Chapter 85: The Sword Named Past (Su Chi Chi’s Arc Closure) - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

### Chapter 85: The Sword Named Past (Su Chi Chi’s Arc Closure) As Su Chi Chi descended the mountain this time, she didn’t mention her purpose, and Chen An didn’t inquire. It was only just before leaving that Su Chi Chi thought of something and asked. "Does this sword... have a name?" Chen An was taken aback, then casually waved his hand. He smiled and said, "Since it's your sword, naturally, you should name it." I should... name it. At that moment, Su Chi Chi lowered her gaze, steeling her resolve. She turned and left. The long sword in her hand slightly quivered, its tone ethereal. She thought to herself, then it shall be named "Past." She intended to use this sword to sever her past. To gain a new life. Unbeknownst to her, under the whispers of inner demons and the distorted perspective of destiny, she was already veering to another extreme. --- After descending the mountain, Su Chi Chi moved swiftly. With cultivation and divine weaponry superior to her peers, none of the so-called righteous sect's chief disciples could last a move under her. Su Chi Chi didn’t know if it was the divine weapon that was powerful or if she herself was remarkable. However, these details were irrelevant. What mattered was that she had accomplished her goal. Collaborating internally with the demon sect, she successfully captured dozens of top young talents. Most were forced, unwilling. Yet, there were a few rare devotees who, with a mere beckon, voluntarily followed her and even betrayed their own to assist. She beat these people thoroughly, then spread the word boldly claiming her master’s name, taunting, "If you have any guts, come to the mountain and confront me." Her intention was simple, with no desire for mass slaughter, merely to incite the wrath of the sects behind these individuals. Regrettably, new to the world of cultivation, Su Chi Chi was too naive, her plans overly simplistic. As she released her captives, the leaders of the demon path had long begun following, seizing the chance to brutally murder them all. The news prompted outrage across the cultivation world. Every sect dispatched their elite elders, forming alliances to conquer their common foe. They prepared to jointly annihilate this emerging demoness as vengeance. Thus, Su Chi Chi smoothly returned to Chen An’s side. She wept before Chen An, claiming that the so-called righteous individuals were merely hypocrites and that she had been wrongly accused. Chen An rated her acting as zero, yet as he had stated before, regardless of what Su Chi Chi chose, He would accept it willingly. --- That day, the remote mountains, typically serene for cultivation, suddenly bustled with activity. Above the valley, a dozen figures flashed by in an instant. Some rode the wind with their swords, others wielded extraordinary spells, and every face bore a solemn chill. However, upon seeing the lone figure standing at the valley’s entrance, their movements involuntarily paused. The man stood with hands behind his back, tall and poised, even in the face of such daunting circumstances, he remained composed and unruffled. The crowd exchanged looks, each seeing the surprise in the others’ eyes. They genuinely hadn’t expected to find such an outstanding individual in this secluded mountain. His appearance alone was remarkable. But most importantly, none could discern this man's true level of cultivation. One after another, concealed spells for probing were cast, but they vanished like water into the sea, without causing a ripple. Nonetheless, united as they were, including a hidden high-level cultivator ready to take action, they wouldn’t retreat without a fight. Little did they know, the hidden cultivator, planning to act at the right moment, was already frowning deeply, his face uncertain. Even he couldn’t fathom the man before them. The high-level cultivator furrowed his brow and discreetly moved behind the group. Following a brief negotiation, the situation quickly deteriorated. Or rather, Chen An had never intended to negotiate at all. Without lifting an eyebrow, he stood quietly in place. The message was clear: if you want to trouble Su Chi Chi, you must first contend with him. In the next instant, an array of magical instruments danced in the sky. Some charged with sword in hand, swift as lightning, while others gestured incantations, spells shining brilliantly behind them. Undoubtedly, this was an unreasonable thrashing. Chen An finally raised an eyebrow. He thought, it’s merely me against them. --- Three minutes later. The crowd of top-tier Nascent Soul cultivators, formidable enough to command authority in any land of the divine continent, retreated even faster than they advanced, spewing blood as they flew back. Their faces were filled with fear and disbelief. Too fast, impossibly fast. They hadn’t even observed how the man had struck. "Terrifying!" The hidden high-level cultivator’s pupils suddenly contracted. Silently alarmed, he swiftly waved his hand, gathering everyone to retreat rapidly. “Qin Fengzhu, what’s the meaning of this?” Someone questioned in confusion. Though they had all suffered minor injuries, they were not yet unable to fight. Why were they retreating so hastily? Qin Fengzhu gave him a sharp look and sternly commanded, "If you want to live, shut up!" Humiliated as he was, his face twisted with emotion, but he refrained from direct confrontation. Safety first, after all. It wasn’t until they retreated a thousand miles that Qin Fengzhu exhaled in relief. Seeing the puzzled faces surrounding him, he explained with a frown, "It’s not cowardice—it’s just that that person’s cultivation is so profound, even I can’t discern the boundary. He’s likely at least a Divine Transformation stage master!" Divine Transformation stage! Upon hearing this, everyone was visibly stunned, each reacting with shock. Had they known their opponent was of such a level, even given ten times the courage, they wouldn’t dare act rashly in the valley. Someone spat in frustration, disgruntled, "Who would have thought such a reclusive powerful being would shield a demonic vixen? What a corruption of the times!" "Indeed, are we just supposed to let her roam free?" Recalling the unseemly conditions in which their disciples had been left, their faces twisted with rage. "Not killing her won’t sate my fury!" Qin Fengzhu coldly remarked, "Don’t rush—when we return to our sects, we will plead for the ancestors to intervene. United, we’ll no doubt overcome him!" A month later. The righteous alliance returned stronger. This time, they brought the top cultivators of the current world. If Su Chi Chi hadn't acted with such viciousness, igniting fury across the realm, the ancestors wouldn’t have been disturbed to emerge. To this, Chen An remained unfazed. Naturally, when the little ones are challenged, the elders respond—nothing more normal. Once again, he stood before Su Chi Chi. This time, the entire cultivation world was their enemy. The girl hid in the valley, watching the silhouette of the man before her, her body couldn’t stop trembling. To oppose the entire cultivation world alone. The man showed not a hint of hesitation. This battle was destined to leave a profound mark in history, shocking all cultivators. And it was on this day that Su Chi Chi realized. That her seemingly invincible master could also bleed. The next moment. A sword, clear and crisp as water, pierced through from behind. (End of Chapter)