Chapter 54: Forging and Practicing the Sword
Shi Hao asked in surprise, “The sword contains demonic essence? Demonic essence can be forged into a sword?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Crafting masters usually avoid doing that unless they’re specifically creating an unstable weapon. However, when a high-quality sword is forged, its power can attract the attention of Yin Demons.
“These Yin Demons will use illusions to interfere with the crafting process. If the crafting master’s will isn’t strong enough, or if they make a mistake for any reason, the Yin Demons might seize the opportunity to infuse the sword with demonic essence, turning a potential masterpiece into an uncontrollable demonic sword.
“That’s what happened to the Blood Slaughter Sword. For a crafting master, creating such a sword is a failure. Some people can suppress the demonic energy and wield the sword’s true power, but most, after prolonged use, lose their minds and succumb to demonic influence.
“I think that barbarian just now is showing signs of demonic influence.”
Shi Hao said, marveling, “You seem to know everything.”
Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “And you seem like a novice who knows nothing about the martial world. And you actually used a branch against the Blood Slaughter Sword? Are you tired of living?”
Shi Hao sighed, “I didn’t have a choice. I don’t have a sword with me.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “That’s strange. You’re a swordsman, but you don’t carry a sword? I’ve never met anyone as strange as you. Come on, let’s go.”
Shi Hao followed her out of the mountains.
He asked, “Where are we going?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “To find you a sword! Do you really intend to face the Blood Slaughter Sword empty-handed? And that barbarian is no ordinary opponent. His swordsmanship is bizarre and powerful, perfectly complementing the Blood Slaughter Sword. He’s not to be underestimated.
“With just an ordinary iron sword, your chances of winning are slim.”
As they traveled through the wilderness, Shi Hao asked, “Are we going to find that crafting master from the Red Hill Gathering?”
Xu Xiaoyan looked back, surprised, “How did you know?”
Shi Hao said, “Because I could tell you two know each other. And he’s looking for the Blood Slaughter Sword. We just encountered it, and I happen to need a sword. Putting all that together, it’s not difficult to guess.”
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “You’re quite clever.”
Shi Hao clasped his hands behind his back and sighed, “Do I look like a fool?”
They traveled for almost three hours, arriving at a mountain ridge just before dawn.
The area was deserted and desolate.
They entered a dense forest, reaching a hidden valley surrounded by mountains.
Shi Hao saw a sword pavilion, the clanging of metal echoing from within, and a sword furnace, flames roaring from its mouth.
There were also several stone houses, various tools and equipment, a kiln in the distance, a pavilion, and other strange structures whose purpose he couldn’t discern.
“Uncle Yan?” Xu Xiaoyan called out.
“Oh, it’s Xiao Yan!” A fat, middle-aged man in a dark blue Daoist robe emerged from one of the stone houses.
Xu Xiaoyan introduced him to Shi Hao, “This is Daoist Tie Yu, whose real name is Yan. He’s a renowned swordsmith in the martial world, although his fame is mainly among the ‘unorthodox.’”
Shi Hao bowed, “I am Shi Hao. Greetings, Daoist.”
Daoist Tie Yu looked at him, chuckling, “You’re the one who came to the Red Hill Gathering with Xiao Yan last night, right? Not bad, not bad, much more polite than her.”
Xu Xiaoyan rolled her eyes.
Shi Hao said, “We encountered the Blood Slaughter Sword you’re looking for last night.”
Daoist Tie Yu’s eyes lit up, “Where is it?”
Shi Hao said, “It’s in the possession of a barbarian youth. His swordsmanship is quite unusual…” He recounted the encounter.
Daoist Tie Yu said, “I see. So, you need a sword for a duel tomorrow night? Hmm, if we had more time, I could forge a perfect sword for you, but tomorrow night is too soon.”
“There are various swords I’ve forged in the sword pavilion over there. Although they’re not top-grade… sorry, I’ve already sold all my best swords, but there are still some decent ones. Choose one that suits you.”
Shi Hao said, “Thank you.”
Daoist Tie Yu chuckled, “Don’t mention it. If you can defeat that barbarian and obtain the Blood Slaughter Sword, I’ll forge a true masterpiece for you. For now, you’ll have to make do. Choose your sword, and you can stay here until tomorrow night, resting and preparing for your duel.”
