Cohabitation with Sword Spirit

Chapter 506 - 7: Opportunity Only Favors the Prepared

The words of the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect to Wang Jiu were not unfamiliar.

Even back in the Jiuzhou Era, he had encountered such problems.

"A blood sacrifice at the Sword Pool to forge a sword with the power of Jiuzhou? Are you out of your minds? You’ve all seen the blueprint. If the blood sacrifice ritual were to succeed, he’d become a monster comparable to the Demon Emperor! If he lost control, we’d be facing two Demon Emperors!"

"Do you really understand him? It’s only been a few years since you first met, right? Such terrifying power, and you’re willing to hand it over so boldly to someone you have only known for a few years?!"

"Even if it’s only been a few years, you should know how peculiar he is. More like a monster than a person! A fiend born from the Sword Pool, completely devoid of humanity. Haven’t enough humans died at his hands over the years?!"

"Do you not think Jiuzhou’s calamities are enough? Hoping for such a demon to save Jiuzhou is a delusional poison!"

"Even if it must be done, at least add safety restrictions, right? When he loses control, we must have the means to stop him! You ask me what to do specifically? How would I know, the blueprint’s your design, haven’t you considered it yourself? Like installing a Qingyu True Essence Divine Thunder in his Sword World?"

...

Even during the time of Jiuzhou, when the Nameless Sword God and the Jiu Immortal Venerables together struck down the chief and deputy alliance leaders of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, and many major sect leaders, shaking the world with their might, there was still fierce opposition to the blood sacrifice ritual.

In fact, Wang Jiu’s temperament was just an excuse. What humanity truly feared was his power, a transcendent being wholly beyond the world’s people, who could not be accepted by humanity.

Humans are not a tolerant race; the thought that those who are not of our kind must have different minds runs through the entirety of human civilization. For those minorities, humans instinctively oppress, and for unknown aliens, they habitually raise hostility.

The so-called diversity and inclusiveness mostly arise when several large ethnic groups are so war-torn that they can no longer fight, shaking hands with forced smiles. Without the baptism of blood and rain, this so-called diversity and tolerance are as fragile as sandcastles.

Therefore, facing these doubts, the Jiu Immortal Venerables unhesitatingly unleashed a storm of blood, further diminishing humanity’s already endangered high-end combat power. The remaining high-end strength of the Myriad Immortals Alliance was almost entirely composed of the Jiu Immortal Venerables and a scant few Great Cultivators. However, owing to this, the blood sacrifice ritual faced no further obstruction. Subsequently, the Celestial Divine Sword descended smoothly, and humanity’s counterattack was officially sounded.

Now, Wang Jiu seemed to be facing a similar situation.

"I’m very sorry, I know how disgraceful it is to harbor such malicious doubts about a savior who saved human civilization, but I can’t help but doubt you."

The Sect Leader of the Saint Sect said, "Last year, Shen Ziyu reported your matters to me."

Wang Jiu nodded. That was his first contact with the Saint Sect, but it ended in nothing, and the Saint Sect took no action.

"Because we didn’t know how to react, determining the truth of the matter alone took a long time," the Sect Leader said. "Although Shen Ziyu is a rigorously tested elite, his reports should be highly credible, but the matters he reported were too bizarre to be accepted without hesitation. So, we delved into numerous ancient texts, finally forming a preliminary legend about the Celestial Divine Sword based on historical records from the Primordial Ruins, the so-called No. 1 Ruins, and the Sword Seal discovered by Dean Sang in District 33 serves as strong proof of the legend."

After speaking, the Sect Leader sighed. "In short, after Shen Ziyu’s report, I began to closely monitor you. The Cyan Cloud Competition, Shen City’s birthday celebration, the Golden Jade coup, the roles you played and the impact you had in these events, I am well aware of all of them. It is based on the above results that I finally came to a judgment—I simply cannot trust you."

These words left Wang Jiu somewhat puzzled.

Over the past year since he awakened, had he done anything not worthy of trust? During the Jiuzhou Era’s opposition from the immortals, it could be attributed to him and the Jiu Immortal Venerables sweeping away internal resistance with too many killings. But in peaceful Xiangzhou, Wang Jiu hadn’t even initiated a massacre against humanity. Where did this Sect Leader’s distrust come from?

"Because I cannot find your life purpose," the Sect Leader said. "Summarizing your actions over the past year since you awoke, the best descriptor would be going with the flow."

Wang Jiu thought for a moment and felt that this summary wasn’t wrong.

Indeed, it was going with the flow because he couldn’t think of anything else to do.

The birth of the Celestial Divine Sword was to annihilate the Demon Race. Now that the Demon Emperor is dead and countless demons have been obliterated, only a handful of Demon Essence remains, barely surviving in chaos, no longer posing a threat to human civilization. Although there is still some uncertainty in the chaotic tides, the vibrant life shown by Xiangzhou’s civilization is enough to counteract these uncertainties.

