As Zhen finished his morning meditation, dawn broke above Sword Heart Peak. Each day under Senior Sister Mo Yu's supervision, three days had gone since his assignment ceremony, all packed with demanding fundamental instruction. A tough teacher, she fixed the smallest flaw in his posture or energy flow with unrelenting accuracy.
Zhen awoke to find a tiny jade slip next to his meditation mat; Mo Yu's exquisite handwriting on it provided directions for today's training. Today's task was easy unlike past days: "Practice the Flowing Water Sword technique at the Eastern Creek. Return by dusk."
The site was odd, as was the shortness. Far from the normal training facilities, the Eastern Creek lay in a distant section of the sect premises. More intriguingly, it bordered the banned rear mountain area—a zone Senior Sister had expressly cautioned students to stay away from.
Zhen started off along the twisting road toward the Eastern Creek following a modest breakfast. The morning mist still clung to the mountainside, giving the ancient pines and jutting rock formations an unearthly look. Few students traveled thus far from the primary complexes, so their trip was very alone.
Going to any fascinating place?
Zhen looked around to see Zhao Yunxiao resting on a boulder, his face bearing that always present simple grin.
Zhen said, lifting the jade slip, "Senior Sister's orders." Eastern Creek sword practice.
Yunxiao's face changed slightly. Interesting site selection. You realize the Eastern Creek goes along the restricted zone limit, don't you?
She said it's calmer there. More good for focus.
"True enough," Yunxiao said, stepping beside Zhen. Rumors, however, concern the rear mountains. Odd sights, enigmatic noises... some claim an immortal specialist lives there in seclusion.
"You think these rumors are true?" Zhen inquired, deliberately keeping a tone of casual interest.
Yunxiao said with a shrug, "The oddest rumors in the farming world sometimes have grains of truth." The sect leaders are generally tolerant, but rear mountain prohibition infractions are treated seriously. Just be careful not to violate the border marks.
At a fork in the road, Yunxiao went toward Azure Sky Peak, with a last word of warning: "Remember, back before sunset. The mountain paths can be treacherous in darkness."
Surrounded by ancient pines and smooth stones ideal for standing exercise, a clear stream running through a quiet valley revealed Eastern Creek to be a lovely spot. Aware Mo Yu would expect much change when he returned, Zhen spent the morning assiduously practicing the Flowing Water Sword method.
He sat cross-legged on a level stone next to the stream and stopped to rest as noon drew closer. The site seemed calm, but something about the ambiance felt electrified with possibility—like the air before a lightning strike.
A strange ripple in the water drew his notice. One area of the stream flowed against the current, spinning in a perfect circle despite its consistent flow. Fascinated, Zhen observed the swirling pattern slowly developing into the obvious form of a blade.
The pattern vanished as quickly as it had been, leaving the water running usual. Zhen had seen the message, though: a method from his former existence known as "Nature's Sword Intent," whereby sword users interacted with environmental events.
He was being watched. Someone who has great sword knowledge.
Zhen pretended nonchalance and continued his practice, but he slightly changed his approach to include an ancient acknowledgment pattern—a series of motions that would be unintelligible to most onlookers but identifiable to real sword masters as an acceptance of communication.
There was an instant reaction. A light breeze rustled the pine needles, producing a subtle whistling sound that, to trained ears, constituted a consistent message: "Beyond the third stone crossing, follow the red leaves."
Before purposefully stopping to "explore" the surroundings, Zhen practiced for one more hour. Easy to see was the third stone crossing: a sequence of flat stones creating a natural route across the broadest section of the stream. Scattered red leaves on the opposite bank formed an almost undetectable path toward the restricted rear mountain.
He paused at the boundary marker—a straightforward stone pillar inscribed with warning signs. Crossing this boundary would break sect regulations and could endanger his standing. Still, the sword communication implied this was not a typical meeting.
The system's interface showed up as follows:
"The Hidden Master's Test" Potential Quest Detected:
Difficulty: Uncertain
Prize: Unknown
Will you accept? Y/N
Without thinking, Zhen chose "Y." His gut told him this meeting was important—maybe even related to his prior existence.
Winding through ever denser woods and steep terrain, the path of red leaves plunged deeper into the forbidden zone. Zhen observed slight indications of human presence despite the obvious wilderness: branches bent at odd angles, stones placed to direct rather than impede travel.
Climbing for about an hour brought the forest to a little plateau with a simple stone home. Its chimney sent out smoke and a basic garden of medicinal herbs bloomed next door. The environment seemed calm, almost normal, but Zhen could feel strong structures all around—concealment arrays making this location invisible to casual observation.
A gravelly voice spoke from behind him before he could near the cottage.
