Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

’What kind of monster *is* this kid?’ Tianyuanzi was horrified as the fire patterns dissipated.

"Heh, Tianyuanzi, is it?" Just then, Ling Fei made his move. "Soul Capturing!"

The Dragon Bone Pen tapped lightly in the Void. A swath of Seizing Dao Patterns swept out, enveloping the space before him, imprisoning the Void and instantly binding Tianyuanzi.

"Trying to bind me? Not a chance!" Tianyuanzi cried out in alarm as it was restrained.

It manifested as a Fire Flame, trying to burn through the binding patterns. But the patterns were too profound; it was completely unable to incinerate them.

It couldn’t even dissolve into sparks and merge back into the furnace.

The binding patterns had imprisoned the Void, sealing off every direction.

Now, it began to panic completely.

"Hey! Hey! Kid, what are you doing?" Tianyuanzi yelled.

"Heh. I have a Supreme Treasure that can refine anything in existence," Ling Fei said with a smile. "Since you refuse to serve me, my only option is to refine you into nothingness. That way, with the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace lacking an Artifact Spirit, I can take control of it easily. So, you see, there’s no need for you to exist anymore."

Seize!

Then, with a gesture from his Dragon Bone Pen, he began to draw Tianyuanzi into the pen itself.

"Refine me into nothingness?" Upon hearing this, Tianyuanzi’s courage failed. "No, don’t! Sir! Master! I’m an Artifact Spirit! You have to know, if a Supreme Treasure loses its Artifact Spirit, its quality drops by a whole grade! With an Artifact Spirit, a treasure has infinite potential and can constantly be improved!"

"Sir! Master! Don’t let the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace lose quality just to get rid of me!"

Tianyuanzi was on the verge of tears.

’How did I end up meeting such a ruthless character this time?!’

In the past, about ten astonishingly talented individuals had come one after another, trying to control the furnace, but it had ignored them all.

Who would have thought this man would be so formidable?

"The Pill Furnace’s quality?" Ling Fei arched a brow. "This Celestial Essence Divine Furnace is already extraordinary. I’ll benefit immensely just by controlling it. As for its quality, I can find ways to improve it later when I’m stronger. But you? A disobedient Artifact Spirit like you is useless."

"Please, Master! I can be very obedient! Besides, I’m extremely useful!" Tianyuanzi was genuinely about to cry as it blurted this out.

"How are you useful?" Ling Fei asked, one eyebrow raised.

"First of all, as the Artifact Spirit, I have the best control over every Array Pattern within the Pill Furnace. During Alchemy, I can help you manage the Pill Furnace’s Fire Flame and Array, making it much easier for you to refine Elixirs. I can even help you create Elixirs that are beyond your current Cultivation level."

Tianyuanzi said hurriedly.

"It sounds like you might have some use after all," Ling Fei said, nodding slightly.

"I am very useful! Very useful!" Seeing Ling Fei seem to soften, Tianyuanzi quickly added, "This Pill Furnace contains mountains and rivers. I can plant and tend to medicinal herbs for you! Even better, if I become stronger, I can fight alongside you!"

"You can fight alongside me?" Ling Fei’s interest was piqued.

"Master, you mustn’t underestimate the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace! It is a Supreme Treasure! As long as I gain complete control over the Array Patterns within, I can unleash considerable Power and wield the Divine Furnace against your enemies. That way, Master, you can focus on other opponents without any distractions," Tianyuanzi said.

"That does sound somewhat reasonable," Ling Fei said with a slight nod.

"Naturally," Tianyuanzi said proudly.

"However, if you call me ’Master’ again, be careful I don’t destroy you. Do I look that old?" Ling Fei said, raising an eyebrow in exasperation.

’This guy was calling me ’kid’ over and over just a moment ago, and now it’s all ’Sir’ and ’Master.’ Ling Fei was at a loss for words.

"Uh..." Tianyuanzi faltered, then said with a fawning smile, "Well then, from now on, you are Xiaotian’s master."

"Master?" Ling Fei’s eyes narrowed. "That’s more like it."

