Chapter 11 — If You Want the Inheritance, Walk Past Me

No one moved.

Dozens of cultivators stood—or rather, struggled to stand—across the ruined valley.

A moment ago, they had filled the sky.

Core Formation experts.

Nascent Soul elders.

A Soul Transformation cultivator whose name carried weight across the Northern Region.

Now every one of them was on the ground.

Shen Yuan stood beneath the waterfall.

His white robes were dry.

His hands rested behind his back.

He hadn't released an aura.

Hadn't drawn a weapon.

Hadn't even stepped forward.

He had simply pressed one hand downward.

And the sky had emptied.

The red-robed Soul Transformation cultivator was the first to speak.

"Peak Master Shen."

His voice had changed.

There was no longer any condescension in it.

Only caution.

"What realm..."

He stopped.

Perhaps because he realized asking might be unwise.

Shen Yuan waited.

The man finished anyway.

"...have you reached?"

Shen Yuan considered the question.

Again.

People had become unusually interested in that lately.

"Soul Transformation."

Silence.

The red-robed man's expression became ugly.

Shen Yuan added:

"Publicly."

That didn't help.

The Nascent Soul elder carrying the black iron sword slowly stood.

His legs trembled.

Not from fear.

From the invisible force still pressing against his cultivation.

"You concealed your realm."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Shen Yuan tilted his head.

"Why wouldn't I?"

The elder had no immediate answer.

In the cultivation world, people usually wanted others to know when they became stronger.

Higher cultivation meant status.

Influence.

Resources.

Fear.

Respect.

Shen Yuan apparently considered all of those inconveniences.

The old swordsman looked toward the waterfall.

Ancient Sword Intent continued leaking from behind it.

Every sword cultivator in the valley could feel it.

Something extraordinary was inside.

Something perhaps capable of changing their entire path.

His gaze hardened.

"Peak Master Shen."

Shen Yuan sighed.

Here it came.

"The inheritance was discovered within territory claimed by the Iron Sword Hall."

Shen Yuan looked at the ruined valley.

"Your territory?"

The old man nodded.

"Yes."

"Where are the boundary formations?"

The elder paused.

"There are none."

"Boundary markers?"

"No."

"Settlements?"

"No."

"Disciples stationed here?"

"...No."

Shen Yuan nodded.

"Very convincing."

The elder's face darkened.

Several cultivators behind him looked away.

The red-robed Soul Transformation cultivator spoke.

"This valley has been disputed for centuries."

"Then it belongs to none of you."

"That isn't how territory works."

Shen Yuan thought about that.

"Perhaps."

He pointed toward the cave.

"But my disciple opened the inheritance."

The man's eyes narrowed.

"Then let the younger generation compete."

"No."

The answer was immediate.

Several expressions changed.

Shen Yuan continued.

"If the inheritance wanted competition, it could have invited you."

Nobody spoke.

"It didn't."

The ancient Sword Tomb had opened for Jian Wuchen.

That was enough for him.

The red-robed cultivator slowly rose.

His Soul Transformation cultivation surged again.

This time—

more carefully.

He wasn't attacking.

Testing.

His divine sense spread toward Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan felt it.

He allowed the divine sense to approach.

The man concentrated.

Soul Transformation.

Nothing unusual.

Then his perception touched Shen Yuan.

And vanished.

The red-robed man's face went white.

Not blocked.

Not repelled.

Gone.

A piece of his divine sense had entered Shen Yuan's presence and simply ceased to exist.

He staggered backward.

Shen Yuan blinked.

He hadn't done anything.

The Primordial Autonomous Dao Body apparently had opinions about strangers examining him.

"Are you alright?"

The man stared.

That question somehow made it worse.

"You..."

He stopped.

Then clasped his hands.

"This old man is Crimson Sun Valley's Elder Han Lie."

Shen Yuan nodded.

"Shen Yuan."

"I know."

Right.

They'd established that.

Han Lie took a slow breath.

"Crimson Sun Valley will not interfere with Peak Master Shen's disciple."

Several people immediately looked at him.

The Iron Sword Hall elder's face changed.

"Elder Han!"

Han Lie ignored him.

"I only ask one thing."

"What?"

"If the inheritance contains records concerning the ancient Northern Region, allow Crimson Sun Valley to purchase a copy."

Shen Yuan considered.

"Ask my disciple."

