This was Xiangxie's plan since the beginning. She was informed by the Sword God about Bai being ready. So she decided to have a final battle with him. She would teach him that she had learned, even the next realm. She should sacrifice herself to it, but she knew that Bai would make it his own, reaching godhood and showing the true might of the sword.
Since the day she accepted the Sword God's proposal to become his High Priest, Xiangxie already knew what her destiny would be, sacrificing herself for the birth of a new Sword God. She didn't regret her decision, thanks to it, her strength quickly increased and was able to protect her family. Her family was always the most important for her and she would never doubt sacrificing herself for them, exactly the same as her best friend Maya.
She truly didn't expect her sacrifice to be needed so quickly, but the world seemed to move incredibly fast. She was even glad that Bai was the one before her. She didn't need to change her believes, sacrificing for the family made it an easy option for her. She was very proud of Bai reaching that level so quickly and was glad to be part of his strength.
It might seem a little coward, but Xiangxie didn't like goodbyes. She had spent all these happy memories with her family and didn't say goodbye to them. She preferred to silently disappear without any difficult moment between them.
It was also the reason that she wanted to fight Bai, letting herself be killed in the spur of the fight. Not letting Bai react otherwise. She knew that her son, he treasured family and love over all, he would never let herself be sacrificed for him.
Moreover, she couldn't think of a better way to die that under a powerful sword after having passed all her knowledge. It might have been too quick, she would have liked to pass more time with them, enjoying their company rather than fighting to become strong. But there was no much time.
She had even been a little greedy. In all these turbulent times, she didn't participate in the war, she let herself rest, bringing another son to live. He was her little miracle, her last will. She would become a bright fire that would empower her little Bai, consuming herself leaving ashes, her little and loved Hui {AN: Hui means ash in Chinese, I think}. Her sons would be proof of her existence.
Being her heart pierced by Bai's sword, Xiangxie slowly closed her eyes. Death seemed to be warmer than she thought, not feeling any pain at all.
"Cut up the crap, mum!" Bai shouted pissed "You can open your eyes" Bai retired his swords from her mother's body, not a single trail of blood left in them.
"W-what?" Xiangxie opened her eyes and surprisedly blinked. "How could it be?" She traced her chest, discovering that it was not injured at all. Looking at Bai, she discovered why. Bai's swords were shining with a warm and healing green light. He should have switched his intents in the last moment, changing power to healing.
"Slap!" Bai slapped his mother's cheek, leaving it with a red color "How could you tried to sacrifice yourself?" Bai was furious, but in his face was also a mix of worry and sadness, tears falling his cheeks.
"Bai, you didn't understand. I must-" Tears were falling from Xiangxie's eyes as she tried to explain her sacrifice.
"Shut up!" Bai interrupted "I don't want to listen to your excuses. I understand what you are trying to do. Since the start of this battle, I sensed your intention. How could I react in the last moment changing my intent if I didn't know about it?" Bai put himself theatrical.
"You want to sacrifice yourself, for me to be able to overtake the Sword God's position!" Bai shouted "If it means your death, I don't want this shitty power! I won't sacrifice my loved one, I won't let you sacrifice for me."
"Bai you didn't understand. This human war is a pantomime. Humans are fighting and killing between them, but it didn't matter how much kills there are, this war would be finished by gods!" She announced.
"A great number of gods are in the move, they would shortly start to descend, we human didn't have any say in that. If this continues, we will be swallowed by their strength, being at their whim. You should take this opportunity, reach godhood and protect the family. I'm already prepared to die, I don't mind dying for all of you!" She tried to convince him, more tears falling her eyes "I am glad for your feeling and proud of you. But this is our destiny, I must sacrifice for you and you ascend to godhood."
"That destiny and god can fuck themselves!" Bai spatted "I won't let you sacrifice for me. I will carve a new path for me" Bai cleaned his tears and turned around "Don't even try to die, mum. Even if you sacrifice, I won't take this opportunity, I will negate the Sword God"
Bai stepped forward, the space in front of him breaking. All the sword space collapsing and finding themselves outside at the intact training ground.
Bai walked away without turning to see her mother who laid over the ground whimpering with a mix of sadness and joy for being alive and seeing her son's growth.
Bai's eyes turned sharp and cold, his face very determined "I will show what I am capable. Nobody would stop me. I will finish this dammit war, now!"