The Patriarch's sharp, ageless eyes narrowed as they examined the form descending slowly, riding the edge of the sacred sword like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then his gaze locked onto the sheath.
His pupils constricted and he took a breath.
"That's no mere sheath," the Patriarch said, voice low and reverent."That… is a Sword Dao Embryo."
A flurry of murmurs erupted among the gathered elders, but none dared to interrupt the Patriarch as he took a step forward, looking deeper, beyond mere appearances.
Even with his vast knowledge, having personally cataloged hundreds of Sword Dao Embryos and studied many in the Immortal Court, the one on Lin Mu's back was foreign to him.
It was not carved from divine jade, nor forged from celestial ore. It bore no engravings, no lineage marks, no divine sigils.
It was simply… a sheath.
And yet, it was more complete, more ancient, more profound than anything he had ever laid eyes on.
