Chapter 122 - 121: Middle Level Spiritual Artifact
As his Spiritual Power transformed, Xia Wuyang’s overall strength soared.
As had been mentioned, this world was not a peaceful one. It was home not only to the Human Race, but also two different Demon Races, the Ghost Race, and the Monster Race. Among them, the two Demon Races focused primarily on Body Refining; to ascend from the mortal world to the Extraordinary Realm, they walked the path of the extraordinary physical body.
The Ghost Race and Monster Race focused mainly on Refining God. To ascend from the mortal world to the Extraordinary Realm, they walked the path of the Extraordinary Spiritual.
The Human Race, however, was different from these Demons and Ghosts; they walked the path of Extraordinary Qi Refining.
Now that Xia Wuyang had achieved the Extraordinary Spiritual level, from the perspective of the Ghost Race and Monster Race, he had already reached the rank of a Ghost Monarch or Monster Monarch, stepping into the Extraordinary Realm.
However, Xia Wuyang was of the Human Race, whose orthodox path was Extraordinary Qi Refining. Most of the Cultivation Techniques, Combat Techniques, and Secret Techniques he had mastered were related to this path. Therefore, despite achieving the Extraordinary Spiritual level, he couldn’t be considered an orthodox True Monarch. Even his lifespan hadn’t increased, since this was not the Human Race’s path to the Extraordinary Realm.
With the constitution of the Human Race, only by condensing Qi Blood into a True Seed and stepping into the Extraordinary Qi Refining Realm would one’s lifespan soar. This had been proven through countless attempts by the ancestors of the Human Race.
Even so, this breakthrough had increased Xia Wuyang’s overall strength several times over. At the Body Refining Martial Artist stage, he no longer had any rivals. Even an ordinary Qi Refining True Monarch might fall for his tricks if they weren’t careful.
More importantly, now that he was at the Extraordinary Spiritual level, once he advanced to Super Grade Perfection, he would be able to use his Extraordinary Realm Spiritual Power to forcibly condense a True Qi Seed. This would allow him to achieve Extraordinary Qi Refining and step into the Human Race True Monarch Realm.
The path to the Qi Refining Stage was now unobstructed for him. As long as he met the requirements, his breakthrough would come naturally.
Beyond that, his various Spiritual Combat Techniques and Secret Techniques had also undergone a qualitative transformation.
The Enchanting Heart Technique was no longer limited to creating illusions; it could now directly affect reality.
With a mere thought, a light drizzle began to fall within the Practice Room, filling the air with a fresh, clean scent.
The power of his Soul Capturing Technique had also skyrocketed. Any Body Refining Martial Artist, even a Super Grade Celestial Human, would fall into an Illusion Realm and lose control of their Heart Spirit with just a single glance, unless they were protected by a treasure that transcended the mortal realm.
Even ordinary True Monarchs would likely be unable to withstand the power of the Soul Capturing Technique.
His Stealth Technique now allowed him to merge perfectly with his surroundings. At this moment, he seemed to have become a part of everything around him. Even a True Monarch passing by would find it difficult to detect his presence.
Another pleasant surprise was the change in his Sensing ability. His Spiritual Power acted like invisible tentacles, allowing him to perceive his surroundings with perfect clarity even without activating his Mental Force Field.
Of course, after reaching the Extraordinary Spiritual level, the effects of his Mental Force Field had become even more terrifying, far surpassing what simple spiritual probing could achieve.
Feeling the surging Spiritual Power in his Sea of Consciousness, Xia Wuyang nodded in satisfaction. ’The boost from reaching the Extraordinary Spiritual level is truly immense.’
’Next, I should consolidate and adapt to my new strength. Thankfully, with my Supreme Talent Seven-Aperture Exquisite, not only does my Spiritual Power increase a little each day, but it also helps solidify my Cultivation Foundation.’
After a night of arduous cultivation, he slowly opened his eyes. A spiritual light flowed within his pupils, as if stars were being born and dying inside them.
