"Did something happen to your Lin family again?"
Chief Sword Master Dai felt a bit annoyed as soon as he saw Nathan Lin, and with all the bizarre things happening today, he really didn’t have the patience to deal with Nathan right now.
He even regretted recruiting Nathan Lin into the Sword Sect in the first place.
Meanwhile, most people weren’t paying attention to the strange behavior of Nathan Lin. Their eyes were focused on the backpack-wearing youth.
"So you're planning to go in? I'm curious—once you’re inside, can you actually get a sword?" Harvey He sneered from the side, clearly irritated.
Everyone before him had already managed to obtain a Southriver Sword.
The kid entering the Burial Ground now would probably get what he wanted too.
Harvey He watched, feeling more and more uncomfortable. He didn’t like the look of this kid and definitely didn’t want him to succeed.
"Even if he does, it’s nothing special."
Selina Zhu shook her head slightly, but the pride on her face was obvious.
She was the only one chosen by two Southriver Swords, making her stand out even more than the others.
Evan Lin stood at the entrance of the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground, glancing at the mound ahead.
Black dust swirled in the air, mingling with scattered chunks of iron and stone. The whole place felt desolate, leaving a sense of oppression in everyone’s heart.
"What are you waiting for? Get in there already—stop wasting time!"
Someone shouted from the crowd.
Chief Sword Master Dai was about to tell Sword Master Wang to stay behind and watch over things here, so he could head to the summit and report the situation to the sect leader.
Chief Sword Master Dai wasn’t interested in the youth about to enter the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground, nor did he care about the outcome.
But just then, he noticed Nathan Lin beside him—face pale, body trembling—and remembered Nathan had only gotten halfway through his earlier sentence. Annoyed, Dai snapped, "If you’ve got something to say, spit it out! Are you really still scared stiff from that so-called Master Lin incident?"
"Keep this up and don’t blame me for being harsh—three years of sweeping the mountaintop for you! Our Southriver Sword Sect has never produced such a coward!"
After Dai finished, he noticed Nathan Lin was still staring intently at the youth in front of the Burial Ground entrance.
He reached out, pointing at that spot, stammering with a trembling voice: "That... that guy!"
"What about him?"
Chief Sword Master Dai looked confused and turned his head to glance over.
Everyone saw the backpack-wearing youth standing outside the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground for a moment before stepping slowly onto the dark soil inside.
The youth took his first step.
Inside the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground, nothing happened.
He lifted his foot and took a second step forward.
There was no wind and no movement at all around him.
Ha! No Southriver Sword appeared! This kid failed!
Seeing this, Harvey He was the first to break into a wide grin, his laughter excited and triumphant.
Someone actually failed?
I knew this kid wouldn’t make it. He came here with a backpack—does he think this is some kind of tourist spot?
He’s probably the only one who failed.
The others watched the youth’s back as he walked through the Thousand-Sword Burial Ground, moving leisurely as if he were taking a stroll. There was no sign of anything unusual around him.
No sword broke through the soil beneath his feet; the dark earth around him remained perfectly still.
He’s been acting so calm this whole time, like nothing bothers him. I thought he might actually have some talent.
Selina Zhu shook her head, as if she’d expected this outcome.
The crowd traded glances and comments, watching the youth’s back with contempt, as if he were nothing but a joke.
They were just waiting for him to walk out empty-handed so they could mock him all the way down the mountain.
But just as they finished speaking, a sudden cry rang out next to Chief Sword Master Dai.
That guy! He’s the Master Lin from Seacrest who showed up at the Su family’s birthday banquet!
Nathan Lin finally managed to shout, using all the strength he’d been holding back.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Chief Sword Master Dai’s face froze, and Sword Master Wang was visibly shocked.
Selina Zhu and the others had their smiles stiffen.
Master Lin from Seacrest!
Those five words weren’t unfamiliar to most of the people here.
The Su family had long been a dominant force in Jinnan, and everyone knew about the Lin family’s attempt to force a marriage.
At the Su family birthday banquet, Master Lin from Seacrest forced Nathan Lin, the Southriver Sword holder, to admit defeat without a fight. The incident was the talk of the town.
Because of this, the Southriver Sword Sect issued a rare challenge, shaking up Jinnan.
But since then, Master Lin seemed to have vanished, leaving no trace. Rumor had it he was afraid of retaliation from the Southriver Sword Sect and had fled Jinnan.
No one expected to hear those five words again, here of all places!
"How could he possibly be that Master Lin from Seacrest?" someone said, incredulous.
No way. Master Lin from Seacrest would never fail to earn the recognition of a single Southriver Sword. Just look at that kid’s cowardly demeanor—none of the swords in the Burial Ground even acknowledge him." someone shook their head.
If he really is Master Lin from Seacrest, I’ll eat my hat! He must be an idiot. The Southriver Sword Sect challenged him, and instead of running away, he came here looking for trouble?
The others listened to Nathan Lin and shook their heads.
Chief Sword Master Dai looked at the quiet Burial Ground, then at Nathan Lin. After a moment’s pause, he frowned and asked, "You’re saying he’s Master Lin from Seacrest?"
That’s him! I could recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes!
Nathan Lin remembered the youth who approached him step by step at the Su family banquet. With each step closer, the youth’s figure seemed to grow taller and more imposing, until finally, three terrifying female spirits and two dragons—one blue, one red—appeared behind him, making him seem almost divine.
Because of that, even though Nathan Lin had drawn six inches of his Southriver Sword, he didn’t have the courage to draw the last inch. He dropped to his knees, unable to lift his head.
That image was burned into Nathan Lin’s mind. Just one look, and he instantly recognized the youth.
If he really is Master Lin from Seacrest, he should at least be talented enough to earn the swords’ recognition in the Burial Ground. With skills like that, he’s nothing special!
Chief Sword Master Dai scoffed and shook his head.
He looked again, but just as he finished speaking, the atmosphere inside the Burial Ground suddenly changed.