Chapter 8 Sword Domain

The Qi was so pure that Xiao Chen rapidly broke through until he reached the 9th Stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. Despite having enough Qi to push through to the next realm, he chose to stabilize his current breakthrough first.

Rushing forward without consolidation would be reckless, as it could lead to future consequences. Such a breakthrough, without a solid foundation, would be like building a tower on unstable ground- destined to collapse under its weight.

He sorted out his mind, and currently, he has Heavenly Art and Heavenly Soul Refinement Art - Imitation, Ai didn't include this soul art in Heavenly Art as Xiao Chen doesn't have much knowledge of Soul Art. 

The next day, He gave a copy of the upgraded martial art to the respective seniors. They were happy with the qualitative changes in their art.

Xiao Chen began studying the Grade 2 Blacksmith compendium, which detailed 2-star materials, techniques for ore purification, Qi infusion, forging, hammering, rune carving, and blueprints for crafting weapons, spatial rings, cauldrons, and other treasures.

Intrigued, Xiao Chen decided to forge a spatial ring first. However, he quickly discovered that doing so necessitated a profound understanding of spatial laws.

It appeared that to achieve a higher blacksmithing rank, one must possess an advanced mastery of elemental laws. For instance, if he wished to forge a thunder elemental sword, he would need a specific comprehension of the laws governing thunder. Understanding of elements also gives more edge in formation and alchemy.

Blacksmithing grades range from 1 to 10, with quality divided into four categories: Low, Intermediate, High, and Pinnacle,Transcendent and Heaven

The current compendium offers no insights into the laws, leading him to consider forging a sword instead. Taking advantage of the Honorary Elder, he visited the sect vault to retrieve some Starfire Steel Ingots - a common forging material - and proceeded directly to the Blacksmith Pavilion.

He ignited Weapon Forge with the assistance of AI and using Qi fire and once the ingots were heated to a bright red while using his Qi, he extracted them from the forge and hammered them on the anvil, feeling the vibrations resonate through his arms. After achieving the desired shape, he quenched the blade in a water barrel, listening to the sharp hiss as it cooled and hardened. He polished the blade with a whetstone, etching delicate designs inspired by nature, and then crafted a sturdy hilt from ironwood, wrapping it in leather for a comfortable grip. Finally, he assembled the sword, feeling a sense of accomplishment and connection to the craft.

It can be considered an Intermediate Grade 1 sword, crafted using a technique similar to that of mortal blacksmiths. This beginner-level method is typically employed by apprentices to practice their craft, as it cannot produce weapons beyond Grade 1. Usually, cultivator forgers use a weapon cauldron for Qi infusion and the refining process. He went to the corner, found a Grade 3 weapon cauldron, and used it to refine the sword, hammering it into shape.

The resulting sword was a low-grade Grade 2 weapon. Xiao Chen practiced tirelessly, forging swords again and again. After some time, numerous swords lay scattered around him, some even of higher quality. Earlier, Sect Leader Mo Yuan had sensed Xiao Chen heading to the Blacksmith Pavilion through his spiritual sense and grew concerned. He feared that dabbling in multiple occupations - especially demanding ones like alchemy, blacksmithing, and formations - might stagnate Xiao Chen's cultivation. Mo Yuan had never seen anyone engage in so many occupations at once. When he arrived at the Blacksmith Pavilion, he was shocked to find Xiao Chen nearly buried under a heap of swords, some of which were high-grade Grade 2.

"At last, it's complete... a Pinnacle Grade 2 sword... worth it," Xiao Chen said aloud, satisfied. Throughout his countless attempts, the AI had been instrumental in helping him correct the mistakes from earlier tries. 

Xiao Chen, fully immersed in his work, remained oblivious to Mo Yuan standing nearby, his mouth agape in astonishment as he watched.

After completing the sword, Xiao chen began to ponder why alchemy came so naturally to him, while blacksmithing seemed far more difficult to grasp.

The answer struck him immediately—it was raw talent. He possessed an innate gift for alchemy, but almost none for blacksmithing. He realized then that without the AI's visual cues and timely suggestions, even with his extraordinary comprehension, it would have taken him months to accomplish what he had just achieved.

If Sect Leader Mo Yuan were to hear Xiao Chen thought's, he would bellow, "Are you joking? Years! It takes years, not months - decades, even, for some!" at Xiao Chen's shameless boasting, he would be so enraged that he might slap him until blood flowed from his orifices.

