Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao (51)

"She knew better than anyone." Elder Lin sighed. "Precisely because she knew, she chose to burn herself away. That child Qingyin was too foolish."

"She wasn't foolish." Su Han raised his head, determination gleaming in his eyes. "She is Tian Ya Peak's hero. And I will never let her sacrifice be in vain."

Elder Lin stared blankly at the young man before him. In Su Han's eyes, he saw Qingyin's shadow from years ago—equally persistent, equally resolute, equally fearless.

"What are your plans?"

"To grow stronger." Su Han spoke each word distinctly. "Strong enough to completely destroy the Evil Thought within the sword, strong enough to reshape Senior Sister's body, strong enough to restore Tian Ya Peak to its former glory."

Elder Lin took a deep breath and drew an ancient Jade Slip from his robes. "This is the complete version of Tian Ya Peak's supreme sword manual, the Tian Ya Nine Swords. Throughout the generations, only peak masters and Sword Masters were qualified to cultivate it, yet in four hundred years, no one has mastered beyond the third sword."

He solemnly handed the Jade Slip to Su Han. "In three days, you will enter the Qingyun Secret Realm. You may contemplate the sword intent within. The secret realm contains a forest of sword dao steles left behind by our founding patriarch, which may be of help to you."

"Thank you, Elder." Su Han accepted the Jade Slip, feeling the vast sword intent contained within it.

"There is one more matter." Elder Lin hesitated for a moment. "Do not tell the other disciples about Qingyin for now. Tian Ya Peak needs hope, not sorrow."

"This disciple understands."

Elder Lin nodded. After one final look at Su Han, he turned and left. His aged figure seemed somewhat stooped beneath the moonlight,