The morning light streamed through the training hall as Liang Chen and Yan Shu stood facing each other, the silence between them settling into a calm yet focused atmosphere. The past weeks had been intense, each session testing his endurance, refining his form, and challenging his control over Qi. Through each grueling day, he had felt himself growing stronger, a budding confidence sparking within him.
Today, however, there was a different air about Yan Shu. Her gaze, usually so intense and scrutinizing, seemed distant, as though her thoughts had drifted somewhere far from the training hall. Liang Chen noticed the change, his curiosity sparking, though he kept silent, respecting her composure.
Finally, as if sensing his thoughts, she spoke, her tone softer than usual.
"Liang Chen, do you know why I have remained here, in the Divine Sword Sect, instead of ascending?"
He blinked, taken aback by the question. He had always assumed that her role as a senior elder was by choice, that she was dedicated solely to the pursuit of sword cultivation and teaching. But he had never considered that there might be another reason.
"I… I assumed you stayed because of your dedication to the sect," he replied, cautious yet curious.
A faint smile touched her lips, though it was tinged with something unspoken—perhaps a memory, or a hint of sorrow. "Dedication, yes," she murmured. "But it goes deeper than that. My reason for staying is rooted in a debt, a promise I made long ago."
Intrigued, Liang Chen remained silent, sensing that this was not a story often told. Yan Shu turned, her gaze fixed on the far wall where the emblem of the Divine Sword Sect—a pair of swords crossing a rising sun—was carved into the stone.
"Years ago," she began, her voice steady but reflective, "I was a young cultivator, talented but reckless. In my arrogance, I ventured beyond my abilities, seeking strength without caution. One day, I encountered a powerful enemy—a cultivator who sought to end my life for reasons that now seem trivial."
Liang Chen listened intently, feeling the weight of her words. He had always seen her as a figure of indomitable strength, someone who seemed untouchable. The idea that she had once been vulnerable, that she had faced life-threatening danger, felt almost surreal.
"I was severely wounded," she continued, her gaze distant as though reliving the memory. "And it was the Divine Sword Sect that saved me. Their disciples found me on the brink of death and brought me here. The elders tended to my injuries, offering me not only healing but sanctuary—a place to regain my strength and begin anew."
She paused, a quiet reverence in her expression. "They had no reason to help me. I was not one of their own, nor did I offer anything of value in return. Yet they saved me, gave me the means to continue on my path. It was a debt I could never fully repay."
Liang Chen felt a surge of respect, understanding now why her loyalty to the sect ran so deep. She wasn't just a member of the Divine Sword Sect—she was someone who owed them her life, someone who had chosen to repay that debt by dedicating herself to their cause.
"Over the years, I grew stronger," she said, her voice steadying. "I achieved things I once thought impossible, reached realms of cultivation that few dare to dream of. And yet, even now, as I stand on the threshold of ascension, I have chosen to remain here a little longer. I will not leave until I have given back what they gave me."
He looked at her with newfound understanding, her decision to stay taking on a deeper meaning. "You're repaying them by teaching, aren't you?" he asked, his tone respectful.
"Yes," she replied, her gaze meeting his. "Guiding the disciples, passing down the knowledge I have gained—that is my way of honoring the Divine Sword Sect. Only when I feel that I have fully repaid this debt will I be ready to face the final tribulation."
A quiet realization dawned on him. Yan Shu, the powerful, seemingly unshakable elder of the Divine Sword Sect, was not bound here by duty alone but by gratitude—a deep, unwavering loyalty that had kept her grounded, even when she was ready to ascend to higher realms. And here he was, her student, a part of that legacy she was passing down.
"You could ascend now, if you wished," he said softly, his voice filled with respect.
"I could," she replied, her expression calm but resolute. "But cultivation is more than reaching the next realm. True strength lies in understanding one's purpose, in remaining grounded even when faced with limitless power. This sect gave me more than healing—they gave me a path, a place to belong. And that is something I do not take lightly."
Her words resonated with him deeply, revealing a side of her he hadn't known—a side that saw honor as strength, loyalty as purpose. It was a rare glimpse into the depth of her character, one that only deepened his admiration for her.
"Thank you for sharing this with me," he said, his voice quiet. "It… means a lot to know the reason behind your guidance."
Yan Shu inclined her head, a faint warmth in her eyes. "You are part of that guidance, Liang Chen. I see potential in you, a drive that reminds me of my younger self. Perhaps, in time, you too will find a purpose that grounds you."
He nodded, feeling the weight of her words. He had come here seeking strength, hoping to carve his own path in the world of cultivation. But now, he realized, strength was not only about power—it was about conviction, about knowing why you walked your path in the first place.
"I will do my best to live up to your teachings, Teacher Yan Shu," he said with quiet resolve.
"That is all I ask," she replied, her gaze steady. "For now, continue to train with focus and discipline. If you are to achieve the Golden Core, you must push yourself beyond what you think possible. There will be no shortcuts, no easy paths."
He met her gaze, feeling the stirrings of ambition and purpose within himself. The Golden Core—it was a realm that lay beyond his current abilities, yet within reach if he committed himself fully to her guidance. He would pursue it, not only for himself but as a way to honor the trust she had placed in him.
As the silence settled between them, Yan Shu turned, preparing to leave. But she paused, her voice softening as she spoke over her shoulder.
"Liang Chen, remember: strength is not only measured in power. The greatest cultivators are those who honor their origins, who understand the importance of gratitude."
With that, she left the hall, her steps light yet purposeful, leaving him to reflect on her words.
As Liang Chen returned to his quarters, her story lingered in his mind, a quiet echo of wisdom that resonated within him. Yan Shu had achieved realms of strength that most could only dream of, yet she chose to remain bound by honor and loyalty. She could have ascended, reached heights beyond imagination, but her dedication to repaying her debt held her grounded.
He realized, for the first time, the depth of responsibility that came with power. Yan Shu's path was not merely one of cultivation—it was one of humility, of respect for those who had helped her, even when she had been at her weakest. And that, he thought, was a lesson as valuable as any sword technique.
"Dream Reincarnation System," he murmured, breaking the silence. "Did you know about her past?"
The system's voice echoed in his mind, its tone uncharacteristically subdued. "Of course. Her story is well-known to the elders of the Divine Sword Sect. But it's a story she rarely tells herself, one rooted in memories of strength, humility, and resolve."
Liang Chen nodded, a quiet respect growing within him. Yan Shu was not merely a teacher or a cultivator—she was a testament to the power of honor, a strength that extended beyond any realm. And as he reflected on her words, he felt a renewed determination to achieve the Golden Core, to prove himself worthy of her teachings.
"I'll do it," he said softly, a fire kindling in his gaze. "For her, for myself… I will reach the Golden Core."
With those words, he steeled himself, ready to embrace the path before him. Yan Shu's story had become a part of his own journey, her strength a guiding force that would lead him forward. And in the quiet of his room, he made a silent vow to honor her legacy with every step he took on the path of cultivation.