The Sword Tomb was silent once more.
Moonlight spilled across the ancient cavern, washing over countless blades embedded in the earth.Their hums had faded into stillness, but their intent lingered, sharp, reverent, alive.
At the tomb's center, Shen Liang knelt, both hands resting atop his glowing broom. The weapon's shaft pulsed faintly with silver-gold light, and a single spectral sword hovered before him the remnant soul of an ancient elder.
Its voice echoed like wind through steel.
"You have heard our song... and swept away the dust of arrogance. The Falling Sword Sect once sought perfection — and lost its heart. You have reminded us that labor is also Dao."
The spectral sword bowed and with it, every blade within the tomb trembled in unison.Thousands of swords, once silent, dipped their points toward Shen Liang.
The System shimmered.
[Hidden Class Awakening: Sword Laborer of Heaven – 100% Complete.][New Passive: Sword Resonance – When sweeping, cleaning, or striking, sword qi density doubles within 50 meters.]
[Skill Evolved: Wind Sword Sweep Lv.1 → Lv.3 / Attack Range +50%.][Hidden Quest Update: "Rebuild the Falling Sword Sect" – Stage 2 Progress: 2/10][Reputation: Inner Sect +10% / Legacy Spirits +20%.]
Shen Liang opened his eyes slowly. Golden light flickered in his pupils — calm, deep, and bright.
"Thank you, seniors," he said softly. "Rest easy. I'll keep the sect from gathering dust again."
As he rose, the spectral sword disintegrated into a stream of motes that spiraled into his broom, fusing completely. The wooden shaft now carried faint runes — old sect script, glowing like breath upon cold glass.
Aboveground, dawn had just broken.
The mountain air was fresh, filled with the scent of pine and iron. When Shen Liang emerged from the tomb, Elder Su Qinglan stood waiting at the cliff edge, robes fluttering gently in the wind.
"You survived," she said, her tone light but her eyes glimmered with something like pride."Few do. And fewer still return with the swords' blessing."
Shen Liang scratched the back of his head. "They were just dusty. I gave them a good sweeping."
Her lips twitched. "You jest, but you've done what no one in a century could. The ancestors have acknowledged you and through them, the sect breathes again."
She turned her gaze toward the Sword Tomb, where faint motes of sword qi still drifted like fireflies. "Perhaps the heavens truly favor the unconventional."
Before Shen Liang could reply, Elder Zhou and Elder Yuan approached, both visibly stunned.
Elder Zhou whispered, "The resonance... it reached even the Grand Peak! Every sword hummed!"Elder Yuan stroked his beard. "The last time this occurred, the Sect Master himself was crowned."
Su Qinglan glanced sideways. "And now it happens for a broom."
Elder Zhou choked. "He... He's still holding that thing?"
Shen Liang twirled the broom proudly. "My trusty partner. Every sect needs one janitor who knows how to handle divine tools."
Su Qinglan exhaled softly, half exasperated, half amused. "If you call that a divine tool, perhaps I've been cultivating the wrong way all these years."
Then her expression grew serious.
"Shen Liang," she said, her tone soft but commanding. "From today onward, you will act as my direct disciple and the new keeper of the Sword Courtyard. It is where every inner disciple trains, but it has long fallen into silence. Revive it."
[System Notification: New Quest Unlocked – "Keeper of the Sword Courtyard" (Stage 1)][Objective: Restore sword resonance, gather disciples, reform the courtyard's tradition.][Reward: "Sword Laborer of Heaven – Refinement Upgrade Slot."]
Shen Liang bowed deeply. "Understood. I'll make sure the courtyard shines — even if I have to sweep every sword myself."
"Good," Su Qinglan said. "Because you will."
Elder Yuan coughed lightly. "Ahem, Su Qinglan, you are truly creating chaos again. But... perhaps chaos is what this sect needs."
As the elders departed, Shen Liang remained alone on the mountain terrace, gazing toward the sunrise.
The wind tugged gently at his robes. His broom gleamed in the golden light.
[Hidden Quest Reminder: "Rebuild the Falling Sword Sect" – Stage 2 Progress: 2/10 / Next Objective: Revive the Sword Courtyard.]
[Current Cultivation: Qi Condensation Stage 9 (120/2000 XP).][Class Bonus Active: Sword Resonance Radius: 50m.]
Shen Liang smiled faintly."So... Inner Sect, Outer Sect, or Heaven itself , who's next to get swept?"
He slung the broom over his shoulder and began walking up the mountain path.Each step left faint golden ripples of sword qi behind him like invisible trails of sweeping light.