It Was Done

For a year, he could still afford to wait. That was what Wen Xu told himself.

But for some reason, after making that choice, his heart suddenly felt as though it were being clawed and gnawed at. Wen Xu reached for the Windfold Sword lying in the snow. Windfold suddenly gave off a low, hoarse hum, swaying from side to side as though rejecting the grip of a coward like him.

Wen Xu froze. Then he realized—oh, so this was unwillingness.

He was clearly extraordinarily gifted, protected by a master in the Body Integration Realm, admitted into a great sect, with friends and fellow disciples alike. Yet he still did not dare to try, did not dare to take that risky step. What, exactly, was he afraid of?

Wen Xu stood rooted to the spot. In an instant, the wind swept snow grains into his face—and into his heart—where they slowly sank to its deepest depths.

At that moment, the round sun rose as it always did and leaped into his eyes, crimson and joyous.

Wen Xu thought, There really is nothing to fear. At worst, I'll undergo Foundation Establishment a second time. Just as Master said, demons are nothing to fear either. The cultivation world has endured so much, yet the round sun still rises every day as usual.

Heaven and earth remained, and so did he. There was nothing to fear.

Wen Xu reached out and gripped Windfold. Then he sat down where he was, his thoughts clearing in an instant—

I will undergo Foundation Establishment, right here and now.

It Was Done

Once his resolve had hardened, Wen Xu's previously restless, pounding heart suddenly calmed. He raised his head to look at the dawn in the distance and slowly breathed out a mouthful of turbid air.

So