The Qingfeng Sword did not attempt further persuasion. Instead, it took a deep breath: "Just say it, I will definitely convey your words."

In truth.

Both Qingfeng Sword Spirit and Xu Lai knew that under the Karmic Tribulation, survival was impossible.

Yet, the fact that Qingfeng Sword was willing to come despite the emerging Tribulation Thunder made Xu Lai very happy. Continuing further held no meaning.

"Pass on a message to Ruan Tang for me, tell her..."

Xu Lai paused, remaining silent for a long time, as if time had frozen in that moment.

The Qingfeng Sword Spirit only saw the sky filled with tribulation clouds brewing thunder, the next strike... no, every strike that followed was an intermingling of black and white.

The pressure increased.

Even more terrifying than before!

"Tell her what? Quickly, speak." Qingfeng Sword urged.

She harbored a bizarre delusion that even as an Emperor Artifact, she would instantaneously shatter if struck by the black and white Tribulation Thunder.

The spirit was not afraid of death.

She was merely a spirit forged by Xu Lai, if the Emperor Artifact collapsed, she would simply return to the earth and sky.

But the Qingfeng Sword Spirit felt Xu Lai should leave Ruan Tang some keepsakes and parting words.

Xu Lai's lips moved, also seeing the completely unified two-colored Tribulation Thunder within the clouds, he softly spoke:

"I let her down."

"Just those words?"

"..."

"Go now."

Xu Lai infused all the remaining spiritual energy within him into the Qingfeng Sword, helping her leave Heaven Beyond Heaven.

"Use the Chaos Three-leaf Clover to create a body, find a Dao partner to live a mundane life, or embark on the path of cultivation, but don't always remain within the sword. The world out here is wonderful, walk around more and see what you can."

Xu Lai's last words resonated within the Qingfeng Sword. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

At the same time.

The imprint of Great Emperor Qingfeng within the sword dissipated.

From today on, Qingfeng Sword became masterless, free to acknowledge any master or break free from the confines of the Emperor Artifact and become a cultivator.

In short, she was free.

From the moment Xu Lai became an emperor, he continuously tried to have the Qingfeng Sword Spirit leave the Emperor Artifact, yet the spirit never directly responded.

She was the sword spirit.

An artifact personally forged by Xu Lai.

Born of Xu Lai, she should also die by his side. As an independent entity, where could she go?

"You really are a scoundrel, being fickle with Ruan Tang, Qing Yuan, and the Qingqiu fox demon empress, even abandoning me completely."

"Xu Qingfeng, you better die under the heavenly tribulation, I would rather never see you again!"

The Qingfeng Sword Spirit shouted loudly towards Heaven Beyond Heaven with a cry in her voice.

But her voice was drowned in the endless sea of thunder.

She did not know if Xu Lai, without the Emperor Realm imprint, could hear her.

"Sister Qingfeng Sword..."

Outside Heaven Beyond Heaven, a group of multicolored Emperor Artifacts floated.

After the Tribulation Thunder descended, they ceased their disputes and returned to their respective great emperors, yet the Eight Desolate Cauldron did not leave.

The Soul-Settling Umbrella remained as well.

As did the Myriad Fortune Hairpin, Measuring Heaven Ruler, and other five Emperor Artifacts.

Only these five artifacts subtly backed away, preparing themselves to flee at any moment.

They couldn't help it—they truly feared the madwoman Qingfeng Sword.

Not only did she slash at any artifact she saw earlier, but now she might vent the fury of the Karmic Tribulation onto them.

But Qingfeng Sword paid no heed to the many Emperor Artifacts, like a lost soul guarding Heaven Beyond Heaven.

The Eight Desolate Cauldron flew forward, intending to offer consolation, when a cool voice sounded: "Scram!"

"...Hey."

The Eight Desolate Cauldron answered with a muffled sound.

The other six Emperor Artifacts retreated even further, including the Soul-Settling Umbrella which had just fought alongside her.

"Stand guard here; if the Nine Kings' Palace appears within the Emperor Realm, show no mercy!" Qingfeng Sword coldly ordered.

"Why should we help you?" Divine Sense echoed from within the Measuring Heaven Ruler.

"Attack!"

"Whoosh—"

Upon hearing Qingfeng Sword's command, the Eight Desolate Cauldron hesitated not at all and directly smashed forward.

