Old Sword

The Xie family is a rising power in the cultivation world in recent years, while the Nangong family inherits the glory of the three great cultivation clans. In recent years, the Nangong family has been gradually declining, while the Xie family has been eyeing them like wolves that have smelled blood, eager to devour them completely and become the new great cultivation clan.

This feud has clearly affected the younger generation.

They couldn't agree on what to say, and after a few tense exchanges, they parted on bad terms.

Bai Xiyan sat for a long time, explaining the intricacies of the sect to Lin Yun and telling her to be more careful in the future.

"Cultivation has only been around for a hundred years. Are the old clans considered old? Are the newly rich considered new?" She came from an ordinary family and was deeply affected by the struggles between families, so she naturally loathed them.

“The Jingyin Sect is not what it used to be.” She looked particularly sad. “I’m telling you this so you can be more careful. But if you focus on your cultivation, you won’t get into trouble.”

In the cultivation world, the most important thing is the cultivator's strength. Everything else is not the most important. Thinking of this, Bai Xiyan turned his gaze to the person in front of him and finally felt some comfort.

The two had lunch together.

After the meal, Bai Xiyan told many interesting stories about the sect, seemingly trying to ease the worries that his previous words had caused Lin Yunwang.

She only left gracefully when Venerable Yichen came to find Lin Yun to go to the Sword Pavilion to choose a sword.

Watching her departing figure, Lin Yunwang's eyes welled with emotions she couldn't calm down. Today, she had said so much to him, every word from the bottom of her heart.

Senior Sister Bai was among the first batch of disciples personally taught by her, and many disciples in the sect grew up under her care, developing deep feelings for the Jingyin Sect and even the cultivation world. Naturally, she hoped for a world of light and uprightness, but this idea was merely a utopian dream.

According to her, the Jingyin Sect has changed a lot in terms of both its ideology and practices, but when pressed for details, it refuses to say anything and only shows a worried expression.

Perhaps this is something that cannot be spoken of, like the former sect leader's, or perhaps it is a matter...

Lin Yun was lost in thought, while her master, Venerable Yichen, remained silent, waiting for her to finish her thoughts. When she came to her senses, he said, "Let's go."

On the long journey to Jian Ge, this was the first time the master and disciple had spent so much time alone together.

"Manager Han often praises your diligence. You will be returning to the inner sect next month for further study. Are you ready?" Since there are few direct disciples, in order to make full use of resources, the courses for direct disciples are combined with those for inner sect disciples, and this course is also being held together.

"Has something changed?" She couldn't help but feel uneasy, wondering what impact yesterday's events had had, but judging from Nangong Suiqing's attitude, it wasn't negative at least.

Yichen shook her head in denial, "No."

"I wish you would not force things, nor should you suppress your talents." I did not finish what I wanted to say yesterday, leaving time for her to recover due to her injury.

Remembering what Dai Shuchun had said to him, Venerable Yichen looked at Lin Yunwang with heartache and couldn't help but say, "You are still a child. There is no heavy responsibility for you to bear. Your master and senior brother are here for you."

He gently stroked Lin Yunwang's head, his tone tender, "Before becoming anyone else, you are first and foremost Lin Yunwang."

"I will follow my teacher's teachings."

In the past, she had to use only a few memories to sketch out the image of her master. In reality, he was just as she had imagined, like a gentle breeze and a bright moon, like the full moon in the sky.

"You must wear the spiritual pearl I gave you at all times." Yichen gently tapped her forehead, and only felt relieved when he saw that the crack in her spiritual platform was not widening. "This will greatly benefit your repair of your sea of ​​consciousness."

"Master seems to be well-versed in this art?" After the two became familiar with each other, Lin Yunwang became much more at ease and spoke more boldly.

Yichen seemed surprised that she would ask this question. She paused for a moment, then replied, "I guess you could say I've become an expert through long-term illness."

He spoke candidly about his past.

In the battle against the demon, he overexerted his spiritual power, causing irreversible damage to his spiritual platform. From then on, his cultivation became difficult to improve, and his lifespan was reduced by more than half.

