The best time for forging a sword is the hour of Chou.
Under Yuan Jiujian's arrangements, Yan Shouyi and others cooperated fully, building a casting platform overnight. Fortunately, the Civil Sect's stronghold already had such infrastructure, only requiring additions as per Yuan Jiujian's requests.
Becoming a sword soul was not a farewell, so Long Feicheng felt no pressure. His other companions were overjoyed to learn that Long Feicheng might not leave after all. Friends and family were different; friends wished you well for a time, while family wished you well forever. Therefore, Yan Shouyi was not as happy as he appeared. He hoped Long Feicheng could reincarnate and escape the grudges of this life, but he also respected Long Feicheng's choice.
Upon hearing that Long Feicheng would become a sword soul, almost all the senior members of the Civil Sect arrived, including Yan Chou and Jiang Qingxue. They gathered around the casting platform, awaiting the hour of Chou. Long Feicheng, the person involved, was instead acting cheerfully and joking with Luo Ning.
"Yuan Jiujian is indeed the most remarkable sword forging master in the world today," Yan Chou commented highly of Yuan Jiujian.
Jiang Qingxue stood beside Yan Chou and said with relief, "Shouyi has come this far not only through his own efforts but also with the help of his companions."
"Those who gain the Way have much help; those who lose it have little," Yan Chou said proudly. "It's all thanks to my father's good upbringing."
Jiang Qingxue gave Yan Chou a sidelong glance. "Are you implying something? Blaming me for leaving you and your father to go into seclusion at Changbai Mountain?"
"Cough, cough, didn't I also leave Shouyi to spend ten years in prison?" Yan Chou said guiltily.
The onlookers began to murmur. Yuan Jiujian, affected by the chatter, scowled and expelled everyone. Daring not to incur the master's wrath, they all left obediently. Only Yuan Jiujian, Yan Shouyi, Long Feicheng, and the Zanpakuto lying on the platform remained.
"The hour has come. Are you ready?" Yuan Jiujian asked sternly. Forging was a sacred act to him, especially for a peerless divine weapon like the Zanpakuto, requiring a soul as a price. Yuan Jiujian took it very seriously, dedicating three hundred percent of his effort.
Seeing Yuan Jiujian's dedication, Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng felt assured that no accidents would occur. They nodded. "We are ready. We appreciate your effort, Senior."
"Very well, Long Feicheng, state your birthdate and time first."
"What does my birthdate have to do with this?"
"I need to calculate your five elements to see if you are compatible with the Zanpakuto."
Long Feicheng replied with an "Oh," but then hesitated, realizing he didn't know his own birthdate and time. He was an orphan, not knowing his parents, so how could he possibly know? Fortunately, Yan Shouyi was there and used the Lesser Liu Ren to deduce Long Feicheng's birthdate and time, thus obtaining the precise result.
After receiving the birthdate and time, Yuan Jiujian calculated for a while, then suddenly frowned, as if encountering a problem, letting out a sharp intake of breath. He calculated again and couldn't help but exclaim, "It's over."
"Over?" Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng's hearts sank.
"Long Feicheng's element is Fire, while the Zanpakuto's element is Water. The two are incompatible... Alas, I was foolish. I only remembered this critical matter at this late hour!" Yuan Jiujian was filled with self-reproach and regret.
"If our elements don't match, can I not become a sword soul?" Long Feicheng asked.
Yuan Jiujian shook his head. "Absolutely not. Forcing the fusion will only result in your soul being scattered."
Long Feicheng felt incredibly frustrated. It was like he had taken off his pants to walk down a dark alley alone, only to discover the pretty girl opposite him saying she couldn't drink anything cold for a few days.
"Is there no other way?" he asked unyieldingly.
"There are ways, but they are unlikely," Yuan Jiujian said, knowledgeable as he was, he still considered this method improbable. "There are rare treasures in the world that can change a person's five elements. As far as I know, legend has it that the Emei Sect has a Glacier Snow Lotus. Its seed can illuminate all things. If you obtain a Glacier Lotus seed, you can change your five elements."
"It's just that this is likely a legend. Even if it's real, the Emei Sect might not readily offer it, and time is also running out." Yuan Jiujian sighed regretfully. He had finally decided to return to the martial world, only to be dragged back immediately.
However, Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng wore strange expressions. Long Feicheng knew that Yan Shouyi still had the last Glacier Lotus seed! Yan Shouyi had obtained three Glacier Lotus seeds in total. One was used to illuminate the Zanpakuto, one was used to treat Wen Yuxian's cold poison, and the last one, Yan Shouyi, had not used it yet!
Long Feicheng looked at Yan Shouyi and smiled. "Brother Yan, will you hand it over yourself, or should I take it by force?"
At this point, Yan Shouyi knew he couldn't stop Long Feicheng and could only honestly produce the Glacier Lotus seed.
"The Glacier Snow Lotus is not a legend, and I happen to have another Glacier Lotus seed," Yan Shouyi said. "The Zanpakuto was also illuminated by a Glacier Lotus seed. If Little Long can use the Glacier Lotus seed to change his elements, he will ultimately be even more compatible with the Zanpakuto."
After saying this, Yan Shouyi suddenly understood the meaning of "destiny" even more. There was an ordained path in the darkness, and it seemed Long Feicheng appeared by his side precisely to become the sword soul of the Zanpakuto.
Yuan Jiujian's eyes widened as he saw Yan Shouyi possessing such a divine item as the Glacier Lotus seed. He couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Hahahaha! Heaven helps me, heaven helps me!!"
"Long Feicheng, take the Glacier Lotus seed immediately!" Yuan Jiujian urged. "You don't need to wait for the seed's medicinal effects to take hold. As long as the Glacier Lotus seed is within your soul, it can directly overwrite your original five elements. At the same time, the Glacier Lotus seed will protect your soul during the fusion process, preventing you from suffering! Hahaha!"
Yuan Jiujian also felt everything was too coincidental, as if it were predestined by heaven. However, his perspective differed from Yan Shouyi's; he believed heaven was rewarding him for returning to the martial world.
The hour had arrived. Long Feicheng no longer hesitated, took the Glacier Lotus seed, and swallowed it directly.
"Brother Yan, from now on, we can truly fight side-by-side!" Long Feicheng smiled at Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi stepped forward and gave Long Feicheng a brotherly hug.
"From now on, where I am, the sword is; if the sword is destroyed, I shall perish!"
"We brothers seek not to be born on the same year, month, or day, but only to die on the same year, month, or day!!"