The Man’s Decree

Staring at the clear water of the lake, Flaxseed couldn't resist kneeling down to wash his face with it. I can't wait to wash off all the dirt from the last few days.

“No, don't!” Hammerhead cried out when he saw what Flaxseed was about to do.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Flaxseed had dipped both his hands into the lake. The moment he made contact with the water, rays of piercing aura shot out of it.

Looking like sharp swords, they flew rapidly in Flaxseed's direction. Fortunately, Flaxseed had gone on his guard upon hearing Hammerhead's warning. Just as the piercing aura was about to strike him, he jumped backward and rolled on the ground, avoiding the attack in the nick of time.

Covered in dust, Flaxseed got back to his feet and wiped the cold sweat off his brow. “Why does the lake emit such a fearsome aura? I was so close to being killed by it.”

“Mr. Flaxseed, are you all right?” Jared frantically inquired.

“I'm fine,” Flaxseed responded with a nod.

Jared turned to Hammerhead and asked, “What was that, Master Hammerhead?”

Hammerhead explained, “This is a sword-cleansing lake. After years of having magic swords washed and refined in it, it has accumulated significant amounts of sword energy. With time, this energy evolved into sword spirits that protect the lake and prevent anyone from touching it.”

“What? Did you just say that the lake has sword spirits in it? Where are they? Why don't I see them?”

The shocked Flaxseed began looking into the water but couldn't see any sword spirits at all.

Jared, who was equally curious, scrutinized the lake carefully. Even though the surface of the water was clear, one could only see a few meters deep. Beyond that was an opaque layer of white that obscured the view of the bottom.

Nonetheless, Jared could clearly sense the sharp rays of sword energy moving through the water as if there were fish swimming in it. If one were to jump into the lake unawares, one would instantly be cut to death by the sword energy.

“Master Hammerhead, what should we do next? Do you have any ideas?” Jared asked Hammerhead.

“Of course I do. As a blacksmith of the Divine Smithing Sect, I obviously know how to deal with our own sword-cleansing lake.”

Hammerhead nodded before continuing, “Give me the Dragonslayer Sword. I'll throw it into the sword-cleansing lake to be refined.”

Jared subsequently handed Dragonslayer Sword to Hammerhead.

With Dragonslayer Sword in hand, Hammerhead began chanting something. Thereafter he raised two pinched fingers that fired off a golden ray of light into the sword-cleansing lake.

Once the golden light entered the lake, its calm surface began to gurgle, causing the water to splash upward.

At the sight of the phenomenon, Hammerhead threw Dragonslayer Sword toward the center of the lake. It disappeared the moment it entered the water.