Chapter 436 ·Artifact Spirit Xin Ling
Chapter 436: Artifact Spirit Xin Ling
“呐！”
Xue Le’s eyes lit up slightly, revealing the appearance of a money-loving little creature.
Through its Mystical Ability perception, it could sense many precious high-grade Mystical Medicines contained within the giant stele space, and there was even a Fifth-Tier Origin Medicine that caused its own bloodline to stir faintly.
“Then this junior won’t stand on ceremony.”
Chen Beiwu took a step forward and entered the giant stele space. The first thing that entered his eyes was the dazzling Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc.
Perhaps because it had remained within the giant stele space all this time, nourished by the spiritual essence of numerous heavenly treasures and earthly treasures, the spirituality and might emitted by the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc were comparable to those of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
“Whoosh!”
The next instant, a streak of starlight suddenly shot out from the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc, heading straight for Chen Beiwu.
“It’s fine. That’s the artifact spirit of the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc selecting a master.”
Golden Egg and Iron Egg instinctively activated their Mystical Abilities, intending to stop it, but a reminder from Chen Beiwu suddenly arose in their minds, causing their movements to halt.
In an instant, starlight circulated and covered Chen Beiwu’s entire body.
Chen Beiwu did not resist this exchange of minds. When he came back to his senses and opened his eyes, he discovered that he was already within a resplendent galaxy.
Above the galaxy, meteors descended from the heavens and plunged into the depths of the galaxy, forming one profound and obscure high-grade formation after another.
“Hum!”
Within the formations, starlight gathered and condensed into a vague young girl’s figure.
She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, possessed peerless beauty, and wore a star-track Daoist robe. Her large eyes were exceptionally bright, revealing an aura of profound unfathomability.
Yet when this aura was placed upon a young girl with an immature appearance, it seemed somewhat incongruous.
‘Interesting!’
Seeing this scene, Chen Beiwu’s expression remained unchanged.
In the Immortal Alliance, even a Third-Tier Magical Treasure already possessed a degree of spirituality. Its intelligence was no different from that of a three-year-old child, and it could sense its host’s thoughts and cooperate accordingly, or actively select a suitable host.
Fourth-Rank Mystical Treasures stood above Magical Treasures, possessing extraordinary spirituality.
Some artifact spirits of Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Treasures with long inheritances even possessed spirituality no different from cultivators, possessing their own thoughts and understanding of values, and had extremely high requirements for the hosts who refined the Mystical Treasures.
Yet there were always exceptions. For example, the Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasure 【Five Elements Bright King Wings】 refined by Chen Beiwu was extremely special. Although it ranked among the Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasures and possessed an extremely high grade, because of issues with its refining methods and materials, it had yet to give birth to an artifact spirit.
Under such circumstances, Chen Beiwu only needed to refine, nourish, and communicate with the core origin of the Five Elements Bright King Wings to unleash the might of a Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasure.
There was no doubt that the girl before him was most likely the artifact spirit of the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc.
“You are Heavenly Evolution True Monarch’s disciple?”
The girl looked Chen Beiwu up and down, her expression cold.
“No.” Chen Beiwu shook his head and answered truthfully.
“Whether you are or are not, an ordinary True Monarch is not qualified to become my host.”
As soon as the words fell, the girl raised her hand. An incomparably vast pressure suddenly erupted. Behind her, one dazzling meteor after another shot out from the vast galaxy, bombarding Chen Beiwu’s spiritual platform and sea of consciousness.
This was the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc’s ‘Resolve’ test. Nascent Soul True Monarchs with weak Divine Sense and insufficiently resolute Dao Hearts would become lost among countless meteors, and might even suffer severe damage to their souls.
As for Golden Core True Persons who had not yet entered the Nascent Soul realm, they did not even have the qualifications to undergo the ‘Resolve’ test, because the slightest carelessness would cause their souls to scatter, resulting in immediate death.
Chen Beiwu remained completely still, circulating Supreme Profound Guarding One.
“Hum!”
