Long Chen moved through the forest differently this time. His body wasn't dragging behind his thoughts anymore. Every step felt lighter, steadier. Whatever power he'd awakened earlier hummed quietly under his skin, responding before he even reached for it.
He spotted the first assassin half-hidden behind a fallen tree. The man thought he was watching the right direction, his senses having led him wrong. Long Chen didn't say a word, as he made his way towards him. He took three strides and struck, finishing him without a sound.
The second assassin bolted the moment he sensed something. But he didn't make it far. Long Chen didn't even remember touching him properly, only the body hitting the dirt afterwards.
By the time he found the third, Long Chen's hands had stopped shaking. The power no longer felt foreign. It sat in him like a part of his being.
The last one waited in an open clearing, standing with his arms crossed like he'd been expecting Long Chen the whole time. The robe he wore was darker, with a red sash that marked him as someone above the rest. His stance was difference too, it looked controlled and balanced. He was their leader.
"So you're not trash after all," the man said, tilting his head slightly. "You killed my men?"
"They tried to kill me first," Long Chen replied flatly.
"Fair enough." The man unsheathed his sword in a smooth motion. The steel blade caught the hint of light peeking through the leaves. "Third Young Master Dugu Shenlie sends his regards."
Long Chen felt his jaw tighten. He'd suspected it was him, but hearing it out loud still twisted something sharp inside him.
"Tell him I'll return the favor."
The assassin's lips curved up mockingly at Long Chen. "You won't get the chance."
And then, he moved.
He was fast. Faster than the others by a frightening margin. Long Chen twisted just in time as the blade cut air where his ribs had been half a heartbeat ago. He countered, aiming for the shoulder, but the assassin deflected him like it was nothing and drove a knee into his gut.
The hit emptied his lungs. Pain flared, real and ugly as he stumbled back, gasping.
The assassin didn't give him time to recover. His sword blurred, each strike precise, forcing Long Chen back step by step. His movement were clean, efficient and deadly. This wasn't raw power, this was someone who'd had years of fighting experience. It showed with every swing he made.
Long Chen blocked and dodged what he could, gritting his teeth through the rest, but he was slipping. His strength didn't mean anything if he couldn't connect a single proper hit.
The assassin's sword carved a shallow line across his forearm. It burned, red crimson blood sliding down his skin.
"You're strong," the assassin said calmly. "But you don't know how to fight."
He wasn't lying. Long Chen had power, yes—but he moved like someone trying to stay alive, not like a trained fighter. He had no technique to back up his strength, putting him at a disadvantage.
"Mist Cloud Step." The assassin called out with a turn. His form blurred in front of Long Chen. One breath he was in front of him and the next, Long Chen felt pain rip across his back as the blade opened skin. He caught himself as he stumbled, a gasp escaping his lips.
The assassin didn't stop.
"Roaring Tiger Fist." His fist glowed faintly. For a split second, Long Chen saw the phantom shape of a tiger's head snapping toward him. Then, the strike connected. Pain cracked down his ribs, sending him crashing into a tree so hard the bark split.
Long Chen coughed blood, his vision doubling.
'I can't… he's too skilled—'
The assassin charged again, sword raised for a killing blow. Long Chen rolled desperately to the side to escape. The blade buried into the tree trunk with a deep crack where his head had been.
Long Chen grabbed a handful of dirt as a desperate struggle and flung it at his face.
The assassin blinked, instincts snapping him backward. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
Long Chen lunged. He didn't use technique. He didn't know any. He just threw himself at the man with every bit of strength he had left. They slammed into the ground with a grunt, rolling. His fists came down wild and messy, fueled by raw power.
The assassin tried to form another technique, but Long Chen stayed too close, heavy and relentless.
A punch cracked the assassin's jaw. Another one drove his head into the ground. And then another. His defenses dulled. Long Chen grabbed his sword arm, and twisted until he felt the pop and heard the weapon fall.
He slammed his knee into the assassin's ribs—once, twice, and then then third time, something gave way.
The man sagged, wheezing.
Long Chen stood over him, chest rising roughly, blood dripping down his arm. "Who else knows?"
The assassin coughed blood and spat it out weakly. "Just us. Shenlie wanted it quiet."
Long Chen stared at him for a moment, then turned away. Leaving the man to breathe whatever air he had left.
⸻
The ruins hid at the bottom of a jagged cliff, stone pillars stuck out of the ground like broken bones. The air around the entrance shimmered slightly with leftover spiritual pressure. Long Chen felt it the moment he got close—it prickled at his skin like static.
