Remould the Glory of Sword Art

Jiangning, a nameless little creek.

The creek chuckled, the fish within it plump and beautiful; the woods were carpeted in fallen leaves, untouched by the chilling desolation of winter.

Atop a large rock by the creek, a woman clad in a thin blue robe sat quietly, cradling a horsetail whisk, under the trembling golden brilliance of the trees.

"Do you know why the Demon Country desperately wants to move southward?"

The shimmering water reflected fallen maple leaves, shattering the world into a thousand fragments of shadow.

"...for what?"

Deng Baiyi squatted by the creek, somewhat puzzled.

After leaving Lichao City with Tang, the two of them traveled southward on foot, enduring the elements, unlike the Sword Immortal who traveled by sword control.

Deng Baiyi surely knew, with the cultivation level of the Master of World Pavilion, he could easily traverse mountains and rivers in a mere day if he wished.

He really wanted to return to the Taoist World Pavilion.

It would be no more than a nap's effort.

But Tang Fengshu didn't do so, instead, he brought her along heading southward, following the flow of Qing State, directly into Jiangning.

This season was not a good time.

Many places in Jiangning had already seen snowfalls; the leaves withered, a scene of devastation, as the wheel of seasons turned relentlessly—a natural order of the heavens.

Thus, Deng Baiyi did not see much scenery.

That month, Tang Fengshu taught her little about cultivation, let alone the art of talismans, merely engaging in idle chat. Topics that often came up were folk anomalies and peculiar picture books of unknown origin, filled with fantastical tales.

The style and logic of this Pavilion Master were indeed inscrutable, impenetrable to her.

Despite being a leader in World Pavilion, he preferred to believe in absurd rumors like "a secret treasure is hidden at the ends of the North Sea" or "the Dachu Dynasty is destined to fall one day."

Even a seven-year-old child passing by with soy sauce would consider it a jest.

"A hundred years ago, Mo Zhen, before he assumed the Great Venerate's position, the primordial energy of the far north had not yet been depleted."

Tang Fengshu slowly closed the book in his hand and said, "Back then, he had visited Jiangning, witnessed the prosperity of the human race, and took a liking to the falling blossoms of the south."

"..."

Deng Baiyi's expression was complicated.

"This isn't from the picture book."

Detecting Deng Baiyi's unusual expression, Tang Fengshu sighed resignedly, then earnestly explained, "This matter was told to me by my mentor."

The mentor of the Master of Taoist World Pavilion...

Wasn't that the current leader of Taoism?

Deng Baiyi's eyes immediately filled with reverence.

She straightened her spine a bit to better listen to the story that followed.

"Jiangning is a nice place; settling down here could perhaps extend one's life by ten years... This place is unlike the barren snow plains of Northern County; it enjoys spring all year round, the scenery is beautiful. However, looking at it today, Jiangning a hundred years later is not as magnificent as it once was."

Tang Fengshu paused, then said, "The reason the Demon Country moved south was quite simple; it was for a better chance at survival. Once the northern defenses are breached, it would take no more than half a year for the Demon Country to cut into the heart of Qing State, and then aim directly at Jiangning."

"Master, so our purpose in coming to Jiangning is?"

Deng Baiyi listened carefully to Tang Fengshu's words, then cautiously asked.

"I heard you've always stayed in Northern County and never seen the outside world,"

Tang Fengshu spoke softly, "Whatever the case, you should see Jiangning."

Deng Baiyi felt somewhat touched.

"But there's another reason I came here. I wanted to see Jiangning for myself."

Tang Fengshu murmured, "The World Pavilion retreats from the world, each pavilion quietly cultivates, and it has been years since I last came here... "

Deng Baiyi noticed that this little forest was not desolate at all.

It seemed to be protected by array patterns.

She pursed her lips, gazing intently, her eyes pausing at several spots.

Hmm...

If she wasn't mistaken.

The difference in this place was probably due to the buried array patterns and talismans.

Deng Baiyi asked curiously, "Master, does this place have special significance to you? Did you lay down the array patterns yourself?"

"You noticed?"

Tang Fengshu smiled faintly, "Jingxuan was right; you indeed have the potential to become an Array Master."

She stood up, slowly flicking her sleeves.

"Whoosh!"

The fallen leaves in the creek stirred, the entire little forest rustled. Thousands upon thousands of leaves were whipped up by the flick of her sleeve, suspending in midair, then speeding towards the distant sky, leaving this little creek, this small forest completely "pure," "untainted."

With a gentle sweep of her sleeve, she cleaned up that part of the little heaven and earth.

Tang Fengshu walked deeper into the woods.

Deng Baiyi followed behind.

Before long.

Tang Fengshu stopped, she stood at the end of the small forest; here stood a crudely made, yet as if newly erected, wooden stele.

It bore only four words.

"Sword Cultivator's Tomb."

Deng Baiyi stared blankly at the stele, her Heart Lake inexplicably tensed, her hands subconsciously clenching her sleeves.

"This place indeed holds an extraordinary significance for me."

Tang Fengshu said calmly, "Ten years ago, I had always longed to duel with someone, but, unfortunately, before that day came, that person perished, soul scattered in the North Sea..."

Back then.

The Dachu Dynasty was burgeoning, in need of revival, and many talented individuals began to emerge.

Among them, the most powerful was Taoism.

With the reputation of being the foremost sect, Taoism was unparalleled in its prominence.

While the once equally famous Da Sui Sword Palace had been struggling; if not for Xie Xuanyi's sudden emergence, who single-handedly turned the tide, the name of the Sword Palace would likely have plummeted to the depths.

In such a prosperous era.

Xie Xuanyi shattered many people's spiritual paths, becoming the Heart Demon of many.

Even today's Tang Fengshu, having achieved the position of Master of World Pavilion, still glimpses that unforgettable, stunning figure in her Heart Lake.