"Perhaps I am not your enemy."
"That's not an answer."
The Blue-Clothed Woman's knuckles turned white from clenching her fists, her gaze pointing straight at Acheron like a thorn.
She didn't believe for a second that Acheron didn't understand the meaning behind her words.
Regardless of what that so-called "groundless speculation" from before actually was.
Now, she could no longer completely ignore the presence of the person before her.
The unknown often meant something special, or a potential danger.
And the Purple-Haired Woman before her was of unknown origin and mysterious identity, as if forever surrounded by thick layers of mist; one wrong step could lead to a fall into a bottomless abyss.
"Am I worth so much of your curiosity? Those who travel the galaxy alone always have some secrets. I have also happened to see some different 'scenery'... and that is all."
"'That is all'... Hmph, you really make me not know how to respond, dear one..."
Faced with her evasiveness, anger rose within the Blue-Clothed Woman, and her sharp sword point once again aimed at Acheron.
Faced with the sudden, inexplicable anger of the person before her, Acheron was slightly taken aback.
But she soon understood.
"Whether you believe it or not, the adopted daughter taken in by my parents, Mo Xi's elder sister, Acheron... this is my current identity. I believe I have been honest enough."
"Are you still unwilling to reveal your true identity?"
Acheron keenly caught the subtle shift in the other's tone.
Gazing at the complex expression deep in the other's eyes, she finally sighed and shook her head helplessly.
She said softly,
"It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I cannot... The path I have walked is too long, and the burdens placed upon this body cannot be explained in a few words."
Tap, tap...
The crisp sound of high heels clicking against the ground echoed.
Acheron brushed past the Blue-Clothed Woman, walking step by step behind her.
During this, the woman's arms, trembling slightly from tension, were clearly reflected in Acheron's purple eyes.
"Everyone has a past that is hard to speak of, secrets they are unwilling to show... I will not ask much about why a Cultivator from another world would appear here."
As the words fell, the Blue-Clothed Woman's ice-blue pupils suddenly contracted, and her inner peace shattered like glass.
Her mind went blank, and her body even forgot to react, leaving only a buzzing ring echoing in her ears.
Her identity as an Otherworlder had been seen through so easily?
Which meant the other party was likely one as well...
In that case, many questions could be easily resolved.
That mysterious and unpredictable strength, and that untraceable origin.
This... seemed to indirectly confirm that what she had said earlier was not just random nonsense.
But... why did Acheron know about "it"?
Was she testing her... or was Acheron perhaps an enemy...
Just as the Blue-Clothed Woman's eyes lost focus due to her inner trembling and she fell into a daze.
The other's gentle and delicate words suddenly sounded from behind, like a feather lightly brushing against her ear.
"Perhaps I can help you."
Hearing this, the Frost Sword Fairy's expression blanked for a moment before quickly turning into doubt.
She hadn't said anything, so how did she know about her hidden troubles...
She wasn't even sure if Acheron was testing her again.
Thinking of this, the Blue-Clothed Woman's eyes flickered as she suppressed all her emotions as if casting off a heavy burden.
Her demeanor instantly returned to being flippant and casual, as if the previous fluctuation had never existed.
"Oh, is that so! I didn't realize you were so enthusiastic. After all, big sister hasn't said anything yet, has she? Speaking of which, this should be our first... er, strictly speaking, it seems to be our second time meeting, right? You couldn't have actually fallen for big sister, could you!"
...
Acheron turned her head to look back, quietly watching the Blue-Clothed Woman's nonchalant appearance.
The latter let out a soft snort from her throat and glared back without showing any weakness.
The Frost Sword Fairy looked at those deep violet eyes; they were as calm as a mirror, yet seemed to hide an abyss that peered into the soul.
Even though there was no ripple in those eyes, she felt as if all her thoughts were being seen through, a shiver of being completely exposed quietly spreading through her.
This inexplicable feeling, like a gust of cold wind quietly seeping into her heart, caused the Blue-Clothed Woman to feel waves of unease for no reason.
Just then, Acheron suddenly closed her eyes.
Before the Blue-Clothed Woman could even breathe a sigh of relief.
From beneath those closed eyelids, she slowly began to speak.
"I often forget things, so instead of remembering, I am more accustomed to using 'feelings' to capture something. Therefore—"
In the next moment, this Strongest Sword Immortal could no longer maintain her feigned composure.
Because Acheron's next words completely shattered the last shred of fantasy in her heart.
"—I know who is beneath that cold 'mask'."
...
Acheron's purple eyes opened, taking in the completely dazed fairy before her.
Those jade hands that had once brandished sharp swords and cleaved through the wind and clouds now clenched uncontrollably, knuckles turning white from extreme tension.
Her slender and graceful body trembled uncontrollably.
Her pupils, which shimmered with a faint glow and were as clear as cold ice, quickly lowered like startled butterfly wings the moment they met Acheron's gaze.
She no longer dared to meet that piercing gaze that seemed capable of seeing through her soul.
Seeing the other's incredibly dejected state.
Although there was no expression on Acheron's pretty face, she felt quite helpless in her heart.
From the first time Acheron saw that familiar silhouette in the sky across the Mirror Space.
She had already clearly recognized the true identity of this Strongest Sword Immortal.
Because of this, Acheron had repeatedly shown mercy during their sparring match.
However, after sensing that she seemed to want to test her true strength.
She had intended to use a bit more force to make the other back down and give up on the idea.
But, she had ultimately underestimated her...
Swoosh...
As time passed.
Raindrops fell silently in the Mirror Space, the sparse sounds like ice shards tapping on colored glass.
The two stood still like statues, their breathing intertwining with the sound of the rain.
In fact, this wasn't the first time Acheron had seen her show such a dejected expression.
The last time was likely...
Thinking of this, after a brief moment of reflection, Acheron had already understood the reason for the other's despondency.
What was needed most right now was to let her settle her own emotions.
So, Acheron turned into a silent shadow, quietly standing guard by her side...
The Frost Sword Fairy finally could not contain herself, a hint of a sob seeping into her words, as if autumn frost had condensed in her throat before she finally spoke.
"You... you won't blame me?"
Acheron shook her head slightly, a clear trace of apology surfacing in her purple eyes.
"If anyone should apologize, it should be me... I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
...
Faced with Acheron's answer, the burden on the Frost Sword Fairy's heart did not lighten, but instead grew heavier like a giant rock pressing down.
She looked up at Acheron, unnamed emotions churning in her eyes, her voice carrying an almost imperceptible tremor.
"The answer just now shouldn't count as an answer. So... why are you willing to help me?"
Hearing this, Acheron simply gazed earnestly into the other's eyes.
"'Acheron'... although it's just a borrowed name, you know what kind of person I am and remember what kind of things I've done. Thus... I am Acheron."