Her lips twitched. "Yes, Core Disciple. We gathered as much."
He looked back at the blade. It floated quietly now, its pulse steady. "Tell Elder Huo Xian I'll be there once I seal the bond. This one's almost ready to sleep."
The attendant bowed deeply before leaving, closing the door behind her.
Tian Lei turned his attention once more to the weapon and exhaled. "Seems like we made quite the introduction."
The final phase began.
He pressed both palms against the hovering blade. Flames burst from his hands—not wild, but precise, wrapping around the weapon like silk ribbons. His spiritual core flared again, aligning with the blade's essence. Their energies twined together, spiraling until the entire chamber resonated with a low, harmonic tone.
BOOM—
A shockwave rippled outward, and the runes along the walls blazed in unison.
When the light dimmed, Tian Lei staggered back. Floating before him was the completed weapon.
