Sage took some time to rest and reflect upon the resounding success of his fifth practice run. Returning once again to his peak condition, he set about creating a sword set using the higher quality materials. Spirit Steel on its own is a rank two material without any arrays or extra features, more than enough to use in the crafting of a rank three treasure. On the other hand, to create a rank four treasure with Spirit Steel as the main material would require it to be a true masterwork. The final set of practice swords that Sage had created, the set of eighteen, could be considered a rank four treasure, but that was only because of how difficult it was to create a set so large for such a purpose. The set of nine would be considered a treasure at the peak of rank three, not quite enough to reach the next level, of course such a determination would be in the eyes of the beholder, since the swords individually were on the lower end of the third rank.

So, while either set would easily fulfill Song Lu Tian’s current requirements for a good set of formation swords, Sage wasn’t satisfied. To just complete the task from the Zhu Clan it was enough, but to truly befriend Song Lu Tian, Sage would need to complete this final set. Given the materials he was using and it being a set of formation swords, it would already be a fourth rank treasure. If he were to create a large enough set it could quite easily be as valuable as a fifth rank treasure. Song Lu Tian was at the peak of the third rank, most likely holding himself back to increase his fame. If Sage could complete this set, they would be exquisite through Song Lu Tian’s whole formation building stage and would even be passable after he formed his core. It would definitely be a valuable item for him, and Sage was counting on him wanting to establish a relationship so he could get an even better set when the time came.

Time to get to work!

A giant reddish black beetle with a single lance like horn appeared in the forge workshop, along with a semi-transparent humanoid spirit. Along with his physical metamorphosis, his soul was cleansed and returned to its original shape. His true body was heavily modified, but his soul was not any longer. Gathering strength, Sage consumed a dozen Spirit Stones, using them to ignite Fire Stones and to fuel his use of Divine Breath, storing up an immense amount of air. The various arrays around the workshop flickered to life, controlling the temperature of the forge, the hardness of the anvils, and even the humidity in the air.

Over the course of the next five days, Sage worked non-stop, consuming Energy Sustaining pills to boost his energy, and Sentry pills to shrug off the need for sleep. Many Spirit Stones and Fire Stones were consumed to fuel this furious round of smithing, yet he didn’t care and continued to burn through as many as were necessary. He could feel himself at the edge of a breakthrough in his smithing skills so he spared no expense. The materials he was using were very similar to those he used in the practice runs, but it was the first time he was working with them, and there were inevitable mistakes. Finally, after he felt he’d sweat out gallons of sweat the swords were complete.

Sage met with Song Lu Tian three days before the top ten were set to depart for Thunder Mountain Bridge. The three Songs met with him in a private room, at which point he finally unveiled the full extent of his offer for Song Lu Tian’s assistance with his task. He saved the swords for last and first he handed over a Beast Bag. He’d purchased an extra one just for this purpose, not wanting to give away the one he wore to keep from drawing attention. Song Hong gave it a quick scan before Song Heng started to withdraw cages from it.

Sage stepped in and guided the explanation of his gift, “Though you are not an insect tamer, you can still make use of a few bugs for specific purposes. I’ve trained these ones especially for you, each has a use. First off, the scent markers. These are the controls for them.”

Sage elaborated on how to use the vials of liquid. There was a cheap magic tool used to distribute them precisely, essentially a Qi powered squirt gun that prevent any misting, or they could just be broken and spilled in an emergency. Next, he gave him a quick rundown of the bugs he’d provided.

“Emerald Dragonfly. They have very good vision and speed, along with spinnerets like a spider. I’ve trained them for searching and capturing. If they sense a target scent marker they will immediately fly over and attempt to wrap up the target in webbing. If there isn’t a target when they are released they will just seek out and trap every living thing over the first rank that doesn’t have an ally marker on them.”

“Steel Silk Centipede. These guys are vicious. They have sharp blades on their first few pairs of legs along with a strong dissolving acid. They’re trained just like the Emerald Dragonfly, except they kill instead of capture.”

“Charming Lance Beetle. I’ve trained them defensively. They will stand over the top of the closest creature with an ally marker. Their carapace is strong enough to block attacks from the fourth rank and they have a concave underbelly. If it gets back they will lay down and act like a turtle shell. If you set a target marker they will move towards it while defending.”

“Thorn Cloud Hornet. These are one off weapons. Throw the hive, when it shatters the hornets rush out and attack anything nearby, even those with ally markers. They aren’t really trained, so keep well away. Each of the hornets is covered in poison spines and they can launch them around themselves like a cloud.”

“Lastly, Alarm Cricket. These are just for utility. If anything over the first rank that doesn’t have an ally marker comes near them they start chirping. If they hear another cricket chirping they also start chirping but at a lower volume. Just spread them around campsites or wherever you need an alarm.”

With the insects detailed, Sage also added a few more Formation Plates. It was a set of different plates to defend against different conditions. Heat, cold, illusions, poison, and many others. One array was a soft shield that caught heavy impacts like a magic air bag, another was extremely hard and angled to deflect slashing or piercing attacks. There was even an array that sealed up energy, helping to hide a cultivator while they were sleeping, or even to dampen the effect of a dangerous energy source.

Finally, Sage brought out the box that contained the real prize. With such a treasure, Sage didn’t spare any expense on the presentation. Bringing out a standing wooden wardrobe. It wasn’t very deep, but quite tall and wide, the front of it having two doors that swung open to reveal a row of exquisite swords hanging vertically. Song Lu Tian said almost instantly, “A set of twelve!”

Sage nodded, “This humble one, was quite fortunate. I was also able to include the changes you asked for.”

The shape of the swords were odd, but specifically requested by Song Lu Tian. The first two sets had blades three feet long, three inches wide, and a half inch thick. After getting revision from Song Lu Tian, they were far different. Instead of a long and somewhat slender sword, the blades were now quite literally pie shaped. They were almost two feet wide near the handle, and the blade was just over two feet long, but the straight edges narrowed sharply to a point at the tip. The handles were just barely large enough for Song Lu Tian’s hands, and even the minimal crossguard was gone. Every bit of the metal had been used to make the blades as wide as possible. Instead at the bottom edges of the sword blades, where a cross guard would be, the edge flared out abruptly. If a sword dragged down the blade it would hit that point and bounce away slightly.

Sage only had guesses on what the strange design was for, but Song Lu Tian finally confirmed one of them. The big man finally entered his energy into the swords and claimed them after Song Heng gave him the okay. At that point he willed the swords up into the air to test them out.