Yi Feng followed the purple-robed elder through a long stone corridor.
The noise from the selection arena gradually disappeared behind them.
Neither of them spoke.
Yi Feng kept one hand close to the ancient sword hanging from his waist.
The elder had not explained why the Sect Master wanted to see him.
That made Yi Feng uneasy.
Could they have discovered something about the sword?
He glanced at the elder's back.
The man's aura was completely different from everyone Yi Feng had fought during the selection.
He's strong.
Very strong.
Yi Feng couldn't determine his cultivation at all.
After walking for several minutes, they arrived before a massive wooden door.
Two disciples stood guard on both sides.
When they saw the purple-robed elder, they immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Elder Mo."
Elder Mo nodded and pushed open the door.
"Enter."
Yi Feng stepped inside.
The room was surprisingly simple.
There were no luxurious decorations.
Only a large table, several bookshelves, and a painting hanging on the wall.
Behind the table sat an old man dressed in white robes.
His hair was completely white, but his face looked energetic.
The moment Yi Feng entered, the old man's eyes opened.
Boom!
For an instant, Yi Feng felt as though the entire world had become still.
His body instinctively tensed.
What kind of pressure is this?
The old man's gaze moved toward the sword at Yi Feng's waist.
His expression changed slightly.
"Come closer."
Yi Feng hesitated.
Elder Mo looked at him.
"Don't worry. The Sect Master merely wants to ask you a few questions."
Yi Feng slowly walked forward.
When he was only a few meters away from the old man, the Sect Master's eyes narrowed.
"Draw your sword."
Yi Feng's expression became serious.
"Why?"
The Sect Master smiled faintly.
"Because I asked you to."
Yi Feng remained silent for a moment before slowly placing his hand on the sword.
SHING!
The ancient sword left its sheath.
The instant it appeared, the atmosphere inside the room changed.
A faint red glow appeared around the blade.
Elder Mo's expression immediately became solemn.
The Sect Master stared at the sword for several seconds.
Then he asked quietly:
"Where did you get it?"
Yi Feng gave the same answer he had given earlier.
"I bought it from a blacksmith."
"Which blacksmith?"
"I don't know his name."
"Where is the shop?"
Yi Feng thought for a moment.
"It was in a small town near Muluo Mountain."
The Sect Master remained silent.
Then he stretched out his hand.
"Give it to me."
Yi Feng's eyes narrowed.
Give him my sword?
He wasn't comfortable with that.
The ancient sword was one of the few things he possessed that could be considered truly valuable.
But refusing the Sect Master of the Firmament Sword Sect probably wasn't wise either.
Yi Feng slowly handed the sword over.
The Sect Master grabbed the handle.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then—
BOOM!
A terrifying aura exploded from the sword.
The Sect Master's sleeve fluttered violently.
His expression changed.
He immediately released the sword.
CLANG!
The ancient sword fell onto the table.
Elder Mo stared in shock.
"Sect Master..."
The old man didn't respond.
He stared at his palm.
A thin line of blood had appeared across it.
Yi Feng's eyes widened.
It injured him?
The Sect Master was clearly far stronger than Yi Feng.
Yet the sword had still managed to cut him.
The old man slowly closed his fist.
"Interesting."
Elder Mo stepped forward.
"Sect Master, could it really be—"
"Don't say it."
The Sect Master's voice suddenly became cold.
Elder Mo immediately stopped.
Yi Feng looked between the two of them.
"You both seem to know something about this sword."
Neither answered.
Yi Feng frowned.
"If this sword is dangerous, I would like to know why."
The Sect Master looked directly at him.
"You shouldn't have this sword."
Yi Feng's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
"That sword disappeared a very long time ago."
Yi Feng stared at him.
"How long?"
The Sect Master didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he asked another question.
"Have you ever heard the name..."
He paused.
"...Heaven-Slaying Sword?"
Yi Feng shook his head.
"No."
The Sect Master's eyes became even more serious.
"Then forget I mentioned it."
