Chapter 179: Refining the Natal Sword
After Yu Nianzhen recovered his soul power, the two went back to work. A day later, he poured the mother of iron into a special jade bowl after purifying it three times.
"This will have to do." He said, but there was a frown on his face.
When he saw that, Jiang Yue smiled, and his eyes glistened with affection.
"Don’t worry, you can continue to purify it in the future." He said.
He knew their strength was too low to completely purify the mother of iron. However, there was nothing they could do.
For now, Yu Nianzhen could only use the metal as it was and continue to purify it when his cultivation improved.
"I know." Yu Nianzhen said.
After that, the two rested before they began to refine the essence of iron.
Unlike the mother of iron, the essence of iron was essentially pure. After melting it and purifying it one time, Yu Nianzhen poured it into another container and took a deep breath.
"I will rest for a day." He said.
"Good." Jiang Yue agreed.
Although he wasn’t exhausted, he could see that his lover was severely fatigued.
Without rest, the following refining process would not go smoothly, which was a waste of good refining materials.
"Do you want to sleep or meditate?" Jiang Yue asked.
When he heard the question, a wicked smile curved Yu Nianzhen’s lips.
His eyes softened, and his voice was husky when he spoke.
"Will you sleep with me?" He asked.
"Rogue." Jiang Yue grumbled and pushed his shoulder.
He then stood up and prepared a bed on one side of the refining room.
However, both people were self-aware.
They knew there was no time to double cultivate, so Yu Nianzhen only kissed his husband before falling into a deep sleep.
’He must be tired.’ Jiang Yue thought and also fell asleep.
When they woke up, both were refreshed.
Jiang Yue had recovered his qi while Yu Nianzhen’s soul power was seventy per cent replenished.
However, they didn’t rush to refine the sword.
Instead, Yu Nianzhen took time to fully recover his soul power and reread the refining process.
When he was sure, he signalled the other, and Jiang Yue released his yin-yang flame.
This time, the flame was lower than before, and they waited for half an hour before the furnace was adequately hot. When it was hot enough, Yu Nianzhen grabbed a jade bowl and poured a black liquid into the furnace.
This black liquid was the melted and purified mother of iron.
As soon as it landed in the furnace, the furnace whistled but did not release black smoke. A moment later, transparent soul power wrapped around the metal and began to shape it into a ball.
While doing this, Yu Nianzhen chanted and formed mysterious seals with his hands.
At the same time, Jiang Yue adjusted the temperature and the two cooperated until all the black liquid was shaped into a semi-solid blob.
After that, Yu Nianzhen added the prepared essence of metal and shaped it into a similar but smaller blob.
When that was done, he took a deep breath and refocused his mind.
’I must fuse them on the first try.’ He thought, and his eyes hardened with determination.
If he failed in fusing, the forging materials would likely be lost. This would not only delay the refining of his natal weapon but there was no guarantee he could find another set of such good materials in the future.
Also, his soul power was only at the second level. If he failed to fuse the materials on the first try, he would not have enough soul power to complete the refining process.
’I am too weak.’ He lamented.
However, he wasn’t resentful and did not despise his weak strength. Because he was weak, his mind was more resolute.
He firmly understood his situation and didn’t dare to mess around with the precious refining materials.
’I am about to fuse." He said.
"Good." Jiang Yue answered and adjusted the flame.
The furnace became a little hotter, and the two blobs of metal became a tad more vigorous.
When he saw that, Yu Nianzhen used his soul power to move the two blobs towards each other.
A moment later, the blobs collided, and black liquid began to fuse with golden liquid.
At the same time, Yu Nianzhen’s hand movements did not cease, and small bursts of power kept hitting the furnace.
This went on for a long time, and after three hours, the mother of iron fused with the essence of metal, forming a new liquid blob.
Although this new liquid was also black, it exuded a faint golden light that added to the mystery of the liquid.
"I will begin forging."
"Good."
The two tacitly cooperated, and half a day later, the liquid was reshaped into a small sword.
At this time, Jiang Yue reduced the temperature of the yin-yang flame, and the sword began to solidify. The solidifying took another day, and when it was done, a small sword floated in the middle of the refining furnace.
This sword was black and was only ten centimetres long. However, it exuded a sharp aura, and low clinks could be heard when the aura hit the sides of the refining furnace.
"Do you like it?" Jiang Yue asked as he looked at the sword.
However, Yu Nianzhen did not answer. Instead, he smiled slightly, and Jiang Yue could tell he was happy.
He chuckled and reminded, "finish the refining first."
"Good."
Without another word, Yu Nianzhen poured three drops of his lifeblood on the small sword.
At the same time, Jiang Yue increased the flame’s temperature, and the sword’s surface became hotter.
When the blood landed on the blade, it sizzled, and all the impurities rapidly burned away. Only after all the impurities were removed did the blood sink into the sword.
This was the last step in refining the natal sword, and Yu Nianzhen was not careless.
He continued with the hand seals, and soon after, the black sword was enveloped by a red glow.
As time went on, the sword absorbed the glow, and the blade became darker. When the glow finally disappeared, Yu Nianzhen felt a tug on his soul.
This tug meant that a soul connection had been forged, and the refined sword had become his natal weapon.
’Success.’ He thought and smiled happily.
The stone in his heart fell, and he opened his eyes to look at Jiang Yue.
"Congratulations." Jiang Yue said with a smile.
For a swordsman, a natal sword was of unparalleled importance. This was especially so for cultivators with a sword origin.
Now that Yu Nianzhen had forged a natal sword, his combat power would increase severalfold.
"Thank you." Yu Nianzhen said and smiled at Jiang Yue.
Without Jiang Yue to control the flame, Yu Nianzhen would have failed to refine the weapon.
At his current level, it took all his soul power and concentration to refine the materials. If he was asked to also care about the fire, he doubted he would have succeeded.
"What ’thank you’? If you are grateful, be more sincere." Jiang Yue said, and Yu Nianzhen chuckled.
He pulled his husband into his arms and kissed him.
Jiang Yue looped his arms around his husband’s neck and kissed him back.
It had been many days since they were intimate, and their bodies quickly reacted to the proximity.
However, Jiang Yue did not allow it to go further. He pushed the other away and smiled mischievously when he saw his aggrieved expression.
"Look at the sword first." He said.
Yu Nianzhen closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were a little clearer.
He grabbed the sword from the refining furnace, and when it touched his hand, it thrummed as if it recognised its owner.
Soon after, it warmed in his hand and extended to a length of almost one metre.
"Are you satisfied?" Jiang Yue asked, and Yu Nianzhen trembled lightly.
The way his husband asked the question was clearly not related to the sword. However, Yu Nianzhen forcibly calmed himself down and focused on the sword.
"Satisfied." He said through gritted teeth.
Jiang Yue chuckled, and his heart filled with happiness.
In this cultivation world, affection was a luxury, and ordinary couples did not trust each other.
After helping Yu Nianzhen refine his natal sword, he felt their bond had become closer.
"Have you thought of a name for it?" Jiang Yue asked.
"Name..." Yu Nianzhen looked at the sword in his hand, and his mind drifted.
Before he forged the sword, he considered a million names.
He thought of names related to appearance, others related to the sword’s capability, and even others related to his dao.
However, he couldn’t settle on one after considering it for a long time.
In the end, he decided to make up his mind after the sword was forged.
At this time, he realised his previous considerations were unnecessary.
When he forged the sword and refined it into his natal weapon, a name had come to mind naturally.
The name was ordinary and didn’t betray lofty ambitions, but Yu Nianzhen felt it was suitable.
"Shanjiang." He said in a firm voice.
