Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 61 The Sword Has a Spirit
The one who asked the question was Chang Ping'an. He stared at the sword with wide eyes, unable to hide his affection.

“Yes, how could ordinary lapis lazuli be ‘drinking water’? But this piece of lapis lazuli was originally found in a mountain pool, so in order to preserve it, we placed it in an abandoned well and soaked it with well water. But we never expected that the well water level would drop year by year until it gradually dried up.”

Wanqi Zhongqiu took over and said, "At first, we all thought it was just due to bad weather and drought. But after the well water dried up completely, we put it in another well, and the same thing happened. That's when I realized that the piece of lapis lazuli was 'drinking water'!"

Hearing this, Zhang Chengdao already understood a bit.

It seems that the reason this sword was rated as a green-quality "spiritual sword" in the backpack is probably because the "blue-gold cold iron" used to forge the sword has been transformed into a spiritual material, making it extraordinary in itself.

So he said, "As for the forging technique alone, I have nothing to say. But if you listen carefully, the lapis lazuli used in this sword can be considered a spiritual material. Therefore, this sword can already be called a 'spiritual sword'."

"A spirit sword?"

Everyone at the Sword Forging Manor looked puzzled.

"The so-called 'spiritual sword' is a sword forged from spiritual materials. After a cultivator refines it into their natal spiritual sword, they can become one with the sword, using it as if it were an extension of their own arm. Moreover, as long as one's cultivation is sufficient, one can refine countless natal spiritual swords, far surpassing the natal divine weapons of martial artists."

As he spoke, Zhang Chengdao gently raised his hand, using his spiritual power to lift the sword, making it hover in the air before everyone's eyes.

"With such sword control techniques, ordinary iron is not ineffective, but it is still somewhat inferior."

Suddenly, the sword became menacing and full of killing intent. Then, as if controlled by an invisible hand, it darted back and forth in the air, and the wind blades it created shredded two nearby chairs.

"Feel sorry."

Zhang Chengdao was somewhat surprised by the power of this sword. It seemed to be even more powerful than the broadsword he had given to his cheap apprentice. Just by handling it, he accidentally broke the other person's chair.

With an apologetic expression, he withdrew his spiritual power, placed the sword back into the wooden box, and couldn't help but sigh, "It is indeed a fine sword."

Everyone at the Sword Forging Manor was delighted to receive such high praise from Zhang Chengdao. Even Wanqi Boyan, who was not usually good at socializing, said with a beaming face, "Immortal Zhang, you flatter me. This is the best sword that our Sword Forging Manor has forged in the past hundred years!"

"Is this sword the prize for this martial arts tournament?"

"Could this sword be the prize for the grand prize?"

Then, Chang Ping'an and Murong Ruyan asked in unison, both seemingly very interested in the sword.

Wanqi Boyan nodded: "That's exactly the prize for the championship."

Zhang Chengdao asked with some surprise, "Since this sword is so valuable, why are you willing to give it away as a prize?"

“I can’t bear to part with it,” Wanqi Boyan replied. “I can’t bear to give it away, nor can I bear to keep it.”

"To be honest, I also have some feelings about the 'spiritual sword' that Master Zhang mentioned."

"In the eyes of a swordsmith, every sword possesses a spirit. How can one bear to confine a spirit within its sheath? It is better to pair it with a strong and destined master, so as not to waste the swordsmith's efforts." At this point, Wanqi Boyan stroked the blade of the sword in its sheath and sighed, "Besides, even the finest sword in the world is nothing but a piece of scrap metal if it is left unsheathed. A fine sword should be drawn and used to drink blood."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chengdao seemed to sense something, and the pride and superiority of a transmigrator suddenly shattered at that moment.

Because of Chang Ping'an's experience, Zhang Chengdao had always thought that Hezhujian Villa was just a low-class sect, just like those old novels and TV dramas, where everyone from top to bottom was crooked, acted improperly, and had a lot of dirty deeds.

Even his limited interactions with the Sword Forging Manor were based on treating this world as a fake game, and approaching the people in the manor as NPCs—as long as there was profit to be made and they could be used for my purposes, I didn't care if they were good or bad, kind or evil.

The Brotherhood in Skyrim is full of villains. Didn't I hold my nose and go into the quest just to collect 24 gems and that cool Shadow Horse?

Of course, to be honest, the Sword Forging Manor is quite pleased with themselves.

But none of that matters. What matters is that, until today, until this moment, he suddenly understands.

This world of martial arts and cultivation also requires cultivating one's mind.

"Villains" are not necessarily "villains," and "evil people" are not mindless wickedness. Their existence is interconnected, and each person's actions are based on their own logic.

Even the old man in front of us, who had just broken through to the Grandmaster realm not long ago, did not break through with his own "spiritual wheat". Rather, his temperament was already there, and he was just missing a little opportunity.

While he was still in a daze, he suddenly heard Murong Ruyan beside him ask:
"I heard that the champion's competition is not limited to those from different schools or lineages. Does that mean we can participate too?"

As she spoke, she tugged at Chang Ping'an's sleeve, and it was obvious who she was referring to as "we".

Wanqi Boyan replied, "Of course, the competition will not start for at least three days. Registration is still open now. If you two are interested, Zhang'er may take you to register later."

"Then thank you very much, Elder Master!" Murong Ruyan immediately beamed with joy, turning to Chang Ping'an and saying, "Senior Brother, let's all announce our names later. In my opinion, the name 'Night Talk White Heron' doesn't quite suit your sword. Instead, this sword is more suitable to be called 'White Heron.' Didn't Master say that one can have many natal spirit swords? Why don't you just take this sword and use them together? The wider one can be called 'Night Talk,' and this narrow one can be called 'White Heron.' That would be even better!"

"This……"

Chang Pingan hesitated.

He truly loved the sword and was very tempted by his junior sister Murong Ruyan's suggestion. But the sword he held now was a gift from his master, which he also loved and found very meaningful.

Moreover, his junior sister was unaware that the "Night Talk White Egret" sword was a gift from their master, while he knew it. He was already deeply grateful that his master would give him such a precious sword; how could he easily change its name?
Moreover, if he were to refine two natal spirit swords...

Stop joking! Before he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he couldn't refine even one of them!

While others didn't think much of it, Zhang Chengdao was quite startled by Murong Ruyan's words!
The name "Night Talk with Egret" was directly copied from the name of an accessory in a game he played before transmigrating. Coincidentally, that accessory was two long swords, one wide and one narrow!
Throw away the tile!!!

Please read on, add to your favorites, and vote with monthly tickets!!!
Any comments or suggestions are welcome in the book club (comments also contribute to popularity, which helps with ranking, hehe _(:з」∠)_).

P.S.: I'm really a newbie, so please be gentle with your criticism, dear readers. Some settings are foreshadowing, and some are still being developed to fit the world-building. Please be gentle with your criticism, dear readers (*)


(End of this chapter)