Nie Fengyun, upon witnessing the scene before him, let out a heartrending roar, as if he had descended into madness. The once majestic aura of the Great Emperor emanating from him was now in utter disarray. His previously jet-black hair turned completely white in that instant.
Before this, Nie Fengyun, who always had an ethereal quality like a celestial being, now appeared utterly crazed.
The surrounding cultivators were silent, their hearts trembling at the sacrifice made by the Emperor.
Nie Fengyun's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the scene in the Heavenly Emperor Mirror.
Hearing the young man in the mirror say he would no longer practice swordsmanship, his emotions reached their breaking point.
He shouted at the young man in the mirror, "Chu Yang, damn you, why did you stop practicing swordsmanship? Who gave you permission to stop?!"
Tears blurred Nie Fengyun's vision, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
"Who allowed you to stop practicing swordsmanship? I forbid it! Why did you do this? Why destroy your own sword heart?!"
"Is your brain full of crap? Why do you have to be so stubborn? Can't you pretend to come and kill me? What's wrong with me slashing you a few times?"
"We're brothers! A few slashes would save your sword heart, so what's the big deal?!"
"Why do you have to be so stubborn, always sacrificing for others and never thinking about yourself?"
Nie Fengyun cursed for a long time, eventually breaking down into uncontrollable sobs.
He couldn't help but recall the oath they had taken when they became sworn brothers…
The vows they made in their youth, swearing to the heavens, seemed as vivid as ever.
His heart was wracked with pain, unable to calm for a long time.
Before this, he had hated Chu Yang deeply, for what he had done to his sister, placing their brotherhood at stake.
But now, seeing the young man in the icy snow, helplessly saying he would no longer practice swordsmanship, leaving countless people in silence, his hatred diminished significantly.
He never imagined that Chu Yang had done so much for him.
Chu Yang's invincible sword heart was destroyed because of him.
Nie Fengyun no longer knew how to repay Chu Yang for his kindness.
The fire of vengeance that had consumed his entire heart had now calmed considerably, his strong desire for revenge now torn open by a huge wound.
Unable to bear the pain in his heart, Nie Fengyun spat out a mouthful of blood.
Chu Yang had killed his sister, but Chu Yang had also given up his unparalleled swordsmanship because of him, leaving Nie Fengyun with an indescribable mix of emotions.
At this moment, Ye Fan hurriedly stepped forward to console Nie Fengyun, "Emperor Nie, I don't think you need to be so heartbroken."
"Although the Emperor sacrificed a lot for you and gave up many things, he ultimately is the culprit who killed your sister. Such a blood feud must be avenged!"
"Your sister admired the Emperor so much, but what did the Emperor do? He betrayed her. Such a person is not worth your sympathy!"
Ye Fan was also filled with immense frustration.
Nie Fengyun felt disgusted to the point of nausea with the Emperor. What a mess this was!
Originally intending to judge the Emperor for his past misdeeds, things were now unfolding in an unexpected direction.
Instead of causing more people to despise and loathe the Emperor, the revelations of his past deeds were garnering more admiration from the masses.
This path of redemption left Ye Fan speechless.
Previously, there was already Chu Nannan's defection. And now, even Nie Fengyun's determination for revenge was starting to waver.
Nie Fengyun spoke slowly, "I don't need you to tell me what to do. I know what to do myself."
"When the Emperor finally falls, I will dissipate all my cultivation and live in seclusion. He gave up his invincible sword heart for me; I will repay him with my cultivation as an Emperor, one that suppresses all of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths."
Hearing this made Ye Fan even more nauseated.
Nie Fengyun, the First Divine General of the Heavenly Court, possessed immense strength and high prestige within the Heavenly Court. He was also, apart from the Emperor, the only one capable of wielding the Primordial Bell.
If he could recruit Nie Fengyun after the Emperor's fall, it would significantly aid his grand plan.
He wanted to inherit everything the Emperor left behind, making it a matter of course.
But without Nie Fengyun's support, ascending to the position of Emperor would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Even if he managed to take the Emperor's position and rule the Heavenly Court, achieving the Emperor's accomplishments and influence over the Ten Thousand Spirit Continent would be nearly impossible. He could never become a peerless Emperor like Chu Yang, who commanded the respect and awe of all beings.
The cultivators were all silent, not knowing what to say.
They could understand Nie Fengyun's feelings at the moment.
Just like Chu Nannan before, if they put themselves in Nie Fengyun's shoes, they might make the same decision.
Had it not been for Nie Fengyun, the Emperor would not have sacrificed his invincible sword heart. If he had achieved the rank of Great Emperor, who could have stopped him?
With the unparalleled sword talent the Emperor had shown back then, as long as his sword heart remained, he would have long ascended to the highest rank with his swordsmanship.
However, for Nie Fengyun, the Emperor had ultimately killed his sister.
Without this factor, Nie Fengyun might have already defected like Chu Nannan and stood in the Emperor's camp.
Just as the crowd fell into silence, a clear and melodious voice echoed in their ears.
The voice was as enchanting as a songbird's, yet it carried boundless imperial might, piercing through the barrier of heaven and earth, sounding both near and far.
"The Emperor is inherently violent, bringing calamity to all beings. During his reign, the world was a living hell. Are you blind and cannot see this?"
"Especially you, Nie Fengyun!"
"Such a demon even slaughtered your sister, and you still reminisce about your ridiculous camaraderie?"
"I even feel pity for your departed sister."
As the voice fell, the surrounding space rippled with strong fluctuations, and a woman who seemed like a celestial being in a painting appeared before everyone.
Her skin was like bright jade, her face flawless and delicate, her phoenix eyes sparkling like stars.
Endless celestial laws showered her body as if for free.
Every move she made was natural, blessed by celestial powers. Even just standing there, her terrifying aura continuously climbed.
She seemed like the favored daughter of the heavens, with all the world's beauty and blessings perfectly bestowed upon her.
Born with the favor of the heavens, her life was smooth and untroubled.
Her name was Bai Xiaoqi, the only Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox in the world and the current Empress of the Demon Clan.
She single-handedly ruled the vast Demon Clan, making it one of the most powerful races on the Ten Thousand Spirit Continent.
Her eyes were also filled with immense hatred for the Emperor.
Once, the Emperor had slaughtered countless demons, nearly wiping out the entire Demon Clan from history.
Her mother was still suppressed by the Emperor, unable to regain freedom as long as the Emperor lived.
Therefore, her hatred for the Emperor was deep, an unending vendetta.
Ye Fan wanted to step forward and flatter her to build a connection, but Bai Xiaoqi remained extremely cold.
She icily declared, "If anyone tries to rescue the Emperor, they will be my enemy, and we shall fight to the death!"