Near the center of the hall stood a solitary black stone pillar. Unlike the surrounding bookshelves, it emitted a faint Sword Aura.
The aura was subtle but unmistakable. Li Yan immediately walked toward it. As he approached, ancient characters gradually appeared across its surface.
His eyes narrowed slightly. At one of the sections of the pillar, a title caught his gaze.
Sword Intent Classification.
As his fingers touched the title, it was highlighted in bold, and a small scrolling list of countless names appeared beneath it on the pillar's surface.
Different Sword Intents. Different paths. Different philosophies. Different understandings of the Sword.
The moment Li Yan saw it, his interest surged. This was precisely what he lacked.
Until now, everything he knew about Sword Intent had come from personal comprehension, instinct, scattered records from the sect, and his own experiences within the Sword Realm.
He had never received systematic guidance and never learned the broader picture. Never understood where his own path stood among the countless paths of swordsmanship.
Yet here, before him, lay a record created by an ancient Sword Sect whose legacy had survived for thousands of years.
For the first time since stepping onto the path of the sword, Li Yan had found a place capable of teaching him what it truly meant to be a swordsman.
Behind him, Jian Ling's voice sounded once more. "The Sword Path is vast."
Her gaze rested upon the stone pillar. "What you currently possess is merely the beginning."
Li Yan's gaze remained fixed on the list of names.
Countless names were carved on the surface of the pillar, stretching far beyond what an ordinary cultivator could comprehend in a single sitting. Some appeared simple and unremarkable. Others carried an indescribable weight, as though the concepts behind them had once shaken the heavens.
Sword Intent of Sharpness.
Sword Intent of Speed.
Sword Intent of Destruction.
Sword Intent of Wind.
Sword Intent of Flame.
Sword Intent of Slaughter.
Sword Intent of Protection.
Sword Intent of Kingship.
Sword Intent of Life.
Sword Intent of Death.
And countless others.
The list seemed endless.
Each represented a different path, a different understanding of the sword, and ultimately a different destination.
Li Yan read through the records in silence while Jian Ling stood nearby, allowing him to absorb the information at his own pace.
After several minutes, he finally asked, "How many Sword Intents exist?"
Jian Ling's gaze shifted toward the pillar. "As many as there are swordsmen."
Li Yan raised an eyebrow.
Seeing his reaction, Jian Ling continued calmly. "Sword Intent is not a technique, nor is it an ability. It is understandable. An understanding born from one's experiences, beliefs, and will."
Her voice echoed softly throughout the vast hall.
"A swordsman who dedicates himself to protecting others may comprehend the Sword Intent of Protection. One obsessed with destruction may comprehend the Sword Intent of Destruction. A ruler may comprehend the Sword Intent of Kingship. A butcher may comprehend the Sword Intent of Slaughter."
Li Yan nodded slowly. The explanation aligned perfectly with his own experience. After all, nobody had taught him Sword Intent.
He had not learned it from a manual or inherited it from a master. It had emerged naturally from his own convictions and experiences.
His gaze continued descending through the countless entries until he suddenly paused. A separate section near the lower half of the pillar had captured his attention.
The title inscribed above it read:
Composite Sword Intents.
Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is this?"
Jian Ling glanced toward the section. "A Sword Intent with two different concepts."
Immediately, Li Yan thought of his own Sword Intent.
Defiance.
Judgment.
Two concepts.
Not one.
As though sensing his thoughts, Jian Ling continued. "Most swordsmen comprehend a single Sword Intent throughout their lives. A smaller number comprehend two."
She paused briefly. "An even smaller number successfully merges them."
Li Yan looked toward her. "And those who succeed?"
A faint trace of approval appeared in Jian Ling's eyes. "They are generally stronger."
The answer was simple. Yet its meaning was obvious. Li Yan returned his attention to the pillar.
As he continued reading through the Composite Sword Intent records, a particular entry soon caught his eye.
His heartbeat slowed slightly.
There it was.
Near the lower section of the list.
Sword Intent of Defiance and Judgment.
