"Senior, what are your dying wishes?" Li Xuan asked after a moment of silence, looking at the sword cultivator.
Although the sword cultivator had appeared and seemed willing to pass on his legacy to him, Li Xuan decided after careful consideration to first inquire about the sword cultivator's dying wishes. If he could fulfill them, then so be it.
However, if it was something beyond his capabilities, Li Xuan naturally did not want to agree to it just for the inheritance.
"If you had agreed immediately, I would have been somewhat uneasy. The fact that you can consider before making a decision shows that you are thinking about this seriously," the sword cultivator said with a hint of relief upon hearing Li Xuan's words.
Li Xuan let out a wry smile. The thoughts of these powerful beings were truly intricate. And his words were filled with constant probing.
Without waiting for Li Xuan to speak, the sword cultivator looked at Burial Sword Mountain with a hint of melancholy. "I have been dead for over ten thousand years, and this wisp of spiritual consciousness, as he said, cannot last much longer. I did not reveal myself earlier because I have already seen your own sword dao in you."
"Your path of the sword is different from mine. My inheritance will only be a stepping stone for you on your future path to becoming a powerful cultivator. I hope you can understand, after all, no one wants their life's work to be a mere stepping stone for others."
"But what he said is not wrong. If I miss you, who knows if I can last until the next person arrives here. People often speak of fate, but some things cannot be decided by fate alone."
The sword cultivator paused and then smiled at Li Xuan. "I seem to be rambling quite a bit. Perhaps it's because I haven't spoken to anyone in a long time."
"Senior, I don't mind. It is my good fortune to be able to hear you speak these words," Li Xuan replied with a smile.
"My name is Yun Qi. My demise back then was due to a great battle. That battle led to this outcome for various reasons, and my duel with him ultimately had no conclusion. Many years have passed, and perhaps he has perished like me. Of course, there is also the possibility that he is still alive."
Yun Qi's expression turned serious, and he looked at Li Xuan. "I hope that after you receive my inheritance, if you encounter him in the future, you will challenge him. And if he has already perished, you must challenge his successor. In this way, my wish will be fulfilled."
"You might die in this battle as well."
Yun Qi finished speaking and looked at Li Xuan, clearly awaiting his decision.
Li Xuan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned and said, "If this battle is your dying wish, I am naturally willing to help you fulfill it. Please tell me his name and whereabouts."
"What were you thinking just now?" Yun Qi asked with a hint of curiosity in his eyes, a trace of comfort flashing within them.
Li Xuan chuckled sheepishly. "I can see that you and that senior do not have a feud born of resentment. Perhaps that senior harbors the same thoughts as you. Since I have already promised you, Senior, no matter how difficult it may be, I will do my utmost to complete it."
Yun Qi nodded with satisfaction. "He and I truly only wished for a fair and earnest duel. In fact, he and I are like friends. I have dueled him hundreds of times throughout my life, but each time, there was some reservation, and we never went all out."
"His name is Feng Qingyang. He is the ruler of the Eternal Continent. If he has also perished, please pay your respects to him on my behalf."
"Very well, I have noted it down," Li Xuan replied, nodding.
Seeing this, Yun Qi smiled. With a wave of his hand, a spiritual imprint materialized and shot towards Li Xuan's forehead.
"Since you are also a sword cultivator, I will give you one last piece of advice," Yun Qi said as Li Xuan opened his eyes after a moment of absorption.
"Please, Senior, impart your wisdom," Li Xuan said, cupping his hands in a salute.
"Although you have forged your own path of the sword, I can see that you have not yet truly discovered it. In fact, you have not yet truly discovered yourself. I hope that in the time to come, you will first find out what kind of sword dao truly belongs to you."
Yun Qi paused and looked at Li Xuan meaningfully. "In all things, ask your heart."
"Thank you, Senior," Li Xuan said, his expression growing solemn, and bowed deeply to Yun Qi.
Yun Qi did not stop Li Xuan's respectful gesture. He gazed into the distance, his eyes revealing a touch of longing. "This world is still so beautiful."
As his words faded, Yun Qi's figure gradually became ethereal.
Clearly, after passing on his inheritance to Li Xuan, this wisp of spiritual consciousness had reached its end.
"Senior, the spiritual swords on this mountain..." Li Xuan called out urgently.
Yun Qi looked at him with a mixture of amusement and helplessness. "All of this is now yours."
With that, Yun Qi's figure completely vanished.
After Yun Qi's disappearance, Li Xuan bowed deeply once more.
"Farewell, Senior. I will surely fulfill your dying wish!"