This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

After the sea of silver waves, there were thousands of miles of cloudless skies.

The view was exceptionally broad, with nothing escaping sight.

Between Heaven and Earth, within Chang'an, lay silence, no longer the bustling of days past.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze swept through, but Chang'an was unlike the springwater that frowned.

The gentle breeze entered the city tower; Chang'an knew no sorrow.

This largest city of the Human Race seemed to have fallen into a slumber today.

Under the sunlight, all was silent.

Within the Spirit Boat, Lu Qingshan and the Shui Yue Pavilion Master flickered into appearance.

Gazing at the empty city scene, at the traces left by Li Qiubai's one sword that passed through eighteen gates, the wide central avenue was full of devastation; Lu Qingshan stood silent and speechless.

Though what lay before him were only the city walls weathered by thousands of years of frost, in Lu Qingshan's eyes there seemed to be moving crowds, mischievous children holding fruit skewers coated in sugar frost, vendors hawking their wares, women with powdered faces, cultivators, and a sword that pierced through Heaven and Earth.

This place was once lively and prosperous.

Higher above the Heaven's Vault, Xie Qingyun emerged from the sword light, appearing serene and gentle, with an ethereal and transcendent air between his brows.

Between Heaven and Earth, there lingered a sword intent that drifted but did not dissipate.

He paused for a long time, feeling this eternal sword intent, and then slowly said, "Li Qiubai, what a sword indeed."

A sword cultivator's sword is different from anyone else's.

Others may say, 'I have a sword,' meaning they really possess a sword.

But a sword cultivator's 'I have a sword,' might mean a treasured sword, a sword technique, swordsmanship, sword intent, a sword heart, or even the Way of Humanity.

........

In the Great Xia's Imperial Palace, within the Imperial Study Room.

Xie Qingyun, Xia Zhao, and the recently arrived Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, together the three gathered in one hall.

The conversation between the three had lasted for a long time and was nearing its end.

"Lord Xia, my condolences," the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master finally sighed softly and said to the Supreme, whose expression remained indifferent from the beginning to the end.

"Why mourn?" the Supreme questioned, her heart slightly quivering, yet her expression unchanged.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master said nothing more.

Xia Zhao spoke to them of Qing State, Xuan Venerable, Heavenly River City, how they would rebuild Chang'an, and of Yanlan Pass....

Having sat in the position of Supreme for ten thousand years, Xia Zhao did not cultivate martial prowess, but she was truly adept at governance, considering nearly every facet.

But she did not mention the Chang'an Sword Immortal even once.

When you've mentioned everything, what you've left unspoken is precisely the most important thing.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master sighed inwardly.

Not speaking of it does not mean it did not happen.

Yet he understood, Xia Zhao was not self-deceiving, but it was only by doing so could she sustain that last thread, supporting her to continue her responsibilities until the very end....

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master was a person of great wisdom; he did not attempt to counsel or persuade Xia Zhao.

Because.

In the world, emotions are but like summer white porcelain plum wine, with ice crashing and tinkling as it hits the porcelain.

In the world, emotional tribulations are but like winter black roof bitter gall, with the sweet heart falling low in bitterness.

In the world, obsessions are but like the weak water of winter with layers of ice, which cannot be moved by axes or chisels.

The obsessions of people cannot be removed by human strength alone.

......

Xie Qingyun and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master left the study together.

"This bloodbath in Chang'an, without Lu Qingshan, the outcome would have been far worse than it is now," the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master suddenly said after they had walked some distance in silence.

Without waiting for Xie Qingyun to respond, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master continued, "Shui Yue told me that the sword dao fortune acquired by the Chang'an Sword Immortal upon opening Heaven's Gate included a whole portion of fortune entering his grasp."

"What Lin Dongming saw in the Heavenly Secret Mirror, no one knows, but the reason he named the new era Tianyuan was to imply placing a piece at Tianyuan," the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master continued.

Lin Dongming was the previous master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

"Who is that Tianyuan piece, no one knows," Xie Qingyun finally spoke.

"I initially thought it might be Li Qiubai, or perhaps Chu Mu," the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master's eyes were incredibly deep, and he asked rhetorically, "But the death of the Chang'an Sword Immortal made me suddenly think of a saying, 'A sword from the previous dynasty cannot cut the officials of today, so how could the chess player of Chang'an decide the game of Tianyuan?'"

Xie Qingyun remained silent for a long while, finally saying, "Your thoughts are very bold."

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master shrugged, then changed the subject, suddenly saying, "Lu Qingshan is a piece of jade waiting to be carved carefully."

"I know," Xie Qingyun replied, "The Sword Sect always believes so."

It is not about protection; it is about carving.

Every truly powerful cultivator walks their own path; they do not depend on shelter.

.....

Lu Qingshan strolled the empty streets of Chang'an.

A profound sense of grief appeared in his heart, accompanied by a mysterious resolve.

He had already learned everything that transpired in the battle within Chang'an City.

Li Qiubai, true to his name, undefeated in life.

"This is the Sword Opening Heaven's Gate," Lu Qingshan murmured.

This was the last version he experienced before coming to this world.

Although it occurred two hundred years earlier than in the previous world.

All of this was due to his arrival.

From another perspective, this bloodbath in Chang'an occurring two hundred years early was actually a good thing for the Human Race.

It allowed the Human Race, after this bloodbath in Chang'an, more time to recuperate and recover.

More importantly, Li Qiubai opening Heaven's Gate two hundred years early equated to giving all the sword cultivators two hundred extra years.

Of course, this bloodbath in Chang'an bursting forth two hundred years early would certainly leave the subsequent established storyline unrecognizable.