The woman pondered for a long time and finally raised her head, "Although it's just my subjective conjecture, I think I can trust your words, Sword Spirit Senior."
Such brilliant reasoning and wise judgment made Wang Jiu almost want to applaud. Since waking up, this woman had displayed an intelligence level that could be considered the best among humans.
It also made Wang Jiu wonder how foolish her husband, Li Fengyun, had to be to neutralize such a wise bloodline into someone like Li Qingming...
"However, it seems like you were not waiting for me."
Shen Yue'e said, "Yes, I was originally waiting for Qingming... The design of this array is to be activated only after Qingming breaks the Wind Barrier and possesses True Essence. I'm not sure why it was triggered by the Sword Spirit Senior. Perhaps because of the master-servant contract you mentioned?"
"Hmm, as the master, I have all the rights over the steed."
"I see, what a powerful contract. Could you explain the principle to me? I've never heard of such a master-servant contract," Shen Yue'e said, shaking her head. "No, time is limited; I should focus on more valuable questions."
"Indeed."
"Then Sword Spirit Senior, could you explain the story of the Immortal Demon War and the Jiu Immortal Venerables to me?"
"Alright, but I'm not a scholar; there are many things I know only limitedly..."
Next, Wang Jiu recounted the history he knew in general, and Shen Yue'e listened intently, so focused that she didn't notice her own presence growing weaker. When Wang Jiu finished the story, Shen Yue'e let out a long breath, still wanting more.
"It's truly eye-opening. The stories, while incredible, fit perfectly with the known fragments of history..."
Wang Jiu said, "I have a question: As a Guardian Spirit, what's the point of using your limited life to listen to stories?"
Shen Yue'e resolutely said, "To hear the Way in the morning and die in the evening is worth it."
Wang Jiu praised, "I really wish your daughter had this kind of learning spirit."
"Daughter? What daughter?" Shen Yue'e looked puzzled.
"..."
"Oh, Qingming, I'm sorry, I even forgot," Shen Yue'e suddenly realized, "Right, I still have something to tell her... Forget it, I'm afraid there's no time. And since the Sword Spirit Senior is by her side, those things don't need to be said. Senior, about the story just now, I still have a few doubts, such as the origin of the Demon Race..."
After a while, Wang Jiu did his best to answer all her questions, and Shen Yue'e finally felt satisfied, stretching comfortably, "It was indeed wise to decide to leave a wisp of primordial spirit back then!"
After contemplating, Shen Yue'e added, "Those stories just now are priceless to me, but unfortunately, I am just a wisp of primordial spirit, with nothing to repay you. After much thought, how about I tell you some stories instead? About the story of the Xiangzhou Continent after the Primordial Era, although I don't know much, some could correspond to the history you mentioned."
"Sure," Wang Jiu felt quite gratified.
Now the Sword Spirit has no desires or pursuits, the only thought is to explore the truth of history, to understand how Jiuzhou evolved into Xiangzhou, and what became of the old friends of the past. However, these things were completely unknown to Li Qingming, and Wang Jiu tried to find some books and materials in her room but found nothing; the Immortal Demon War of Jiuzhou seemed buried by time.
And now, Shen Yue'e was about to try to reveal a corner of this mysterious history for him.
"If only the one who signed the master-servant contract with me was you, compared to you, Li Qingming is nothing but a defective steed."
Shen Yue'e appeared slightly awkward, "Well, senior, Qingming is my daughter after all..."
"No need to blame yourself; obviously, this responsibility should fall on Li Fengyun."
"...That makes sense," Shen Yue'e shook her head, "Back to the main topic. The history of the current Xiangzhou Continent is very limited. Beyond five thousand years ago, almost everything is hidden in darkness. Yet, according to the few fragments from the Primordial Era, at least the following can be known: First, the Xiangzhou Continent wasn't this vast initially. It's only thanks to the efforts of us cultivators, cutting through thorns and expanding the continent's boundaries, that we have today's Xiangzhou. Second, after the end of the Primordial Era, the Immortal Cultivation civilization of Xiangzhou almost started from zero. In the earliest Dark Era, even Cloud Surge Realm cultivators were known as Great Cultivators. It took a long period of accumulation for Xiangzhou to have today's prosperity. However, compared to the Jiuzhou Era you mentioned, it is quite lacking; from the wasteland era to the dark era, I'm afraid some earth-shattering catastrophe must have occurred. Third, the current ruling force of Xiangzhou, consisting of one sect, three academies, and the Seven Great Noble Families, all have the legacy of the Primordial Era. Although each has incompletions, it's precisely these legacies that allowed them to continue from the Dark Era to today. Then, the truth you want to know is likely also included in these Primordial inheritances. Unfortunately, only the head of each family knows of these legacies, so..."
Wang Jiu asked, "So should I find your husband?"
"Fengyun... I'm afraid not. He's only interested in cultivation matters and never remembers anything related to history. If you're to find someone, find his father Li Tianya. He is a very enthusiastic and smart old man, and he should have the answers you're looking for. If you have the chance to meet him in the future, just say you were sent by his most beloved youngest daughter; he will understand."
After saying this, Shen Yue'e's Spirit Body could no longer sustain and began to disintegrate gradually from the bottom up, turning into fine, imperceptible specks of spirit dust.