Chapter 9: Foolish Dream

The pale dawn sun illuminated Dragon Tale City as Jian Tian left the auction house, the Dragon Blood Sword secured at his waist. Its chipped edge glimmered faintly in the morning light, hinting at its once-glorious might.

They walked back toward their inn through weaving crowds of merchants, mercenaries, and beast hunters carrying fresh kills wrapped in talisman-sealed cloth. Jian Tian felt the weight of the sword with each step, imagining its unbroken form.

He peeked at Ren Moxi beside him, who walked with his usual silent composure, his hands folded behind his back as if the mortal world itself did not concern him.

"Master… is this really a Grade 5 spiritual weapon?" Jian Tian finally asked, his voice breaking the rhythm of market sounds.

Ren Moxi nodded calmly. "Its true name is Dragon Blood Sword, an ordinary forged weapon used by the outer disciples of the Dragon Slaying Sect in the primordial era."

Jian Tian's lips twitched. "Ordinary… outer disciple sword… Grade 5…" The words clashed in his mind like pigs fighting in mud.

He unsheathed the sword slightly, revealing cracks running along the inner spine, the runic veins dulled by time.

"Master, how do I fix it?" he asked eagerly.

Ren Moxi gave him a flat glance. "First, you must gather Bloodstone to awaken the dormant formation veins, and then seek mid-grade dragon metal to restore its edge and flexibility. Only after reforging will it regain a portion of its original might."

Jian Tian's eyes gleamed with excitement. Bloodstone! Mid-grade dragon metal! He clenched his fist and struck a proud pose in the middle of the street, nearly elbowing a passing old man carrying radish baskets.

"Then I will find them all! I, Jian Tian, will restore this sword to its peak glory and slay all evil with a single swing—"

"Oi, watch it, brat!" the old man cursed, wobbling away with his radishes.

Ignoring the old man's curses, Jian Tian strutted into the Dragon Tale Mercenary Guild, eyes sharp, chest puffed out with confidence as he registered his new copper-ranked token. He skimmed the missions with a dramatic air, imagining himself as a sword saint of legends.

He picked out a mission scroll and whispered:

"Three-Horned Deer Boar… reward: 90 low-grade spirit stones. Hmph, it's only Tier 2. Easy money!"

His daydream unfurled gloriously:

In his vision, he stood atop a black mountain under a blood-red moon, his Dragon Blood Sword gleaming with divine flames. In front of him knelt hundreds of cultivators, trembling in awe.

"Great Sword Immortal Jian Tian, please protect our sect!" they wailed in unison.

Ren Moxi appeared in the dream, wearing heavenly emperor robes with an enormous fan behind his back radiating golden light.

"Oh, my dearest disciple… you are indeed the greatest genius under heaven…" his master wept tears that sparkled like immortal pearls.

Jian Tian sniffled dramatically in his sleep, drooling slightly onto the pillow in the inn room as he murmured, "…no, no…Master…please, not so many praises… it embarrasses me…"

"Wake up."

The cold, emotionless voice jolted him awake. Jian Tian sat up with a loud snort, wiping drool from his chin. Ren Moxi stood over him, expression as unreadable as ever.

"Did you dream of grand things again?" he asked.

Jian Tian scratched his head sheepishly. "Ahaha… just a minor dream. Nothing worth mentioning."

Ren Moxi glanced at the Dragon Blood Sword leaning against the wooden bed frame. Its chipped blade seemed to grin mockingly at him.

"Remember, if you wish to wield a true Grade 5 spiritual weapon, you must prepare it yourself. I will teach you the reforge array when you acquire the materials."

Jian Tian's eyes shone like blazing suns. "He will teach me forging arrays too? Master is truly generous!"

He clasped his fists and bowed deeply, nearly headbutting the floor. "Thank you, Master! I promise I will find Bloodstone and mid-grade dragon metal. Then you can refine it into an unbreakable divine sword for me!"

Ren Moxi's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. "Who said I will refine it for you?"

Jian Tian froze mid-bow. "…eh?"

Ren Moxi turned away, his voice drifting like distant thunder. "You will refine it yourself under my guidance."

The world spun in Jian Tian's mind. "R-refine it… myself…?" He pictured hammering glowing metal chunks while sweat poured off his nose into the flames, accidentally setting his sleeves alight.

He collapsed sideways onto the tatami mat, eyes wide with tears.

"Master… this disciple is only a humble cultivator… not a blacksmith…!"

After his comedic despair faded, Jian Tian resolved himself. As dawn broke outside their inn, he tightened the cloth around Dragon Blood Sword's scabbard, packed his mission scroll, and stood to bow to his master.

"No matter what, I will complete this mission. And I will find the materials to restore this sword to its rightful glory… even if I must hammer it until my arms fall off."

Ren Moxi remained silent, but a faint curve tugged at his lips as he turned to gaze out the window at the sunrise.

"Foolish disciple… but such foolishness is what moves the world forward."

With that unspoken blessing, Jian Tian stepped into the golden morning light, his heart brimming with dreams of forging a legend worthy of his master's silent expectations.