C14 Inscription Array

Lin Yu was at a loss when Yao Xi clung to his legs, sobbing and pleading to become his apprentice. It took considerable effort to get her back on her feet, and with a wry smile, he said, "You don't need to become my apprentice. I'll do my best to teach you going forward. Feel free to come to me with any questions. I promise to share all I know, but how much you'll learn is up to your ability to grasp it."

"Promise you'll keep your word. Pinky swear." Yao Xi, no longer crying, promptly extended her delicate little pinky. Lin Yu reluctantly pinky-swore with her, feeling somewhat duped by the little girl's rapid change of demeanor.

Yao Xi truly admired Lin Yu's skills but was hesitant to formally take him as her master. Her feelings for Lin Yu were a complex mix of reverence and something deeper, indescribable. She worried that adding a master-disciple dynamic might complicate any future decisions about her feelings. So, when Lin Yu assured her, she saw it as the best of both worlds and eagerly agreed.

Lin Yu, with only a rudimentary understanding of romantic relationships, didn't dwell on Yao Xi's feelings. His attention returned to the broken Autumn Water Sword, his expression one of deep concentration, with Yao Xi observing intently by his side.

With care, he melted the sword back into liquid form, then skillfully restored it to its original shape. While immersed in controlling his divine power, Lin Yu didn't forget to guide Yao Xi, "Even the smallest impurities in metal can have a significant impact on the outcome, so we must be extremely cautious."

Yao Xi nodded earnestly, her gaze fixed on Lin Yu's every move.

The Autumn Water Sword, crafted from the water-element Blue Moon Stone, had been nearly free of impurities when first forged. Thus, it only took Lin Yu a brief moment to inspect it. He then explained, "Next, we'll work on the Inscription Array. The patterns within the sword are unique, formed by the sword crafting master's own spiritual energy. I've selected an Inscription Array that suits Miss Chu. Xi, project a thread of your spiritual awareness into the sword's realm and experience it closely."

"Alright," Yao Xi replied, her compliance to Lin Yu's instructions absolute, and she proceeded to do just that.

Lin Yu continued without pause, meticulously manipulating the spiritual energy to etch the inscription array. To the untrained eye, the process seemed chaotic and complex, yet through Yao Xi's gaze, it was an entirely different spectacle. She felt as though she was witnessing a miracle unfold—the spiritual energy, shimmering like starlight, coalesced, twisted, and intertwined. Gradually, it took form, transforming into an intricate inscription pattern that hovered in midair, as delicate as a newborn.

One.

Two.

Three.

...

Lin Yu worked like a magician, conjuring one inscription pattern after another from his spiritual energy. Soon, they filled the air, a constellation of ethereal shapes. Yao Xi's amazement grew with each passing moment. Lin Yu's finesse in wielding his spiritual energy was astounding. Yet, she couldn't help but notice the slowing pace of the patterns' formation and the labored breaths escaping Lin Yu.

Drawing back her divine sense, Yao Xi saw Lin Yu's complexion had turned ashen, his frame quivering faintly.

"Of course," she realized. "No matter how skilled Lin Yu is as a Sword Crafting Master, his cultivation is only at the fourth level of the Yellow Rank. He can't sustain this level of energy control indefinitely." The thought weighed on her.

Indeed, Lin Yu felt an increasing heaviness, his vitality nearly sapped. His perseverance alone had brought him this far.

"Lin Yu, should we take a break?" Yao Xi asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Don't worry, I can endure," Lin Yu replied, his voice a mere whisper. The patterns etched into the Autumn Water Sword were born of his spiritual energy; stopping now would mean all was lost. Resolute, Lin Yu braced himself, pushing the Seven-star Sword Spell to its limits. But without the night's embrace, the star power was weak, and he teetered on the brink of collapse.

What to do? Lin Yu's mind raced with urgency. He was nearly at his limit, his spiritual energy dwindling, an overwhelming fatigue setting in. He was on the verge of falling, each second an agony.

"Nightfall approaches," Yao Xi noted, her gaze drawn to the stars twinkling outside the French window. Her concern deepened; Lin Yu had been enduring for hours. Could he last?

Bathed in starlight, the Seven-star Sword Spell's rotation quickened. The soft power of the stars converged, revitalizing Lin Yu's spiritual energy. Rallying his strength, he amplified the flow of energy. The inscription was complete. Now, it was time to guide it to its rightful place.

