Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Ming Yue looked at them before nodding. 

"I didn't want to reveal anything in front of the others."

The two commanders both looked at her with interest and curiosity as Zi Jing's eyes widened. He stood back up and hobbled forward excitedly. 

"So it seems I was correct! The Cerulean Serpent took your sword but to do what with it?"

Ming Yue found his eagerness surprising but it seemed that this behavior only comes when it is related to his own curiosity. If not for this, he would have been quite cold and grouchy. It was if he had the spirit of an old craftsman, rough and blunt but easily excited. 

"You do not have to explain to us if you do not want to. You are after all a cultivator and not one of our soldiers."

Yu Zhen stood by the war table, understanding that some secrets are better kept as secrets. 

But looking at him, Ming Yue decided to say it for more than just a few reasons.

"It's fine, I've been wanting to consult someone about this. Especially with Commander Zi Jing."

"With me? What is it?" 

In the next moment, his entire face seemed to radiate with excitement. 

"The Cerulean Serpent had taken my sword in order to nurture it for one year. Currently, it's at the Peak Divine Grade but according to her, it will surpass that to form a Weapon Spirit. Despite her explanations, I know little about weapons other than the grades so I was hoping to learn more about them from you. Perhaps, if there are a few books or records of such things."

"A... weapon spirit?"

Both commanders uttered those words at the same time while looking at her with widened eyes. In fact, Zi Jing was so shocked that he let go of his cane, dropping to the floor. 

"A weapon spirit? Is that right?' he asked. 

Ming Yue nodded. 

"I was told that it is extremely rare and incredibly powerful but to what extent, I do not know."

There was a silence between the two before Yu Zhen shook herself awake from this shock.

"Ming Yue, a weapon spirit is something every warrior would both dream of and fear. From the beginning of the Warlord Age to now in the Sovereign Age, there have billions upon billions of weapons in the span of several millennia. Among those, less than ten thousand are weapon spirits, that is how rare they are", she explained. 

And then Zi Jing continued having recovered his own composure. 

"But despite their rarity, the sheer power they contain is what makes them a dream for every warrior. But they should be feared for having one could also spell doom for their owners. That is what happened to many of those weapons. Hence, weapon spirits have also been called, 'Cursed Spirits' or 'Cursed Weapons'. Still, such a thing is too alluring, a weapon spirit is equal to the power of a million weapons. Thus, a wielder such a weapon has the strength to go against armies but most would succumb to their greed and arrogance."

He sighed before taking out a small book from his spatial ring, handing it to her.

Zi Jing then leaned in, speaking in a much quieter voice, loud enough for just the three of them. Even if it was only them in this tent, he was being incredibly careful. 

"You must know that the Six Kingdoms are the strongest within the continent. But from their founding to their growth, none of it would have gone to fruition if not for weapon spirits. But with the original owners gone, most have been locked away, waiting for another to wield them. In our current time, less than a hundred are capable of wielding one of them and Commander Du Xiu's weapons are one such, you've seen his strength before."

She nodded. 

"He managed to beat back Kong Zhi and even dominate him when his bloodline was activated."

Zi Jing nodded. 

"Du Xiu is a monster himself but that halberd of him even more so. Of us five, he is no doubt the strongest. This information is something only the commanders know but with the possibility of you gaining a Weapon Spirit, you should know", he said. 

Yu Zhen then walked forward. 

"With this, you should be careful. Although telling us was your choice, you should be wary. Should news come out that you wield a Weapon Spirit, kingdoms may come to recruit you or they may look to take your sword."

Ming Yue gave them a solemn expression, understanding that such an outcome was possible. 

"Thank you for the warning."

The two commanders brushed it off as Zi Jing pointed at the book in her hands. 

"That is a collection of history regarding those who wield Weapon Spirits and did not die to their own vices. I have it around as part of my reading material but I'm sure that you would need this."

She looked at it, a well-kept book with no title on the front or back. It was quite thin, only fifty or so pages. 

"Thank you, Commander Zi Jing."

She cupped her fists and bowed to him. Certainly what they have told her was delicate information and such that would be difficult or near impossible to find. Regardless of the risk, telling them was a good thing.

"There is no need to thank me. I just have one request and that is to study your sword once it comes out. Although I have seen Weapon Spirits before, they were all dormant and there was never an opportunity to see Du Xiu's halberd. Examining its structure would be incredibly enlightening for me."

His face was rather strange. As much as he tried to keep his calm and stern demeanor, it was difficult to hide the excitement in his eyes. 

"A year from now right?" he asked. 

Ming Yue nodded. 

"That was what the Cerulean Serpent told me. It may even be earlier but that depends on her", she answered. 

His excitement died down just a tad after hearing how long it would take, a year seemed a bit too long. However, Yu Zhen did not see it that way. 

"That means that you will be here for at least a year, that is good. With how extensive the plans are, building this new stronghold will take a while."

Ming Yue nodded. 

"That is the plan although I do not know if things will ever go so smoothly. If Kong Zhi or the Hundun Clan were to make a move, I have the option of taking back my sword. It would certainly be stronger but being a Weapon Spirit wouldn't happen."

Yu Zhen put her hand to her chin before turning to look at the war table. 

"Hmm, that is true. Both forces are quiet, perhaps still recovering from the loss in the forest. Still, they must be accumulating their strength. Something is sure to happen... Hah, we're nearing five years in this conflict. It may take another few years..." she said. 

Zi Jing went back to his seat.

"There may be some dire situations in the future but I sure hope that you do not have to retrieve your sword before the time comes. In any case, with the Vore Demons, we are already in a tricky situation. Dealing with them now would be difficult. Our forces aren't fully built up and we have no defenses. Are you confident in killing them?" he asked. 

"By then, both of us would have fully recovered so there is no need for you to act alone."

Yu Zhen turned around and gave her a look. 

However, Ming Yue gave them both a confident look. 

"I can kill them.. As long as the opportunity is there, their heads will fall."