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According to the information on the scroll provided by Ning Feng.

The ancient place of inheritance indicated by the Golden Ring was called Wenjian Forest.

This place was actually somewhat famous throughout the entire Northwest Cultivation Realm.

Most ordinary inheritance grounds were established for specific successors.

Once the core inheritance was taken, the Secret Realm would collapse or seal itself off completely.

It was, in a sense, a one-time deal.

But this Wenjian Forest was completely different.

It was said that the Sword Skill inheritances contained within this place were not just one or two, but as plentiful as the trees in a forest—truly innumerable.

Every sixty years, this place would automatically condense and release seventy-two Golden Rings, scattering them in all directions.

Those who held a ring could enter, regardless of their background, or whether they were righteous or demonic.

As long as they could pass the corresponding trials, they could choose a Sword Skill inheritance that suited them.

Thus, a theory circulated in the Cultivation Realm: Wenjian Forest was very likely an inheritance ground established with heaven-shattering methods by some ancient, great Sword Dao Sect that had long since vanished into the river of history.

Its purpose was not to select a specific successor to carry on the mantle, but to ensure that its own Sword Dao lineage would never be extinguished and would be widely disseminated.

As for who the inheritance ultimately fell to—be they righteous or evil, human or demon—it was not a concern for the original creators.

As long as the Sword Dao was passed down, their goal was considered achieved.

’The bearing and philosophy of the ancient sects are truly different from the sectarianism of today.’

’They don’t even care who their inheritance is passed to. As long as it gets passed down, that’s all that matters.’

Qi Yun committed the core information about Wenjian Forest from the scroll to memory. Then, a wisp of pure Yin Sha Black Qi extended from his fingertip, enveloping the leather scroll.

With a SIZZLE, the scroll rapidly corroded and carbonized.

Finally, it turned into a small pile of ash that scattered in the wind, leaving no trace.

The scroll also mentioned that the entrance to Wenjian Forest was not fixed to any specific mountain or Earth Vein. Instead, one simply had to find an ordinary water well.

By tossing the Golden Ring, which served as a token, into the well, the entrance to the inheritance ground would open on its own—a truly magical phenomenon.

’A random entrance that can be opened with a token... How convenient. No wonder the Seven Kills Sect has found it difficult to completely lock down the news,’ Qi Yun mused.

Seeing that the attention of the entire Northwest Cultivation Realm was currently drawn to the major confrontation between Foundation Establishment Masters in Pot Valley, it was the perfect time to fish in troubled waters and handle his own private affairs.

A flicker in his eyes, Qi Yun hesitated no longer.

He picked up the Soul Refining Banner that was leaning nearby, his figure vanishing silently like a phantom into the dense mountain forest behind him.

After a few leaps and bounds, he had completely disappeared.

「Several days later, on the outskirts of an abandoned mountain village.」

Qi Yun found a dry well, half-hidden by vines.

The stone mouth of the well was mottled, and its bottom, long since dry, was deep and dark.

He spread out his Divine Sense. Although he had already used a Thousand Crane Talisman to scout the area for dozens of miles, Qi Yun still maintained a basic level of caution.

After confirming no one was watching, he flipped his hand over and produced the dull, lusterless Golden Ring.

Without hesitation, he flicked his finger.

The Golden Ring traced a faint arc as it fell straight into the deep mouth of the well.

The instant the Golden Ring touched the darkness at the bottom of the well—

A sudden change occurred!

From the once-dry well bottom, countless fine, silvery points of light, as brilliant as stars, suddenly erupted.

These points of light spun rapidly, forming a vortex. At the vortex’s center was not well water, but a hazy, unknown screen of light.

A vast, ancient, yet utterly pure and sharp Sword Intent faintly emanated from the screen of light!

The entrance was open!

Qi Yun took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the Soul Refining Banner, and without the slightest hesitation, leaped into the strange, swirling screen of light in the well!

