Xiao Lin crumpled the paper in his hand, his gaze piercing the morning mist that shrouded Tianlang Peak. The full moon was only ten days away, but the path was fraught with dangers that weren't even marked on the map. With Jiuying strapped to his back, he began his journey up the mountain—passing through the **Whispering Forest**, where the trees were said to harbor bloodthirsty spirits.
"You won't survive without help," he muttered, mimicking Luo Yan's sarcastic tone. But his determination burned bright. *I must master this sword.*
---
On the third day of his journey, Xiao Lin arrived at the edge of a muddy swamp. The heavy air reeked of corpses, and the sound of invisible whispers disturbed his ears. Suddenly, Jiuying shook violently, emitting a blood-red aura.
*Krrrk!*
From within the mud, a giant creature emerged—its body was a cross between a snake and a wolf, its scales pitch-black, its eyes glowing yellow. **Forest Guardian**, a spirit bound by an oath to kill anyone who carries an ancient weapon.
"Foolish human… you brought *it* here," the creature hissed, its forked tongue sticking out. "Jiuying will be mine!"
Xiao Lin drew his sword, but the energy in his body was in disarray. The moves he had learned all this time meant nothing. *Buried Dragon Dance*—the image he had seen in the cave—suddenly flashed through his mind. Without thinking, he copied the image's movements, spinning his body with Jiuying in a circle of fire.
*Sreeeet!*
A burst of fire engulfed the Forest Guardian, but it only made him more furious. The creature's claws clawed at Xiao Lin's shoulder, sending him flying into a tree. Blood poured from its mouth.
"Your blood… it smells special," the Forest Guardian whispered as he approached.
Suddenly, **repressed memories** struck Xiao Lin—
---
**Flashback: Blood of the Sword God**
*A beautiful woman with eyes as sharp as Xiao Lin's was swinging a sword in the middle of a battlefield. Around her, thousands of corpses were scattered. "My descendant... become the successor... or die like them!"*
*The woman's sword—Jiuying—flashed red, and then...*
*Boom. Darkness.*
---
Xiao Lin woke up from the flashback, his body filled with a strange energy. Jiuying now felt light, as if it were one with his hand. *My blood... is this its power?*
"Enough!" he roared. With a spontaneous movement, he stabbed Jiuying into the ground. *Rumble!* Nine dragon shadows emerged from the sword, pounced on the Ranger and tore him to ashes.
But victory came at a high price. Xiao Lin passed out, his energy drained.
---
**The Mad Hermit and the Price**
Xiao Lin woke up in a small cave, the scent of bitter herbs filling his nose. In front of him, an old man in tattered robes was pounding strange roots. **Shifu Mao**, a mad hermit with a dragon tattoo on his face.
"Hey, young man! You have to pay for this medicine with *something*!" he said gruffly, his eyes squinting at the Jiuying.
"I don't have any money," Xiao Lin replied hoarsely.
Shifu Mao chuckled. "I want *a strand of your hair*!" Before Xiao Lin could protest, the man had already pulled out his hair and stored it in a glass bottle. "Blood of the Sword God… this will come in handy."
"You know about my blood?" Xiao Lin asked in surprise.
Shifu Mao suddenly became serious. "You are the last descendant of **Su Chen**, the Sword God who sacrificed himself to lock away the Demon King of Tianmo 1,000 years ago. But that blood is also a curse—every time you use the Jiuying, your lifespan decreases."
Xiao Lin stared at the sword in his hand. *This is the price I have to pay?*
"Why did Luo Yan help me?" he asked.
Shifu Mao frowned. "Luo Yan… a member of the Ming Sect? Be careful, young man. They are the *death guards* who serve the Heavenly Demon. You might just be bait."
---
Outside the cave, the shouts of the Hongmeng Sect soldiers echoed. "We know you're here, Xiao Lin! Hand over Jiuying!"
Shifu Mao grinned. "You have two hours before they find us. I can help you… for a *price*."
Xiao Lin bit his lip. "What do you want?"
The hermit raised the rusty knife. "*One of your ears.*"
---