Section 36: Demonic Soldier Inheritance, Ning Family Seeks Marriage

Opening the box to take a look, Chu Yun suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, the Drunken Snow Blade!"

The Drunken Snow Blade vibrated slightly within the wooden box, emitting a joyful chime upon seeing Chu Yun. Its snow-bright blade light and fluid, graceful form combined the beauty of both wild abandon and elegance.

Chu Yun frowned. "Drunken Snow Blade, this is yours, Father. How could I accept it?"

Shu Tianhao smiled, reached into the box, grabbed the Drunken Snow Blade, and handed it to Chu Yun.

The blade trembled violently in his hand, as if an ice dragon were struggling with all its might. In that short span, Shu Tianhao's veins bulged, his face turned crimson, and steam rose from his body. It was clear that controlling this blade had exhausted every ounce of his strength.

Chu Yun took the blade with a look of astonishment.

A miraculous thing happened: the Drunken Snow Blade immediately went still, ceasing its tremors. It became as docile as a kitten, the blade emitting a soft hum, and even a faint scent of wine wafted from it.

"This is..." Chu Yun cried out in surprise.

"The Drunken Snow Blade has acknowledged you as its master," Shu Tianhao sighed with gratification. The look he cast at Chu Yun held no regret for the loss of his beloved weapon, but rather, it was filled with immense satisfaction.

Beside them, the White-Browed Alchemist chuckled and explained gently, "It is quite normal for the Young Island Master to be unaware of certain things. This blade is a Demon Weapon. When objects are used frequently and infused with emotion over a long period, they develop a spirit and become Demon Weapons. Demon Beasts, Demon Weapons, and Demon Plants are the three major categories for a Spirit Beast Master."

How could Chu Yun not understand? He was simply surprised that this Drunken Snow Blade would actually acknowledge him as its master.

"Demon" did not refer narrowly to Demon Beasts, but was a collective term for all things that had developed a spirit. A Spirit Beast Master was someone capable of controlling these spiritual objects.

Among these spiritual objects, Demon Beasts were only one part. Chu Yun's Heavenly Fox, the Old Fish King's Sea Spider, and Remnant Wolf's Beacon Smoke Wolf were all Demon Beasts.

Another part consisted of Demon Plants. Cultivating plants was mostly a productive activity, such as Old Red Spear's Jade Sea Kelp or Qiao the Old Monkey's Copper Bell Coconut Tree.

The third part was Demon Weapons. Man-made objects that were frequently used and infused with emotion would eventually develop a spirit. Shu Tianhao's Drunken Snow Blade fell into this category. It was precisely by relying on this Demon Weapon that Shu Tianhao could contend with Remnant Wolf's Beacon Smoke Wolf.

In my past life, I inherited the Drunken Snow Blade after my foster father died. Now that Father is still alive, how could this Demon Weapon acknowledge me as its master? How strange! Chu Yun muttered to himself.

"A Demon Weapon only acknowledges a new master if its previous one has died. However, your situation is quite special. That day on the battlefield, when Island Master Shu was on the verge of death, he was at the very edge of life. The Drunken Snow Blade was essentially ownerless. It just so happened that at that moment, Young Island Master Chu entered the fray and wielded the blade. You poured all your emotions and fighting spirit into it, triggering a resonance with the spirit within the blade. That is why it changed masters," the White-Browed Alchemist explained from the side.

"So that's how it is." Chu Yun understood completely. At that time, the Drunken Snow Blade had mistakenly believed Shu Tianhao was dead, and combined with the twenty-three years of suppressed emotion and fighting spirit he had unleashed, the Demon Weapon had acknowledged him as its master.

"Since that is the case, I will accept this blade." In all the world, only he could use the Drunken Snow Blade. Realizing this, Chu Yun did not stand on ceremony and accepted the demon blade directly.

"Good, good, good." Shu Tianhao nodded repeatedly, took a deep breath, and cautioned, "The Drunken Snow Blade is the personal weapon of the Shu Family Island's successive masters. It is infused with the spirit of countless ancestors and is the symbol of power for Shu Family Island. Behind it lies the pride and dignity of a warrior. Do not let this blade down. If you have the opportunity in the future, do your best to raise its cultivation."

