Volume One: The Femme Fatale Chapter 13: Sword Refinement

“Achoo!”

“Who’s cursing me from behind?”

At this moment, Jiang Hao had already arrived at the edge of the Misty Forest, a place he had once visited before.

To practice the Heavenly Execution Sword in peace in the days ahead, Jiang Hao naturally sought a familiar and safe resting place.

“All seven Heavenly Spirit Fruits are with you now. Who else would be cursing you from behind?” Feng Linger said with a cold smile, her tone teasing.

“Hehe, Master, how can you say that?” Jiang Hao replied with an embarrassed smile.

“Oh right, I almost forgot—Caiyun is still inside the Qiankun Ring.” Suddenly remembering, Jiang Hao slapped his forehead and quickly released Fan Caiyun from the Qiankun Ring.

As soon as Fan Caiyun emerged, she rushed forward, tightly embracing Jiang Hao and choking back tears. “Brother Jiang Hao, I’ve been inside there for so long. I was so worried about you that I almost cried.”

“You silly girl, look, Brother Jiang Hao is perfectly fine,” Jiang Hao gently stroked her head, comforting her.

“Mm-hmm, I’m glad Brother Jiang Hao is all right!” Fan Caiyun carefully examined Jiang Hao to confirm he was unharmed before nodding with relief.

“Little one, look at the treasure Brother Jiang Hao found this time!” Jiang Hao said, then took out the Heavenly Execution Sword from the Qiankun Ring.

In an instant, the sword was plunged deeply into the ground, its ancient and profound black aura immediately manifesting before the two, inspiring awe.

“Wow, Brother Jiang Hao, this sword looks so majestic!” Fan Caiyun’s eyes widened as she stared at the sword, clearly impressed by its imposing presence.

Jiang Hao shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly. “Ah, don’t mention it, Caiyun. I can’t even lift this sword now.”

“Ah?” Fan Caiyun was shocked. In her eyes, Brother Jiang Hao was an extraordinary person. How could he not be able to lift such a sword?

Only when Jiang Hao told her the sword’s weight did she begin to believe him.

Just as Jiang Hao was troubled over his sword cultivation, Fan Caiyun gently patted his arm and smiled encouragingly. “Brother Jiang Hao, don’t lose heart! So many people would love to have such a peerless sword! Besides, you still have important unfinished business. This sword will surely help you in the future!”

“Yes! There’s still unfinished business…” Jiang Hao’s eyes grew resolute. He knew exactly what Fan Caiyun meant—the deep blood feud in his heart.

“All right, Brother Jiang Hao, focus on your cultivation. I’ll go prepare some food for you!” With that, Fan Caiyun obediently trotted off to gather firewood nearby.

“Caiyun, thank you.” Watching her small figure disappear, Jiang Hao felt a surge of warmth.

“That little girl really cares about you,” Feng Linger said with a faint smile, a trace of admiration in her eyes.

“Master, please teach me how to cultivate the sword!” Jiang Hao looked at Feng Linger earnestly, pleading.

“Very well,” Feng Linger said solemnly. “From now on, you have only one cultivation goal: to channel your spiritual power and use all your strength to lift this sword and then swing it.”

“Right now, your strength isn’t enough to support the sword. So you can start by dragging it around to gradually get used to its weight,” she reminded softly.

“Understood, Master! I’ll begin cultivation immediately!” Jiang Hao nodded and stepped forward, channeling his spiritual energy to try lifting the sword with all his might.

“Come on, come out!”

After a short while, Jiang Hao finally pulled the Heavenly Execution Sword from the earth. Following Feng Linger’s instructions, he channeled his power, gripped the hilt with both hands, and slowly dragged the heavy sword forward.

Seeing Jiang Hao begin his training, Feng Linger smiled gently and said, “When you can swing this sword and sustain it for the length of an incense stick, come wake me.”

“I feel a bit tired, I’ll rest for a while,” she added quietly, then fell silent.

Thus, in the days that followed, Jiang Hao dragged the Heavenly Execution Sword with all his might, pushing himself forward. Meanwhile, his meals were carefully prepared by Fan Caiyun.

