37: The Birth of the Zhi-Jiang Sword

For the next three days, Chen Longshi did not focus on cultivation.

Every day, he visited his teacher’s home. Hua Xiong was deeply gratified that Chen Longshi had taken first place. Among all the geniuses in the school, only his own student had claimed the top spot—and, moreover, was the only one to pass the trial. As a teacher, he could not have been prouder.

At the same time, he was curious about how Chen Longshi had cleared the Sword Tomb secret realm. Given their close relationship, he asked directly how Chen had managed such a feat.

Chen Longshi recounted the duel of twin swords in broad strokes, and gratefully acknowledged his teacher’s wife for lending her scabbard star-weapon, which had enabled him to deal a critical blow to the King of Chu in a pivotal moment. Hearing of such a twisting, extraordinary ordeal, Hua Xiong and his wife were astonished. They couldn’t help but sigh, feeling that fate had indeed intended the secret realm’s legacy for Chen Longshi.

“As for your graduation assignment, the higher-ups have already decided,” Hua Xiong announced one evening after dinner. “Most students will be sent to the front lines to support the upcoming wall construction project. But your placement will be different.” This was hardly a military secret—within days, all students would be notified.

“Where will I be going?” Chen Longshi asked.

“Barring surprises, you’ll be appointed to the Heavenly Sword Bureau. It’s said that this time, General Li Chungang, the bureau’s director, personally requested you. The Heavenly Sword Bureau is newly established and in need of talent. If you go, you might have much more room to rise.”

The Heavenly Sword Bureau!

Chen Longshi felt a wave of relief. The wall-building mission was significant, but fighting monsters on the front lines held little appeal. Life in the army would curb his freedom, and advancement would likely require long years of service—neither suited him. Besides, he still had an urgent matter to resolve; the barracks would only tie his hands.

“I’ll follow the assignment completely,” he replied.

Three days later, Chen Longshi retrieved his sword from Hong Zebo.

Its style had changed dramatically, though it remained three feet seven inches long. The formerly azure-hued Zhijiang Sword and the deep-blue King of Chu Sword had fused into one—a long blade glowing with red-black luster. At first glance, it seemed an utterly seamless sword, exuding not sharpness but a sense of profound solidity. Only upon closer inspection could one perceive its latent ferocity.

Natural star-rune inscriptions adorned the blade. On one side was carved a black dragon with a proud, majestic head; on the other, a nine-headed crimson phoenix, surrounded by mountains, rivers, plants, and accompanied by sun, moon, and stars.

The hilt bore the image of a veiled woman in gauzy robes.

When Chen Longshi gripped the hilt, the sword emitted a faint, resonant sound, like the notes of a guzheng. Instantly, he sensed the presence of a young, nascent sword spirit. Fortunately, it had not been lost. With the rebirth of the Zhijiang Sword, the spirit had grown stronger and continued to mature.

“Well, are you satisfied?” Hong Zebo, looking slightly haggard, inquired.

Chen Longshi bowed deeply. “It’s perfect. Thank you, Master Hong, for restoring my sword.”

Hong Zebo waved a hand. “No need for thanks. If these two swords hadn’t intrigued me, I wouldn’t have acted, no matter how many pleaded. Forging this blade felt like conversing with two grandmasters of the craft—I gained much from the experience.”

“I’m grateful all the same. Since you enjoy good wine, Master Hong, if I come across any fine vintages in the future, I’ll be sure to send some for you to taste.”

Hong Zebo licked his lips and could not refuse. “You have a good heart.”

After bidding farewell to the forging department, Chen Longshi returned to his dormitory and carefully polished the new Zhijiang Sword, inch by inch.

He had already decided: the sword’s name would remain unchanged.

Now, this newly-forged blade stood at the pinnacle of a first-grade star-weapon, boasting nine layers of seals—a rarely-seen feat. It was also a first-grade star-weapon endowed with a newborn sword spirit.

It was only fitting that he refine it as his life-bound sword using the Devouring Sword Technique.

He immediately deployed the technique. A mysterious spiritual current touched the Zhijiang Sword, and soon an invigorating, intimately connected sensation filled his mind. The sword spirit within seemed even more lively.

He experimented with sword control once more—the sword flew with extraordinary agility, its power multiplied several times over compared to any ordinary blade.

Chen Longshi was utterly taken with his new sword, and could not help but wonder—if a first-grade star-weapon was already this impressive, what of higher grades? He had seen the might of Jiang Yuner’s star-weapon. Now, with the Devouring Sword Technique, he would not settle for merely a first-grade weapon. He began preparations for its upgrade.

The conditions for evolving the Zhijiang Sword to a second-grade weapon were simple enough: a black-iron level Devouring Sword Technique and a sufficient number of first-grade star-weapons.

