Chapter 933: Because I Like You

He could clearly sense that a terrifying energy he was all too familiar with resided within that shard. It was the aura of an Emperor. This was a fragment of a shattered Emperor’s weapon.

“Where did you get this?” asked the tall figure as he looked at Zhu Zhixun.

The latter hurriedly recounted how he had acquired the shard, along with the earlier judgment spoken by the Grand Princess.

“The fragment of Sword Immortal Lin Beichen’s sword?” exclaimed the tall figure with a look of shock on his face.

So that was it.

In that case, the legendary tale of Sword Immortal Lin Beichen shattering the Reaper’s ancestral star system with a single sword strike and finally battling his way into the Holy Ruins was not a fabrication.

Then, the Reaper’s Ancestor of Wisdom’s pursuit of Lin Beichen into the Holy Ruins and the ensuing great battle must have truly happened. Lin Beichen was one of the Five Emperors of the human race. As a Sword Immortal, his swordsmanship must have been peerless. Yet even his sword had been shattered.

Could it be that the Reaper’s Ancestor of Wisdom actually defeated the human Sword Immortal?

Li Xiaofei carefully examined the shard of the sword. Indeed, this tall figure was none other than Li Xiaofei himself, who had slightly altered his body and voice. He looked at the sword shard and discovered that it seemed to be alive.

It radiated a vibrant aura, like a child. It was just a single fragment, yet its power was already this astonishing. Then how terrifying must the complete Silver Sword have been?

He tried to extrapolate just how terrifying Lin Beichen’s cultivation realm might have been. Li Xiaofei could not help but yearn for it. Li Xiaofei gained much insight as he comprehended the sword intent within the fragment. Then, he returned the Silver Sword fragment to Zhu Zhixun.

“Senior, this item can only unleash its true power when it is in your possession. From now on, let it stay under your safekeeping,” said Zhu Zhixun.

Li Xiaofei was a little surprised and said, “This is the inheritance of the Sword Immortal, a fragment of an Emperor’s weapon. It possesses power that can grow. Are you sure you want to hand it over to me?”

“A treasure belongs to the virtuous and capable.” Zhu Zhixun solemnly said, “Senior, only in your hands can it truly unleash its strength and better serve our human resistance. In my hands, it would be nothing more than a pearl covered in dust. It is only right for you to keep it.”

Li Xiaofei could tell that Zhu Zhixun was not merely playing some trick of false refusal. He was speaking from his heart. This made Li Xiaofei admire the warriors of the resistance even more, filling him with deep respect.

In such a dark era, they could still raise the banner of rebellion and fight for the freedom and liberation of their race. They were truly noble warriors and genuine heroes.

“It was you who discovered it first, and it also chose you.” Li Xiaofei smiled and said, “The reason I can bring out more of its strength is simply because my cultivation realm is much higher than yours. Once you reach my level, its might will be even stronger... so take it back.”

Li Xiaofei flicked his finger. The Silver Sword fragment flew back to Zhu Zhixun. It lingered as if reluctant, but in the end, it settled back into Zhu Zhixun’s body and grew quiet.

“Senior...” Zhu Zhixun still wanted to say something.

Li Xiaofei waved his hand and said, “No need to say more. In your hands, it might light a path that leads to becoming an Emperor. In my hands, it would only disrupt my own cultivation path.”

Zhu Zhixun had no choice but to stop insisting. The suspicions and wariness in everyone’s hearts toward Li Xiaofei also completely disappeared. They all knew that this silver shard was a fragment of an Emperor’s weapon. It contained the vital aura of an Emperor, and its value was even greater than that of the Time Jade.

For Li Xiaofei to show no interest at all in such a treasure, how could he possibly be a traitor of the Hui Yao clan?

“Why are you trying to seize the Time Jade?” Li Xiaofei asked again.

The Time Jade had little value for the resistance. To risk so much, even exposing so many underground operatives, in order to seize an item of limited strategic significance seemed hardly worth the cost.

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Zhu Zhixun exchanged a few glances with the others, then decided to lay it all out. “We wish to let you know, Senior, that we’re seizing the Time Jade because of its miraculous properties. We’re aiming to rescue the Sword Immortal Lin Beichen, who is trapped within the Holy Ruins.”

