One Person: Revitalize the Sword Sect, Start with the Sword Challenge of the Ten Lords

He took a deep breath, looked at the old Taoist priest with a determined look, and spoke slowly:

"Master Zhang, I, Ye Lin, am eternally grateful for your kindness. However, I am not yet capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility. The Celestial Master Degree and the Tongtian Talisman are treasures passed down through generations at the Celestial Master's House. If I accept them without sufficient preparation, it would not only be disrespectful to the House, but also irresponsible to my own path of cultivation. I hope to reach a height worthy of these inheritances step by step through my own efforts."

The surrounding discussion was once again boiling with surprise, confusion, and even disdain, all sorts of emotions intertwined. Zhang Chulan leaned closer to Ye Lin and whispered, "Ye Lin, what are you thinking about? If you miss this opportunity, there won't be another one!"

Ye Lin smiled and patted Zhang Chulan on the shoulder, and replied, "I know you are worried about me, but everyone has their own path to walk. What I want is to prove myself with my own hands and down-to-earth efforts. That is my path."

Lu Lin nodded gently, her eyes showing approval. "Ye Lin, I understand your choice. A truly strong person will not rely on external forces, but on their own strength to win the recognition of the world."

Feng Baobao's face remained expressionless, but a subtle warmth seemed to emanate from her deep eyes. "Just do what you think is right. Anyway, we will all support you."

After hearing Ye Lin's words, the old Heavenly Master Zhang Zhiwei smiled, a subtle smile playing on his face. He seemed to see his younger self in Ye Lin. "Ye Lin, your ambition and perseverance truly impress me. Remember, the true path lies not in form, but in the heart. When you are ready, the doors of the Heavenly Master's Mansion will always be open to you."

As the old Taoist priest finished speaking, the onlookers recovered from their initial shock. They either sighed or lamented, but more of them were filled with an unprecedented anticipation.

Ye Lin's choice undoubtedly injected new vitality and possibilities into this seemingly stagnant martial arts world.

"Okay, let's stop here today." Ye Lin looked back at Lu Linglong, Lu Lin and Zhang Chulan, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Well said!" Zhang Chulan waved his hand and laughed, "No matter what decision you make, Ye Lin, we will stand by your side."

......

The moonlight is like water, gently falling on the bluestone slabs of the Tianshi Mansion, and the stars are dotted here and there, like the most exquisite embellishment in the night sky.

Outside the residence of the old Taoist priest Zhang Zhiwei, bamboo shadows swayed and waves of tea fragrance slowly drifted away in the night breeze.

Inside the room, Lu Jin and Zhang Zhiwei sat opposite each other, with a pot of freshly brewed tea placed in front of them. Steam was rising from the tea, bringing a sense of leisure and tranquility.

"This Ye Lin is truly an unpredictable fellow." Lu Jin gently waved his folding fan, a look of admiration and confusion between his brows. "He had the Master right before his eyes, yet he chose to give up. Isn't that stupid?"

Zhang Zhiwei smiled faintly, picked up the teacup, and gently blew away the few tea leaves floating on the water. He said slowly, "Ye Lin's choice, while unexpected, is also reasonable. The 'Tao' in everyone's heart is unique and cannot be forced. If he is unwilling, even the greatest power before him will be nothing but a mirage."

"But the Celestial Master Order has been passed down for thousands of years. Which Celestial Master wouldn't consider it the highest honor?" Lu Lin interjected, a hint of resentment etched in her voice. "By doing this, is he living up to the expectations of all the Celestial Masters?"

"Lin'er, how can the affairs of this world be explained with just a simple "I'm doing my duty?" Zhang Zhiwei's gaze was profound, as if it could penetrate the darkness. "Ye Lin has his own path to follow. That is his freedom and his responsibility. We, as bystanders, should understand and support him."

The house was silent for a moment, and only the occasional chirping of insects outside the window broke the tranquility.

After a moment, Lu Jin sighed and smiled again, "Never mind, I shouldn't have said too much about your Zhang family's affairs. I just hope that Ye Lin doesn't really go down the wrong path."

"Don't worry, Ye Lin has his own standards and knows what to do." Zhang Zhiwei put down his teacup, his eyes full of trust and expectation. "Sometimes, it is those seemingly unconventional choices that lead the times forward."

The atmosphere gradually relaxed as the conversation progressed. The three chatted about trivial matters in the martial arts world, occasionally letting out low laughter, until the night deepened and the stars seemed to shine brighter.

"The moon is beautiful tonight. Why don't we go for a walk in the back hills?" Zhang Chulan's voice suddenly came from outside the door. He pushed the door open and walked in with a smile on his face. "It's just right. Let the breeze and bright moon bear witness to our friendship."

Lu Jin and Lu Lin smiled at each other and readily agreed. The four of them strolled in the moonlight, their footsteps intertwined with the sounds of conversation and laughter, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

"Zhang Chulan, what do you think Ye Lin is doing now?" Lu Lin looked up at the starry sky, feeling a little curious.

Zhang Chulan stopped, put his hands behind his head, and looked up at the starry sky. "Who knows? Maybe he's alone on a mountaintop, pondering the meaning of life. Or maybe he's in a tavern, chatting about his ideals with all kinds of people."

"Haha, that all sounds quite interesting." Lu Jin laughed, "However, no matter where he is or what he does, as long as it is the path he believes in, it must have meaning."

"That's right." Zhang Zhiwei interjected, "Just as Ye Lin said, do what you think is right, that's enough. There are thousands of paths in the world, the important thing is to walk with peace of mind."

Under the moonlight, the figures of the four people stretched out and finally blended into the quiet night.

A gust of wind blows by, bringing a breath of freshness and endless possibilities.

......

Inside the secret room of the Wang family mansion, flickering candlelight cast shadows on the wall, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. Wang Ai and Lu Ci sat across from each other, a detailed map spread out on the table, marking Ye Lin's possible locations.

"Brother Lu, Ye Lin is becoming more and more arrogant. Not only does he not take us seriously, but he also repeatedly sabotages our plans. If we don't take action now, we might end up nurturing a tiger to harm us." Wang Ai said in a deep voice, with worry and determination condensed between his brows.

Lu Ci tapped the table lightly, a cold smile curling his lips. "Brother Wang is absolutely right. I have contacted several top assassins in the martial arts world. If they take action, even if Ye Lin has three heads and six arms, he will not be able to escape death."

"Assassination... Although this method is direct, it is too risky." Wang Ai frowned, clearly worried. "If it fails, Ye Lin will definitely be alert. It will be even more difficult to attack him again in the future."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ci snorted softly, "Wang Ai, you and I both know that Ye Lin is no ordinary man. Ordinary means are difficult to deal with. If we want to eliminate him completely, we must be ruthless and kill him with one strike. As for the risks, who has accomplished great things since ancient times without walking on the edge of a knife?"