Gu Changqing's Sword

Gu Changqing gazed at those white-robed cultivators, his expression stirring with emotion.

To him, this scene was far too dreamlike. He had never imagined that one day, he too would be able to enter a sect and receive another's teachings.

The old man noticed Gu Changqing's expression and said mildly, "These are all disciples of my Sword Sect, and also this old man's disciples."

"However, they are merely registered disciples, while you are my one and only personal disciple. The sword path I cultivate is exceedingly harsh; thus, having roamed heaven and earth for half my life, you are the only one I have deemed worthy."

"My Heavenly Secrets Sect has nine subordinate sects. As for which nine they are, there is no need for you to know. The Sword Sect is one of them, tasked with guarding the mountain."

When he finished speaking.

The disciples practicing their swords in the distance flew toward them one after another.

They landed beneath the steps and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Master."

The old man nodded faintly, then pointed at Gu Changqing. "This man is the personal disciple I accepted while traveling through the mortal world. He is also your senior brother. Why have you not yet paid your respects?"

The cultivators below were dumbfounded.

Everyone knew their master had standards higher than the heavens. No matter how stunningly gifted a prodigy might be, none had ever caught his eye.

Yet now, he had actually accepted a personal disciple.

"This man is so young. Judging by his clothes, he looks like a beggar. How could Master accept him as our senior brother?"

"Exactly. Look at him—where is the dashing elegance of a sword cultivator? He is even carrying a woodcutter's blade. Could it be that Master picked up some little firewood-splitting brat from the mountains?"

The cultivators whispered among themselves, and mocking remarks rang out without end.

Still, they did not dare disobey their master's words. They perfunctorily bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother."

Gu Changqing had tasted all the warmth and coldness of the human world since childhood, so naturally he paid no heed to such voices. He merely returned the salute.

"You may leave."

The old man dismissed them.

Then he looked at Gu Changqing. "You need not concern yourself with those words. In this world, strength is revered above all. When you possess sufficient strength, you will naturally be able to make them shut their mouths."

"Every year, my Sword Sect holds a contest of the Dao. I will give you ten years. If you still cannot overpower your fellow disciples by then, the bond of master and disciple between us will come to an end."

The old man led Gu Changqing into a pavilion.

Pointing at the ancient books arranged within, he said, "These are sword techniques I created in my youth, as well as some insights into the sword path."

"Ordinary disciples are not permitted to enter this place, but you may browse through them as you please."

"However, I must still warn you: no matter how good another person's sword techniques and insights may be, they cannot compare to your own. Only by comprehending your own sword path can you find the path most suited to yourself."

"What sword cultivators cultivate is an Invincible Sword Heart. If you bind yourself to the sword techniques within these books, you will only bind yourself in turn. If you wish to become a peerless sword cultivator, you must walk your own road."

"I can guide you in the sword path and help you avoid detours, but many of its paths must still be explored by yourself."

Gu Changqing listened carefully to the old man's teachings.

He knew these words were extraordinarily precious experience and would be of great help to him.

"Enough. No matter how much I say, you cannot understand it at your present stage. First follow the basic cultivation methods and bring your sword path to the beginner's level. If there is anything you do not understand, you may come ask me."

Having said that, the old man left Gu Changqing in the pavilion and departed directly.

Gu Changqing stared at the dazzling array of cultivation manuals, a fiery light rising in his eyes.

His heart began to pound rapidly.

That dead heart of his had, at this moment, completely come back to life.

His parents' blood feud, the younger sister he needed to protect, and the oath he had made when parting with Jiang Minghuang—he had ten thousand reasons to grow stronger.

"Minghuang, one day, you and I shall meet at the pinnacle."

Gu Changqing drew a deep breath.

Then, toward the direction in which the old man had left, he bowed deeply. "Changqing thanks you, Master."

Outside the window, the old man heard the voice from within the pavilion. He halted, glanced toward it, and smiled faintly.

That trace of a smile carried deep meaning.

In the days that followed, Gu Changqing began reading the ancient books day and night.

He was in no hurry to cultivate.

Just as his master had said, sword cultivators cultivated their own road.

From the very moment he entered the sword path, he wanted to establish his own road and lay a solid foundation for his Sword Heart.

Several months passed, and Gu Changqing read every book in the pavilion.

Whether they were insights or sword techniques, all of them were deeply imprinted in his mind.

Yet he did not rush for quick results, nor did he follow the cultivation methods described in the manuals by merely copying the gourd from its outline.

Instead, he chose to temper himself and contemplate his own path.

He remained confused in the attic for three days. For those three days, he neither ate nor drank nor slept.

Until the fourth day.

Gu Changqing gazed at his woodcutter's machete, and sudden enlightenment dawned in his heart.

"People say one must follow the Heavenly Dao—go with it and fortune follows, defy it and calamity comes. The Heavenly Dao blankets all living beings and decrees their fates."

"But there is far too much injustice in this world. If Heaven decrees that a man must die, then he has no choice but to die. If Heaven commands a man's death, then he cannot help but perish!"

"Since I am a sword cultivator, I must contend against fate itself. With the sword in my hand, I will cleave through injustice; with the blade in my hand, I will level all that is uneven. Even if the whole world becomes my enemy, even if Heaven and Earth cast me aside, whoever stands in my way—I will cut them down with a single sword strike!"

After deflecting Cao Yuwei's attack this time, Mei Gongzi did not rush to counterattack. She merely stood where she was.

Cao Yuwei's brows drew together slightly. Was this little girl's perception truly so sharp? After he had forged armor from flames, he still had other methods at his disposal. If Mei Gongzi had pressed her attack, he was confident he could use those methods to restrain her. But Mei Gongzi had not advanced, forcing the ability he had poised to unleash to break off.

The warblade slashed out once more, its surging blade intent several degrees stronger than before. Cao Yuwei moved with the blade, man and blade becoming one as he charged straight at Mei Gongzi.

The Heavenly Secret Plume in Mei Gongzi's hand formed the Heavenly Mysterious Circle again, and with an instantaneous teleportation, she switched positions. While neutralizing his attack, she also dispelled his lock-on. In the next instant, she was already on the other side. A golden-red flash flickered across Cao Yuwei's body and vanished. Had she not evaded so swiftly, another ability would undoubtedly have descended upon her.

A battle of attrition! She seemed intent on fighting Cao Yuwei in a contest of endurance.

Yet no one questioned the origin of this ability. After all, the Peacock Demon Race's greatest innate gift was Stellar Transposition. Her technique and Stellar Transposition shared the same wondrous effect through different paths.

After deflecting Cao Yuwei's attack this time, Mei Gongzi did not rush to counterattack. She merely stood where she was.

Cao Yuwei's brows drew together slightly. Was this little girl's perception truly so sharp? After he had forged armor from flames, he still had other methods at his disposal. If Mei Gongzi had pressed her attack, he was confident he could use those methods to restrain her. But Mei Gongzi had not advanced, forcing the ability he had poised to unleash to break off.

The warblade slashed out once more, its surging blade intent several degrees stronger than before. Cao Yuwei moved with the blade, man and blade becoming one as he charged straight at Mei Gongzi.

The Heavenly Secret Plume in Mei Gongzi's hand formed the Heavenly Mysterious Circle again, and with an instantaneous teleportation, she switched positions. While neutralizing his attack, she also dispelled his lock-on. In the next instant, she was already on the other side. A golden-red flash flickered across Cao Yuwei's body and vanished. Had she not evaded so swiftly, another ability would undoubtedly have descended upon her.

A battle of attrition! She seemed intent on fighting Cao Yuwei in a contest of endurance.