NOVEL NEXT Chapter 321: Stealing the Sword_2
Then, at one glance, Tie Dan realized that the swords forged by the Hidden Sword Manor were not made from any mortal iron; instead, they were forged using techniques for crafting Magic Swords.
This process is the Sword Sect's exclusive secret — treating the sword as a magic treasure, refining it from sword embryo to sword infant and onwards. If there's any difference, it's probably that the time to forge and open the furnace is much shorter than that of normal flying swords.
According to the Sword Sect's traditional refining method, a furnace of swords wouldn't open for centuries. When the pot is opened, there's a grand spectacle of sword fighting and sheath selection, with blood sacrifices to the divine blade, as each sword brought forth is a calamity.
However, at the Hidden Sword Manor, the time is greatly shortened, as it's possible to open the pot quickly after just two or three years of refining in the Sword Furnace. Likewise, they need cultivators and demons for blood marking, making it a fast-track version of flying swords.
The treasure swords made this way aren't exactly magic treasures; their blade strength is limited and rarely of top grade, but there is a certain chance to nurture a Sword Spirit, akin to drawing an UR, and there is room for growth and breakthroughs in the future. It suits Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Realm cultivators well, and even a True Man in need, like a certain someone, might seek a few to use.
Strangely, although they don't quite compare to the divine weapons hidden by the Sword Pavilion, they are at least much better than the swords given to outer disciples for training. Why doesn't the Honzan do the same?
Tie Dan became interested, casually picked up a replica identical in shape to Jun Bing, clearly made with it as the sword embryo, and tested it. He even compared it directly with the original Jun Bing, studied the sword seal talismans closely, and silently made mental calculations.
This quick forging sword technique complements the Sword Sect's secret lore, but in many key details, an expert has clearly optimized it greatly. Not just in small bits, but across all stages from short sword forging to quenching and furnace opening, each part is targeted and optimized.
The most astonishing part is that there are dozens of different painting methods for the Light Sword Seal talisman, with seven or eight furnaces built side by side. The elixir formulas and array thoughts inside are drastically different, as if seven or eight swordsmiths gathered, directing and refining to perfection, engaging in competitive skill displays...
Alright, Tie Dan got a bit of an understanding.
"Not only do you want to steal Sword Sect seeds, but you also intend to steal swords from the mountain?"
Wouldn't the Honzan just jump out; the guy slumped on the Cloud Platform might want to crawl out...
No one spoke, so Tie Dan assumed these old fellows tacitly agreed.
"Wow!"
At this moment, the manor's large formation was activated.
Earlier, Tie Dan had a big fight with a group of Mystic Sect people with loud clashes. These people, not deaf, were naturally prepared when swept and locked onto by Divine Sense.
At this time, no one was left at the Sword Casting Workshop, having apparently retreated into the manor to activate defense formations, seemingly ready to live and die together, to fend off the invading enemies.
Thus, when Tie Dan landed in front of the manor, he saw that inside, more than two hundred people from the Shen Family, along with Daoist companions, household members, and disciples, despite being only from seven families, had already formed an array, drawn their swords, and held their bows and crossbows, waiting in strict formation.
With Divine Sense's sweep, Tie Dan naturally also saw that most disciples were internal cultivators at the Foundation Establishment, trained in martial arts from the Jianghu. Those who could follow all the way here were clearly trusted assassins of the Hidden Sword Manor.
Currently, the ones in charge inside the manor were four elder ladies of the Shen Family, all at the pinnacle of the Golden Core Realm, but not yet at the Nascent Soul stage, along with their Daoist companions from marriage and some sworn brothers and sisters, and guest Tributes.
Adding them up, including those in Tie Dan's sleeve now, plus the two previously stolen by the two bastards from Songshan and hidden in a bowl, totaled twenty-eight Golden Core Realm cultivators, perfectly enough to fill the Star Constellation formation.
Observing these people's cultivation realms and solid Qi Refining foundations, they were evidently educated in the righteous methods of the Mystic Sect. Likely, of the five Zhongxuan Sect and four Xiao Xuan Sect Nascent Souls he just killed, nine in total were stationed here, visiting the manor and casually teaching these disciples cultivation and Qi Refining.
Oh dear, no wonder they gathered together; there's strength in numbers. This was practically the scale of an actual sect, stronger than the Kongming Cave Heaven. If the Tianyin family came to attack, they might not necessarily succeed.
But those two beasts from Songshan are quite capable, managing to steal two people and escape unscathed in such a tightly guarded situation?
"Who do you think you are, and why are you intruding on our manor?"
Knowing the Shen Family's karma had come knocking, the eldest of the four elder ladies present stepped out to answer.
Of course, saying "eldest lady" doesn't refer to age; cultivators never seem to age, nor does it imply anything else. Instead, her conduct and attire appeared the most mature and composed, exuding a charm of a woman aging with grace, distinctive in her memorable style.
However, Tie Dan was too lazy for niceties, jumping directly to the point.
"What is your name?"
The eldest lady hadn't yet spoken when the youngest of the four, unable to contain herself, drew her sword and leapt out, pointing at Tie Dan covered in blood, raging furiously,
"Demon Heretic! You killed my mentors and harmed my fellow sect members! I swear never to be human again if this hatred isn't avenged! Come at us! We're not afraid of you!"
Tie Dan, seeing her familiar fit of anger, grew impatient and held up the broken sword in his hand,
"Then let me repeat, I come on the Sword Pavilion's decree, to escort Shen Family members back to Ye Capital for service.
If you still remember you are of the Sword Sect, come forth and pay respects immediately."
Tie Dan waited at the entrance, yet no one came out.