A disorienting, weightless sensation of the world spinning washed over him.

When his feet were back on solid ground and he had steadied himself enough to see his surroundings, even with his current state of mind, he could not help but reveal a look of shock.

He now found himself on a sheer cliff, suspended at an immense height in the sky.

Beneath his feet was hard rock, marked with the traces of sword cuts and axe blows.

Behind him was an endless void; there was no way back.

And as he looked out, before him was a vast, boundless, and endlessly churning sea of clouds.

Within this sea of clouds, countless Ancient Swords of various shapes, lengths, and archaic beauty floated silently amidst the vapors.

Some of these Ancient Swords were as massive as mountains, others as slender as willow leaves. Some were wreathed in lightning, some flowed with frost, some burned with Divine Fire, and some were pervaded by a deathly stillness...

Each Ancient Sword radiated a unique and powerful Sword Intent and Dao Rhyme.

What shook one’s Heart and Spirit even more was that the blades of these Ancient Swords did not simply reflect the cold glint of a sharpened edge. Instead, they projected all sorts of profound and mystical phenomena.

The sun, moon, and stars circled the spine of one sword, living and dying in endless cycles.

The phantoms of mountains, rivers, and empires rose and fell around the guard of another.

Illusions of the myriad mortal conditions—love, hate, and sorrow—flowed within the Sword Aura of a third.

And on the blades themselves, all kinds of incomprehensible ancient Magic Patterns and Dao Traces flickered in and out of existence...

It was as if every sword carried a Great Dao, a unique Sword Skill inheritance.

A biting astral wind whipped at Qi Yun’s robes and his Soul Refining Banner, making them flap loudly.

Standing on this sky-hanging cliff, gazing at the Ancient Swords in the sea of clouds—as numerous as the sands of the Ganges—only a single thought remained in his mind:

’This is Wenjian Forest?’

According to the information he had obtained earlier,

Qi Yun knew that this Observing Sword Cloud Sea was the first trial of Wenjian Forest.

Dharma Seekers who entered the inheritance ground were required to sit here and quietly observe the sword phantoms.

This place was mystical. The sword phantoms were not inanimate objects; they flowed with the observer’s Heart Thought, acting like a Bright Mirror that clearly and perfectly reflected the deepest obsessions and dao-aspirations of their heart.

Is it the pursuit of the power to slaughter, to dye the blue sky with blood?

Is it the desire for the strength to protect, to shelter a domain?

Is it the yearning for the path of Longevity, to transcend reincarnation?

Or is it the search for a state of carefree freedom, without any restraints?

The trial here was not about choosing a "correct" or "noble" answer, but about clarifying the heart to see one’s true nature and confronting one’s true self.

If one’s heart and words did not align, if their thoughts were a chaotic mess of wild desires, greed, and pretense...

...then the sea of clouds would immediately churn violently, and the thousands of sword phantoms would clash in chaos, generating an irresistible repulsive force.

In an instant, those with insincere hearts would be expelled from the inheritance ground, their path here forever severed.

Only for those whose hearts were sincere and open, whose Dao Thoughts were pure and firm, and who clearly recognized their own wants and desires, would the sea of clouds calm down and manifest a rainbow bridge leading to the next question.

Qi Yun slowly sat down cross-legged at the cliff’s edge, placed the Soul Refining Banner on his lap, and discarded all distracting thoughts. His Heart and Spirit sank into himself.

He began to confront the most fundamental question.

’I, Qi Yun... what have I been seeking in my cultivation so far?’

At first, as his Heart Thought quieted, the sword phantoms in the sea of clouds began to flow slowly.

Some sword phantoms transformed into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, emitting a monstrous killing intent.

That was the path of ultimate slaughter, where a single thought could fell a million.

Other sword phantoms formed into brass walls and iron ramparts, emitting a heavy, protective light.

That was the path of sanctuary, willing to bear an immense weight.

Some transformed into ethereal immortal plants, radiating vibrant life force.

