His eyes opened in surprise and delight, but he quickly regained his composure. The innermost of the three seals, the thickest one, remained intact. He had not truly mastered the sword, only established a limited connection with its spirit. The extent of that control was…

"Sword, come!"

At his beckoning gesture, the five-colored ribbons within the cauldron loosened, and the silvery-white lightning withdrew. The sword rose from the cauldron and dropped into his hand.

The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, the weapon twisted violently. Its point swung toward him as though eager to pierce its new master, while a ravenous thirst for blood surged through the blade.

Luo Chen tightened his grip without the slightest fear. "You want to drink my blood? Not a chance!"

He ran two fingers along the blade and poured his mana into it. The crimson radiance surrounding the weapon gradually receded, no longer obstructing his sight or divine consciousness. Only then did he notice two ancient characters engraved near...