Chapter 160: Ashen’s Evolution
Master Shen felt something was wrong, but he didn’t dwell on it.
Doctor Ella wasn’t bothered, as well.
She thought for a while and replied, "Well, the most prestigious private weaponsmith in the Clark City is the Webster Arms. They were founded nearly four centuries ago by Master Jaxson Webster.
The workshop became famous for producing weapons for monarch retainers, council enforcers, assembly guardians, and noble beast tamers.
Their weapons were known for flawless balance, elegant craftsmanship, and exceptional durability."
Felix nodded. "Can we go there today?"
Doctor Ella nodded. "Sure."
Felix asked Doctor Eleanor, "When will be returning to the city?"
"Three days from now," said Doctor Eleanor.
Felix was relieved. He was given a sufficient time to upgrade Ashen.
They continued their breakfast until they set off in the Webster Arms...
...
Webster Arms was located in the Scholar’s Ring. It occupied an entire district block within, as it has many surprising visitors.
Most would expect it was located in the Industrial Ring, but Webster Arms believed weapons were product of both craftsmanship and knowledge.
Hence, it sat between tactical academies, historical archives, and noble residences.
Felix and others arrived in the Webster Arms. Once they informed the receptionist of their intention, a professional hostess welcomed them.
After asking a few sets of questions about the kind of sword they were looking for, the hostess led them to the Ice Sword section, specifically in the Rare rank sword areas.
There were at least 7 available swords for Krisha to choose. Money was not a problem for her, which made the hostess confident that they would definitely buy a sword.
If it was not because she was a Commander rank beast tamer, Krisha would definitely buy a Unique rank sword.
Krisha was now hesitant to choose between two swords after casually sweeping her gaze around.
The hostess noticed it and went beside the Frostfang Blade.
She said, "The Frostfang Blade is an Arming Sword type of blade. This blade already develops a spirit. The spirit’s temperament was loyal, protective, and wolf-like because of the materials used to forge this sword.
The materials used were a Fang of a Rare-rank Frost Dire Wolf, Froststeel Ore extracted from glacial caves, Ice Crystal Core formed from centuries-old permafrost, and Silverthorn Wood that was used for the hilt.
It also develops abilities. In cold environments, its cutting power is increased. It also warns the wielder of ambushes through growls in the mind.
The only drawback is that the sword consumes Energy rapidly in hot climates."
She then moved to the Glacierheart Sword and shared information about it.
"The Glacierheart Sword is a long sword. It has a calm, wise, and patient temperament. It was made out of Glacier Crystal grown naturally over centuries, Spine segment of an Ice Basilisk, Frost Iron, and Moonsilver.
It has abilities of freezing wounds, preventing enemy regeneration. It can also form thin ice armor on the wielder’s arm, consuming a great deal of Energy as a consequence. It can enhance concentration during cultivation.
The only drawback is that it dislikes reckless wielder and may weaken if used carelessly."
Krisha was amused by the Glacierheart Sword. The Glacierheart Sword also caught her interest.
Without hesitation, she chose the Glacierheart Sword and the hostess asked Krisha to take it by herself.
Aside from the weaponsmith, only Krisha had truly wielded it at the moment.
The hostess proceeded to take the scabbard from the storage and gave it to Krisha once she returned.
Krisha was checking the sword, performing sword technique with immense concentration.
The spirit of the sword rejoiced by the wielder’s sword techniques. As a result, her spirit manifested from the sword and greeted her new owner.
Only Krisha could see her and she was stunned. She did not hear from Felix that his weapons could also manifest a spirit form.
The Glacierheart Sword’s spirit was a tiny snowflake fairy.
Krisha smiled at her as she received the scabbard and sheathed her. She turned towards Felix and asked, "I just saw the spirit of my sword.
Do you also see the spirit of your sword?"
Felix was stunned. She immediately communicated with Rain and Ashen and confirmed they could leave from their weapons and manifest as spirits.
Felix wasn’t aware. He asked why they remained in their physical body instead of manifesting in a spirit form.
To his surprise, he received a reluctant response of saying they were simply unwilling. Once they would manifest in the spirit form, it would consume a lot of Energy and they might find it too addicting, affecting Felix’s cultivation with them.
It made sense.
But they also revealed a truth Felix wouldn’t expect.
Once they would manifest in a spirit form, they can also control their physical body.
In other words, Ashen’s spirit could fire an arrow, and Rain could slash a sword.
