Wang Feng gazed at the katana, his eyes gleaming with pure exhilaration.
His breath hitched as he read through the weapon's description. "Heavens! Void Metal? Star Essence? Cold Sun Gem!? What the hell did you do to this sword, System!?" he blurted out, stunned by the sheer absurdity of it all.
The shock wasn't just from excitement—it was rooted in the sheer rarity and value of the materials used. His knowledge, drawn from the depths of his Inheritances, told him exactly how inconceivably rare each of these resources was—let alone the idea of combining all three into a single weapon.
Void Metal—while not as legendary as the Cold Sun Gem—was still an exceptional rarity. A material born of Space Laws, much like Void Jade. What made it precious wasn't just its properties, but its origin: it could only be harvested from locations saturated with massive spatial turbulence or unstable rifts, where even seasoned cultivators dared not linger for long.
Then came Star Essence—a treasure on an entirely different level. It was the condensed energy of celestial bodies, crystallized over centuries in the Starry Sky. To form even a sliver of Star Essence, countless stars must converge and remain in alignment for generations, constantly shedding their energy into one unified core. Such occurrences were so astronomically rare that many believed it more legend than fact.
Though there were a few other ways of getting it, these ways were even more elusive.
And then… there was the Cold Sun Gem.
A gem unlike any other—a product of paradox. Found only within the Sun of Ice and Snow World, and not just any sun, but a Blue Sun—an entity so blazing with heat that it freezes everything in its wake. An embodiment of Extreme Yang pushed so far into the limit it manifests as Yin—a completion of cosmic balance.
But the true problem wasn't just the rarity of such a Blue Sun—it was getting close enough to survive it.
Even with his knowledge, Wang Feng doubted he'd ever encounter such a star within his entire Star Field, unless fate itself intervened. And even then, venturing near it would mean entering a realm where the laws of nature bent to extremes, where only a few adapted lifeforms or strongmen could even hope to exist.
To possess even one of these materials was a stroke of fortune.
To forge a weapon using all three…?
Wang Feng's eyes narrowed as the truth settled in.
This katana wasn't just rare—it was peerless. In terms of material alone, it could be the most valuable artifact in the entire Star Field, and potentially one of the greatest weapons across the Tong Xuan Realm. Rank meant little when the foundation of the weapon stood at such heights. Even though it was classified as Mysterious Grade, in the hands of the right cultivator—it could easily rival Saint Grade weapons.
He exhaled slowly, reverently looking at the blade that now floated gently before him.
Wang Feng slowly extended his hand, anticipation brimming in his eyes as his fingers closed around the katana's hilt.
The moment his skin met the cool, tempered material, a subtle pulse ran through his arm—a wave of familiarity washing over him, as though the blade were not an object, but an extension of himself.
He gently tilted the sword side to side, inspecting its transformed body. 'Even though its form has changed… it still feels the same in my hands', he mused silently.
"You've grown stronger, haven't you… buddy," he murmured with a soft chuckle.
To his surprise, the katana emitted a faint hum—low and resonant, like a distant whisper in the wind.
Wang Feng's eyes widened in shock and wonder. 'No way… Did it just respond to me?' A wild thought stirred within him, 'Could it have developed a consciousness?'
But as the idea unraveled in his mind, he exhaled with a wry smile and shook his head. "Probably not," he muttered, dismissing the thought—for now.
He slid the katana into its newly-refined scabbard—its design now just as refined and elegant as the blade itself—before resting it across his legs.
The notion of the blade gaining sentience was far-fetched for a reason.
Artifacts at the Mysterious Grade and above often possessed a rudimentary spirit—a faint, embryonic will. This spiritual fragment was what allowed cultivators to refine such weapons, linking their Qi and Spiritual Energy to them over time.
But a true, sentient artifact spirit—capable of communication, thought, and will—was something far more advanced.
Only Origin Returning Grade Artifacts and above had the potential to evolve in that way. And that evolution only came with the infusion of Law Powers—the foundational principles of the universe, the so-called Heavenly Laws.
These Laws weren't simply added—they were born from the rare materials used in forging, the intent and comprehension of the refiner, and the complex arrays etched into the weapon during creation.
There was, however, another path—accumulation.
With time, an artifact could absorb energy, insight, and Source Power aligned with its elemental nature. Over centuries or even millennia, that stored essence could condense into a spirit. Just like in the original timeline—the Origin King Grade Refining Furnace that eventually birthed Liu Yan after tens of thousands of years.
Given that, it was unrealistic—impossible, even—for his katana to achieve true sentience simply by being upgraded to Peak-Mysterious Grade. It might have the potential, but it had only just been reborn.
Still, the hum lingered in his thoughts.
Pushing speculation aside, Wang Feng closed his eyes and drew in a steady breath. He guided his Qi into the katana, beginning the process of refinement.
If he wanted to wield the weapon's full power, he had to bind it to himself completely.
He emptied his thoughts, shutting out distractions and outside senses, narrowing his focus solely on the blade and the Qi threading into it.
Time lost all meaning as he delved into the connection—his consciousness fusing with the katana, forging a bond
....
Xia Ning Chang sat quietly beside Meng Wu Ya, a delicate cup of tea cradled between her hands. Her eyes, however, were distant—drifting repeatedly toward the door of a particular room as if drawn by an invisible thread.
