Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

He chuckled, feeling a bit excited. 

Despite being in his late twenties, he had the aura of an old man, finding his own joy in creating. However, Yu Zhen leaned in to speak into Ming Yue's ear. 

"He says that but he ends up taking twice as long. He's the type to get lost in his own work", she whispered. 

"Oi, I heard that!"

Putting away Ming Yue's equipment, ZI Jing looked at them with a scowl.

"What? I can't have my own interests or something?" he retorted. 

She glanced at him and chuckled, finding his sudden snap amusing.

"No, no, carry on." 

Ming Yue watched before taking another look at what Zi Jing handed her. She then lowered her head.

"Thank you for helping me."

Zi Jing then stood up and walked towards her as she straightened back up. Along with Yu Zhen, both of them cupped their fists to her. 

"It shouldn't be you thanking us, it should be us thanking you."

Unlike his usual tone, this was more sincere and less stern. 

"You may not think it but your presence in this war has changed many things. Out of the many cultivators who have sought to distinguish themselves, you are probably one of the most elusive and renowned. Besides, all five of us commanders have good impressions of you", he continued.

Yu Zhen looked at her with a friendly gaze. 

"You are too humble, it would do you good to acknowledge your own strength and contributions."

Ming Yue was taken aback, unable to really formulate words from this sudden praise. 

"I... Thank you for your kind words."

Both commanders chuckled before stepping back. 

"When I'm finished improving your equipment, I'll have someone come for you" said Zi Jing. 

"And if any news arrives about the north or tbe forest, we'll let you know", Yu Zhen added.

"Thank you, I'll take my leave then." 

Ming Yue turned and left the tent, carrying the things Zi Jing handed her. 

They watched her leave before look8ng at each other. 

"Looks like we have a lot of work cut out for us."

"Yes, we do."

The next few days were peaceful but busy, incredibly busy.

With the death of the Vore Demons, they didn't fear entering the marshes anymore. Construction of the castle had to be paused as everyone had moved to transport the Stonguise Lizard Corpses and process them as well. Not to mention, the chance or rather, the imminent attack from Kong Zhi had everyone working harder.

While they didn't know when, they knew that it would come. 

And with the North Fort facing possible danger, many of the sects sent their disciples there to defend, hunt, even attack.

Those that did come to the camp were few but they came.

One reason was the uniqueness of this situation and another was the benefits. With most craftsmen being here, it was possible to perhaps obtain a strong weapon or a piece of equipment from a notable blacksmith. The third reason was Ming Yue, her elusiveness and power made her a very popular figure.

While others made their mark on this war, she practically left a handprint. 

Nevertheless, she didn't quite care about her reputation or name. What she wanted to do now was reach the next stage of the Sword Sage Path, Realm of a Hundred Swords. To do that, she had to master Return to Simplicity, to be able to merge her energies together seamlessly and attack. 

"I can't wait for the World Serpent to complete Drifting Sky to do this. I have to work with what I have."

Ming Yue spent much of her days on the lakeshore, taking a stance and focusing. With this replacement sword, she had to get used to it before practicing. 

But that didn't take very long.

"I, Ding Feng, challenge you to a spar!"

She wasn't alone. 

Standing before her was a man around her age, an Earth Realm warrior who wielded a giant blade in his hands. It was massive, large enough to cut a horse in half. 

And surrounding them all were others, various disciples from a number of sects. there were even a few soldiers mixed in. All of them were watching, all of them were waiting for their turn to fight her. 

As the two locked eyes, Ding Feng made the first move!

"Raagh!"

He charged forward and leaped up, bringing his blade down on top of her. Lightning gathered around it, crackling away as the giant sword came down. 

"World Splitter Strike!"

She stepped forward, holding her sword with one hand and deflecting the attack. As the sword hit the ground, her body vanished from sight, leaving nothing but a shadow. 

Ding Feng grunted, pulling his heavy sword up just as Ming Yue made her attack, reappearing behind him. Blocking it with the flat of her blade, he pushed back before spinning. The man swung out to try and catch her only to hit thin air. 

"What? Where did she go?!" 

Before he even noticed, her sword was already resting on his neck as she stood at his side. Ding Feng gulped once before letting go of his sword. 

"It is my defeat."

Pulling the blade away, she cupped her fists and lowered her head.

"Thank you for the sparring", she said. 

He smiled helplessly before doing the same. 

"Thank you for showing me my weaknesses."

He then returned to the mass of onlookers while another took his place. This time, a girl who seemed younger than her. She was both shorter and thinner, carrying a pair of iron fans in her hands. She was dainty like a flower, dressed in pink robes and certainly grabbing the attention of many. 

She gave a bright smile towards Ming Yue before bowing. 

"My name is Lu Ling, I hope to learn some pointers."

The latter did the same before readying herself, wielding her blade with both hands. 

"Please."

With just a single word from her, the duel began and Lu Ling made the first move.

And then it ended in the span of ten moves, with Ming Yue parrying both fans and pointing her sword straight at her opponent's neck. 

This was how it ended for everyone, defeated in some manner or form before finding a sword to their neck. Sometimes it was through pure swordplay, speed, power, but it always ended in their defeat. 

"As expected of the Fairy of the Moon..." 

"To think, she would be so strong!"

"Be it her skills or her strength, she is a master!"

"This is someone from Heaven's Gate? A disciple of three elders?!"

All they could do was watch and comment, revealing both shock and respect for her. Most of them were around her age, some even at her cultivation level, and yet, they all lost to her. 

"Is this true talent and genius?"

That was the thought everyone had on their minds but their hearts said differently. They could only make excuses but they knew that Ming Yue put in the work and the effort. 

"She does not waste a single moment. If she is not out hunting then she is here training. What diligence."

After a dozen more duels, she stared at her sword, checking for any cracks. Holding it with both hands, her grip loosened and tightened as she readjusted.

"It doesn't feel too bad and it looks like it can withstand my energy. So then, let's test it out", she thought. 

"Please give me a moment."

She looked at everyone before walking closer to the edge of the lakeshore. 

Facing the lake, she took her stance, pointing her sword downwards and gathering her strength. All the various different powers began to flow, merging together into a single entity. 

Everyone watched and murmured to each other, seeing the energy slowly grow and grow. 

Then it began to flow into the sword, causing it to hum and tremble.