Remove the Restraint? . . .
"Who is he?" Xiu of Heavens inquired. "Give me his name, and I can assure you he will not meet his end. My promises hold power."
With a measured tone, she continued, "I'm not inclined to release my restraint at this moment. You wish to spare your loved one. I must proceed. So, let us negotiate. I shall save his life, and in return, you will allow me to continue my mission. If you agree, we have an accord."
"That is the extent of what I can offer at this juncture," Xiu-Er stated, her gaze fixed on the woman in white. "I believe you understand that I possess the ability to overcome your resistance. Yet, it matters not. You are aware of my identity and my past deeds. Despite the risks, you are willing to undertake this endeavor for the man you love, so I shall make a vow to you."
"We are both women," Xiu-Er observed, her eyes softening. "I understand such sentiments."
The woman in white regarded her with an uncertain expression and mustered a bittersweet smile.
"What an intriguing proposition," she thought. "If he were not who he is, perhaps I would agree to it. However, I can do nothing more than offer a rueful smile."
"I believe in your sincerity. I trust every word you speak. But I regret to inform you that you are unable to save his life," the woman in white affirmed with a deep breath. "It is simply beyond your capacity."
Xiu of Heavens quivered with laughter, finding it incredulous.
"Do you truly think there is someone in this world whom I cannot save?" she mused.
The woman in white remained calm and composed as she replied, "You are a formidable figure within the Land of Han-Yang, possessing the ability to exert influence over nearly every individual. However, the man I seek to rescue is a distinct exception."
Xiu-Er was taken aback. The woman was evidently no ordinary individual. With the exception of Xiu-Er, Wan-Er, and Master Bai, she was undoubtedly among the world's mightiest. How, then, could the person she aimed to protect be just an ordinary individual?
"Regardless, kindly disclose his name. Even though your proposal appears reasonable, I struggle to place my trust in it. I cannot fathom anyone whom I am incapable of saving," Xiu-Er asserted stubbornly.
The woman in white offered a wistful smile and replied, "His name is Feng Zhiling."
Xiu-Er cleared her throat, experiencing a sudden dryness.
She was at a loss for words.
"Feng Zhiling," she murmured. "No wonder you claimed I could not save him."
She nodded in understanding. "I see. I cannot preserve his life."
The House of the Chaotic Storms had ignited turmoil across the world, with Feng Zhiling at its epicenter. No matter how events unfolded, Feng Zhiling was fated to meet his end.
That was an inalterable facet of the scheme.
Even if the House of the Chaotic Storms did not intend to bring down the kingdom, Feng Zhiling would still encounter numerous fatalities due to the multitude of Supreme Dan Beads in his possession.
"Can you save his life, Lady Xiu-Er?" inquired the woman in white.
Xiu-Er drew in a deep breath, her gaze turning razor-sharp. "It seems today won't be a gentle encounter. You are inviting your own demise!"
Both understood the implication behind her words.
Should Xiu-Er release her restraint and attain overwhelming power, her fate would lead her into the abyss of heavenly punishments. But for the woman in white, death would be immediate.
The woman in white, however, remained undaunted. She softly remarked, "We are both women. Sometimes, women can be quite foolish. Right now, I'm embracing my moment of folly."
Xiu-Er's eyes conveyed a multitude of complex emotions.
In life, every woman had her share of foolish moments. And that knowledge struck Xiu-Er's heart like a lightning bolt, targeting the softest part within.
She sighed. "You must comprehend that even if you die here and now, he is fated to the same end. Why sacrifice yourself when the result for him remains unchanged? Why make such a sacrifice?"
The woman in white gently shook her head. "It's not the same. At least if I die for him, I've tried. I will die before he does. I won't have to witness his death."
"I won't hear of his death, so I won't feel the sorrow."
Xiu-Er was taken aback, her voice a mere murmur. "Incredible! Splendid. It's a pity. Were it not for my master's grand plan, I might have let him live."
"If circumstances were different, perhaps we could have been good friends, even sisters. Fate has a way of intervening."
"However... I have no choice now. I believe that you will find freedom in death. I will die after you. Ultimately, that will be your honor." Fire blazed in Xiu-Er's eyes.
It was genuine fire, a blaze from the depths of her soul.
She was on the verge of releasing her restraint and she spoke deliberately, "It is your honor, and mine as well! There are few women I consider true women, and you are unquestionably one."
"I understand you! So I am going to end you," she declared.
The woman in white offered a bland smile. "Thank you for understanding."
"Thank you for granting my wish!"
The woman in white took a step back, her hand drawing a sword with graceful precision.
The blade gleamed with clarity as it stood before her chest.
Verbal exchanges had reached their limit.
The impending clash was inevitable.
The fire within Xiu-Er's eyes was on the verge of erupting.
It was her unique gift—her Destined Fire.
Once ignited, it signified the removal of the restraint, transforming her into an invincible force in this realm.
Within Xiu-Er's gaze, a mélange of emotions swirled—sentiments of frustration and lament.
If there had been an alternative, she would never have resorted to the use of her Destined Fire. However, her hand was forced by the circumstances.
She did not wish to meet her demise here. In her mind, she had envisioned a future where she and Master Bai lived for countless millennia, ushering in generations of descendants.
But that vision had been abruptly halted by the woman standing before her.
In this realm of lower cultivation, the woman had materialized as a superior cultivator from the higher realm.
A superior cultivator whom Xiu-Er could never hope to defeat unless she cast aside her restraint.
Xiu-Er was left with no option but to unbind the restraint.
And yet, the price for doing so was the forfeiture of all the hopes she had cherished for her future.
The remarkable thing was, despite this heart-wrenching circumstance, Xiu-Er could not summon hatred for the woman. They were both driven by the same force—their love for the men who held their hearts.
For in the end, they were both women..