Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Artifact Spirit?

Under the moon’s silver disk and a sky strewn with stars, the evening birdsong was especially poignant in the cool dusk. Winter in the Empire of Flying Clouds always seemed to pass with unusual swiftness, yet Yang Yan’s heart was wholly unlike the revived world behind the mountain before him.

The great boulder behind the mountain had accompanied him through countless nights. Now he lay on his back upon it, chewing a blade of grass root and letting its bitterness spread slowly across his mouth, his gaze empty as it rested on the heavens.

Many years ago, when he had still been regarded as a useless young master, he would sometimes feel resentment in the midst of his training.

Why had his biological parents abandoned him? If they had not, perhaps his present circumstances would have been different. Yet because of Zhang Tai’s almost selfless love, Yang Yan had gradually emerged from that shadow. The image he had once formed in his mind of his own father had been buried deep within his heart, so deep that he had even been unwilling ever again to recall it.

But when the truth truly stood before him, the bleeding scar in Yang Yan’s heart was torn open once more. He had thought he could meet it with indifference, only to be struck awake by the truth as though by a bolt from the blue. The very father he had blamed, and even somewhat hated, had in fact been his closest and most beloved kin, one who had disregarded his own life for Yang Yan’s sake!

Every time he thought of this, a tide of shame and remorse would surge uncontrollably in Yang Yan’s heart.

With Father’s strength at the peak of the Spirit Communion realm back then, he still fell victim to those people. It seems the enemy’s strength must at least have been that of a peak Spirit Communion expert.

At that thought, a trace of cold killing intent could not help but rise within Yang Yan.

From the blood letter left behind earlier, it seemed the enemies who had destroyed his family were not just one person. And now, fifteen years had passed since then. The infant who had once been swaddled in blankets had grown up, but it was not only he who had grown. If his enemies were still alive, then even reaching the Sea of Spirits realm would not be impossible.

The Sea of Spirits realm...

Yang Yan murmured the words, his face darkening with solemnity. Such a level of strength was far beyond his reach.

However, after only a moment, he gradually suppressed the faint despondency in his heart. He had always possessed a mind far more mature than those of his peers. Though he had nearly lost control earlier upon learning of the blood feud, and had almost failed to restrain the shadowy killing intent deep within, he soon calmed down, because he understood that acting on impulse would only bring pain to his loved ones and delight to his enemies.

He was no longer alone. He had an adoptive father who treated him as his own son, companions who acknowledged him, friends who stood by him. Moreover, his enemies were far too powerful. His only advantage over them was youth. With the Nine Nether Dark Moon Art in hand, given time, if his strength could reach or even surpass the Sea of Spirits realm, then revenge would surely no longer be a fool’s dream.

As for the friend in Qingzhou’s Kunyang Sect mentioned in his father’s blood letter, Yang Yan did not intend to seek him out just yet, simply because he was still too weak. As for the vengeance for his father’s death and the annihilation of his family, Yang Yan had already silently sworn in his heart that he would exact it with his own hands.

Having made up his mind, he buried that stern killing intent deep within himself. What he needed to do now was improve his strength as quickly as possible.

He exhaled long and slowly, as if trying to breathe out all the oppression and hatred within him. Then his eyes once more became as firm and resolute as before, and he sat cross-legged upon the boulder, entering cultivation.

In the earlier battle at the Hundred Hunts Field against Leng Yutian, although Yang Yan had ultimately emerged victorious, it had been by no means easy. Not only had the spiritual power and soul force within him been exhausted, but he had also sustained injuries within his body.

The external wounds on his skin were naturally of little concern, but the damage to his organs and meridians could not be ignored.

For those who cultivated the path of immortality, the meridians were of utmost importance. If such fragile channels were injured and left unattended, it would be impossible to guarantee that no hidden ailment would remain behind, becoming an obstacle to future advancement.

As Yang Yan settled into meditation, the vast spiritual energy of heaven and earth condensed as if into substance, gathering into a small whirlwind centered on him and continuously drawing in the surrounding pure power.

Spiritual energy poured into him from every part of his body. It was refined into spiritual power through the operation of the spiritual core in his lower abdomen, then transformed into strands of clear, springlike energy that spread unceasingly through every meridian, every organ, every limb and bone in Yang Yan’s body.

This quiet cultivation lasted about half an hour. The hidden troubles left in his body from the earlier clash with Leng Yutian were finally completely dissolved and cleared away by Yang Yan.

My strength has now truly stabilized at the peak of the third level of Spirit Perception, but that feeling of breakthrough still has not appeared...

Yang Yan pondered silently, a trace of unwillingness surfacing in his eyes.

His current goal was no longer merely the younger generation of Jinzhou, but to reach the distant and still unattainable Sea of Spirits realm. Only when his strength reached that level would he have the capital to seek out his enemies and avenge his sea of blood and hatred.

He slowly let out another breath and worked hard to suppress the unwillingness in his heart. He understood that cultivation was not something achieved in a single step. If he were forever eager for success and obsessed with speed, his foundations would inevitably become unstable, and that was not the outcome Yang Yan desired.

Leaving his cultivation state, Yang Yan swept his hand across the cosmos pouch at his waist, and a milky-white, perfectly round pearl appeared in his palm. Only now did he have time to examine it carefully.

