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Xuan Dan regarded her curiously. "Isn't it a bit early to rename the technique? Though… at least it's a good name."
Qing Xuanling merely smiled.
Renaming the Abnormal Steel Caterpillar Observation Diary hadn't been entirely impulsive. True—Qing Xuanling hadn't altered the technique's fundamental essence. Rather, she'd combined two techniques in an interesting, unique way.
The Cauldron of the Devouring White Dragon's ability to accelerate pill absorption was something Qing Xuanling had never anticipated. She even suspected the technique might aid in absorbing celestial treasures.
Though merely a hypothesis for now—if proven true, the name change would carry far greater significance.
But above all, the renaming was a declaration to herself—a vow that she would further improve this technique, that she would ultimately carve a path to the Foundation Establishment realm.
This was her first step. Not only had she added immense absorption capacity to the technique—she also suspected she'd enhanced its power. Her blood felt purer and stronger than normal.
She didn't yet know the next steps—but she trusted she would undoubtedly refine the technique further.
'Though… I wonder if I should tell Sister Linxi about my progress…'
She hadn't forgotten that carefree elder sister. After all, it was she who'd given her that strange body cultivation technique. Without her, Qing Xuanling wouldn't have begun body cultivation so soon—or perhaps even be alive.
After all, she'd decided against buying a body cultivation technique and instead spent her contribution points on the Wandering Sword Art precisely because she'd received Linxi's body cultivation technique.
After much consideration, she finally made a decision.
"I'll tell her about my progress the next time I see her." Qing Xuanling nodded to herself. "I'm not an ungrateful person—and besides, she might help me further improve the technique. Or at least serve as a test subject to verify the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment…"
Xuan Dan smiled uncomfortably. "Are you sure you're doing this for her…? Though you're right—the Cauldron of the Devouring White Dragon is stronger than the original technique. It wouldn't be strange if Sister Linxi gained strength—or even broke through realms—by cultivating it."
Qing Xuanling had already shared her technique's improvements with Xuan Dan, leaving her utterly stunned.
Qing Xuanling nodded. "If her realm advances, that would be best for us—especially for continuing to refine Demon Blood Pills. We'll need increasingly greater quantities of demonic beast blood. And if your theory proves true—that we could improve the pill's quality using blood from stronger beasts—then Sister Linxi's increased strength becomes essential."
That last idea had just occurred to Xuan Dan. Demonic beast blood became far more docile after purification by the Clear Flame—so even using greater quantities or blood from stronger beasts might still allow pill creation.
And even if such changes disrupted the pill's balance and made creation impossible, Qing Xuanling was confident she could modify the formula to accommodate those changes.
The problem was obtaining such vast quantities of demonic beast blood. Qing Xuanling lacked the strength to defeat such creatures—but Qing Linxi possessed it.
A plan slowly began forming in Qing Xuanling's mind.
Xuan Dan smiled wryly and shook her head. The primary body always had interesting ideas when it came to strengthening herself.
They chatted a while longer before Qing Xuanling stood. "I'm off. Study the Celestial Flower's Pink Fire technique. Sister Wangu apparently plans to test us—she might even reward us if we perform well."
Xuan Dan nodded—but regarded her with concern. "I know your new sword excites you, but is it necessary to go to the forge now? You just finished that hellish cultivation session—are you not exhausted?"
Qing Xuanling trembled slightly. She couldn't deny feeling somewhat drained. Though she'd reached the first layer of body refinement and felt renewed, the aftermath of being burned internally and externally couldn't be erased so easily.
Yet still—she wanted to go.
"I've kept Elder Gao waiting far too long… Besides," she smiled excitedly, "I've been anticipating this new sword for so long! I want to hold it as soon as possible!"
Qing Xuanling exited her room with palpable excitement under Xuan Dan's defeated smile.
"Hah… With such a diligent primary body—how could I even consider slacking off?" Xuan Dan sighed as she began practicing her new fire-control technique.
It was already around three in the afternoon when Qing Xuanling stepped out. She deliberately avoided people—unwilling to be mobbed again—and somehow managed to reach the ancestral forge unseen.
The ancestral forge remained as bustling as ever—master refiners barking orders, apprentices rushing to fulfill them.
In that commotion, Qing Xuanling passed unnoticed and arrived at Elder Gao's personal forge. She knocked on the door and waited patiently. A short wait didn't bother her.
Time passed swiftly. Even after half an hour—and several additional knocks—Elder Gao hadn't emerged. Qing Xuanling sighed and knocked one final time. If no one answered, she'd leave.
She didn't have that much spare time.
Fortunately, movement sounded behind the door this time.
The clatter of falling objects and a grumbling murmur preceded the forge door creaking open.
Elder Gao—face smudged with soot, deep dark circles under his eyes—yanked the door open with a scowl before freezing in astonishment.
"I already told you not to bothe—oh?" His shout cut off mid-sentence upon seeing Qing Xuanling. "Brat? You're awake already?! I heard you had a rough time with those snakes and bamboo brushes!"