Few disciples have the awareness to follow Nature's Sword Intent. Even less would dare to violate sect norms to chase it.
Zhen looked around to see an old guy sitting on a boulder. His look was ordinary—white hair knotted simply atop his head, worn gray robes, and a battered walking stick lying across his lap. Only his eyes betrayed anything exceptional; piercing and clear as mountain lakes, they appeared to cut straight to Zhen's center.
Zhen said, bowing politely, "I felt an invitation, not a chance occurrence." Should I have misunderstood and crossed boundaries, I apologize.
The old man scoffed. "If I really mean damage, politeness won't save you," he said, surprisingly nimbly leaping from the boulder and circling Zhen with critical eyes. Curious. You move like someone half your age and twice your cultivation level.
Zhen stayed quiet to let the evaluation go on. Though sometimes his energies showed great power held purposefully under control.
The old guy abruptly ordered, "Show me your sword technique." The genuine one, not that diluted Flowing Water rubbish taught to new disciples.
A crucial time of choice. Revealing too much could disclose his reincarnated state, while showing too little might waste this chance. Zhen picked a medium road: he would show real ability but restrict the degree of knowledge shown.
Zhen drew his practice sword and started a sequence that gradually added minor changes and adjustments to the fundamental Flowing Water method. Deliberately adding bits of an antique sword technique—one he had mastered in his prior life and thought this old guy would know—he kept the look of a skilled novice.
The old guy snorted once more after Zhen finished the presentation, watching unflinchingly. Interesting. You act like someone recalling instead of learning.
He moved forward and unexpectedly pulled a plain-looking blade from inside his walking stick. "Protect yourself."
A simple push with incredible force behind it, the assault came with alarming rapidity. Feeling the shock echo through his arms, Zhen could hardly deflect it. Rapidly following three more strikes, each one challenged a different facet of his defense.
"Not awful," the old man said as he lowered his blade. But you're holding back. Is it fear? Caution? Or something different?
The old man attacked again before Zhen could answer, this time using a technique Zhen immediately identified as the "Eighteen Falling Stars" sequence, a skill Zhen himself had developed in his past incarnation and taught to just one disciple.
Instinct and muscle memory took control. Zhen's body reacted instinctively to offset the known method; his answers showed close awareness of its flaws and flow—knowledge unattainable for a rookie learner.
The elderly man suddenly halted, eyes bulging. "Impossible..."
A strained quiet descended between them. The old guy looked at Zhen with a face split between recognition and bewilderment.
At last, he inquired in an oddly quiet tone, "Who taught you to oppose that approach?"
Zhen said truthfully, "No one." It seemed... normal.
"Natural," the elderly man said again. "Like remembering instead of learning," he said, deliberately sheathing his blade. "Do you know who I am, young man?"
Zhen remarked, "I can guess." The students talk about a recluse master living on the prohibited rear mountain. They name him the Old Sword Demon.
The old guy let out a bark of laughter. "A stupid title. I like my given name—Li Chen."
The name made Zhen jump. A young swordsman of unmatched promise whom he had personally coached for decades, Li Chen had been his most gifted student in his former life. Should this be the same individual, now aged by millennia...
Li Chen noted, "You look troubled." He pointed toward the cottage. "Maybe we should carry on this talk inside." Tea will be made by my servant Bai Shi.
Surprisingly pleasant, the cottage inside was simply but carefully designed with academic accents. One wall was packed with scrolls; a table contained several alchemy instruments. Without being asked, a slim, middle-aged man with a constantly serene face poured tea.
Li Chen said, "Bai Shi has served me for eighty years," as they sat. Though blind, he reads intentions well. Nothing said here will leave this room.
Zhen drank the tea—a special kind with qualities improving mental clarity. He said tentatively, "Your sword technique is amazing."
Li Chen retorted, "Don't play games." "You saw my technique. Not just any technique but one that only my master ever completely grasped," he said, his piercing look growing sharper. Over three hundred years ago, a master passed away.
The moment of truth had come earlier than Zhen had expected. Before choosing a partial disclosure, he weighed his alternatives carefully.
Zhen said, "I have... memories." Knowledge shards out of sync with my experience. Sword skills I have never studied yet somehow grasp.
Li Chen bent forward. These memories—they feature the Eighteen Falling Stars method?
Zhen nodded, "And others." The Five Elements Sword Harmony; the Void Reflection Method; the—
Li Chen lifted a hand, his face disturbed. "Enough." "Those are all methods of the Boundless Sword School—my master's personal invention." He laid down his teacup with great care. You talk about them with the familiarity of their creator.
