Yan Yao was different from a young age. Ever since she could remember, the adults in the village often whispered among themselves, saying that this child was naturally destined for swords and blades. Uncle Liu in the village would often laugh and say to Yan Yao, "Child, you were born at a time when the fox fire meteor shower occurred, and only with your fierce temperament can one be born in our area." Yan Yao would only listen in silence, but her eyes were filled with light.
On this day, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the mountains were shrouded in a hazy veil. Yan Yao walked alone along the ancient stone path, carrying a large sword on her back. Her blue martial arts outfit, contrasting with the midsummer morning hue, exuded an indescribable firmness and tranquility. The mountain flowers along the way swayed gently in the breeze, moving slightly with her steps. The birds in the forest chirped, sounding like songs and conversations, as if calling the brave to stride into the unknown.
Ever since she heard that there was lava flowing beneath the layers of the earth, hidden behind the fairy light lies a challenge from some ancient legend, Yan Yao resolutely decided to set out. Her master, Bai Lu, had earnestly advised her, "Yan Er, the martial world is perilous; why engage in a reckless exploration of the abyss?" Yan Yao smiled calmly and replied, "If there are doubts in my heart, I must seek the path myself."
Her master gazed at her determined expression and could only whisper, "The ancient sword 'Liuguang' accompanies you, it must sever your own weaknesses. Remember: true strength lies not in the sword, but in the heart."
Yan Yao traversed mountains and valleys, moving from the shadowy valleys to the outskirts of the wilderness; across the wilds, a broken stone slab path crossed near the lava's edge, and heat waves rolled in. The abyss seemed to yawn like a gigantic beast, ready to swallow anything that dared to approach. The lava flowed like a crimson river, slowly coursing through the dark stones, its red glow flickering like a fantastic fairy tale in the sky. Standing before the abyss, Yan Yao gripped the Liuguang sword tightly, feeling the tremors beneath her feet. The waves of fire approached, scalding in heat, yet they could not deter her determined stride.
She thought of her childhood self, one who was too timid to approach the sheepfold at the village entrance; she recalled the sweat poured into sword practice day and night by her master and the relatives who had not been visited in a long time. All that had passed surged forth in this moment like a tide, yet she merely clenched her teeth and pushed it all back into her heart.
"Yan Yao, are you really planning to go down?" Suddenly, a whisper came from behind her. Yan Yao turned around to see her senior sister Jin Yan, her clothing fluttering. Jin Yan held a slender red rope in her hand, tied to a jade pendant, "You know, this place is fraught with danger. I followed you just now because I wanted to advise you to think it over."
Yan Yao's gaze was resolute as she spoke slowly, "Have you ever thought that after years of practicing our sword skills, we've only lingered in familiar protection? Master said that strength lies in the heart, and I must prove I am worthy of the name Liuguang."
Jin Yan frowned, "If the entire army perishes, how will you prove it? You can't just sacrifice your life in this."
Yan Yao waved her sleeves lightly, "If you are worried about me, just guard the entrance. If I do not return in three days, go back and tell Master. I must go in and walk to the end of my heart."
Seeing her so determined, Jin Yan could only watch Yan Yao's figure grow distant, feeling a mix of emotions. The glow of the lava illuminated Yan Yao's blue outfit, making her appear like a fairy walking in a dream, yet possessing an unyielding spirit.
As Yan Yao stepped into the abyss, the black stones beneath her feet were scalding hot, the north wind blew past carrying the pungent scent of sulfur. With each step forward, she could feel sweat trickling from her hair to her neck; she took a deep breath, immersing her mind in the essence of the sword.
“Liuguang, are you there?” Yan Yao called softly, and the ancient sword in her hand immediately shimmered with a faint ice-blue glow, the tranquility competing with the lava's fiery red as if they were vying for brilliance.
"I want to sever fear and cross the barriers of self." Pressing her left hand against the scabbard, she tightly gripped the sword hilt with her right hand, stepping forward deeper into the layers of the earth amidst the heat waves. Suddenly, the lava surged, and from the flames arose a giant serpent with crimson scales, its eyes red as glass; it coiled in the stone crevice, its tongue flickering, staring at Yan Yao who dared to intrude upon its domain.
"Young lady, knowing this is the ancient sword's domain, how dare you trespass?" The giant serpent spoke in human language, its voice hoarse and deep.
Yan Yao was slightly taken aback but quickly regained her composure, "I follow Liuguang's command to undergo the trial of the heart. If this journey requires passing through as a brave, I fear nothing!"
The serpent snorted coldly, coiling its tail, causing the lava to splash, and rocks to fall. "This place has a thousand-fold sword light; those who pass must have no fear of their true hearts. Do you dare accept my trial?"
"Please, Serpent Lord, instruct me." Yan Yao steadied her breath and fixed her gaze directly at the giant serpent.
The serpent opened its mouth to breathe and exhaled a flame that transformed into a reflective mirror, showing many past scenes. Yan Yao saw herself as a child falling before the door, failing on the sword field, and her mother leaving with tears of disappointment; her fists clenched instantly.
"I allow you to see that which you fear, hate, and regret, awakening one by one in your heart. Only when you sever the inner cowardice can you pass through the abyss."
Yan Yao's heart trembled violently. Memories of various pains surged under the essence of the glowing sword. She seemed to return to a few years ago at night, when she cried in fear, shrinking her body as darkness descended upon the village's entrance. Her bones felt burned, and the sword essence threatened to retreat, but at that moment, a cherished voice echoed in her ears: "Yan Yao, if you can recognize your own fear, you can overcome it."
"This is my journey, and no one can bear it for me, nor can anyone stop me." Yan Yao slowly raised the Liuguang sword, her gaze intensely focused.
