Amidst the flowing silver light, an unquenched blade slowly rose, landing in her hand.

—Pan Ying!

Unlike Ji Jue's incomplete appearance before he left, after battles and Blood Sacrifices along the way, after several rounds of re-forging, the sword billet of Pan Ying has now exceeded two feet, with its Fierce Intent and violence becoming more intense.

But when it fell into Ye Xian's hand, it was silent as if all its mystical qualities faded away, appearing just like an incomplete iron sword.

It wasn't until she infused it with spiritual essence that strands of crimson began to spread from the spine of the sword, mysterious and enchanting, like a piece of bloodstone.

However, on the double-edged blade, a line of vibrant blade light was flawless.

After the cold light faded, it became as clear as water.

She flicked her finger, striking the sword's body, and instantly, a distant hum rose, reverberating gently within the study.

"Among the Nine Forms, Pan Ying's form actually aligns most with your style—impulsive and aggressive, skirting boundaries, great achievements, and flaws, self-breaking and self-establishing, even... quick success and quick defeat.

You are aware of its shortcomings and risks, so I won't waste words."

Ye Xian assessed calmly: "For the first exposure to the Xiang Sword Ninth Form, to achieve this level is rare, but handling of details still appears careless. This issue stems from your previous bad habit of piling materials. Alchemy is not the formula of the Entropy System, not everything can gain strength merely by throwing bricks—take note of this."

She paused, her fingers brushed beyond the bloodstone, touching that line of clear light, nodding slowly: "Comparatively, this refinement effort is quite commendable.

Having gone outside, you've become much more stable, not as restless as before."

"..."

Ji Jue listened quietly, observing his teacher's expression, tentatively asked: "So, is this... passing?"

"Yes, passing."

Ye Xian nodded, not concealing her approval, even if stringent, she wouldn't suppress a student's achievement in such an evaluation: "In terms of quality, once completed, it will inevitably transcend 'commoner.'

In the past Ye Family, it would be sufficient to earn nobility."

[Commoner], [Noble], [Son of Heaven].

These are the three levels of evaluation for famous swords in the world according to the second part of "Xiang Sword Theory", "Sword Theory".

A commoner's sword, when clashed upfront, severs neck and collar, pierces liver and lungs, relies on bloody courage and Fierce heart to violently kill foes. Even if razor-sharp, it's just an instrument for slaughter, no matter its brilliance, it eventually turns to dust.

A thing forged thusly amounts to this. Its achievements are limited, unsuitable for great use.

A noble's sword, however, is different, its making follows the heavens for harmony with three lights, and the ground for harmony with four seasons, balances human intent to stabilize eight directions. Its movement strikes like a Thunderbolt, such that within its command, all submit.

What this refers to is a sword with the quality of a Heavenly Artisan, with its edge and power, from the hands of a strong master, can decisively end chaos in a moment and place, control victories, manage situations.

In brief, it's a strategic-level weapon.

The nine sword types contained in the Xiang Sword Ninth Form all possess such potential.

As for the higher Son of Heaven's sword... made by five elements, judged by penalties and virtues; opened by Yin Yang, held by spring and autumn, traversed by autumn and winter...

Ji Jue considered this creation's setting exaggerated.

After all, even the sword theory recorded is exceedingly obscure, and throughout Ye Family history, there has been only one Son of Heaven's sword.

The second generation ruler of the Eternal Empire wielded this sword to command four seas and reshape eight wilds, passing it down generations, and because of this, Ye Family's swordsmith role extended for countless generations, no wonder descendants admire it so much.

The ancestors bore the hardship of dozens to hundreds of generations with just a single sword, so boasting a little, what's the harm?

If Ji Jue were in such a favorable situation, he'd tell everyone the Son of Heaven's sword is invincible, use any pretexts like White Deer intelligence, ether preparation, Tian Yuan to avoid getting involved, might even carve a monument worldwide.

At this moment, with Pan Ying's incomplete sword receiving a noble's rating from the teacher, even if referring to its future completion form, Ji Jue couldn't help but feel delighted.

At least it proves Ye Xian didn't choose the wrong person.

Ji Jue indeed possesses the qualification and ability to inherit "Xiang Sword Theory", not disgracing this tradition.

