Jared paced slowly through the grand hall, and with every step, another spark of understanding flashed across his mind. His Nine Shadows sword technique kept rising in his heart, subtly tinged now with the lingering grace of the guardian’s movements.
Outside, cold moonlight spilled over the mountain forest, the sky had already sunk into night.
“Damn it, why isn’t that kid Jared out yet? Don’t tell me something went wrong in there…” Flaxseed rubbed his pointed goatee in agitation, pacing beneath the trees while the charms pouch at his waist clinked with every fretful stride.
“Mr. Flaxseed, please calm down. Jared is favored by destiny itself, nothing truly harmful could happen to him.” Jemima stood in a flowing teal robe, a faint worry furrowing brow, yet posture remained as composed as ever.
Jhaelyn tightened grip on the sword in hand.
Moonlight flickered along the blade and cut a silver edge across tense profile. She muttered, “We wait another half an hour, if still hasn’t come out, I’m going in after him!”
She had barely finished when two silhouettes drifted into view. Jared emerged shoulder to shoulder with Everett, the Dragonslayer Sword blazing in his grasp like a river of stars.
“Jared!” Jhaelyn’s eyes lit up. She strode forward, sword at the ready, and scanned from head to toe. “Are you hurt? And this sword intent around you… It feels completely different.”
Flaxseed squinted, tapped his knuckles together as though performing a quick divination, then yelped, “Mercy me! Did you break through in there? Your sword intent isn’t just a little stronger, it’s leagues above what it was!”
Jemima stepped closer, studying Jared in detail before giving a thoughtful nod. “Indeed… His sword intent has transformed, there’s a faint resonance with heaven and earth itself. Seems things inside were not dangerous at all, but a blessing in disguise.”
Jared smiled and gave them a concise account of how the stone guardian turned out to be a sword spirit that guided toward a higher realm of sword intent.
Everyone clicked their tongues in admiration when the tale was done.
“So, that ancient blade in your hand is the sword spirit’s true form?” Flaxseed pointed at the weapon.
The sword was pitch-black from tip to guard, its hilt engraved with a blurred totem that breathed an icy chill.
“Exactly…” Jared lifted the archaic sword. The metal was freezing to the touch, yet It pulsed in silent harmony with the Dragonslayer Sword.
“It bears no formal name, but its boundless sword intent complements the Dragonslayer Sword perfectly.”
“Jhaelyn, I’m giving it to you.” With that, held the black sword out to her.
Even before fingertips brushed the blade, felt a condensed, weightier echo of the Dragonslayer Sword’s sword intent.
Instinctively, took half a step back, brows knitting. “Jared, this sword is a sword spirit incarnate, it could boost your cultivation tremendously. I…”
“My woman wields my sword. That’s only right.”
His tone brooked no refusal. He pressed the sword into palms. The weapon felt heavier than it looked, a cool current coursed through body and stirred an answering resonance in own sword core.
Startled, Jhaelyn lowered gaze.
Light flickered through the blurred totem, and to amazement, it aligned with passages of the very sword technique practiced.
“But this sword…”
“No buts.” Jared closed his hand over hers, guiding fingers around the hilt. His eyes, lit by the moon beyond the hall, left no room for argument.
Heat touched cheeks. From the corner of eye, noticed Everett’s amused half-smile, Flaxseed twirling his beard in glee, and Jemima nodding placid approval. Any lingering reluctance melted away.
She drew a deep breath, tightened grip on the ancient blade, and let its grand sword intent flood senses. “Very well… I’ll accept it. If one day I prove unworthy, l’ll return it to you myself.”
“Foolish girl…” Jared ruffled hair.
“Hey, Jared, don’t play favorites.” Flaxseed chuckled. “Jemima deserves a present too, she’s your woman as well. You can’t charm a lady and then pretend doesn‘t exist!”
“Of course. The next treasure I find goes to Jemima.” Jared’s smile was calm. “Let’s head for the Seventh Hall, perhaps it’s hiding something worthwhile.”
Together, they set off toward the Seventh Hall.
