White Lightning

White Lightning is the celestial bow formerly named Golden Age. Xuanfeng commissioned it from Chu Minglian, wielded it through a lifetime of conflicts, and transformed its metal through the Monarch Calling Command Golden Talisman. The name changed on the same bow before he bequeathed it to Yuanqin. (Chapters 156–157, 875, and 884)

History

Commissioning the Golden Age Longbow

Xuanfeng wanted a heavy Qi Cultivation Realm bow able to contain and transmit his Astral Qi. Minglian proposed a Golden Barrier Stone frame and an ebony metal essence string. To reduce the price from one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones to ninety, Xuanfeng supplied the ebony ore himself and entered a formal commission under a spiritual oath. This was an order for a future bow, preceding its delivery. (Chapter 156)

When he returned, apprentices carried in the completed dark-gold weapon. Minglian had forged it in mystic flame for one hundred and twenty-six days and inscribed its frame with qi-gathering and condensing runes. Xuanfeng drew it fully despite the smith's expectation that most users could barely manage part of its tension. He named it Golden Age, completed the transaction, and took it home to test. (Chapter 157)

Refinement, repair, and a concealed contingency

The bow became the foundation of Xuanfeng's archery. He stored and strengthened arrow intent within it using Astral Qi, reserving that accumulated force for critical moments. Reforging in Yi Mountain City later enlarged and improved it, and it remained with him through his service and the great northern conflicts. (Chapters 193 and 567)

Chi Zhiyan repaired the bow before a later campaign, but it was also used as part of a concealed arrangement involving a Maha. Daoist Master Yuan Xiu subsequently drew a streak of colored light from it and shattered that interference before returning the bow. Xuanfeng understood that it had been tampered with during the earlier repair. Removal of that contingency did not visibly change its weight or outward form. (Chapters 798 and 809)

Transformation and Xuanfeng's final bequest

When Xuanfeng drew on the Monarch Calling Command Golden Talisman, white metal energy flowed from his body into the golden bow. It became attuned to the metal of Shen and You and supported his final extraordinary archery. The bow's physical transformation was tied to that exceptional empowerment, rather than to a second ordinary smithing commission. (Chapter 875)

Before entering stillness, he examined the transformed Geng Metal bow. Its Golden Age inscription vanished and became White Lightning. He stated that he had finally completed it and instructed Qinghong to pass it to Yuanqin. The renaming therefore marks an actual transformation of his existing lifelong weapon. (Chapter 884)

Qinghong and Xijun temporarily supplied White Lightning to a formation so its strength could disperse residual thunder. It was then laid on the ritual table for Yuanqin, who accepted the bequest and escorted it to the Heavenly Glow Dawn Cloudliner. A later report placed it on the southern border, but no demonstrated subsequent spirit-artifact refinement is established. (Chapters 905, 917, 1043, and 1292)

Abilities and properties

Golden Age was initially seven chi and six cun long, with horns of two chi and five cun. Its Golden Barrier Stone frame contained Astral Qi and its ebony metal essence string transmitted it; qi-condensing runes supported formation of an energy arrow. Its unusual weight and draw required exceptional strength. Xuanfeng could refine arrow intent within it repeatedly, increasing the force held for a decisive shot. (Chapters 157 and 193)

Its Yi Mountain reforging enlarged it to eight chi and six cun, with limbs of three chi and five cun. After the talisman's transformation it became a cold white bow of transformed Geng Metal, closely attuned to Xuanfeng's empowered mana. Its later use in a formation demonstrates that its strength could help disperse residual thunder even when it was not being drawn in combat. (Chapters 567, 875, 884, and 905)

The bow's final power must be distinguished from Xuanfeng's own foundations and the talisman's temporary stored divine abilities. His last battle demonstrates their combination; it does not establish that a later recipient inherits his entire cultivation simply by taking the bow. (Chapters 875 and 884)

Ownership and custody