His eyes lingered on the name. For a brief moment, the surrounding hall seemed to fade into silence.
Not identical. Yet undeniably related.
The Sword Intent he had comprehended was born from both concepts. Unlike the recorded examples, however, he had successfully fused them into a single whole.
A thought surfaced in his mind. Someone else had walked a similar path before him. Perhaps several people. Perhaps members of the Eternal Sword Sect itself.
Jian Ling immediately noticed his reaction. "You found it."
Li Yan nodded. "My Sword Intent is related to this."
For several moments, Jian Ling studied him in silence.
Then she said, "A rare path."
Li Yan turned toward her. "Someone else walked it before?"
"Several." Jian Ling nodded.
"The Sword Path is vast. Given enough time and enough generations, similar understandings inevitably emerge."
Her gaze settled upon the pillar. "However, similarity does not mean sameness. Even swordsmen who comprehend the same Sword Intent often walk completely different paths."
Li Yan considered her words. They made sense. The world was simply too large. Too many swordsmen had existed throughout history.
Too many generations had risen and fallen.
Jian Ling continued. "In your case, Defiance and Judgment have become a unified Sword Intent."
She glanced toward the corresponding records. "The examples recorded here comprehended the concepts separately. In terms of foundation, your path may already possess advantages they lacked."
Li Yan's eyes flickered slightly. That was valuable information.
Jian Ling turned back toward the pillar. "These records contain the histories of previous holders of these Sword Intents. Some died young. Some disappeared. Some became famous throughout their eras."
A brief pause followed. "And some reached the peak of swordsmanship."
Li Yan's attention sharpened immediately.
The peak of swordsmanship.
Even without knowing what realm or level that represented, he understood its significance.
Any swordsman worthy of such a title would undoubtedly have been an existence capable of shaking entire worlds.
Jian Ling's gaze shifted toward him once more. "However, whether your Sword Intent eventually surpasses theirs or falls short depends entirely on your future choices."
Li Yan frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"The foundation may be similar," Jian Ling replied. "But no two swordsmen walk the same path."
Her sword-like eyes met his. "The Sword Intent you possess today is not its final form. It will continue evolving. It will absorb your experiences, victories, failures, beliefs, and understanding."
Her voice remained calm. "It may remain a Defiant Judgment. Or it may become something entirely different."
Silence followed.
Li Yan slowly absorbed her words. Then he turned his gaze back toward the black stone pillar.
The countless records engraved upon its surface had broadened his understanding of Sword Intent far beyond anything the Shadow Sect's records could offer. More importantly, they forced him to recognize how little he truly knew about the Sword Path.
The more he learned, the vaster it seemed.
What he had once considered a solid foundation now appeared little more than a beginning.
His gaze slowly moved sideways.
Another section had been carved into the pillar. Unlike the previous entries, these records were arranged into distinct levels.
Sword Apprentice Level
Sword Practitioner Level
Sword Sky Level
Sword Earth Level
Sword Master Level
Sword Grandmaster Level
Sword King Level
Sword Emperor Level
And beyond them, several higher levels remained concealed beneath a layer of silver mist, preventing him from seeing further.
Li Yan studied the list for several moments before speaking. "These should be Sword Intent Level."
His gaze lingered on the first entry. "But why is the first realm called Sword Apprentice? According to what I know, the first stage is Sword Aura Awakening."
Jian Ling glanced toward the pillar. "What you know as Sword Aura Awakening is simply another name for Sword Apprentice."
Li Yan immediately understood.
The difference was merely one of terminology.
Jian Ling continued, "The purpose of the Knowledge Hall is to establish a proper foundation in swordsmanship."
Her gaze swept across the endless bookshelves surrounding them.
"The Eternal Sword Sect accumulated knowledge across countless generations. Within these records are the successes, failures, insights, and experiences of innumerable swordsmen."
"Studying them will save you years of unnecessary mistakes."
Li Yan nodded slowly. That statement alone demonstrated the value of the hall. Learning from one's own mistakes was important.
