Auron stood in awe, gazing at the divine sword before him, its radiant blade emitting an aura that resembled the stars themselves. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "Master, this..."
Ghost, the Lord of the Qianwu Country, smiled warmly, understanding his disciple's hesitation. "You're heading to the outer battlefield to fight. There is little I can do to aid you directly, so I am bestowing this 'Black Flame Sword' upon you."
Auron, still uncertain, hesitated before replying. "But Master, you..."
Ghost's smile only widened. "You follow the path of the 'Fire-Space Beast God.' With your deep understanding of the Beast God path, you'll be able to activate the first layer of the Black Flame Sword's secret patterns. You must take it."
Auron couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. He knew the value of such a treasure. In the vast universe, anything called a treasure was something of immense worth. Only Venerables or kings could wield such artifacts, and it was rare for someone to have access to one, let alone receive one as a gift.
He had already been granted a treasure by Ghost long ago—the 'Cold Star Sword'—but it had been lost after Ghost's fall. Though once an ordinary treasure, its loss was significant for someone of Ghost's caliber. Now, after falling three times and incurring great debt to his race and friends, the treasure Ghost was offering him was likely all of his remaining wealth.
Taking such a gift, especially considering the circumstances, felt like too much for Auron.
"Master, please," Auron said solemnly. "Take back this treasure. I don't deserve it."
Ghost observed his disciple's hesitation, a knowing look in his eyes. He sighed and replied with a more serious tone, "You are heading to the outer battlefield, and a treasure will help ensure your safety. I'll be honest with you—this Black Flame Sword was borrowed from a friend of mine. It took a great deal of shamelessness on my part to ask."
"But Master, please reconsider," Auron insisted.
Ghost chuckled softly, his gaze softening. "Don't worry, Auron. My bond with that friend is far stronger than any treasure. It won't affect our relationship. I only ask one thing of you."
Auron raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"Refine this sword," Ghost continued, "and then return alive. That is my only wish."
Auron reluctantly took the Black Flame Sword. Despite his best efforts to refuse, his master's insistence prevailed. As he held the smooth, dark blade, Auron could almost feel the flames inside the sword stirring. It was clear that this was no ordinary weapon.
"With a weapon like this, I could take on an Undying Marquis," Auron thought to himself, though he quickly dismissed the idea. "Of course, I'm not foolish enough to face one head-on. After all, I've died once already, and I don't intend to make that mistake again."
Auron's mind turned to his master's care and nurturing. Ghost had always been meticulous in his guidance, and Auron couldn't help but feel grateful. In the original timeline, Ghost had also taken in Luo Feng's second son, Luo Hai, as a disciple. There had been political reasons for that, but it was clear that Ghost treated his disciples with kindness, something rare among the powerful who often viewed their disciples as mere tools.
"It's clear now," Auron mused, "that Ghost's generosity is not without reason. If his character weren't so admirable, I doubt so many would lend him treasures."
"I don't need to use this Black Flame Sword unless I face real danger," Auron decided. "The Blood Shadow Sword is sufficient for now. If I ever find myself in peril, then I'll bring out the Black Flame Sword. Until then, I'll keep it hidden." He carefully placed the sword into his space ring, wary of attracting attention.
Auron knew that if he revealed the sword, it wouldn't take long for other powerful beings to come after him, each one eager to claim the treasure for themselves. The outer battlefield was a dangerous place, and the presence of such a weapon would only make him a target. He couldn't risk exposing the sword, unless absolutely necessary.
The Void Shadow ship, its sleek silver-black exterior gleaming under the stars, drifted silently through space. Inside, Auron sat quietly, listening to the artificial intelligence's calm voice.
"Master, the universe shuttle is complete. We are returning to the original universe. Ahead is the Blood God Star."
Auron gave a brief nod. "Display the external virtual scene at full capacity."
With a flicker, the expansive view of space surrounded him. He gazed out at the vast expanse, spotting a giant blue planet in the distance. Four small moons orbited it, creating a stunning visual against the backdrop of the starry sky.
"Blood God Star," Auron murmured, recognizing the familiar world where his ancestors had lived for generations. It was also where his family had continued to thrive after his fall.
After Auron's death, his wife had pleaded with Ghost for assistance, and in an unprecedented act of kindness, Ghost had given her the entire Boulder Starfield. This entire starfield, composed of thousands of star systems, was now under the protection of Ghost's country. It was a vast region, with immense value, comparable to thousands of mixed yuan units.
The Boulder Starfield was a place where Auron's family could flourish for countless generations, as long as they didn't establish a kingdom of their own. Ghost's gesture had secured the future of Auron's descendants, ensuring that they would never have to fear for their safety as long as they lived under Ghost's protection.
"Ghost's character is truly remarkable," Auron reflected as he flew toward Blood God Star. "No wonder so many are willing to call him a friend."
He made his way out of the ship's cabin and, with a simple gesture, stored the ship in his world ring. Then, he took to the air, accelerating at an incredible speed toward the planet that loomed ever larger ahead of him.
Though Auron wasn't truly the original Lian Luo, his spirit had taken over the body, and he still carried the weight of the name. His descendants, too, were his, though many generations had passed since the original Lian Luo's fall.
"After so many years, I wonder if my descendants still remember me," Auron thought. "Do they even know who I was?"
From the information he had gathered, it appeared that only one immortal had ever been born from the Lian Luo family, a humble Immortal World General who had remained stationed on the Blood God Star for years. This was why Auron had come—to meet her, learn about the fate of his family, and understand their legacy.
As he drew closer to the planet, Auron's thoughts were filled with a mixture of curiosity and melancholy. His past life might be distant, but his connection to his descendants was undeniable. It was time to uncover the truth about what had become of them.
With the chapter now finished, Auron's journey to discover his family's fate had just begun. He would soon learn whether his legacy would continue to shape the future or if, like the Blood God Star, his family's history had faded into the past.