Meng Fan was astonished to discover that the Essence of the Sword, which was leaking from his body, was actually being absorbed by the Hong Qi Sword.
This scene filled Meng Fan with both surprise and delight.
If the Hong Qi Sword could absorb the Essence of the Sword, it would undoubtedly grow at an astonishing rate.
Although Meng Fan didn't know what effects the Essence of the Sword would have on a Sword Weapon, as a human, he had already reaped significant benefits from it.
Being a Sword Weapon, the Hong Qi Sword would only reap more advantages from absorbing the Essence of the Sword!
Most importantly, Hong Qi, residing within the sword, would surely be affected and benefit as well.
With this thought, a smile spread across Meng Fan's face, and he wasn't the least bit displeased about losing a tenth of the Essence of the Sword.
The Hong Qi Sword was his personal Law Sword, so its enhancement was essentially his own improvement!
Meng Fan continued to wipe the stored swords, absorbing the Essence of the Sword.
He didn't disturb Hong Qi intentionally, knowing that the Hong Qi Sword, having absorbed some of the Essence of the Sword, might be in a special state.
Any interruption could cause problems!
He trusted that Hong Qi would seek him out if she noticed anything unusual.
Meng Fan wasn't in a rush and calmly continued to absorb the Essence of the Sword.
After cleaning a dozen or so long swords and refining two strands of Sword Wraith Memory, he found that these memories were unremarkable, containing neither explosive information nor any formidable Sword Techniques.
They were hardly worth mentioning!
After absorbing the Essence of the Sword, Meng Fan returned to his room.
He had intended to continue his cultivation, but his mind was restless.
He was somewhat concerned about Hong Qi's condition.
While it should be a good thing for both the Hong Qi Sword and Hong Qi to absorb the Essence of the Sword, what if it wasn't?
What if the absorption of the Essence of the Sword was problematic for Hong Qi?
With these thoughts, Meng Fan decided not to cultivate any further and quietly watched the Hong Qi Sword, waiting for Hong Qi to emerge and report to him.
If the Hong Qi Sword experienced such an anomaly, Hong Qi would surely report to him immediately if there were no issues.
Her absence made Meng Fan uneasy.
This was the first time the Hong Qi Sword had absorbed the Essence of the Sword since it became his personal Law Sword, so he hadn't anticipated this special circumstance!
***
After about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Hong Qi's phantom emerged from the Hong Qi Sword, floating in front of Meng Fan.
Seeing the excitement and thrill on the young lady's face, Meng Fan breathed a sigh of relief and felt assured.
Even though Hong Qi hadn't spoken yet, Meng Fan could tell from her expression that the absorption of the Essence of the Sword was beneficial and had positively affected her.
"Master, the Hong Qi Sword suddenly received a surge of the Essence of the Sword, half of which strengthened the sword's body. The other half flowed into me, enhancing me as the sword spirit, and I can clearly feel my spiritual body growing stronger," Hong Qi said joyfully.
However, she quickly focused on the main issue and asked Meng Fan with curiosity, "Master, why did the Essence of the Sword appear in the Hong Qi Sword? Where did it come from?"
Meng Fan smiled and replied, "Where else could it come from if not from within me?"
"Ah?" Hong Qi's face changed immediately, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Master, what… what's going on?"
"After I made the Hong Qi Sword my personal Law Sword, a small portion of the Essence of the Sword I absorb will flow into it. I've just learned of this myself."
Hearing Meng Fan's words, Hong Qi looked alarmed.
With a worried tone, she asked, "Is there a way to stop this?"
Having been with Meng Fan for so long, Hong Qi knew the significance of the Essence of the Sword to him.
Now that the Hong Qi Sword had "taken" the Essence of the Sword meant for her master's cultivation, wasn't this going against him?
"There's no stopping it," Meng Fan said, shaking his head.
"But you shouldn't feel pressured. After the Hong Qi Sword became my personal Law Sword, it's essentially a part of my body. Its strengthening is my strengthening, so you needn't have any reservations!"
"But doesn't this delay your cultivation, Master?" Hong Qi felt uncomfortable and a twinge of guilt, feeling she had burdened her master.
Meng Fan instinctively reached out to comfort Hong Qi but retracted his hand in a flash.
"What are you thinking? Haven't I told you? Your and the Hong Qi Sword's strength is my strength. So, don't carry any burden. Make good use of the Essence of the Sword, strive to grow stronger—that's the best help you can give me!"
After a pause, Meng Fan spoke earnestly, "If you waste the Essence of the Sword, that's when I'll be angry!"
Hong Qi looked down, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say, feeling moved.
But in fact, she was moved by a misunderstanding.
After all, the Essence of the Sword wasn't something Meng Fan had willingly shared with her.
It was an inevitable result of the Hong Qi Sword becoming his personal Law Sword.
However, when Meng Fan first noticed the loss of the Essence of the Sword, he was initially panicked and furious.
But upon realizing that the Hong Qi Sword and Hong Qi had absorbed the lost Essence of the Sword, he was relieved and his mind calmed.
At least from this perspective, Meng Fan did indeed value the Hong Qi Sword and Hong Qi!
"Alright, stop overthinking and go back to fully assimilate the Essence of the Sword and continue your cultivation," Meng Fan told Hong Qi.
At this rate, the Hong Qi Sword would soon reach the level of a treasure-grade Sword Weapon.
Since the Hong Qi Sword became Meng Fan's personal Law Sword, not only did it gain the Essence of the Sword, but it also benefited from his increasing cultivation level.
Meng Fan was right; after becoming his personal Law Sword, the Hong Qi Sword was set to win effortlessly!
Moments later, persuaded by Meng Fan, Hong Qi returned to the sword to continue her cultivation.
Meng Fan also composed himself and began his cultivation.
***
The next day at morning, Meng Fan went upstairs to meet Elder Lin as usual.
He planned to propose sensing the Sword God Stele to Elder Lin.
But before he could speak, Elder Lin presented him with news.
"Disciple, you've now reached the Heavenly Origin Realm, and the path of cultivation ahead is somewhat different from before, more challenging," Elder Lin began, causing Meng Fan's expression to turn serious.
Such an opening indicated that Elder Lin's following words would be of great significance.
Meng Fan remembered how, during the Qi Cultivation Realm, Elder Lin had taken him to the Heavenly Heart Mountains, allowing him to step into the True Martial Realm in an extremely short time.
Judging by the situation, Elder Lin seemed to have arranged a cultivation method for the Heavenly Origin Realm.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan