Chapter 23: Related Elder

"What does that even mean?"

Renxian, puzzled by the blacksmith's cryptic words, furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowing in confusion. The burly man deftly returned the blade to its sheath, his movements deliberate and calculated, as he advanced towards them.

In response, Sanxiu extended his hand, creating a defensive barrier around Niara to shield her from any potential threat that might arise.

"Do you know that no one can open this thing but me?" The bald man's voice surged with intensity, resonating with a depth of emotion.

"Wait, Mr. Atar!" Niara emerged from her concealment behind Sanxiu, revealing herself. "We have no intention of stealing from you. My friend wants to seek a new weapon!"

"Niara, is that you?" Atar exclaimed, his surprise evident as he recognized the woman with braided blonde hair cascading over her left shoulder. "How did you end up with him?"

Niara cleared her throat, a hint of hesitation in her voice, yet without reservation, she replied, "He saved my life when I was on the brink of death." Her confession left Sanxiu taken aback, mirroring the shock that registered on Atar's face.

"What? Are you saying that Liumin and Hansamu didn't make it?" With an expression that was still troubled, Atar was stunned in place - in front of Niara.

The woman's gaze darkened, and she cast her eyes downward, speaking in a soft, almost whispered tone, "We were outnumbered, but they refused to retreat." Niara closed her eyes briefly, her voice filled with reverence as she added, "They died with immense honor and unwavering courage."

Inexplicably, Atar's composure began to waver, his eyes losing their luster and becoming devoid of emotion. After a few moments, he made an effort to regain his composure and spoke, "They had come here before the mission to kill the Goblins, asking me to make a weapon."

He turned around and walked over to a nearby workbench, where two weapon blades rested. Carefully, he laid the katana on the wooden table, remarking, "This is all that remains." Atar carried the object with both hands and then looked back to Niara, who had been momentarily frozen, and she began to approach the man.

"I believed that, as their closest friend, you should have it," Atar explained, extending the weapons to Niara as an offer, who was still examining the swords with a mixture of emotions.

Memories of their shared hunting experiences flooded Niara's mind as she clutched the swords, their imaginable future unfulfilled. Overwhelmed with emotion, she expressed her appreciation. "Thank you, Mr. Atar." She embraced the wrapped sword, allowing her longing to pour out.

"And what about you, thief?" Atar inquired, now advancing towards Sanxiu, who remained immobile, hesitant to interject. "If you claim not to be a thief, why did you take the katana?"

The black-haired man raised his stare, meeting Atar's taller stature. "As I said before, I was looking for a katana and I found that sword."

Atar remained silent but continued to scrutinize Renxian more deeply. After a moment, he spoke in a soft, uncertain tone, "I have a feeling I know you from somewhere. Regardless, that katana is not for sale."

"Yet, I sense something I didn't anticipate," Atar murmured, turning around and retrieving the black katana. "That there is no one who can sheathe this sword."

Returning to stand in front of Renxian, Atar remarked, "Perhaps my eyes are deceiving me, but I want you to make an effort to do it once more. Let's confirm."

The man didn't dwell on the issue at hand. His primary goal was to purchase a regular katana, much like the one he had owned earlier. Enhanced swords were merely a means to channel chi into objects, dependent on the user's abilities.

[Name: Renxian

Skill - Alchemist (Enhanced Sword): 10%]

[There's no harm if you have that katana. Different from common swords, of course, its durability and strength make it less troublesome for you to search for swords over and over again.]

Renxian took a deep breath, unable to ignore the intriguing connection he felt with the katana. He couldn't help but wonder about the potential it held when its abilities were channeled. Complying with Atar's request, he accepted the katana and unsheathed the arcane weapon.

Renxian, without trouble, drew the entire sword from its sheath, revealing a black blade with a flawless and elegant design. The sight left Atar settled in disbelief, unable to fathom that Renxian could wield the katana.

"No... that means you are," the muscular man took a few steps back. "The person my elder spoke of!"

***

The sound of clinking glass resonated within the back room as Renxian and Niara settled cross-legged at the table, gazing out at the grassy, savanna-like courtyard that framed the majestic Mountain Ardiwa, its beauty enhanced by the clouds that adorned it. Moments later, Atar returned with a tray in hand.

"How could I have not recognized you as the Secluded Wanderer," the man, now dressed in casual blue robes, mused. "The rumors seemed quite different."

Sanxiu chuckled in response, "Yes, I've heard that line more times than I can count."

