Elder Lin sighed and said helplessly, "Wu Tian, that boy, is really not suited for the Buddhist sect in his current state. The more he stays there, the more he falls into a state of 'rebellion.'
Because fundamentally, he no longer believes in Buddhism. Forcing him to stay in the Buddhist sect might actually push him onto the demonic path.
However, coming to the Shu Mountain Sword Sect to cultivate Sword Dao could be a turning point for him.
Once he cultivates to the level of a clear sword heart, he can be reborn.
A clear sword heart, unstained by dust!
Even if stained by dust, he can cut it away himself."
Meng Fan remained silent. These words were vague and seemed meaningless to him.
Perhaps Elder Lin's level was too high. In Meng Fan's understanding of Sword Dao, there was no such concept as a clear sword heart.
The Great Way of the Sword in the Primordial realm hadn't given him any insights in this regard.
He thought he might already have a clear sword heart.
Maybe, as someone who had achieved Sword Dao Transcendence, he was born with a clear sword heart!
"Disciple, if Wu Tian comes to you, give him some pointers on sword techniques," Elder Lin said to Meng Fan.
It was clear that he cared a lot about the son of his old friend.
"Don't worry, Master," Meng Fan naturally wouldn't refuse Elder Lin.
***
For the next three days, Wu Tian came to Meng Fan for sword practice.
They only compared swords; Wu Tian didn't use any of his Buddhist fist or palm techniques.
However, every time they sparred, Wu Tian couldn't withstand even a single strike from Meng Fan.
In terms of sword techniques, he was far inferior to Meng Fan!
Actually, Wu Tian's sword techniques were quite good, just not as good as his fist and palm techniques.
After all, anyone who could cultivate Sword Momentum in the Heavenly Origin Realm was not weak in Sword Dao and had some talent.
***
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Meng Fan could clearly feel Wu Tian's rapid progress in sword techniques.
One morning, while Meng Fan was cultivating in the Thousand Catty Fall formation at the Cliff of Remorse, his aura suddenly surged.
Heavenly Origin Realm, fifth level!
With the pills refined by Ye Qingyu and the Thousand Catty Fall formation, his cultivation speed was remarkable.
Leaving the Cliff of Remorse, Meng Fan went to Li Xuerou's residence.
The last time he came here, the young lady was in seclusion, and she had been in seclusion for a long time.
This time, he found that she was still in seclusion and hadn't come out yet!
He had guessed this before coming. He figured Li Xuerou was still in seclusion.
Because if she had come out, she would have come to see him.
Meng Fan frowned. What was going on with this young lady? Why was she in seclusion for so long?
He knocked on the door.
After a moment, there was no response.
Could something have happened?
He scanned the room with his Divine Sense and found that Li Xuerou was fine and in excellent condition.
There were no signs of Qi deviation!
Meng Fan hesitated for a moment, then pushed the door open.
Although his Divine Sense indicated that Li Xuerou was fine, he was still a bit worried.
After all, being in seclusion for such a long time was indeed unusual!
"Little Xue…" Upon entering, Meng Fan saw Li Xuerou meditating on the bed and called out softly.
No response!
Meng Fan walked closer, and when he was less than a meter away from her, a Sword Qi appeared out of nowhere, slashing towards him.
Meng Fan waved his hand, and the Sword Qi dissipated.
At the same time, Li Xuerou opened her eyes.
"Meng Fan, why are you here?" she asked in surprise.
"You've been in seclusion for several months. I was a bit worried, so I came to check on you," Meng Fan said, looking at her.
"Several months? It felt like just a few days to me."
Li Xuerou looked puzzled.
"Alright, I was overthinking," Meng Fan smiled.
When deeply immersed in seclusion, especially during an epiphany, one can't feel the passage of time, fully absorbed in the enlightenment.
Perhaps Li Xuerou had been in such a state recently.
"In that case, continue your seclusion. It's clearly effective!"
The last time they met, Li Xuerou was at the second level of the Heavenly Origin Realm. Now she was at the fourth level. The results of her seclusion were indeed impressive.
Of course, Li Xuerou had an Excellent Spiritual Root, exceptionally talented!
Meng Fan didn't disturb her further. Confirming that she was fine and merely in seclusion, he felt relieved.
Before leaving, he replaced the door latch.
After all, he had broken it and needed to compensate.
***
After Meng Fan left, Li Xuerou sat on the bed, lost in thought.
"This 'Great Dream Heart Sutra' that suddenly appeared in my mind is even more amazing than I imagined. But cultivating it makes time flow like water; I didn't realize several months had passed," Li Xuerou murmured, her tone complex.
A few months ago, a cultivation technique had inexplicably appeared in her mind.
Unable to resist her curiosity, she tried cultivating it.
She was immediately captivated.
The technique was powerful and extremely compatible with her, as if tailor-made for her.
"Anyway, it's a good thing. No need to overthink it. Just focus on cultivating."
With the Great Dream Heart Sutra, her cultivation speed had increased significantly.
At this rate, she believed it wouldn't take many years before she could descend the mountain to seek revenge against the Skyhawk Demon Sect.
Over the years, although Li Xuerou had never mentioned the Skyhawk Demon Sect or revenge, it didn't mean she had forgotten.
She had buried it deep in her heart.
The death of her parents and villagers…
How could she forget?
One day, when her cultivation was complete, she would definitely seek revenge against the Skyhawk Demon Sect!
The Skyhawk Demon Sect had annihilated her family and village; she would annihilate the entire sect.
Hatred is the most potent poison in this world, capable of distorting a person beyond recognition.
And this poison is incurable, except through revenge!
Elder Wang was like this, and so was Li Xuerou.
Meng Fan hadn't realized how deep Li Xuerou's hatred ran.
Wanting revenge was normal, but he hadn't expected her to want to annihilate the entire Skyhawk Demon Sect.
Indeed, after experiencing unbearable pain, people's minds tend to become twisted.
However, one shouldn't advise others to be kind without experiencing their suffering.
Even if Meng Fan knew Li Xuerou's thoughts, he wouldn't stop her!
After all, he wasn't a saint himself.
***
After leaving Li Xuerou's residence, Meng Fan returned to the Sword Pavilion.
At the entrance, he encountered Elder Lin.
Elder Lin was returning to the Sword Pavilion from outside.
Meng Fan was surprised because Elder Lin rarely left the Sword Pavilion.
"Master, what brings you out today?"
Elder Lin smiled, "I went to fetch a sword."
Only then did Meng Fan notice the sword in Elder Lin's hand.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan