The woman pondered for a long time before finally raising her head. “Although this is just my subjective assumption, I believe I can trust your words, Senior Sword Spirit.”

Such brilliant reasoning and wise judgment made Henry Martinez almost want to applaud her. Since awakening, the intelligence this woman had displayed was truly the pinnacle of humanity.

At the same time, it made Henry Martinez deeply reflect on just how foolish her husband Andrew Thompson must have been to dilute such a brilliant bloodline into someone like Emily Thompson...

“But it seems you weren’t waiting for me.”

Sophia Sullivan said, “Yes, I was actually waiting for Emily... This formation was designed to be activated only when Emily broke through the wind barrier and gained true essence, but for some reason, it was triggered by Senior Sword Spirit. Perhaps it’s because of the master-servant contract you mentioned?”

“Mm, as the master, I possess all the rights of the mount.”

“I see, what an impressive contract. Could you explain the principle to me? I’ve never heard of such a master-servant contract before.” As Sophia Sullivan spoke, she shook her head. “No, time is limited. I should focus on more valuable questions.”

“Indeed.”

“Then, Senior Sword Spirit, could you explain to me the story of the war between immortals and demons, and the Nine Immortal Lords?”

“Alright, but I’m not exactly a scholar—there’s much I don’t know...”

Next, Henry Martinez recounted the history as he knew it, while Sophia Sullivan listened intently, so focused that she didn’t even notice her own presence growing weaker. When Henry Martinez finished the story, Sophia Sullivan let out a long breath, still wanting more.

“It’s truly eye-opening. The story is unbelievable, yet it fits perfectly with the known fragments of history...”

Henry Martinez said, “I have a question. As a guardian spirit, what’s the point of spending your limited existence listening to stories?”

Sophia Sullivan replied firmly, “If I can hear the Way in the morning, I can die in the evening.”

Henry Martinez praised, “I really wish your daughter had this kind of thirst for knowledge.”

“Daughter? What daughter?” Sophia Sullivan looked puzzled.

“……”

“Oh, Emily, sorry, I completely forgot.” Sophia Sullivan suddenly realized, “That’s right, I still have things to say to her... Never mind, there probably isn’t enough time. Besides, since Senior Sword Spirit is by her side, those words are no longer necessary. Senior, about the story just now, I still have a few questions, such as the origin of the demon race...”

After a while, Henry Martinez did his best to answer all her questions, and Sophia Sullivan was finally satisfied, stretching contentedly. “It was truly wise of me to leave behind a wisp of my soul!”

After sighing, Sophia Sullivan continued, “Those stories just now were truly priceless to me. Unfortunately, I am only a wisp of soul and have nothing to offer in return. After thinking it over, perhaps I can tell you some stories instead. About the history of Xiangzhou Continent after the Great Desolation—though I don’t know much, there are some parts that correspond to the history you mentioned.”

“Great.” Henry Martinez felt quite gratified.

Now, as a sword spirit with no desires, his only wish was to explore the truth of history, to understand how the Nine Provinces became Xiangzhou, and what became of his old friends. Yet Emily Thompson knew nothing of these matters. Henry Martinez had tried searching her room for books and materials, but found nothing—the immortal-demon war of the Nine Provinces had long been buried by time.

But now, Sophia Sullivan was about to try to unveil a corner of this mysterious history for him.

“If only it were you who had signed the master-servant contract with me. Compared to you, Emily Thompson is a defective mount.”

Sophia Sullivan looked a bit embarrassed. “Um, Senior, Emily is still my daughter after all...”

“No need to blame yourself. Clearly, the responsibility lies with Andrew Thompson.”

“...That does make sense.” Sophia Sullivan shook her head. “Back to the main topic. The current history of Xiangzhou Continent is very limited—almost everything over five thousand years old is shrouded in darkness. But according to a few fragments from the Great Desolation, at least the following can be known. First, Xiangzhou Continent was not always this vast. Over thousands of years, cultivators like us blazed trails and expanded the borders, creating the Xiangzhou of today. Second, after the Great Desolation ended, the cultivation civilization of Xiangzhou basically started from scratch. In the earliest dark ages, even cultivators at the Cloud Surge Realm were called great cultivators. Xiangzhou went through a long period of accumulation before reaching its current prosperity. However, compared to the Nine Provinces era you described, it falls short. From the barbaric era to the dark era, some world-shattering catastrophe must have occurred. Third, the current rulers of Xiangzhou—the one sect, three academies, and seven great clans—all have inheritances from the Great Desolation. Though each is incomplete, it is precisely these inheritances that allowed them to survive from the dark ages to the present. The truth you seek, Senior, should also be contained within these ancient inheritances. Unfortunately, only the heads of these families can know the full inheritance, so...”

Henry Martinez asked, “So I should look for your husband?”