Sword Sect, the Outer Sect Disciples' quarters.
Zhong Yan sat cross-legged in the courtyard, a moon-white flying sword resting across his knees.
Not long ago, he had bid farewell to his mother outside the sect gates and formally entered the Sword Sect to cultivate. His mother had poured a great deal of effort into forging this sword especially for him.
Even now, looking back on it, Zhong Yan still felt as though he were dreaming.
Across the world, there were countless sects named this or that Sword School or Sword Gate.
But there was only one Sword Sect.
Over twenty-one thousand years ago, the Sword Ancestor Zheng Tianqi founded the Sword Sect and became its first Sword Sect Master.
Eighteen thousand years ago, Zheng Tianqi had cleaved open the gates of heaven with his sword and ascended to the immortal realm.
He had become the only person in this mortal world to ascend since late antiquity.
And now, he himself had actually become an Outer Sect Disciple of the Sword Sect.
In the past, he would never have dared imagine such a thing.
He wondered what Sect Master Ye had meant by "a destined connection." "Fellow Daoist! Are you a new disciple too?"
While he was pondering this, a hearty laugh came from beside him.
Zhong Yan looked over and saw a valiant-looking youth approaching.
"Haha, my name's Pei Bu'er. I'm a new disciple from this intake too. Since you reached these quarters before me, I'll call you senior brother."
"If your progress in the Sword Dao falls behind mine someday, it won't be too late to start calling you junior brother!"
Pei Bu'er roared with laughter. Zhong Yan had no idea what he was laughing about.
But his smile was so infectious that Zhong Yan could not help smiling