In truth, with Jiang Hao’s cultivation at the ninth layer of Spiritual Qi, he didn’t need to eat daily, but he worried that Fan Caiyun, still growing, would go hungry.

...

Time flew by, and half a year passed.

During these six months, Jiang Hao progressed from barely able to drag the sword slowly, to running briskly while dragging it, and now he could easily lift and swing the sword for half the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

“Crack!”

Within a few breaths, several thick trees were cut down by Jiang Hao’s sword light. These trunks, thicker than the waist of a grown man, were as fragile as tofu in his hands.

“Wow! Brother Jiang Hao is amazing!” Fan Caiyun clapped her tiny hands excitedly, her rosy cheeks glowing with happiness.

Jiang Hao put down the sword and turned around, a bashful smile on his face. “You’re always encouraging me like this, little one. Brother Jiang Hao might just get too big for his britches.”

“At this moment, there’s still quite a way to go before I reach the time set by Master for swinging the sword for a full incense stick,” Jiang Hao sighed helplessly.

“In Caiyun’s heart, Brother Jiang Hao will always be the best!” Fan Caiyun ran up, linking her arm with his and whispered, “Brother Jiang Hao, it’s time to eat! Today I’ve made your favorite grilled fish!”

Jiang Hao remained dissatisfied with his progress and seemed to have little appetite. Just as he was about to politely decline and tell her to eat first, Feng Linger’s voice rang in his ear.

“You’ve surprised me, kid. I never expected you to hold out for half an incense stick in just six months.”

“Master, you’re awake? Did I disappoint you?” Jiang Hao said sadly.

“Not at all. I never thought you could reach this level in half a year,” Feng Linger replied with a light laugh.

“Master, I didn’t expect you to...” Jiang Hao was puzzled.

Feng Linger ignored his confusion and asked directly, “Kid, have you felt any signs of breaking through to the next realm recently?”

“How did you know?” Jiang Hao was astonished.

“Hmph! After swinging a ten-thousand-pound Heavenly Execution Sword every day, how could your cultivation not improve?” Feng Linger said coldly.

Jiang Hao was about to ask more when Feng Linger continued, “Now go eat your fill. We’ll leave the Misty Forest today and head to Yong’an City!”

Yong’an City, Feng Linger explained, lay to the north of the Misty Forest and was the closest town.

“Master, why go to Yong’an City? I haven’t finished cultivating the sword yet,” Jiang Hao asked.

“What else? To buy pills that can help you break through your realm, and spells for sword cultivation,” Feng Linger said softly.

“I see! As expected of Master, so thoughtful!” Jiang Hao finally understood.

“Hmph, spare me the flattery! Go eat!” Feng Linger sneered.

“Brother Jiang Hao, what’s wrong?” Fan Caiyun noticed his distracted expression and gently linked her arm with his.

Hearing her voice, Jiang Hao regained his composure and smiled. “Nothing, little one. Let’s go eat! Brother Jiang Hao is eager to try your grilled fish!” He then took her hand and briskly walked toward the campfire.

Fan Caiyun watched his back and smiled sweetly. “Brother Jiang Hao, I’m so glad I met you.”

Before long, Jiang Hao had devoured the grilled fish.

Worried he wouldn’t have enough to eat, Fan Caiyun had only eaten one fish herself, giving the other five to Jiang Hao.

“Burp!”

After the hearty meal, Jiang Hao sat by the fire and let out a heavy burp, clearly satisfied.

While enjoying the delicious fish, Fan Caiyun had already learned from Jiang Hao that they would set off for Yong’an City today. She was overjoyed.

As Jiang Hao finished eating, Fan Caiyun had already packed their belongings.

“Brother Jiang Hao, let’s depart!” Fan Caiyun ran up, her sparkling eyes full of anticipation.

“All right, little one!” Jiang Hao replied, standing up and taking the bundle from Fan Caiyun’s shoulder, tucking it into the Qiankun Ring.

“Little one, let’s set off for Yong’an City!”

“Mm-hmm, Brother Jiang Hao!”

As the sun set, two figures walked side by side, slowly heading north...