(Volume 1 Finale: "The Sweeping Laborer")
The next morning, the entire sect stirred.
Mist curled around the peaks like coiling dragons, and at the foot of the Sword Tomb Valley, hundreds of ancient stone swords jutted from the earth, weathered by time yet still humming faintly with suppressed power. Each blade once belonged to a fallen master of the Falling Sword Sect, and each carried the lingering will of its former owner.
Even the wind that blew across the valley whistled like a thousand swords being drawn.
The disciples of the Sword Courtyard stood at the entrance, clutching their brooms and cleaning tools with mixed expressions of reverence and dread.
Zhao Fei swallowed nervously. "Senior Brother Shen… are we really going to sweep the Sword Tomb?"
Shen Liang grinned, resting his broom on his shoulder. "Of course. The ancestors won't rest easy if their graves are full of cobwebs and dust. Consider it an offering of respect — and a bit of exercise."
From behind, Elder Su Qinglan approached, her long robe flowing gently in the morning wind. "Remember," she said quietly, "the Sword Tomb isn't merely a resting place. Many sword souls within are still bound by regret. Do not provoke them… unless you intend to cleanse them completely."
Shen Liang cupped his fists and bowed. "Understood, Elder. Today, we sweep not just dust… but resentment."
The moment they stepped into the tomb, the atmosphere changed.
The air grew heavy, filled with invisible blades slicing across the spirit. Ghostly murmurs echoed through the valley — the whispers of long-dead sword cultivators whose Dao had never been fulfilled.
Who dares disturb our slumber…?Who dares tread upon the Valley of Swords…?
The disciples trembled.
But Shen Liang simply raised his broom. "We do. Because your floors are filthy."
He struck the ground with a calm tap.
The broom bristled with light — golden lines spreading outward, tracing intricate runes of purification.
[System Notification]"Hidden Legacy Quest: Sweep the Sword Tomb"→ Objective: Cleanse the Sword Tomb of Lingering Sword Souls.→ Progress: 0% → 12%
"Spread out!" Shen Liang shouted. "Sweep every stone sword as if it were your own heart!"
The disciples obeyed.
Their brooms moved in synchronized rhythm "whoosh, whoosh" the same motion they had mastered over the past days. Dust lifted like storm clouds, mingling with sword qi that shimmered faintly in the mist.
Every sweep left behind traces of energy that glowed silver, forming flowing sword marks along the ground.
But soon, the tomb responded.
A thousand sword souls rose from the earth, ethereal, translucent figures wielding spectral blades. Their hollow eyes gleamed with resentment.
"Leave… this place…"
The disciples faltered, fear surging through them.
Shen Liang took one step forward.
"Ancestors," he said quietly, voice calm but firm, "the sect you died for has fallen to dust. I'm merely giving it a little polish."
He lifted his broom. Wind gathered at its tip, swirling into a spiral of golden light.
Sweeping Sword Technique — Second Form: Purge of Dust!
With a mighty sweep, a wave of radiant energy surged forth, cutting through the first wave of sword souls. The broom hummed like a divine blade, scattering darkness wherever it passed.
[System Notification]→ Sword Rhythm Training Resonance +200%→ Skill Advancement: Sweeping Sword Technique Lv. 1 → Lv. 2!→ Quest Progress: 12% → 46%
"Follow my rhythm!" Shen Liang shouted.
The disciples shouted in unison. "Yes, Senior Brother!"
Dozens of brooms slashed through the air, unleashing arcs of pure sword intent. The whoosh-whoosh-whoosh sound echoed like a martial symphony. Each sweep purified a corner of the tomb, dispersing wraiths of resentment into motes of light.
For a brief moment, the valley itself seemed to hum in approval.
Even the ancient swords trembled, shedding centuries of dust.
Then, deep within the valley a massive tremor shook the earth.
A colossal sword spirit emerged, its body forged from shattered blades, its voice echoing like thunder.
"Who cleanses my grave without permission!?"
The disciples staggered backward. Elder Su Qinglan prepared to intervene, but Shen Liang raised a hand.
"Allow me, Elder. This one's particularly dirty."
He planted his broom into the ground.
The System flared.
[Hidden Title Awakening – "Sword Laborer of Heaven" 70% → 90%][New Skill Unlocked: Heavenly Sweep][Effect: Convert intent + labor into purifying sword aura of divine rank.]
Golden light burst from Shen Liang's body.
His qi spiraled upward, blending the humble act of sweeping with divine motion — each swing of his broom carried the authority of countless sword masters who once trained on this very ground.
The colossal sword spirit roared, unleashing a torrent of killing intent.
Shen Liang moved once — just once.
Heavenly Sweep.
The broom cut across the air, sweeping away mist, shadow, and malice. The energy formed a single perfect arc that cleaved the entire valley in half — not with destruction, but purification.
The sword spirit froze. Its eyes softened.
"You… carry the heart of the sect," it murmured. "Then… the Falling Sword shall rise once more."
It bowed slightly, then dissolved into countless glowing motes, merging into Shen Liang's broom.
[System Notification]✅ Hidden Quest "Sweep the Sword Tomb" – Completed.✅ Hidden Title "Sword Laborer of Heaven" – Fully Awakened!→ Title Effect: Labor transcends limitation. Every act of work may manifest enlightenment.→ Passive Effect: +30% Sect Restoration Speed, +50% Comprehension Efficiency when performing menial labor.
The disciples fell to their knees, awed by the spectacle.
Elder Su Qinglan descended slowly, her gaze soft. "Shen Liang… you turned the humble act of sweeping into a Dao capable of pacifying sword souls."
Shen Liang chuckled, resting his broom against his shoulder. "Nothing grand, Elder. Just… cleaning up after the past."
Zhao Fei ran up, face glowing with awe. "Senior Brother! You… you purified the whole tomb! Even the swords look brand new!"
Indeed, the entire Sword Tomb gleamed under the morning sun — ancient swords now shining as if freshly forged, the valley peaceful and bright.
[System Notification]Main Quest Progress: Rebuild the Falling Sword Sect – Stage 2 (Complete).→ Stage 3 Unlocked: "Restore the Sect's Honor Across the Empire."
[XP +1580. Breakthrough to Foundation Realm – Early Stage (1440 / 4000 XP).]
Shen Liang exhaled deeply. "Looks like our next mess is outside the sect walls."
Su Qinglan smiled faintly. "Then rest well, Shen Liang. From today onward… the disciples of the Falling Sword Sect will follow the rhythm of your broom."
The disciples raised their brooms in salute, shouting in unison:"Sweep the world, and cleanse the Dao!"
As the sun dipped below the peaks, Shen Liang stood alone at the valley's entrance, watching golden light reflect from countless swords.
The wind whispered softly through the blades, like applause from the ancestors.
He smiled. "Heh. From janitor… to sword master. Not bad progress.
The System chimed:
[Volume 1: "The Sweeping Laborer" – Completed.][New Volume Unlocked – Volume 2: "The Sword Sect Reborn."][Opening Quest: Spread the Sword Rhythm Across the Empire.]
Shen Liang twirled his broom. "Time to sweep a bigger floor."