Chapter Fourteen: The Sword Rises

Beneath the summit of Tianya Peak, in a quiet courtyard, Di Yuan watched Lin Fei push open the door and enter. “You’ve arrived later than I expected,” he said.

Since the contest at Beiyou Mountain’s arena, Di Yuan had recognized that Lin Fei possessed at least the strength of the ninth stage of Qi Refinement. Yet, he had not seen Lin Fei break through beyond that.

Lin Fei replied calmly, “The path of cultivation concerns one’s temperament; it is a matter of enlightenment or not, not of early or late.”

Di Yuan was momentarily taken aback by this, then gave a wry smile and nodded. “You’re right. What truly worries one is the day they never reach enlightenment.”

He sighed softly, his gaze drifting to the young boys and girls who had just begun their cultivation two years ago. Now, each had advanced in their realms and gradually departed, stirring waves of emotion within him.

He had been stuck in the Out-of-Dust stage for far too long. The arduous training atop the mountain seemed to yield no breakthrough; instead, it left him feeling increasingly powerless.

Thus, he chose to descend the mountain and immerse himself in the mortal world, hoping to find a miracle amid the chaos of the mundane.

However, after two years, not only had his cultivation failed to improve, it seemed to have regressed.

All this filled Di Yuan with a sense of desolation.

He began to doubt whether he still had any chance to break through his current realm, or to advance further on the path of cultivation.

Gathering his composure, he said gently to Lin Fei, “You may leave for now. I will submit the list, and by tomorrow, you can depart.”

Lin Fei nodded slightly and turned to leave.

He had long sensed Di Yuan’s predicament and had seen the signs long ago.

A tarnished sword heart—this was a common challenge faced by sword cultivators.

If not properly resolved, it could mean the end of one’s cultivation path.

But Lin Fei did not intervene; he knew this trial had to be overcome personally.

Moreover, it was not directly related to him.

As Lin Fei stepped out the door, his gaze caught sight of spirit fruits hanging from the treetops in the distance.

These spirit fruits had remarkable effects on improving the body’s meridians and absorbing spiritual energy.

The young man recalled Qin Qianqian mentioning that Senior Brother Di Yuan sent spirit fruits punctually every seven days. He had tasted them himself and praised their flavor highly.

“Where is your sword?” Lin Fei suddenly turned and asked Di Yuan.

Di Yuan was momentarily stunned and instinctively looked toward the interior of the house.

The treasured sword “Nine Suns,” personally bestowed by his master, lay quietly in the inner chamber.

Following his gaze, Lin Fei slowly said, “Two years without drawing your sword—how could your sword heart not be tarnished?”

Di Yuan fell silent.

Faced with Lin Fei’s startling words, his heart churned with turbulent emotions.

Lin Fei’s gaze drifted into the void as he spoke provocatively, “I have always believed that an institution like the Sword Sect is, in fact, unnecessary.”

Upon hearing this, a surge of anger rose within Di Yuan. To him, such words were undeniably disrespectful to the Sword Sect. He was about to retort when Lin Fei’s next words interrupted him.

“Secular people pursue Dao and magic to transcend the cycle of life and death.”

“The sages of the Three Teachings seek the path of immortality to stand at higher realms and perceive deeper truths,” he continued, his tone calm and unwavering.

“But sword cultivators are different. What sword cultivators pursue is a sword heart that flows naturally and freely, unburdened by the trivial disturbances of the moment, yet discerning all phenomena of the world.”

“The Sword Sect, with its vast system and stringent traditions, may cultivate outstanding sword cultivators, but it might also unwittingly confine their minds and vision,” a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.

“You have lingered in the Out-of-Dust stage for many years without breaking into the Boundless Realm; this is not surprising.”

“What is the Boundless Realm? When facing a mountain, cleave through it; when facing the sea, part it. Only with a fearless heart can one achieve boundlessness.”

“To wield that boundless sword, one must embrace the cosmos,” Lin Fei fixed Di Yuan with a steady, serious gaze. “Your heart is too hesitant and indecisive.”

Di Yuan’s complexion paled. He found himself unable to refute a single word Lin Fei said.

Each phrase struck like a sharp blade, piercing the deepest weakness of his soul.

Silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by their breathing.

Yet, within Di Yuan stirred unprecedented turmoil.

He lifted his head, locking eyes with Lin Fei. His lips turned pale, his voice trembling yet resolute. “Then what should I do?”

“Cut it off.”

“If ripples and mist arise on the lake of your heart, sever them with your sword heart.”

“If a sea of fire or a towering mountain stands before you, strike it down with the sword in your hand.”

Lin Fei stepped out of the courtyard, his voice carried by the wind. “Of course, the premise is that you can first pick up your sword.”

Silence reclaimed the courtyard once more.

Di Yuan stood motionless, but his eyes quietly transformed—from initial confusion to becoming sharp as a blade.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment until Di Yuan closed his eyes and shouted in a deep voice, “Sword, arise!”

Within the house, a long-dormant ancient sword began to tremble faintly, emitting a soft, resonant hum as if answering its master’s call.

...

Lin Fei paused at the foot of the mountain steps, his gaze cast into the distance, awaiting a moment of significance.

Half an hour later, a tremendous surge of sword energy erupted from the center of the courtyard at the mountain’s base, accompanied by a long-suppressed sword cry.

The cry was clear and pure, resounding across the entire Tianya Peak.

All disciples atop the mountain looked down in unison.

A faint smile appeared on Lin Fei’s face.

It was the first smile he had shown since arriving at the Sword Sect.

He did not care much for Di Yuan, in truth. Over thousands of years, few had truly earned his concern.

But as he had told Xia Yi, on the great path, those who walk side by side are all comrades on the Dao.

At dawn the next day, Lin Fei gently pushed open the door to find Di Yuan standing outside, dressed in white robes, a long sword slung on his back, his posture upright.

“I will take you to the inner gates of the Sword Sect.”

Lin Fei observed closely and saw that Di Yuan’s aura had changed completely. His entire being radiated a sharp, cutting energy, like a treasured sword long buried finally sharpened anew, gleaming with fresh brilliance.

Lin Fei understood clearly—Di Yuan’s sword heart had been purified. He would soon break through to the Boundless Realm.

Turning back into the room, Lin Fei tidied the bed and gently placed the tea set back in its corner.

He surveyed the surroundings—everything was in order, simple as when he had arrived.

He had come alone, and he would leave empty-handed as well.

Lin Fei felt satisfied. A cultivator should be unburdened, free.

He walked to the foot of the mountain, casting a final glance at Tianya Peak, which had accompanied him for two years.

“From now on, it will be hard to find such leisure again—to bask in the sunlight atop the mountain,” he murmured softly, a hint of regret in his voice.