Chapter Text
Everyone knows of the beautiful silver sword named 'Xiu Ya'. Naturally, a lot of cultivators, mostly from nobility, seeked out this particular sword in hopes of them being the master of such a creation.
But alas, not one of them succeeded in getting past the sword's barriers. No matter how rich, self-righteous, or 'powerful' they proclaim themselves to be, the sword continues to shatter the disciple's hopes of becoming its master. Due to the rumors of the silver sword residing in Wan Jian Peak, many more cultivators joined the Cang Qiong Sect to tame this distant sword.
Upon entering the sword cave where many dormant swords await their new master, somewhere farther in the cave where the most powerful and aggressive swords reside, there is the famed 'Xiu Ya' quietly residing against the wall like a sleeping cub in a room full of bloodthirsty tigers.
Its silver blade gleaming against the torches lit around and the intricate carvings on the hilt surely attracted much attention. No wonder many famed children of nobility immediately went towards this sword.
Xiu Ya is quite an interesting sword. The swordsmith that created Xiu Ya was proud of it and the peak lords of the sect agreed that it is a fine sword. Not only that, they can sense that it's a rather powerful sword due to the qi it kept closed within. Although cultivators only approached Xiu Ya for its appearance, the peak lords can sense how much qi it accumulated and stored within the years it was created, waiting for its master to use it.
But that's not what made Xiu Ya interesting. Oh no. It's about Xiu Ya's conscious mind. While swords used for cultivation being sentient isn't uncommon, Xiu Ya may just be one of the most conscious swords there is.
Talking in its mind, practicing how to circulate qi in its free time, and accumulating knowledge like a dragon hoarding new treasures.
Besides Xiu Ya's appearance and aura, Xiu Ya's curiosity and to possess more knowledge made it quite a sword. Of course, none knew what's going on in the sword's mind. Only that they know of a beautiful powerful sword that refused to acknowledge any cultivators to be its master.
Now if one were to find this particular information out about Xiu Ya, one would think that Xiu Ya was created into this world with elegance. A child-like curiosity for the vast world it was created in.
Wrong.
Xiu Ya's awakening was anything but elegant.
Waking up to find a hammer about to be smashed on its face immediately made Xiu Ya scream bloody murder. Of course, being a sword with no mouth or vocal chords proved screaming for help will be useless.
'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!'
An hour was spent by Xiu Ya screaming and flailing its non-existent limbs to try and get away from the hammer until it realized something.
'AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!! THIS- does not hurt at all...'
Being smashed with a hammer to the face should have evoked pain, but all Xiu Ya felt was heat radiating off somewhere. It quickly learned that the heat was actually from a blade that seemed to be attached from where it could see when it looked down to find the source.
And that's where Xiu Ya learned another thing. Because what greeted Xiu Ya was not something it was expecting.
'Is this- am I- am I a sword?!'
Xiu Ya stared baffled at the blade at which was supposed to be its body. It was then hit with the realization that it was an inanimate object that should not be this self-aware. Another hour was spent by Xiu Ya trying to calm itself down and not attempt to stab its creator when held to reform its blade.
The swordsmith that Xiu Ya labeled as its creator, admired the new sword he made. Such a fine blade that will surely be accepted by many.
After which the final adjustments were made, Xiu Ya was left alone with its thoughts. Xiu Ya was very confused about what was happening but quickly tried to grasp the reality it was born in.
Accepting the fact that it was a sword, Xiu Ya stored away the remaining questions on why a sword can think, hear, see, and just practically be alive. Xiu Ya then familiarized itself with its 'body' (can this be considered a body?) and glanced around, hoping to at least find some type of clue on where it was.
Obviously it was in a swordsmith's workshop, but Xiu Ya would like to know where in which part of the world has sentient swords. Another thing that Xiu Ya found out is that its vision can be seen everywhere. From behind, in front, to the side, just anywhere!
Xiu Ya became nauseous at the flood of images all at once and tried to shut its vision, much like closing its eyes. After a minute of easing the tension and panic, Xiu Ya resolved to get comfortable and familiarize itself with its new body if this is how it was going to live for the rest of its sword life.
