The sun rose over the Jade Sword Mountains, casting long shadows across the courtyard of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Mist lingered in the valleys below, carrying the faint scent of crimson foliage and spiritual energy. The sect was waking — disciples practicing, the Flying Sword Formation spinning above the courtyard, and the Forge Hall sending sparks of light into the morning air.
Zhou Yu stood on the highest remaining tower, Feng Lian at his side, and Liang Chen slightly behind, watching the courtyard bustle. Today's mission would mark a pivotal step for the fledgling sect: a journey to the Outer Ruins, long-forbidden lands scattered with relics, treasures, and the lingering dangers of ancient cultivators.
"This is not just an expedition for resources," Zhou Yu said, voice calm but firm. "It is also a trial for Liang Chen and Feng Lian. Only by confronting danger directly can we grow stronger. And we may uncover relics that will accelerate the sect's revival."
Feng Lian's eyes gleamed. "Outer Ruins… the energy there is ancient. Even weak cultivators can be corrupted if they are unprepared. Are you certain Liang Chen is ready?"
Zhou Yu glanced at the boy, whose hands were clenched, eyes bright with determination. "He has grown, but this will truly test him. And we'll be together. No one faces the Outer Ruins alone — not today."
Ling growled low, sniffing the wind. Something in the distant mists hinted at unseen watchers, faint Sword Qi ripples that did not belong to the valley or the mountains. Zhou Yu's eyes narrowed. The Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect had likely noticed the sect's recovery, and today's journey could draw attention.
The path to the Outer Ruins was treacherous. The landscape was jagged, riddled with broken cliffs, hidden sinkholes, and faint traces of ancient cultivation arrays, still half-functioning after millennia. Zhou Yu guided Liang Chen and Feng Lian carefully, his Qi probing for hidden threats and unstable ground.
As they moved deeper, the air grew dense with spiritual energy. The remnants of ancient Sword Dao formations pulsed faintly in the rocks, some barely intact, others dangerously active. Zhou Yu gestured to the pair.
"Stay close. Let the Sword Qi guide your path, not your eyes. The Outer Ruins are deceptive — appearances can mislead even the most experienced cultivators."
Liang Chen's brow furrowed, but he followed closely. Feng Lian's hand rested on her sword, her gaze sweeping the terrain, every movement precise.
Hours into their journey, the group entered a collapsed courtyard, the stone pillars engraved with long-forgotten Sword Dao runes. In the center lay a spiral of jagged stones, forming a natural arena of sorts, surrounded by low, cracked walls.
"This place…" Zhou Yu murmured, sensing the residual Sword Qi. "It's a trial left by ancient cultivators. Something was sealed here… and it still watches."
Before Zhou Yu could react, faint ripples moved along the ground. From the mist emerged a pair of Mystic Spirit Beasts, wolf-like creatures with black, smoke-like fur and glowing red eyes. Zhou Yu recognized them immediately: remnants of forbidden cultivation experiments, creatures that had gained intelligence over centuries of isolation.
"They test intruders," Zhou Yu said, activating his Sword Qi. The Flying Sword Formation responded, three swords rising into the air, spinning with precision.
Liang Chen's heartbeat quickened. He channeled his Qi, the aura around him strengthening, feeling the flow of his first Body Refining breakthrough. Feng Lian mirrored his stance, her sword shimmering with faint silver light as she prepared to strike.
The beasts lunged simultaneously. Zhou Yu extended his Sword Qi through the formation, creating a protective barrier while striking with precise, cutting arcs. Liang Chen hesitated initially, but Feng Lian's guidance helped him anticipate the beasts' movements.
"Focus! Your blade is the extension of your Qi!" Feng Lian shouted, slashing at one of the wolves. Sparks of energy erupted as her sword struck true. Liang Chen mirrored her, his strike landing slightly off but still injuring the beast.