What Xie Tingshui didn't finish saying yesterday was finally said by the person involved himself.

"Everyone says that Venerable Yichen is nearing the end of his life, and I am saddened that I have no successor. I am particularly harsh on my disciples. Although your senior brother is not a genius, his heart is as firm as a rock, and he is even more accomplished in the art of talismans."

Under the sunlight, his gaze was intense. "He will surely be able to traverse the places I have never reached."

He lowered his head and met Lin Yunwang's sorrowful gaze. "Don't look like that. I can still protect you for ten years. When you reach for the heavens, then see the view from above for me."

"I'm sorry, I... I shouldn't have asked." Lin Yunwang's voice was already breaking with sobs. "I..."

She clutched the spirit pearl in her sleeve. In her heart, Yichen was the best master. But in his heart, she was not worthy.

"I am the one who should apologize. I have occupied the title of master but have not fulfilled the responsibilities of a teacher." Yichen felt that he had not taken good care of Lin Yunwang and Sang Zhao. He was busy running around outside the sect all day long, but the two of them were not protected and were caught in the public opinion.

How could he not want to stay by Yunwang and Sangzhao's side and witness firsthand that the two of them could stand on their own?

But there are still important things to do right now.

After a long silence, he asked Lin Yun, "Could you grant me permission to cultivate diligently in the Jingyin Sect for more than ten years?"

"...Disciple obeys."

People say that the eyes are a mirror of the heart.

At this moment, she was clearly looking directly into her master's eyes, but she couldn't see through him, because his eyes were filled with concern and reminiscence, as if he were looking through her into someone else.

There was no sorrow, yet it was more desolate than weeping.

Master, what are you thinking about? She swallowed the question in her heart, forced a smile, and said as if joking, "Even if Master doesn't remind me, I will still diligently cultivate without ceasing."

“I know.” Venerable Yichen nodded solemnly. “I have long heard of your diligent cultivation. You must take care of your health.”

"Disciple understands."

On the way forward, Yichen did most of the talking, while Lin Yun would chime in with a few words.

After that, all that remained was silence.

On the road where they walked in silence, Lin Yunwang couldn't help but think of the book "Historical Sea" that he had finished reading over the past few days.

Some say that to understand a world, one must begin with its history. She took this as her guiding principle. The first book in the world of cultivation she read was "The Sea of ​​History."

But reality told her that this history book, hailed as the most complete record, was still inevitably like any other book in its kind, like a sieve, only its sieve was finer, leaving more people and stories behind.

It does not record many things, such as the feud between the Xie and Nangong families, nor does it record Yichen's suffering from the damage to his spiritual platform.

The world is too vast; books can only hold great people and great events.

Perhaps, countless pairs of masters and disciples have walked this long road, just like them, to the Sword Pavilion, to choose a suitable sword for their disciple.

The answers to the world's questions are not only found in books, but also right before our eyes.

It was just a short journey, but Lin Yunwang already had a new dream—that through his existence, those around him could have proof of their existence.

"We've arrived." Yichen's words interrupted Lin Yunwang's reverie.

Sword Pavilion exudes a solemn atmosphere, unlike the heavily guarded Soul Breath Tower. This place, which was built at the beginning of the Jingyin Sect, is unguarded and has its doors wide open, allowing the fierce sword energy to surge onto everyone who comes here.

“A sword of superior quality will recognize its master. The sword and the person are mutually selected.” Yichen taught her how to choose a suitable sword: “Close your eyes, calm your mind, hold your breath and concentrate your spirit, expand your power and disperse your spiritual energy.”

Using one's divine sense to perceive is indeed more time-efficient than testing each sword one by one, and it is also more likely to find a sword that is compatible with one's destiny.

Thanks to Sang Zhao's guidance and her diligent study over the past few days, Lin Yunwang has become quite proficient in using her divine sense to probe objects. Even without Venerable Yichen's guidance, she can complete the task independently.

Golden spiritual energy emanated from her body, searching for her destined sword in the vast sea of ​​swords.

