From that day forward:
He hunted beasts daily.
He absorbed essence directly into his meridians.
His progress became stable and real, not borrowed.
His muscles hardened.
His breathing deepened.
His sword grew faster and sharper.
Within three weeks—
> Xu Yao broke through to Mortal Foundation – Late Stage.
But he told no one.
His strength grew in silence.
His revenge and destiny were approaching.
Scene: Searching for a Weapon
The one year had finally passed.
Xu Yao now stood firmly at Mortal Foundation – Peak Stage, one step away from Qi Foundation.
His body was stronger, his breathing steady, his sword stance sharp.
No one could call him weak anymore.
But for the Inner Sect Competition, his rusted training sword was no longer enough.
The worm spirit, now awake and watching quietly, whispered inside his consciousness:
> "I will lend you a drop of my Ice Essence… but only to forge your weapon.
A cultivator must not rely on spirit power to fight—only to build a foundation."
Xu Yao nodded silently.
He stepped out, heading toward the sect's Armory Pavilion, where disciples could request weapons.
---
Inside the pavilion, weapon racks lined the halls — swords, spears, blades, gloves, and halberds glimmered in faint light.
Xu Yao searched carefully, touching hilt after hilt — but none felt right.
Just then—
A familiar calm voice spoke from behind.
> Lan Xuan: "Xu Yao?"
Xu Yao turned and immediately bowed lightly.
> Xu Yao: "Senior Brother Lan Xuan.
I… never thanked you properly for stopping that fight before. I apologize for that."
Lan Xuan smiled gently.
> Lan Xuan: "Mention not. Helping a fellow disciple is natural."
He stepped closer, observing the empty weapon racks Xu Yao had been checking.
> Lan Xuan: "So. What brings you here? Searching for something?"
Xu Yao nodded.
> Xu Yao: "Yes, Senior Brother. I am preparing for the competition. I am looking for a suitable weapon."
Lan Xuan blinked once and then chuckled softly.
> Lan Xuan: "Ah, that's all?"
To Xu Yao, this was not a small matter.
He looked slightly confused.
> Xu Yao: "…Is it not important?"
Lan Xuan shook his head and smiled — not in mockery, but kindly.
> Lan Xuan: "Weapons are important. But a weapon chooses the wielder. Not the other way around."
He walked to a quiet corner of the armory — a place few disciples ever checked.
There, beneath a sheet of dust, lay an unremarkable sword — old, cold, and dull.
The blade was chipped.
The hilt was worn.
No one had touched it for years.
Lan Xuan placed his hand on the sword.
> Lan Xuan: "This sword is called Frostbound Edge.
Once, it was a weapon forged with Ice Essence. But its power has long faded."
Xu Yao's breath paused.
Ice Essence.
The exact attribute the worm spirit offered him.
Lan Xuan turned to him, eyes calm and steady.
> Lan Xuan: "Take it. Most would ignore a broken sword…
but I believe you are someone who can restore what has been lost."
Xu Yao accepted the sword with both hands.
It felt cold.
Not chilling — but familiar, like something waiting for him.
He bowed deeply.
> Xu Yao: "Thank you, Senior Brother."
Lan Xuan placed a hand on his shoulder.
> Lan Xuan: "Then show them, Xu Yao.
Show them what a year of silent effort can achieve."
Xu Yao nodded — eyes sharp, voice firm.
> Xu Yao: "I will."
---
Inside His Sea of Consciousness
The worm spirit's tiny body curled gently, its voice soft but proud:
> "This sword once slept.
Let us awaken it together."
And thus—
The forging of Xu Yao's Ice Essence Sword would begin.