"Xi, stay focused and keep watching," Lin Yu gently reminded her, fully aware of Yao Xi's current predicament. Her experience was limited, and her Sword Crafting Technique was far from perfect. His guidance was meant to let her witness firsthand the intricate process of forming and reorganizing an Inscription Array, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors.

Yao Xi was deeply moved by Lin Yu's thoughtful intentions. She divided her consciousness and delved once more into the inner realm of the Autumn Water Sword. With crystal clarity, she observed the thirty-six inscription lines warp and shift under Lin Yu's manipulation, ultimately coalescing into a miniature array. Despite its size, the array's complexity was immeasurable, and her divine sense struggled to grasp even a fraction of its essence.

Divine Skill!

These words reverberated through Yao Xi's mind. Having seen the Inscription Array's creation from start to finish, she was profoundly shaken. It would likely take a considerable amount of time for her to process this experience. A sense of her path broadening filled her with a quiet anticipation.

Lin Yu's concentration broke, and he collapsed, his strength draining away. Thankfully, Yao Xi was there to catch him.

"How do you feel?" Lin Yu asked, his voice weak.

"It's incredibly complex. I couldn't grasp it," Yao Xi admitted candidly.

"Don't worry, you're still young. There's plenty of time," Lin Yu said, affectionately stroking her silky hair.

"Yes, I understand. I'll work hard," Yao Xi responded, her heart swelling with happiness at the affectionate gesture.

Lin Yu nodded in approval and began to meditate, channeling the Seven-star Sword Spell to replenish his energy. Yao Xi sat quietly by his side, her gaze fixed on Lin Yu's pallid face. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she watched him, his stillness reminiscent of a serene monk in deep meditation. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably, and it took her a while to gather the courage to lean in, her lips puckered and inching towards Lin Yu's cheek. But just then, a knock at the door jolted her back to reality.

Yao Xi's face turned a deeper shade of red, and a twinge of annoyance flickered in her heart. Who could be interrupting them at such a moment?

Fuming, she spun around and flung open the door to the Sword Crafting Room, only to find a stunning woman standing a short distance away. She exclaimed in surprise, "Ms. Xiangyue, what brings you here?"

"I've come for my sword," Chu Xiangyue replied with a gentle smile. She had a duel scheduled for tomorrow against one of the four great masters of the Profound Heaven Sect's Outer Sect. It was imperative that she reclaim her Autumn Water Sword to face her opponent with full strength. Noticing Yao Xi's flushed face and the spring in her eyes, Chu Xiangyue expressed her concern, "Xi, are you okay? Your face is so red."

"No... I'm fine..." Yao Xi's cheeks deepened in color as she recalled her thwarted attempt at a kiss. She quickly said, "Ms. Xiangyue, just give me a moment, I'll fetch your sword for you."

With those words, Yao Xi vanished. Chu Xiangyue stood disheveled in the breeze, wondering what had gotten into the girl. After a short wait, Yao Xi returned with the reforged Autumn Water Sword, handing it over as she explained, "The Inscription Array on the Autumn Water Sword was damaged, so we had to recast it."

"Is that so?" Chu Xiangyue swung the sword, noting it felt significantly lighter. She channeled her spiritual energy into the blade, eager to test the enhanced effects of the Inscription Array. But her energy disappeared without a trace, eliciting no response from the sword. Puzzled, she inquired, "You said the Inscription Array was in place, right? Why isn't there any reaction?"

"It definitely has the Inscription Array; I witnessed it myself," Yao Xi insisted, her thoughts drifting to Lin Yu's face, her gaze turning distant and unfocused. Chu Xiangyue, observing her demeanor, suspected something was amiss.

"Could it be that the Inscription Array failed?" Chu Xiangyue pressed.

"What?" Yao Xi, lost in her own thoughts, hadn't caught the question.

"Oh, never mind..." Chu Xiangyue said, a tinge of disappointment in her voice. She understood the complexity of Inscription Arrays; even the esteemed elders of the Profound Heaven Sect's Inner Sect couldn't guarantee success with every attempt, much less Yao Wanli, who operated outside the cloistered world of the sect.

"Never mind, if there's no Inscription Array, then so be it!" Chu Xiangyue quietly breathed a sigh of relief and spoke, "Please extend my thanks to Grandpa Yao. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now."