After a long while, there was still no movement. Just as Lin Yun was about to withdraw her divine sense, a buzzing sound suddenly came from the depths of the Sword Pavilion. A sword that had been covered in dust for a long time came flying through the air. The dust on the sword was shaken off by its speed, and when it hovered in front of her, it was as clear as the bright moon.

"It's a fine sword."

Lin Yun nodded in agreement. Holding the sword, she looked around and felt it looked familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.

The moment she stepped out of the Sword Pavilion, the sky suddenly brightened, and she suddenly remembered that this sword was quite similar to the sword of the older brother she had used when she was young. He had only drawn the sword once, and at that time she tried her best to engrave the image of the sword in her mind so that she could find this benefactor in the future.

Would you like to choose another scabbard?

"certainly."

Lin Yun saw that this sword was similar in length to the previous sword. He originally wanted to use the original scabbard, but when he thought of the similar pattern on the sword blade to that of his savior, he decided to get a new scabbard, preferably one that was similar to that older brother's scabbard.

When the two meet again, they will pay more attention to each other because of their similar appearance.

Venerable Yichen then took him to the top floor of the Sword Pavilion to choose a sword sheath.

The previously hazy memories became clear the moment Lin Yun caught sight of the familiar patterns.

The journey back was just as long as the journey there, only the beginning and end were reversed.

Lin Yun was lost in his memories.

"Big brother" was how she addressed her savior when she was little, but now that she's grown up, the term sounds cloying and she simply can't bring herself to say it now.

He must be at least thirty years old now.

After she was safe, she tried to find him, but the world is so vast, finding someone is no easy task.

"If we are destined to meet, we will meet again," were the last words that person spoke.

Lin Yun was preoccupied and walked a little slower. Yi Chen suddenly stopped two steps ahead and turned around to wait for her to catch up.

"I haven't congratulated you yet on finding a fine sword," Yichen said, seeing Lin Yun standing beside him.

"Thank you, Master." She instinctively reached out to bow, but he raised his hand to steady her.

"My disciples don't observe such formalities; just be yourself." Yichen frowned slightly, seemingly troubled by something. "Tomorrow I have to go to the human realm to handle some trivial matters."

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know," Yichen said. "I'm sorry, ultimately it's my fault for not being a good enough master..."

Although Lin Yunwang's duel with Nangong Suiqing made her famous and established Yichen's prestige within the sect, the fact that her spiritual platform was becoming increasingly cracked had become a thorn in his side.

Yichen felt that Yunwang's health was far more important than public opinion.

The elder couldn't help but think: if she were always in the sect, she could lay the foundation for her disciples, and she wouldn't have to cultivate with the outer sect members, so she wouldn't hear those gossips.

And Lin Yunwang? She believes that the outside world's evaluation of her sect is far more important than the damage to her spiritual platform.

Both of them were quick-witted and perceptive, and were able to understand each other's thoughts.

“Master,” Lin Yun interrupted him, raising his voice, “This is the second time you’ve apologized for this today. I don’t want to hear it anymore, and you don’t need to apologize anymore.”

"Is that so?" Yichen was a little stunned, and placed her hand on her heart. "I...I'm just afraid that the bond between you and me as master and disciple is too shallow."

Venerable Yichen was surprisingly frank in some respects.

"Now that we have gone through the apprenticeship ceremony, we will not become estranged because of the fact that we are apart for long periods of time." I still vividly remember the way he handed me the jade pendant and jade ornament.

Their shadows twisted and turned several times on the mountain path stone steps, always very close together.

"This disciple will diligently cultivate at the mountain gate, year after year, waiting for Master's return," she promised.

Lin Yunwang couldn't guess whether the turmoil in his eyes was guilt or something else. Perhaps he felt that he had spent more time with Senior Brother Sang Zhao and thought it was unfair to her?

"I have already recognized you as my master, and this will never change in this lifetime." She answered firmly, disregarding everything else.

"Me too." Yichen smiled, her expression no longer showing the worry she had shown before.