Chapter Eleven: A New Companion

[Intellection equals existence. Thus, memory is the evidence of existence.]

…

The boy soon woke up from his sorrowful dream, albeit with no elation like last time. The joy from cultivating swords had been extinguished by the sorrow. Yet, he wouldn't let that stop him. The general would not approve of that!

When he checked his cultivation it already reached the 6th floor of Qi Condensation, which was insanely fast considering that other Mutant Roots or Double-Rooted individuals would take at least a month before reaching this stage.

This is considering the fact that they only have a decent technique that matches them, unlike an individual who received the most compatible technique possible. 

If an individual with a special constitution and heavenly roots were to receive a technique perfected for them, they would be able to reach Grand Completion of Qi Condensation in a matter of a month. 

The same could be said for those with mutant roots and special bodies.

Unable to gauge the time that he had spent in cultivation, the boy, Yanqing, sat there silently. Recalling the final memories he was able to recall. 

Before he arrived here, he was only 16 afterall. Even with the fragmented memories of a life before that he could only be considered a kid in Loufu. 

…

It's been an unknown amount of time. I don't want to keep count anymore…

I miss everyone…

The General would not tolerate me sitting around doing nothing. He doesn't want me to waste my talent. 

"…I have so much I want to say, yet there's no one who can listen"

…

A glimmer came from a new accessory that lay upon my clothing. It was a necklace similar to the crystalline ice structures that formed around my cave, yet this one was different. There was something else in this ice. 

Upon closer observation I was able to discover a liquid in the shape of a tear inside…

Anyone could guess where the tear came from, including me. Yet, where did the string come from? It's also made from this substance, but I know I can't make it without using conscious effort. 

So someone listened afterall…

A glimmer of hope rose once more within my heart, but I fear that it may go out once more. I don't want to lose hope just yet…

…

Being alone isn't easy. Yet, I'm still too afraid to reach out to others. 

I have been cultivating again, but there has been no flashback like the first time. Even if I cultivated for a much longer period of time those memories never came back. 

Even if it's just a glimpse, I want to see him once more–

…

It's been another month. I have fully reached the Grand Completion Stage of Qi Condensation. I have fully completed the first three layers of the Frozen Azure Essence Sword Art, and similarly to Han Li I'm able to shoot sword beams out of my hand now. 

Each one of these sword beams is light blue in color with a tint of purple-pink on each beam. Any place that the beam hits turns into that crystal-like substance again. 

The more I look at it, the more it looks like the Six-Phased Ice that Miss March 7th used in the game… So was it Fuli?

It doesn't matter for now…

At least someone witnessed my call for help…

…

It's been a few more days and I've been contemplating on whether or not I should break through to Foundation Establishment Stage. I do not have the foundational establishment pill, but maybe, just maybe–

…

My [Ice Control] has finally reached A rank. I'm now able to use the new form of ice that makes up part of my necklace as the main material. The process isn't too difficult, but each time I look at it I feel someone looking back…

My [Status] is also turning dim after it stated that I had [Full Recovery Complete]. So I'm losing something once more…

…

The joy in practicing the sword will never fade. Each swift movement upwards, downwards, sideways, or even in the motion of a stab will always remain the same.

The basics of the sword will always remain still and useful, nothing will outlive the most basic moves. 

The basics can always be enhanced with more and more power, bringing an infinite amount of changes. Each move is burned into my body alongside each parry I have ever done…

I have begun implementing frozen energy blades into my slashes and they synergize well as the ice itself does not hamper any of the energy. On the contrary, the ice seems to conduct the divine ability of the [Frozen Azure Essence Sword Art] quite well.

I have been trying to upgrade each of my techniques, but it's quite difficult. Each one is based on a principle, entrapment, piercing, and swift.

[Swallow's Pluvious Pursuit]

[Darting Ironthorn]

[Cascading Laceration]

Thanks to the golden page I was able to receive more techniques and knowledge I did not have previously. 

[Giant Sword [New]] 

[Three Revolutions Technique [New]]

The [Giant Sword] Technique allowed one to use their energy to efficiently wrap around a massive sword which could be of any length. It's optimized towards the usages of swords, but it seems to be easily modified. 

This could be of use in the future when I have enough mana to create that [Move]. 

The second is [Three Revolutions Technique] which could allow one to increase their chances of reaching Core Formation by at least 50%. This, however, required one to recultivate their technique three times after reaching the peak of foundational establishment. 

This would've been a massive no-no to anyone who didn't have any time, pills (Drug Lord Han Li), or talent. Even those with time are theorized to be unable to do this without forfeiting too much of their own potential lifespan. 

The creator of this technique was quite smart as from their research it seems that by scattering one's cultivation it tones one's body with Spiritual Energy more and more. From the creator's notes it can be seen that the more often this is done, the better it would be for the future as it creates an amazingly steady foundation. 

The more one restarted the cycle, the faster it would be compared to the last. Yet this cycle slowed down after the 3rd and became just as slow as the original speed. 

Yet, the limit of this technique was theorized by the creator to be around the 5th Circulation, which would be impossible for the average lifespan of a foundational cultivator. But by reaching the 5th Cycle one could have a 100% of reaching Core Formation.

The creator also believes that there could be a similar effect for Core Formation and Nascent Soul as well, but it was not a risk that his experimenters were willing to take. 

But, I was able to take that risk. I'm a proud citizen of Loufu, and a Xianzhou Native. I'm biologically immortal and chances of Mara occurring naturally should be minimal for as long as I cultivate. 

So, this isn't even a gamble or a reckless action to begin with. It's simply a natural process for me. 

Recklessness is from arrogance or retardation, but I cannot afford this. Even if I'm a thousand years early I must prepare adequately. Just like how the General taught me that each plan has its own cause and effect. 

An urge to swing the sword came once more, yet this time it felt like it was calling me. 

Shuuuuuuu

My blade had flown beside me, with a call ringing inside my mind.

Ever since I had reached Grand Completion my Qi sense and mana grew exponentially. And the result of that was the return of my [SoulSteel Sync]

The result was that I could now sense my blades and they could sense me too, in a way I am [One with the Sword].

It's been rather comforting to have a companion around me, even if I cannot speak to it. 

*Bang*

Ouch. "I'm sorry ok? I'll give you a name soon. It'll be a really good one." Each sword of mine contains its own consciousness birthed from the remnants of my spirit and the materials, meaning that it's alive in a sense. 

This means that I've been chased by my sword for three days since its birth, but I do not want to give it a name without meaning…

It's been constantly nagging me by hitting me with its blunt end. 

There's been a couple of names I've thought of, but I haven't decided on which one I want to go with.

[Frosted Swallow] with my own appreciation of swallows, and everything else being based upon it, wouldn't it be correct to also name it this?

[Frosted Heavens] …This sounds too off even for me.

[Apostle Spirit Blade] This name sounds oddly familiar even for me. It's almost like a character who used this name in a game I played…

[Ice Apostle] Decent name, but it feels like it's missing something…

[Aurora] Sounds a bit too personal, but it does sound beautiful.