Tian Po Sword's gaze softened completely. In a gentle voice, he said, "Young Master, I will send you out of the Sword Dao space first. After that, I'll come find you."
"Alright," Yun Jin replied calmly.
In the next moment, she was ejected from the Sword Dao space and returned to the Sword Tomb.
Outside the water curtain—
As soon as they saw Yun Jin reappear, the crowd stirred.
So?
Did she obtain the treasure from the tenth trial?
What kind of treasure was it?
Mu Lan let out a cold snort.
No matter what it was, the treasure was destined to belong to their Yuehua Sect.
As for Yun Jin… he would toss her a few spirit stones at most. Consider it compensation for her contribution to the Yuehua Sect.
Yun Jin had just stepped out—
When, to everyone's astonishment, the entire Sword Tomb began to tremble violently.
Then—
All those rusted swords rose into the air.
They hovered in front of Yun Jin, subtly bending their blades in her direction, a show of reverence and recognition for their Young Master.
After that, they shot toward the giant sword suspended in the sky.
Countless swords flew as one. Just as they were about to crash into the massive sword, they vanished in unison.
Eyes widened, confusion flashing across every face.
Those swords…
Were they all absorbed by the giant sword?
What in the world was happening?
The colossal sword, after absorbing the others, floated up again. Then, it transformed into a single sword-shaped mark that shot directly into Yun Jin's forehead.
A faint outline of a sword seal shimmered briefly on her brow before fading away without a trace.
In her mind, Yun Jin heard Tian Po Sword's voice. "Young Master, I will stay here and always be by your side."
"Alright," Yun Jin said with a smile, nodding softly.
The feeling of gaining a whole group of companions—wasn't bad at all.
As the swords vanished, the Sword Tomb's barrier began to flicker and falter. Then, with a final sharp crack, it shattered completely.
What was left of the Sword Tomb were only a scattering of gravestones—and a lone, serene figure standing among them.
Yu Lin was utterly dumbfounded.
Wait.
Where was his Sword Tomb?
That massive Sword Tomb of his?!
Even the Yuehua Sect had only said they'd take the treasure and share the Sword Tomb with the Yu family. No one had said anything about the Sword Tomb vanishing entirely!
What exactly had Yun Jin done?
Yu Songnian recalled the special treatment he had received within the Sword Tomb. His expression grew thoughtful.
Those swords… had they recognized his little junior sister?
"Yun Jin!" Yu Liangping couldn't hold back. He barked, "Where's the Sword Tomb? What did you do to it?!"
Yun Jin strolled forward at a leisurely pace.
With the barriers and layers of trials gone, the long and treacherous path was now just a few casual steps.
"Yun Jin!" Yu Lin took a step forward, his voice cold. "We all saw the giant sword turn into a seal and enter your body. But the sword seal and the Sword Tomb both belong to the Yu family. Hand them over immediately."
Yun Jin gave him a flat look.
"Young Master, tell that Yu family patriarch," Tian Po Sword said, "Long ago, there was a karmic tie between the Yu family and my master. My master placed the Sword Tomb here because of that. Now, a thousand years have passed. The Yu family has benefited greatly from using the Sword Tomb to train their descendants. That karma has been repaid. From this moment on, the Yu family has no further claim on the Sword Tomb."
Yun Jin nodded and repeated Tian Po Sword's words verbatim. Then she added, "The Yu family's fate with the Sword Tomb has ended. There's no need to cling to it any longer."
Yu Lin's expression shifted. His gaze hardened as he stared Yun Jin down.
"Whether or not the Yu family still has a connection with the Sword Tomb is not for you to decide! Yun Jin, surrender the Sword Tomb and the treasure you took from the tenth trial, and I might consider letting you leave unharmed. Otherwise…"
He clapped his hands.
The next moment, dozens of Yu family disciples descended from the sky, surrounding Yun Jin.
Mu Lan stood nearby, watching with a half-smile.
"Or what, you'll use brute force?" Yun Jin chuckled. "Sect Master Yu, didn't your Yu family invite all the prodigies to challenge the trials? What, trying to go back on your word now?"
"But my Yu family never said we'd give away the Sword Tomb!" Yu Lin shot back coldly.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes.
The air thickened with tension, the clash imminent.
Then, Tian Po Sword's figure materialized in the air.
It was the same giant sword, now in a compact form.
All the Yu family disciples froze in shock, pupils contracting sharply.
Tian Po Sword spoke slowly, "We have remained here for a thousand years. Have we ever wronged the Yu family?"
The sword… could speak?
The Yu family's expressions changed instantly.
Even Mu Lan's face grew serious.
This sword had developed self-awareness. Regardless of its grade, such a weapon was priceless.
"For a thousand years, the Sword Tomb helped the Yu family nurture many sword cultivators. We even used our power to guide them through key moments in their cultivation. In all that time—have we ever wronged the Yu family?"
Tian Po Sword repeated the question.
The Yu family disciples looked uncertain and turned their eyes toward Yu Lin.
Yu Lin's body had gone rigid. "You… are you the giant sword senior?"
"I am," Tian Po Sword answered without hesitation. "We waited here for a thousand years, all to find my master's successor. The Yu family lent us a place, and in return, we helped raise sword cultivators for them. Now that our agreement is fulfilled, we part ways. That is fair, is it not?"
Yu Lin's expression twisted slightly.
Fair? It was more than fair. Over the course of a millennium, the Yu family had reaped immense benefits.
After all, their so-called aid to the predecessor was minimal at best. That senior had merely used the excuse of a karmic tie to borrow the land.
But now they were expected to give it up?
It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Yu Lin couldn't help but say, "Senior… Yun Jin may have some talent, but she's arrogant and overbearing. She's unfit to inherit the predecessor's legacy. Why not choose someone from the Yu family? That would preserve our bond."
Tian Po Sword stared at him with a faint, unreadable smile. "Patriarch Yu, this is your last warning. Yun Jin is already my master. For the sake of the millennium we've shared, I won't act today. But next time—if any of you dare show my master disrespect—do not expect mercy."
His voice was calm, but the memory of that towering sword form made Yu Lin shiver.
He looked toward Mu Lan instinctively.
Mu Lan studied the situation for a moment, then finally stepped forward.
With a light laugh, he said, "Senior, whatever you and the Yu family have between you, I won't interfere. But this Sword Tomb has already been gifted to our Yuehua Sect by the Yu family. You, and everything inside the Sword Tomb, now belong to us. I'm afraid you won't be leaving with this girl today."
Tian Po Sword paused.
What?
He had been a sword for many years, and had met many brave souls.
But he had never encountered someone so shameless.
The actions of the Yu family and Yuehua Sect were genuinely baffling.
No.
Others might not know the truth.
But every generation of Yu family heads should be well aware.
When the master first built the Sword Tomb here, he made it clear—it was merely a temporary use of the land. In exchange, the Yu family could receive guidance and training for their disciples. Every ten years, the trials would open to the public, to search for a successor. This was the agreement between the original master and the Yu family.
Given that—
How did the Yu family dare to gift the Sword Tomb to the Yuehua Sect?
The Sword Tomb had never belonged to the Yu family in the first place.