The sword cultivators below continued to whisper, their mocking voices rising and falling as they ridiculed Chu Yang. However, they dared not defy the sect master's words. Reluctantly, they bowed to Chu Yang and said, "We greet Senior Brother!"
To Chu Yang, who had experienced the ugliness of human nature and the warmth and coldness of the world from a young age, such ridicule was insignificant.
He returned their bow indifferently and paid them no further attention.
The elder dismissed the disciples.
With a profound gaze, he looked at Chu Yang and said, "There is no need to mind such words. In the world of cultivation, strength and power are the only truths. As long as your strength is formidable, strong enough for them to look up to you, such idle talk will naturally dissipate."
"In the Heavenly Sword Sect, a swordsmanship competition is held every three years. I will give you ten years. If within these ten years, you cannot surpass your fellow disciples, then our master-disciple relationship will end."
With that, he led Chu Yang to an ancient pavilion.
The elder began to introduce the various ancient texts and sword techniques within, saying, "Many of these are sword moves and insights into the Dao that I have created over my lifetime. In addition, I have collected insights from the world's strongest sword cultivators."
"For ordinary disciples, entering here is forbidden. But you can enter at any time to learn various sword moves and insights into the Dao."
"However, I must remind you, the sword path of others will always be theirs. No matter how perfect or powerful, it is not yours. A truly powerful sword cultivator must comprehend the path that suits them best. Only then can you become a true sword cultivator."
"A sword cultivator practices an invincible and unstoppable heart of the sword. If you are bound and restricted by so-called sword moves, you will only become trapped, unable to forge your own path."
"To become an unrivaled sword cultivator, you must find your own path, comprehend your own Dao, and integrate it."
"I can understand the bottlenecks and problems you encounter in swordsmanship, but the path of the sword must be comprehended by yourself. This is something no one else can help you with."
Chu Yang listened attentively to the elder's teachings.
He deeply agreed with the elder's guidance, which was valuable experience from predecessors that could save him many detours.
"Speaking too much now might overwhelm you and hinder your cultivation. Start with the most basic sword techniques. Once you master the basics, come to me with any questions. Do not pretend to understand and practice blindly, for this is a major taboo."
With that, the elder left the pavilion.
Chu Yang looked at the sword techniques and manuals before him, his eyes filled with intense fervor.
His long-dormant heart began to beat rapidly.
At this moment, the hope that had once died within him reignited.
He had many reasons to become stronger, whether it was the vengeance for his blood relatives, the mission to protect his sister, or the promise he made to Nie Fengyun.
All these required a strong enough foundation of power to achieve.
Taking a deep breath, Chu Yang, full of gratitude, bowed in the direction the elder had left. "Chu Yang thanks Master for his teachings!"
Outside the pavilion.
The elder, who had not gone far, naturally heard Chu Yang's words. He paused, glanced back at the faint figure in the pavilion, and a mysterious smile curved his lips.
"My good disciple, do not disappoint me. I am waiting for you to accomplish something significant for me!"
...
In the following days, Chu Yang secluded himself in the pavilion.
He spent day and night poring over the ancient texts.
However, Chu Yang still had not started practicing.
As his master had said, a sword cultivator must find their own path and cultivate an invincible heart of the sword.
When he embarked on the path of swordsmanship, he needed to set clear goals and understand why he practiced the sword and the true meaning behind the sword he wielded.
If he could not clarify these, even if he began practicing, he would easily end up with an unfocused and mismatched approach, and it would be too late for regrets.
Building a grand structure requires a solid foundation and a complete blueprint before starting construction; otherwise, the result would surely be unsatisfactory.
And so, three months passed by in the blink of an eye.
Chu Yang had read through all the books in the pavilion, imprinting all the insights and sword techniques deeply in his mind.
These contents had even formed vivid images in Chu Yang's mind, allowing him to comprehend them more clearly.
Despite this, Chu Yang chose not to rush.
He decided to continue to settle himself, and only after finding his path would he consider practicing swordsmanship.
Several more days passed in this manner.
Chu Yang gazed at the treasured sword his master had given him, lost in thought.
In the next moment, he seemed to have an epiphany.
He murmured to himself, "Throughout history, there has been a saying: 'Those who follow the heavens will prosper; those who go against them will perish.' This so-called heaven refers to the heavenly Dao. The heavenly Dao can control the lives of all beings, determining life and death!"
"Fate is determined by the heavens, unchangeable and irreversible. Even though the world is full of suffering and helplessness, if the heavens decree you to die at midnight, you won't live until dawn."
"How unfair, how ironic."
"A person cannot be called human if they cannot control their own fate. Such a person is nothing but a puppet with a predetermined end, devoid of their own thoughts, powerless over their future."
"As a sword cultivator, as a practitioner, one inherently goes against the heavens."
"I should sever the heavenly Dao, firmly grasp my fate in my own hands, competing against the heavens, against others, against myself. My sword should cut through all injustices in the world. Even if the world becomes my enemy, even if the heavenly Dao abandons me and the masses do not understand, I will cut through it all with one sword."
"My fate is mine to determine, not the heavens'. Even if the heavens set my destiny, I should rise in rebellion."
"My sword is the ultimate weapon to cut through everything in this world."
"This is the sword path I cultivate, Chu Yang's invincible sword path!"
"This path is unstoppable!"