Xiu Ya started with its vision. It didn't take long for Xiu Ya to get comfortable and not puke at the onslaught of visions and actually used the 360 degree sight to its advantage. Being able to see from behind and in front is very advantageous when it comes to battle so that an enemy won't be able to sneak an attack.
Xiu Ya internally nodded at its ability, planning to take full advantage of it when engaged in a battle. Just then, the swordsmith came back and carried Xiu Ya somewhere. Using this opportunity to look around, Xiu Ya took as much comprehension as possible at the place it was in.
Xiu Ya was then handed off to a man who wore long robes with a lot of layers. His hair was tied to a tight bun with a ribbon flowing down to his waist.
'Oh, how handsome!' Xiu Ya internally appreciated. Having a handsome man as its first meeting with people outside the swordsmith workshop made Xiu Ya have a feeling that some luck might be on its side.
"'Xiu Ya'..." The man muttered, inspecting the carved characters on the hilt.
'Xiu Ya'? Based on the view the sword is having and how the handsome man inspected its hilt, perhaps that's its name. What a unique name it was given!
The handsome man and the swordsmith briefly conversed with each other in a language that is foreign to Xiu Ya but can strangely understand. Xiu Ya is grateful nonetheless that it wasn't helpless in this new world.
After which the swordsmith bowed and headed off to their previous location, Xiu Ya was carried off to room filled with crystal balls and other unknown artifacts that made Xiu Ya itch to know what they do. The room was silent, save for the man's footsteps that carried Xiu Ya to something.
A sword handler? An altar of sorts? Nonetheless, it had glowing crystals with some symbols carved on it. Xiu Ya didn't have time to figure out what it was placed on when the man placed both of his hands on either side. A glow emitted from the crystals and the symbols lit up. Xiu Ya panicked into thinking it was about to be cursed when a strange energy emerged and flowed in it.
The strange energy was warm and eased all of Xiu Ya's worries. Such a comfortable energy almost made Xiu Ya fall asleep.
'It's like a fluffy blanket...'
Xiu Ya heard a slight gasp in front of it but was quickly shaken out of its stupor when the energy bid farewell.
Xiu Ya tried to grasp more of the warm energy but couldn't seem to find any more. Sighing at the loss, Xiu Ya focused back on the present when it felt itself being carried off again.
Just then, Xiu Ya felt more warm and radiated some sort of energy from itself. Whatever the man did, it made Xiu Ya's senses heighten.
When the man stepped outside, Xiu Ya was greeted with a lavish greenery with a clear blue sky that made Xiu Ya want to run around and explore what world it was created in. The environment certainly helped ease Xiu Ya's worries.
Xiu Ya took it all in, taking advantage of its see-it-all vision to not miss a single detail. There seemed to be also the same strange energy floating around. Though it's subtle, Xiu Ya still grabbed as much as it can throughout its journey. The man passed by a few people (People!!) all of which appeared to be younger and the same age as him.
Xiu Ya saw some more young people in an open area who were training and sparring with each other with swords. Xiu Ya admired their techniques and stances on using their weapons. Xiu Ya can only admire though as the man breezed past everyone to a newer building that appeared to be a communal one considering the increasing number of people coming in and out. Perhaps another time Xiu Ya can learn some sword stances itself.
They were then in front of a room in which the handsome man knocked on the door. A muffled 'Come in' was heard from within. They entered and Xiu Ya was faced with an even more handsome man.
'Is everyone here good-looking?'
Not that Xiu Ya was complaining, perhaps a stroke of luck was wrapping itself in Xiu Ya with the encounters of these beauties.
The man holding Xiu Ya bowed in greeting.
"Shizun, the new sword is complete."
Xiu Ya has no idea what the first word meant. It made Xiu Ya a bit restless that it could understand the language but was clueless in the titles and honorifics.
'Shizun' glanced at them and nodded in approval. He stretched out his hand in which Xiu Ya was handed off to.
"Good work, you may excuse yourself now."
The man did as he was told and bowed once again before leaving.
Now left alone with 'Shizun', Xiu Ya took the time to study him. He certainly is there in the handsome list and he has this aura around him that just screams importance.
Afterwards, Xiu Ya was placed on a table with more unknown tools and papers with strange symbols written on them.
Xiu Ya then felt a low stream of strange energy from 'Shizun'. Though it's not the same as the energy from before, it certainly has some similarities.
