Chapter 12: Grudges Among Peers

Just as Ye Heng was about to be taken away by Ailu, a familiar figure streaked through the air like lightning. Flashing past the edge of Ailu’s vision, the figure snatched Ye Heng from her grasp in an instant, leaving behind a trail of afterimages too swift to track.

Ailu did not look back. She knew with crystal clarity that the true intent behind the Martial God’s confinement was to restrain Aixi, not to fend off a genuine enemy. Yet, she had taken this step with unshakable resolve, as if testing or confirming something.

She gently brushed the hilt of the sword at her waist—the blade that had accompanied her through countless battles. Though silent, the sword seemed to resonate with the turbulence in its master’s heart, and the murderous aura vanished in an instant. A gentle, complex smile tugged at the corners of Ailu’s lips. She turned slowly; though her gaze did not rest directly on Aixi, the profound emotion between them flowed like a silent, meandering stream.

"Little sister, you have finally grown into someone capable of standing on your own. This courage and determination bring your senior sister genuine comfort." Ailu’s voice was soft yet resonant, filled with both nostalgia for the past and boundless expectations for the future. "And this is the first time I have witnessed you stand resolutely against me for the sake of another."

With that, Ailu gave a light flick, and the blade that carried her countless glories and memories slowly returned to its sheath. Simultaneously, the Martial God armor that had once shone on the battlefield peeled away like withering petals, dissolving into nothingness and leaving her in simple, yet elegant robes.

Aixi replied, "Indeed, this shall be the first time we face each other in a battle of life and death. However, to me, you are no longer the close elder sister from my memories; that bond seems to have long since drifted away with the wind. Even so, I wish to grant you the final respect of asking you to draw your destiny weapon, so that we may have a fair and upright duel. With bare hands, it is not the outcome I fear, but the regret that you did not fight with all your might."

Hearing this, Ailu shook her head, her gesture revealing infinite weariness and the weight of years. "From childhood until now, whether it was the tempering of combat arts or the comprehension of Martial God power, you were always the figure silently chasing after me. Even now that you have ascended to the rank of an A-class Martial God, I have failed to catch any trace of advancement in your combat techniques or evolution in your destiny skills. Instead, your Martial God power has more than tripled compared to the past, but beneath that strength, I sense a void—as if the resonance of a soul is missing from the depths of that power."

"Your breathing and footwork are so frequent that I already suspect you possess the Ten Thousand Wing Thunder Guard left behind by our master."

Aixi’s lips curled slightly—a movement that was less an expression and more a silent declaration of her inner conviction. In a microsecond, four sharp streaks of thunderous sword energy tore through the air, accompanied by a deafening roar and dazzling blue light. Though they did not directly strike Ailu, the terrifying pressure was enough to shake her to her core.

Ailu’s pupils contracted. She knew the power of these four sword energies was far greater than what she saw, and even an S-class peak Martial God such as herself dared not take them lightly. Her tone carried a hint of anxiety and concern: "You are mad! The Ten Thousand Wing Thunder Guard is a supreme mental cultivation technique that only SS-class Martial Gods can hope to fathom. You are merely a B-class Martial God; to practice it rashly is to invite total destruction. Your soul and body could be reduced to ashes in an instant. How could you dare to attempt such a risk?!"

Aixi laughed aloud: "Hahahaha, how could I not know?"

She then walked slowly toward Ailu. "On this long road of cultivation, I have long since cast life and death aside. The world mocks me for being too crazy; I mock them for failing to see through it. Those labels of a 'madman' are merely because they cannot comprehend the longing for martial arts and the pursuit of world peace deep within my heart. Having endured countless hardships, every fall was meant to help me stand up stronger. I studied countless ancient texts until I found a loophole in the Ten Thousand Wing Thunder Guard: I replaced the first stage, 'Heavenly Thunder Entering the Body,' with 'Transforming Divine Power into Thunder.'"

