Lu Yin looked at the stone. From the first time he had seen its past until now, it had changed only once: a single dot had appeared on its surface, left by a thrusting sword.
Over the years, from childhood to youth, the boy had thrust his sword countless times. Around that dot were scattered white marks, all from missed strikes.
Lu Yin turned to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan stared blankly at the young man. He still hadn't changed at all.
The Trial Sword Stone belonged to Ling Xiao; Lu Yin knew that. Could this young man be Ling Xiao? If so, it was hard to imagine that the Trial Sword Stone had existed since Ling Xiao was a child. The Trial Sword Stone had once been an ordinary stone, with no human shape. It had gradually been worn into its current form over countless years of practicing alongside Ling Xiao—or, perhaps, by imitating him.
On to the next stretch of the past.
If that young man really was Ling Xiao, it would surely be a major shock to Gu Yuan.
It was still the same plaza, and the same young man, but this time, a crowd had gathered around him, scolding him. Some couldn't restrain themselves and attacked, stabbing him with their swords.
The young man didn't dodge. He let a sword pierce his body, and blood splashed across the ground.
At last, beneath their complicated gazes, he picked up the ordinary, standard-issue long sword, walked over to the Trial Sword Stone, hoisted it onto his shoulders, and left.
He seemed not to have said a single word the entire time.
On to the next.
The Trial Sword Stone was still the same, but the plaza was gone. In its place was a peach-blossom paradise. Lu Yin brought Gu