As the sword, Chang Xiang Si, settled into Jiang Wang’s grasp, it was as if the finishing touch had been added by a painting saint, and the true dragon had left its scroll to take flight.

Jiang Wang felt as if his hand had yearned for this blade for an eternity.

He also felt that this blade had longed for his hand just as deeply.

In the instant of gripping the sword, his sword style felt complete. In that moment, he understood the meaning behind the strike he had unleashed within the Tian Fu secret realm.

For that single sword stroke had already taken shape within his heart.

All fatigue swept away, leaving not a trace.

Were it not for the sword furnace surrounding him, he might well have yielded to the urge to howl with suppressed desire, wishing only to unleash a furious dance of the blade right then and there.

It was only in this moment, as he gripped Chang Xiang Si, that his essence, energy, and spirit fused into one, and this blade could truly be considered cast.

The weapon hummed to itself.

This sound from Chang Xiang Si seemed akin to a declaration.

Precisely at this instant, the vast sword array protecting the Lian family’s sword furnace stirred.

Countless remnant swords emitted cries.

It was a sound of both cheering exhilaration and unwilling melancholy.

Sword light shone like scattered stars, yet also coalesced into brilliant rays.

Sword energy surged towards the heavens, and sword howls echoed in all directions!

The entire Lian family, no, the entire Nan Yao city was shaken.

The sword array itself resonated.

This was the phenomenon of a famous weapon’s birth.

History books recorded: “Only tools and names cannot be lent to others, for they are the ruler’s own duty.”

This dictum signified that power was the one thing that could never be delegated; the ruler’s authority and destiny were their own to wield. Tools, representing external rites and systems, and names, signifying majestic titles, were all expressions of supreme power.

And within the realm of weapon casting, only the most exquisite weapons were bestowed the title of “famous weapon.”

They often endured through the ages, symbolizing the pinnacle of achievement for casting masters.

Since the Lian family established Nan Yao city, the sword furnace had produced but three famous weapons.

Including the knife and spear furnaces (for the Lian family possessed only these three ancient furnaces), as well as those cast in other, non-ancient furnaces, only twelve famous weapons had been created over several hundred years.

Yet, these twelve famous weapons alone had cemented the Lian family’s place as one of the five great holy lands of casting masters.

And now, unexpectedly, a third famous weapon had appeared from the sword furnace – the Lian family’s thirteenth famous weapon!

The whole city boiled with excitement!

Just after the famous weapon’s birth and the self-resonance of the sword array,

Lian Que suddenly burst into laughter, overflowing with joy.

His essence, energy, and spirit condensed to an extreme in this moment, his entire being like a blazing furnace, his momentum surging abruptly.

The fire within the sword furnace also intensified, as if responding to him.

Behind him, within the void, a gate rose.

It was none other than the Heaven and Earth Gate!

Outsiders could only perceive it vaguely.

Most of the time, the specific appearance of the Heaven and Earth Gate was clear only to the individual themselves.

But at this instant, the gate suddenly burst open with a roar!

Yuan energy surged and boiled, as if aflame.

It seemed as though an undying fire furnace had ignited within Lian Que’s very body.

He had actually seized the opportunity of casting a famous weapon and, in one swift move, pushed open the Heaven and Earth Gate!

Jiang Wang, standing to the side, vaguely heard the sound of a dragon’s roar.

That was Lian Que having already transcended the Heaven and Earth barrier, his Dao pulse soaring like a dragon, entering the Trunk Body Sea.

The human body possesses four seas, with the Spine Sea as the first. When the Dao pulse overlaps with the Spine Sea, this first sea is then directly referred to as the Tong Tian Palace. Of course, the Tong Tian Palace will see the “soaring dragon” depart and wander into the second sea.

The Trunk Body Sea is the second sea, also known as the Five Organs Mansion.

This realm is the Soaring Dragon realm, and cultivators reaching this stage are akin to divine dragons soaring from the abyss.

Anomalies like Wang Yi Wu, who were so powerful they disdained the fragility of the Heaven and Earth Gate, were after all, rare exceptions.

Generally speaking, the stronger the individual, the more difficult the Heaven and Earth Gate is to open.

Lian Que had originally anticipated needing two more years of refinement, never expecting to achieve success in a single morning.

Just as he had intended to exert his utmost effort solely to cast a sword for Jiang Wang, striving only to not be indebted to another, he also hadn’t expected to cast a famous weapon himself.

This Chang Xiang Si was not merely the product of Lian Que’s complete dedication, but it had also been thoroughly imbued with Jiang Wang’s essence, energy, and spirit.

Lian Que looked at Chang Xiang Si in Jiang Wang’s hand, then glanced at Jiang Wang himself, and said, “Wait a moment, no matter what happens, do not be surprised. These are all normal phenomena.”

Before Jiang Wang could react to the meaning of his words, Lian Que pinched a seal, and the sword array opened wide!

When they had entered earlier, only a small path had opened. But this time, Lian Que opened the entire sword array; although the sword weapons stood like a forest, they could no longer obstruct the view.

