Myriad Rivers to the Sea

The morning sun cast a warm golden glow over the tranquil waters of the Five Star Lakes the following day. A gentle breeze rustled through the lush spirit herbs growing along the banks and carried a refreshing fragrance. Li Yu sat at the large round table with his parents and his grandfather while enjoying a hearty breakfast together. The chaotic energy of the outside world felt very distant as they shared a meal of eggs and some soup on the side. He poured freshly brewed tea into small porcelain cups and handed them across the table to his family.

Li Canghai accepted the cup with a serene smile and took a slow sip. He closed his eyes to savor the rich flavor before setting the cup down on the wooden surface. Zhan Tielan sat beside her husband and watched the local spirit fish breach the surface of the lake in a playful display. Her posture was relaxed but a subtle sharpness always lingered in her gaze due to her years of intense combat on the front lines. Zhan Tian ignored the delicate tea in favor of a large stone jug filled with a strong alcoholic drink.

"The reports from my area are indicating more movement than usual," Li Canghai spoke while reaching for a slice of the roasted meat. "The enemies are probing our territories more aggressively than they have in the past decade. We have enjoyed this brief respite at home but duty calls me back. The same is true for your mother and your grandfather has other duties to attend to once more."

"We will be leaving within the hour," Zhan Tielan added with a soft tone and she reached over to place a comforting hand on Li Yu's arm. "It was wonderful to spend this time with you, Li Yu. The estate always feels much warmer when you are here to share a meal with us. We can head back to the battles knowing that things are secure here and you are at peace."

Li Yu smiled warmly and placed his own hand over hers. Before he would get a nagging feeling of needing to rush so he could join these battles but today those feelings weren't there. It did not mean that his determination had wavered at all; in fact it was even more than before. The difference was now Li Yu could control such thoughts and emotions much better and did not let it eat at him as it once did.

"It was good to have everyone together even if it was just for a short time. I will make sure the Five Star Lakes remain peaceful while you are off facing your enemies. You just need to focus on yourselves out there and stay safe." Li Yu offered some familiar words to his parents.

Zhan Tian let out a booming laugh that echoed across the water and startled a few birds from the nearby trees. The ancient warrior took a deep gulp of his drink and slammed the jug down onto the table with a heavy thud.

"You don’t need to worry about us old bones, boy," Zhan Tian grinned broadly and wiped his chin with the back of his hand. "Let the enemies scheme and let the rival clans posture all they want. We will eventually crush them into dust but some things can’t be done just because you want them to be. You just focus on walking your own path and leave the heavy lifting to us for now. We have plenty of fight left in our old bones."

Before Li Yu could reply to his grandfather, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Alden was walking gracefully up the wooden steps of the pavilion. The head butler wore his usual pristine uniform and held a standard messenger jade slip resting on a folded silk cloth.

"Forgive the interruption," Alden bowed respectfully toward the family before stepping closer to the table. "A special delivery just arrived through the courier network. It is addressed directly to the young master and it carries the official seal of the Heavenly Sword Sect."

Li Yu felt a wave of curiosity as he reached out and picked up the jade slip. He channeled a sliver of his Qi into the object and a projection of light sprang forth above the table instead of into his mind, surprising him a bit. The projection coalesced into the dignified figure of Sect Master Ling Wuji. The Sect Master wore pristine white robes and his expression was filled with warmth rather than his usual strict demeanor that Li Yu had often seen at the previous sword conference.

"Greetings, Holy Son," Ling Wuji spoke through the recorded message and his voice carried a tone of respect which was surprising to Li Yu and his family. None of them had thought that the title of Holy Son held that much true weight and was more of a title that was given to him due to tradition and decrees passed down. "I hope this message finds you well and your cultivation is progressing smoothly. A decade has passed and the time has come for our sect to honor those who walked the sword path before us. We are preparing for the decennial memorial ceremony at our ancestral sacred ground known as the Realm of the Whispering Blades."

The projected Sect Master offered a nod with his hands clasped together. "As our Holy Son, your presence would bring great honor to the ceremony. It is a time of peaceful reflection and a chance to step away from the world during this time. We invite you to join us at our main headquarters before we depart for the sacred ground together. We eagerly await your arrival and hope you will accept this invitation."

The light faded away and the jade slip returned to a dormant state. Li Yu held the slip in his hand and looked thoughtfully at the lingering sparks of Qi floating in the air.

"The Heavenly Sword Sect," Li Canghai mused while tapping his fingers against the table. "They are a rigid and stubborn group of zealots but they place honor above all else. An invitation to their Sacred Ground is not something they hand out lightly to outsiders of their sect even though you are technically not an outsider. It is a gesture of respect and a sign that they truly value your position among them."

