When Lin Feng returned to Greenleaf Village, the familiar sights of his humble home felt strangely distant. The villagers went about their routines, their chatter and laughter carrying an edge of normalcy that felt foreign to him. He walked with his newly forged blade sheathed at his side, its faint otherworldly glow hidden under cloth wraps. Yet, despite its presence, a heavy weight settled in his chest.
The Celestial Sword Ancestor's words lingered in his mind: Strength comes at a cost.
Lin Feng spent the next few days in quiet contemplation, practicing the techniques the Ancestor had imparted to him in their brief encounter. Each swing of the sword felt different now. The blade was no longer an extension of his will but a living entity, its energy merging with his own. Yet, something was missing.
"You are too cautious, Lin Feng," the Ancestor's voice echoed in his mind as he trained late one evening. "A sword that hesitates is as good as shattered. Trust in your blade, and let it become an instrument of your resolve."
Resolve. The word gnawed at Lin Feng's thoughts. Did he truly have what it took to wield the power he had been given?
---
Two weeks later, the quiet routine of Greenleaf was shattered. Zhang Wei returned.
He strode into the village square with the same arrogance he had displayed before, his Thunder Cloud Sect robes fluttering in the breeze. Behind him walked three other disciples, each wearing the sect's emblem and exuding an aura of superiority.
The villagers quickly gathered, their expressions a mixture of awe and fear. Zhang Wei relished the attention, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Lin Feng, who stood near the edge of the gathering.
"Well, if it isn't the struggler," Zhang Wei said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Still swinging that broken sword of yours? Or have you finally realized that some dreams are better left abandoned?"
Lin Feng met Zhang Wei's gaze, his hand resting on the hilt of his newly forged blade. He didn't respond, but the intensity in his eyes was enough to make Zhang Wei falter for a moment.
"Oh?" Zhang Wei's smirk widened. "It seems you've grown some spine since our last meeting. Care to show me what you've been up to?"
The villagers exchanged nervous glances, their murmurs growing louder. No one wanted to see Lin Feng humiliated again, but they also couldn't deny the morbid curiosity of what might happen if he faced Zhang Wei once more.
Lin Feng stepped forward, his movements steady and deliberate. "I'll face you," he said, his voice calm but firm.
Zhang Wei's laughter rang out, loud and mocking. "You'll face me? Very well. Let's make it interesting, then." He gestured toward the other disciples behind him. "If you can withstand three moves from me, I'll personally recommend you to the Thunder Cloud Sect. But if you can't…" He trailed off, his smirk deepening.
Lin Feng didn't flinch. "I don't need your recommendation," he said, unsheathing his sword. The blade glinted faintly in the sunlight, its energy rippling through the air.
Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed as he sensed the difference in Lin Feng. There was a newfound confidence in his stance, a subtle but undeniable shift in his aura.
"Fine," Zhang Wei said, unsheathing his own sword, which crackled with arcs of lightning. "Let's see if that blade of yours is worth anything."
---
The two faced off in the center of the square, the villagers forming a wide circle around them. Zhang Wei struck first, his movements a blur as he closed the distance between them. His blade flashed with lightning, aiming straight for Lin Feng's chest.
Lin Feng didn't move to block. Instead, he sidestepped at the last moment, his sword flicking upward in a precise arc. The clash of metal reverberated through the air as their blades met, sending sparks flying.
Zhang Wei's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected Lin Feng to counter so quickly.
"Not bad," Zhang Wei admitted, stepping back. "But let's see how you handle this."
He raised his sword, and the air around him seemed to hum with energy. A bolt of lightning shot from his blade, arcing toward Lin Feng with deadly precision.
Lin Feng reacted instinctively. His sword moved in a blur, intercepting the lightning and dispersing its energy with a sharp crack. The force of the attack pushed him back a step, but he remained standing.
The villagers gasped in shock.
"You've improved," Zhang Wei said, his tone less mocking now. "But don't think that will be enough to defeat me."
He surged forward again, his strikes coming faster and harder. Lin Feng met each attack head-on, his movements sharper and more fluid than ever before. The clash of their swords created a symphony of steel, each blow resonating with raw power.
As the fight dragged on, Lin Feng began to feel the strain. Zhang Wei's cultivation was still far above his own, and each strike carried the weight of years of training in a prestigious sect. But Lin Feng's resolve didn't waver. He pushed himself to his limits, his blade becoming an extension of his will.
Zhang Wei grew impatient. He hadn't expected Lin Feng to last this long, and his frustration began to show. With a roar, he channeled his full power into a single strike, his sword crackling with an aura of destructive lightning.
"This ends now!" Zhang Wei shouted, bringing his blade down with enough force to shatter the ground beneath them.
Lin Feng didn't retreat. He stepped forward, his own blade glowing with a faint, golden light. The energy coursing through it felt alive, resonating with his determination.
Their swords collided in a deafening explosion of energy. The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the square, forcing the villagers to shield their eyes.
When the dust settled, Lin Feng stood tall, his blade unwavering. Zhang Wei's sword had been knocked from his hand, its edge cracked and sparking weakly. Zhang Wei himself staggered back, his face pale with disbelief.
"You…" Zhang Wei muttered, his voice shaking. "How…?"
Lin Feng said nothing, lowering his sword and stepping back. The fight was over, and he had won.
The villagers erupted into cheers, their awe and disbelief turning into admiration. Lin Feng's victory wasn't just a personal triumph—it was a declaration that even the powerless could rise against the strong.
But as Lin Feng looked at the broken shards of Zhang Wei's sword, he felt no satisfaction. This was only the beginning. If defeating Zhang Wei had been this difficult, then facing the true powerhouses of the Xiantian Realm would be a battle beyond imagination.
The voice of the Celestial Sword Ancestor echoed in his mind once more. "You've taken your first step, Lin Feng. But remember: the path of the sword is one of endless struggle. Steel your heart, for greater trials await."
Lin Feng sheathed his sword, his resolve burning brighter than ever. No matter how difficult the road ahead, he would walk it to the end. This was only the start of his journey.