Night fell like ink, and a chill breeze whispered through the trees, making the Lin Family courtyard seem exceptionally quiet.
Lin Xinghe acutely sensed an unusual aura rapidly approaching, carrying an unsettling, oppressive weight.
She abruptly turned back and gave a warning: "Aunt Su, watch out!"
As she spoke, Lin Xinghe swiftly melted into the shadows, pressing her body flat against one side of the wall, completely motionless.
The footsteps of several Lin Family elders drew near. They seemed to be whispering, their voices tinged with a secretive tension.
"The First Elder has instructed us to heighten security and make sure we find out who was having a secret late-night meeting with Su Jiuqing," came an elderly, deep voice.
"Yes, sir," replied another, younger voice.
Lin Xinghe's heart hammered against her ribs, but she forced herself to control her breathing, not daring to make the slightest sound.
She knew that once discovered by these elders, not only would her plan be completely ruined, but it might even endanger Su Jiuqing's safety.
Fortunately, the elders did not notice her presence. Eventually, their footsteps faded away, vanishing into the night.
Lin Xinghe let out a breath, stepped out from the shadows, and said, "Aunt Su, they've gone. You must be extremely careful; the First Elder is clearly starting to suspect us."
Su Jiuqing nodded. "The situation within the Lin Family is growing increasingly complex. The First Elder will not easily let go of any threat."
"I know," Lin Xinghe said resolutely. "I'll be doubly vigilant. Aunt Su, thank you for being willing to help me. Keep these healing pills; they might come in handy."
Su Jiuqing took the porcelain bottle, a look of gratification crossing her face. "You're very thoughtful. Tomorrow night, I'll begin monitoring the First Elder's movements."
Lin Xinghe nodded and turned to leave Su Jiuqing's room.
Like a nimble cat, she noiselessly threaded her way through the intricate courtyards of the Lin Family until she finally reached her own room.
Lying on her bed, her mind remained unsettled, replaying the clash with Baili during the day and the clandestine meeting with Su Jiuqing tonight.
She knew she had to raise her strength as quickly as possible to firmly establish her footing in this game.
The next night, when everyone else had drifted off to sleep, Lin Xinghe once again slipped quietly into the Sword Tomb Secret Realm.
Moonlight filtered through the treetops, spilling over the ancient sword tomb and adding a sense of tranquility and solemnity to this mystical realm.
She stood at the entrance of the Sword Tomb Secret Realm, taking a deep breath, her heart filled with determination.
"Yun Wufeng, I've come," she murmured, her voice laced with resolve and yearning.
Inside the sword tomb, a flash of white light appeared, and the figure of Yun Wufeng slowly materialized.
He looked at Lin Xinghe, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Xinghe, your actions last night were quite clever. But remember, the real battle has only just begun."
Lin Xinghe nodded, her gaze steady. "I know. Today I must continue my cultivation and unlock the deeper secrets of the Sword Tomb Jade Pendant."
Yun Wufeng smiled faintly, his longsword swaying slightly in his hand. "Then let us begin. You need to integrate the Power of the Sword Soul into your own Sword Intent; that will be the key to elevating your strength."
Lin Xinghe nodded, silently reciting the sword manual as she began her new attempt.
The longsword in her hand flashed with a cold light beneath the moonlight, every swing carrying the ripples of the Power of the Sword Soul.
Yet, after countless attempts, every single one ended in failure. The fusion between the Power of the Sword Soul and her Sword Intent was always fleeting and difficult to grasp.
Lin Xinghe's expression gradually grew dim as she felt a suppressive force churning within her chest.
At that moment, Yun Wufeng's voice sounded in her ear: "Xinghe, do not give up. The integration of the Power of the Sword Soul and Sword Intent requires more than just technique; it requires your heart."
Lin Xinghe took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and sank her consciousness into the Power of the Sword Soul.
She felt a warm surge of energy welling up from her Dantian, flowing along her meridians toward the longsword in her hand.
Gradually, the Power of the Sword Soul and her Sword Intent began to intertwine, forming an unprecedented force.
"Now!" Lin Xinghe snapped her eyes open. The longsword in her hand blazed with a brilliant radiance as it slashed through the night sky, the Power of the Sword Soul and Sword Intent fusing perfectly into a dazzling sword beam.
Yun Wufeng nodded approvingly. "Very good, Xinghe. You have found the correct method of integration. Continue your cultivation, and you will become even stronger."
Joy filled Lin Xinghe's heart, but her elation did not last long.
At that instant, a cold voice rang by her ear: "Lin Xinghe, your good luck ends here."
Baili's figure slowly emerged from the void, a glint of greed and hatred in her eyes.
Lin Xinghe instantly grew alert, the longsword in her hand leaping into a combat stance.
