Man and a Sword (1)

Xu Yan entered the next room, his footsteps slowing as his gaze landed on the lone object resting on a pedestal. It was a cracked sword hilt, its surface worn from years of use but still radiating a faint, oppressive energy. The air around it seemed heavy, as though the weight of countless battles lingered in its presence.

As Xu Yan approached, a faint hum filled the room, growing louder with each step. The energy radiating from the hilt felt sharp and alive, pressing against his senses like an invisible blade. His sharp eyes narrowed as the oppressive aura intensified. The closer he got, the more his body tensed, the sword intent lingering around the hilt testing him.

He stopped short, a sudden, piercing pain shooting through his chest. He stumbled back slightly, clutching his side. "This sword intent… it's terrifying," he muttered, his expression darkening. "Whoever left this behind must have been a peerless master. Was it a Core Formation cultivator? Or could it have been a Nascent Soul master?"

The thought sent shivers down his spine. He stared at the cracked hilt, its presence both ominous and enticing. Whatever secrets it held, Xu Yan knew it wasn't something to take lightly. Yet, the sharpness of the sword intent also called to him, challenging him to confront it.

Taking a deep breath, he sat cross-legged before the pedestal. His focus locked on the hilt and the sword mark below it. He allowed his mind to sink into the energy it radiated, bracing himself against the overwhelming pressure. As moments passed, the sword intent grew clearer, cutting into his thoughts like a blade honing his focus.

Then, everything changed.

Without warning, his surroundings dissolved into a brilliant light. The next thing he knew, he was standing in a completely different world.

….

He found himself in the middle of a grand courtyard. A young man, no older than fifteen, stood before a group of elders dressed in fine robes. The boy held a sword in his hand, its blade reflecting the sunlight as he moved through a series of forms with precision and focus. His strikes were confident, each swing cutting through the air as if guided by instinct.

The elders nodded approvingly. One of them, a gray-haired man, stepped forward. "This child… his talent is extraordinary. Few in the Lin Family's history have shown such promise. He is destined for greatness. Lin Canjian, we intend to groom you into the next patriarch of the Lin Family."

Xu Yan's ears perked up at the name: Lin Canjian. His gaze lingered on the boy, noting his calm yet confident demeanor. But as the elder continued, Xu Yan saw the boy's expression twist slightly. "I don't want to be the patriarch," Lin Canjian said firmly. "All I desire is to walk the path of the sword."

The elders exchanged uneasy glances, but the vision blurred before Xu Yan could hear their response.

The scene shifted, and Lin Canjian was now older, his presence more refined but carrying a trace of arrogance. He stood in the mission hall of a sect, turning in the spoils of his latest hunt. Behind him stood a shorter youth, who looked far less confident.

Nearby, disciples whispered to each other. "That's Lin Canjian. Word is he's close to breaking through to the Core Formation realm."

"And the guy behind him?"

"Probably just a follower trying to ride his coattails."

The youth's shoulders slumped slightly, his expression falling. Lin Canjian turned to him, his voice calm yet commanding. "Ignore them," he said. "On the road of cultivation, who's to say who will be left behind?"

The youth's face brightened, and the two walked out of the hall together.

The memory distorted again, and Xu Yan now saw a battlefield littered with corpses. Lin Canjian, older and more composed, stood amidst the carnage. Before him knelt a man whose features matched the shy youth from earlier. Blood stained his robes, and his expression was filled with bitterness.

"I considered you my brother, Zhao Feng," Lin Canjian said, his tone cold. "We've faced life and death together. How could you betray me?"

Zhao Feng sneered, his voice trembling with anger. "You'll never understand! You, the prodigy of the Lin Family, born with everything. Resources, recognition, talent. Elders fought to teach you while I was nothing but a shadow in your light. How could I not hate you?"

Lin Canjian's gaze didn't waver. "This will be the last time I spare you. From now on, you're no longer my brother." He turned, summoning his sword, and flew away as Zhao Feng's anguished roar echoed behind him. "LIN CANJIAN!"

The vision changed again. A woman sat on a bed, her hand resting on her stomach. Lin Canjian knelt beside her, holding her hand gently. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, worry clouding her eyes. "Zhao Feng isn't the man you once knew."

"I know," Lin Canjian replied. "But I'm the one who let him go."

"You can't face him alone."

"I'll be fine, The Celestial Radiance Sect already has enough to deal with." Lin Canjian said with a faint smile. "I'll return before our child is born."