The short blade in Ning Xiaochuan's hand was the legendary blade the Heavenly Emperor had carried in his youth—the Heavenly Emperor Blade.
This blade possessed a demonic nature. It had spawned evil thoughts and become a Demon Blade, one the Heavenly Emperor had discarded thousands of years ago.
Though it had been discarded, its reputation remained immense.
The Heavenly Emperor Blade spoke in a human voice. "Ning Xiaochuan, I have already saved your life once. Can you become my Knife Slave now?"
The Heavenly Emperor Blade's voice rang directly in Ning Xiaochuan's ears. No one else could hear it.
"Impossible!"
Ning Xiaochuan said decisively, "You flew out of the Mystic Beast Appraisal on your own. I never asked you to act. You can fly back into the Mystic Beast Appraisal right now."
The Heavenly Emperor Blade said, "Young man, you are too stubborn. A hard attitude is a good thing, but excessive hardness is foolishness. Can't you see that this ancient demon is about to kill you?"
Ning Xiaochuan gripped the Heavenly Emperor Blade and stood atop the sacrificial platform, merging with the Heavenly Emperor's phantom.
No one knew that he was conversing with the Heavenly Emperor Blade at that very moment.
The Heavenly Emperor Blade continued persuading him. "The ancient demon's cultivation has reached the pinnacle. It is undying and indestructible. Even after the demon palace suppressed it for a thousand years, it could not kill it. Only by becoming my Knife Slave can you possibly have a chance to survive. You have no other choice."
"I do! I can control you."
Ning Xiaochuan's gaze was firm as he mobilized the power of the Heavenly Emperor's phantom and gathered it in his palm.
Blood from within the sacrificial platform flowed toward him, winding around his body and the blade.