Chapter 85: Cold Pool

“Since you’ve called me Senior Sister, naturally, I won’t let you go without a proper meeting gift.”

With a thought, Zhu Qiong’s divine sense stirred, and the storage ring on her finger flickered with light.

A spirit sword, pitch black in its entirety, with a slender blade that faintly shimmered with a ghostly blue chill, floated into the air. It let out a crisp sword cry, instantly lowering the temperature within the private room.

“This sword was forged from the reverse scale of a Cold Flood Serpent and the sect’s Cold Pool Profound Iron.

Its blade is four feet long, weighing a full thousand catties. Its name is Cold Pool. It is a second-tier high-grade water-attribute spirit weapon, capable of breaking through arts.

Even a Qi Refining cultivator can use it to pierce through the protective power of an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Saying this, Zhu Qiong turned her gaze to Chen Beiwu. “Junior Brother, if you can obtain this sword’s recognition, I will gift you this Cold Pool Spirit Sword.”

Looking at the sword, its edge thin as a cicada’s wing, its frosty gleam condensed yet unscattered, and its ridges etched with flowing patterns like serpentine dragons, Chen Beiwu’s heart skipped a beat.

Before this Cold Pool Sword, he felt as though he were facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This was enough to show that the sword’s spirituality was very high, only a step beneath third-tier treasure artifacts.

Seeing Chen Zi’ang stand still without moving, Zhu Qiong reminded, “Spirit swords have their own will—unyielding, unbending. Junior Brother need not overthink. Just grasp the hilt and channel your power; then you will know whether it suits your cultivation.”

Chen Beiwu nodded, stepped forward, and cautiously reached his right hand toward the Cold Pool Sword.

“Weng!”

At that instant, the spirit sword rang crisply. A sharp, bone-piercing chill instantly gusted toward Chen Beiwu.

Unfazed, Chen Beiwu suddenly quickened his motion and firmly grasped the sword.

“Weng!”

In the next breath, a soothing warmth flowed from the hilt of the Cold Pool Sword into his body, only to vanish quickly, leaving Chen Beiwu slightly stunned.

He had already prepared for rejection, but unexpectedly, the Cold Pool Sword accepted him readily, giving him the sense that it was like an extension of his own arm.

“Many thanks for the gift, Senior Sister.” Chen Beiwu clasped the hilt firmly, blade lowered, and bowed slightly to Zhu Qiong.

Her eyes showed no surprise.

The Cold Pool Spirit Sword’s criteria in choosing its master were twofold: cultivation realm and spiritual root.

The former determined present strength; the latter, future potential.

Otherwise, their Master would never have bothered to forge such a sword.

“I still have pressing matters to attend to. As for Junior Brother’s initiation into the sect, I will entrust it to Junior Sister Shu.”

As Zhu Qiong finished, Chen Beiwu tactfully excused himself.

Just as he exited the room, Shu You—who had been waiting outside—swept her gaze over the Cold Pool Sword before stepping forward.

“Junior Brother has good fortune indeed, to have received the Cold Pool Spirit Sword as a gift from True Inheritor Zhu.”

At her words, Chen Beiwu revealed a timely expression of doubt.

“Elder Zhu excels in artifact forging. Every disciple under her command is given a Cold Pool Spirit Sword. For Junior Brother to obtain this sword means you have already entered the Elder’s tutelage.” Shu You’s tone carried envy.

Golden Core Elders commanded entire islands within the Mirror Moon Sect. Their authority was second only to the Supreme Elders and the Sect Master and Vice Sect Master. With but a word, they could decide the distribution of resources to the sect’s subsidiary branches.

Among the many Golden Core True Persons who specialized in alchemy, Elder Zhu’s standing ranked firmly within the top five.

“Thank you, Senior Sister, for clarifying.” Chen Beiwu’s eyes revealed understanding.

