Master Gavin was on the verge of death.
Jason had sensed this outcome for some time.
Throughout his sporadic interactions with Master Gavin over the years, he had always been aware of the elder's deteriorating health.
The fiendish attack years ago had evidently inflicted severe wounds on Master Gavin, leaving lasting injuries.
However, Jason hadn't realized just how gravely he was affected.
"You've come."
Seeing Jason enter, Master Gavin coughed lightly and began speaking.
The years had flown by, and this young, blind apprentice had grown considerably.
Through years of observation, Gavin had come to appreciate Jason's steady disposition. Although his cultivation talent was exceptionally poor—he had remained at the Third Layer of the Houtian (Acquired) stage all these years—there was little to be done about it.
At least, Gavin thought, he could still forge swords even if he couldn't cultivate.
And so, in his final moments, he had called Jason here.
"Master Gavin, is there something you need?" Jason asked softly, sensing a peculiar air in the room.
"My time is almost up."
Gavin didn't hold back, stating it bluntly.
Jason's expression shifted slightly, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Gavin raised a hand to stop him.
"Life and death are fated; there's no need for sadness."
"Listen to me."
"The legacy of the Swordmaking House has spanned eight thousand years, but in my generation, it has waned."
"A few years back, a great calamity occurred, leaving me as the last person here, and most of the Swordmaking House's legacy was lost."
"Now that I'm going as well…"
"The Swordmaking House still needs someone to carry on its traditions."
"This here is our lineage's Xuan Yuan Sword Forging Technique. Don't underestimate it—techniques are classified into three grades: Human, Earth, and Heaven, each with nine ranks. This technique is of the Ninth Rank of the Earth Grade."
"I had intended to teach it to you personally, but it seems there's no time…"
Jason was taken aback. "Master Gavin…"
He hesitated, unsure of what to say.
He hadn't expected that, in his final moments, Master Gavin would leave him with such a profound technique.
Though they hadn't had much interaction beyond occasional conversations, Jason was still deeply moved.
"No need to get sentimental."
"If it weren't for the lack of successors in the Swordmaking House, I wouldn't have chosen you."
"Study it well; how far you go depends on your fortune."
Master Gavin's tone was cold and distant, as if deliberately keeping Jason at arm's length.
After a moment of silence, Jason replied, "Understood. Thank you, Master Gavin."
"After I'm gone, the Swordmaking House will be yours to manage."
"It's a bit of a hassle, but the sect will still provide a monthly allowance."
"Remember to maintain the node in the Eastern Sword Forging Cave."
"There's also a piece of Fifth-Rank Sulfur Gold Ore in the Western Sword Forging Cave. Once you've mastered the forging technique, you can claim it for yourself."
"…"
Gavin went on to relay many details about managing the Swordmaking House.
Jason listened attentively, nodding from time to time to show he understood.
"And one last thing."
"I must warn you about something."
"Though the Swordmaking House is yours to manage, there is a forbidden area deep within. It's not a place you can enter lightly."
"Without the cultivation of a True Lord of Soul Convergence, venturing inside means certain death."
"Let alone someone like you, who's only at the Third Layer of the Houtian (Acquired) stage."
"Keep this in mind, and don't wander into it by accident, or you'll lose your life."
Master Gavin seemed to recall something else and issued this final caution.
Jason nodded. He had concealed his true strength, so it was natural that Master Gavin couldn't see through him.
Inside, though, Jason felt a flicker of curiosity.
Over the years he had spent in the Swordmaking House, signing in at various locations, he had explored nearly every corner.
Deep within the Swordmaking House, there was indeed a location that seemed shrouded in an enigmatic aura, almost as if warning off intruders.
So, that must be the forbidden area Gavin had mentioned.
"Looks like the Swordmaking House has its own hidden secrets."
Jason was intrigued by the forbidden area.
Who knew what rewards a sign-in there might bring?
However, he kept his thoughts to himself, saying nothing in front of Master Gavin.
"Leave me now."
"Do whatever you need to; don't concern yourself with me."
As he pondered, Master Gavin's voice broke his reverie.
Jason had intended to offer help with Gavin's final arrangements.
But, seeing that Master Gavin seemed to have his own plans, Jason understood that, given the nature of their relationship, the elder likely didn't trust him fully.
Gavin had summoned him here solely to pass on the legacy of the Swordmaking House.
Jason bowed respectfully to Master Gavin before leaving.
…
Three days later.
Jason learned of Master Gavin's passing.
Yet the death of a Foundation Establishment Practitioner didn't stir much of a reaction within the Shushan Sword Sect.
With the Swordmaking House's legacy in decline and its last Swordsmith gone, it seemed the Swordmaking House was being forgotten.
Apart from the occasional visit from Sarah Qin, no one else came by.
Thus, another three years slipped by.
Between cultivating and signing in, Jason quickly mastered the Xuan Yuan Sword Forging Technique with his strength, acquiring the skills of a swordsmith.
From time to time, he would try his hand at forging swords, finding it quite enjoyable—a leisurely and fulfilling pastime.
"Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment now."
"These years, I've signed in throughout every part of the Swordmaking House, but lately, the rewards haven't been all that remarkable."
Reflecting on his cultivation progress, Jason suddenly recalled Master Gavin's parting warning.
The forbidden area within the Swordmaking House.
Signing in there should yield something valuable, right?
After all these years, the thought surfaced once again in Jason's mind.
Master Gavin had warned him never to step into that area.
But with his current strength…
Though not yet at the True Lord of Soul Convergence level, his power far surpassed it.
With a surge of interest, Jason began making his way toward the forbidden area deep within the Swordmaking House.
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