Far away from the Han Family estate, deep within the mountain valleys that cut through clouds like blades, the Sword Shandian Sect stood tall. Its towers shimmered with spiritual light, their tips glowing faintly with lightning runes. Normally, the sect was serene. The clang of swords would echo from the training grounds, disciples' shouts ringing in rhythm with their practice. But tonight… that peace shattered.
An invisible pressure rolled across the sect like a storm. The air trembled. The swords on the weapon racks rattled in unison, their hilts humming faintly, as if crying out.
"W-What's going on!?" a disciple shouted, clutching the sword on his back.
Another staggered back as his blade slipped from its sheath and pointed toward the sky. "My sword… it's moving on its own!"
Sparks flashed across the sky. The disciples all froze. The lightning above the sect began to twist into a spiral, forming a thunderous vortex.
A young man with short black hair dropped his wooden practice sword and looked up, eyes wide. "Is this a sign of tribulation? Is someone ascending?"
"Idiot!" another yelled, slapping the back of his head. "No one in the sect's close to ascension! The elders would've announced it!"
More swords began to quiver. Even the statues of sword saints that decorated the great plaza began to hum, their blades glowing faintly blue.
"S-Senior Brother, what's happening?" a female disciple asked, voice trembling.
"I… I don't know," the senior brother replied, clenching his fist. "But this energy—it's sword intent. Pure sword intent. Stronger than anything I've ever felt."
"From whom?" someone muttered. "Whose intent could shake the whole sect like this?"
The panic spread like fire. Disciples ran in confusion, some clutching their chests as the invisible pressure pressed against their hearts. Their swords refused to obey them, trembling violently in their sheaths.
"Is this the work of an enemy!?"
"No! It's coming from outside the sect, somewhere in the mortal lands!"
"Mortal lands? That's impossible! No mortal could have sword intent this pure!"
But deep down, they all knew—the tremor in their swords, the resonance in their souls—it wasn't from a divine cultivator. It was the birth of something new.
Then suddenly, a loud bell rang from the highest tower. GONG! GONG! GONG!
Every disciple froze. The bell of Shandian Sect only tolled for one reason—when a heaven-shaking phenomenon occurred related to the Dao of the Sword.
In the grand hall atop the mountain, the elders had already gathered. The air inside was thick with spiritual energy. Rows of powerful cultivators sat cross-legged in silence, their robes fluttering slightly even though there was no wind.
At least a thousand elders were present, each radiating immense power. Some had lightning sparking faintly around their bodies; others had swords floating quietly beside them. Their ranks ranged from late Core Formation to Nascent Soul, with a few even rumored to have reached Core Divination.
But none spoke. None dared to.
A faint crackle filled the air, and then—a man appeared at the center of the hall.
He wore sharp, elegant robes trimmed in silver. His long hair was tied high, and his eyes gleamed like tempered steel. His presence alone made even the strongest elders lower their heads slightly.
"Sect Master Lei Qianshan!" a dozen voices greeted at once.
Lei Qianshan raised his hand, and the room went silent. His eyes flickered with faint arcs of lightning as he gazed at the storm still raging outside.
"Disciples of the sword," he began, his voice carrying both power and calm. "A phenomenon has appeared in the mortal world. A sword intent so pure, so fierce, it made even our ancestral swords hum in answer."
The elders looked at each other in disbelief.
"Impossible," one said. "A mortal?"
Another frowned. "Could it be a lost heir of the Heavenly Sword Clan?"
Lei Qianshan shook his head. "No. This is different. This intent… is untamed. Young. Unrefined. But powerful enough to shake heaven and earth."
He stepped forward. "Someone has awakened the Sword Eyes."
The words echoed like thunder in the hall. The elders all rose to their feet, faces turning pale.
"The Sword Eyes?" one elder gasped. "You mean—the divine perception that allows one to see the flaws and essence of every sword technique?"
