Murim Recurve

After inspecting the cave for some time, Re'Kha concluded, "They had been killed at least four days ago."

"What shall we do now?" Re'Gra frowned, disliking the development. If given the choice, he would love to stay idle in a peaceful environment. But, even he realised that if the problem wasn't nipped in the bud now, he could say farewell to his peaceful life of idling. 

Re'Kha unsheathed her sword as she activated her bracelet, unleashing Water Qi into the surroundings. She then activated her sword, causing Re'Gra to jump in alarm upon noticing the intricate network the Water Qi had created on it.

As he looked at the sword in a trance, Re'Kha plunged it into the eggshells, watching the Water Qi swerve into the eggshells, dissolve them, and seep into the sword, further enriching it.

Once it was done, Re'Kha deactivated the bracelet and the sword, sheathing it.

"Give me the sword once." Re'Gra extended his hand as Re'Kha handed him the sword. Having witnessed what Re'Kha had done, he inquired, "How did this happen in the first place?"

"When I was fighting the Ras, I realised that my attacks were barely doing it any damage. So," Re'Kha took out her Water Qi Essence, showing it, "I cut open a gash on its head, stuffed this Water Qi Essence into the wound, and plunged the sword back in so that the Water Qi Essence would be lodged deep into it."

"After that, the body of the Ras bulged and burst eventually. When it collapsed into a murky pool, the Water Qi further eradicated them. And when I saw this sword, it had already changed. I then plunged the sword into its eggs to kill the hatchlings within when I noticed this process for the first time." Re'Kha said as she noticed Re'Gra nod in response all along.

He then asked, "Where did you get a Water Qi Essence from? Did father gift it to you?"

"No," She shook her head, "I can't tell you the source. But, this was why I said I would be able to provide you enough to create a Magic Artifact. Just think of it like I stole them from a group of insurgents."

"Alright," Re'Gra nodded, inspecting the sword as he spoke, noticing the subtle changes to the Water Qi Essence fragment embedded in its hilt, "The sword is still the same as before, but it has evolved to become better at damaging a Rua, based on what it shows. And, based on the carvings on the blade that are forming, it is a form of natural refinement."

"A natural refinement?" Re'Kha was confused.

"Yes," Re'Gra asked after a moment of thought, "If I remember correctly, even after getting killed, our Pranic Avatar wouldn't disappear in the presence of a Ras, right?"

"Yes," Re'Kha nodded.

"Then," He looked at her, "Did the Ras devour your Balou?"

"Yes, two times." Re'Kha nodded.

"That makes more sense now," Re'Gra nodded, watching the expression of confusion on the faces of his siblings.

He then focused, making a connection with the sword as he activated it, noticing that the radiance it produced was a tad dimmer as compared to when Re'Kha wielded it. He then gave it back to Re'Kha for her to reform her connection with it.

He spoke as he watched Re'Kha form a connection with the sword, "This sword is created using the horns of a Balou. And, this Balou had grown to an extent it was only inferior to a Beast King. And, since a Balou's horns contain the highest affinity and concentration of Water Qi, the resulting elemental weapon is one of the best. Since a Water Qi Essence fragment is embedded into it, it has become one of the best Quasi-Magic Artifacts. If it was even a tad powerful, we would have to hand it over to the Elders for safekeeping in the Clan's treasury."

"So," He pointed at the sword, "This sword is the best to use for our Clansmen, since our Pranic Avatar is the Balou. Moreover, it was forged in our Clan to complement our cultivation technique. So, it is the most suitable to our Clansmen."

"And, if my memory serves right," Re'Gra spoke, "A Ras can take up the traits of the creature it kills and devours."

He looked at Re'Kha, "Since it devoured two of your Balou, its body had changed accordingly. So, when you plunged your sword into its body, a small affinity between the two was created. And, this caused it to absorb some of the traits of the Ras due to the excess Water Qi in the place that was generated by the Water Qi Essence. When the Ras died, the sword absorbed some of its properties using its traits of a Balou, your Balou, as a connection, forming into this."

"And now," He spoke, "Your sword isn't that effective as before against other Elemental Qi attacks, but it works with greater effect against a Ras. As long as you keep repeating the same, your sword would eventually become a weapon perfect to use against the Ras. If in the case we encounter more Ras in the future, it would come in handy."

"Then," Re'Dha took the opportunity to speak, displaying his curved sword, "If I do the same as her, will I be able to refine my weapon too?"

"Theoretically, it should be possible." Re'Gra nodded.

"Then, let's try the same when we encounter a Ras." Re'Dha said, looking at his sister, "Sister, protect us while we do that."

"I can't guarantee, it's too risky." Re'Kha shook her head, "It is hard enough to injure a Ras, not to mention killing it. Let's hope we get into a similar situation that we can use to refine more of our Quasi-Magic Artifacts."

"Yeah, that's a sound plan." Re'Gra nodded, "And if my hunch is right, we will run into them soon enough."

"Bro, don't jinx it. I don't want to face more than one at a time." Re'Dha glared at his brother.

After completing their investigation, Re'Kha turned around and switched to Wind Qi, summoning her Rupak as she quickly switched back. She then exited with her brothers while the Rupak scoured through the place, soon spotting a place with a rectangular hole, the location where the Rua might have placed its mural.