Han Lie blinked.

"The inheritance belongs to him."

That answer surprised everyone.

Most masters would claim everything their disciples obtained.

At minimum, sects expected a portion.

Shen Yuan apparently didn't.

"If he agrees, I don't care."

Han Lie studied him.

Then nodded.

"Very well."

He stepped back.

The message was obvious.

Crimson Sun Valley was done.

Others began reconsidering.

The Iron Sword Hall elder wasn't.

"This is absurd."

Han Lie frowned.

"Old Qiao."

The swordsman ignored him.

"Our Hall has searched these ruins for generations."

"And failed to open them," Shen Yuan said.

The old man's jaw tightened.

"We sacrificed hundreds of disciples exploring these mountains."

Shen Yuan's expression changed slightly.

That—

was different.

Not enough to give them Jian Wuchen's inheritance.

But enough to deserve a real answer.

"If your Hall possesses historical claims to material outside the inheritance itself, bring evidence to Azure Origin Sect."

Old Qiao frowned.

"If Jian Wuchen obtains records or treasures clearly belonging to your predecessors, I'll have him discuss it with you."

"You know his name."

"He's my disciple."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Since when?"

Shen Yuan thought.

"Several hours."

The valley became quiet.

Old Qiao stared.

"Several..."

"Hours."

"And you're confronting half the Northern Region over him?"

Shen Yuan looked around.

Half was an exaggeration.

Perhaps a very small fraction.

Still—

he understood the question.

"He bowed."

Old Qiao waited.

Shen Yuan didn't elaborate.

"That's it?"

"What else is required?"

The old man stared.

Han Lie suddenly laughed.

Loudly.

Several people looked at him.

He shook his head.

"Old Qiao."

The Iron Sword Hall elder glared.

Han Lie continued.

"Leave."

"You—"

"That man pressed twenty-three cultivators out of the sky without circulating enough Qi for me to identify the technique."

Old Qiao became silent.

Han Lie's smile disappeared.

"And you want to discover what happens when he becomes serious?"

That was persuasive.

Old Qiao looked at Shen Yuan.

Then toward the cave.

His expression shifted several times.

Finally—

he clasped his hands.

"Iron Sword Hall will remember Peak Master Shen's words."

Shen Yuan nodded.

"Good."

"If the inheritance contains our Hall's ancestral records—"

"Talk to Jian Wuchen."

Old Qiao frowned at the unfamiliar name.

Then realization struck.

"The crippled Jian Wuchen?"

The valley became colder.

Not literally.

Shen Yuan's expression simply changed.

Old Qiao noticed.

So did everyone else.

Shen Yuan spoke calmly.

"My disciple."

Two words.

That was enough.

Old Qiao immediately corrected himself.

"Young Master Jian."

Shen Yuan relaxed.

Better.

The Iron Sword Hall withdrew.

Others followed.

Not everyone was happy.

Some looked toward the cave with obvious greed.

But none wanted to be the first person to test exactly how far beyond Soul Transformation Shen Yuan had gone.

Within minutes—

the valley was nearly empty.

Han Lie remained.

Shen Yuan looked at him.

"You're still here."

"I said I wouldn't interfere."

"Yes."

"I didn't say I'd leave."

Shen Yuan stared.

Han Lie smiled.

"I am curious."

Shen Yuan could respect that.

"Stay outside the valley."

"Fair."

Han Lie flew away.

Shen Yuan watched him disappear beyond the mountain ridge.

Then looked around.

Quiet.

Finally.

He turned toward the waterfall.

A system notification appeared.

[Disciple Jian Wuchen's Sword Meridian formation: 39%.]

Shen Yuan smiled.

Progress.

Then—

[41%.]

[43%.]

His smile faded slightly.

That was accelerating.

He entered the cave.

Inside the Sword Tomb—

Jian Wuchen was dying.

Possibly.

He wasn't entirely certain.

The rusted sword had pierced his chest three times.

That should have been impossible.

There was only one wound.

Yet he distinctly remembered being stabbed three times.

The first—

through his heart.

The second—

through something deeper.

The third—

through his understanding of the sword.

Jian Wuchen stood beneath the black sky.

Blood dripped from Clear Wind.

Across from him floated the First Gate.

A rusted sword.

Plain.

Ugly.

Its blade was chipped.

Its guard nearly destroyed.

Nothing about it looked worthy of an ancient inheritance.