Allowing countless meteors to descend, he used the light of the Guarding One Mirror to resist them. Chen Beiwu’s Dao Heart was pure, without the slightest fear.
After a moment, the girl slightly nodded, her tone cold：“Your Divine Sense is fairly strong, but to control the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc, you must possess sufficient attainments in Formation Dao.”
“Next, I will arrange the Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation 【Star-Dipper Life-Nurturing Seven Killings Grand Formation】. If you can persist within the formation for a day, or successfully break the formation, you will be qualified to become my master.”
As she spoke, without waiting for Chen Beiwu’s agreement, the girl extended a fingertip and pointed. The meteors in the galaxy behind her suddenly came alive, evolving into endless formation phenomena.
Celestial Cycle Southern Dipper Heart-Binding Formation locks down the four directions!
Illusory Star Life-Nurturing Spirit-Refining Formation confuses the six senses!
Northern Dipper Seven Killings Life-Severing Palace Formation suppresses Heaven and Earth!
Formations within formations, life and death circulating, forming the ever-changing composite Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation 【Star-Dipper Life-Nurturing Seven Killings Grand Formation】 and giving birth to endless transformations.
Standing within the grand formation, Chen Beiwu swept his gaze across his surroundings, a solemn expression appearing in his eyes.
Relying on his extraordinarily powerful comprehension and Divine Sense, he had achieved some accomplishments in the path of formations and could almost rival a Fourth-Rank Low-Grade Mystical Formation Master, but before a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation, he was like an apprentice.
There was no other reason. In the Southern Wasteland, if a complete Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation unleashed its full might, it was sufficient to suppress a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and repel a peak-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Even a slightly inferior Fourth-Rank High-Grade formation, if perfectly unleashed, was sufficient to suppress a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and repel a late-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch.
To put it bluntly, if True Monarch Bitter Soul had not died too quickly back then and had failed to unleash the full might of the Fourth-Rank High-Grade Mystical Formation 【Nine Nether Soul-Locking Qi-Seizing Demon Formation】, Chen Beiwu would probably have needed to reveal a trump card to achieve victory quickly.
However, an artifact spirit was ultimately only an artifact spirit, not a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Even if the artifact spirit of the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc could deploy the Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation 【Star-Dipper Life-Nurturing Seven Killings Grand Formation】, its might would be greatly reduced. Let alone repelling a peak-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch, it was uncertain whether it could even trap a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
As the formation light circulated, Chen Beiwu’s body suddenly sank. Darkness appeared before his eyes, and he only felt his Divine Sense being blocked, his magical power sealed, and his physical body restrained.
“Whoosh!”
Chen Beiwu slightly tilted his head, dodging the meteor rushing toward him head-on. Immediately afterward, his body turned, conveniently dodging the pillar of light surging up from beneath his feet.
Seeing this scene, the girl slightly raised her brows, rather moved.
Without a late-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch presiding over it, the Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation she had deployed on its own possessed less than one-tenth of its full might, but it could still easily suppress a mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch. Yet now it actually could not suppress an early-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch!
Ridiculous!
No wonder this person had been able to pass the Battle Demon Ape’s test and awaken it after countless years. He indeed possessed some ability.
Unfortunately, this person’s attainments in Formation Dao were still too poor!
Thinking this, the girl became serious. She clenched her left palm, and the might of the Star-Dipper Life-Nurturing Seven Killings Grand Formation erupted, instantly crushing Chen Beiwu’s Divine Sense avatar.
“吼?”“汪?”“呐?”“嘤?”
Opening his eyes, Chen Beiwu noticed the concern in the eyes of the four little fellows and smiled：“I’m fine.”
After saying this, his eyes moved as he looked toward the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc.
Unlike before, this Fourth-Rank Mystical Treasure had already withdrawn all its radiance, transforming into an ordinary-looking formation disc.
‘Did the recognition fail?’
Chen Beiwu quickly reacted, revealing an amused smile.
Interesting. The grade of this Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc was somewhat lower than he had expected. It was not a Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasure, but a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Treasure.
