Rebirth of the Celestial Swordmaster

Chapter 9: The Trials of the Forgotten Saint

Lin Xiao stood before the towering entrance of the ancient temple, its massive stone doors carved with images of battles long forgotten. The energy in the air was dense, filled with the lingering presence of an old and powerful will.

The inheritance of an ancient martial saint lay beyond these doors.

Lin Xiao pressed his palm against the stone.

Rumble—

The temple groaned, and with a deep, grinding noise, the doors slowly opened.

Darkness. Silence.

Then, the moment he stepped inside—

The doors slammed shut behind him.

There was no turning back now.

The moment Lin Xiao moved forward, the temple came alive.

The walls shimmered, and suddenly, dozens of ethereal swords manifested in the air. They floated in perfect stillness, their tips aimed at him.

Then—

They attacked.

Lin Xiao dodged as the swords shot toward him, their speed like lightning. He twisted, ducked, and deflected as many as he could, his dagger moving in a blur.

But they kept coming.

Each attack was faster than the last, forcing Lin Xiao to push his body to the limit. His Qi surged, and with a fierce burst of speed, he dashed forward, weaving between the deadly blades.

At the end of the corridor, he saw an altar—and a glowing inscription on the wall.

"A sword is not just steel, but intent. Prove your will."

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. “Intent…”

Closing his eyes for just a second, he sharpened his focus. Instead of simply dodging, he felt the swords—sensing their patterns, their movement, their killing intent.

And then, at the perfect moment—

He moved forward.

This time, the swords missed.

The air shifted.

He had passed the first trial.

The swords vanished, and the doors at the end of the corridor opened.

Lin Xiao entered a vast chamber. At its center stood a towering stone warrior, its body covered in ancient runes.

The air pulsed.

The statue’s eyes glowed red, and with a thunderous roar, it came to life.

Without hesitation, it charged.

Lin Xiao barely dodged as a massive fist slammed into the ground, shattering the stone beneath him.

Fast. Strong.

This wasn’t a battle he could win with speed alone. He needed a strategy.

Lin Xiao observed its movements. The statue was powerful but slow to recover after each attack.

A weakness.

He dashed forward, aiming for the glowing runes on its chest. If the runes were its core…

Lin Xiao’s dagger pierced into the runes—

BOOM!

A pulse of energy exploded outward, throwing him back. The statue staggered, cracks forming across its body.

But it wasn’t enough.

Lin Xiao clenched his jaw. "Then I'll just have to hit harder."

He channeled his Qi, focusing all his strength into his next strike. His body felt lighter, faster, his Qi sharper.

Then—

He struck.

His dagger pierced the core, shattering the runes completely.

The statue trembled—then collapsed into dust.

Lin Xiao exhaled.

The second trial was complete.

As the dust settled, a faint voice echoed through the chamber.

"You… are not like the others."

Lin Xiao froze.

A figure appeared before him—a man draped in ethereal robes, his presence radiating an ancient, suffocating power.

Lin Xiao’s heart pounded. Was this… the Martial Saint?

The figure gazed at him, eyes unreadable.

"If you wish to inherit my power… you must face the final trial."

Lin Xiao clenched his fists. “I’m ready.”

The final test awaited.

And with it—his greatest challenge yet.