Over the past few days, he had worked hard, trading high-grade weapons for lower ones to amass enough swords for the process.

He took out a first-grade star-weapon called White Fang, which bore seven layers of seals. Activating the Devouring Sword Technique, a black, inky mist coiled from the Zhijiang Sword, swirling into a vortex that enveloped White Fang.

A jarring, metallic crunch resounded, as if some terrifying entity within the mist was chewing and swallowing the White Fang piece by piece. Soon, a cluster of star-seal runes emerged from White Fang and drifted into the Zhijiang Sword.

The Zhijiang Sword absorbed the essence of White Fang. The dark mist on its blade receded, its form subtly changed, and the crimson glow along the edge grew sharper, the metal more resilient.

Checking the sword’s attributes, Chen Longshi saw its evolution was already 27% complete. He sighed with relief—the sword’s appetite wasn’t too overwhelming. Otherwise, even bankruptcy wouldn’t suffice to feed it.

He pressed on, sacrificing several more first-grade star-weapons.

Ironcutter, Wolf Fang, Clear Wind—and, most precious of all, the three swords Starflare, Moonlight, and Sunfire. All three were top-tier, nine-seal, first-grade weapons—not easy to find.

Trading high for low was a loss, but he no longer cared.

After a series of complex operations, aside from some mental fatigue, there were no mishaps.

The ritual was a resounding success. The reborn Zhijiang Sword was now a second-grade star-weapon with eighteen seals. Its blade was dazzling, its lines elegant and magnificent. A single touch of the edge stung with cutting power—its might had multiplied several times over.

But to upgrade to third grade would require more: at least a bronze-level Devouring Sword Technique.

Currently, his technique was at 68% black-iron level—a few more devourings, and it would soon advance.

There was no need to rush.

The next day, a line of military vehicles arrived at the school.

The second round of make-up exams officially began, but Chen Longshi’s graduation ceremony had arrived ahead of schedule.

Principal Sikong Yan stood on the stage, delivering an impassioned speech, urging all to excel and serve their country. The students below listened, their blood boiling, eager to take up arms.

When the speech ended, Sikong Yan shifted his tone. “Today, in addition to bidding you farewell, we will also award the top prize for the graduation trial. Would Chen Longshi of Class Ten, Year Four, please come to the stage to accept his medal.”

A young man in crisp military uniform stepped forward. Thousands of eyes turned to him. Chen Longshi moved with the swiftness of the wind and stood as steadfast as a pine. Even by appearance alone, he looked every inch the champion. The publicity team could hardly wait to aim their cameras at his face.

As for the students' feelings, who could say? Some might feel relieved at a second chance; others might resent having to retake the test for the sake of a single second-place. After all, it was his actions in the secret realm that had triggered the mass retest.

But none of that mattered to him now.

Sikong Yan shook Chen Longshi’s hand warmly and personally pinned a two-bar, one-star major’s insignia on his shoulder.

“Congratulations on achieving first place in the graduation assessment. You are also the first student to graduate since the founding of this institution. Major Chen Longshi, from this day forth, your name will be forever linked with the history of our school. May you continue to forge ahead and serve your homeland, living up to all we have invested in you.”

“Thank you, Principal. I will not forget.”

“All rise!” came a loud command from behind.

“Let us salute the first official graduate of the Nine-Headed Bird Branch of Xuanyuan Military Academy as he embarks on his new post. All personnel—salute!”

With a crisp snap, thousands raised their hands in unison.

Confronted by this magnificent sight, even Chen Longshi, usually calm and reserved, felt his blood surge. He snapped off a sharp salute in return—a perfect gesture for the entire school.

With the graduation ceremony and mobilization rally concluded, his peers set off once more for their re-examinations. Meanwhile, a mysterious military vehicle pulled up before Chen Longshi.

“Major Chen Longshi, are you ready to depart?”

He slung his simple pack over his shoulder, took a final look at the school, donned his cap, and turned decisively. “Let’s go.”

The car sped straight to the airport. The next stop: the enigmatic Heavenly Sword Bureau.

Along the way, Chen Longshi finally had a moment to examine his first-place rewards.

The prizes were generous: in addition to picking any fourth-grade, thirty-six-seal star-weapon from the arsenal, he also received a golden star-manual and two golden star-techniques.

For the thirty-six-seal weapon, he chose the much-coveted sword, the Deer Cutter.

For the golden star-manual, he selected Vajra Dragon Elephant Arts, a body-refining technique. As for the two star-techniques, he was less particular, since he had no immediate use for them. He picked Instant Step, a movement technique, and Starsteel Shield, a defensive art.

He would keep them in reserve for now.