"Zhizou, I did not find this weapon. The owner has lent it to me," the ghost emperor whispered. He was greatly stunned by what the hermit had said. More so, he wanted to know more about the sword.
"L-end you the sword? Y-you met such a rare expert, your majesty! HAH! Then, I will try my best to create a scabbard for this. What a great honor!" the hermit declared. He started to collect strange black and silver metals as well as red and purple silk and throw them in a huge container. The fire quickly ignited and blazed fiercely below the container and started to melt the materials.
"Can you tell me more about Tribulation of Blood, Zhizou?" the ghost emperor said. He had already found a chair and sat there.
"Well, you can imagine the lightning tribulation from heavens, your majesty. This can be treated as an equivalent level to the Tribulation of Blood. But, the purpose of these two events is quite different. Lightning tribulation is a test for cultivators for them to ascend their enhancement of power. The Tribulation of Blood is not a test but one of the highest acknowledgements that the weapon spirit had already reached its purpose of creation and have finished its ascension," the hermit summarized. He continued to regulate the fire and stirred the materials that he was melting using a wooden stick.
"Your majesty, there is another concern that I want to ask. I have heard some rumors that there was someone who summoned the tenth cauldron of rebirth. But, with your strength, I did not believe that this happen in our realm. I thought it might be the other world. But now that you have met an expert, is this related to the tenth cauldron?" the hermit continued before the ghost emperor could respond from his initial comment.
"I can't confirm nor deny anything about the tenth cauldron of rebirth, Zhizou. It is better for you not to indulge in this rumor," the ghost emperor quickly replied. His beautiful face turned hard and tensed.
"Then, it might be from other realms. But, your majesty, I can only advise you to take care. Some forces might still come in your realm to investigate, especially those beings called sages. Since your ghost realm is near their abyss, those beings also wanted to take a share of the tenth cauldron of rebirth," the hermit curtly said.
Since the ghost emperor was unwilling to admit it, he did not pursue the matter involving the most forbidden black magic technique.
He focused his attention on metals melting inside the container. Soon, he gestured for the ghost emperor to place the weapon on the table for him to take its measurement.
"Your majesty, with this weapon, it is enough to reclaim the glory that had once shattered by that immortal opponent. What are your plans?" the hermit asked.
The ghost emperor curled his lips and did not speak his response. There were countless ideas that were floating in his mind and his silence was enough to convey his intent.
"The name of the expert is Ye Shin. Zhizou, she looks so plain, wearing white garments with no jewelry," the ghost emperor suddenly mentioned.
By then, the hermit was almost finished creating the scabbard. His movements were fast but, he suddenly paused after hearing the name of the expert.
His shoulder suddenly slumped like he felt defeated. "Your majesty, I have once traveled the outside world and met the patriarch of the dignified Swords Cultivators Clan. This is in the territory called He Empire. Now that you mentioned the expert's name, I don't think that weapon needs a scabbard."
Perhaps he was too excited to see the weapon earlier that he quickly started to make a scabbard. he was overwhelmed with enthusiasm. But now that he heard of the expert name and remembered how the weapon reacted to his touch, he suddenly have a recollection of one important thing.
The weapons from the Sword Cultivators Clan were not created by using any materials! Instead, they were manifested using the cultivator's inner force. They never used sheath to cover the weapon for they can make the weapon disappear or appear whenever they want!
"Patriarch of the Sword Cultivator Clan?" the ghost emperor repeated.
"Yes. From what you said, the expert is Ye Shin. That old patriarch also mentioned that name and gave us a warning in the past. I have always kept it in my mind. His warning, in his very own words, was 'Never be deceived by how ordinary my other granddaughter looks. Ye Shin rarely talks. Her appearance can fool you and those who have looked down on her were already dead.' Your majesty, I have remembered about this clan. Their bloodlines are quite rare. Anyhow, the expert--- I mean, lady Ye Shin, must have told you something about the sword, right? Did she tell you that she can control this even if this is in your possession?"
"She said a lot about the weapon. But, she told me that if I am in the right mental state, then, I can use the sword against my opponents. Why would I not be in the right mental state? Come, finish my scabbard," the ghost emperor defended. Of all the talks that Ye Shin had given him, he clung to the idea that as long as his mental state is good, the weapon can be wielded.
"Your majesty, that Ye Shin is not simple. The right mental state, you say? What do you think is her standard for her to deem a person to be in the right mental state?" the hermit argued while repeatedly shook his head.
"Oh? Then, what standard is it?" the ghost emperor furrowed his brows.
"Who knows? We can never understand the likes of her. Anyway, for your own good, I won't continue the scabbard. Please go back to your castle, your majesty," the hermit stated. He then took the initiative to muttered some teleportation chants and the ghost emperor quickly vanished in front of him.
The weapon was certainly created to seek revenge. Since the beginning, there was no doubt that its main purpose was to eradicate all those who have harmed Ye Shin's family. This was why her cultivation practice was not suitable for fighting but for killing.
However, the purpose of the blade had already been fulfilled and the reason for the sword's existence was already altered according to Ye Shin's principles.
To wield Ye Shin's sword requires not a formidable mental state of fighter but an overwhelming calmness and clarity of mind, void of killing intent and malice.
But how could anyone strike a sword without having the intention to kill nor feel any malice against his opponents? This kind of feat is almost impossible to reach.