"I should go," Li Yu said with a firm nod and smile. He placed the jade slip on the table and looked at his parents. "I have not interacted with them since that previous sword conference even though I was made their Holy Son. I carry the title but I have never used it to take resources from their treasuries or demand favors so I technically owe them nothing. However, I feel a strong obligation to answer this invitation."

Zhan Tielan smiled knowingly and nodded her head. "You are thinking about the time you were exiled from the Li Clan."

"I am," Li Yu agreed while leaning back in his chair and reflecting on the past events. "Even though it was a ruse to help Li Mei, the Heavenly Sword Sect was one of the groups that sent their support at that time. The clan publicly disowned me and the Heavenly Sword Sect had no reason to intervene. They did not know the truth behind the fake exile but stood on my side.”

Li Yu paused and poured himself another cup of tea while the memories played in his mind. "They publicly stepped forward and offered me the protection of their sect. They declared my status as their Holy Son to the entire world and dared anyone to strike at me. They put their own reputation and safety on the line for a person who does not even cultivate their path. That kind of help is rare in times of need and despair. I feel that I owe them a debt of honor that should be repaid."

"A debt of karma and honor must be repaid," Li Canghai nodded in approval and his eyes reflected his pride in his son's character. "I believe you are making the right choice. It will be good for you to spend time with people outside of our own ranks as well. The Heavenly Sword Sect has a unique perspective on the Dao and you might find their company enlightening in its own way."

Zhan Tian wiped a drop of wine from his chin and let out an amused snort. "They are a bunch of blockheads who think a sharp piece of metal holds the secrets of the universe. But they are powerful and fierce fighters. They do not back down from a challenge which I appreciate. I fought alongside some of them in the past and they are reliable in a bloody fight."

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

The ancient warrior leaned forward and pointed a thick finger at Li Yu. "I remember a battle many years ago. We were surrounded by a horde of corrupted beasts and the order was given to retreat to a better defensive line. Huo Zheng refused to move at that time because some of his brothers couldn’t retreat. The stubborn fool planted his feet and claimed that taking a step backward would dull his sword intent and ruin his path. A bunch of nonsense if you ask me, you fight when you are at the advantage and retreat when at a disadvantage but I do like that spirit. He stood there for two days and two nights swinging his blade until the bodies formed a mountain around him. I had to personally drag him out by his collar when the lines completely collapsed while he cursed me for ruining his rhythm."

Zhan Tian let out a fond chuckle and shook his head at the memory. "He is as stubborn as a mountain but he has a good heart. If you are going to their headquarters, you will likely see Elder Huo Zheng once more. Tell him I said hello and remind him that he still owes me a jar of at least a thousand year old wine for saving his life back then."

"I will make sure to pass along your greeting, grandfather," Li Yu laughed softly and committed the story to memory. Li Yu had met the man before at the sword conference. It was good to see his grandfather had actual friends from the wars he had fought.

The morning progressed and the time for departure finally arrived. Li Yu walked with his parents and grandfather until he could not anymore. Li Yu watched his family tear open rifts of their own and were about to go where they were needed. His family was strong, incredibly so, and they had survived countless wars before he was even born. He offered them a respectful bow and a warm smile.

"Take care of yourselves on the front lines!" Li Yu said while keeping his voice steady and confident.

Zhan Tielan stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace. "We will be fine, Li Yu. Enjoy your time at the memorial ceremony and do not worry about us. Learn what you can from them and stay safe on your travels."

Li Canghai placed a heavy hand on his son's shoulder and gave an encouraging squeeze. "Walk your path with a clear heart. We will see you when you return and remember to represent the Li and Zhan Clan well."

Zhan Tian simply grinned and gave a casual wave of his hand before leaving. The area was empty and the courtyard fell quiet once more. Li Yu stood there for a few moments and stared at the empty space where his family used to be. He turned around and walked back toward his pagoda to gather a few items for his own journey.

Li Yu did not need to pack much since his spatial ring held everything a cultivator could ever require. He selected a few changes of comfortable robes and ensured his cooking utensils were properly organized. If he was going to a secluded retreat, he wanted to be prepared to make his own meals and perhaps share them with his hosts.

"Will you be away for long, young master?" Alden asked while standing near the doorway of the pagoda.

"I am not certain," Li Yu replied while tying a simple sash around his waist. "The memorial ceremony lasts for a week but the travel time and the gatherings beforehand might extend the trip. Please keep the estate running smoothly while I am gone and ensure that everything is properly maintained."

"Of course, you have my word," Alden bowed deeply and stepped aside. "Have a safe journey."

