The sky was dark when Xu Yao reached the old Blacksmith Hall behind the sect.
No one used it now — except wandering disciples who needed silence.
He placed the Frostbound Sword on the stone table.
The blade was dull.
Cold, but lifeless.
Just like him, one year ago.
Inside his sea of consciousness, the worm spirit floated, glowing faintly.
> Worm Spirit: "Are you ready? Once I release my Ice Essence, your meridians will face extreme cold.
If your will falters… your meridians will freeze and shatter."
Xu Yao closed his eyes.
> Xu Yao: "I am ready."
---
The Awakening
The worm spirit opened its tiny mouth.
A single drop of pure Ice Essence formed — glowing like a blue star.
It fell.
Drip.
The moment it touched the sword—
FROST exploded outward, freezing the table, the air, even the walls.
Xu Yao gritted his teeth and placed both hands on the blade.
His blood surged, his veins turning like icy rivers.
CRACK!
His body trembled — frost forming along his arms, chest, throat.
The sword drank the Ice Essence greedily.
The worm spirit guided him:
> Worm Spirit: "Circulate the Devouring Meridian Method.
Do not resist the ice… Become one with it."
Xu Yao breathed slow, steady.
The essence of countless beasts he had devoured over the past year now surged inside him — drawn into the sword.
BOOM!
A sudden force slammed into his dantian — a barrier he had never crossed before.
His body shook.
His vision turned white.
His meridians ignited with cold fire.
---
Breakthrough
A powerful vortex of qi formed around him — leaves, dust, and frost swirling wildly.
His dantian expanded, forming a Qi Core — the mark of the next realm.
> Mortal Foundation → Qi Foundation — Early Stage
CRACK—SHATTER—BOOM!
The barrier broke.
A wave of cold qi burst outward, freezing the hall floor.
Xu Yao gasped in relief — but did not stop.
He pressed the sword to his heart, letting his qi fuse with the ice essence inside it.
The sword began to glow — a pale, dawn-like blue.
The chipped blade repaired itself.
The dull metal regained clarity.
Cold mist wrapped around it like living frost.
The Frostbound Sword was reborn.
---
The Worm Spirit Spoke Softly
> Worm Spirit: "…Good.
This sword is now bound to your life.
As you grow, it will grow.
As you bleed, it will remember."
Xu Yao held the sword in his hand.
It was cold — but not painful.
It felt like a part of him.
He whispered its true name:
> Xu Yao: "Frostbound Edge…
Let us rise together."
The worm spirit curled into gentle sleep again — peaceful, content.
Not because Xu Yao needed it.
But because Xu Yao now had his own strength.