"Why go to such lengths?" Ailu pondered for a long time before shaking her head, as if answering herself. "So be it. After all, it was I who ended our master's life, leaving the Yushan Pass to lose the protection of an S-class Martial God and fall into the hands of the enemy. This sin is one I cannot escape, no matter how I justify it. But I still have one doubt: is your desperate cultivation also for his sake?"

Aixi nodded gently. A rosy flush bloomed on her cheeks like peach blossoms in the dawn, shy yet moving. This flush did not weaken her presence but added a touch of gentleness and tenderness, making her aura unique—blending a young girl's pure shyness with the resilience and confidence of the strong. Her eyes shone with firmness and happiness, as if the entire world turned gentle at the mere thought of that name.

"That's right," Aixi’s voice was soft yet full of strength. "He is the light in my life and the motivation for me to move forward through the darkness. I cultivate with all my might not just to become stronger, but to stand by his side, fight alongside him, and protect this land we both love. I know this path is long and arduous, but I am willing to give everything for him, including my life."

Aixi continued: "From the day our master fell by your hand, Amy and I began a long, aimless journey. I was just an ignorant twelve-year-old girl then. These five years have passed like sand through my fingers—silent, yet profound. I have wandered beneath the neon lights of bustling cities and witnessed, amidst the ruins, young figures searching for the way home in despair. Among them were children as young as five bearing the heavy burdens of life, and innocent souls who had barely arrived in this world before being forced to part forever from their loved ones."

"Have you ever considered the root of all this? It was you who caused my world to collapse at that moment, forcing a soul that should have enjoyed a carefree childhood to don the armor of adult resilience and learn to walk alone through the rain and wind. At twelve, I should have been at the beginning of my dreams; instead, I stepped prematurely into the rainy season of life, each step treading upon heavy memories and unfinished hatred."

"For these five years, Amy and I depended on each other, becoming closer than blood. In those wandering days, Amy always protected me in her own unique way. In her eyes, there was always an indescribable light—a love for life and a deep concern for me. Her smile was warm and sincere. Whenever she would subtly shift her chopsticks to place the last piece of tender, juicy meat from her plate into my bowl, that delicate emotion would nourish my heart like a spring breeze. She would always say, 'You’re still growing, eat more.' But the source of that food was so demeaning..."

As she spoke, Aixi’s eyes turned red—a transition from the shy pink flush to a sea of sorrow, hiding countless untold hardships and struggles. Tears like broken pearls slid down her delicate cheeks, wetting her collar and leaving mottled traces.

In the depths of her soul, she felt as if she were being gripped by an invisible force, with sadness and pain woven into an inescapable web. Those past sufferings were like sharp blades cutting through her memories time and again. Especially the pain of losing her master was branded so deeply that even after drifting in the river of time for so long, she had failed to find a shore of relief.

The scroll of memory slowly unfurled. Aixi’s thoughts drifted back to the time she spent with Amy. Whether it was the dawn’s first light or the falling of night, they had always walked side by side, supporting each other, leaving solid footprints on the path of cultivation. Those warm scenes were as clear as if they had happened yesterday, yet distant, as if the joy of a decade ago had vanished in an instant.

Aixi gripped her sword hilt tightly, forcing herself to calm down. She knew she had to be strong and face the future bravely. She could not let those sufferings and wounds defeat her, and she did not want there to be anyone else in this world with a fate as miserable as theirs. She had to move forward, to continue pursuing her path—for herself, and for those who had once cared for and looked after her.

Only by becoming stronger could she protect those she cared about.

"Heng, thank you. You were the one who pulled me out of that darkness. I remember that day, the cold wind was biting, and the surrounding darkness seemed ready to swallow Amy and me whole. Our souls were adrift, like two small boats having lost their way on a vast, boundless ocean. Your appearance was like a sudden, gentle wave that not only calmed the raging storms in our hearts but pushed us gently toward the shore of hope."

"Taking us in did not just give us a roof over our heads; it gave our souls a home. In that moment of uncertainty and fear, you showed a warmth and delicacy quite different from many men in this world. Your eyes always shone with understanding and tolerance, as if you could perceive the softness and fragility deep within one’s heart. The scent you carried was so unique and warm; it was not merely a physical sensation of temperature, but a power that could pierce through the frost of the soul and make one feel safe and secure."

