Like falling meteors, several figures swiftly appeared in the sky above the Swordmaking House.
Each figure wore a deep blue Daoist robe, surrounded by radiant light, clearly indicating powerful cultivators.
"Sect Leader, there's indeed a pervasive fiendish aura here, and we've located an abyssal rift."
"However, we haven't found any fiend that emerged from it."
In the center of the gathered figures was an elderly Daoist with an air of immortal dignity, clothed in a simple linen robe—the Sect Leader of the Shushan Sword Sect.
"Seal the rift immediately."
His gaze was filled with the wisdom of ages, and upon hearing the report, he issued a swift command.
After the Shushan Sect Leader gave the order, he surveyed the surroundings, his brows furrowing slightly.
Where had the fiend gone?
"Is Gavin Zhao alive?"
The Shushan Sect Leader turned to the Great Elder, who had been the first to arrive.
The Swordmaking House was a secluded place, and in this fiendish assault, only the Swordsmith Gavin Zhao had been gravely injured.
If Gavin Zhao survived, he might provide some clues.
"His life is preserved, but the fiendish energy has invaded his body. Given his cultivation and his advanced age, he may not regain consciousness anytime soon."
The Great Elder spoke slowly, with a hint of helplessness.
His words made the others' expressions darken.
If word got out that a fiend had broken into the Shushan Sword Sect, it would be a significant embarrassment.
"Sect Leader."
At that moment, a striking young woman standing next to the Great Elder spoke up: "I can sense a lingering sword intent in the air."
Her words immediately attracted attention.
Sword intent?
Did that mean someone had already acted?
The powerful cultivators present quickly understood.
"There's a forbidden area near the Swordmaking House, isn't there?"
"If I recall correctly, someone has been in seclusion there for three hundred years."
"Could it be… that person intervened?"
A young elder with a square face and righteous aura slapped his forehead as if recalling something.
"What Justin Shang said makes sense."
"Our Shushan Sword Sect harbors countless hidden experts from previous generations."
"The area near the Swordmaking House is precisely where one of these elders secludes themselves."
"With a minor fiend brazenly emerging here, escape would hardly be easy—it's likely that this elder has already vanquished it."
Another elder's eyes sparkled as he spoke, confident in his assertion.
Prompted by this reminder, many others realized the truth.
The Shushan Sword Sect housed a peerless expert who secluded themselves near the Swordmaking House—a solitary master with a profound passion for swordsmanship.
If this elder had sensed the disturbance, dealt with the fiend swiftly, and then returned to seclusion, it would align perfectly with their reclusive nature.
The Shushan Sect Leader said nothing, instead closing his eyes in contemplation, sending out waves of powerful energy as though carefully probing the area.
"There is indeed a residual trace of formidable sword intent. It seems the fiend has been subdued."
"Regardless of whether it was that elder's intervention, remain vigilant and conduct thorough investigations."
The Sect Leader's final decree was met with solemn nods from the gathered elders.
After surveying the area, the group of elders departed as quickly as they had arrived, following the Sect Leader.
Only a few elders tasked with remaining behind, as well as the Great Elder who had arrived first, stayed behind.
"Sarah, don't leave just yet."
"Now that you've reached the Ninth Layer of the Xiantian (Innate) stage, there's an opportunity for you here within the Swordmaking House."
The Great Elder turned to the striking young woman, who was about to depart, and offered her some guidance.
"Master?"
The young woman named Sarah looked puzzled, not fully understanding why her master wanted her to stay.
The Swordmaking House was remote, and aside from those who came to forge swords, it rarely saw any visitors.
How could there be an opportunity here?
Yet, her disposition was calm, and she waited patiently, looking respectfully at the elderly Great Elder with snow-white hair.
"Heh."
The Great Elder chuckled softly, gazing down at the Swordmaking House.
"This place was originally forged by the ancestors of Shushan, and it has stood for over eight thousand years."
"Throughout these millennia, countless divine swords have been created here, leaving behind innumerable sword marks."
"Sarah, with your Supreme Yin Sword Body, you're naturally attuned to the way of the sword, and now you stand on the cusp of reaching the Grandmaster stage."
"Observing these sword marks will undoubtedly benefit you greatly."
Upon hearing her master's guidance, the young woman suddenly understood.
No wonder she had felt an inexplicable closeness upon arriving here—this was the reason.
"Thank you, Master, for your guidance. I'll spend some time here studying the sword marks."
The Great Elder, hearing this, smiled in satisfaction. He stepped lightly, then disappeared like a falling star.
After the Great Elder departed, Sarah also descended into the Swordmaking House with curiosity.
"Master was right; there are indeed many sword marks here."
"Spending time here should yield substantial gains."
She wandered around, gradually falling into contemplation.
Unknowingly, she approached a Sword Forging Cave radiating intense heat.
"Hm?"
"Is someone here?"
As she stepped into the cave, Sarah's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise as she noticed a figure inside.
It was a pale-skinned, slender young man with a gentle smile, struggling slightly to lift a piece of dark Black Gold Ore.
What struck her as odd was that the young man's eyes were tightly shut, as though he was blind to the world around him.
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