Qinlin Sect

In a land called the State of Luo, stood the most powerful sect in all the land, the Qinlin Sect — standing majestically beneath the verdant Kunjia Mountains and towering above the Tianhua Valley, where spiritual energy was most densely gathered in the land.

The Qinlin Sect was known as a haven for young cultivators. They had abundant resources, high-grade artifacts, and great masters from all over the land. But behind the splendor, not all disciples shone. And one of them was Lu Xian.

That day, the dusk sky was red. In a forest near the sect, a young man with long black and blue hair and wearing the clothes of the Qinlin sect was running as fast as he could, his breath ragged, his clothes tattered by branches and blood.

Lu Xian — a lowly disciple of the Qinlin Sect — was being chased by something… or someone.

"Damn! I have to get back to the sect gates immediately…"

His steps quickened, but the powerful aura chasing him felt increasingly close. Like a mountain falling from the sky, the spiritual pressure shook the ground behind him.

Soon, the great stone gates of the Qinlin Sect appeared before him. Lu Xian mustered all his remaining strength, leaping through the sect gate with a staggering body.

However, a cultivator with a powerful aura and wearing a blood-red robe stepped lightly through the air, followed by three other cultivators with equal strength.

"Do you think you'll be safe even though you've entered your sect?"

The man's voice was cold and sharp, like a sword blade piercing into the bone.

It was Lan Ming, a Divine Realm cultivator, along with his three companions. Their auras shook the entire sect.

"Who are they?!"

"Why are there four god-level cultivators in front of the gate?!"

The disciples panicked. Several elders came out, and soon an authoritative old man in shining white clothes with a purple dragon emblem on his chest appeared.

Tian Xuan — the leader of the Qinlin Sect — looked at the situation sharply.

"What's going on here?" he asked.

Lan Ming replied in a resounding voice.

"Your disciple has messed up our forbidden area. We demand accountability."

Tian Xuan stared at Lu Xian, who was standing pale in the corner of the courtyard.

"I apologize for my disciple's impudence. I will punish him myself. Please forgive his, seniors." His voice was calm, but filled with pressure.

Lan Ming was silent for a moment. Then he said:

"Alright, I forgive you. But listen carefully..."

"If I see him mess up again, his life will be over."

The four cultivators left, leaving behind a tense atmosphere.

Without a word, Tian Xuan approached Lu Xian, glared at him, and pulled his arm.

"You always cause trouble! Because of you, our sect's name has almost been tarnished! Now, I will lock you up in the sect's underground prison, so that you can learn from your mistakes."

Lu Xian was dragged away, thrown into the cold and damp underground room. The dim light, the smell of metal, and the sound of dripping water made him almost desperate.

"Why am I always wrong?" he muttered as he sat on the stone floor.

On the other side of the prison, another disciple—Zhao Li—sat leisurely while playing with a small stone.

"You were locked up too? What did you do?" he asked.

"I... I found an area with high-level pill plants. I thought... if I brought it to the sect, maybe the sect master would be proud of me." Lu Xian replied.

Zhao Li laughed softly.

"Are you stupid or reckless? That's a Divine Realm cultivator's pill garden. Anyone who touches it without permission is considered stealing."

"But... I only took one or two plants..." Lu Xian said softly.

"That's still a big offense. Those pill plants are used to make eighth-level pills. One small mistake could lead to a war between sects."

Lu Xian fell silent. But his mind was still curious.

"If pills can speed up cultivation, why do they forbid it?"

Zhao Li explained as he leaned his head.

"Because it will make you empty inside. Even though your cultivation level is high, your abilities are not better than those of middle-level cultivators. That's why most cultivators rely on cultivation tools or assistive systems."

"...Cultivation tools huh..." Lu Xian muttered.

Suddenly his eyes caught a piece of rusty iron in the corner. He got up and picked it up.

"What are you doing?" Zhao Li asked.

"Just watch..." Lu Xian replied.

Night turned to day. Without sleep, without food, Lu Xian beat, forged, sharpened. His hands were injured, his body was shaking, but his eyes were shining.

Until finally...

CRACK.

A simple sword with a rough, but sharp blade, was formed.

"Finally finished." he said with a tired smile.

Zhao Li's eyes widened.

"You... You made a sword from scrap metal?"

"Yes. From now on, this sword is my own path.

I will cultivate without a system, without inheritance, only by relying on this sword.

This is what I call... Sword Cultivation."

Zhao Li was amazed and said softly:

"You... are crazy. But I like your spirit."

Lu Xian stood up slowly, looking up at the clear sky he saw through the gap in the prison.

"Just wait. When I get out, the entire sect will be shocked at my abilities.

I will become... the strongest cultivator in the Qinlin Sect."

It was getting later in the day. But from a small gap in the ceiling of the underground prison, a soft white light suddenly shone on Lu Xian's body.

The gleam of light fell directly on his still-warm sword.

"What... is it the light from the heavens?"

Lu Xian looked up with wide eyes, his breath catching.

"Look! Even the heavens are blessing me to cultivate!"

he said in an excited and dramatic tone.

But before Zhao Li could respond, a silhouette of a woman slowly appeared behind the light. Her hair was long, her clothes elegant — and her face… familiar.

"Is this... a gift from the heavens too? A woman for dual cultivation?!"

Lu Xian stood there, stuttered, looking expectantly.

But the figure approached and said flatly.

"What do you mean? I was only ordered by the sect leader to deliver food to the prison."

Her voice was soft but piercing.

It was Qin Chang'er, the beloved daughter of the Qinlin Sect — and also a girl who was impossible for a lowly disciple like Lu Xian to touch.

"Ah... damn it." Lu Xian muttered with a grin, a little embarrassed.

Qin Chang'er looked around and her eyes fell on something leaning against the wall.

"What's this? A sword?"

she asked as she carefully picked up the sword.

"Yes." Lu Xian replied proudly.

"That's the sword I'm going to use for cultivation. I made it myself."

Qin Chang'er raised her eyebrows.

"Really? You made it yourself? That's amazing!" she said with a smile, her eyes slightly impressed.

Lu Xian puffed out his chest.

"Haha… ah… this isn't much."

Qin Chang'er nodded slightly, then placed the food on the ground.

"Then, eat. But don't make too much noise."

She turned around, and her light footsteps slowly disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.

When silence returned, Lu Xian gripped his sword tightly, looking at her meaningfully.

"Alright… after this, I'll start cultivating. I'll prove… that I can become strong.

Even… become the strongest!"