"What's wrong with you?"
Yi Feng frowned and asked urgently.
Piaomiao Hong smiled bitterly before explaining everything in detail.
It turned out that a hundred thousand years ago, after Piaomiao Hong's ancestors founded the Sword Valley, they ventured into a forbidden land. Upon emerging, they discovered they had been afflicted with a curse—one that would pass down through their bloodline. Every descendant would be born with it, enduring three stages before ultimately exploding and perishing.
Thus, generation after generation, the Piao family of Sword Valley had dedicated themselves to breaking this curse.
Eventually, they found a solution: before reaching the final stage, one must use the horn of a dragonfish.
But dragonfish were not so easily found. As a result, ninety-nine percent of the Piao bloodline had succumbed to this curse.
Who would have thought?
They finally found a dragonfish, but Piaomiao Hong had already progressed past the second stage and entered the final one.
In other words, even with the dragonfish now, it was useless to her.
No wonder her reaction upon obtaining it was so complicated.
It was like finally finding the cure, only to realize the disease had already taken hold beyond recovery.
"It's nothing, really."
"For a hundred thousand years, our Sword Valley has grown accustomed to this."
Piaomiao Hong forced a smile, pretending to be strong. "Besides, this curse isn't entirely bad. At least since its emergence, our Sword Valley's cultivation speed has far surpassed that of ordinary people. Even with shortened lifespans, Sword Valley stands proudly above the Heavenly Domain!"
She acted as if it didn’t matter.
Clearly, she didn’t want to reveal her vulnerability in front of others.
But the bitterness in her heart weighed heavily on her, especially when facing Yi Feng, stirring countless emotions within her.
Some people desperately want to live but can’t, no matter how hard they try.
Others wish to die but find death eludes them…
"Don’t worry, you’ll definitely live."
After hearing Piaomiao Hong’s tragic story, Yi Feng smiled encouragingly.
"There’s no need to comfort me, Yi Feng. I’ve long accepted my fate. It’s no big deal."
Piaomiao Hong forced another smile.
"Accept what fate? You can’t give up! You’ll be fine—my words are blessed. Trust me, if I say you won’t die, then you won’t."
Yi Feng clenched his fists, cheering her on.
Hearing such a plight, he didn’t know how else to respond except with encouragement.
"Then I thank you, Yi Feng."
Piaomiao Hong covered her mouth with a light laugh, surprised by how unexpectedly endearing this man was.
But she could tell Yi Feng was just trying to comfort her.
Fine? How could she possibly be fine?
None of her ancestors had escaped this curse—what made her think she could?
"Yi Feng, we shouldn’t delay. Let’s set off for the Heavenly Domain now."
Piaomiao Hong spoke softly. "The sooner we fulfill your wish, the sooner I can rest in peace."
Yi Feng frowned. The thought of this girl spending her final days accompanying him on his quest for death weighed heavily on him.
"Thanks to you, I’ve obtained two dragonfish. Hong’er has no way to repay you, so my final wish is to help you achieve yours." Piaomiao Hong spoke earnestly. "If I cannot fulfill your desire, even in death, I would not close my eyes in peace."
Yi Feng opened his mouth but ultimately nodded in agreement.
"Then how do we get there?"
Piaomiao Hong smiled. "You may not know this, but with the emergence of the Sage, the teleportation arrays between the Heavenly Domain and the Nine Realms have long been opened."
"Of course, given the current situation, it’s likely not just the Heavenly Domain—many other domains probably have connections to the Nine Realms as well. We just don’t know where they are yet."
"In short, the Nine Realms have become a whirlpool of change."
"Is the Sage really that incredible?" Yi Feng couldn’t help but ask.
Piaomiao Hong didn’t hesitate. At the mention of the Sage, reverence filled her eyes.
"But how do you know who the Sage is?" Yi Feng pressed.
"When the time comes, signs will reveal themselves," Piaomiao Hong explained.
Yi Feng pressed further.
After a brief pause, Piaomiao Hong replied, "That depends on what kind of Sage emerges in the Nine Realms."
"If it’s a Sage of Culture, the Nine Realms will experience a cultural renaissance."
"If it’s a Sage of the Sword, the path of sword cultivation will receive the heavens’ blessing, and all sword practitioners will benefit greatly."
"In short, different Sages will trigger different reactions. With a little observation, we’ll be able to deduce which type has awakened this time."
Yi Feng nodded, now having a rough understanding of the Sage.
But he didn’t dwell on it—his sole focus remained on finding a way to die.
"How is the Heavenly Domain different from the Nine Realms?"
As they made their way to the teleportation array, Yi Feng continued asking questions.
"Of course there are differences. Some things there might particularly interest you," Piaomiao Hong replied.
Yi Feng was like an inquisitive child.
"There’s one thing that gives everyone an extra chance to rise—even allowing those who would never have had the opportunity to enjoy privileges beyond their station." Piaomiao Hong paused before continuing, "Even an outer sect’s menial laborer could receive treatment befitting a noble there..."
"Such a miraculous place exists?"
Yi Feng’s curiosity was instantly piqued. "What exactly is this place?"
"It’s hard to explain in a few words. Once we’re there, I’ll take you to experience it firsthand—then you’ll understand."
Piaomiao Hong smiled mysteriously before adding, "Also, the Heavenly Domain is far more perilous than the Nine Realms. The laws there are much crueler."
Yi Feng smirked, his interest in the Heavenly Domain now thoroughly aroused.