Zhou Yu stepped forward, combining his formation's power with his iron sword. One of the Mystic Spirit Beasts was forced back, retreating with a howl that echoed through the ruins. The second lunged, but Zhou Yu and Feng Lian coordinated a precise, dual strike, using the terrain to their advantage. The wolf was finally subdued, leaving faint traces of red mist in its wake.
Liang Chen exhaled sharply, sweat dripping down his face. "Master… they were… powerful."
Zhou Yu nodded, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Powerful, yes. But you survived, and you controlled your fear. That is the first step toward becoming a true swordsman. Remember: control, not power, defines a sword cultivator."
Feng Lian sheathed her sword, a faint smile on her lips. "You've grown, Liang Chen. But the Outer Ruins have more tests ahead. Be ready."
After the trial, the group explored deeper into the ruins. Faint traces of Qi led them to a partially collapsed chamber, its walls covered with ancient inscriptions. Zhou Yu recognized the markings immediately: fragments of Tian Jian's lost techniques, sealed long ago in the Outer Ruins for safekeeping.
At the center of the chamber lay a small sword fragment, no longer a full blade but pulsing with Sword Qi faintly in sync with Zhou Yu's own. He knelt beside it, careful not to disturb the runes.
"This… is a fragment of Tian Jian's sword," Zhou Yu murmured, sensing its potential. "It contains the essence of his techniques, though incomplete. With proper cultivation, it could enhance our Flying Sword Formation and grant disciples greater understanding of the Sword Dao."
He carefully activated the Qi embedded in the fragment, feeling the whispers of the ancient sword techniques brush against his mind. For a moment, Zhou Yu glimpsed visions of a Primordial Immortal Sword Saint, wielding a blade that split mountains and rivers alike.
"This is only a fragment," Zhou Yu whispered. "But with time, we can reconstruct what was lost."
Before the group could leave the chamber, faint rustling from the corridor outside alerted Zhou Yu. He immediately recognized the presence: Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect cultivators, likely drawn by the residual Sword Qi and the sect's growing power.
"They've found us," Zhou Yu muttered. "Prepare yourselves. This will not be a minor clash."
Three demonic cultivators, cloaked in red robes and wielding talismans and short swords, emerged from the shadows. Their Qi was chaotic, darkly infused with demonic energy.
Liang Chen's hands shook slightly, but Zhou Yu's calm presence steadied him. "Focus your Qi, and trust the formation," he instructed.
The clash was fierce. Zhou Yu coordinated the Flying Sword Formation, controlling the swords with precision while striking with his iron sword. Liang Chen supported from behind, using the lessons from Feng Lian to anticipate attacks. Feng Lian herself moved like water, weaving between opponents, her strikes precise and deadly.
Despite being outnumbered, the group's coordination proved decisive. One by one, the Scarlet Moon cultivators were forced back, leaving faintly charred marks and warning talismans etched into the stone floors.
"They will return," Zhou Yu said, eyes scanning the corridor. "Stronger next time. But we've gained what we came for — and survived. That is progress."
The journey back to the Heavenly Sword Sect was quieter, the tension easing but not gone. Liang Chen's body was sore, but his spirit soared. Feng Lian walked beside him, offering words of encouragement and advice on Sword Dao cultivation. Zhou Yu carried the sword fragment carefully, already planning the integration into the Flying Sword Formation.
Back at the sect, Zhou Yu oversaw the reactivation of the Forge Hall, infusing the new fragment into the formation. The three flying swords hummed with newfound power, the Sword Qi now richer and more responsive, capable of nuanced attacks and defense.
"This is only the beginning," Zhou Yu thought. "Every relic recovered, every battle survived, every disciple trained — it all strengthens the sect. But our enemies grow bolder with every step. Soon, they will no longer test us lightly."
As night fell, Zhou Yu gazed at the mountains beyond the sect. Faint red lights flickered in the distance — scouts or envoys from rival sects. The Heavenly Sword Sect had made its presence known, and the Boundless Heaven Domain was beginning to take notice.