Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao (40)

The three of them returned to the stone gate together. The old gatekeeper was still resting with his eyes closed. Seeing them emerge, he gave a slight nod. "Not bad gains. Remember, you must properly digest the insights you gained in the secret realm before they can truly become your own."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior." After bowing, the three left through the stone gate.

It was still early morning outside, and the sunlight was just right. Su Han returned to his small courtyard and found a food box on the stone table. Inside was breakfast that was still warm, along with a note:

"Cultivation may be important, but you must also care for yourself. Eat on time, and do not make your elders worry. —Elder Lin"

Warmth filled Su Han's heart. This elder responsible for imparting techniques might seem stern, but he was in fact meticulous and thoughtful.

After breakfast, Su Han did not rest. Instead, he began organizing the gains from this trip to the secret realm. He compared the insights he had gained in battle with the sword canons he had studied in the Scripture Repository, gradually forming the outline of a sword art that belonged to him alone.

There are countless paths of the sword. I must walk my own path. Su Han set his goal in his heart. I will combine the strengths of a hundred schools and create the sword art best suited to myself.

In the days that followed, Su Han settled into a regular cultivation routine. During the day, he studied sword canons in the Scripture Repository; at night, he practiced swordsmanship in his courtyard. Once a month, he entered the Ice Secret Realm to temper himself in real combat.

Day by day, his cultivation steadily rose, and his swordsmanship grew