We asked a sect elder about Emperor Sun's location and learned that he was giving a lecture in one of the buildings. After getting the directions and thanking the elder, we walked to the building.

There we found the Emperor sparring with one of his disciples while pointing out the flaws. When he spotted us, he stopped and murmured a few words to the student.

"Orion," he clasped my shoulder tightly, "It has been a while. I trust you were fruitful?"

"I did, Senior Brother," I replied. "I climbed the first staircase and got the blade piece from the top."

"It would be a miracle if you managed to climb both staircases in only a year and a half," he laughed a bit, and we forced a grin. Then, he returned to his usual seriousness and said, "But getting the first piece in such a short period is indeed remarkable."

"You flatter me, Senior Brother. My body power also improved, so the blade shard is not the only gain. My cultivation base was raised to the early Third Divinity stage"

"I suppose you'd like to test yourself now?"

"Please give me some pointers," I asked respectfully. Enemy or not, getting advice from a seasoned cultivator is not something everyone can get.

"As you wish," he said and readied for a spar. We exchanged hundreds of moves, and he would point out the mistakes I made.

After we finished, the same young man who had been practicing with Tulip earlier came. Senior Brother Sun stopped then and introduced him to me, "Junior Brother, I would like to introduce Tai Yang, my direct disciple. Yang, this is Orion Fistore, my Junior Brother. Junior Sister, I believe you two have already met."

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Tulip nodded, and Tai Yang cupped his hands and greeted me. The Emperor continued, "Yang is a peak Second Divinity Stage, studying the Laws of Fire. He started a year before you two did."

"Master, I am still weaker than both of them," the young student smiled wryly.

"Don't sell yourself short, you are still a talented fellow," I replied.

"How about you two have a quick spar?" Emperor Sun suggested suddenly.

"Maybe another time, Senior Brother," Tulip interjected on my behalf. "Orion still has to rest a bit."

"Very well," he nodded. "Orion, please find me when you intend to climb the second staircase."

"I will," I nodded and turned back with Tulip. But we were stopped when the Emperor said, "Oh, Orion? Did Pangu speak to you yet?"

"Pangu?" I was stunned. I didn't expect that the spirit of my sword would be the creator of this universe himself. Then, I addressed the spirit in my mind, "So that's your identity?"

"Maybe..." Pangu said while trying to play it off.

"I will deal with you later," I told him, and to Senior Brother Sun I said, "Nothing of importance, just some ramblings."

"I see," he narrowed his eyes and said nothing else. We left, and on the way to our courtyard, I started talking with Pangu, "Now, out with it."

"Out with what?" he replied.

"Your story. Why are you weapon spirit now?"

"When my physical body died and my axe was destroyed, I split my soul and embedded them in the shards. Many people have tried to rebuild the sword, but none of them succeeded completely. And recently, Richy decided that it was best to be separated until someone suitable was found."

"Pangu you will become a thousand pieces if you keep calling me Richy," Richard suddenly interjected in my mind.

"Hey! And why are you eavesdropping?" I complained.

"Pretend that I am not here," he said and tactfully remained silent. I smiled and entered my room and went into deep sleep.