Chapter 13: The Fire Controller

“Sword Spirit Sect?” Li Jian Three thought for a moment, and suddenly recalled where he’d heard of this sect before. “Wasn’t that the legendary power from ten thousand years ago? But it’s long since vanished now.”

“It’s already been ten thousand years? No wonder you don’t remember me, Senior Brother. Wuwuwu…” As soon as Li Jian Three finished speaking, the girl burst into loud sobs.

This… Li Jian Three looked at the weeping girl before him, tears streaming down her face like rain, and found himself at a loss.

He took a closer look at the beauty before him—her delicate, refined features, her flawless fair complexion, and a figure that needed no further description. She was, without a doubt, a goddess of the highest order! She wore a light green long dress, and beneath its hem, a pair of jade-like legs, skin as fair as a maiden of eighteen, half-veiled yet wholly tempting, set his heart racing with a subtle itch.

How could Li Jian Three possibly know such a rare beauty, one you’d be hard-pressed to find in the world?

“She calls me her Senior Brother… Does that mean I can take advantage of this opportunity?” Li Jian Three grinned mischievously to himself.

“Master, don’t be foolish. She is the sword spirit of this weapon, sealed within by a master artificer at its forging. Only those with a predestined fate can see her. You’re able to see her entirely because this system exists. Otherwise, with your abilities, you’d never subdue such a powerful sword spirit,” the system interjected just as Li Jian Three was feeling pleased.

“Besides, she is now only a soul. Nothing physical can happen between you two; at most, you can have a spiritual romance.”

“Little sister, since you say I’m your Senior Brother, can you tell me more about our past? For example, what is your name, and how did you end up in this sword?” But Li Jian Three ignored the system and began to comfort the girl.

How amusing—what I appreciate is her interesting soul, not her physical form. A spiritual romance it is! Who says I can’t help her rebuild her body in the future? Isn’t this how the mysterious grandmasters in novels are always resurrected?

Hearing Li Jian Three’s voice, the girl sobbed for a while, then gradually calmed herself. She looked at Li Jian Three and said, “Senior Brother, do you truly not remember? My name is Zhao Ling’er!”

Zhao Ling’er?

The Legend of Sword and Fairy?

Could it be you escaped from the Fairy Island? Does your dear Brother Xiaoyao know?

Li Jian Three started in surprise as soon as Zhao Ling’er introduced herself.

As a veteran fan of The Legend of Sword and Fairy, Li Jian Three was no stranger to this legendary xianxia series, a masterpiece from its very beginning.

Noticing his odd expression, Zhao Ling’er asked, “Senior Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing. Please continue.”

Zhao Ling’er went on, “Back then, the Sword Spirit Sect was besieged by villains. My father and the others were all gravely wounded. In the end, Senior Brother, you risked your life to get me out.”

“But even after we escaped, our enemies did not relent. We were soon surrounded again. In that moment of dire peril, you gathered all your power to transform me into a sword spirit, forging this sword and sealing it away…”

Looking at Zhao Ling’er’s pitiful expression, Li Jian Three said, “Don’t worry. If it’s possible in the future, I’ll help you reconstruct a physical body.”

“Senior Brother, you’re just as kind as before.” At his words, Zhao Ling’er instantly smiled through her tears and threw herself into Li Jian Three’s arms.

“Mmm…” Li Jian Three couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp as he felt the gentle touch in his embrace.

“Master,” the system reminded him, “if you wish to help her regain a body, you’ll need at least Golden Core level strength. Additionally, you must refine a Tier Three Spirit Flame and become a Flame Controller.”

Li Jian Three asked, “Is it difficult to become a Flame Controller?”

The system replied mercilessly, “A Flame Controller is a mysterious profession far above martial artists! With your current talent, it will be very difficult!”

Li Jian Three was shocked. “What?”

The system continued, “Rarity defines value. The Flame Controller’s prestige comes from their scarcity. The requirements aren’t just strict—they’re unimaginably stringent! To control fire, as the name suggests, is for a martial artist to command flames. But flames are extremely hot; ordinary martial artists would be burned just by touching them, let alone controlling them. Therefore, only those with an extremely high fire affinity can become Flame Controllers—and that affinity only appears in those born with a fire attribute. Among tens of thousands, only one might possess such extraordinary fire affinity.

“Even with affinity, without a spirit flame, one cannot be considered a Flame Controller. Spirit flames are exceedingly rare; some people spend their entire lives without ever encountering one. Moreover, refining a spirit flame is fraught with peril—it must be subdued through countless methods, and one misstep can result in being devoured by the flames.

“Spirit flames are ranked from one to nine tiers. These divine creations of heaven and earth are hidden in world-shattering secret realms, unattainable except by sheer luck. Thus, just finding a spirit flame is a chasm few martial artists can ever cross, let alone achieving the necessary fire affinity. On top of that, a fire-attribute martial artist must possess extraordinary perception; this is essential for becoming a Flame Controller. Fire affinity is just the first threshold—it merely allows cultivation of flame techniques. To truly command fire, one must have strong perception, or else risk being consumed or igniting oneself.

“With such harsh requirements, those qualified to become Flame Controllers are as rare as phoenix feathers. But once someone becomes a Flame Controller, they can wield terrifying abilities: refining pills, inscribing arrays, forging artifacts.

“Alchemical pills, shrouded in mystery, can elevate cultivation or heal the wounded. Artifact forging creates weapons of devastating power. Arrays can annihilate all enemies without effort. Any one of these skills is formidable. Furthermore, a Flame Controller can master terrifying flame techniques, possessing great might themselves. Thus, the identity of a Flame Controller is supremely revered, and few dare challenge them lightly.”

The system concluded, “However, with my assistance, Master, I believe you won’t have to wait long before you become an outstanding Flame Controller.”

Hearing the system’s words, Li Jian Three couldn’t help but feel it was boasting like an old woman praising her own melons.

The system continued, “But I must warn you—the sword spirit has slept for too long; her soul is almost dissipated. She might only last a few more days, so you must hurry, or she’ll be gone before you become a Flame Controller.”

“Is there any way?” Li Jian Three was startled; haste makes waste, but this was urgent.

“If you can obtain a Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill, you might prolong her existence for a bit.”

“A Grade Three Spirit Gathering Pill…” Li Jian Three muttered, somewhat disheartened. “Isn’t that a losing bargain?”

“Not quite. Though this sword cannot unleash its full power now, it still has a mysterious ability—to conceal cultivation.”

Li Jian Three said helplessly, “Other than disguising my strength to play the fool, that’s just a chicken-rib skill…”

Afterward, Li Jian Three awoke from his consciousness.

Gripping the radiant golden sword in his hand, he drew it with a flash of light before his eyes and muttered, “Impressive, truly a peerless treasure sword—absolutely extraordinary!”

Just holding the sword, he could feel the surge of power within. With such a divine weapon, Li Jian Three was filled with joy.

Then, he pushed open the door and stepped outside.

Immediately, he saw the gate elder who’d brought him in. Stepping forward, he clasped his fists in thanks. “Thank you, Elder. It’s thanks to you that I obtained this sword.”

The elder smiled. “No need for thanks, Young Master. This was your destiny. I merely guided you; I did nothing.”

Seeing the sword in Li Jian Three’s hand, the gate elder knew immediately the sword had recognized its master. He was well aware of how unruly this sword was. Others had tried to claim it in the past, but couldn’t even touch it—hence its ever-growing, fearsome reputation…