Shi Hao went to the sword pavilion to choose a sword.
Daoist Tie Yu pulled Xu Xiaoyan aside, “Girl, you said at the Red Hill Gathering last night that Ming Yueshu, the Divine Infant, entered the Three Tassel Ghost Cave and came out alive. Is that true?”
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “Uncle Yan, would I lie at the Red Hill Gathering? I wouldn’t risk being banned from attending. The news is definitely true. And it’s something that will soon spread throughout the martial world. I couldn’t fake it even if I wanted to.”
Daoist Tie Yu asked, “Then where did you hear it from?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “I have my sources, just like you, Uncle Yan, haven’t told me where you get your ores for forging swords.”
Daoist Tie Yu said, exasperated, “If I told you, you’d steal my business.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Oh, come on, I even helped you sell so many swords. And you call me a bad person?”
Daoist Tie Yu said, “If you’re a good person, there aren’t many bad people left in the world. Wait a minute, did you really encounter the Blood Slaughter Sword? You’re not just using that as an excuse to get a free sword for him, are you?”
Shi Hao entered the sword pavilion. It was much hotter inside than outside.
Hot air, channeled from somewhere, swirled within the pavilion.
Numerous swords, suspended by their hilts, hung from the ceiling, clanging against each other in the hot wind.
Shi Hao walked beneath the hanging swords, looking up at the dazzling display of gleaming blades.
He examined them one by one, then suddenly leaped into the air, grabbed a sword, and snapped the rope holding it.
He landed and swung the sword, a flash of light arcing through the air.
He examined the sword. It wasn’t very long, about two feet and three inches, longer than a typical short sword but considered short among long swords.
The blade was narrow but sharp. He lightly touched it to a piece of silk used for testing swords, and the silk parted cleanly.
“A good sword!” Shi Hao exclaimed.
Although Daoist Tie Yu had said the swords here were only mid-grade, Shi Hao had never used such a high-quality sword before.
A tag with a number hung from the hilt. He found the matching scabbard on the wall, a silver-white scabbard with a plum blossom pattern, a bit too ornate for his taste.
He took the sword and scabbard and left the pavilion, settling into one of the stone houses in the valley.
He spent the entire day practicing his swordsmanship.
This was his first formal duel, and he was determined to win.
Although there were eighteen types of weapons in the martial world, the sword held the highest position, the most revered weapon.
Swordsmen, sword heroes, sword immortals… No other weapon held such prestige.
And Shi Hao wanted to test his own swordsmanship, to see where he stood in the martial world.
As night fell, he sat cross-legged in the stone house, regulating his breathing and calming his mind.
He hadn’t stopped cultivating since leaving the Primordial Grotto Heaven.
The Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique and the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art continued to clash and circulate within him, their energies expanding and contracting, maintaining a delicate balance as his power steadily increased.
He sat until late into the night, then got up and walked through the forest under the moonlight.
He carried the sword in his left hand and took out the Jade Clarity Stone, letting it absorb the moonlight.
He replayed his encounter with the barbarian youth in his mind, analyzing every move.
He had used the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique and all six strikes of the Six Immortal Lightning Strikes, yet he hadn’t gained any advantage. He felt it wasn’t just because he had been using a branch.
He lacked something, a certain… spirit, the unwavering resolve and determination of a true swordsman.
Although he hadn’t been practicing martial arts for long, he had killed quite a few people. But those he had killed were either weaker than him or victims of carefully planned assassinations.
But the barbarian youth was different. He was a swordsman. And what he sought was a true duel of swordsmanship, where mental state and aura were just as important as skill.
Although he himself had only used a branch, the barbarian youth, after realizing this, hadn’t exploited his advantage in weaponry but had avoided direct clashes, focusing on technique. In that sense, Shi Hao had actually had a slight advantage.
But in the end, when he tried to use the Azure Sky Immortal Thunder Sword, the branch had shattered, unable to withstand the force of his own technique.
This left him with a sense of… incompleteness.
He was determined to win tomorrow night’s duel, to prove his swordsmanship, to prove he was no weaker than anyone!
He slept for two hours, then continued practicing his swordsmanship after daybreak—
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