Ran, you don't want me to die in vain, without having served any purpose, do you? At the same time, you don't want us... to never be able to 'reunite' again, do you?"

Gu Ran could tell from Cheng Caimeng's tone that she seemed to know exactly what "reunion" meant, but Cheng Caimeng seemed unwilling to say.

"Okay...I promise you!"

Gu Ran's voice trembled slightly.