Meng Wu Ya observed her with a sigh, his expression caught between fond exasperation and reluctant resignation. He couldn't decide whether to feel comforted that his precious disciple cared so deeply for Wang Feng, or to feel infuriated at the boy for occupying her thoughts so thoroughly.
'It's already been eight days… What on earth is that brat refining in there?', he mused, glancing toward the door with restrained curiosity. A part of him itched to probe the room with his Divine Sense, but he held himself back. Refinement required utmost concentration, and any disturbance could jeopardize the entire process.
Indeed, eight days had passed since their arrival at the modest inn tucked into the outskirts of Black Wind Mountain—and since Wang Feng had shut himself away in focused seclusion.
They were meant to depart the day prior, but their departure had been delayed solely because of Wang Feng's sudden undertaking. Xia Ning Chang had attempted to check on him once, pushing open the door quietly.
But the moment she stepped inside, she halted.
There, seated cross-legged on the bed, Wang Feng sat in deep meditation. Resting across his lap was a katana unlike any she had seen before—its refined aura vastly different from the one he previously wielded.
She had instantly sensed it—the refined presence of a Mysterious Grade Artifact. The energy it exuded wasn't violent or aggressive, but serene and noble, like moonlight filtered through still waters.
Realizing the significance of what he was doing, she chose not to disturb him. Instead, she silently offered a prayer for his success in her heart and exited the room without a word, relaying the situation to Meng Wu Ya.
Since then, the two had waited patiently—Xia Ning Chang with quiet hope, and Meng Wu Ya with thinly-veiled irritation wrapped around genuine concern.
...
Inside the quiet room, beads of sweat clung to Wang Feng's brow. His expression was tense, his brows drawn together in concentration as streams of Qi flowed steadily through the katana resting on his legs. Each breath he took was deep and controlled, syncing with the subtle pulses of energy flowing into the weapon.
For several more minutes, the silent exchange continued, his Qi weaving into the blade with near-perfect precision. Then, gradually, the furrow in his brow eased. His flow of Qi tapered off and finally ceased altogether.
With a long breath, Wang Feng opened his eyes and exhaled deeply, as though casting off the weight of the past two days.
"I didn't expect it to be this demanding," he muttered to himself, voice hoarse from the effort.
Throughout the refinement process, he had come to realize that while his Qi met the threshold required by the artifact, his Spiritual Energy still fell just short of ideal. Not insufficient for completion—just inadequate for speed. That limitation forced him to slow down, to refine the weapon with patience over time.
Time he willingly gave—eight full days of uninterrupted focus.
With a soft hum, his fingers gently brushed the katana's hilt. As if responding to his touch, the blade shimmered faintly before transforming into a translucent silhouette and vanishing into his body.
Now fully refined, and elevated to the Mysterious Grade, the Celestial Splitter had become an extension of him—capable of being stored within his very being, resting near his dantian like a loyal guardian.
Feeling the weapon's dormant presence within, Wang Feng smiled faintly and stood. The wooden floor creaked softly beneath his feet as he stretched his stiff limbs and straightened his robes. Then, with a refreshed breath, he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.
Immediately, two pairs of eyes turned toward him.
Meng Wu Ya's gaze sharpened slightly. His Divine Sense swept over Wang Feng instinctively—and he frowned. A potent, cutting aura clung to the youth's body, subtle yet unmistakable. That level of residual energy only came from sustained proximity to a powerful artifact.
'What kind of weapon did this brat refine?' he thought, keeping his questions to himself as Wang Feng casually took a seat beside Xia Ning Chang.
The trio shared a light meal and tea, exchanging a few words before rising to depart. Their next destination: High Heaven Pavilion.
As they soared through the skies under Meng Wu Ya's swift flight, the wind roared past them, carrying scattered clouds and distant birds in their wake. Wang Feng and Xia Ning Chang leaned in slightly, their words hidden beneath hushed tones and exchanged glances—far too many for Meng Wu Ya's peace of mind.
After a moment of silence, Wang Feng turned to her and asked softly, "What are your plans now, Ning Chang?"
Xia Ning Chang flushed slightly at the casual use of her name but didn't shy away. "I... I plan to enter seclusion for a time. I want to break through to the Soul Refining Realm as soon as possible."
Wang Feng nodded, unsurprised. Now that she's reached the peak of the Foundation Realm, she needs to prepare for the Soul Refining stage—perfecting her transition and solidifying her path forward.
His gaze drifted to the sprawling greenery and mountains rushing by below, his thoughts sharpening with resolve. 'I guess it's—'
But just then, a distinct Ding echoed in his mind, interrupting his train of thought. He blinked and immediately summoned the System Panel, a slight frown appearing on his face.
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[Main Menu]
[Status]
[Missions]*
[Inventory]
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'A new mission huh...', he thought, a sense of foreboding overcoming him.
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4) Discover the Dragon and Phoenix Inheritance Secret Realm
[Description: A secret realm, an opportunity, a struggle, a ladder to the Heavens, is eager to see it's inheritors. Be the first one to discover the whereabouts of the secret realm and, by any means possible, discover and unseal it, so that the Dragon and Phoenix shell soar the Heavens once again.]
[Reward: Moon's Yin Core, Sun's Yang Source]
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