Atar couldn't help but crack up at Sanxiu's reaction, handing them drinks with a substantial aroma. "Please, enjoy this first."

Niara beamed with a radiant smile, her lips opened as she exclaimed, "Thank you."

Meanwhile, Sanxiu, who was already curious, asked, "So... how did your elder expect me?"

The man, who had been blowing on the still-hot tea, waited and smiled after taking a small sip. "How should I put it? He didn't anticipate it was Sanxiu; he was expecting someone more like himself."

Renxian furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued, while Niara opted to sip her drink and listen. The perplexed man continued, "I don't understand."

The burly man sighed, his gaze drifting toward the side, where the natural beauty of the surroundings captivated his attention. He could sense the gentle breeze from outside, bringing in a refreshing coolness. "He used to be a rogue cultivator, much like yourself."

Renxian was left speechless, and Niara's eyes widened in astonishment. The revelation illuminated the fact that in the world of Nusa, there might be numerous rogue cultivators hidden from the general populace's knowledge, unlike Renxian, who was notorious for the negative rumors surrounding him.

"But after he received enlightenment, he realized that immortality was beyond his reach and chose to cease his wandering," Atar explained, his watch now fixed on the katana beside him. "He started to imbue some of his power into this very weapon."

"But his descendant has shown no interest whatsoever in the realm of cultivation or swordsmanship," Atar laughs, glancing at Renxian and Niara. "Instead, he has become a craftsman, creating tools and weapons!"

Niara smiled appreciatively at Atar's story, and Sanxiu couldn't help but express his wonder. "So, that's why you displayed the katana there?"

"Yeah, it's quite a good piece for decoration, isn't it?" Atar remarked and looked up at the wooden roof of the room. "Though I understand it won't remain like this forever."

Atar wore a somber expression as he continued, "I feel a sense of remorse for not continuing my elder's wishes. I feel as though I'm disrespecting his inheritance."

Closing his eyes, Atar began to contemplate, weighing the consequences that might be unavoidable. "Well... maybe it's time to release the katana, as the old man had instructed."

Atar turned his full attention to Renxian, who remained motionless. "He mentioned that if I couldn't wield the sword myself, I should entrust it to those who are trustworthy," Atar explained. "And since you were able to unlock it, you must have related to him."

"In what way?"

Atar replied, "That might be you and he can understand." For some reason, he rose, retrieved the katana, and walked out. "You should meet him."

Sanxiu's confusion deepened, his questions multiplying. "Where should I meet him?" He followed Atar who had now moved to the backyard.

Atar raised his hand and pointed with a nod of his head toward Mountain Ardiwa. "He's there."

Sanxiu, now focused on the mountain in front of him, asked, "What's he doing?"

"He's establishing a new sect," Atar explained, turning to Renxian, who stood beside him. "I've heard that he's taken on numerous disciples."

This revelation couldn't have come at a better time for Renxian, who was actively seeking a sect to enhance his martial skills. The connection between him and Atar's elder hinted at a path that might allow him to further develop his abilities. He was yet to fully regain Sanxiu's strength as before, and there was still much for him to master.

"Now, I'd like to arrange you to the test," Atar said, positioning himself to face the Rogue Cultivator squarely. "To see if you are truly the one."

Unexpectedly, he extended his hand and presented the katana. "Show me what you can do with this weapon."

Sanxiu hesitated, but as his right hand made contact with the sword and sheathed it, he could sense an aura merging with the weapon. A flow of chi that seemed to connect with the depths of his soul. This sensation resembled the resonance he had experienced with Meagu, albeit weaker but abundant with knowledge.

[Tranferred Channel: 100℅]

[You obtained a few skills and enhanced your current one.]

[Skill (Enhanced Blinding Slash).]

[Skill (Afterimage).]

[Skill (Shadow Cloak).]

"How the hell did I earn this skill all of a sudden? Shouldn't I be the one channeling my power?"

[It is one of your innate abilities, to replicate someone else's skill unto yourself, as the elder concealed his strength within this katana.]

"Well, that does sound overpowered," Sanxiu commented, returning his focus to the skill, and putting on a self-assured smile. "Let's demonstrate this Enhanced Blinding Slash first."

With a single swing, Sanxiu dashed forward, resembling the normal Blinding Slash skill. But this time, there was a noticeable difference. The damage was much more significant, and the slash he unleashed impacted the area in front of him and to the sides, producing a resounding noise and a billowing cloud of smoke.

The damage that makes Atar and Niara stunned in awe.

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