Therefore, Wang Jiu didn’t have a compelling reason to act urgently; going with the flow was already the best choice. Staying beside the No. 1 steed, like old friends from the past said, enjoying life—what’s wrong with that?

"If you were just an ordinary person, going with the flow would naturally be no mistake, but for the Celestial Divine Sword, so-called going with the flow would almost inevitably become stirring up waves, causing storms because you are too vast, and this world cannot withstand your drifting along. Just like the Cyan Cloud Competition, because you went with the flow, Shen Qingming, who should not have won the championship, won it. Because of your drifting along, City Lord of Shen City, Shen Ruoshi, retired early, drastically changing the layout of Shen City. Because of your complacency, Golden Jade City is even more tumultuous! And Sword Spirit Senior, you have only been awake for less than a year, and your power hasn’t even recovered to one percent of its former strength!"

Hearing this, Wang Jiu suddenly understood the Sect Leader’s concerns.

So-called going with the flow or, looking at it from another perspective, is essentially acting on one’s own whims. A weak person can certainly act as they please because social order can constrain their behavior. But for someone as powerful as the Celestial Divine Sword, once acting whimsically, who can restrain them?

The Sect Leader sighed again: "If Sword Spirit Senior you were merely going with the flow, that would be fine. With the heart and wisdom of the Celestial Divine Sword, walking the mortal world alone would only eliminate injustices and promote civilization. But since the beginning of your awakening, you have certainly not been alone, first with Shen Qingming, and later came Zhao Chenlu. The once pure Divine Sword has been tainted with the colors of the mortal world since its revival, hence a series of farces. Now that you and Zhao Chenlu are together, I indeed find it hard to imagine what great things you two can accomplish. Even harder to fathom, should a second or third Zhao Chenlu appear, can Xiangzhou withstand the troubles you might bring? Zhao Chenlu, when she awoke, was just a newborn infant, but at 15, she won the Golden Jade Competition, and by age 20, she became the noble family head, severely distorting the regular history of the Zhao family. If more Li Chenlu, Shang Chenlu appear, the current Xiangzhou civilization will collapse instantly!"

Wang Jiu listened and remained silent.

The Sect Leader said, "Perhaps my words sound like the worries of a fool, self-inflicted troubles—after all, both of you are world-saving heroes, great saints, possessing wisdom and power beyond reach, only capable of leading us faster toward revival. But, I am not just anyone; I am the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect, and I won’t think so simply. Sword Spirit Senior, you should have heard of the Saint Sect’s ancient saying: The Saint Sect is the Saint Sect of all under Heaven, not just the Saint Sect of the Saint Sect’s people. Why is there such a saying? It’s because from the first generation, we feared that one day the Saint Sect would lose sympathy and understanding for those lagging behind, comfortably sitting high above, overshadowing the sunshine meant to benefit all. This is, namely, the Zhao Chenlu of today."

"I do not blame City Lord Zhao Chenlu for having such ideas. She was born in the Primordial Era, and after a life-and-death struggle, she suddenly wakes up in Xiangzhou. This Xiangzhou Continent is not her homeland, Xiangzhou people are not her kin, so naturally, she would lack a sense of belonging here, even less a sense of responsibility. Thus, her becoming so arrogant today is not surprising."

Wang Jiu corrected in time, "In fact, she is equally arrogant and domineering on the Jiuzhou Continent."

"Is that so... I see, now it more firmly confirms my judgment. Jiuzhou and Xiangzhou are completely different and incompatible worlds. This Xiangzhou Continent truly cannot endure the resurgence of seniors like you, let alone your complacency."

"So you are considering banishing me to the Primordial Ruins?"

The Sect Leader said, "This is... a last resort. The gravity and peril of the No.1 Ruin likely can trap you for hundreds of years, and by then, even if you break free and find a way back to Xiangzhou, during these centuries, Xiangzhou people should also be able to find a way to deal with threats like yours. Even if they really can’t figure it out, at least I’ve gained them enough time, I’ve done my best."

"But this is also the worst choice for you."

"Yes, which is why we must return to the initial question: Senior, would you be willing to become the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect? To take this position, bear this responsibility, and henceforth no longer act as you please, but as the leader of Xiangzhou, guiding us forward."

Wang Jiu asked, "Why do you believe that just by assuming this position, I would consciously undertake the obligations? In human civilization, there are countless people who hold positions but do not conduct their affairs."

"With Senior’s disposition, you most certainly would not do such a thing. According to my data, at 17, you established a company with some youngsters in Cyan Cloud City, and to this day, most of the company’s operations stem from your planning... Even a jestful company you can seriously operate; once truly in the Sect Leader’s seat, I believe you would definitely do better than me, better than any generation of Sect Leader."