Elder Gao regarded Qing Xuanling with mild surprise. As a grandmaster refiner, he held high status within the clan—granting him access to information the public didn't possess. He was fully aware of the danger level Qing Xuanling had faced.
Thus, seeing her now—less than a week after receiving treatment, appearing not just normal but better than before—left him somewhat stunned.
Qing Xuanling smiled faintly as she stepped inside the forge. "Heh—yes, those bastards gave me trouble—but I'm quite resilient! A simple ambush wouldn't be enough to kill me~"
Qing Xuanling's expression remained unchanged despite knowing her survival hinged entirely on the internal conflict between the two assassin groups. The outcome would have been utterly different had either group included just one more member.
But Elder Gao didn't know that—so Qing Xuanling boasted freely.
'Lying brat—she sure loves to brag!'
Elder Gao nearly laughed aloud at Qing Xuanling's act. He'd instantly recognized her fabrication—but said nothing, letting her boast. The little one deserved it.
Qing Xuanling bragged a bit more, recounting a somewhat exaggerated version of her actions while Elder Gao feigned astonishment and disbelief. She thoroughly enjoyed herself.
They even entered a side room of the forge and sat on furniture within. Their chat stretched so long that Elder Gao finally intervened.
"…Girl—though your story is impressive, don't you want to see the prototype of the sword I'll craft for you?" Elder Gao smiled wryly. "If you like it, I can begin reforging your sword immediately! You'll have it ready in three days!"
Qing Xuanling's attention snapped to him instantly.
"Three days?! Why didn't you say so sooner?!" She leaped to her feet. "Come on—show me!"
Elder Gao smiled and searched a cabinet in the room. From it, he retrieved a one-handed sword. Qing Xuanling gazed at it, mesmerized.
The sword wasn't extravagant—was merely a prototype, after all. But Qing Xuanling needed only one glance to realize this sword would be perfect for her once forged into an artifact.
It was an instinct she'd just discovered she possessed. She quickly realized its source: her sharp Qi, now quite close to transforming into sword Qi. It was natural she could sense a sword's compatibility with herself.
Elder Gao smiled upon seeing her expression and handed her the sword.
"Test it—though from your gaze, I suspect this will be the final form." Elder Gao passed her the blade.
Qing Xuanling didn't immediately nod—instead, she grasped the sword and tested it. Unlike her previous two-handed sword, this one was designed for a single hand. Yet she preferred it—she'd always felt using both hands on a sword was wasteful.
She began swinging the blade—feeling its weight, edge, and countless other qualities while nodding repeatedly. She was immensely satisfied with the sword. It was simply perfect for her!
The blade's length—three and a half feet—its four-finger width, and sufficient thickness to prevent easy breakage left Qing Xuanling completely satisfied.
She couldn't help but look at Elder Gao with slight disbelief. "How did you do it?! This sword is simply perfect!"
Elder Gao smiled smugly. "Brat—I'm not a grandmaster for nothing. Though I no longer accept commissions due to age and injuries, my experience remains dozens of times greater than those brats the clan currently supports. I can tell which sword suits someone merely by observing their physique."
"Besides—I received great help from your old sword." Elder Gao's smile softened with affection. "That sword is filled with your deepest habits. Its semi-awakened sentience helped immensely."
"In truth—that sword has long yearned for transformation. Deep within its being existed an instinct to shift into a form better suited for you… Something quite rare even among sentient swords. You should appreciate it."
Qing Xuanling's eyes widened. She hadn't expected to hear such a story. She couldn't help but recall her history with that sword. Initially—was gift from Instructor Huan. She'd immediately recognized its exceptional quality.
Thus, after every battle, she'd always cared for and cleaned it. Sometimes she'd even spoken to it… Of course, she felt no pride in that—It was simply that in those times she didn't have many people to talk to.
But perhaps because of that, Qing Xuanling couldn't help but feel a faint tremor in her heart. How could she not? It was her most faithful companion—the one who'd accompanied her through her hardest battles, the one she'd spoken to while recovering from wounds…
'Oh—I suppose I care for that sword more than I realized.'
Qing Xuanling finally understood why she'd come to the ancestral forge without resting despite profound exhaustion. She simply couldn't bear separation from her sword any longer. She wanted to see its new form—to fight alongside it once more.
"Elder Gao—can I see my sword before the reforging begins?!" Qing Xuanling's eyes sparkled brightly.
"Heh—what a childish brat! Planning to say a few words to it before reforging?! It's not even a person!" Elder Gao shook his head in amusement—but agreed.
In truth, he felt quite happy inside.
'This is why I love sword cultivators. Aren't they the ones who best understand our babies' feelings?'
Elder Gao—like most grandmaster refiners—treated his creations as children, caring for them meticulously. Thus, their greatest joy was seeing their "children" find owners who cherished them as deeply as they did.
Witnessing Qing Xuanling's bond with her sword filled him with motivation. He would reforge her blade into one of the finest works of his refiner's career!
"Come—the sword's in the forge." Elder Gao headed toward the main chamber. "Besides—let's begin the reforging immediately. It's something you wanted to witness, isn't it?"
Qing Xuanling's eyes widened instantly—and she nodded hastily.
"Yes—please!"