Jian Wuchen no longer underestimated it.

The ancient voice spoke.

"Again."

Jian Wuchen raised Clear Wind.

His arm trembled.

"How many times?"

"Until you understand."

"Understand what?"

No answer.

Of course.

Ancient inheritances apparently believed useful explanations reduced their dignity.

The rusted sword vanished.

Jian Wuchen's Sword Heart screamed.

He moved.

Too late.

The blade entered his chest.

Again.

No physical wound appeared.

But something inside him tore.

Jian Wuchen fell to one knee.

His breathing became ragged.

The rusted sword returned to its original position.

Waiting.

He looked inward.

His damaged meridians were changing.

One pathway—

from his heart through his shoulder and into his sword arm—

had become clearer.

Sword Intent circulated through it.

Every time the rusted blade "killed" him, the pathway widened.

But that wasn't the entire trial.

There was something else.

Something he was missing.

Jian Wuchen stood.

"Again."

The sword attacked.

This time, he blocked.

Clang!

Clear Wind shook.

Jian Wuchen countered.

His blade passed through empty air.

The rusted sword appeared behind him.

Pierce.

Death.

Again.

He fell.

The ancient voice spoke.

"You watch the sword."

Jian Wuchen wiped blood from his mouth.

"What else should I watch?"

Silence.

He frowned.

You watch the sword.

The words repeated in his mind.

He stood.

Again.

The rusted blade vanished.

Jian Wuchen didn't follow it.

Instead—

he closed his eyes.

His Sword Heart beat.

Once.

The world changed.

No sight.

No blade.

No movement.

Only intent.

Something wanted to pierce his heart.

Jian Wuchen turned.

Clang!

For the first time—

he intercepted the rusted sword before it appeared.

His eyes opened.

The blade was caught against Clear Wind.

The ancient voice remained silent.

Jian Wuchen smiled.

"I see."

The rusted sword disappeared.

Again.

Jian Wuchen didn't watch.

He felt.

Sword Intent.

Not the weapon.

Not the technique.

The intention preceding both.

Clang!

Blocked.

Again.

Clang!

Again.

Clang!

Ten attacks.

Twenty.

Fifty.

Jian Wuchen stopped moving unnecessarily.

One step.

One turn.

One strike.

The Heart Meridian inside him widened.

Sword Intent flowed faster.

[Sword Meridian: 51%.]

He couldn't see the system notification.

Shen Yuan could.

Outside the tomb, Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed.

"Fifty-one?"

Too fast.

Then—

[55%.]

[60%.]

Shen Yuan stood.

The stone doors trembled.

Something powerful was happening inside.

He placed one hand against them.

The Sword Tomb immediately reacted.

"Do not interfere."

Shen Yuan frowned.

"I wasn't."

"You intended to."

"That's not the same."

Silence.

Shen Yuan removed his hand.

Fair.

He could wait.

Probably.

Cloudveil Peak.

Chen An had created a problem.

More accurately—

he had solved enough small problems that everyone had begun bringing him larger ones.

He stood in the main hall.

Before him were eight attendants.

Two groundskeepers.

One elderly cook.

Three outer disciples assigned to maintain formations.

And Lin Yue.

Chen An held a sheet of paper.

"From today onward, visitors do not enter the disciple residential area without permission."

Everyone nodded.

"Requests from other peaks go through me."

More nodding.

"Cultivation challenges go through Senior Disciple Lin."

Lin Yue looked up.

"Wait."

Chen An continued.

"Requests for Peak Master Shen go into the blue box."

One attendant raised a hand.

"What happens to the blue box?"

"We wait until Peak Master returns."

"And if he doesn't?"

Chen An considered.

"Then we acquire a larger box."

The attendant nodded.

Reasonable.

Lin Yue was still focused on the previous point.

"Why do cultivation challenges go through me?"

Chen An looked at her.

"Because they're addressed to you."

He handed over another stack.

Lin Yue stared.

There were twelve.

"Already?"

"Thirteen."

"You said twelve."

"One arrived while we were speaking."

An attendant entered.

He placed another letter on the stack.

Lin Yue closed her eyes.

Chen An corrected himself.

"Fourteen."

She picked up the top letter.

Challenge Request — Inner Disciple Zhou Ming.

"Why?"

Chen An shrugged.

"You broke a training post."

"That can't be enough."

