Sinister Oathblade

Long Chen gazed at the black sword, placed within a glass box, his expression filled with intrigue. The glass encasing the sword was covered in a thick layer of dust as if it hadn't been cleaned in years.

Other swords emitted a faint, trembling light, almost as though they feared the ominous presence of the black sword.

"What is the history of this sword?" Long Chen inquired, breaking the silence that had hung in the air for several moments. He turned his attention to the attendant, who stood before him, visibly quivering.

The attendant's voice quivered as he replied, "Sir, that's the Devil Sword. It's infamous for its insatiable appetite for energy. Its nature is aggressively malevolent, and it exudes an ominous aura."

He was a new attendant and had heard countless rumours about the sword. He had even witnessed a fellow staff member meet a gruesome fate for venturing too close to it, he was turned into a mince meat.

"It drains the powers and energies of things around it," the attendant continued, "It carries a malevolent presence, and many who have attempted to wield it have been consumed by darkness."

Long Chen's gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on the sword, a part of him strangely drawn to its dark allure. "I see. Despite its reputation, I will take it."

The attendant's eyes widened in disbelief. "Sir, please reconsider. There are other swords here that can enhance your cultivation without the risks associated with the Devil Sword."

Long Chen hesitated momentarily upon hearing about the fate of those who were not chosen by the sword. He looked at the sword, a longing expression briefly crossing his face, before being replaced by unyielding determination. "I will acquire you. You are just a sword; I possess a powerful soul within me," Long Chen declared resolutely as he moved closer to the glass box.

Observing his unwavering resolve, the attendant sighed inwardly and decided to share an additional piece of information. "The sword was discovered not long ago in a tomb, and it has been confirmed as the resting place of its previous owner. Below it, there is a note indicating that the sword should be bestowed upon the one found worthy of it. Despite its formidable powers, no one has managed to subdue it. Those who tried faced severe backlash due to its aggressive nature, and some even lost their lives. Are you still determined to proceed?"

Upon hearing that those not chosen by the sword suffered its wrath, Long Chen hesitated for a moment. His gaze shifted back to the sword, a longing expression briefly crossing his face before being replaced by unwavering determination. "I will claim you. You are just a sword, and I possess a powerful soul," Long Chen affirmed, his gaze locked on the object of his desire as he moved closer to it.

Seeing Long Chen's resolute approach, the sword reacted unexpectedly, emitting a vibrant green light, almost as if it were warning him to stay away. The attendant's fear intensified as he quivered and backed further away.

"Do you still wish to proceed? There are other swords available for you to choose from," the attendant implored, attempting to sway Long Chen.

However, Long Chen seemed impervious to the attendant's pleas. He reached out his hand and channelled his qi, ready to bond with the enigmatic blade. Gently, he touched the glass with his qi-covered hand.

Instead of launching a vicious attack, the sword appeared to resist, attempting to break free. But Long Chen held onto it with all his might, determined to establish a connection. As the sword struggled relentlessly, it became apparent that it did not wish to serve anyone but its true master. It vibrated within his grasp, emitting a resonating hum.

The sword's strength surpassed Long Chen's, and just as it was on the verge of breaking free, his pure white holy qi began to glow with a starlet red hue. An overwhelming force surged through him, firmly holding the sword in place while connecting his holy qi with it. Gradually, the sword's struggles subsided.

With a radiant display of light, Long Chen released his grip. The sword rose within the glass box, emitting a brilliant, pulsating light. After a few minutes, it descended gently.

Long Chen gazed upon the sword in awe, captivated by its majestic aura. It exuded an aura that demanded respect and reverence.

The sword was a masterpiece, an exquisite fusion of silver and gold. Shaped like a coiled dragon, it had ruby-red eyes that seemed to conceal untold secrets. Every curve was a testament to the highest level of craftsmanship, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols that Long Chen could not decipher.

Taking a deep breath, Long Chen's widened eyes reflected his admiration. The sword's appearance exceeded his expectations. As he stared at it, he felt a profound connection to its ancient wisdom and secrets.

In the back of his mind, a vague figure of an old man with a mighty presence began to take shape, and Long Chen knew that this was the sword's previous owner.

Gradually, the sword shrank to a length of two feet, yet it still radiated profound power. Long Chen traced the intricate patterns on the blade with his finger.

"You have done it, young sir. The sword has accepted you," the attendant said with profound respect and awe, recognizing Long Chen's achievement.

He knew the blade had more secrets and he was ready to unlock the secrets it held and harness its formidable power for a greater purpose.