The leader of the Seven Swords of the Big Dipper was an elder in his sixties, his white eyebrows hanging to his shoulders. The Jade Light Sword in his hand hummed like a bell, while the other six wielded swords such as Opening Sun and Jade Balance, surrounding Dongfang Jian.
Matching golden tassels wound around the hilts of the seven swords, gathering into a cluster of starry shadows amid the mist, like seven stars surrounding the moon.
"An excellent sword technique, Young Master Dongfang!"
The elder's voice was icy, like shards of ice striking stone.
"But if you think that alone will force us to hand over the Mysterious Female Sword Scripture, you're mistaken. We discovered this sword scripture first. You've disregarded who came first and used your power to bully us instead. Could this be... the Vertical Sword Sect's way of treating its guests?"
Dongfang Jian wore a moon-white robe with broad sleeves, his left hand behind his back and a sword in his right. A single bamboo pin adorned his hair, and even his shoes were spotless.
He walked up to the elder as casually as if strolling through a quiet courtyard, looking at the secret manual lying among the scattered rocks. Golden threads wrapped around it, and golden seal-script characters glimmered on its cover.
"The Seven Swords of the Big Dipper."
He raised his eyes to the elder, then swept his gaze over all seven. "So you know this is the Vertical Sword Sect's territory. If we hadn't thrown our doors wide open, how would you have had the chance to enter this blessed realm? Everything here belongs to our Vertical Sword Sect. If you know what's good for you, get out of the way!"
Before his words had faded, the young man wielding the Opening Sun