Thus, the entire sword furnace, including Lian Que and Jiang Wang in front of it, were instantly exposed to countless gazes.

“Lian Que!”

“Young Master Lian Que!”

“Brother Lian Que! This way!”

“Que’er, it’s Que’er, promising indeed, so promising!”

Nan Yao city was a city of casting masters.

The birth of a famous weapon was the grandest event in the entire city.

Except for those who truly could not leave their posts, almost everyone gathered near the Lian family residence. Even if they couldn’t witness the famous weapon’s appearance, they still wished to partake of some of its auspiciousness.

And those qualified to surround the sword furnace from the outside were, naturally, all members of the Lian family.

Looking out, all were heads of people. What one heard was all praise.

It seemed as though the cold mockery and sarcasm Lian Que had endured within the clan before were merely a fleeting dream bubble.

Lian Que, carrying the momentum of his Dao pulse soaring like a dragon and the power of casting a famous sword, cupped his hands in greeting to all directions.

He was not skilled in eloquent speech, but with raised brows and spirited bearing, he couldn’t help but feel joy.

After this period of getting along, Jiang Wang had come to understand Lian Que better.

This fellow’s position within the Lian family was akin to Chong Xuan Sheng’s in his own clan – both were direct descendants of the main lineage, but not the primary heir.

Compared to Chong Xuan Sheng, Lian Que lacked ambition. He was solely engrossed in weapon casting, with little interest in other matters, and so, he lived a more relaxed life.

However, some matters were not left to his preference; others would not simply leave him be.

Just as his journey to the Tian Fu secret realm was purely for seeking a breakthrough, his return after failing immediately plunged him into a dilemma of public opinion.

However, having now cast Chang Xiang Si, his position was essentially consolidated.

Should he truly entertain the thought of vying for the clan leader position at this time, his chances would greatly increase. Given his character, however, his fortune and misfortune were difficult to predict.

The crowd parted at this moment, and a tall old man with a ruddy face pushed through, followed grandly by a group of people.

Lian Que bowed respectfully, saying, “Clan Leader!”

As Lian Que’s friend, Jiang Wang politely followed with a bow.

“Good, good! Little Que’er is promising!”

Lian Zhu Ping, the contemporary Clan Leader of the Lian family, praised in a booming voice, then paused and turned towards Jiang Wang, his gaze, of course, primarily focused on Chang Xiang Si in Jiang Wang’s hand: “This must be your friend Jiang Wang, correct?”

Without waiting for Jiang Wang’s reply, he praised again: “Good. Your divine ability is evident, a young hero! You do not disgrace this sword.”

Jiang Wang could only humbly say, “You are too kind.”

“Come, bring it here.” Lian Zhu Ping extended his hand, his hand bone thick, appearing very powerful.

“This…” Seeing the old man’s eyes almost devour Chang Xiang Si, Jiang Wang involuntarily tightened his grip on the long sword.

“Don’t worry, I won’t steal your sword.” Lian Que nudged him from the side, softly reminding him: “After a sword weapon is cast, it still needs to be wound with silk, tied with a tassel, and matched with a sheath. Then, it is offered to the ancestors and announced to Heaven. Only after this complete set of rituals is the casting of the weapon considered finished. At that time, this sword will be returned to your hand.”

“Ah, it’s that much trouble?” Jiang Wang’s face was one of reluctance.

According to his idea, taking the sword and leaving was the simplest approach. The silk would wind itself, the tassel would tie itself, the sheath would match itself – why delay here further?

Those old men of the Lian family, looking at Chang Xiang Si, each had a very peculiar expression.

“Just hand it over when you’re told to hand it over, what’s with all the nonsense! This sword is so conspicuous, can it possibly run away?”

This boy had the nature of a miser guarding his wealth; if not for being in front of so many people, Lian Que would have truly wished to kick him.

Ordinary swords, naturally, didn’t require such trouble. But this was a famous weapon, a weapon destined to spread across the kingdoms – how could it not be grand?

Of course, Lian Que also wanted to conveniently let him experience what it was like to be in the Soaring Dragon realm.

Otherwise, there might be no such opportunity later. By the time Jiang Wang also pushed open the Heaven and Earth Gate, relying on his early-acquired divine ability, he would likely quickly knock open his inner mansion.

Lian Que had already spoken, and though reluctant, Jiang Wang still handed over Chang Xiang Si, which he hadn’t yet had time to warm in his hand.

Despite Lian Zhu Ping’s aged appearance, his movements were nimble. He took Chang Xiang Si and in a turn of his body, disappeared from view.

“No, alas!”

Jiang Wang was somewhat anxious.

“Never mind, never mind, let’s go to the ancestral hall.” Lian Que comforted him with a pat on the shoulder: “Later, you may have to work hard. Chang Xiang Si’s future is decided by your future.”

Having spent so many days together casting the sword with one heart, the two had grown quite close.

Lian Que’s voice was full of anticipation: “And I wonder if it will make it onto the famous weapon list in the future, and where it will rank!”