C7 Inscription Array

After Yao Xi and Lin Yu had entered the Sword Crafting Room, a hush fell over the area outside. Chu Xiangyue, naturally aloof, was never one for idle chatter. She now stood with her arms folded and eyes closed, rejuvenating herself in silence as she awaited the outcome of the duel.

Wu Yong was the antithesis of stillness. Aware of Chu Xiangyue's standing, he recognized her current role as an Outer Sect disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect as merely a prelude. In a month's time, the Outer Sect Assessment would take place with dual objectives: to weed out the unworthy and to identify the elite. Tradition dictated that the top three from the Outer Sect would be granted access to the Inner Sect. Among the Outer Sect, four were notably the strongest: Xiao Yang, Chu Xiangyue, Mo Yuntian, and Wang Meng. Barring any surprises, they were the likely candidates for the coveted Inner Sect spots this year.

For Chu Xiangyue, securing a place in the Inner Sect of the Profound Heaven Sect would be a transformative leap, akin to a fish surging through the dragon's gate. In the expansive Cangxi Province, the Profound Heaven Sect stood as one of the Five Great Sects, its formidable power commanding respect far and wide. Entry into the Inner Sect meant not only sanctuary but access to a wealth of spiritual elixirs and advanced techniques to bolster one's prowess—a stark contrast to the spartan existence of an Outer Sect disciple.

Wu Yong's smile was ingratiating. He had long been acquainted with the name Chu Xiangyue but had found no opportunity to ingratiate himself, given her secluded cultivation within the Outer Sect. Now, as fate would have it, she was before him, and he was eager to seize the moment.

"Miss Chu, you must be weary from standing. Would you care to rest in the private room? It's likely to be some time before they return," Wu Yong offered obsequiously.

"No need," replied Chu Xiangyue, her voice as cool as the air around her.

"Very well. With your esteemed cultivation, such concerns are surely beneath you. Tell me, is Lin Yu a friend of yours?" Wu Yong pressed on, undeterred.

Chu Xiangyue paused briefly before responding, "No!"

Indeed, it wasn't the case. She and Lin Yu had only just met today, their paths crossing briefly. How could they already be considered friends? Besides, Chu Xiangyue was extremely selective about her friendships. She had a clear idea of who qualified to be her friend and who did not.

Lin Yu, though not lacking in vision, was merely at the Fourth Level of the Yellow Rank for his age. To label him as martial arts fodder wouldn't be far from the truth. How could someone like him be worthy of her friendship?

"I see..." Wu Yong murmured, his mind racing. Now that Chu Xiangyue had clarified that Lin Yu was not a friend, he wouldn't have to worry about saving face for her later on...

Inside the Sword Crafting Room...

Lin Yu meticulously melted the Flame Profound Iron into a liquid, carefully placing it into a pre-cleaned container. He then channeled his spiritual energy into the molten Profound Iron, guiding it to flow gently across the surface, seeking out any impurities.

This was akin to the way a gentle stream navigates around obstacles. If the stream's current isn't strong enough to dislodge the stones in its path, it flows around them. Lin Yu did the same with the Profound Iron liquid, treating it as the riverbed and his spiritual energy as the water. The 'stones' he encountered were the impurities that, though seemingly insignificant, needed to be removed for the delicate art of sword crafting, where even a minor oversight could lead to irreversible damage.

As a skilled Sword Crafting Master, Lin Yu was not one to make such elementary errors. With painstaking precision, he manipulated his spiritual energy to encase any obstacles and separate them from the Profound Iron liquid. After nearly six hours, Lin Yu completed the refining process.

Exhausted and gasping for breath, Lin Yu's cultivation at the Fourth Level of the Yellow Rank meant his spiritual energy and mental focus were insufficient for such prolonged exertion.

After exhaling deeply, Lin Yu realized he had no better option at his disposal. With his current level of cultivation, all he could do was sit cross-legged on the ground and channel the Seven-star Sword Spell to replenish his spiritual energy. However, since it wasn't night, the starlight's power was insufficient, leading to a much slower recovery rate. It took a full half-hour of meditation before Lin Yu began to feel somewhat revitalized.

He then directed his spiritual energy into the molten Profound Iron once more, this time aiming to etch a Law Array into it, known among Sword Crafting Masters as an Inscription Array. This technique was a mark of the craft's elite, involving the intricate inscription of various Law Arrays within a weapon. These arrays could serve numerous purposes, from enhancing a weapon's sharpness to speeding up the flow of spiritual energy, thereby boosting its wielder's combat capabilities. More complex arrays could even conceal Sword Skills, allowing the wielder to unleash devastating attacks with a surge of spiritual energy.

The distinction between a weapon with an Inscription Array and one without was stark, akin to the difference between heaven and earth. Indeed, the presence of an Inscription Array was a true measure of a Sword Crafting Master's expertise.

