The next morning, just as Xiao Yi woke up, Ji Yan came to find her.
"Get ready," Ji Yan said, "I'm taking you to the Sword Cave."
Xiao Yi followed Ji Yan to the southeast corner of Tianyu Peak.
There, they arrived at a natural cave. Standing at the entrance, she could clearly see inside. The cave was around twenty to thirty meters high and extended over a hundred meters deep.
Inside, there was a large open space.
Xiao Yi curiously examined the cave but found nothing unusual. She couldn't help but ask, "Eldest Senior Brother, what's inside?"
"Sword intent."
Xiao Yi immediately recalled the terrifying sword intent she felt last night, which had shaken her very soul. Goosebumps rose all over her skin.
"Do I... do I have to go in?" Xiao Yi's voice trembled.
The thought of facing that sword intent again made her feel like she would die.
Ji Yan replied, "Not yet. Wait."
Xiao Yi was too anxious to ask what they were waiting for and felt like crying.
They waited and waited until noon. Fortunately, they were cultivators; otherwise, they would have lost their patience long ago.
However, even Ji Yan seemed to be losing patience. Without any further movement, the sword on his back flew out, slicing through the air.
Xiao Yi watched, full of admiration.
That was so cool.
Before long, the sword returned, slipping neatly back into its sheath. With a metallic clang, the piercing gleam disappeared.
About half an hour later, Lü Shaoqing finally arrived, grumbling.
"What's your problem, Eldest Senior Brother? Waking me up like this—don't I have the right to sleep in?"
Ji Yan retorted, "Did you forget what you were supposed to do today?"
Lü Shaoqing noticed Xiao Yi and burst out laughing. "Oh, I must have forgotten."
"Can you blame me? Isn't it your fault I'm so tired from last night?"
Lü Shaoqing felt indignant. If Ji Yan hadn't dragged him into a fight last night, he wouldn't be so exhausted now.
Xiao Yi's eyes widened, wondering if there was some unspoken bond between her two senior brothers. Although she knew it was unlikely, Lü Shaoqing's words made it hard for her not to think otherwise.
Ji Yan said, "Enough nonsense. Keep an eye on things."
Lü Shaoqing muttered, "If you don't even have confidence in your own creation, don't drag others into it."
"Why not let her comprehend it gradually?"
Ji Yan countered, "The sooner she understands, the more benefits she gains."
Lü Shaoqing turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Junior Sister, do you have any last words?"
"Oh, never mind the words—do you have any inheritance or property to leave behind?"
Xiao Yi's face turned pale as she looked at Ji Yan. "Eldest Senior Brother, is it dangerous in there?"
Ji Yan responded, "Don't listen to him. Take only thirty percent of what he says seriously; the rest is nonsense."
Lü Shaoqing replied, "If you're so confident in your Sword Cave, why call me to be on standby?"
"Just admit it, you want to save face."
Ignoring him, Ji Yan turned to Xiao Yi and said, "Go in."
To Xiao Yi, the Sword Cave seemed like the gaping maw of a fierce beast, waiting for its prey. She looked at her two senior brothers with pleading eyes.
"Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, I..."
Ji Yan cut her off. "No excuses. You must go in today."
"You won't come out until you comprehend sword intent."
Lü Shaoqing added, "Don't worry. If you die in there, I'll handle your remains."
"By the way, you're sure you don't have any assets—"
Clang!
Ji Yan's sword partially unsheathed, its blade gleaming coldly.
Lü Shaoqing quickly changed his tone, "Go on, there's no danger."
"Even if there is, it'll be over quickly. You won't feel a thing."
Xiao Yi was on the verge of tears.
Father, Uncle, Tianyu Peak is too dangerous. I want to go home.
But she had no choice. Gritting her teeth, she braced herself and entered the Sword Cave.
From behind, Lü Shaoqing called out, "Feel it with your heart. If you approach it gently, it will respond gently. Don't try to force it."
A hint of gratitude stirred in Xiao Yi's heart. Maybe Second Senior Brother isn't so bad after all.
Just as she was about to say something, Lü Shaoqing continued, "If you force it and die, I'll have to take care of your body for free without any inheritance as compensation."
Thanks a lot. Xiao Yi shot a glare at Lü Shaoqing before stepping into the Sword Cave.
Once she entered, the entrance behind her disappeared.
Xiao Yi found herself in a small wooden hut, empty of everything—including a door.
She stood at the entrance, looking out at a vast courtyard. In the center stood a tall stone pillar with something coiled around it.
As she approached, she saw clearly what was on the pillar.
A dragon.
A small white dragon was coiled around the stone pillar, exuding an overwhelming aura.
When it noticed her, the white dragon snapped its eyes open, its expressionless gaze fixed on her.
A chill ran down Xiao Yi's spine as the immense pressure made her tremble uncontrollably.
The aura coming from the dragon felt all too familiar—it was the terrifying sword intent she had sensed the night before.
The white dragon was the manifestation of sword intent.
Its entire body was composed of pure sword energy, fierce and unyielding.
Sword Intent Manifestation!
This was the second stage of sword intent.
Just how monstrous is my Eldest Senior Brother? Xiao Yi thought, feeling tears well up. What bad luck—being subjected to this on my second day here!
Mustering her courage, she channeled her spiritual energy.
This movement seemed to be a signal. The white dragon uncoiled from the pillar, launching itself into the air and charging straight at her.
Even before it reached her, its overwhelming presence slammed into her like a hammer hitting her chest.
"Ugh!"
Xiao Yi coughed up blood, her eyes filled with fear. "It's too strong... I'm no match."
But the white dragon showed no mercy and continued its attack.
"Roar!"
The roar felt like countless swords piercing her body, and she spat out more blood.
Knowing she was no match for the dragon at her current level, Xiao Yi endured two waves of attacks. Any more, and she knew she wouldn't survive.
She looked around, but the area was empty—nothing in sight.
Seeing the white dragon charging at her again, Xiao Yi scrambled back into the wooden hut, crawling and rolling to escape.
The moment she was inside, the dragon stopped its attack, circling outside and eyeing the hut menacingly.
As Xiao Yi recovered, she glared at the persistent white dragon outside and, in frustration, made a rude gesture.
"Stupid bug!"
The insult seemed to anger the dragon.
Roar!
With a deafening roar, the wooden hut shattered instantly.