That was the path of Longevity, a desire to live as long as Heaven and Earth.

And still others became idle clouds and wild cranes, exuding a sense of transcendent detachment.

That was the path of carefree freedom, a yearning to be unfettered.

All of these paths had their allure.

However, Qi Yun’s Heart and Spirit brushed past them without lingering.

’Slaughter? Although I don’t shy away from killing, I’m not bloodthirsty. For me, killing is more of a means to clear obstacles and plunder resources, not an ultimate goal.’

’Protection? I’m all alone. Since I crossed over to this world, I’ve had no family or friends to protect with my life. The Sect is more of a shelter and a platform for me to use.’

’Longevity? It’s certainly tempting, but if Longevity means eternal bondage and struggle, then such a life would be far too dull and pathetic.’

’Carefree freedom? It seems fitting, but I know full well that without strength, so-called freedom is nothing but a reflection in the water or a flower in a mirror—a castle in the air.’

A trace of confusion flickered in his eyes, but Qi Yun quickly became clear-headed again.

His Heart and Spirit continued to search inward, finally touching upon his deepest, most essential obsession.

It was not some grand vision, but a longing that stemmed from the depths of his Soul Spirit.

Ever since he had been inexplicably transported here, he had been like rootless duckweed, experiencing a long period of displacement, never knowing if he would survive the day.

Later, being sold into the Infinite Demon Sect was like falling into an even larger cage.

The brutal competition in the Outer Mansion, the scheming in the Inner Mansion, the pressure of Sect missions, the constant threat of powerful enemies hunting him...

At every moment, an invisible force was pushing him, forcing him to keep moving forward, never allowing him to rest or relax.

He was tired of this feeling of not being in control of his own life!

His obsession was not to rule the world, nor was it simply slaughter or Longevity.

It was... Freedom!

The freedom to break free from all oppression and restraints imposed upon him, to truly control his own destiny.

To act as his heart desired, to have his path be his own!

The moment this thought arose, the sea of clouds surged violently.

This was the fundamental driving force behind his diligent cultivation, why he never missed any opportunity to improve.

Power was the tool to achieve Freedom.

Not the goal itself.

Having understood this point, Qi Yun’s mind became completely clear, without a trace of confusion or hesitation remaining.

His gaze became incomparably clear and resolute.

And at that very moment, the sword phantoms in the sea of clouds—which had been flowing erratically, reflecting a myriad of desires—suddenly changed!

All the phenomena—the mountain of corpses and Blood Sea, the brass walls and iron ramparts, the ethereal immortal plants, the idle clouds and wild cranes—all vanished.

The thousands of sword phantoms, as if drawn by some pure will, began to converge and condense inward. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Finally, before him, above the churning sea of clouds, the countless sword phantoms were gone. Only a single Ancient Sword remained—one that looked plain, yet was as straight as a ruler, its sharpness contained within.

This Sword Intent did not display slaughter, reveal protection, boast Longevity, or promote carefree freedom.

There was only a resolute and unyielding will to shatter shackles, break through cages, and declare, "My path is my own!"

The sea of clouds, at some unknown point, had completely calmed, becoming as smooth as a mirror.

A Xia Guang Hongqiao, a rainbow bridge condensed from seven-colored sunset hues, materialized from thin air at the cliff under Qi Yun’s feet.

It spanned the boundless sea of clouds, extending into the unknowable depths and emitting a tranquil, mystical aura.

Qi Yun slowly stood up, his face filled with proud composure.

He had long understood that once he set foot on this path, the only way was forward.

Life is like a game of chess; once a move is made, there are no regrets.

Holding the Soul Refining Banner, he stepped onto the Xia Guang Hongqiao. His figure gradually disappeared into the depths of the sea of clouds, off to face the next trials of Wenjian Forest.

And his Dao Heart, after withstanding this questioning of his spirit, became even more transparent and firm.

...