Yi Feng frowned.
Heaven-Slaying Sword?
He looked at the ancient sword.
It certainly didn't look ordinary.
But why would the Sect Master connect it to such a name?
Suddenly—
Hum!
The sword trembled.
A strange symbol appeared on the blade.
Yi Feng stepped closer.
"What is that?"
Elder Mo's face became pale.
The Sect Master immediately stood up.
"It's awake."
Yi Feng looked at him.
"What is awake?"
Before the Sect Master could answer—
BOOM!
A terrifying sword intent suddenly erupted from the ancient sword.
The windows shattered.
The books on the shelves were blown across the room.
Yi Feng was forced backward several steps.
But the Sect Master didn't move.
Instead, he stared at the sword with an expression Yi Feng had never seen before.
Fear.
The Sect Master actually looked afraid.
Then the sword intent suddenly disappeared.
Everything became silent.
The symbol on the blade vanished.
Yi Feng breathed heavily.
"What just happened?"
The Sect Master slowly sat down.
"Nothing."
Yi Feng stared at him.
"That clearly wasn't nothing."
The old man smiled.
"You're quite persistent."
"I just want to know what I am carrying."
The Sect Master looked at him for a long time.
Finally, he said:
"The sword has chosen you."
Yi Feng froze.
"Chosen me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
The Sect Master leaned back.
"But there is something I do know."
Yi Feng waited.
"From today onward, you are forbidden from showing this sword to anyone."
Yi Feng's expression became serious.
"Why?"
"Because if the wrong people discover it..."
The Sect Master's eyes became cold.
"...they will kill you to obtain it."
Yi Feng's heart sank.
He had expected the sword to be valuable.
He hadn't expected it to be dangerous.
"Then why are you allowing me to keep it?"
The Sect Master smiled.
"Because if I wanted it, you wouldn't be standing here."
Yi Feng fell silent.
The Sect Master then picked up a wooden token and threw it toward him.
Yi Feng caught it.
There was a strange sword symbol carved into its surface.
"What is this?"
"Your identity token."
"You passed the selection."
Yi Feng looked at the token.
"Does that mean I'm a disciple of the Firmament Sword Sect?"
The Sect Master nodded.
"Yes."
A smile appeared on Yi Feng's face.
After everything he had gone through, he had finally found a place where he could cultivate properly.
But before he could leave, the Sect Master spoke again.
"One more thing."
Yi Feng turned around.
"Do not attempt to forcefully awaken that sword."
Yi Feng frowned.
"Why?"
The Sect Master's expression became unusually serious.
"Because the last person who awakened it..."
He paused.
"...destroyed an entire sect."
Yi Feng's pupils contracted.
The Sect Master waved his hand.
"You may leave."
Yi Feng slowly walked out of the room.
The door closed behind him.
For several seconds, the Sect Master remained silent.
Elder Mo finally spoke.
"Sect Master, are you really going to allow him to stay?"
The old man looked toward the closed door.
"We have no choice."
"But if that sword really is—"
"I know."
The Sect Master's expression darkened.
"That's exactly why we must keep him close."
Elder Mo clenched his fists.
"And if the people from the Ancient Sword Palace discover this?"
The Sect Master looked toward the window.
Far beyond the mountains, the sky was covered with dark clouds.
"They will come."
His voice became cold.
"And when they do..."
His eyes flashed with killing intent.
"...the Firmament Sword Sect will be ready."
Meanwhile, Yi Feng walked through the sect's outer courtyard.
He looked down at the ancient sword hanging from his waist.
For some reason, he suddenly felt as if the sword was watching him.
Then—
Hum.
A faint voice appeared inside his mind.
Find me...
Yi Feng stopped walking.
His expression changed.
"Who are you?"
There was no response.
Only silence.
He looked around.
Nobody was nearby.
Yi Feng slowly tightened his grip around the sword.
For the first time since obtaining it, he realized something.
Perhaps he had never truly been the one using the sword.
Perhaps the sword had been using him.
To be continued...