The temperament of this artifact spirit, however, was rather solitary and arrogant. It did not even give him an opportunity to negotiate, possessing quite a bit of the bearing of a Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasure.
One had to know that although Mystical Treasure artifact spirits whose spirituality was nearly equivalent to that of cultivators possessed their own values and had strict requirements, some prodigies of noble origins who lacked sufficient conditions could also find what the artifact spirit needed, bypass its rigid restrictions, and successfully persuade the artifact spirit.
“Since it refuses to submit, can this thing be eaten?”
Golden Egg grabbed the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc, intending to play the bad cop.
“Hum!”
After being restrained, the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc trembled slightly and erupted with powerful might, breaking free from Golden Egg’s claw and hovering in midair.
“Let’s discuss this. Are you willing to recognize me as your master?” Chen Beiwu asked.
“Hum!”
The Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc transformed into a streak of light and retreated rapidly.
“What a pity!”
Chen Beiwu sighed and looked toward Golden Egg.
Golden Egg understood. Magical power surged within its body as it unleashed the Demon King Mystical Ability Circulating Three Lights True Domain.
In an instant, Golden Edge became the bones, Azure Wood became the network, Profound Water became the soul, and the Three Lights circulated.
Metal generates Water, Water nourishes Wood, Wood refines Metal. The Circulating Three Lights True Domain suddenly unfolded, instantly enveloping the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc.
Sensing a fatal threat, points of light circulated across the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc, drawing upon the light of the celestial stars and erupting with powerful might as it collided with Golden Egg’s True Domain.
“Crack crack crack!”
As time passed, the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc emitted an ear-piercing sound, the starlight on its surface continuously dimming and collapsing.
Clearly, beneath the Circulating Three Lights True Domain, even a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Treasure found it difficult to preserve itself without a host providing magical power.
“It’s useless. This fellow is very stubborn.”
The Battle Demon Ape beside them did not intervene. It slightly shook its head and reminded him.
Chen Beiwu extended his right hand and grasped the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc：“Can we talk now?”
“No. Unless you can pass the test, there is no need for us to negotiate.”
The figure of the girl artifact spirit appeared upon the Star-Dipper Disc, her tone still stubborn, without the slightest change.
Deploying a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade grand formation within the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc and deploying a Fourth-Rank grand formation in the real world were two completely different concepts.
The former did not require the expenditure of much spiritual essence and was merely a test of the mind, verifying a cultivator’s attainments in Formation Dao more than anything else, with low destructive power.
The latter required the Star Light Grand Formation to be arranged beforehand, drawing upon the radiance of the celestial stars, and then required a Nascent Soul True Monarch to preside over the formation before it could unleash terrifying might.
Precisely because of this, even though it was the artifact spirit of a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade formation disc, after losing its host, it could at most unleash combat strength approaching that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch, far from being a match for that Three-Aspects Profound Flood Dragon.
“There’s really no room for negotiation?” Chen Beiwu slightly furrowed his brows.
“There is absolutely no room for negotiation. Rules are rules. Even if you refine my soul spirit and destroy the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc, I will not retreat even half a step.”
The girl artifact spirit’s will was resolute, regarding death as no different from life.
Even if it were defeated, for the opponent to destroy a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Treasure, they would at least need a peak-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch to act before it was possible.
Although the Circulating Three Lights True Domain of the Three-Aspects Profound Flood Dragon before it was formidable and extremely effective at restraining Fourth-Rank Mystical Treasures, it might not necessarily be able to do anything to it.
Even if it could, then so be it. It was merely a tool. It had already lived long enough in this dead and silent space by itself.
Hearing this, Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xue Le, and Zhi Ling were all somewhat moved, especially the first three little fellows.
As Fourth-Realm Demon Kings, their senses were keen, allowing them to determine whether what the Star-Dipper Disc’s artifact spirit said was true or false, making it difficult for lies to deceive them.
Therefore, although they did not understand the Star-Dipper Disc’s artifact spirit’s choice, an artifact spirit with such unwavering determination truly commanded the beasts’ respect!
