What exactly does the Sword Emperor intend to do? For now, it’s still unknown... In any case, with his carefree departure, the scene of multi-party chaos competing for the White Tiger is really left with just "internal conflict."

Ye Jiuyou crossed his arms and sneered coldly, glancing askance at Zhao Changhe. Han Wubing also stood silently, not saying a word and deep in thought.

However, Zhao Changhe didn’t pay any attention to these two, focusing instead on using the Rejuvenation Technique to heal Yue Hongling’s injuries.

Compared to the core focus of all important matters, the White Tiger, Yue Hongling’s injury was what mattered most to Zhao Changhe. Ye Jiuyou watched, his expression growing increasingly sour.

"Just one strike, and the injury is so troublesome..." Sensing the swirling Sword Qi inside Yue Hongling, Zhao Changhe’s expression wasn’t looking good: "Does this old man really have character? Or is he just making a show since he feels they can’t gain any advantage with so many of us here?"

Yue Hongling chuckled: "He can be considered your indirect master, having taught you quite a bit. Is this your attitude?"

Zhao Changhe replied with a grim face: "I neither apprenticed under him nor did he teach me willingly. It was all hard-earned entry into the Secret Realm. If it weren’t for the little female sparrow’s help, the entire Tang family and we all would have been sliced by that Evil Sword. Should I be grateful to him?"

Indeed, few people today regard ancient inheritances with much reverence as if treating them as a master. The main reason is that none of them are direct inheritances; everyone risked their lives for this creation. Theoretically, acquiring it is akin to obtaining some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Hardly anyone willingly accepts something seized as their master. At most, they think "I will honor you by expanding your legacy" or "help you fulfill your unfulfilled wishes," which is considered quite kind.

That’s why the inheritance of the Azure Dragon Seal didn’t have any dangerous obstacles set up; the Azure Dragon understood well that he might be completely done and intentionally left a good relationship. The result of this goodwill was indeed that the Four Symbols Sect properly buried his remains, yet unexpectedly, Jiuyou used them to create a Corpse Puppet.

Zhao Changhe continued: "If it was normal contact, perhaps I would respect him somewhat, but he injured you..."

Yue Hongling replied with a smile: "The sharp edge of Sword Qi always causes such injuries, unlike your various mysterious Magic Skills. It wasn’t intentional, so stop with the sour face. On the contrary, I’ve comprehended many things from his Sword Intent, things that were once vague and unclear to me..."

"What did he ultimately mean?"

"The Sword Emperor is an amalgamation of the world’s Sword Dao, seemingly very close to the White Tiger, yet the White Tiger is not just about the sword; it encompasses much more. If the Sword Emperor wishes to break through his own boundaries, perhaps incorporating the White Tiger’s intent is the best path." Yue Hongling smiled: "When I was asked to replace the White Tiger’s position before, no one thought of this aspect, and I managed to achieve what the Sword Emperor wanted to do but couldn’t from the previous epoch... In today’s battle, perhaps the one with the most mixed feelings is the Sword Emperor."

Zhao Changhe said: "He’s already at the Imperial Realm Third Layer, the pinnacle of this world. Still aiming to break through, is there another realm beyond? The kind like the Heavenly Dao?"

As he spoke, he finally turned to glance at Ye Jiuyou, who responded with a cold smirk without answering.

Within a few exchanges, Zhao Changhe finally dissipated the Sword Qi within Yue Hongling, then gently leaned over to kiss her pale lips, settled her against a stone: "Though the Sword Qi is removed, the injured meridians and organs can’t recover quickly. Rest now, and don’t recklessly use True Qi."

Cui Yuanyang appeared from somewhere: "I’ll take care of Sister Yue."

"Thank you, Yangyang." Yue Hongling also stole a glance at Ye Jiuyou and Han Wubing’s side: "Do you really not need me to act? They’re not simple..."

Zhao Changhe shook his head, stood up, and walked toward Han Wubing, stopping in front of him.

At this moment, Han Wubing did not appear as the indifferent swordsman as before; a slight sense of ferocity was present in his eyes. One could discern a simmering sensation within his Soul Sea, apparently a residual effect after merging with the frenzied White Tiger, though he could suppress the madness. However, his appearance still being Han Wubing indicated that the crazed White Tiger had integrated into Han Wubing, making Han Wubing the primary, rather than Han Wubing becoming the White Tiger’s backbone.

The two stared at each other for a long time, and Zhao Changhe finally spoke slowly: "With such chaos earlier, you could have easily escaped, why didn’t you?"

Han Wubing replied: "Eventually, you have to face it."

"Is it to face the conflict between us and the White Tiger, or to face the fact that you saw me fleeing but didn’t intervene, or even facing when you pointed your sword at Chichi earlier?"

Han Wubing paused in silence, then slowly said: "All have to be faced."

"The most critical issue I’ve wanted to resolve during this period is to separate Yangyang and Piaomiao into two individuals." Zhao Changhe said: "Unexpectedly, someone here doesn’t want to remain separate but prefers to merge themselves."

"It’s different..." Han Wubing sighed: "Originally, I was already a part of the White Tiger; both sides are incomplete without each other. Without me, the White Tiger is not only mad but would also lack the Sword Bone, living in constant hiding; whereas, without the White Tiger, my Divine Soul would have deficiencies, leaving me open to invasion, turning me into a Sword Slave—this signifies a huge weakness when facing opponents involving the Divine Soul in the future. We must become a single entity to be complete; it’s essential."

"So... what the White Tiger wants to do is what you want to do."

"Yes."

"So, you’re no longer the Han Wubing I knew, just the White Tiger, right?"

"Not entirely... Besides what the White Tiger wants, it’s Han Wubing’s will that leads."

"What does the White Tiger want to do?"

Han Wubing fell silent, after a long while said: "First of all, I don’t wish to become part of the Four Symbols Formation, or even to destroy it. Therefore, I won’t submit to the Four Symbols Sect, which means... I won’t be listening to you."