Lin Yu was intimately familiar with a myriad of Inscription Arrays, having even developed several himself. However, his current low level of cultivation prevented him from inscribing any of the more profound arrays. Thus, he resolved to engrave a Law Array known as Flame Slash onto this particular sword.

Flame Slash was a basic fire-based Sword Skill. Once inscribed, it enabled the bearer to wield fire attacks, even if they were not a fire attribute practitioner, thanks to the power of the Law Array and the augmentative properties of the Flame Profound Iron.

Confident in his ability to handle this less complex Inscription Array, Lin Yu concentrated as the spiritual energy within the Profound Iron traced a deliberate path. To his amazement, the route illuminated gradually, forming fluid lines that wove together and apart in a mesmerizing dance. Before long, these lines coalesced into a pattern that was not overly intricate yet captivating—a fusion of sword and flame that eventually blurred into an enigmatic and profound design.

At the same time, the once fiery red Profound Iron liquid began to dim, losing its original vibrant hue and turning a pale red. Yet, through the outer layer, the inner world became visible, gradually illuminating under the pull of an array, resembling a realm ablaze with magma.

Lin Yu's breathing grew increasingly labored as his spiritual energy waned. A profound weariness washed over him, leaving him feeling light-headed and weak-kneed, as if every ounce of strength had been sapped from his body. His vision blurred with layers of illusions, but he tenaciously held on. The Inscription Array was nearing completion, and he refused to let his efforts be in vain.

Biting back fatigue, he persevered, channeling the Seven-star Sword Spell to replenish his dwindling spiritual energy. Despite his efforts, exhaustion bore down on him even more. After a grueling two hours, the fiery world within the sword burst open with a resounding crash. Meteor-like fire feathers scattered in all directions before fusing into the sword's structure.

Calmness settled once more. Lin Yu gazed at the treasured sword before him; its searing heat had dissipated, and the intricate array patterns were now concealed. The Sword Body displayed a simple light red, unassuming and devoid of any ostentation. Yet, Lin Yu allowed himself a soft, contented smile, whispering, "At last... it's finished."

With a sigh of relief, Lin Yu's strength gave out, and he collapsed to the ground...

...

Meanwhile, Yao Xi was well ahead of Lin Yu. As he staggered to place his sword into the Sword Furnace, she had already finished her masterpiece. The sword by her side shone with a fiery brilliance, its aura so intensely hot it commanded awe. With one hand, Yao Xi channeled her spiritual energy into the blade, amplifying the heat to unprecedented levels that engulfed the Sword Crafting Room in waves.

"Ah, this is perfect..." Yao Xi beamed with satisfaction, thinking smugly to herself, "Take that, Lin Yu... How can you possibly beat me now?" With that thought, she carefully placed the treasured sword into the pre-prepared Sword Box and stepped out the door.

"Xi, are you finished?" Chu Xiangyue inquired gently upon seeing Yao Xi.

"Obviously... it's hardly a formidable challenge. Hmph, has Lin Yu not emerged yet?" Yao Xi declared with a hint of impatience, clearly eager to look down on Lin Yu.

"No, not yet..." Chu Xiangyue glanced at the Sword Box in Yao Xi's grasp and inquired softly, "May I have a look?"

"Absolutely, but you'd better keep your eyes peeled." Yao Xi unlatched the Sword Box, and instantly, Chu Xiangyue was hit with a wave of searing heat. Her own cultivation was substantial enough to withstand it, yet she couldn't help but feel astonished. Inside the Sword Box lay a treasured sword that seemed to dance with flames, its smooth blade so sharp it looked like it could slice through Profound Iron with ease.

This was undoubtedly a top-tier sword! Chu Xiangyue noted internally, her knowledge of swordsmithing telling her that the Flame Profound Iron was a fire-attributed metal. Yao Xi had not only retained its fiery essence but somehow managed to amplify its heat tenfold. For any fire-element cultivator, such a sword was a rare find. Chu Xiangyue mused that if she were a fire-element practitioner, she would spare no expense to acquire it.

The rumors were spot on: Yao Wanli's granddaughter, a Sword Crafting Master in her own right, possessed a talent that surpassed his. Touted as the new hope of the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion, she stood unchallenged except by the formidable talents within the Profound Heaven Sect's Inner Sect. It seemed the young Lin Yu was destined to be defeated.

"Indeed, it's a high-grade sword... Xi, you're in top form today," Wu Yong approached, generously offering his compliments.

"Of course, who do you think I am? Hmph, even if I'm only exerting a tenth of my strength, I can certainly defeat that Lin Yu," Yao Xi boasted, pumping her fist with pride.

Chu Xiang offered a smile but remained silent, waiting patiently. She knew Lin Yu stood little chance of victory, yet she was curious to see just how wide the gap was between a prodigy like Yao Xi and Lin Yu.