C9 Bathing

The world was hushed, the stars distant and bright.

Atop the mountain peak, Lin Yu sat cross-legged, the Seven-star Sword Spell coursing through him with urgency. The power of the stars heeded his call, converging in a soft luminescence that made his form appear almost spectral. In this moment, the day's fatigue was banished, his spiritual energy swiftly replenished.

Six hours later, Lin Yu had fully regained his peak condition, a feat so remarkable it bordered on the unbelievable. Opening his eyes, he gazed contemplatively at the familiar constellation under the night sky, still unable to decipher the link between the Seven-star Sword Spell and those seven stars.

Was it merely happenstance? Lin Yu pondered in silence.

Thump.

Out of the blue, Lin Yu's intuition sparked. His expansive spiritual awareness detected a faint ripple. At this dead hour, who else would be practicing with such unique methods? With this thought, Lin Yu melded into the shadows and darted toward the sound's origin.

Below the summit lay a natural pond, nestled among verdant leaves, its waters a tranquil green, rendered even more serene by the moon's caress.

To think such a haven existed. Lin Yu was no stranger to the area, yet unaware of this delightful spot. He composed himself and crept closer with mischievous intent.

Splash.

Abruptly, the pond erupted with a burst of water, revealing a visage of stunning beauty. A woman rose from the depths, her long, black hair wet and cascading over her shoulders, her face, dewy and jade-like, radiated an ethereal charm.

"It's her..." Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat. He fought to avert his eyes, his mind a battleground between the base and the baser. In a mere moment, the baser instinct prevailed.

His gaze, as if possessed, wandered downward, and he nearly suffered a nosebleed. The woman's majestic form had just broken the water's surface, her curves glistening enticingly, awakening primal desires. At that instant, the woman caught sight of Lin Yu, her expressive eyes widening with alarm as she let out a piercing scream, "Ah!"

Lin Yu was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated such a clichéd scenario unfolding before him. Mouth agape, he struggled to find words, finally understanding the true meaning of being at a loss for words.

In an instant, the woman's gaze turned icy, her jade hand lifted, and the sound of cascading water filled the air. Glistening droplets flew at Lin Yu like a volley of arrows. He quickly retreated, taking cover behind a tree to evade the barrage.

The splashing ceased, and a profound silence enveloped the world. Lin Yu looked up to see an elegant figure standing proudly atop the peak, her long sword gleaming with a sinister chill.

"Miss Chu, please, let me explain..." Lin Yu started, but his plea was cut short by a flash of her sword. He rolled away just in time, only to find Chu Xiangyue, who had been at a distance, now standing right before him, her beautiful eyes ablaze with fury.

"Miss Chu, it's not what you think. I was just passing by... Then..." Lin Yu faltered, at a loss for words.

"I always thought you were nothing more than trash, but now I see you're not just trash; you're scum... So, why should I let you live?" Chu Xiangyue's voice was icy as a pale blue aura enveloped her. Every Outer Sect disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect knew that Chu Xiangyue was a water elemental practitioner, her cultivation reaching the formidable Profound Rank Level Two, her depths unfathomable.

The pale blue glow intensified, and Lin Yu felt as if the person before him was an apparition. In a moment's lapse, a seemingly light palm strike came his way. It appeared gentle, yet upon contact with his chest, a torrent of force overwhelmed him. Unable to withstand the blow, Lin Yu coughed up blood and collapsed.

Chu Xiangyue huffed dismissively, sparing not a glance for Lin Yu, who lay crumpled on the ground. She strode away without a backward look.

"Does she have to be so ruthless?" Lin Yu grimaced in pain, feeling as if he were better off dead.

Lin Yu was acutely aware that Chu Xiangyue had truly intended to kill him. The rampaging Spiritual Energy of the Profound Rank Level Two wreaked havoc within him, his organs bearing the brunt. In such a state, not even a Yellow Rank Level Six master could endure. Yet, Lin Yu was fortunate. Despite being at the peak of Yellow Rank Level Four, the bone-tempering rebirth he'd undergone and the potent healing powers of the Seven-star Sword Spell meant that while his combat strength might not be exceptional, his resilience was unparalleled.

Lin Yu once again invoked the Seven-star Sword Spell, feeling a warm sensation flood his body. He healed rapidly, and within a mere six hours, Lin Yu was back on his feet, full of vigor. Wiping the blood from his body, he could only offer a wry smile.

Peeking at a girl bathing might earn one a beating, but certainly no sympathy, Lin Yu mused as the night began to fade.

"See you tonight..." he bid the seven stars farewell as if parting with a dear friend. Perhaps it was Chu Xiangyue's slap that had knocked him out, or sheer exhaustion, but he failed to notice the subtle change in the stars above. Previously identical in size and brightness, one star now took on a faint blue hue after Chu Xiangyue's strike.

Dawn broke in the east, heralding the start of a new day.

For the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion, it seemed this ordinary day was set to be anything but.

After three months of travel, Pavilion Master Yao Wanli returned. He had intended a quiet return without fanfare, but the Pavilion's leadership had all turned out to greet him. Caught between amusement and exasperation, Yao Wanli resigned himself to their presence with a bitter smile.

"Grandpa, you're finally back... I've missed you so much..." Yao Xi, like a butterfly, flitted into her grandfather's embrace.

"I've missed you too, Xi. Tell me, did you practice your sword crafting diligently while I was away? And you didn't bully anyone, did you?" Yao Wanli chuckled, his affection for his granddaughter evident.

"No way, Grandpa! How could you even suggest that? It was that boy—he was so irritating. I only put him in his place because I had to, not because I wanted to," Yao Xi retorted, her lips pursed in a pout.

"Oh? What happened?" Yao Wanli's interest was piqued.

"I'd rather not talk about it... Let Uncle Wu explain," said Yao Xi with a grin.

"Well, the thing is..." Wu Yong reluctantly recounted the details of the previous day's contest.

"Lin Yu? The young Sword Crafting Master? But from what you've described, he inadvertently removed the Flame Profound Iron's intrinsic properties. His sword crafting skills are clearly lacking..." Yao Wanli nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, that guy is utterly useless... Hmph," Yao Xi remarked dismissively.

"Useless is as useless does. Not everyone is blessed with your level of talent, you know? Stop picking on others. We don't want rumors spreading that our Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion uses its power to bully," Yao Wanli said with a chuckle, playfully pinching Yao Xi's pert nose.

"Hmph, I couldn't care less about him. Let's drop the subject of that irritating fellow. Grandpa... I finished three new pieces yesterday. Would you take a look at them for me?" Yao Xi eagerly tugged at the elder's sleeve, leading him inside.

"Alright, alright... No need to rush," Yao Wanli replied, allowing himself to be pulled along. Wu Yong and the others kept pace, briefing him on the recent events and decisions awaiting the Pavilion Master's approval. They moved swiftly and soon reached the lava pool where the failed creations were discarded, the intense heat wafting up as the defective pieces glowed red-hot, on the verge of melting away.

Huh?

Despite his advanced age, Yao Wanli's gaze was as sharp as ever. He caught a glimpse of a faint light emanating from the bottom of the lava pool.

"What's that? Why is there light down there?" Yao Wanli asked, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

"Light? What light? Where do you see it? I don't see anything," Yao Xi leaned in, her curiosity piqued.

"There's definitely light..." Yao Wanli affirmed with confidence. With a flick of his sleeve, a gust of wind parted the lava, revealing a simple, unadorned longsword at the bottom of the pool, its pale red hue standing out.

"This sword... it looks somewhat familiar," Yao Xi murmured to herself.