Ye Chen ascended the staircase of condensed sword intent step by step, each step accompanied by an invisible pressure. The force wasn't physical but directly impacted his spirit, as if testing his willpower as a swordsman.
When he reached the hundredth step, the surrounding sword intent suddenly coalesced into a shadowy figure. The shadow, exuding immense pressure, gazed coldly at him before silently striking with its sword.
Ye Chen didn't dare underestimate it and raised his sword to meet the attack. As their sword intents clashed, sparks erupted, and the sheer force of the shadow's sword made Ye Chen's heart sink. This wasn't an ordinary opponent; it was a being entirely formed of sword intent, embodying profound truths of the sword path.
"If I can't defeat this, how can I talk about reaching the peak?" Gritting his teeth, Ye Chen summoned all his strength, unleashing the Falling Star Sword Technique to its limit. A brilliant sword light tore through the air and struck the shadow.
Though the shadow was powerful, it wasn't invincible. Under Ye Chen's relentless attacks, its sword intent began to wane and eventually dissipated into countless glowing fragments.
Catching his breath, Ye Chen didn't linger and continued his climb.
Every hundred steps, Ye Chen encountered another opponent formed of sword intent. These shadows grew stronger as he climbed higher. From basic sword intents to those infused with lethal killing force, each battle pushed Ye Chen to his limits, yet he broke through with every fight, honing his skills and understanding of the sword path.
At the three-hundredth step, he faced a different kind of shadow. This one didn't attack immediately but stood in the middle of the staircase, holding its sword while silently watching him. Its gaze was complex, carrying a mix of questioning and disdain.
"For what purpose do you wield your sword?" the shadow asked suddenly, its deep voice cutting through the silence.
Ye Chen was momentarily stunned. He had thought this was merely a test of strength, not expecting the shadow to speak.
After a moment of contemplation, he replied firmly, "To pursue perfection, to protect what I hold dear, and to uncover the true essence of the sword path!"
The shadow let out a cold laugh. "The sword path cannot be explained in mere words. Show me with your sword—prove that it's worthy of your convictions!"
Before Ye Chen could respond, the shadow moved. Each of its strikes was as swift as lightning, imbued with unfathomable sword intent, as if carrying the weight of the entire world.
Ye Chen fought back with everything he had, his sword seemingly becoming an extension of his being. He countered with precision, each strike like a shooting star, dazzling and lethal. He understood that this was not just a trial of strength but a test of his belief in the sword path.
Hundreds of exchanges passed, and Ye Chen's strength was nearing its limit. The shadow, however, remained cold and relentless, pressing him further and further. Just as he was on the brink of collapse, a realization struck him: the sword path is not about extremes but balance.
Closing his eyes, Ye Chen took a deep breath. His entire aura shifted, no longer aggressive but calm and focused. He waited patiently, his sword intent condensed into a single line.
The shadow struck again, its blade seemingly tearing through space. At the critical moment, Ye Chen's sword moved after the attack, yet it was faster, delivering a precise and invisible strike to the shadow's chest. The shadow froze, then slowly dissolved into points of light.
Ye Chen stood still for a long time. That final strike had brought him a sense of tranquility and clarity he had never experienced before. It wasn't just swordsmanship but an elevation of his understanding of the sword's essence.
"Well done. You have passed," the ancient voice echoed again. "You are now qualified to reach the summit. Though the path ahead remains challenging, I look forward to seeing you uncover the true secrets of the Sword Graveyard."
Ye Chen looked up at the end of the staircase. The peak of the sword mountain was shrouded in light, as if it contained infinite mysteries. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, heading toward the summit.
His journey along the sword path had only just begun. Awaiting him in the depths of the Sword Graveyard were trials and opportunities unlike any he had faced before.