"???"

The Measuring Heaven Ruler was stunned.

You give the order, I question it, aren't you supposed to provide reasons one by one? What's the deal with starting a fight directly?

"Back up a bit, don't get splattered by blood." The Soul-Settling Umbrella softly advised the other Emperor Artifacts, causing the Myriad Fortune Hairpin and the other three artifacts to immediately fly backward.

"..." Measuring Heaven Ruler.

We just fought side by side, and now you're betraying a friend to seek glory?

Good heavens.

One by one, they were adept at tailoring their actions to suit the winds.

It hurriedly said: "My family's Great Emperor might be within the body of the Blue Giant Jellyfish, I'll help you... is that not enough!"

"These two matters aren't related." The Myriad Fortune Hairpin whispered.

"...My family's Great Emperor once ventured to the Nine Kings' Palace and was injured, naturally, I must avenge him."

"Reasonable."

The Myriad Fortune Hairpin quietly added: "My family's Great Emperor owes the Great Emperor Qingfeng a favor, this time we act to clear our debts."

"Great Emperor Qingfeng died for the Immortal Domain, I, Hidden Blade, am willing to lend a helping hand!" declared the bright silver knife.

"My Great Emperor doesn't have any grievance against the Nine Kings' Palace, but the world has suffered long enough under them," said the golden iron rod.

It was the Emperor Artifact Golden Cudgel. A rather unrefined name, yet alongside the Fifty-eighth Epoch Golden Emperor, it had suppressed several dangerous forbidden places disturbing the Immortal Domain, thus possessing widespread fame in the Immortal Domain.

Needless to say, the Soul-Settling Umbrella.

Without doubt, it would aid Qingfeng Sword, for its own Great Emperor had already ascended to the Heavenly Court, leaving it behind specifically to assist.

And so, all Emperor Artifacts simultaneously turned their gaze toward the white bell in the corner.

"..." Wuji Dao Bell.

It suddenly grew to understand better the frustration Eight Desolate Cauldron must have felt on the day when numerous Emperor Artifacts collectively opposed it, attempting to partake in its share.

Wuji Dao Bell knew.

Should it dare deny today, it would immediately be disassembled on the spot by Qingfeng Sword and the seven other Emperor Artifacts that followed.

But who was it?

It was Wuji Dao Bell!

Wuji Great Emperor was the Demon Emperor, hailed as the progenitor of Demon Path. It also went by the title of the Demon Bell; if it capitulated now, it would be scorned by the Immortal Domain's Demon Path cultivators.

Presently, it coldly snorted, waves of chilling energy coursing throughout its being: "The Heavenly Court suppressed numerous Demon Path lineages, this enmity is irreconcilable."

The Eight Desolate Cauldron immediately shifted its body, readying to unleash the Emperor Scripture's divine skills, when Wuji Dao Bell loudly declared:

"But I am willing to heed Sister Sword's commands!"

"..." Eight Desolate Cauldron.

"..." All Emperor Artifacts.

"Boom!"

A slice of Qingfeng Sword Intent cut across the Wuji Dao Bell, followed by the peal of a bell ringing throughout the Four Immortal Domains.

Wuji Dao Bell, both angry and annoyed, said: "Why strike me!"

"Stalling, aren't you? You'll take the lead later."

"..."

Wuji Dao Bell, infuriated and embarrassed: "Lead the charge I will, today we slay the emperor!"

Saying the meekest words in the fiercest tone, making the most spontaneous decisions.

Xu Lai did not know, his Emperor Artifact had not returned to Earth.

The six emperors presently locked in agonizing conflict with the heavenly tribulation at the Nine Kings' Palace did not know; even amidst uncertainty over their survival, they'd attracted further attention.

Within Heaven Beyond Heaven.

After sending off the Qingfeng Sword, Xu Lai raised his head.

Gazing at the Karmic Tribulation Thunder that shimmered black and white, as it descended, Xu Lai, bereft of any spiritual energy within, could no longer hold on. Memories flashed by like a carousel in his mind.

As a child, being picked up by the master amidst boundless snowfields and taken to the Heavenly Court.

Being bullied by the senior sister alongside two elder brothers.

Then the sect faced calamity, with Xu Lai being the least powerful barely escaping with his life, slowly treading forward step by step.