“Oh?” Li Xiaofei felt a jolt in his heart and subconsciously asked, “You know where the Sword Immortal is trapped?”

The Holy Ruins were said to be even broader and more magnificent than the universe itself and were filled with countless dangers. To find a single person in there would be like searching for a needle in the ocean. No, it was more like searching for a needle in a sea of molten rock.

Therefore, since Zhu Zhixun and the others said they were going to rescue Lin Beichen, they must not have been speaking aimlessly. They must have found some clue.

Zhu Zhixun said, “We have been searching tirelessly for the whereabouts of Senior Lin Beichen for so many years. Now, we have narrowed it down to five locations. We can confirm that the Sword Immortal Lin Beichen must be in one of these five forbidden grounds.”

As he spoke, he looked at Li Xiaofei with eyes full of hope. Given the formidable strength Li Xiaofei had just demonstrated, the chances of success would be greatly increased if he was willing to join the operation to free Lin Beichen.

“Have you really narrowed it down to five locations?” Li Xiaofei seemed thoughtful.

If that were truly the case, then there was indeed a significant chance of success.

“Senior, would you be willing to lend us a hand?” Xiong Gang pleaded loudly.

“Please, Senior, help us.”

“Senior, help our human race.”

“Senior, we beg you.”

Several other human warriors also pleaded.

Li Xiaofei said, “Everyone, even if you hadn’t spoken up, I would still help. It is a matter concerning the human race, it's something I cannot refuse.”

Zhu Zhixun and the others were overjoyed.

“That’s great.”

“There’s hope now.”

“If we can rescue the Sword Immortal, even if we are torn to pieces, we would be willing.”

“Yes, everything will be at your command, Senior. We have no objections.”

Everyone patted their chests in promise. Li Xiaofei was also moved by the fiery passion of these resistance warriors. If the human warriors on the Star Battlefield fought to defend their homeland, then the rebels in this star system were the believers seeking light in boundless darkness.

Their situation was even more perilous. Therefore, they were all the more admirable. Li Xiaofei felt that to be trusted by such a group of passionate warriors was something to be proud of.

“Senior, in fact, this operation’s focus is not actually here. The whereabouts of the Time Jade...” Zhu Zhixun decided to reveal his plan.

Li Xiaofei waved his hands repeatedly.

“Brother Zhu, there’s no need to tell me so much.” He smiled. “The fewer who know the overall plan, the better. Just keep it in your heart. If you need me to cooperate in any way, simply let me know.”

When Zhu Zhixun and the others heard this, their trust in Li Xiaofei soared to the highest level. A strong cultivator and a cultivator willing to give one hundred percent cooperation was such a rarity for the resistance at this time. Could it be that Heaven itself had taken pity and sent this senior to the world?

“Senior, may I ask your name?” Zhu Zhixun finally remembered to ask.

Li Xiaofei replied, “My name is Tongtian, also known as Grandmaster of Heaven.”

He had used that name back in the Light Core Virtual World when forging a new world of martial arts.

“Senior Tongtian, how should we contact you in the future?” Zhu Zhixun asked again.

Li Xiaofei gave him his contact information and said, “Anytime, anywhere, if you need me, just contact me, and I will arrive as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you, Senior,” said Zhu Zhixun solemnly.

“Do you have a safe hiding place from now on?” Li Xiaofei asked.

Zhu Zhixun replied, “We still have a backup location, Senior. You need not worry. The port will definitely be under strict inspection in the coming days. It would be best if you moved with us to avoid detection.”

“No need. I have my own techniques for concealment.” Li Xiaofei said, “Since you already have a way to hide, then I won’t make any further plans. Brave warriors, take care of yourselves.”

With that, his figure flickered and he vanished into a nearby light gate. Zhu Zhixun and the others looked at one another, each seeing the excitement in the other’s eyes. This mission, which had almost ended in complete failure, had unexpectedly experienced a tremendous reversal at the last moment.