"'Xiu Ya' meaning 'elegant'..." the man muttered to himself, streaming in more of his energy around the sword as he took out some papers and a brush to write. "Powerful and beautiful as well, hm? The blade is smooth and your qi pathways are wide to launch swift and precise movements. Also sensitive to spiritual energy, perfect for spiritual cultivators. Can accumulate qi on your own, how rare. With your wide qi pathways and independence, you can probably smoothen out those who have rough spiritual veins and maybe even attack instinctively on your own."
Xiu Ya listened with rapt attention at the information indirectly being given to it about itself. It guesses the strange energies it felt from before and now were what they call 'Qi'. With some more knowledge about itself, Xiu Ya plans to improve itself as a sword.
The man nodded and stacked the papers he had written on the side. He picked Xiu Ya up and inspected it once again.
"You'll be a good addition to Cang Qiong Sect, Xiu Ya."
Cang Qiong Sect? Perhaps this is the name of the place Xiu Ya is in. Having gained new information, Xiu Ya hummed with delight that it isn't as clueless as it was before.
The Wan Jian peak lord chuckled at the sword gently glowing in excitement after his statement.
Afterwards, Xiu Ya was again carried outside. Xiu Ya proceeded to sight-see on the new world all the while taking the little streams of qi floating around.
The man went to a more secluded area in a non-seemingly building. If it weren't for the emergency talismans and security seals planted everywhere, Xiu Ya might've thought it was any other building in this gorgeous place.
'Shizun' took out what looked to be a key and slotted it in a keyhole. Xiu Ya felt a stream of qi from the man flowing towards the key. An embedded gem on top of the keyhole glowed and a click was heard from the door. 'Shizun' pocketed the key back to his sleeve and entered.
Xiu Ya observed the inside, guessing that it was an armory with how there were some weapons held on the wall and placed to the sides. Xiu Ya couldn't observe longer as the man walked towards a pathway that stretched on. The pathway leads to a sturdy wooden door guarding the entrance. Xiu Ya felt an abundance of different types of qi circulating everywhere from the other side. Some qis aren't suitable for Xiu Ya while the majority is available to absorb. The man fished out the same key and did the same procedure as before.
Upon entering, Xiu Ya was greeted with a cave full of numerous swords lined up along the walls, all giving off their own qi. Xiu Ya gaped at the display. During Xiu Ya's distraction, the man placed Xiu Ya on a vacant spot between two dormant swords and began to walk away.
Xiu Ya finally snapped out of its stupor and began to realize its predicament.
'Wha- wait! Where are you going?!' Xiu Ya called out in vain. 'Come back!'
An audible sound was heard and the cave was sealed once more. No matter how much Xiu Ya calls out to the man, its screams were not heard by anyone.
Well, except for something.
'Shut.'
'WHO IN THE-'
Startled by a voice that is definitely not from the sword itself, it blasted a wave of qi to get away from the unwelcome guest. In doing so, Xiu Ya accidentally hit another sword behind it from its attempt to get away, resulting in that sword to tumble down and hit the one after it, causing a domino-like fall of swords.
The action awoke a lot of swords that made Xiu Ya get bombarded with voices and thoughts that are not its own. Mostly anger, but there are some that are questioning. Some swords looked like if it had a human body would be groggily looking around then fall back asleep. Others are glowing threateningly at Xiu Ya for disturbing their sleep.
Xiu Ya's qi jittered around in a nervous manner which made the angry swords flare up more. On instinct, Xiu Ya let out another wave of qi that had the sword fly up to the middle to get away. It worked quite a bit as the swords who were annoyed by the newcomer were overcome with surprise that a sword can manipulate qi on its own in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, they overestimated Xiu Ya 'cause not a second later did Xiu Ya felt tired and clattered on the ground. Its qi unintentionally being used all up on those two stunts left Xiu Ya pathetically lying on the ground while its remaining qi tried to stabilize itself.
'Huh,' The same voice said.
'Shut it,' Xiu Ya weakly retorted. The sword felt drained and couldn't keep its vision open for any longer. The last thing that Xiu Ya heard were the emergency talismans going off before the sword fell asleep.
It was to say that Xiu Ya's first awakening was not what you would call 'Elegant'.