She took a deep breath, pointing the sword's tip at the mirror image of herself, "If I must shatter this mirror to see my true self, I will not hold back."
The ancient sword resonated with her inner strength, and the sword body glowed blue, piercing through the void. "Liuguang, please unite with my heart!" She slashed down with the sword, and the mirror fractured into a thousand cracks, the images of her inner demons screamed and struggled within the shards, gradually collapsing.
After the mirror shattered, the giant serpent slowly retracted its head, its tone holding a hint of respect. "Young lady, few are those who can shatter the heart demon mirror. Yet you must still cross the long bridge of molten fire, step over the scorching lava; even if you are left with but a breath, you must not cease."
Yan Yao nodded, beads of sweat running into her brow. But she sheathed her sword and stood tall to continue onward.
The waves of lava surged into a narrow stone bridge; where the flames swirled, steam rose, enough to burn an ordinary person. Yan Yao focused all her attention, her steps steady, each one akin to crossing a single log. The heat from the rock crevices flowed beneath her clothing, her skin scorched.
"One step leaves a mark, without fear or regret." She silently murmured this introspective mantra in her heart. Her footsteps trod firmly on the bridge surface, occasionally dislodging stones that crumbled into ash.
At this moment, a massive lava rock suddenly flew up, and a fully transparent, fire-burned feathered bird soared swiftly. It held a copper ring in its mouth, flapping its wings towards Yan Yao. "Youthful swordsman, to pass the long bridge, you must answer my question."
Yan Yao focused intently, sensing that this fiery feathered bird was both illusory and realistic, its voice delicate like a golden oriole.
"Ask away." She knelt on one knee, her expression sincere.
The feathered bird called, "If there were a sword that could save thousands, but you had to sacrifice a loved one, what would you choose?"
Yan Yao furrowed her brows, pondering deeply, her heart turbulent—she vividly remembered that gentle smile of her mother waiting for her beneath the hills, the silent farewell of her master Bai Lu. Family is the blood at one's heart, but how could she abandon countless lives?
She whispered, "The sword points where the heart goes. Even if this journey goes against the heavens, I wish not only to save the masses but also to protect those dear to me. If caught between choices, I will seek a way to exchange life for life. If truly there is no path, I wish to pardon myself under the sword, to shelter those I love, yet still guard the lives of all."
The feathered bird seemed contemplative, nodding and circling upwards, the copper ring transforming into a light feather that fell before Yan Yao. A bright light suddenly emerged at the center of the stone bridge, revealing a brand new stone path.
"Your answer has shown us hope." The feathered bird spoke softly.
Yan Yao wiped the sweat from her brow, picked up the copper ring, and continued onward.
Where the lava flowed, a slender figure suddenly materialized. She recognized it as the younger self she often dreamt of, innocent and timid, with a confused gaze. The younger Yan Yao extended her hand, "Why must you be strong? Why can’t you choose to retreat like I did?"
Yan Yao smiled gently, "I was once afraid, and I once evaded, but I understand that only by bravely facing difficulties can I live out my true self."
She stepped over her weakest self, moving forward with determination amidst the light of the flames. With each step she took, the light of the sword grew brighter, her blue martial attire becoming a flowing light shadow against the backdrop of lava's red hue. She felt the essence of the sword fusing with her blood, fighting not just for the sword but to reclaim herself.
It was unclear how much time passed when a gigantic crystal door loomed large ahead. The door emanated a fairy-tale-like extraordinary aura, with iridescence cascading within it.
"Finally here..." Yan Yao tightened her grip on the sword with one hand and gently wiped away the sweating that had slid down her cheek with the other. She pushed open the crystal door to find a tranquil lake inside, a dark blue glowing orb floating at its center, exuding magnificent sword intent.
At that moment, the crimson-scaled serpent and feathered bird both appeared by the lake and spoke together: "Master of the Abyss, we wish to acknowledge your courage. This glowing orb is the 'Pristine Heart and Soul'; the bearer will awaken greater power in the Liuguang sword. However, you must promise not to use the sword for evil."
Yan Yao knelt on both knees, performing the most sincere salute: "With the heart of a swordsman, I pledge to use the sword for protection, free from tyranny and cruelty. To prove the way with the heart and achieve righteousness through the sword."
She embraced the pristine blue glowing orb and felt her entire body become clear, all thoughts fading away. The Liuguang sword immediately burst forth with extraordinary radiance, crystalline blue and translucent, as if synchronizing with the rhythm of her heartbeat.
Yan Yao stood up, gazing at the serene surface of the lake, and suddenly felt a rise of peace and confidence within. She turned to look back at the abyss, where the lava continued to surge, and the fairy-tale glow still twinkled. But at this moment, she had lost the initial confusion and fear of her arrival, replaced only by a smile filled with confidence.
As she walked out of the abyss, facing the rising dawn as she returned along the mountain path, Jin Yan had already been waiting at the cliff for a long time. Yan Yao, in her blue attire, walked forward with determined steps, the Liuguang sword faintly radiating a new blue light.
Seeing this, Jin Yan was delighted and rushed forward to greet her, "Yan Yao, did you succeed?"
Yan Yao smiled, her eyes sparkling like morning stars, "Every path must be walked once by oneself. A true swordsman not only cares about personal strength but also must confront their own vulnerabilities."
Upon hearing this, Jin Yan was filled with emotion. "We all take pride in you."
Yan Yao looked at the morning light in the mountains, raising her hand in farewell, "Let’s go back to the school. The abyss is not terrifying; the most terrifying thing is the self that shrinks back before the abyss."
The two exchanged smiles and walked side by side back under the moonlight. The fairy-tale glow in the sky gradually dissipated but blossomed into an everlasting hope within Yan Yao's heart. Beneath the heavens, her sword intent and heart were equally pure and unblemished, unafraid of the road ahead.