Learning from the mistakes of thousands of predecessors was even more valuable. His gaze wandered toward the surrounding shelves.
Ancient scrolls.
Books.
Jade slips.
Stone tablets.
Every one of them contained knowledge preserved through the passage of ages.
Most cultivators spent their entire lives searching for opportunities and inheritances. Yet here, the accumulated wisdom of an ancient Sword Sect stood openly before him.
Then a thought suddenly occurred to him. "If this hall contains so much knowledge…"
He turned toward Jian Ling. "Where should I begin?"
Jian Ling answered without the slightest hesitation. "As a swordsman."
She raised a hand and pointed toward a nearby shelf. "You begin by learning what a sword truly is."
Li Yan followed her gaze. Resting alone upon the shelf was a single book. Its appearance was utterly ordinary.
The cover was plain. The binding showed signs of age. There was nothing remarkable about it. Yet when Li Yan read the title engraved upon the cover, his expression became slightly strange.
Because it contained only two words.
The Sword.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Jian Ling's voice echoed quietly throughout the hall. "The first lesson taught to every disciple who entered the Eternal Sword Sect."
Her gaze settled upon the ancient book. "The same lesson that awaits you now."
Several hours later, Li Yan slowly closed the book in his hands. His expression remained calm, but his thoughts were far less tranquil.
The Knowledge Hall had exceeded every expectation. It was not merely a library. It was the accumulated wisdom of countless generations.
During the past several hours, he had only read introductory records concerning the fundamentals of swordsmanship, Sword Intent, and the philosophy behind the Sword Path.
Even so, he had already discovered several flaws and omissions within the records available in the Shadow Sect.
Not because the Shadow Sect's teachings were wrong.
Simply incomplete.
The difference between the two inheritances was too great. Yet despite the temptation surrounding him, Li Yan had no intention of rushing further.
Knowledge was not like a cultivation technique. One could memorize a technique in a short period of time. Wisdom was different—wisdom required understanding.
Reflection. Experience.
Attempting to absorb everything at once would only diminish its value. The Knowledge Hall would not disappear. There would be plenty of time to return.
With that thought, Li Yan placed the book back onto its shelf and turned toward the exit. The moment he stepped through the doorway, the endless bookshelves vanished behind him.
The familiar circular hall appeared once more. The silent swords remained embedded within the central platform. Ancient lamps illuminated the chamber with a warm golden glow.
And two open paths still awaited him.
Insights Hall and Trials Arena.
Li Yan's gaze naturally settled upon the second door. The door was marked Insights Hall.
Compared to the Knowledge Hall, this place intrigued him even more. Knowledge could be learned through study.
Insights were different. No amount of reading could replace genuine comprehension. One either understood them…
Or did not.
Without hesitation, Li Yan stepped forward. The moment he crossed the threshold, the surrounding space distorted once again.
When Li Yan's vision stabilized, he found himself standing within another vast chamber.
The atmosphere here was immediately different from the Knowledge Hall.
Quiet. Ancient. Profound.
There were no towering bookshelves, no jade slips, and no endless records waiting to be studied. Instead, the enormous hall was filled with countless stone platforms arranged in orderly rows that stretched far into the distance.
Each platform displayed a single object. Some held broken swords. Some displayed weathered stone tablets. Others contained fragments of ancient carvings. Many simply supported ordinary-looking rocks scarred by countless sword marks.
At first glance, the chamber appeared surprisingly simple. Yet the moment Li Yan extended his Spiritual Sense, his expression changed.
Every object radiated Sword Aura.
Not dozens. Not hundreds. Thousands.
The entire hall was saturated with traces of Sword Intent left behind by countless swordsmen. Some auras felt sharp enough to split mountains. Others were gentle and tranquil. Some carried overwhelming violence. Others possessed a calm and steady nature.
The countless remnants overlapped, filling the chamber like an invisible ocean.
Li Yan immediately withdrew his Spiritual Sense. A faint headache appeared.
The overwhelming flood of information had struck his consciousness before he could properly prepare.
"Careful." Jian Ling's voice sounded nearby.