He slowed automatically, his eyes scanning the area for threats. The place looked ancient. Older than anything the Dugu lands had.
A notification pulsed in his mind.
[Emergency Quest Detected]
[Objective: Claim the Inheritance of the Sword Saint]
[Reward: Sword Saint Core Inheritance]
[Failure: None]
[Time Limit: 6 Hours]
Long Chen blinked. "Sword Saint? Great. Another thing to figure out."
The system didn't respond. When did it ever?
Another message slid into place, the notification sound chimming in his head.
[Rewards from Previous Mission:]
•Sword Aura (Variant) – Awakened
•Secret Technique: Death in a Thought
Long Chen's fingers flexed at his side. The sword Aura buzzed along his skin, responding to his intent. The other secret technique… he hadn't tried it yet. The description said it consumed all his spirit energy in one devasting attack. It was a last resort.
He looked at the ruins again, then the notification. Six hours wasn't much time for something this ominous.
He stepped through the crumbling archway and I to the ruins properly. Inside was cooler. Darker too, except for the faint glow of runes carved along the walls. The path angled downward, the air getting heavier the deeper he went.
Voices echoed ahead.
Long Chen slowed and pressed himself against the wall. He recognized the voice instantly, it was the girl from the city. And her companions.
He stepped into a wider chamber. They were already there, the girl holding a map and pointing at a sealed stone door. The disciples hovered around her, all tense and too eager for a fight.
One of them spotted him. "You."
They turned as a group. Their expressions flickered from surprise to irritation.
"What are you doing here?" a disciple demanded. "This place isn't for weaklings."
Long Chen didn't bother responding. He just walked in, ignoring the pointed looks.
The girl watched him carefully, her sharp eyes tracking every movement. She didn't say anything for a few seconds.
"You can cultivate now," she finally said, surprise slipping into her voice.
"Yeah," Long Chen answered. "I can."
One disciple blocked his path, sword raised. "Just because you're a Dugu doesn't mean—"
"To whoever earns it," the girl cut in coldly. She looked at Long Chen. "Can you take the trial?"
Long Chen met her eyes. "Why don't you find out?"
The sealed door behind them glowed suddenly. Runes lit up like veins, spreading across the stone. A deep voice filled the chamber. Deep and ancient.
"Those who seek the Sword Saint's legacy, step forward. Prove your worth."
The door split open, revealing an open space. A corridor appeared behind it, filled with floating swords whispering with energy.
The girl gave Long Chen one last look. "Good luck."
Then she walked in with her disciples.
Long Chen waited a moment before following.
⸻
The corridor felt endless as he moved. The swords hovered on both sides, each one carrying enough pressure to slice through bone just by being near them. Long Chen took a step. One sword quivered.
Another step, and it shot toward him.
His hand moved on instinct. Sword Aura coated his palm like a thin, invisible blade. He caught the sword mid-air, the energy coating his hand like a glove. It vibrated violently against his hold, and then stilled.
'So that's how it works.'
More swords flew at him. This time, he didn't dodge. He met them, pushing through with gritted teeth, the sword aura wrapping around the sword in his hand. It wasn't perfect, some got through and left shallow cuts, but he didn't stop.
The corridor widened into a massive hall. Long Chen stepped inside, breathing hard, blood dripping from a dozen wounds.
The hall was empty except for a single figure standing at the center.
It was a man, or what was left of one. A fading projection. He had on simple robes, his hair tied back. A sword rested gently across his lap. His presence filled the whole hall like a sheathed weapon waiting to be drawn.
Long Chen didn't need an introduction.
It was the Sword Saint.
The projection opened its eyes. They were calm, ancient, too sharp.
"You made it," he said quietly. "Fewer than five have reached this place in a thousand years."
Long Chen stood straighter despite the throbbing pain. "Are you the inheritance?"
"A piece of it." The Sword Saint rose slowly, the sword in his hand glowing faintly. "Tell me, boy… why do you seek my legacy?"
Long Chen hesitated for a breath. Then he said, "To get stronger. Strong enough to protect myself. Strong enough to protect the people I care about. And strong enough to burn those who try to take that from me."
The Sword Saint studied him, his expression unreadable.
Then he nodded once. "A free heart needs strength. You remind me of my younger self."
He lifted his sword in front of him. "Then let's see if you're worthy."
A/N
Sorry for the late upload and lack of chapters