"Yes," Lei Qianshan said grimly. "A power that manifests once in a thousand years. A true prodigy of the sword has been born."
Murmurs broke out immediately.
"If we can recruit him—"
"He must be found! If he joins another sect, the balance of power will crumble!"
Lei Qianshan slammed his hand down. The table cracked beneath his palm. "Enough chatter! This is no time for debate! You will all move immediately. Search the entire mortal realm. Use every resource at your disposal. Bring him here alive, unharmed, and willing."
He looked at them sharply. "Do not fail. If the other sects find him first, you will be held accountable!"
The elders nodded one by one, tension filling their faces.
"Move!" Lei Qianshan roared.
"YES, SECT MASTER!"
In an instant, the great hall erupted in light as thousands of sword cultivators rose into the sky, streaking out in all directions like bolts of lightning. The mountains glowed as arrays activated, illuminating the entire range.
Lei Qianshan stood alone in the hall, his gaze distant. "A mortal with Sword Eyes… fate has begun to stir again."
…
Far away, in the Five Element Sect, calm still reigned—at least on the surface.
Disciples gathered in the courtyard, staring uneasily at the faint flashes of lightning visible on the horizon.
"What's happening at Shandian Sect?" a young disciple asked.
An older cultivator shook his head. "I don't know. But whatever it is, it's not small. I heard the elders whispering—it has something to do with a sword prodigy."
Inside the main hall, several elders were already seated. Their faces were composed, but their eyes betrayed concern.
Elder Su, an old man with long white hair, sighed. "Sword Eyes, they say. If true, it's the first awakening in over a thousand years."
A woman beside him frowned. "Then why panic? The mortal world has no sect strong enough to train such a one. Even Shandian will struggle to control him."
Elder Su nodded slowly. "That's true. But their ambition knows no end. If they get him, they'll dominate the central plains within a decade."
The sect master of the Five Element Sect, dressed in robes of earth and flame, spoke at last. His tone was calm but commanding. "Inform our disciples. They are not to approach any Shandian envoys. Avoid contact, observe quietly. The last thing we need is to be dragged into their storm."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"And," he added, his gaze sharp, "send a few trusted eyes into the mortal realm. If fate truly favors us, we might cross paths with this sword genius ourselves."
…
At the Snake River Sect, the mood was similarly cautious. The sect rested on a mountain surrounded by flowing rivers of spiritual water. The disciples whispered among themselves, their reflections rippling on the water's surface.
"Did you hear? The Sword Shandian Sect has mobilized their entire elder council!"
"No way! For one person?"
In the main chamber, Sect Master Lin sat on his throne, fingers tapping the armrest. "Sword Eyes…" he muttered. "I thought it was a legend."
An elder beside him chuckled. "Legend or not, Shandian believes it. That's what makes them dangerous."
Lin nodded. "Send word to our people near the border. They're to stay low. If they encounter anyone with such talent, observe—but do not interfere. Let Shandian and Five Element exhaust themselves."
"Understood."
The hall fell silent, broken only by the distant roar of the waterfall.
…
Even the Axe WarGod Sect, known for its brutality and arrogance, had fallen into rare silence.
Disciples in heavy armor stood around the training pits, confused by the strange news filtering in.
"What's all this about Sword Eyes?" one grumbled.
"Something about a mortal shaking heaven itself," another replied. "The Shandian Sect's gone mad looking for him."
In the great hall, Sect Master Han Tieshan leaned on his massive axe. "Sword Eyes, huh?" he muttered, a grin spreading across his face. "If it's true, he'll either be a god… or a corpse."
An elder chuckled darkly. "And if Shandian finds him first?"
"Then," Tieshan said, standing tall, "we'll just take him from their corpses."
The elders laughed, though unease lingered beneath their voices.
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly on the horizon, echoing across the world.
Somewhere, far away from them all, back near the Han Family state, Wei Ji was frowning.