Ice Soul Essence . . .
Cha Eun Xiao decided to test Bing-Er's cognitive abilities by posing a few questions. To his immense relief, she responded with remarkable clarity and without the confusion and haziness that had plagued her before.
[She's finally cured.]
But his relief was soon joined by astonishment. It became evident that Bing-Er possessed considerable knowledge and expertise in various arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Prior to losing her memory, she must have excelled in these domains. Cha Eun Xiao vividly recalled her initial, rather dreadful attempt to play a stringed instrument in front of him. However, she had rapidly improved, ultimately mastering the instrument and playing entire melodies.
[Her comprehension is truly extraordinary.]
It struck him that she deserved a reward for her remarkable progress over the past two days. After a moment of contemplation, Cha Eun Xiao remembered that he had recently collected a substantial amount of Iron Essence.
"Bing-Er, could you pass me that sword?" Cha Eun Xiao requested. "I'd like to make some modifications."
Bing-Er didn't fully grasp the purpose of these modifications. [The sword is already fully formed and possesses excellent quality. Why modify it further?]
Nonetheless, she handed the sword to him, trusting his judgment. While Bing-Er was puzzled, Cha Eun Xiao was clear on his intentions.
The Ice Soul Sword's primary material was Ice Soul Essence of prime quality, a unique and sturdy substance. However, it lacked flexibility due to its composition. Even though it wouldn't melt, it was essentially a piece of ice. Swords crafted from such materials required further modification to achieve perfection. Otherwise, they would be vulnerable to damage when clashing with heavy weapons such as broad knives, long staffs, giant axes, or iron hammers.
Generally, more rigid materials were more prone to breaking. The Ice Soul Sword, composed solely of ice, was no exception. In the Land of Han-Yang, there were no true master smiths, and even the famed blacksmith Shen Lianzi wasn't quite on that level.
However, Cha Eun Xiao made the seemingly impossible task appear surprisingly manageable. Holding the sword in his hands, he applied a white powder, which was then absorbed into the sword. Despite being ice and impervious to melting, the sword seemed to liquefy during this process, and drops of water formed and fell to the floor.
Bit by bit, the Iron Essence was carefully infused into the sword, enhancing its overall structure and durability.
Cha Eun Xiao immediately engaged the East-rising Purple Qi. The space between his palms appeared unremarkable, but the temperature soared to an intensity capable of liquefying steel.
How else could he melt the Ice Soul Essence without such searing heat?
Yet, it wasn't just a matter of melting. Cha Eun Xiao meticulously maintained the temperature at a specific level, a fine balance between melting and freezing, to allow the infusion of Iron Essence into the sword. With his hands radiating intense heat, water vapor swirled in the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Cha Eun Xiao's eyes gleamed with determination as he focused on the sword, embarking on a comprehensive modification from top to bottom.
The material he used was no ordinary Iron Essence; it hailed from outer space. However, this outer space iron was unique due to its striking white color. Even its essence was white, refusing to blend with other Iron Essence.
This particular piece of outer space iron had cost a staggering three hundred million, originally the size of a human head. Yet, once processed, it had been reduced to a small pile of white powder.
Cha Eun Xiao marveled at this unique iron but hadn't paid it much attention at the time due to the abundance of materials obtained at the auction. However, when he gazed upon Bing-Er's sword, he suddenly recollected the white Iron Essence. The idea of combining them to create something extraordinary sprang to mind.
After some time, he successfully infused all of the Iron Essence into the Ice Soul Sword.
The result was extraordinary.
He ceased his efforts, his brow glistening with sweat. Lifting the sword, he examined it closely. The Ice Soul Sword still possessed its crystal-white blade, with no change in color.
However, when the sword was tilted slightly, it seemed to conceal an endless expanse of stars within, radiating a brilliant luster. The starglow danced across the blade, creating the illusion of a magnificent river of stars.
"It's so beautiful!" Bing-Er couldn't tear her gaze away from the stunning sight before her. Although she didn't understand the full extent of its power, the sword's aesthetics appealed to her. It possessed the charm any girl would adore.
"Come on, give it a try," Cha Eun Xiao said with a smile as he handed her the sword.
Bing-Er received the sword and assessed its weight. Swiftly, she fortified her wrist to maintain a firm grip. Visually, there was no apparent change, but the sword now weighed four times what it did before the modification. Its appearance remained unchanged, yet its quality had undergone a tremendous transformation.
Bing-Er swayed the sword, testing it for a moment. Then, with a sudden "Poof!" she executed a sword strike.
In the next instant, both Cha Eun Xiao and Bing-Er were left in awe.
The new Ice Soul Sword, created by Cha Eun Xiao and wielded by Bing-Er, left them both astonished.
As she made her strike, it appeared as though a radiant river of stars materialized in the air. What seemed like a single swing was, in reality, an explosion of thousands of strikes in an instant.
This sword possessed the unique ability to create phantom strikes, a feature that took them by surprise.
Cha Eun Xiao was not only stunned but also delighted. With this sword in her possession, Bing-Er's combat abilities would be amplified fourfold, regardless of her cultivation level. As she advanced in her cultivation, the sword would continue to grow in power, ensuring it remained suitable for her at all stages of her development. It was a sword that could become her lifelong partner.