Chapter 5: Sword Body Tempering and the First Flame
The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the cracks in the stone walls of Xiao Tian's hut. The air was quiet, save for the faint sound of breathing and the gentle ripple of qi flow.
Xiao Tian opened his eyes slowly.
His body still ached, but it now pulsed with a stable rhythm. Sword Qi lingered faintly in his meridians, like a flowing stream of silver, cutting through impurities with every pass.
> 9-Star Supreme Sword Body – 1-Star Awakening
[Progress to 2-Star: 9.3%]
> Requirement to Advance: Absorb Sword Qi for 3 days while refining body using Sword Essence Flame.
The first trial was only the beginning.
Now, he needed to forge the body into a vessel worthy of the Nine-Star title. That meant returning to the inheritance ground—but this time, prepared.
He rose and glanced at the girl resting in the corner.
Ye Qingyu.
She was curled up like a defenseless bird, the new robe oversized on her thin frame. Yet beneath that fragile appearance…
> Life Script: Updating…
[Phoenix Bloodline Fluctuation: +3%]
[Contamination: High]
[Soul Trauma – Suppressed Memories Sealed]
> Condition: Once exposed to high-purity flame energy, bloodline may awaken partially. Danger Level: Critical without protection.
He walked to the door and sat beneath the morning sun, eyes closed. Time passed.
Ye Qingyu eventually woke. Her gaze wandered before settling on him. She hesitated, then asked softly, "…Why are you helping me?"
Xiao Tian didn't answer immediately. He simply raised his hand and summoned a faint sword aura from his palm—a swirl of silver mist.
"This world is cruel to those without strength… even crueler to those born with a fate too great to control."
Her eyes widened faintly. The way the light danced off the aura in his hand… it reminded her of something.
A warm glow.
A forgotten memory.
> Life Script Reaction Detected. Red Entry Resonating.
[Progress to Unlock Hidden Memory: 4.7%]
She blinked and shook her head, as if rejecting it. "I… don't remember…"
"You don't need to," he replied. "For now, just eat. You'll follow me into seclusion in two days."
Her lips parted slightly. "Seclusion?"
"There's a place under the Sword Valley," he said. "A sealed chamber of essence flame and sword intent. It's where I'll temper this body…"
He paused, then looked at her seriously. "And where you'll awaken, too."
---
That evening, Xiao Tian knelt before a rusted wooden box beneath his bed.
> Item Obtained in Inheritance Trial:
[Name: Spirit-Ranked Sword – "Frost Ember"]
[Grade: High Spiritual Artifact]
[Effect: Enhances Sword Qi cultivation by 40%, Compatible with Fire-type bloodlines.]
He placed the sword on the floor and closed his eyes.
From his dantian, a silvery aura surged outward.
> Sword Body Resonance: Initiated
[Tempering Begins: Frost Ember + Body = Dual Refined Blade Constitution]
Outside, the mountain winds stirred.
Inside, silver sword Qi collided with dormant fire energy from the blade, forming sparks that flickered into Xiao Tian's bones and meridians. His skin cracked slightly under the pressure, but he gritted his teeth and endured.
He didn't scream. He didn't stop.
Hours passed. Blood seeped from his back. But inside his body—
> Nine-Star Sword Body Tempering: 23.1%
[Status: Stable]
> Side Effect: Generated Sword Flame compatible with Phoenix Constitution.
Suddenly, Ye Qingyu shivered.
A soft golden-red light glowed from her chest. Her breath grew shallow, her eyes unfocused.
> Red Fate Entry Activated – Phoenix Flame Reaction
[Progress: 7.2%]
[Soul Fragment Stirring]
Xiao Tian turned to her, his voice calm but firm. "Don't resist it. Let it flow."
She reached out unconsciously.
And as her palm touched the sword in his lap, her skin didn't burn—but shimmered. Her eyes widened. The warmth… it didn't hurt. It felt like home.
> Bond Activated – Sword Flame Compatible with Phoenix Flame.
> Event Unlocked: Twin Flame Tempering Ritual – Once Per Life.
Outside, the stars shimmered faintly in the sky, as if observing something long fated.