Following its thunderous breakthrough to the Nascent Soul level, the Eye Weapon was officially declared the Sunfire Sect's Treasure. But this was not just a lifeless tool of power—it had evolved beyond that.
The fusion of countless elemental cultivations, balanced through the Rainbow Method, combined with years of accumulated faith energy from mortals across the region, caused something miraculous to happen.
The Eye awakened.
At first, it was subtle—a shift in aura, a faint pulse of awareness. Then, on the seventh night, light radiated from its surface as if a soul had taken root inside. The accumulated faith of the people, the residual soul marks from Lu Fan's clones, and the binding spiritual arrays all resonated in harmony. A form slowly emerged from the rainbow glow.
From the center of the Eye stepped a graceful, mature woman composed of elemental light and dense spiritual energy. Her eyes shimmered like condensed starlight, and her voice was calm yet commanding.
"Lu Fan…" she said softly, her voice echoing through the mountain. "You called, and I have answered."
Lu Fan, calmly sipping spirit tea in his chamber, raised a brow. "So you've formed a soul. That's… interesting."
The woman gently bowed. "This vessel—this body—is formed from the collective will of the sect and the people. I am their guardian, their will incarnate. You may name me."
Lu Fan studied her. Her presence was dignified, her aura calm and centered, like someone meant to rule from the shadows. After a moment, he spoke:
"Then you shall be called… Nayana."
A soft smile touched her lips. "I accept."
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A New Guardian
In the days that followed, Lu Fan observed Nayana closely. She was not merely a spiritual tool—she learned, adapted, and understood far more than expected. As the gathering point of all faith in the Sunfire Sect, she could sense the people's needs and intentions, even before they reached the ears of the elders.
Realizing her potential, Lu Fan made a decision.
He called An Zhi, the current Sect Master, to his main hall. Nayana stood beside him, her form more stable and radiant than ever.
"You are the Sect Master," Lu Fan said to An Zhi. "But the people's faith flows through her. Let her be your co-ruler."
An Zhi bowed respectfully. "As you command, Ancestor."
Turning to Nayana, Lu Fan added, "You will make decisions based on the strength of faith. If they waver, act. If they flourish, reward. You are no longer just a weapon. You are the soul of this sect."
Nayana's eyes gleamed with understanding. "I will serve the people. I will protect this land."
From that day forward, Nayana became the spiritual matriarch of the Sunfire Sect, working in tandem with An Zhi to guide the sect's direction. She served as both a symbol of divine will and an active force, governing internal affairs, defense, and faith-based decisions.
With Lu Fan's newly developed cultivation methods, all those with unique physiques made rapid progress in their own paths. However, Chang Jian, possessing the Sword Body, remained stagnant—there was still no suitable method tailored to his physique. Unlike others, sword cultivators required not only physical compatibility but also a proper vessel to resonate with their Dao.
Determined to provide a foundation for Chang Jian, Lu Fan devised a different approach. Drawing inspiration from his Mini-Sun model, he poured refined silver essence into the core of his miniature sun construct. As the essence was exposed to the intense heat, it began to vaporize and swirl into a mass of glowing liquid metal.
Carefully, Lu Fan shaped the liquified silver using spiritual will, forging it into a slender sword-shaped mold. Then, he added a drop of Chang Jian's blood, binding the weapon to his destiny. As the molten metal cooled and hardened, a beautiful and powerful sword emerged.
The blade possessed a silver body, but etched across its surface were red flame-like patterns, born from the influence of the Mini-Sun's energy. Despite being forged without any advanced formations or forging techniques, the sword naturally reached Level 3, simply from the purity of its materials and spiritual harmony.
Its power lay in three core attributes:
Extreme Sharpness
Unyielding Strength
Pure Yang Energy, thanks to the Mini-Sun's infusion
What surprised Lu Fan most was that despite its strength, the sword had no high usage requirement. Without complex formation patterns or Qi demands, it became a perfect match for someone with the Sword Body but lacking a path.
Lu Fan personally handed the sword to Chang Jian, placing it into his hands with a calm nod.
"This blade doesn't contain a sword spirit, nor does it require any complex art to control. It was born from your blood and my fire. From now on… find your own sword path."
For the first time in years, Chang Jian felt a resonance within. As he held the blade, it trembled ever so slightly—not out of instability, but in recognition.
After receiving the sword, Chang Jian began refining it into his natal weapon using a special binding method passed down through the sect. This process connected his soul to the blade, making it a part of his very being. From that day on, Chang Jian spent nearly all his time at the edge of his island, immersed in sword practice. He tirelessly studied and practiced various sword techniques that the sect had gathered from outside sources, testing and reshaping them to fit his growing understanding.
Day by day, his bond with the sword deepened. It became more than just a weapon—it became an extension of his will. His Sword Body, resonating with the Mini-Sun-infused blade, subtly evolved. Each slash carried the weight of intense Yang energy, and his strikes grew sharper and more refined.
One early morning, after days of uninterrupted training, he paused to watch the sunrise. As the first ray of sunlight pierced the horizon, scattering the night's shadows, something stirred within him. His heart, his sword, and the rising sun aligned in perfect harmony. In that instant, he entered enlightenment.
For many days, Chang Jian remained in that state—silently observing the cycle of sunrise and sunset, meditating on the rhythm of light and shadow. His sword rested across his knees, glowing faintly with the same crimson hue of dawn.
And then—Blade of Dawn was born.
It was a sword art that captured the essence of the first sunray tearing through the darkness, swift and unstoppable. Each movement channeled the clarity of dawn, and each slash became a declaration of light conquering shadow.
This enlightenment did more than grant him a powerful new technique—it also unlocked a surge in cultivation. With the harmony between his Sword Body, his natal weapon, and the Mini-Sun influence within it, his cultivation speed skyrocketed, entering a phase of rapid growth.