Chapter 1: A Youngster's First Longing for the Martial World
In Lingxi Village, surrounded by green hills and flowing streams, lived a boy named Lin Feng. He was agile, with lively eyes that held a hint of determination. Lin Feng had lost both his parents when he was young and was raised by an old hunter in the village.
Every morning, Lin Feng would stand on a large boulder by the stream and swing his homemade wooden sword toward the rising sun. The sword whistled through the air. His moves were still immature, but they carried a fierce edge. He had always dreamed of becoming a martial hero, longing to one day roam the martial world, uphold justice, and live as freely as the legendary heroes.
One day, an old man arrived in Lingxi Village. His clothes were ragged, but he had an extraordinary air about him. He passed by the place where Lin Feng was practicing his sword and stopped to watch for a long while. When Lin Feng finally lowered his sword, the old man said, "Young man, your sword moves look the part, but you haven't grasped their true essence." Lin Feng was unconvinced, but still asked politely, "Sir, please give me some pointers." The old man smiled faintly and took the wooden sword from Lin Feng. In a flash, he moved, and the sword danced in his hands like a nimble serpent. Sword shadows filled the air, and the surrounding flowers and grass were shaken loose by the force of his sword qi.
Lin Feng stared in astonishment, then hurriedly knelt to ask the old man to accept him as a disciple. But the old man shook his head. "I'm just a wanderer, unaffiliated with any sect. I can't teach you. But a hundred li from here stands Lingyun Mountain, where you'll find the Swordheart Pavilion. It's full of experts. If you're determined, you can go give it a try." With that, the old man drifted away.
Hope blazed in Lin Feng's heart. He went home, packed a few belongings, and bid farewell to the old hunter. Though reluctant to see him go, the old hunter knew Lin Feng was set on the martial world and reminded him, "Feng, the martial world is treacherous,