"I still clearly remember how you could always disperse the gloom in our hearts with the most casual jokes, making laughter the most moving melody between us. Your humor was not just to amuse us, but a gentle way of telling us: no matter how large or difficult the world is, there is always laughter and light waiting for us. At the time, though I couldn't fully comprehend that profound care, I was already enveloped by your warmth, secretly rejoicing that I had met someone as unique as you. The nickname 'Big Bun,' though teasing, remains a unique symbol of our memories from that time."

"Heh... thinking back, he is still such a big idiot, even saying I look like a peach that turns bright red at the slightest provocation." At this moment, Aixi stood in the moonlight, her figure tall and straight, clutching the Crimson Blade. The blade gleamed with an eerie light in the night, pointed directly at the opponent. The standoff between the two was like two colliding torrents; the air was thick with tension and resolve.

Ailu sighed: "You... are still just like you were when you were a child."

"Don't bring up my childhood!" Aixi roared, her voice echoing in the night sky with unquestionable firmness. "The Aixi of the past vanished the moment she was met with cold glares and mockery at the Jixia Academy. The one standing before you now is the leader of the 11th Unit of the Martial God Nation, a warrior burdened with a mission."

"Now, you and I are enemies. Showing mercy to an enemy is the greatest mistake—this is what our master taught me."

"Crimson: Thunder Bird!"

With a swing of her sword, a sharp thunderous energy instantly transformed into a lightning bird, tearing through the air. Her eyes were resolute, all her strength channeled into this one strike. The weapon in her hand seemed to come alive, filled with infinite power and vitality. The sword energy whistled forward, shattering wind and stone; no one dared to confront it head-on. She stood tall like an unyielding pine, never retreating in the face of a formidable foe. Her heart was filled with conviction; this strike was not just for her, but for all those who had been oppressed and helpless. She wanted everyone to understand that the power of justice is endless, and no dark force could stop her progress.

Wherever the sword energy traveled, it was like a thunderclap. Ailu gazed in horror at this immense power, unable to believe her eyes. Aixi did not pause, unleashing strike after strike, each filled with infinite power and conviction.

"Crimson: Thunder Bird Barrage!"

The battle became a magnificent scroll, and Aixi’s figure stood out brilliantly within it. Her swordsmanship was like flowing water, every move filled with power and beauty.

Ailu could not help but exclaim: "Even if she is currently just an A-class Martial God, such domineering explosive power is completely on par with other S-class Martial Gods." She tried in terror to dodge the thunder birds, but it was too late. With a deafening boom, countless thunder birds struck Ailu heavily. An immense power erupted instantly, vibrating the surrounding air. Ailu’s body was sent flying by the thunderous blade, crashing to the ground with a shrill scream.

Aixi followed closely, the Crimson Blade tracing another beautiful arc, attacking Ailu once more. This time, she left no room for error, once again exhausting all her strength. Ailu struggled to stand, but it was too late. The Crimson Blade pierced her body, pinning her to the ground.

Ailu’s body trembled violently, the Crimson Blade having run through her chest. Warm blood flowed from the wound, staining her robes. She looked up at Aixi, her eyes filled with comfort. Aixi gritted her teeth, staring at Ailu with firm eyes, though her heart felt a pang of reluctance. At this moment, time seemed to stand still. The surrounding sounds vanished, leaving only the sound of Ailu’s labored breathing and blood dripping onto the ground. Ailu’s eyes gradually grew hollow, and her hands fell limply. She knew she could no longer withstand Aixi’s attacks. Her body began to go limp, and finally, she stopped moving. Aixi silently withdrew the Crimson Blade, a heavy weight in her heart. She knew that while this battle was a victory, the cost was immense. She couldn't help but recall scenes of playing with Ailu as a child; how carefree they were then. But now, everything had changed. She closed her eyes gently and prayed silently, hoping her master had found peace in the other world.

But...