C5 Loli Sword Crafting Master

Chu Xiangyue found herself caught between a rock and a hard place. Not long ago, her Autumn Water Sword had shattered in a duel with Xiao Yang, the renowned First Expert of the Outer Sect. With no other option, she had sent it off to be reforged. Now, without a suitable weapon at hand, she took the opportunity during a break to select a new sword. After much deliberation, she had narrowed her choices down to two favorites, yet she was torn and couldn't decide between them.

As she wrestled with her decision, a soft voice reached her ears, "Do you need any assistance?"

Looking up, Chu Xiangyue saw a young man in green standing three feet away, smiling at her. Clearly, he was the source of the inquiry.

"No need..." she replied curtly. Her nature was reserved, and she wasn't comfortable engaging with strangers.

Lin Yu seemed unfazed by her cold demeanor, casually taking the two swords from her hands. A flicker of annoyance crossed Chu Xiangyue's beautiful face. How impertinent! Hadn't she made it clear she didn't require help? Yet, she managed to keep her anger in check.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm just trying to be helpful... It seems this is your first time selecting a sword, right?" Lin Yu asked, still smiling. Chu Xiangyue remained silent, her large, expressive eyes fixed on him, unblinking.

Sword appraisal is quite a nuanced task," Lin Yu continued, handing her one of the swords. The blade was a pale green, its edge razor-sharp, exuding a chilling brilliance. "This is the Green Blade Sword, crafted from the rare and durable Green Steel—a superb choice for sword forging. However, beyond the material, there's nothing particularly remarkable about this sword."

"What do you mean?" Chu Xiangyue's curiosity was piqued, and she prompted him to elaborate.

"Observe the Sword Body; its green hue isn't pure, betraying a subtle black sheen in certain lights. This is a common flaw in the forging process, indicative of a Sword Furnace that hasn't been kept clean, allowing impurities to infiltrate. It's all about the attention to detail. And the sound... listen..." Lin Yu snapped his fingers against the blade, producing a 'ding'. "Hear how it lacks clarity? That suggests the Green Steel wasn't smelted thoroughly. But most crucially, this sword lacks a soul..."

"No soul?" Chu Xiangyue inquired, her brow furrowed in confusion. "But a sword is an inanimate object; how could it possess a soul?"

"Everything possesses a spirit, and swords are no exception. The Sword Crafting Master who forged this one clearly overlooked that fact, which is why it feels so lifeless and devoid of any spiritual essence. I can confidently declare this sword to be a flawed piece, its only redeeming quality being its pleasing exterior," Lin Yu stated with a nonchalant air.

Chu Xiangyue's perplexity lingered, yet her esteem for the young man before her grew. She might not have grasped his words entirely, but she wasn't one to lack insight. A mere hint was enough for her to discern the essence of his critique, and she found herself inwardly astonished. The young man's discernment was impressive; surely, not even a seasoned Sword Crafting Master could identify so many faults at a mere glance?

"Are you a Sword Crafting Master?" she probed.

"Uh... in a manner of speaking..." Lin Yu hesitated, a wry smile crossing his face. He had once been a masterful Sword Crafting Master, but whether he still qualified was something he himself was uncertain of.

"That explains your expertise..." Chu Xiangyue nodded in realization, then gestured toward the other sword by his side. "And what about that one?"

"The other is a White Jade Sword, fitting for a lady's hand. However, the jade is marred by a red spot, betraying its subpar quality. White Jade, being inherently delicate, should only be used in sword making if it's of the finest grade. Otherwise, it would shatter upon impact in a duel between masters, endangering the life of the Sword Master," Lin Yu explained.

"So, you're saying neither of these swords is right for me?" Chu Xiangyue's voice carried a tinge of disappointment.

"I've merely shared my perspective. The choice is yours to make," Lin Yu responded with a smile. Naturally, his critique came from a place of high standards, and he could easily spot numerous imperfections. To an average Sword Crafting Master, however, both swords would be considered quite exceptional.

"Could you then recommend something more suitable?" Chu Xiangyue asked, her need for a reliable sword pressing.

"Absolutely."

When the lovely Chu Xiangyue made a request, Lin Yu was more than willing to oblige. He meticulously scoured the shelves for the perfect sword, and Chu Xiangyue had complete faith in his discerning eye. She had intended to join him in the search, but before she could take a step, a young girl in a green dress came bounding into the weapon shop. She was just a teenager, around fourteen or fifteen, with charming twin ponytails, and her presence was bursting with the vibrancy of youth.

As soon as the girl stepped inside, she began to scan the room eagerly. Upon spotting Chu Xiangyue, she leaped towards her with the energy of a whirlwind and beamed, "Sister Yue'er, how did it go? Are the two swords I recommended to your liking?"

"Xi... what brings you here?" Chu Xiangyue inquired, clearly taken aback.

"I had no pressing matters, so I thought I'd drop in to visit my favorite and most beautiful Sister Yue'er. You haven't told me yet, what do you think of the swords? My grandfather couldn't stop praising them," Yao Xi chirped, her voice filled with delight and a hint of pride.