"Following this, besides the lacking blessing and reforging, it's just the grinding refinement work, which won't take too much focus." Ye Xian tossed Pan Ying back into the box and sluggishly asked: "Among the nine forms, any plans for the next one?"

"Hmm..."

Ji Jue thought briefly before responding solemnly: "With the experience of Pan Ying, I want to try Yuchang or Chixiao."

In the Xiang Sword Ninth Form, each has its inclination.

Pan Ying uses Great Group as an axis, with numerous branches.

And the directions Yuchang and Chixiao point to are White Deer and Mirror, Tian Yuan and entropy.

Former changes invisible, hides forms, can weakly overpower strong, blood flows five steps, world in mourning. The latter ascends transforms, clouds and mist, transforms days, controls eight directions.

Regarding this, Ye Xian shook her head slowly.

"You are taking too large steps." She said decisively, "Change direction then, these two are unsuitable for your current stage, their achievements are too challenging."

Ji Jue heard and didn't inquire further, just nodded.

The teacher says change direction, so change direction, why ask why?

"Which direction do you think is convenient?" Ji Jue expressed curiosity.

"Then go with Chun Jun."

Ye Xian pondered a bit before saying: "Coincidentally, the Soul Summoning Bell has shattered, constantly using others' work hampers personal growth, take this opportunity to brush up.

Chun Jun possesses the strengths of Ascension and ether, and targets Soul and shaping, complementing Pan Ying precisely. Though it's pricey, you're not short of funds right now.

If successful, not only can you enter spiritual essence refinement, but also combine with previous Dissociation Technique basics to complete a fundamental version of 'Scenery Shock'.

Ji Jue heard that, suddenly feeling overwhelmed, wanting to speak but hesitated.

"Too difficult?" Ye Xian asked.

"A bit."

Ji Jue thought for a moment then shook his head, "Honestly, apart from Pan Ying that can be quickly mastered, the others each have their own complexity and difficulty, spanning too extensively, practically incorporating all Twelve Superior.

I don't even know if I can learn everything within a lifetime."

"..."

Ye Xian silent, for a long time, looking at him, her gaze turned increasingly... mocking, as if she saw a fool: "Do you think every generation's inheritor of Ye Family is an unparalleled prodigy, capable of mastering nine swords?"

"Huh?" Ji Jue stupefied.

"In Ye Family history, the progenitor created the origin, the third ancestor shaped the nine swords' prototype, the middle ancestor by chance, gathered world strength, four directions assisted and all inheritors of Ye Family collectively completed the nine swords' main body.

Since then, generations have built upon this foundation, up to now, until Ye Family's demise, both 'Concealed Elephant' and 'Sword Theory' are still considered incomplete.

Generations not to mention nine swords, just becoming proficient in two swords is already rare, why do you think you can master nine swords?"

Ye Xian raised her eyes slightly, with a mocking glance: "Or do you think I have mastered?"

"Um, this..."

Ji Jue, dazed, finally realized: "Is it, not necessary to master?"

"Don't speak of necessity, most people wouldn't even entertain such a thought, right? Ambition should have bounds."

Ye Xian sneered: "The Nine Swords form till now are already nine entirely different schools and techniques, ideas and styles vastly divergent.

Among generations of inheritors, just able to create the sword billets for nine swords is already embracing the strengths of Nine Forms, ultimately, one still has to specialize, or forge new paths.

The progenitor never heard of nine swords either, yet it didn't hinder them from crafting the Son of Heaven's sword."

She shook her head and inquired: "What I dislike most are those confined by old traditions, and then the foolish creatures in books. Sometimes the roads of predecessors are also their traps.

To discern direction, know the basics, supplement shortcomings is sufficient."

She raised her right hand, spreading her fingers.

A strand of vermilion shifting spiritual force rose from her fingertips, just like a Heavenly Pillar reaching the clouds, stately and unmoving, majestic and domineering. Then it transformed into azure blue, ethereal and boundless as though the heavens... amid proliferation, it suddenly turned to dim crimson, like a disturbance of blood, fierce and hungry.

This time, Ji Jue finally recognized it.

It was Pan Ying's Blood Light!

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