Upon hearing the name Nie Fengyun, all the cultivators outside the Heavenly Emperor's realm were shocked!
Everyone's expressions were incredibly astonished.
No one would have thought that the last person the old Sword Master demanded the Emperor to kill would be Nie Fengyun!
This unexpected twist stunned everyone, including Nie Fengyun, who stood there in a daze.
As if realizing something, he murmured in a near-soulless state, "Could it be that you destroyed your invincible sword heart because of me?"
If that were true, he didn't know how he could face the Emperor.
All the cultivators present turned to look at Nie Fengyun.
They were filled with questions.
Given the Emperor's strength at the time, he could have easily killed Nie Fengyun.
Despite the power of the Longevity Nie family, there was no way they could protect Nie Fengyun from Chu Yang.
If anyone else attempted to assassinate Nie Fengyun, even a Quasi-Emperor wouldn't have succeeded.
But it was Chu Yang who had to face this...
Given all these factors, if the Emperor wished, this last assassination would be far easier than any before.
Yet, Nie Fengyun stood there unharmed.
This meant the Emperor did not take action against him.
Could it be that the Emperor defied the Sword Master's orders once again?
If so, how did the Emperor's sword heart ultimately get destroyed?
In the Emperor's current era, with no Great Emperors emerging, no one could destroy the Emperor's sword heart.
This was indisputable.
But what happened later that led to the Emperor destroying his own sword heart?
Ye Fan, the Son of Destiny, also found the situation increasingly intriguing.
A fierce light burst from his eyes.
Although the outcome differed from his expectations, it didn't matter; in fact, it was even more interesting than he had initially thought.
On one hand, there was the profound kindness and bond of the master-disciple relationship.
On the other hand, there was the deep brotherhood with the Emperor.
Killing Nie Fengyun would mean betraying his brother, but not killing him would mean defying the sect!
No matter the choice, it was wrong.
Both would tarnish the Emperor's reputation, making him the target of universal condemnation!
This infamy was inevitable, inescapable.
Thinking this, Ye Fan's anticipation grew. No matter what decision the Emperor made, the outcome would be something he relished. The monstrous reputation would be something the Emperor could never shake off!
The cultivators present also fell into silence. If they were in the Emperor's place, they would find it equally hard to decide.
Faced with such a dilemma, no one could claim to make the right choice because both options were wrong!
Throughout history, it has always been hard to satisfy both sides. Facing such a situation was inherently painful.
This predicament was truly unsolvable.
...
"Why must the last person be him? Why must it be me?"
Chu Yang's face was filled with endless bitterness. He didn't know what to do.
His words seemed like a complaint, yet also a question.
Why was he being forced to make such a choice? Didn't the years of their master-disciple relationship mean anything to the Sword Master?
The Sword Master's expression shifted slightly, showing a hint of reluctance.
He knew very well that Chu Yang's willingness to stay at the Heavenly Sword Sect for so long, under these circumstances, demonstrated the purity of his sword heart.
If it were anyone else, faced with such a dilemma, they would have left long ago, no matter how loyal they were.
This was precisely why he had poured everything into cultivating Chu Yang into such an exceptional sword cultivator.
The Sword Master had investigated the history between Chu Yang and Nie Fengyun over the years.
He knew that their bond was as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth.
He also knew that Chu Yang bore an immense blood feud and had a sister in the Immortal Realm.
Chu Yang needed strength, immense strength.
Therefore, the Sword Master was certain that Chu Yang, to grow stronger, would make a choice.
Killing Nie Fengyun was the best choice for Chu Yang.
The Sword Master sighed and advised, "You carry many burdens. Your talent should not be wasted."
"Although Nie Fengyun is your close brother, you have many other things you need to accomplish."
"In the future, your lifespan will be extraordinarily long. One brother is insignificant in comparison. In your long life, there will be a second Nie Fengyun, a third Nie Fengyun."
"You should be able to understand what to do. If you waste your unparalleled talent for the sake of one brother, it would be a great pity."
The Sword Master continued to persuade Chu Yang.
If it weren't for the irreconcilable enmity between him and the Longevity Nie family, he would have let Chu Yang go, allowing him to kill some insignificant person for his freedom.
But without Chu Yang's sharp blade, he had no hope of avenging himself against the Nie family.
He, too, had his reasons for doing this.
In life, there are many unavoidable regrets.
Chu Yang remained silent. When he had saved Nan Nan years ago, a sage had said something similar to him.
The Sword Master said, "Chu Yang, now you have two choices before you."
"One, go to the Nie family and kill Nie Fengyun. After that, we will sever all ties, and the Heavenly Sword Sect will no longer be associated with you. Our master-disciple bond will be over. You will go your way, and I will go mine."
"Two, you can choose not to kill Nie Fengyun. With your current strength, I can't stop you if you choose to leave. But remember, by doing this, you will never be able to repay the debt you owe me in this life!"
Chu Yang's expression was filled with sorrow. He had already made his decision.
"I, Chu Yang, never owe anyone any favors or debts!"
The nameless sword emitted a powerful hum, as if sensing its master's thoughts, trying to dissuade Chu Yang.
But Chu Yang's eyes were resolute. He chose to hold the nameless sword and, without hesitation, swung it toward his right arm.
Sword light burst forth, blood surged, and a thick column of blood spurted from his right arm.
At that moment, the Sword Master was shaken to his core. He hadn't expected Chu Yang to do this.
He clearly felt Chu Yang's invincible sword heart collapse!
The sword path crumbled.
The sword intent that could cut through everything dissipated from Chu Yang's body like air escaping a balloon.
Such an invincible sword path was destroyed just like that?!
Clang!
Chu Yang's face turned pale as he casually dropped the nameless sword to the ground.
His face was filled with endless desolation, "He is my brother, as close as a blood brother. You are my master, who gave me a new life. If you want me to kill him, I will cut off the arm I used to practice swordsmanship and return all my sword cultivation to you!"
"I will not be unworthy of your teachings. This sword not only severs my sword cultivation but also the bond between us."
"From now on, we owe each other nothing!"
Thus, the sword heart and sword cultivation that would drive every cultivator on the Wanling Continent mad with desire were severed by Chu Yang with one sword stroke.