Chapter 169: Chen Xing's Inevitable Fate — The Choice Between Life and Death

"Yeah, okay, got it. So Kalolin, your Will-sense is telling you that Star’s hiding something from you."

"And even though you don’t have proof, you’re worried it might end up affecting you badly, right?"

"Yeah. Exactly."

After hearing the full story, Jing Ruli fell silent for a few seconds on the other end of the Data Terminal—then suddenly slapped her hand down.

"I get it now!"

Her sudden burst of excitement was so intense that Kalolin heard a muffled thud through the speaker—like something heavy had slammed into something soft. It made her frown.

"What happened, Ruli? Did something break over there?"

"N-nothing! Just... the pillow accidentally fell off the bed..." Ruli’s voice was muffled, punctuated by sharp gasps. Clearly, she was hiding something—she was clearly not okay.

But Kalolin narrowed her eyes. Her Will-analysis data had already flagged that the sound wasn’t from a pillow. It carried a heavy, solid weight—far too substantial for fabric and stuffing. More like someone, overcome with excitement, had toppled off the bed and landed hard on the carpet.

On the other side of the terminal, a certain someone was currently wincing in pain, clutching her rear as she painfully pulled herself up from the floor. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to admit it—after all, she was the Life Mentor, the top celebrity of the New Federation. She couldn’t let her dignity crumble.

To preserve her image, Jing Ruli cleared her throat with exaggerated calm.

"Kalolin, don’t worry about me. I think Star’s definitely in trouble—she just can’t bring herself to tell you directly, which is why she’s being so awkward."

"Is that so?" Kalolin replied, though she could already picture the smug grin on Ruli’s face, even through the voice channel.

"Of course!" Ruli cut in without pause. "Think about it—Star’s stubborn to the point of absurdity. If she weren’t dealing with something huge, would she really be calling you at midnight just to talk?"

"And from my years of experience? This time, it’s definitely something outside of combat."

"Otherwise, with her strength and personality, she wouldn’t be chatting with you. She’d be out there incinerating the enemy’s ashes!"

"..."

Though Ruli’s tone came off as a bit clueless, Kalolin had to admit—on the subject of Chen Xing, Jing Ruli was an absolute expert.

Having been bullied by Chen Xing since childhood, she was, without a doubt, the one person in the Stellar Prodigy group who knew her best—even more than Chen Xing’s own younger brother, Chen Kong.

Something outside of battle?

Kalolin’s mind flashed back to a conversation years ago—when her mentor, Ainet, had casually mentioned the peculiar nature of Chen Xing’s unique Stellar Core · Xueyan.

Everyone assumed it was her blood—her life force, her essence.

But only a select few knew the truth: her true Stellar Core wasn’t in her veins. It was the Yao Dao—the ancient blade she carried at all times.

And because of the blade’s nature, Chen Xing had been facing a constant, brutal dilemma.

The Yao Dao needed to grow—by devouring enemy souls and blood in battle.

But the more it consumed, the stronger it became… and the more it began to influence her.

Eventually, the balance between Chen Xing and the blade would reach a breaking point.

And at that moment, she’d face only two choices:

Either she fully subdued the Yao Dao…

Or she’d be subjugated by it.

According to Ainet, only after completing a Nirvana could Chen Xing truly master the blade—achieving true unity between man and sword.

But that path was perilous beyond measure—even the greatest Stellar Envoy of the age dared not say whether she’d survive.

If she succeeded? A happy ending.

But if she failed?

Then she’d become a soulless, emotionless killing machine—a blade slave, utterly consumed by the blade.

And given Chen Xing’s extraordinary talent, if that happened, she’d likely become the most devastating Catastrophe-level threat the New Federation had seen in fifty years.

To prevent that, someone had to be present when she faced her final trial—the Supervisor. The one who would end her life instantly if she lost control.

But Kalolin believed it would take at least five years—if nothing went wrong—before Chen Xing reached that point.

And today’s strange behavior… it was clear.

Chen Xing wanted her to be that Supervisor.

But she couldn’t bring herself to ask—too painful, too cruel.

So she hesitated. Long and hard.

Now, Kalolin spoke.

"Thanks, Ruli. I think I finally understand what Star’s been hiding from me."

"Wait—what is it?"

"I can’t tell you. It’s her private matter."

"Hmph. Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll just ask her myself!"

With that, Jing Ruli slammed down the terminal in a huff.

The feeling of being left out—especially when it came to secrets between close friends—was worse than missing a bowl of pudding. She had to know. Or else she’d lie awake all night.

---

[Deep Night, Steam Capital, Gear Tower]

[Luxury Suite Assigned to Chen Xing by the Stellar Envoy Association]

After hanging up, Chen Xing walked to the window. Her usually sharp eyes—cold and piercing—now held a faint, misty haze.

She looked at the Yao Dao, resting on its stand, then reached out and placed her hand on the ancient, sinister-looking scabbard.

"The choice between life and death..."

She whispered it softly—then gripped the hilt tightly.

Clang!

The blade slid free.

She held it upright before her, the dark red blade reflecting her crimson pupils.

The confusion in her eyes had vanished—replaced by a blazing, wild fervor, like wildfire burning in the depths of her soul.

"...Want my body? Then prove you can take it."

The Yao Dao shuddered violently.

The metallic tremor echoed like a guttural, inhuman laugh—mingling with the blade’s overwhelming battle-will, flooding into Chen Xing’s mind.

And as she felt its intent, she smiled.

But it wasn’t a smile of joy.

It was mockery.

Cold, merciless mockery—of the blade’s foolish dream.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end