“The craft examination lasts three days and three nights. To avoid delaying Junior Brother’s cultivation, I have already asked the Gu Clan to prepare a superior-grade cave dwelling for you.” Shu You presented him with the jade plaque of a residence.

Chen Beiwu accepted without refusal, offering thanks as he took the jade plaque.

It was said that Hidden Mist Market’s superior-grade cave dwellings were only open to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

This would be a fine opportunity to experience a cultivation dwelling nearly comparable to a third-tier spiritual vein.

After the cave’s gate closed, Shu You’s eyes carried a contemplative gleam.

Through her recent interactions, she had realized that Chen Zi’ang’s conduct bore no resemblance to a wandering cultivator. Instead, he seemed more like the scion of a scholarly family from a mortal kingdom—refined, elegant, and a worthy ally.

…

“Has Junior Brother Chen’s background been investigated clearly?” Zhu Qiong toyed with talismans without looking up.

“It has been verified.” Shu You bowed slightly, presenting a jade slip with both hands. “Here are the details.”

Zhu Qiong accepted it, gave it a casual sweep with her divine sense, and her brows furrowed.

Orphaned young, he survived by fishing to stave off hunger. Then, a sudden flood swept him away. Upon awakening, he discovered an inheritance from a corpse, thus stepping onto the path of cultivation…

After reading, Zhu Qiong’s gaze turned strange.

It was impossible for Hidden Mist Market to produce a heaven-grade spiritual root cultivator out of nowhere. Yet, this junior brother’s tale resembled the classic fortunes of a protagonist in a cultivation chronicle.

“Should we investigate more thoroughly?” Shu You asked cautiously.

“No need, leave it at that.” Zhu Qiong waved dismissively, her tone relaxed.

Heavenly spiritual root cultivators were rare.

Unless one had gone mad, no sect high authority would willingly allow such a talent to be wasted outside—much less as a spy.

Besides, identities could be forged, but one’s will could not.

The sect possessed the unfathomable fifth-tier origin artifact, the Moon-in-Water Mirror. With but a single reflection, it could determine whether an initiate harbored resentment or malice, or was a hidden demonic cultivator.

Just as Shu You prepared to excuse herself, a cold voice suddenly rang out.

“What do you think of Junior Brother Chen as a person?”

Caught off guard, Shu You froze, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Speak what you truly think,” Zhu Qiong prompted.

“Outstanding talent, both virtuous and capable,” Shu You answered simply, afraid that too many words might incur True Inheritor Zhu’s displeasure.

After all, closeness mattered.

She was but an inner disciple, while Chen Zi’ang was now True Inheritor Zhu’s junior brother.

“Mm. I understand.” Zhu Qiong’s voice remained calm.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Chen Beiwu opened his eyes and exhaled a turbid breath.

This place brimmed with spiritual energy, tides of power surging ceaselessly—worthy of a superior-grade cave dwelling reserved for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Here, one hour of cultivation equaled two in a lower-grade dwelling. If he could continue at this pace, within mere months he might reach the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.

“Gulu.” Golden Egg happily blew bubbles.

With Chen Beiwu’s aid, its cultivation years steadily grew; it now possessed twenty-two years of Dao cultivation.

Unfortunately, its diet had not changed in this time—repeatedly the same few meals—making it long for the days when it had feasted on spirit fish in the miniature water realm.

Drooling at the memory, Golden Egg’s mouth dripped with saliva.

Sensing this emotion through their Companion Contract, Chen Beiwu shook his head and drew out the Cold Pool Spirit Sword from his storage pouch.

Jade must be polished to become a gem.

This lump only thought of eating. He would need to find time to spar and sharpen Golden Egg’s combat ability—lest he raise it into uselessness.

“Gulu!”

The instant the Cold Pool Sword appeared, Golden Egg’s eyes lit up, staring fixedly at it.

‘This isn’t food.’

Patting Golden Egg’s head, Chen Beiwu focused his divine sense, beginning to comprehend the Cold Pool Spirit Sword’s inherent arts.

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