“Since you’re unwilling, then forget it. I don’t want to force an artifact spirit into submission either.”
Chen Beiwu said calmly：“What a pity. Originally, I wanted to bestow a great opportunity upon you. Perhaps I could reforge your body, complete your Mystical Restrictions, and allow you to advance to a Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasure in one go. It seems I was thinking too much.”
The Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc gave no response.
It admitted that Chen Beiwu was indeed very strong, but how could a newly advanced True Monarch who had not even successfully passed the recognition test dare to claim that he could help it advance to a Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasure?
By drawing a grand picture?
Truly laughable. It was no longer as naive as it had been back then. It had already been stuffed with Heavenly Evolution True Monarch’s grand promises for thousands of years and deceived more than ten times. How could it possibly believe another person again?
“Forget it. Golden Egg, refine this Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc and the three grains of Star Sand. Perhaps this can take your Three-Aspects Furnace Mystical Ability one step further.”
Chen Beiwu said no more. With a thought, three grains of Star Sand appeared in his palm.
Sensing the aura of the Star Sand, the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc immediately trembled slightly, its radiance blazing.
“Wait!”
The girl artifact spirit’s figure reappeared, her gaze fixed upon the Star Sand.
Star Sand was not fragments of stars, but star crystals that could only possibly be nurtured after a star experienced the three stages of birth, prosperity, and extinction.
It contained incomparably vast stellar Dao Rhyme, possessed an extremely high grade, and in terms of value could rival Fifth-Tier Origin Materials.
However, compared with these, what was more important was that Star Sand was extraordinarily compatible with the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc.
As the artifact spirit of the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc, it knew exactly what these three grains of Star Sand before it meant!
What was a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Treasure?
Its Mystical Restrictions were sufficient to surpass Fourth-Rank High-Grade Mystical Treasures, yet it was still constrained by its own material and unable to advance further, with an insurmountable gap between it and Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasures.
If it could obtain these three grains of Star Sand, reforge itself and replace the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc’s material, then advancing into the ranks of Heaven-Connecting Mystical Treasures in the future would not be an empty claim.
Chen Beiwu glanced at the girl artifact spirit without paying it any attention, his movements remaining unchanged.
“Artifact Spirit Xin Ling pays respects to Master.”
Instead, Xin Ling’s attitude changed drastically, and she bowed to Chen Beiwu.
“？？？”
Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xue Le, and Zhi Ling paused, looking at Xin Ling with surprise.
No, people always said women were fickle, but how could an artifact spirit change so quickly too!
Xin Ling’s expression remained unchanged, her face completely natural：“Xin Ling has drifted for ten thousand years, muddling through each day, only realizing today what a wise master is.
If Master does not reject Little Ling, Little Ling is willing to serve Master as her master. From now on, I will brave boiling water and raging flames and never shrink even in the face of ten thousand deaths!”
“Oh?” Chen Beiwu’s gaze shifted, and he chuckled：“I didn’t even break that formation. How am I a wise master?”
“A formation master breaking a formation relies on the spirit. With the spirit, one understands the pivot; with the pivot, one understands the formation.”
“Master’s spirit is the strongest Xin Ling has seen in ten thousand years, far beyond those mediocre formation masters. Even Heavenly Evolution True Monarch was far inferior.” Xin Ling explained.
“Enough. Don’t speak so stiffly while flattering me. That doesn’t suit you.”
“Earlier, I wanted to negotiate, but you refused.” Chen Beiwu put away the Star Sand in his hand and spoke frankly：
“Now the conditions have changed. If you want the Star Sand, you can have it, but it depends on your performance.”
Xin Ling blinked, revealing a gentle smile：“Master, what performance?”
“It’s very simple. After recognizing me as your master, teach me that Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation.” Chen Beiwu glanced at Xin Ling.
If he had the Heavenly Evolution Star-Dipper Disc in hand, with Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xue Le, and Zhi Ling responsible for suppressing the formation and then presiding over a Fourth-Rank Supreme Grade Mystical Formation to launch an ambush, even a late-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch would find it impossible to escape, while he could also preserve his own trump cards.