The blade length was 4 feet, crafted from a unique metal known as Starfall Steel, which is said to be imbued with fragments of meteorite material. This gives the blade a faint, celestial shimmer—specks of light that resemble distant stars can be seen swirling across its surface, even in low light. The steel is known for its durability and ability to conduct light-type mana flawlessly. The blade itself carries a pale silver hue, with a faint ethereal glow emanating from the edge.
I also took pride in my ability to create engravings running along the blade to serve as conduits for the wielder’s mana, amplifying it and allowing the blade to cut through both physical and spiritual forms with innate light elements.
The hilt, I wrapped in threaded silk from the queen spider, a giant monster similar in size to the imoogi. This makes the hilt both comfortable to hold and capable of absorbing excess energy during combat. The material is in shades of deep blue and black,
As for the crossguard of the Celestial Blade, I shaped it like a crescent moon, with engraved runes to absorb the moonlight itself. At times, a soft red glow can be seen emanating from the guard itself, especially when it will be absorbing moonlight or releasing it.
Once done, I decided to name it “Axis” and, as such, my personal Celestial Blade was created.
Though, to be fair, I did not know what a Celestial Blade was according to the culture of the world of Zaotian that I would go to.
Still, I was quite satisfied and, arrogantly maybe, believed that it would work just fine and as intended.
Turning around, I saw N.
She smiled as she said: “It has been far more than 24 hours but I decided to generously let you finish your crafting this time. It will not be happening again, Sir Lark, so please make sure from here on out to prepare before picking a mission.”
I nodded.
Not like I really gave a fuck about her or her demands. She might be quite stronger than me too due to those ten points of mysterous divinity but the worst that could happen would be what? Sending me to that mission before I could finish? I would just finish there.
That being said, could she even do it? Was she allowed to? I could not be certain since there was no precedent.
I would have to consider that thoroughly too when I reviewed all of this experience later on.
In any case, I was now ready to go.
And she seemed very much ready to send me away.
- * -
Another portal opened but it did not show what was beyond it this time.
I turned to her and she simply smiled.
It was quite clear that she wished for me to go through the portal and was not going to give me any more information.
Did she not have any? Did she not want to share? Could she decide herself what to share and what not to share?
I stepped through the portal.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
- * -
Rongxia and Rongshen were siblings.
The siblings Rongxia and Rongsheng hail from a humble martial arts family located in a secluded village at the foothills of a grand mountain in Zhaotian. Their family, while not wealthy or politically powerful, is known for its dedication to martial discipline and cultivation. The Rong Clan specializes in a unique martial art called "Sunset Blade Style", a mid-tier martial technique that combines agile swordsmanship with graceful, flowing movements that mimic the setting sun’s fading light.
Although the Rong family has a small reputation among the local sects, they’ve always lived under the shadow of more powerful families. Their home is a simple abode, with a modest training courtyard surrounded by cherry blossom trees, a few ancient training dummies, and a shrine dedicated to their ancestors. They earn their living by training local villagers and protecting the area from low-level bandits and beasts, but they have never risen to prominence in the greater martial world.
The siblings' father died when they were both young, defending their village from a demon incursion, leaving them with only their mother, who was once a skilled cultivator herself but was injured in the same battle. The loss of their father forced the two to take on responsibilities far beyond their years. As the only son, Rongsheng became the de facto head of the family at the age of 16, while Rongxia managed the household and assisted in training young students, despite being just 13 at the time.
Though their family is not wealthy, and their resources for cultivation are limited, they both possess a natural talent for martial arts. However, lacking access to high-quality spiritual resources and powerful masters, their progress has been slower than that of others from more prestigious families or sects. They’ve trained tirelessly on their own, often practicing late into the night under the stars, their dreams filled with the hope of improving their skills to protect their family and make a name for themselves.
By now, Rongxia is now 21. She carries an air of quiet elegance despite her simple upbringing. She stands at around 5'5" (165 cm), with a slender but toned build, her body conditioned from years of martial training. Her long raven-black hair flows freely down her back, often tied in a loose ponytail when she trains. The ends of her hair carry a slight wave, and when the sun hits it, a subtle auburn sheen becomes visible, hinting at her fiery spirit.
Her almond-shaped eyes are a striking shade of amber, giving her a sharp, almost hawk-like gaze. Her skin is fair but with a slightly sun-kissed tone from the long hours spent training outdoors. She carries a small scar above her right eyebrow, a remnant from a training accident when she first started practicing with a sword.
As for Rongshen, he is 24. Standing at 5'11" (180 cm), Rongsheng has a muscular and lean physique, a testament to his years of rigorous martial training and manual labor. His hair is the same raven-black as Rongxia’s, but his is shorter, cut to just above his shoulders in a practical warrior's style. He often keeps it tied back into a small bun when training or fighting. His sharp jawline and high cheekbones give him a somewhat fierce appearance, softened only by his expressive eyes—deep, dark brown with flecks of gold, often filled with a mix of determination and quiet frustration.
Rongsheng’s skin is tanned from countless days training under the sun, and like his sister, his body carries the scars of his efforts—a long scar running down his left forearm, gained during a fight with a rogue bandit when he was just 18.
Their clothing is both simple yet functional, favoring loose-fitting martial robes in shades of deep red and gold, colors symbolizing the sunset and the martial art she practices.
The day before, they used to dream of leaving their house behind to enter a big sect and pursue cultivation further.
But now?
They were fleeing for their lives, chased by demons.
It happened two hours ago or so. The village under the mountain was attacked by a bunch of low-class demons, humanoid monsters with red skins using martial arts filled with darkness.
Unfortunately for them, there were far too many enemies, even if they were individually weaker than them or their students.
They fought fiercely trying to protect the village but it was doomed to fail. Little by little, people died.
After a while, the siblings and a few students left decided to escape. There was no point in sacrificing their lives without cause. If they stayed, they would only die alongside all those already killed. Their death helping absolutely no one.
And so, they fled.