Hope, that most precious thing in this dark age, had finally appeared. In that instant, all of them seemed to see the cruel and heartless Goddess of Fate casting a mocking smile at them.

***

At the hotel.

Li Xiaofei had returned to his room silently. He had traveled to provide support using the Spatial Point Theft ability. He had been able to pinpoint the location because Xiong Gang had slashed him a few times while searching for the Darkblade.

Li Xiaofei had deliberately allowed his own blood to stain the blade. That way, he could use the Spatial Point Theft ability to lock onto Xiong Gang and the others’ positions and instantly teleport to their side.

This was a new ability that Li Xiaofei had gained after his cultivation realm had improved rapidly. The Spatial Point Theft was now more accurate, and determining coordinates had become easier.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door. Li Xiaofei stood up and opened it. Standing outside was none other than the Grand Princess of the Hui Yao clan.

“Are you all right?” A hint of concern appeared on the Grand Princess’s slightly cherubic face as she said, “Has the Stone Eye poison inside your body been cleared?”

“Thank you for the detoxifying pill, Your Highness. After circulating my cultivation energy, the poison has been completely eliminated,” said Li Xiaofei as a look of gratitude appeared on his face.

He hadn’t expected this woman to personally inquire about his condition, but he didn’t believe it was out of concern for him. It was more likely that this woman had developed some suspicions and wanted to see if he was in his room.

Li Xiaofei guessed that the Grand Princess had already gathered all the information before coming to his room and knew that he hadn’t left after returning to his room. He felt a deep sense of instinctive wariness toward this woman.

“May I come in?” The Grand Princess smiled.

Li Xiaofei thought for a moment, then stepped aside and said, “Of course.”

The Grand Princess walked in and closed the door behind her with a casual grace. She looked poised and elegant. If he had not seen it with his own eyes, Li Xiaofei would never have been able to connect the confident, radiant woman before him with the ruthless and formidable warrior who had fought so viciously at the toxic waste battle site and decisively fled.

“I brought you some medicine for your injuries.” The Grand Princess produced a strange pouch embroidered with golden thread and said, “There are also some enhancement minerals, and maps of certain areas within the Holy Ruins. I know you’re planning to enter the Holy Ruins with Delta and the others to cultivate. These might help you a little.”

“A reward without merit is undeserved.” Li Xiaofei said, “We are but casual acquaintances, Your Highness. Such generous gifts make me uneasy.”

The Grand Princess smiled faintly and said, “Just consider it a gift between friends, nothing more.”

“Are we really friends?” Li Xiaofei asked.

“If you are willing, we can always be friends.” The Grand Princess gave a firm answer.

Her delicate hand, holding the golden-embroidered pouch, reached out to Li Xiaofei as she looked at him with a radiant smile.

Li Xiaofei sighed and said, “I want to know why you are being so kind to me.”

“Of course—”

“I want the truth.”

“The truth?”

The Grand Princess gently bit her lips and smiled slightly with a hint of shyness. She said, “If you must have an answer, it’s because I like you.”

Li Xiaofei looked utterly unconvinced.

The Grand Princess smiled faintly and said, “Human love is a truly wonderful thing. I have begun to unconsciously experience human emotions ever since I perfected my human form. Many of my actions and thoughts come from this body. It tells me that it likes you.”

Li Xiaofei started to understand.

Isn’t this just a biological instinct?

There had once been scientific studies suggesting that if two people’s pheromones matched, it would be easy for attraction to develop between them.

So it seems the Grand Princess’s pheromones are similar to mine?

This woman was experiencing human emotions.

Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, “That’s just a basic physical reaction. True affection comes from the heart. It’s the joy of the mind.”

A look of delight appeared on the Grand Princess’s face as she said, “I didn’t expect you to understand human emotions so well. That’s wonderful. Actually, it’s not just physical attraction. When I see you, I feel happy. I want to talk to you and be with you. Does that count as liking you?”

Li Xiaofei said, “Uh... I suppose so.”

Well, he had ended up getting himself caught in this trap.

“Then do you like me?” The Grand Princess asked again.

Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, “Take a guess.”

The Grand Princess said, “You do.”

Li Xiaofei said, “Guess again.”