Upon reaching the summit of Sword Mountain, Ye Chen's view opened up. The peak was not the sanctum he had envisioned but a void filled with endless sword intent. The intent swirled like a storm, tearing through the air and forming layers of terrifying sword qi barriers, deterring anyone from advancing further.
At the center stood an ancient stone platform, hovering in mid-air. On it was a rusted longsword. Though its exterior seemed worn and battered, the aura it emitted was vast and unfathomable, commanding respect at first glance.
"Is that the core of the Sword Graveyard?" Ye Chen murmured to himself.
Before he could move closer, an ancient figure slowly appeared. It was an old man in a black robe, his hair and beard completely white. He held an ancient scroll in his hands, and his deep, penetrating gaze seemed to see straight into Ye Chen's soul.
"Who are you?" Ye Chen asked cautiously, gripping his sword tightly.
"I am merely a remnant will guarding the Sword Graveyard," the old man replied in a low, ancient voice. "Your journey here has proven your talent and determination. But if you wish to claim the core inheritance of the Sword Graveyard, you must first pass the final trial."
Ye Chen raised his head, his eyes resolute. "No matter the trial, I won't back down."
The old man nodded slightly and gently waved his hand. The void trembled violently as the swirling sword qi gathered into a massive vortex, hovering ominously above Ye Chen, as if ready to devour him.
"The final trial is called 'The Swordheart's Inquiry.'" The old man's voice echoed. "It will strike at the core of your being, forcing you to face your true self. If you endure, the sword inheritance will be yours. If you fail, you will be buried here for eternity."
As soon as the words fell, the world around Ye Chen changed. He found himself standing in a desolate wasteland, silent and empty, with no wind or light—only endless darkness.
"Is this… an illusion?" Ye Chen muttered, scanning his surroundings with a frown.
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him: "Ye Chen, do you truly believe you are worthy of the sword inheritance?"
Startled, Ye Chen turned to see another version of himself. The figure looked identical to him in every way, even sharing the same aura, but its eyes were cold and filled with disdain.
"Who are you?" Ye Chen asked coldly.
"I am the shadow in your heart," the figure replied with a faint smile. "You've been chasing the pinnacle of the sword path, but do you even know why you fight? Is it for revenge or to prove yourself?"
Ye Chen tightened his grip on his sword, his voice firm: "I wield my sword to protect and to pursue perfection. You cannot shake my resolve!"
The shadow sneered and attacked with its sword. The two clashed instantly, and with each exchange of blows, Ye Chen felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. The shadow's every move mirrored his own, as though he were battling his reflection.
"Your swordsmanship is nothing more than imitation, lacking a path of your own!" the shadow taunted. "With such a foundation, how can you face the challenges ahead?"
Ye Chen took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He stopped resisting the shadow's strikes with force and instead let his sword intent flow naturally, merging with the surrounding energy. He realized that the key to overcoming himself was not through brute strength but through transcending his own limitations.
"The sword path lies in one's heart!" Ye Chen's eyes snapped open as his sword intent surged. An invisible slash cleaved through the shadow's chest. The shadow froze, then smiled faintly: "I see… Congratulations."
As the shadow dissipated, the darkness faded, and Ye Chen found himself back at the summit of Sword Mountain.
The old man nodded approvingly. "You have passed the Swordheart's Inquiry."
Ye Chen exhaled deeply and looked at the sword on the stone platform.
"Go on, draw that sword. It will guide you to new heights on your sword path," the old man said softly.
Ye Chen stepped forward slowly and grasped the hilt of the longsword. The moment he touched it, an immense surge of sword intent poured into his body. His soul seemed to traverse countless timelines, witnessing the origins and ultimate truths of the sword path.
"This is…" Ye Chen was overwhelmed, but his grip on the sword grew firmer.
With a faint hum, the sword was pulled from the platform, and the sword intent around the mountain erupted. A beam of light shot into the sky, enveloping the entire peak.
The old man watched with a satisfied smile and murmured, "The inheritance of the Sword Graveyard has finally found a new master. May you forge a new era of the sword path."
Ye Chen held the sword tightly, feeling the immense power and profound truths it carried. His gaze was steadfast and confident.
From this moment, his sword path no longer belonged to anyone else—it was entirely his own.