"Hm?"
"This is the mark of a flawed fate."
The young womans gaze sharpened as she immediately noticed that the smiling youth before her was born with a congenital defect—blindness.
For a moment, a distant memory stirred within her. She seemed to recall hearing someone mention a "little blind boy" in the sect.
Unexpectedly, she had encountered him here, in the Sword Forging Cave of the Swordmaking House.
"How unfortunate."
Watching him struggle slightly as he lifted a piece of Black Gold Ore, her heart was instinctively moved with compassion.
She came from a prominent background and knew many secrets.
A flawed fate differed from an acquired disability; it was more like a curse—a curse from the heavens, nearly impossible to overcome.
The mere thought of never being able to see the world sent a chill through her. Her gaze toward the boy softened even further.
Plop.
A piece of Black Gold Ore fell into the Sword Forging Pool.
"Do you need something?"
The boy—none other than Jason Chu—spoke up, his voice carrying through the cave.
Another presence had entered the cave, and with his current cultivation, how could he not sense it?
Yet, Jason was not surprised. With the commotion that had just taken place in the Swordmaking House, it was natural for someone to come and investigate.
Had no one arrived, he wouldnt have bothered pretending to laboriously move pieces of Black Gold Ore.
Initially, he thought the visitor would depart shortly, but after a few moments of silence, he decided to speak up.
"Ah!"
The girl let out a soft gasp, surprised that she'd been noticed.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, she realized it was indeed a bit rude to observe someone so closely, even if he couldn't see her.
She quickly replied, "Oh, nothing, nothing. I was just wandering around. I hope I didn't disturb you?"
"No."
Jason shook his head slightly, recognizing a hint of nervousness in her sweet voice.
At first, he'd thought it was a powerful Shushan Sect cultivator who had come to investigate, but apparently, that wasn't the case.
"My name is Sarah Qin. What are you doing here?"
Intrigued by the youth's calm demeanor, Sarah introduced herself, hoping to ease any tension he might feel.
"Jason Chu."
"Refining ore."
Jason replied briefly, and with Sarah watching him, he tossed another piece of Black Gold Ore into the Sword Forging Pool with a splash.
"Oh, I see. Do you need any help?"
"No."
"What's the purpose of refining these ores?"
"To forge swords."
"So that's it. It must be hard work, isn't it?"
"It's manageable."
"…"
Perhaps out of kindness or compassion for Jason's plight, Sarah, naturally talkative, began asking questions like a curious child.
In contrast to her chatter, Jason's responses were brief and to the point, almost as if he were conserving words.
But Sarah didn't seem to mind; instead, she found his reserved nature intriguing.
Nevertheless, Sarah had her own tasks to attend to. Sensing that her presence might be disruptive, she bid Jason farewell after a brief conversation and left the cave.
"Whew…"
Watching her leave, Jason let out a quiet breath.
With a mere thought, he effortlessly lifted multiple pieces of Black Gold Ore and tossed them all into the Sword Forging Pool at once.
"So, this place is filled with countless sword marks?"
"Not being able to see is indeed a disadvantage, but I should still be able to sense them."
He muttered to himself.
During their casual conversation, Sarah had mentioned the purpose of her visit.
The ancient sword marks left by countless divine swords forged in the Swordmaking House had piqued Jason's curiosity.
Due to his blindness, he hadn't noticed the mystical aspects of the Swordmaking House before. But after Sarah's hint, he became keenly interested.
After sensing that Sarah had left to continue her study of the marks, Jason focused his mind and reached out to feel the sword marks within the Swordmaking House.
With his cultivation at the Ninth Layer of the Grandmaster stage, his careful exploration yielded a wealth of insights.
The rift that had appeared in the Sword Forging Cave was soon sealed by the Shushan Sword Sect.
The incident of the fiend's emergence gradually faded from memory as time passed.
In the blink of an eye, five years had gone by.
Sarah frequently visited the Swordmaking House to observe the sword marks, gradually becoming more familiar with Jason.
Meanwhile, Jason became increasingly attuned to the Swordmaking House over the years.
Apart from the occasional guidance from Master Gavin, who sometimes assigned him small tasks, Jason's life was leisurely and peaceful.
As the morning light brightened, signaling a new day, Jason suddenly rose from his meditative position, exuding an aura of rebirth.
"I've finally achieved Foundation Establishment."
Truthfully, he could have reached Foundation Establishment long ago.
But he had chosen to take his time, honing his skills as one would sharpen a blade.
Over the past five years, he had signed in at countless locations within the Swordmaking House, acquiring numerous treasures.
"With these treasures, I've built an unshakable foundation. My strength must be far beyond what it once was."
Filled with joy at his breakthrough, Jason's spirits soared.
"Jason, come see me."
Shortly after his successful Foundation Establishment, Jason heard Master Gavin's voice transmitting to him.
Startled, Jason noted that this was the first time in years that Master Gavin had asked him to come over instead of seeking him out.
Master Gavin lived in a secluded cave deep within the Swordmaking House. Though puzzled, Jason made his way there promptly.
As he entered the cave, Jason's heart momentarily sank.
He could sense that Master Gavin's aura was flickering like a dying candle, weak and unstable, as if it could be extinguished at any moment.
Could it be that this Swordsmith was nearing the end of his life?
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