’Stepping into a new realm is a new beginning. I can be much bolder in many of my endeavors now. There are also many unsolved mysteries that I can now slowly unravel.’
’For instance, I wonder if Princess Jinping has my Blood Lotus Fruit ready. A considerable amount of time has passed; that Blood Lotus Fruit should have been returned by now.’
The moon was hidden and the stars were dim. Xia Wuyang activated his Dragon Storage Skill and Stealth Technique, his figure completely melting into the night.
After reaching the Extraordinary Spiritual level, his Concealment ability was even more astonishing. He was like an ethereal shadow, flitting through the Palace grounds.
Ciping Palace appeared exceptionally serene in the darkness. Cyan Bamboo swayed gently in the breeze, and the scent of sandalwood wafted from the Buddhist hall. Everything seemed normal.
But with his now Extraordinary Spiritual Power, Xia Wuyang detected the hidden undercurrents beneath the calm surface.
His Spiritual Power spread out like a spiderweb. The might of his Mental Force Field was stronger than ever, effortlessly detecting things he couldn’t have sensed before.
Deep beneath Ciping Palace, there were hidden secret chambers. In one of them sat the figure of an old man in a blood-red robe.
The old man was cultivating with his eyes closed, his Qi Blood surging around him. He was a First Grade Perfection Grandmaster, with one foot already in the Super Grade Realm.
More importantly, the man faintly emanated a power that made Xia Wuyang wary. By combining his Extraordinary Spiritual Power with his Companion Talent, the Mental Force Field, Xia Wuyang faintly detected the item. It appeared to be a Spirit Level Talisman Record—an offensive one. No wonder it felt like a threat.
Faced with an attack from a Spirit Level Talisman Record, even Xia Wuyang would find it difficult to evade. It could severely injure him, or even prove fatal.
’As expected of the most secretive Princess Jinping. To think she has such an expert hidden in the depths of Ciping Palace, and one carrying a trump card like that.’
If caught off guard, even Emperor Xia’s life would likely be in danger from this Spirit Level Talisman Record—assuming, of course, that the Emperor himself didn’t possess a Spirit Level Treasure.
Besides this man, four Second Grade Grandmasters were hidden in the surrounding secret chambers, one of whom was on the verge of breaking through to the First Grade Realm.
Including Li Wan’Er, the seemingly ordinary Ciping Palace was actually hiding two First Grade Grandmasters and four Second Grade Grandmasters. Its overall strength was enough to crush that of any other Prince or Princess.
’Impressive, Princess Jinping. You’ve hidden your strength far too well,’ Xia Wuyang thought, amazed.
’If I hadn’t reached the Extraordinary Spiritual level, I’m afraid I would never have detected so many hidden experts.’
He soon located Princess Jinping resting in her Sleeping Palace. Using his Extraordinary Realm Spiritual Power and Mental Force Field, Xia Wuyang pinpointed the source of the threat she emanated. It was a Spirit Sword she kept close to her body. If his Sensing was correct, it was a Middle Level Spiritual Artifact.
Above Mortal Artifacts were Spiritual Artifacts. All Spiritual Artifacts possessed Spirituality and had a certain degree of autonomy.
Normally, only an Extraordinary True Monarch could wield a Spiritual Artifact, make it acknowledge them as its master, and unleash its full power.
’I don’t know how Princess Jinping managed it, but she actually made a Middle Level Spiritual Artifact acknowledge her as its master. It can even protect her on its own and unleash some of its offensive power. No wonder I sensed a threat from her before.’
Sensing it carefully, he determined the Middle Level Spiritual Artifact was about three feet long and emerald green. A spiritual snake seemed to swim within the blade, emitting a frightening aura.
Spiritual Snake Sword!
That was its name. It seemed to have sensed his probe, as it began to tremble slightly, letting out a low hum.
At the same time, Princess Jinping’s eyelashes fluttered. Apparently startled by the Spiritual Snake Sword, she was about to wake from her slumber.