Liang nodded quietly and followed Wu Yang through a concealed passage hidden deep within the Free Heart Pavilion. The corridor twisted downward, eventually opening into a vast underground chamber.
The room was spacious and solemn, illuminated by steady spiritual lamps that cast a pale glow over dozens of stone tables arranged in a wide circular pattern. Each table was covered with rare herbs, refined elixirs, and intricate alchemical tools, all carefully organized as though awaiting a grand ritual.
At the very center of the chamber stood a massive stone platform resembling an ancient altar.
Etched across its surface was a complex spirit formation, its lines faintly glowing with dormant power. At the heart of the formation rested a sword.
The blade was nearly two meters long, entirely jet black, and surrounded by a dense, oppressive aura of dark qi. Merely looking at it stirred an instinctive unease in the mind.
Liang walked calmly toward the altar and stepped into the center of the formation. He gazed at the sword for a long moment before slowly extending his hand and placing it gently against the blade.
The sword immediately began vibrating softly, as if responding with joy to his touch.
"This sword is known as the Blood Moon Sword," Liang said quietly, his voice carrying a faint trace of nostalgia. "I am not certain of its original name, but it was the first true treasure I ever obtained."
Wu Yang's eyes flickered with curiosity, but he remained silent.
Liang continued speaking, his tone distant, as though recalling a long-buried memory.
"Back when I was still a low-level cultivator in the Spirit Palace Realm, I was being hunted by a group of enemies within Blood Moon City. I escaped by fleeing into the underground tunnels beneath the city."
He paused briefly, then tightened his grip around the sword's hilt and lifted it from the altar.
"In that place, I discovered an ancient hidden chamber. Inside, there was a human skeleton lying against the wall, clutching this very sword."
His gaze grew slightly solemn.
"After examining the chamber, I realized that the skeleton belonged to the legendary Blood Moon Saint — the one who originally built Blood Moon City."
"At that time, this weapon was only a low-grade magic treasure. But to me then, it was invaluable."
He fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"Over the centuries, after countless refinements, it eventually reached the peak grade of magic treasure. That was its absolute limit."
"I have studied its composition extensively, yet I have never been able to identify the material it was forged from. My only conclusion is that it was likely crafted from the bone of an extremely powerful demon."
He glanced casually toward Wu Yang.
"But that no longer matters. Today, I will reforge it entirely. I only require a sword I am familiar with, and this is the only one I have ever used."
Wu Yang nodded respectfully.
"I have prepared everything you requested," he said. "The strongest demon bones available, refined steel from numerous peak-grade magic weapons, the purest spiritual essence accumulated from the Heavenly Earth Vein, and two hundred Nascent Souls. All are ready."
Liang nodded in satisfaction.
He placed the Blood Moon Sword back upon the altar and raised his hand. A dark crimson flame emerged from his palm — the Infernal Void Flame — and he directed it toward the blade.
The moment the flame engulfed it, the sword began melting rapidly until it transformed into a pool of dark liquid metal.
Liang then began chanting ancient incantations while forming countless complex hand seals. Under his control, the molten metal gradually reshaped itself, forming the outline of a new sword embryo.
The process continued for hours.
Wu Yang watched in silent awe as the embryo slowly solidified into a perfect blade form.
Eventually, Liang stepped back, exhaling deeply.
The sword embryo was complete. Its color remained dark, but the former demonic aura had vanished entirely.
Liang looked toward Wu Yang, who immediately understood his signal.
Wu Yang stepped forward and placed four sealed containers at the four cardinal points of the formation.
The first contained the two hundred Nascent Souls.
The second held refined demon bones.
The third contained refined steel extracted from numerous peak-grade magic weapons.
The fourth held an enormous quantity of pure spiritual essence gathered over centuries.
Liang activated the formation.
The spiritual essence was poured in first. It flowed into the formation like liquid light, merging seamlessly with the sword embryo and causing it to emit a faint white glow.
Next came the refined demon bones. As they dissolved into the formation, an eerie, ancient aura briefly surfaced before stabilizing, significantly strengthening the blade's durability.
The refined steel was added next, merging into the sword embryo and deepening its structure until its color shifted into a dark, metallic gray.
Finally, the container holding the Nascent Souls was opened.
Instantly, hundreds of anguished howls filled the chamber as the souls struggled to escape.
Before they could disperse, a massive black serpent formed from crimson void flame appeared out of nowhere.
It opened its jaws and swallowed all the souls in a single motion.
Moments later, the serpent spat out a single translucent sphere of condensed energy — the refined essence of all two hundred Nascent Souls.
Liang began chanting again, forming seals rapidly.
The energy sphere drifted toward the sword embryo and was absorbed into it, causing the blade to shine brilliantly and illuminate the entire chamber.
Then the void serpent opened its mouth once more and released a second sphere — this one glowing green and radiating immense draconic power.
Liang flicked his fingers, producing a drop of his own blood essence.
The blood merged into the sphere instantly.
In the next moment, the energy transformed into a massive azure dragon that roared with overwhelming force and lunged directly toward Liang.
Liang remained completely unmoved.
He simply opened his mouth.
A powerful suction force erupted, pulling the dragon forward until it was swallowed entirely.
The chamber fell silent once more, the reforging ritual nearing its final stage.