"You also rebuilt your cultivation from third to ninth stage in one day."

Lin Yue paused.

"Right."

"And produced a lunar phenomenon visible from every peak."

"Right."

"And Peak Master Mu publicly said your foundation exceeded Zhao Tianming's."

Lin Yue sighed.

"Right."

Chen An smiled sympathetically.

"People are curious."

"Do I have to accept?"

"No."

She looked relieved.

Then—

a voice came from outside.

"Senior Sister Lin!"

Lin Yue froze.

Chen An looked toward the door.

A young inner disciple stood outside.

Sword at his waist.

Excited expression.

"Please exchange pointers with me!"

Lin Yue looked at Chen An.

He looked back.

"You said requests go through you."

"They do."

"He's outside."

"Correct."

"Make him go away."

Chen An considered the young cultivator.

Then walked toward the entrance.

"Senior Brother Zhou."

The young man bowed.

"Senior Chen."

Chen An was technically an outer disciple.

The address was generous.

"You wish to challenge Senior Disciple Lin?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Zhou Ming's eyes brightened.

"I heard Senior Sister Lin possesses strength comparable to Foundation Establishment while only at Body Tempering!"

Lin Yue could hear every word.

She wished she couldn't.

Chen An nodded.

"Then you believe she's strong."

"Very!"

"What is your cultivation?"

"Qi Refining, third stage."

Chen An stared.

Zhou Ming's enthusiasm slowly weakened.

"Do you dislike having functioning bones?"

The young man paused.

"No?"

"Good."

Chen An closed the door.

Lin Yue stared.

"Was that necessary?"

"Probably."

"Master would have let him fight."

"That is why Peak Master requires an attendant."

Lin Yue couldn't argue with that.

Chen An returned to the desk.

"One more issue."

"What?"

"Your junior brother."

Lin Yue immediately became attentive.

"We don't know his name."

She realized he was right.

Shen Yuan had only said future junior brother.

Nothing else.

Chen An tapped the registry.

"I cannot formally prepare his residence without a name."

Lin Yue thought.

"Prepare one anyway."

Chen An looked at her.

She glanced toward the empty disciple courtyards.

"If Master brings him back injured, he'll need somewhere to stay."

Chen An smiled faintly.

"Very well."

He marked the second residence.

"Anything else?"

Lin Yue hesitated.

"Put it near mine."

Chen An's smile widened slightly.

She noticed.

"It's easier if I need to help him."

"I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it."

"I've served Peak Master Shen for six years."

Chen An returned to his paperwork.

"I've learned to keep dangerous thoughts private."

Lin Yue almost laughed.

Then—

a bell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Every person in the hall stopped.

Chen An's expression changed.

Lin Yue stood.

"What is that?"

"Outer formation."

He moved immediately.

"Someone is approaching Cloudveil Peak."

"Hostile?"

"Unknown."

Lin Yue followed.

They stepped outside.

Above the mountain—

a flying ship had appeared.

Large.

White and gold.

A crest decorated its sail.

Lin Yue didn't recognize it.

Chen An did.

His expression became serious.

"That's not one of ours."

The ship stopped beyond Cloudveil Peak's formation.

A voice descended.

"By order of the Profound Sword Sect."

Lin Yue's eyes narrowed.

Sword Sect?

The voice continued.

"We seek Peak Master Shen Yuan."

Chen An looked toward Shen Yuan's empty palace.

Then toward Lin Yue.

She looked back.

For a moment—

neither spoke.

Then Chen An sighed.

"Blue box."

Lin Yue stared.

"What?"

"Put them in the blue box."

Despite herself—

she laughed.

Inside the Sword Tomb—

the First Gate broke.

Not the sword.

The gate.

Jian Wuchen stood with Clear Wind extended.

The rusted sword had stopped less than an inch from his heart.

His blade rested against its side.

He had not blocked it.

He had struck first.

Before the rusted sword moved.

Before the intent fully formed.

Before the attack existed.

The black sky shook.

Crack.

A golden line appeared inside Jian Wuchen's chest.

It extended from his heart.

Across his shoulder.

Down his arm.

Into his palm.

Then—

into Clear Wind.

Jian Wuchen gasped.

Sword Intent rushed through the pathway.

Not spiritual Qi.

Something purer.

Sharper.

The broken blade screamed.

A thin silver line appeared along Clear Wind's shattered edge.

