Xue Jin was a powerful expert with overwhelming battle power while Chu Feng was an experienced top-tier rune master. Hence, they could tell in a single glance that Lin Xun’s blade was extraordinary!
Even without using any cultivation, the blade itself could tear apart the air and produce an intimidating and fearful aura. This was something other blades did not possess.
Itching to see more of its power, Chu Feng took out a Black Spirit battle blade. His eyes burned with excitement as he said, “Come, cut it!”
Lin Xun said in surprise, “I don’t think there’s a need to? That Black Spirit blade is very pricey, what if it gets damaged…”
Xue Jin impatiently interjected, “If he asked you to cut it just cut it, why so much nonsense?!”
Lin Xun glanced at Chu Feng, who was also itching to get it on. As such, Lin Xun cast aside his hesitation and slashed.
Once more, no cultivation was used, but even so, the human-grade mid-tier Black Spirit blade was easily sliced in half.
Xue Jin’s and Chu Feng’s pupils shrunk.
What frightening sharpness!
Even Lin Xun was surprised. Although he was extremely confident in his newly crafted blade, the fact that it was capable of this had surpassed his expectationsOmm!
Lin Xun poured his last remaining bit of dipper power into the blade and it began to emit a strange noise as if a ferocious beast was awakening.
Countless brightly glowing runes suddenly surged out on the blade’s two-foot-seven-inch long and four fingers wide body like ocean waves. They swirled around the blade, appearing mysterious and dazzling.
However, this was soon replaced by an almost material ominous light. It dyed the entire blade black like the eternal night, causing the surrounding air to wail and tremble.
Xue Jin was stunned. How is this a human-grade aeth weapon? It's almost no different from an earth-grade aeth weapon!
Cling!
Lin Xun withdrew his cultivation and the blade instantly returned to normal, its pitch-black body giving off a faint mysterious and fierce aura.
“Who would think that this is only a human-grade high-tier aeth weapon? Even a human-grade peak-tier aeth weapon wouldn’t be able to match its power and it could probably contend with earth-grade aeth weapons. So this is an aeth treasure! An object with superior spirituality that was born through the blessings of the heavens!”
There was an almost fanatical look in Chu Feng’s eyes. As an experienced rune master, he was naturally able to gauge the blade’s value at a glance and felt that it was already an unrivaled treasure.
There was a change in his eyes when he looked at Lin Xun again. It was as if at any moment he was about to prostrate himself at Lin Xun’s feet.
A fourteen-year-old had successfully crafted a completely new aeth treasure. Who in the empire could possibly rival such an individual?
Xue Jin said, “You should give it a name.”
“Right! A blade this amazing should be recorded into the history of rune masters. How can it not have an impressive-sounding name?”
Chu Feng nodded repeatedly, expressing his strong agreement.
Lin Xun pondered for a moment and said, “I shall call it Flowing Light.”
The successful craft of the blade had ultimately drawn inspiration from the Flowing Light Rune. It was also a name that held a lot of meaning for Lin Xun.
This was the origin of the Flowing Light Blade. Years later, this blade, along with Lin Xun, would grow famous in the empire and leave its unique mark in history!
The Flowing Light Blade had completely subdued Chu Feng. If it was said that he had previously befriended Lin Xun because of the potential he saw, Chu Feng now genuinely regarded Lin Xun as a friend.
At the same time, the Flowing Light Blade also made Xue Jin grow increasingly excited about the day Lin Xun would make a rune armament for him.
Xue Jin wondered if he would be pleasantly surprised again when that day came.
……
Three days later.
Lin Xun awoke from his meditation, feeling refreshed and full of energy.
However, the fact that it had taken him three full days to recover after crafting a single blade for himself made him sigh deeply.
If he had not suddenly recalled the Flowing Light Rune at that critical moment, the blade would have not been born.
If he had not obtained the Omega Secret-Realm, he would not have had the chance to learn the unique and amazing Flowing Light Rune.
This was destiny, a life filled with chance and fateful encounters.
When Lin Xun walked out of the room, he found Xue Jin trying to tempt Jiujiu into a liquor chugging contest. The sight of an old man trying to corrupt a naïve little creature made Lin Xun speechless and reinforced his constant worry that Xue Jin would teach Jiujiu some bad habits.
“Xie Yutang will be sending the challenge letter tomorrow. Are you prepared?” Xue Jin casually asked as he grinned and playfully clinked cups with Jiujiu.
“I’m only missing that final step.”
Lin Xun walked over, picked up Jiujiu, and seized the cup it was holding in its mouth. Alcohol wasn’t a good habit to pick up.
Jiujiu threw a little tantrum in an attempt to take back the cup but was heartlessly denied by Lin Xun. Left with no choice, the little guy could only sulk in a corner.
“What final step?”
Xue Jin was stunned.
With a shiing, Lin Xun drew the Flowing Light Blade and looked at Xue Jin. “I need to get used to Flowing Light’s power as soon as I can.”