"Master, you can just call me Xiaotian from now on." Hearing this, Tianyuanzi breathed a sigh of relief and said obsequiously.

"Xiaotian. That’s more like it." Ling Fei nodded slightly. ’This thing was so arrogant before, calling itself Tianyuanzi, spirit of the Divine Furnace.’

Still, Ling Fei had to admire Tianyuanzi’s talent for trimming its sails to the wind.

In such a short time, it had gone from arrogant and haughty to meek and subservient.

Seeing Ling Fei’s expression, however, Tianyuanzi’s face was a mask of grievance.

’If I wasn’t so subservient, would I even be alive right now?’ Tianyuanzi grumbled internally. ’I may be an Artifact Spirit, but I’m still a living, spiritual being!’

"To control the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace, I must first leave a Divine Soul Seal on your soul. Only then will I have true control over both you and the Divine Furnace," Ling Fei said, his eyes flashing.

For an ordinary Profound Spirit Treasure, one only needed to leave a seal on the item itself. But for a Celestial Dao Essence Treasure, one also had to control its Artifact Spirit.

"Master, there’s no need for such a hassle. As long as you leave your seal on the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace’s core Array Patterns, you will naturally be in control," Tianyuanzi said. "And of course, controlling the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace is the same as controlling Xiaotian. Xiaotian is willing to lay down its life for you, Master."

It still didn’t forget to express its loyalty at the end.

This was all because Ling Fei was simply too heaven-defying, leaving Tianyuanzi feeling utterly powerless. At this point, professing loyalty was clearly its only way out.

Besides, as an Artifact Spirit, it wanted a powerful master. Only then could it achieve its full potential.

"Then where are the core Array Patterns?" Ling Fei inquired.

"Now that you have passed the trial left by the previous master, you can sense it just by stirring your Heart Spirit," Tianyuanzi said.

At once, Ling Fei’s Heart Spirit stirred and reached out. Sure enough, hidden among the Array Patterns of this space, he found a central hub that resembled an Array Platform.

With a flicker of his Heart Spirit, Ling Fei’s consciousness permeated it.

As his Heart Spirit seeped inside, the many profundities of the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace were revealed to him.

It was a Treasure Cauldron that contained all sorts of Mystical principles, forming a small, self-contained space.

By controlling this cauldron, one could condense the Power within and unleash astonishing combat strength.

’It’s just as the Artifact Spirit said. This furnace isn’t just for Alchemy; it can also be used for defense,’ Ling Fei thought, overjoyed.

This Pill Furnace was incredibly practical. For Ling Fei, it was a massive stroke of good fortune.

Without delay, he hurriedly imprinted his Divine Soul Seal within the Array Platform.

Once the Divine Soul Seal was in place, Ling Fei’s Heart Spirit felt as if it had merged with the Divine Furnace, and every detail within became perfectly clear.

He even established a direct connection with the Artifact Spirit.

Ling Fei could now sense the Artifact Spirit’s every thought and feeling.

’How amazing,’ Ling Fei mused.

"I, Xiaotian, am the spirit of the Divine Furnace, a part of the furnace itself. If the furnace is destroyed, I will perish," Xiaotian said.

It now completely suppressed all other thoughts, no longer daring to defy Ling Fei.

Otherwise, its life would be miserable!

"Mm," Ling Fei nodded. He then withdrew the Dragon Bone Pen, causing the patterns of the Mystical of Capture to dissipate. Only then was Xiaotian released from its bonds.

"PHEW... thank goodness, thank goodness." Once the bonds were released, the Artifact Spirit hastily patted its chubby chest, its face a picture of lingering fear.

If Ling Fei had really refined it into nothingness, it would have truly been done for!

’But... from now on, I have a master. *Sigh*,’ Tianyuanzi lamented internally after being freed.

’No, I can’t be thinking this.’ Very quickly, Tianyuanzi suppressed the thought.

For with his control over the Celestial Essence Divine Furnace, Ling Fei could know all of the Artifact Spirit’s petty thoughts.