Li Yu stepped out of the pagoda and summoned his Qi. He knew the Heavenly Sword Sect was located in a distant realm and tearing through the void directly was not something he was capable of doing on his own just yet. His parents could shatter space to cross between realms with ease but he still needed to rely on established infrastructure for such vast distances.

He took to the sky and flew toward the main Zhan Clan headquarters where their grand inter realm teleportation arrays were housed. The journey across the clan territories was peaceful and he enjoyed the rushing wind against his face. The rolling hills and dense forests passed by in a blur of vibrant colors. He soon arrived at the towering gates of the headquarters a few hours later and landed gracefully before the guards.

The disciples on duty recognized him instantly and offered nods of respect. His tribulation breakthrough recently was still fresh in the minds of many who were able to witness it. They guided him through the bustling courtyards and directed him toward the central transportation hub that would take him where he wanted to go. The array masters were already notified of his arrival and they had calibrated the massive stone formation for a direct jump to the Heavenly Sword Sect headquarters.

The array flared with a blinding silver light and the familiar sensation of shifting space washed over him. The world dissolved into a tunnel of swirling colors and chaotic energy for a brief second before solidifying once again.

The change in the atmosphere was immediate and striking. The very air felt sharp and carried a faint metallic tang that tingled against the skin. He had arrived at the outer transfer station of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the clouds above were split into even halves by the residual sword intent radiating from the disciples practicing on the peaks in the distance.

Li Yu stepped off the platform and took to the sky once more to complete the final leg of his journey. He lowered his altitude and flew at a respectful pace as he approached the central domain. Li Yu did not want to trigger any defensive formations or appear hostile to the patrolling guards traversing the airspace. Soon the headquarters came into view and it was still a breathtaking sight that commanded respect.

The Ascendant Sword Peak was not a natural mountain. It was a towering spire of dark stone that pierced the clouds and looked exactly like a gigantic broadsword thrust into the earth by a giant. The sides of the peak were sheer and polished smooth by centuries of harsh winds. Countless smaller peaks surrounded the central spire and each one was dotted with training pavilions constructed from sturdy gray stone and blue tiles.

Grand libraries containing ancient sword manuals sat upon high cliffs and wide meditation terraces overlooked deep valleys. Thousands of cultivators moved through the air on flying swords and left trails of vibrant light across the sky like shooting stars. The rhythmic sound of steel clashing echoed through the valleys and created a continuous metallic symphony that served as the heartbeat of the sect.

Li Yu felt the distinct aura of religious devotion permeating the entire region but that religion was the sword itself instead of some person. The people here did not just wield weapons, in fact to call the sword as just a weapon would probably get anyone beaten to death here. They lived and breathed the sword path with every fiber of their being. It was their focus and their sole purpose in life which made them extreme masters at it.

He approached the large outer gates constructed from polished white stone. Two towering statues of ancient swordsmen stood guard on either side of the entrance and projected a heavy aura of authority. A group of sect disciples wearing pristine white robes stood at the gate to inspect arriving guests and verify their identities.

Li Yu landed gracefully on the stone pathway and smoothed out his dark robes. He walked forward with a calm expression as the guarding disciples stepped into his path to intercept him.

"Halt, traveler." The lead disciple there spoke with a firm but polite tone. "State your business and present your token of entry. We must verify all who wish to pass."

Li Yu offered a friendly smile and reached into his spatial ring. He pulled out a small token forged from a strange metal. It was shaped perfectly like a miniature sword and it was entirely covered in ancient and swirling runic patterns. He held the metal token out for the guards to see so they could verify his identity.

The disciples stared at the metal sword and then their eyes widened in shock as they recognized the legendary item. If this was a few years ago, they would have had no idea what this item was. However, after Li Yu received it from the temple and then became their Holy Son, the sect leadership passed on the information to everyone within.

Everyone was made to understand how he obtained the title, why he obtained it and what his token looked like. They were strict in all things and did not forget the logistics of giving him such a title. The suspicion vanished from their faces and was instantly replaced by a sense of reverence. They bowed their heads deeply toward the stone path in perfect unison, such was the honor given to the holder of the Holy Son title even if they did not understand why he got it.

"Greetings, Holy Son." The lead disciple shouted. "Please forgive our intrusion. We did not realize your identity at first glance. We welcome you back."

"There is no need to apologize." Li Yu gestured for them to relax and chuckled softly. "You are simply doing your duty to protect the sect. Please lead the way."

The disciples stood up quickly and they looked at the young man who held one of their sect's highest honors. The journey was just beginning and Li Yu was already experiencing the zealous nature of his hosts. He stepped through the grand gates and prepared to reunite with the leaders who had shown him such support in the past.