For one moment—

the missing half of the blade returned.

Not physically.

Sword Intent completed it.

Jian Wuchen stared.

The ancient voice spoke.

"First Sword Meridian."

The rusted sword cracked.

Then shattered into light.

The light entered Jian Wuchen's chest.

Boom.

His body lifted from the ground.

The Sword Meridian widened.

Strength flooded his sword arm.

His cultivation remained—

none.

Yet his presence changed.

The ancient voice continued.

"Heart Gate complete."

"One of nine."

Jian Wuchen landed.

He looked at Clear Wind.

The spectral half-blade remained.

A sword made from intent.

He swung once.

The ground split for hundreds of meters.

Jian Wuchen stared.

"...Oh."

The ancient voice almost sounded amused.

Then—

the second sword rose.

Broken.

Its blade snapped near the middle.

Jian Wuchen's expression changed.

"Second Gate."

The broken sword pointed toward him.

"Bone Meridian."

Pressure exploded.

Jian Wuchen's knees bent.

The ground shattered beneath him.

The ancient voice spoke.

"The Heart teaches you to perceive the sword."

The broken weapon rose higher.

"The Bone teaches you to endure it."

Jian Wuchen tightened his grip.

"How?"

The sword vanished.

It appeared above him.

Then slammed down.

Boom!

Jian Wuchen disappeared into the earth.

Several seconds passed.

His hand emerged from the crater.

Then his head.

He coughed blood.

"...I understand the general idea."

The sword attacked again.

Outside—

Shen Yuan stared at the system.

[Sword Meridian formation: 68%.]

Then—

[First Sword Meridian successfully completed.]

A new panel appeared.

Disciple: Jian Wuchen

Cultivation: None

Innate Sword Heart: Awakened

Sword Meridians: 1/9

First Sword Meridian — Heart: Complete

Sword Intent: Transformed

Combat Assessment: Qi Refining — Upper

Shen Yuan smiled.

No cultivation.

Combat strength equivalent to upper Qi Refining.

Good.

Very good.

Then the system chimed again.

[Disciple milestone achieved.]

[Jian Wuchen has created a non-standard cultivation foundation.]

[High-value investment window detected.]

Shen Yuan's attention sharpened.

The system displayed a recommendation.

[Recommended investment after trial completion:]

Sword Meridian body-refinement treasure.

Sword Heart cultivation scripture.

Weapon evolution resource.

Three investments.

Three opportunities for cashback.

Shen Yuan was beginning to see the pattern.

Lin Yue needed resources aligned with her Nine-Yin Immortal Body.

Jian Wuchen needed resources aligned with his Sword Heart.

The more precisely Shen Yuan invested—

the better the returns.

Simple.

Then another notification appeared.

[Additional information.]

[Completion of all Nine Sword Meridians may evolve disciple's constitution.]

Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"Evolve into what?"

[Unknown.]

Of course.

Before he could inspect further—

his communication jade lit up.

Shen Yuan looked down.

Chen An.

That was unusual.

His attendant rarely contacted him unless necessary.

He activated it.

Chen An's voice emerged.

"Peak Master."

"Yes?"

"We have visitors."

Shen Yuan looked toward the sealed Sword Tomb.

"Tell them I'm unavailable."

"I did."

"Good."

"They said they'll wait."

Shen Yuan frowned.

"Who?"

"The Profound Sword Sect."

Shen Yuan became quiet.

Sword Sect.

While he was standing outside an Ancient Sword Tomb.

With a new disciple possessing an Innate Sword Heart.

That timing seemed suspicious.

"What do they want?"

"You."

"Specifically?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

A pause.

"They received reports that an ancient Sword Dao phenomenon appeared in the Northern Region."

Shen Yuan looked toward the stone door.

That was fast.

Chen An continued.

"They also asked whether Cloudveil Peak recently accepted a sword cultivator."

Shen Yuan's expression changed.

"Who told them?"

"We don't know."

Interesting.

Very interesting.

The Sword Tomb had only opened hours ago.

Yet a major sword sect already knew enough to ask about his new disciple.

"Don't let them enter Cloudveil Peak."

"Understood."

"Where is Lin Yue?"

"Beside me."

A second voice came through the jade.

"Master."

"Lin Yue."

"Did you find him?"

Shen Yuan smiled faintly.

"Yes."

There was a short silence.

