The morning after the trials, the entire Falling Sword Sect buzzed with rumors.
A laborer swept his way into the Inner Sect.He made every sword in the resonance test sing.Elder Su Qinglan personally requested to take him as a disciple.
In the long history of the sect, such a thing had never happened.
Atop the main peak, the wind was sharp and clear. Shen Liang stood before the majestic Jade Sword Hall, his broom slung across his back like a blade. Before him sat Elder Su Qinglan, her expression calm, her long white robes rippling like falling snow.
Her gaze was steady, neither cold nor kind, the kind of stillness that made mountains bow.
"Shen Liang," she began softly, "you were once a laborer of the outer sect. Do you understand what it means to step onto this path?"
Shen Liang grinned, scratching his head. "It means… more sweeping, but in fancier halls?"
Su Qinglan's lips twitched, the faintest ghost of amusement breaking her calm."It means to carry a sword not for show, but for purpose. The Falling Sword Sect has forgotten this purpose. Perhaps you, of all people, might remind us."
The System flickered to life.
[Hidden Questline: "Path of the Forgotten Laborer" – Step 1: Accept the Legacy of the Inner Sect.][Reward: Class Advancement Opportunity – Hidden Class: Sword Laborer of Heaven (Locked)][Requirement: Accept Elder Su Qinglan's Guidance.]
Shen Liang bowed slightly, uncharacteristically solemn."Then I'll clean this path until it shines again."
A faint smile crossed Su Qinglan's face."Then rise, my disciple."
Her hand flicked, releasing a ripple of energy that surged toward Shen Liang.The power of an Inner Sect Elder flowed into him — refined, pure, resonant like singing steel. Shen Liang's qi swirled wildly as golden light wrapped around his body.
[System Notification: Hidden Class "Sword Laborer of Heaven" – 10% Awakening.][New Skill Gained: Sword Tempering (Lv.1) – Each physical strike refines your qi and weapon simultaneously.][Affinity Enhanced: Sword +10%, Wind +5%, Labor Essence +20%.][Hidden Quest: "Rebuild the Falling Sword Sect" – Stage 2: Restore Inner Sect Morale (0/10).]
The broom glowed, transforming — the wooden shaft hardened, its bristles turning faintly silver at the tips.It wasn't just a tool anymore. It pulsed with spiritual essence.
Su Qinglan's eyes flickered with curiosity. "You truly make the heavens laugh, Shen Liang. Even the simplest thing in your hands refuses to stay ordinary."
Shen Liang spun the broom lazily, the air around him humming."Ordinary things are my specialty, Master. I'm just a man who sweeps… even if sometimes I sweep the sky."
Meanwhile, high above the mountain peaks, the Grand Elder stood with Elder Yuan and Elder Zhou.
"You truly believe this man will change the sect?" Elder Zhou asked skeptically."He's unruly, unorthodox — even dangerous."
Elder Yuan's beard trembled. "Dangerous, perhaps. But necessary. The Falling Sword Sect is dying quietly... a laborer's broom might make more noise than a hundred silent swords."
The Grand Elder watched Shen Liang below, his gaze thoughtful."Let him rise. If he falls, the heavens themselves will decide his worth."
Days passed swiftly. Shen Liang began his Inner Sect training under Su Qinglan's direct supervision. Unlike other elders who taught techniques through theory, she gave only a single instruction:
"Sweep the Sword Courtyard until you can hear the sword's breath."
So he did.
Hour after hour, he swept the courtyard, each motion guided by rhythm, intent, and qi flow. Slowly, he began to sense it a subtle vibration between heaven and earth, as though the very stones beneath his feet whispered sword intent.
[Skill Progress: Sword Tempering Lv.1 → Lv.2]
[Hidden Affinity Unlocked: Breath of the Sword – Allows perception of living sword qi.]
[Cultivation Progress: Qi Condensation Stage 8 (730/1000 XP)][Sect Reputation +5%.]
Zhao Fei, now his attendant, stared from the sidelines."You've been sweeping for three days without rest. Are you cultivating or cleaning?"
Shen Liang smiled, eyes glowing faintly. "Why not both?"
That night, as moonlight flooded the courtyard, Shen Liang finished his final sweep.The sword intent of the mountain converged faintly around him, drawn by something deeper, his persistence, his rhythm, his balance.The ground trembled softly.
Then the System flared bright gold.
[Hidden Class Awakening Progress: 10% → 50%.]
[Sword Tempering Lv.2 → Lv.3.] [Hidden Title Earned: Keeper of the Sword Courtyard – Sword Qi density around user increases by 15%.]
A breeze whispered through the night as thousands of sheathed swords hanging across the peaks began to hum in harmony.
Su Qinglan appeared in silence, her expression unreadable, though pride shone faintly in her eyes.
"You've done in one night what most cannot in ten years," she said softly. "You truly hear the sword's breath."
Shen Liang leaned on his broom, half-smiling. "And it's out of rhythm. Someone needs to teach it to sweep properly."
Her lips curved faintly. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Inner Sword Tomb. There, the swords of fallen elders sleep. If your heart remains steady, one may choose you."
[System Notification: New Quest Unlocked – "Trial of the Sleeping Swords."][Quest Type: Class Advancement / Hidden Path.]
[Objective: Enter the Inner Sword Tomb and commune with the Sword Souls.]
[Warning: Failure may result in soul backlash.][Reward: Hidden Class Advancement 50% → 100%.]
Shen Liang exhaled slowly, looking toward the mist-wrapped peak.
"The Sword Tomb, huh? From broom to grave…"
He grinned."Guess it's time to sweep the dead awake."