"Uh…" Chu Xiangyue hesitated, Lin Yu's earlier words echoing in her mind, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.

"Uh? Silence? Are you overwhelmed? Teehee, Sister Yue'er, I was just as speechless when I first saw the Green Sharp Sword and White Jade Sword fresh from the forge. Teehee... Which one have you picked out? Uncle Long here is quite fond of me, Xi. He'll offer you a generous 20% discount on my account!" Yao Xi boasted, patting her chest with a confident grin.

"Uh, just hold on... I haven't made up my mind yet..." Chu Xiangyue replied with an embarrassed smile.

"Not decided?" Yao Xi's eyes twinkled with mischief as she quickly caught on. "Could it be that you're torn between the two swords? Hehe... That's wonderful..."

Chu Xiangyue was at a loss for words, finding the young girl's self-assurance a bit too much. She was just about to delicately convey Lin Yu's message when, to her utter surprise, Lin Yu returned, already holding the two selected swords in his hands.

"You've already picked them out? That was quick!" Chu Xiangyue exclaimed in disbelief. There were hundreds of swords on the shelf, and it hadn't even been fifteen minutes.

"Fast? I'd say this is on the slower side..." Lin Yu chuckled as he passed the two selected swords to Chu Xiangyue. "This one," he explained, "is crafted from red phosphorus stone. It's a three-foot blade with the Fire Element adhering to it, giving it a fiery effect when spiritual energy is channeled through it. It might not be a game-changer for the top-tier fighters, but for those below Earth Rank, the impact is quite significant..."

Lin Yu paused, noticing Chu Xiangyue's odd expression. Her beautiful eyes were blinking incessantly, seemingly trying to signal something. Puzzled but unable to decipher her hints, he went on, "The other sword is forged from Moonlight Stone, its luminescence as soft and soothing as moonlight itself. I'd particularly recommend this one for you since your spiritual energy aligns with the Water Element, one of the five elements. The synergy between water's gentleness and the moon's glow could substantially enhance your combat abilities..."

After finishing, Lin Yu saw Chu Xiangyue still blinking and pursing her lips intermittently, leaving him clueless about her silent messages. "Is something the matter?" he inquired.

"I... I'm alright..." Chu Xiangyue felt a mix of frustration and amusement at his obliviousness. She cautiously glanced at Yao Xi, whose previously smiling face had turned to a scowl of annoyance.

Yao Xi squinted, searching until she finally located the Green Blade Sword and White Jade Sword that Lin Yu had carelessly placed on the shelf. She hurried over, clutching them, and looked at Chu Xiangyue with a plaintive gaze. "Sister Yue, didn't you say you were going to buy these swords? Why are you looking at others? Don't you like them?"

"It's not that, Xi, let me explain..."

"Are you looking to buy a sword too, young miss?" Lin Yu found Yao Xi's pouting and rosy-cheeked expression endearing and spoke gently, "These swords you're holding were crafted by a novice. They may look nice, but they're not very practical, and they're quite overpriced. They're really not worth it... Hey, why are you pulling on my sleeve?"

Lin Yu, still bewildered by Chu Xiangyue's peculiar behavior, pressed on, "If you're set on purchasing a sword, I can assist you in picking one out. It'll be leagues better than the ones you're holding, and the price will be much more reasonable... Why are you stepping on my foot?"

Before Lin Yu could finish his sentence, Chu Xiangyue cut him off with a sharp stomp, her face a mix of frustration and resignation. At her side, the young girl, Lin Xi, clutched the Green Blade Sword and White Jade Sword, her large eyes brimming with tears, on the verge of crying—a picture of utter distress. Lin Yu sensed he might have blundered.

"What's the matter, little sister?" Lin Yu inquired.

"So, you said these swords are just flawed, useless pieces? Is that it?" Yao Xi looked up at Lin Yu, biting her lip softly as she spoke.

"Yes... that's right..." Lin Yu admitted, his nod filled with discomfort.

"Why would you speak ill of my swords? Do you have any idea how much effort I put into making them?" Yao Xi's voice was sharp with emotion as she glared at Lin Yu.

Silence fell.

Was this little girl truly the Sword Crafting Master behind the Azure Edge Sword and the White Jade Sword? That seemed impossible.

Lin Yu stood there, dumbfounded. He now understood the meaning behind Chu Xiangyue's persistent winks—it all made sense! But who could have guessed that such a delicate little girl could be a Sword Crafting Master? As Yao Xi continued to gaze at him defiantly, Lin Yu offered an awkward smile. "Ah, I was just spouting nonsense. Please, little sister, don't take it to heart, okay?"

"Exactly, Xi. He's prone to making things up. Don't be upset. The swords you've crafted are wonderful, and I really love them," Chu Xiangyue chimed in, trying to soothe her.

But Yao Xi remained steadfast, her gaze fixed on Lin Yu as she asked, "Are you a Sword Crafting Master too?"

"Uh, sort of?" Lin Yu responded.

"I challenge you to a competition then..."