"Is he alive?"

"Mostly."

Chen An coughed.

Lin Yue ignored him.

"Did he agree?"

Shen Yuan looked toward the Sword Tomb.

Inside, something exploded.

The entire cave shook.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

"Yes."

Another pause.

Then Lin Yue asked:

"What's his name?"

"Jian Wuchen."

Chen An's voice immediately followed.

"One moment."

Shen Yuan heard paper moving.

A brush scratching.

Then Chen An spoke again.

"Recorded."

Shen Yuan blinked.

"Recorded where?"

"The Cloudveil Peak Disciple Registry."

"We have one?"

"We do now."

Shen Yuan smiled.

Useful man.

"Prepare a residence."

"Already done."

Shen Yuan paused.

Very useful man.

"Chen An."

"Yes, Peak Master?"

"Remind me to increase your monthly spirit-stone allowance."

Silence.

Then:

"I will remind you every day."

Shen Yuan laughed.

Lin Yue's voice returned.

"When are you coming back?"

"After Jian Wuchen finishes."

"How long?"

Shen Yuan looked at the system.

[Second Sword Meridian trial ongoing.]

"No idea."

Lin Yue sighed.

Of course.

Shen Yuan continued.

"Keep cultivating."

"Yes, Master."

"And don't accept random challenges."

Another pause.

Chen An coughed again.

Lin Yue sounded suspicious.

"How did you know?"

"Because cultivators are predictable."

That was true.

"Master."

"Hm?"

"The Profound Sword Sect said they'll wait until you return."

Shen Yuan looked toward the cave entrance.

Then toward the sealed Sword Tomb.

His eyes narrowed.

"Let them."

The communication jade dimmed.

Shen Yuan stored it.

Profound Sword Sect.

He knew them.

One of the strongest sword-focused righteous sects in the Northern Region.

Far stronger than Iron Sword Hall.

Their Sect Master was supposedly at Body Integration.

Their ancestors—

perhaps stronger.

If they had detected the Sword Tomb phenomenon, their interest made sense.

But asking specifically whether Cloudveil Peak had accepted a sword cultivator?

That did not.

Shen Yuan looked toward the ancient door.

"Jian Wuchen."

His new disciple apparently carried more history than expected.

Then—

a voice came from behind him.

"Peak Master Shen."

Shen Yuan turned.

Someone stood at the end of the cave.

He hadn't heard them enter.

Hadn't sensed them approaching.

For the first time since becoming an Immortal—

that was unusual.

An old man stood there.

Gray robes.

Wooden sandals.

No visible cultivation.

A sword hung at his waist.

Not a spiritual weapon.

Wood.

A wooden sword.

Shen Yuan's eyes narrowed.

The system activated automatically.

[Target detected.]

[Analyzing...]

The old man smiled.

"Forgive the intrusion."

The system flickered.

[Cultivation: ???]

[Sword Intent: ???]

[Identity: ???]

Shen Yuan became interested.

Very interested.

The old man's gaze moved toward the sealed stone doors.

"That child inside."

He rested one hand on his wooden sword.

"Jian Wuchen."

Shen Yuan's expression cooled slightly.

"What about him?"

The old man smiled.

"He was supposed to become my disciple."

Silence.

Shen Yuan looked at the ancient swordsman.

Then at the Sword Tomb.

Then back.

"Supposed to?"

"Yes."

Shen Yuan considered that.

Then smiled.

"You're late."

The old man laughed.

"By three years."

"That's very late."

"Indeed."

He stepped closer.

The system continued failing to identify him.

Shen Yuan didn't move.

The old man stopped ten meters away.

"Peak Master Shen."

"Yes?"

"I came to take Jian Wuchen to the Profound Sword Sect."

Shen Yuan's smile remained.

But his eyes didn't.

"He's already my disciple."

"I know."

"Then why are you here?"

The old man looked toward the stone doors.

His expression carried something complicated.

Regret.

Perhaps guilt.

"Because Jian Wuchen's meridians..."

He paused.

"...were never destroyed by accident."

The cave became silent.

Shen Yuan's expression changed.

The old swordsman continued.

"Someone crippled him deliberately."

Inside the Sword Tomb—

the Second Gate descended.

And on Cloudveil Peak—

a white-and-gold ship waited above the clouds.

The quiet story of a fallen sword genius—

was beginning to look considerably less simple.