Li Chen grappled with almost inconceivable consequences, as a deep hush enveloped the space. At last, he made a choice.
Let me see your palm.
Zhen's palm bore a little sword-shaped imprint that Li Chen put a thumb to when he reached out, pushing a bit of spiritual energy into Zhen's wrist. The mark blazed with strange purple light before changing into a flawless circle.
Li Chen stumbled back. Heavens above, that is accurate.
Zhen inquired, already suspecting, "What does it mean?"
Li Chen's voice became shaky. "That mark is the Soul Resonance Test—it reveals past connections. The sword shape appears for all who share a karmic sword bond." For one particular relationship—a master whose essence has returned—it simply changes into a circle.
Suddenly, the old guy knelt and stunned Zhen with a formal disciple's bow. Master, you have come back.
Zhen let it slide. This proof matched his suspicions—Li Chen had certainly been his apprentice in his former life, now grown into a master himself.
Zhen murmured softly, "Rise." The situation is... difficult.
Li Chen went back to his seat and visibly struggled to compose himself. Though your spirit is altered. Changed somehow.
Zhen said, "Chaos energy," believing his old disciple should know this. It wasn't quite natural my rebirth.
Li Chen's eyes began to open. You really finished the chaos repair system before your demise.
Zhen was taken aback by this; he had not anticipated Li Chen to be aware of the experimental method he had been working on in his last years. You are aware of that?
Li Chen continued, his voice betraying agony, "You gave me your study just before your... before the treachery." You speculated that by means of reincarnation, chaos energy could anchor a soul, so maintaining necessary knowledge even as it adapted to a different vessel.
Over hours of information sharing—Zhen learning about the centuries following his death and Li Chen coming to know Zhen's present situation—the discussion went on. Officially an elder emeritus who had gone for isolated cultivation, the old master described his own status in the Celestial Sword Sect; privately, he still monitored sect activities.
Zhen finally said, "Mo Yu." Her methods resemble yours.
Li Chen grinned weakly. As usual, perceptive. Yes, I trained her quickly before entering this seclusion. She shown remarkable ability and a pure sword heart—reminiscent of me in my early years. Of course, she doesn't know my real name, but she suspects I'm more than just a sect elder.
Zhen observed, "She's especially interested in me."
Not unexpected. She probably feels the link without knowing it; your sword essence speaks to mine and hence to hers. This might be good. While you grow your power, her patronage offers protection.
Li Chen decided as night fell. Secretly, alongside your formal sect training, I will train you once more. The rear mountain has hidden routes known only to me. Come every seventh day at dawn, following the red leaf path.
He made a little wooden token with a detailed sword design. This will safely lead you past the border formations. Keep it hidden; questioning regarding its origin would be... troublesome.
Li Chen gave one last warning before Zhen left: "Be careful, particularly around the sect leadership. The betrayal that ended your previous life had deep roots, some of which may still exist today. Trust selectively, reveal minimally."
There were no problems on the way back. Zhen arrived to the Eastern Creek just as the sun touched the horizon, so it seemed he had spent the whole day exercising as directed. He discovered Mo Yu standing at the boundary stone, her face unreadable.
She said right away, "Your sword energy has shifted." More concentrated, with slight changes in flow.
"I tried various methods to the technique," Zhen said, which was technically accurate.
Mo Yu looked at him quietly before agreeing. Provided fundamentals aren't ignored, initiative is good. She turned to guide the way back to the property. We start the Heart Circulation technique tomorrow. Get ready appropriately.
Zhen felt she wanted to inquire more about his day as they walked, but she was purposefully holding her curiosity in check. Their relationship stayed complicated: mentor and pupil, but colored with her unintentional awareness of a closer link.
Zhen looked at the system interface that night following his nighttime cultivation ritual.
Quest Finished: "The Hidden Master's Test"
Rewards: +1000 Chaos Points, Link Created with "Old Sword Demon"
Basic Chaos Concealment is a new ability that can somewhat hide chaos energy signature.
New Quest Available: "Dual Cultivation Paths" - Effectively blend covert apprenticeship with formal training
Zhen shut the interface contentedly. The day's events had surpassed projections. In Li Chen, he had discovered not only a teacher but also a friend who grasped his actual identity—a vital edge in the intricate game playing out around him.
Zhen thought about the consequences of this connectedness as he floated toward meditative state. The pupil had turned into the master who now came back as student to his old follower. His chaos-influenced rebirth felt appropriate given the cyclical character of their relationship: a pattern of links spanning beyond traditional time and sequence.
Outside his window, the stars sparkled beautifully over Sword Heart Peak; on the far back mountain, an ancient teacher sat in calm reflection on the surprising turns of fate.