Xue Jin seemed to understand and chuckled. “You want me to spar with you?”
Lin Xun displayed a dazzling smile. “It would be far too wasteful to not use a great expert like you.”
Xue Jin’s smile turned increasingly evil. “Sure. However, I won’t be showing any mercy. Are you certain you want this?”
Lin Xun’s expression remained unchanged. “I believe that someone of your cultivation and status will definitely be able to help me achieve what I want in the fastest time possible. As for showing mercy…that will depend on whether you intend to bully a younger generation guy like me. After all, I’m only fourteen this year, and it won’t sound nice if others hear that you’re bullying me. On the other hand, if you treat me kindly, you’ll probably gain a good reputation, isn’t that right?”
Xue Jin spat and said, “Fourteen? I’ve never seen a fourteen-year-old who is as devious and crafty as you!”
Lin Xun merely grinned.
……
That night, Lin Xun lay on the bed grimacing as he painfully gasped for air.
That damn Xue Jin is far too vicious!
Lin Xun’s entire body was in pain, with several bruised and swelling spots feeling especially tender. Of course, Xue Jin had made sure to properly adjust his strength. The injuries might appear serious but they would recover after a night’s sleep. The only downside was that they hurt a lot.
Xue Jin had clearly done this on purpose.
“I’ll let you experience the same suffering when I help you craft a rune armament in the future…”
Lin Xun angrily promised.
Despite these grievances, sparring with Xue Jin for a day had indeed benefitted Lin Xun. He had not only grown accustomed to Flowing Light’s power but had also managed to further polish the Six Word Blade Art.
Xue Jin was undoubtedly a powerful cultivator. Under his tutelage, Lin Xun deepened his understanding of the Six Word Blade Art and was now very close to achieving perfect mastery.
More importantly, Xue Jin had discovered through sparring that the range of Lin Xun’s techniques was too narrow. Thus, Xue Jin advised Lin Xun to learn more techniques such as fist and palm arts to guard himself in close combat.
According to Xue Jin, weapons were ultimately an external power and although they could be used, a cultivator should not rely on such things. The fundamentals should still be to dig out one’s own potential.
Lin Xun deeply agreed with this ideology. The Marching Army Fist he used to practice was a basic fist technique and had already reached the limit of its power. Hence, the current Lin Xun found it rather lacking.
Lin Xun firmly committed Xue Jin’s advice to heart and decided that he would find a fitting fist art when he had the chance.
Of course, it would be even better to obtain a unique secret art that could not be bought on the market. However, the odds of something like that happening were pretty low.
Such secret arts were almost always kept within the noble factions and would never reach public markets.
Lin Xun tried to ask Xue Jin for some fist arts but he rejected saying his techniques were not suitable for Lin Xun.
Hence, Lin Xun could only wait for the opportunity to find an appropriate fist art for himself.
……
Early the next morning, Lin Xun woke up and immediately went out.
He had agreed to meet Xie Yutang at the Rune Master Association today.
When Lin Xun arrived at the association, he was surprised to find many people gathered there. The streets were packed, making it almost impossible to get through. The crowd was mostly composed of cultivators and there were several girls who displayed clearly excited expressions as they expectantly looked at the entrance of the Rune Master Association.
“So that’s the Little Sword Lord, Xie Yutang. As expected of one of our empire’s influential younger generation members. His presence alone makes me feel shameful in comparison.”
“The Little Sword Lord is so handsome! I want to have his children!”
“Humph, stop deluding yourself. I heard that many women in the Forbidden City already have their eye on him and they could even fill up an entire street if they were to line up. There is also no lack of young noble ladies among them, do you really think you can match up?”
From the various conversations and the young ladies whose eyes were nearly popping from their sockets in adoration, Lin Xun realized just how famous this Xie Yutang was.
Lin Xun also looked over and found Xie Yutang standing alone in front of the Rune Master Association. He wore a blue jade robe with his hair rolled up in a bun and an azure sword on his back. Although he was merely standing there, he felt like a dragon among men and gave off an unrivaled aura.
To think he arrived so early and made no effort to hide. No wonder he caused such a commotion.
Lin Xun secretly speculated: Xie Yutang is clearly not someone who likes to show off but he’s now acting as if he’s afraid others won’t recognize him. There’s something fishy going on.
However, Lin Xun could not figure out the reason. Hence, he shook his head and gave no further thought to the matter.
At this moment, a sharp gaze suddenly locked onto him, causing his eyes to narrow. He raised his head and saw Xie Yutang looking at him from afar.
Lin Xun no longer hesitated and began squeezing through the crowd.
Xie Yutang did not waste any time and tossed Lin Xun a storage bag when he neared. “The materials and payment Granny Feng tasked me to deliver are inside.”
Lin Xun acknowledged and kept the bag.
By this time, the surrounding crowd realized that Xie Yutang was waiting for someone.
Numerous people could not help but look toward Lin Xun. They were curious about the person who was worthy enough for Xie Yutang to personally come and wait.