"It was filled today."
"Oh?"
"We found a way in Xilong. With this pearl, within the next five years, we can leave Shaolong and head west. Nine lines will proceed together over there, and we can harvest at least six fruits," the man stated evenly. "Your sect can obtain at least fourteen. Outside the mountain, the [Jade Pavilion], [Yuquan Mountain], and [Five Swords Blessed Land] have all finished harvesting."
"What about the remaining one?"
"There is an expelled True Disciple of [Liangshan Palace]. Our people have picked up his trail. Also..." The man paused slightly. "We have another safeguard-in Bowang Prefecture in the far north, there is an [Emerald Feather Sword Sect]."
"As far as I know, Ancient Jadeite's legacy is already incomplete."
"Yes. The remaining half falls just short of the threshold of 'Flow.'" The man paused again. "But when I was there, I spoke with their sect leader once. He said the lost half had actually taken most of this half's essence with it. Though that half of the sword art could no longer be recovered, some of its essence could be restored through an exhaustive study of Sword Theory. That was the direction of his efforts."
"..."
"When I visited a few days ago, he already had two very talented disciples."
"It remains unsettled."
"But this was always only the final safeguard. If things go smoothly, Xilong and Kongtong will suffice. Even if Xilong fails and Kongtong is delayed... by the time we truly need it, the other twenty-three 'Flows' will certainly have been gathered."
"This pearl can let us venture out," the man said at last. "Then many problems will split apart like bamboo before the blade."
Ten breaths of silence.
"But it requires killing," the person inside said softly. "Every person killed leaves another thread