"I understand, Father." Chu Yun nodded. Demon Weapons could also breathe in spiritual energy and absorb Demon Crystals to increase their cultivation. This Drunken Snow Blade was at the Great Demon level, possessing forty-five years of accumulated cultivation.

The White-Browed Alchemist's eyes crinkled with a smile. "The Drunken Snow Blade is a Great Demon Weapon, yet Young Island Master Chu is able to wield it at such a young age. This proves that your own spiritual light is excessively powerful. You are like a piece of unpolished jade; with just a little carving, you will become a precious gem. I only hope that when you arrive at the Heavenly Song Academy, you will not slack off, but work hard and not waste the favor of the heavens."

"Heavenly Song Academy? Father, what is this about?" Chu Yun asked, stunned.

"Hahaha, I have already recommended you for enrollment at the Heavenly Song Academy. The Heavenly Song Academy is a fine place with abundant resources, gathering almost all the young heroes of the All-Star Archipelago. You must work hard," Shu Tianhao said, patting Chu Yun on the shoulder with a smile.

The unexpected surprise left Chu Yun unable to react. "But I didn't take first place in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony..."

"You silly boy. Who said that first place in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is the only way to enter the Heavenly Song Academy? The Heavenly Song Academy only recruits youths who have been recommended from each island. First place in the ceremony is merely one of the standards for recommendation. With your performance today, you even saved my life. If I didn't recommend you, I fear the entire island would call your father a senile fool..."

"Father..." Chu Yun choked up, about to speak.

Just then, a servant came to report, "Reporting to the Island Master, an envoy from Ning Family Island has arrived with a large quantity of gifts."

"People from the Ning family..." Shu Tianhao frowned, then smoothed his expression. "Invite them up."

"What? They want to propose a marriage alliance? And with Ning Yiyi..." A moment later, upon understanding the envoy's intent, Chu Yun's expression shifted, and he couldn't help but stand up from his seat.

He knew of this Ning Yiyi—she possessed a beauty that could topple cities, but she was vain and took pride in her looks. What she loved most was watching her suitors go to war over a single word from her. In his memories of the era when the All-Star Archipelago fell into chaotic war, she had remarried five times, climbing higher each time. In the end, she actually married her own cousin, the generation's Ning Family Island Master, becoming one of the few noblewomen with immense power in the All-Star Archipelago.

Such a person actually wanted to come and propose a marriage alliance, to marry him?

Since my rebirth, everything is changing. I never thought I would have such a connection with a person like this. With the situation shifting like this, how much longer can my advantage of foresight last? Chu Yun couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"A marriage alliance?" Shu Tianhao frowned.

The Ning family envoy, however, was all smiles. He took in Chu Yun's reaction, assuming he was a romantic young man admiring the Ning princess's reputation, and was now so excited he couldn't contain himself.

"Hahaha, this girl Ning Yiyi has excellent talent for spirit beast mastery. She is also very beautiful and possesses an eidetic memory. She has quite an influence at our Heavenly Song Academy. The suitors behind her could line a long street. Hahaha, since ancient times, beauties have been paired with heroes. Young Island Master Chu is a true young hero. You didn't make a sound, but once you did, you shocked everyone; slaying the Remnant Wolf is a feat that shook the region, enough to be proud of. A hero and a beauty—what a wonderful match!"

The White-Browed Alchemist spoke with a meaningful smile.

The Ning family envoy's face grew even brighter, the corners of his mouth curling high; he was already overjoyed. It seemed his mission was a success.

In truth, the success rate was high to begin with. Ning Yiyi was the granddaughter of the Ning Family Island Master, a genuine Ning princess, and her beauty was renowned throughout the entire All-Star Archipelago at a young age.

Which youth did not admire her? Which young man did not lose his heart to her?

"This Young Island Master Chu, while fierce and brave, is still just a youth after all. Seeing how happy he looks, it really is... hehe."