Felix was intrigued.
Of course, Spirit Manifestation state consumed a great deal of Energy, and they expressed their desire not to be put in a situation to be forced in such state.
Felix assured them but he didn’t promise. There might be a time where he had to manifest the other spirit to fight with him.
While Felix was lost in his own thoughts, Krisha felt aggravated she hadn’t received a response yet.
However, she tried to be patient and understanding.
After a while, she asked, "Don’t you?"
Felix glanced at her and shook his head. "They are unwilling."
Krisha nodded. She couldn’t help but feel proud to herself for being patient and not being easily annoyed.
She forgot she was in her follicular phase, not her luteal or menstrual phase.
She said, "Now that we’ve gotten the sword, should it be your turn to repair and upgrade Ashen?"
Felix smiled. "The materials will arrive later today. I already asked Doctor Ella to borrow a room."
He turned towards her and Doctor Ella nodded.
Afterwards, they visited some tourist spot in the Scholar’s Ring before returning to Doctor Ella’s residence by the evening after dinner...
...
Felix used the same room as he had earlier when evolving Ember to Rare rank.
Now that Ashen was at Rare rank, she didn’t need to be restored the same way as Rain. She could simply eat the materials and evolved.
Felix swept his gaze around and confirmed that the room was definitely durable enough to withstand Ashen’s evolution.
Without hesitation, he took out the materials and placed them beside Ashen.
Ashen showed a clear sign of excitements, seemingly imitating Ember by summoning countless sparks in the air using her Fire Energy.
Ashen first manifested a dense Fire Energy from her body. It was like an arm without a hand. It reached for the Emberwing Roc Heartblood, a blood of a giant aerial fire beast at Unique rank.
It was sealed in a vial, containing three drops of blood.
The dense Fire Energy swallowed the vial, instantly melting it. The three drops of blood floated in the middle of the dense Fire Energy as it was then pulled towards Ashen’s body.
As soon as it was assimilated inside her, a wave of Fire Energy spread around. Another wave manifested and scattered all directions again.
Ashen seemed to be pulsing like a heart, and the wave of Fire Energy was like her uncontrolled blood being scattered everywhere.
Ashen was convulsing, but her dense Fire Energy didn’t stop, reaching out for another material.
This time, it was a Thousand-Year Sun Steel. A golden-red metal continuously exposed to sunlight for a millennium.
It weighed at least 5 kilograms, and it aimed to increase Ashen’s durability, repairing structural damage within her body’s frame.
Once the Thousand-Year Sun Steel melted inside her body, Felix could see the slight cracks in the bow’s frame repairing themselves as Ashen’s surface took on a beautiful, radiant sheen.
The two primary materials for Ashen’s restoration were finally consumed. Ashen took an hour to fully assimilate the two primary materials before proceeding to eat the secondary materials.
Ashen consumed the Crimson Flame Essence, which was simply made out of condensed Fire Energy to amplify the quality and quantity of her Fire Energy.
She swallowed the Firestorm Hawk Spirit Core, a core of an aerial beast capable of controlling thermal currents.
After it was assimilated in her body, it fully repaired the substantial damage, improving the arrow speed and flight control.
She also devoured a Solar Lion King Core, which increased the explosive power of her solar arrows.
Lastly, she consumed the Sunflare Lotus, increasing her fire affinity from eighty percent to ninety-nine percent.
Eventually, the evolution was completed, and the Ashen in Felix’s eyes was a beautiful, exquisite arrows, reminding him of the majestic sun.
He immediately read her current status.
[Summoned: Sunflare Heavenpiercer Bow
Peak Rank: Legendary rank 5th Tier
Current Rank: Unique 5th Tier
Durability: 100,000/100,000
Effects:
Gain ninety-nine affinity with the fire element, enabling it to turn qi into fire and solar.
You can learn the archery techniques of the Flame Sovereign.
No physical arrows required. Each draw forms a blazing arrow of condensed fire qi, capable of explosive or piercing effects depending on intent. After evolving to Unique rank, its piercing power has increased.
You occasionally dream of the Flame Sovereign’s enlightenment in the Dao of Flame and Archery.
Your perception is enhanced during the drawing of the bow, allowing you to perceive wind, distance, and heat currents.
Status: Restored at the normal state. If you want to evolve it, accumulate experience first until it’s ready to evolve by consuming materials again.]
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