It was still dark when Xu Yao arrived at the old Blacksmith Hall behind the sect.
The place had been empty for years.
Only a few disciples came here when they wanted to be alone.
Xu Yao placed the Frostbound Sword on the stone table.
The sword looked old and worn.
Its blade was dull.
It was cold to the touch, but it had no life.
It reminded Xu Yao of himself one year ago.
Inside his Sea of Consciousness, the little Worm Spirit floated quietly.
It looked at Xu Yao and spoke.
Worm Spirit: Are you ready?
Once I give the sword my Ice Essence, your meridians will be filled with extreme cold.
If you can't endure it, your meridians will freeze and break.
Xu Yao took a deep breath.
Then he nodded.
Xu Yao: i'm ready.
The Awakening
The little worm opened its mouth.
A single drop of Ice Essence slowly appeared.
It shone with a soft blue light.
The drop fell onto the sword.
Drip.
As soon as it touched the blade, cold spread through the room.
The stone table froze.
Frost covered the floor and walls.
Even the air became freezing cold.
Xu Yao held the sword with both hands.
At once, a cold force rushed into his body.
It felt like ice was flowing through his veins.
His body shook.
Frost slowly covered his arms, his chest, and his neck.
The sword slowly absorbed the Ice Essence.
The Worm Spirit spoke calmly.
Worm Spirit: "Use the Devouring Meridian Method."
Don't fight the cold.
Accept it.
Xu Yao closed his eyes.
He followed the worm's words.
The beast essence he had gathered over the past year began to move through his body.
Slowly, it flowed into the sword.
Boom!
A powerful force hit his dantian.
It was the barrier that had been stopping him.
His whole body shook.
His vision turned white.
Cold qi rushed through all of his meridians.
Breakthrough
A strong wave of qi burst out from Xu Yao.
Leaves, dust, and frost spun around him.
Inside his dantian, a Qi Core slowly formed.
He had reached a new realm.
Qi Foundation Realm - Early Stage.
Crack!
Boom!
The barrier finally broke.
Cold qi spread through the hall and froze the ground.
Xu Yao let out a long breath.
Then he placed the sword against his chest.
His qi slowly flowed into the blade.
The sword began to glow with a pale blue light.
The cracks disappeared.
The chipped edge became smooth again.
Cold mist surrounded the blade.
The Frostbound Sword had awakened.
The Worm Spirit smiled.
Worm Spirit: Good.
From today, this sword belongs to you.
As you grow stronger, it will grow stronger too.
As long as you live, it will stay by your side.
Xu Yao looked at the sword.
It was still cold.
But now it felt familiar.
Like it had always been waiting for him.
He smiled.
Xu Yao: "Frostbound Edge..."
Let's grow stronger together.
The little Worm Spirit smiled and slowly closed its eyes.
It fell asleep once again.
This time, it slept peacefully.
Not because Xu Yao still needed its power...
But because Xu Yao had learned to rely on his own strength.