"Baili, what are you here for again?" Lin Xinghe asked, her voice tinged with wariness.
Baili sneered. "I am here to take back control of the sword tomb, and of course, the sword soul power that has just awakened within your body. Your power is nothing more than a trivial supplement to me."
A chill struck Lin Xinghe's heart. She gripped her longsword tightly, bracing herself for Baili's attack.
"Come then, Baili. I won't let you succeed," Lin Xinghe said with a firm and confident voice.
Lin Xinghe quickly flashed forward, her longsword drawing a brilliant arc of light that collided with Baili's sword beam in mid-air, producing a deafening crash.
Amidst the crossing sword lights, Lin Xinghe felt the might of Baili.
Yet she did not shrink back; instead, she grew even more resolute.
The Power of the Sword Soul surged within her body, her Sword Intent growing ever firmer, imbuing every swing with incomparable might.
"You are too naive, Lin Xinghe," Baili's voice carried a hint of mockery. "You are simply no match for me."
The corners of Lin Xinghe's mouth curled into a cold smile. "Is that so? Let's find out."
Their sword beams intertwined in the air, every collision seeming to tear a rift across heaven and earth.
The perfect fusion of Lin Xinghe's Sword Intent and the Power of the Sword Soul endowed every strike she made with formidable lethality.
Though powerful, Baili found herself struggling somewhat against Lin Xinghe's onslaught.
At that moment, Lin Xinghe suddenly felt a majestic surge of power swell within her body, her Sword Intent reaching its peak at that very instant.
The Power of the Sword Soul poured into her sword tip like a torrent, forming an incomparably dazzling beam of light that struck straight at Baili.
"What is this power?" panic laced Baili's voice.
Lin Xinghe's sword beam instantly pierced through Baili's defense, driving her back.
Baili's figure wavered in the void before finally transforming into a wisp of light and vanishing into the depths of the secret realm.
Lin Xinghe panted heavily, sweat soaking her clothes, but her heart was filled with the joy of victory.
She knew this was only the beginning of the battle; greater challenges lay ahead.
She recalled Yun Wufeng's warning: "Lin Xinghe, you must raise your strength as quickly as possible. Baili will not give up easily. Your enemy is not her alone."
Lin Xinghe nodded, a resolute light flashing in her eyes.
She knew the path ahead was long, but she would not fear any challenge.
She would fight her way along this path until she became a true Sword Saint.
She gripped her longsword tighter, silently chanting in her heart: "Sword soul enters the body, sword spirit returns to the heart. On the path ahead, I shall forge ever onward."
Beneath the night sky, Lin Xinghe's figure gradually faded into the depths of the sword tomb, leaving behind only a brilliant trail of sword light that portended her glorious future.
Lin Xinghe had no time to celebrate her brief victory. Where Baili had vanished, space began to warp, and a nauseating, fishy sweetness permeated the air.
She warily tightened her grip on her sword as star power surged wildly, trying to pierce the darkness.
A rustling sound, like countless bugs crawling by her ear, made her scalp tingle.
Her vision was suppressed to the utmost limit, allowing her to barely make out hazy silhouettes ahead.
Suddenly, a cold hand grabbed her ankle, and a sticky fluid crept upward along her skin.
"Hiss—" Lin Xinghe drew in a sharp breath of air and, without thinking, thrust her sword backward in a counterattack.
The sword light cleaved the darkness, yet it felt as though it had struck cotton, meeting no resistance at all.
That hand tightened its grip further, like a venomous snake trying to drag her down into an endless abyss.
"Hehehehe..." Baili's voice sounded once more, devoid of its previous icy detachment, instead brimming with madness and distortion. "It's useless, you can't escape... Let us... become one!"
Enduring her revulsion, Lin Xinghe channeled the Power of the Sword Soul, attempting to blast that hand away.
However, the Power of the Sword Soul vanished like a stone sinking into the sea, eliciting no response whatsoever.
Only then did she realize with terror that the surrounding darkness seemed to possess a life of its own, constantly eroding her strength.
What could she do? Could it be... was she truly going to be devoured?
Just as despair gripped her, the jade pendant suddenly erupted with a dazzling radiance, and a familiar, warm power flooded into her body.
She felt a powerful repulsive force pull her away from the darkness.
"No—!!" Baili let out a shrill, miserable scream that abruptly cut off.
Lin Xinghe crashed heavily to the ground, panting heavily, cold sweat covering her entire body.
Raising her head, she saw the jade pendant suspended in mid-air, emitting a soft glow as if standing guard over her.
After a long while, she managed to struggle to her feet, looking at the jade pendant with a complex gaze.
This power... what on earth was it?
"Aunt /Aunt Su..." she muttered to herself, a fierce unease welling up in her heart. "What kind of secret... is the Lin Family hiding?"
She had to leave this place as quickly as possible.