He stared at Ye Lin for a long time—so long that Ye Lin thought he had fallen asleep again—before the little old man slowly spoke.
"Because I saw a trace of my master's shadow in you."
"Not your looks, not your temperament. It's that kind of... forget it. This old man can't put it into words."
"This old man has lived for many years. I've always had a fairly sharp eye for people and swords."
"There is something about you, child, that is very much like my master back then."
"When my master held me in his hand, he had the same look in his eyes as you do—neither flustered nor rash, neither greedy nor afraid."
As he spoke, the little old man leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing straight into the depths of Ye Lin's pupils.
"Child, this old man has a question for you. Answer honestly."
"Please ask, Senior."
"If one day you possess the power to reach the heavens and shake the earth, and no one in this world is your match, what will you do?"
Ye Lin did not hesitate. He did not even need to think. Looking at the little old man, he answered calmly.
"Continue cultivating."
The little old man pressed on.
"You would already be at the very top. What would there be left to cultivate?"
"Cultivate to an even higher realm."
"Beyond heaven lies another heaven; beyond the Great Dao lies another Great Dao."
"Today's summit is tomorrow's starting point. So long as I hold a sword, I will keep walking forward."
Ye Lin glanced at the Sword Graveyard around him and spoke lightly.
The little old man fell silent.
He stared at Ye Lin for a long while. His gaze shifted from scrutiny to silence, from silence to deep thought, and