Unfortunately, Sect Leader Mo Yuan could not hear Xiao Chen's thoughts. Though countless swords lay scattered around, his gaze was fixed on the one Xiao Chen held in his hands. Mo Yuan extended his Qi to probe the sword and was shocked—pinnacle Grade 2. He had never encountered such a flawless Grade 2 sword in his life.

"Any sword cultivator at or below the Core level would scramble to buy this sword," Sect Leader Mo Yuan thought, still in awe of the pinnacle Grade 2 sword in Xiao Chen's hands.

Suddenly, Xiao Chen closed his eyes, and an astonishing phenomenon occurred. All the swords around him began to tremble violently, as though they were surrendering to his presence.

"It can't be..." Sect Leader Mo Yuan muttered, his face pale as if he had seen a ghost.

At that very moment, within the sect, Zhou Tianchen, Wei Junhao, and Mei Ling felt the same tremor coursing from their swords. Confused by the strange phenomenon, they looked to the sky and saw a bizarre scene unfolding above the Blacksmith Pavilion. The heavens themselves seemed to react to the event, and without hesitation, they rushed toward the pavilion.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Celestial Jade City near the Mo Sect, an enigmatic old man walking leisurely glanced at the sky and muttered, "Someone has comprehended the Sword Domain within Mo Sect." He paused, pondering deeply. "Could it be Mo Yuan? No, it can't be he lacks that level of talent with the sword. Aside from him, there's only that bookworm, Xi Le, but he isn't a sword practitioner. Or... perhaps one of his disciples? It must be... such talent, wasted in the Mo Sect.

Xiao Chen opened his eyes, emerging from his enlightenment. "It seems I've comprehended the Sword Domain by forging a sword," he murmured

When cultivator's mastery of swordsmanship has reached a point where they can project an aura or domain of sword energy that controls the battlefield. Within this domain, they can manipulate the sword's presence and pressure, suppressing opponents and controlling the flow of combat. Those caught in the sword domain find it difficult to resist the overwhelming presence of the sword.

"You... you've awakened the Sword Domain...," Mo Yuan stammered in disbelief. "You must be the youngest sword cultivator to ever achieve such a feat!"

The other disciples quickly grasped the situation and were equally stunned by what they witnessed.

After offering their congratulations to Xiao Chen and eagerly asking him to craft a sword for them in the future, they returned to their own tasks.

For the next days, he continued cultivating, pill making, and sword refining; that was his routine until Zhou Tianchen and others came for the promised beast hunting in Crimson Maple Forest.

They encountered a Grade 5 Spirit beast, Thundering Fang Wolf. its large in size compared to regular wolf and eyes glow like lightning, and its howl can summon thunder. When enraged, it can strike with bolts of electricity from its claws and fangs.

Everyone quickly moved into formation, with Zhou Tianchen taking the lead. He launched the first attack using his Cherry Blossom Art. In response, the Thundering Fang Wolf let out a fierce howl, summoning a thunderous strike. Zhou Tianchen swiftly evaded the attack with his Whispering Breeze Step and followed up with a Blossom Sword Strike, wounding the beast. Enraged by the injury, the wolf unleashed a devastating Claw Strike, crackling with electricity. Zhou Tianchen parried the blow and countered with the Seven Steps of the Twelve-Step Sword Strike, finishing the beast with ease. After they took Beast core.

Just as everyone thought the battle was over, a sudden tension filled the air—they sensed they were surrounded by numerous beasts. As the creatures drew closer, it became clear that they were encircled by more Thundering Fang Wolves, and even Grade 1 Earth Beasts were among them. The group tensed, bracing for the overwhelming numbers.

Xiao Chen, Tianchen, and the others immediately launched their attacks. Having previously used AI to track attack trajectories and develop optimal combat strategies, Xiao Chen was well-prepared. With each strike of his Heavenly Sword Technique, he combined attack and retreat tactics to swiftly defeat the Spirit-level Thundering Fang Wolves on his side.

Seeing Xiao Chen's strategy in action, the others followed suit, adapting the method to counter the overwhelming numbers. After a relentless exchange of attacks, they managed to defeat the oncoming wave of beasts, Finally together with Tianchen, Xiao Chen able to defeat the injured Grade 1 earth beast.