The pearl was flawlessly round and entirely milky white, without the slightest impurity. A faint, pearly radiance continuously spread from within it, and within that glow there seemed to linger an extremely ancient aura and fluctuation.

What exactly is this treasure, to make so many experts covet it so eagerly...

Yang Yan stared at the object in his hand without blinking. After a long while, he sighed softly and was about to put it back into the cosmos pouch. After all, even his father, with his peak Spirit Communion realm strength, had studied it for many years and still failed to discover its use. Yang Yan was not arrogant enough to think he could unravel its mystery now.

Yet just as he was about to move, a dazzling white light suddenly burst forth from the pearl. The radiance was so brilliant and piercing that it turned the several li around Yang Yan into a world of snow-white. Even the shadows of all things vanished beneath it, as though within the area bathed in that brilliance, anything or anyone was laid bare without a single place to hide.

This sudden phenomenon shocked Yang Yan greatly. He could not understand why the mysterious pearl, whose use even Spirit Communion experts had failed to see through, would react so violently in his hands.

At that moment, Yang Yan only felt a surging suction in his palm. Then the pale blue spiritual power within his sea of energy rushed toward the pearl without the slightest resistance. That terrifying force of attraction was even more violent than the one from Moon Shadow Residual Frost earlier.

Damn it!

Yang Yan cursed inwardly. The powerful soul force at his brow erupted instantly like a roaring flood, surging toward his sea of energy. Clearly, he intended to rely on the strength of his soul force to forcibly stop the pearl’s devouring power.

Yet what shocked Yang Yan immensely was that the soul force he had always relied upon so effectively in battle at this very moment did not work in the slightest. Worse still, the instant it reached the sea of energy, it was completely absorbed by that vortex-like terror of suction.

This damned thing can even absorb soul force!

Yang Yan was horrified, and as his soul force continued to drain away, waves of dizziness began to spread through his mind. The overwhelming power that had filled his body moments before seemed to be sucked dry in an instant.

This thing actually wants to devour my soul!

The thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and all the fine hairs on Yang Yan’s body stood on end.

The soul. Only two simple words, yet its importance could not be ignored by anyone. It was the very foundation of a person, or of any living being in the world. If he lost his soul, Yang Yan would become nothing more than a mindless walking corpse, a fate clearly far more terrifying to him than death.

Though he was deeply shocked by the sudden turn of events, Yang Yan, with his maturity far beyond his years, quickly forced himself to calm down. Then, with great decisiveness, he tried to sever the connection between himself and the soul force that had entered his sea of energy, because he could sense that the pearl was using that soul force as a medium to draw out his soul.

What is going on? Why can’t I cut it off?

But when he truly tried to act, Yang Yan discovered that with his current strength he was simply unable to contend with that bizarre pearl. His resistance was like that of a helpless infant, possessing no force or effect whatsoever. And the faint, blurry soul that vaguely resembled his own face was being pulled little by little toward the pearl. At the same time, a wave of dizziness and weakness surged over him like a tide, until he was nearly losing consciousness.

So this is how it ends...

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Yang Yan’s lips. He had never imagined that the very moment after vowing to avenge his family, he would be on the verge of having his soul scattered by this cursed thing. Most ironic of all, this object was a relic left behind by his father. Fate truly seemed to be playing a cruel joke.

Father, Mother, and... Sister, I am coming to join you...

Yang Yan murmured softly, then slowly closed his eyes.

After nearly three thousand years... it has finally... appeared again...

A distant, hoarse voice came in broken fragments, as if carried from the void itself.

At that same moment, Yang Yan, who had already prepared himself for death, realized that all the radiance in the pearl within his palm had entirely withdrawn, and the terrifying suction that had erupted earlier came to an abrupt stop. Simultaneously, the soul body that bore Yang Yan’s appearance, yet was faint and unreal, swiftly retreated back into his body, easing his near-fainting condition somewhat.

Who is it? Who’s speaking?

Yang Yan, having regained a trace of strength, clearly heard that strange voice. He scanned his surroundings with sharp vigilance.

Little one, no need to be nervous. I merely borrowed your power to awaken the artifact spirit.

The distant voice came again, but this time Yang Yan clearly identified its source. His pupils constricted to pinpoints, and he instinctively jerked his hand, hurling the pearl to the ground.

Because that eerie voice had come from within the pearl itself.

Yang Yan stumbled back several zhang, staring in shock at the milky-white pearl on the ground. He even had the urge to flee this place.

Ow, ow, that hurts! You little brat, I merely borrowed a bit of your pure yin power and soul force. Was there any need to get so angry?

From inside the pearl, another rather aged voice sounded. This one was no longer distant and hoarse, but no different from the voice of an ordinary old man.

You... who exactly are you? Human or ghost?!

Yang Yan stared in terror at the pearl on the ground, his voice even beginning to tremble.

No wonder he reacted so strongly. A strange pearl that could speak? Such a thing was far too incredible to believe, yet it was happening right before his eyes. Not to mention him, even if an adult were in his place now, there would be no way to remain calm.

As for me... I am neither human nor ghost, but an artifact spirit!

An aged voice came once more from the pearl.

An artifact spirit?

Yang Yan was first slightly stunned, then the shock on his face suddenly magnified, even greater than before.

A treasure with intelligence, one that had cultivated an artifact spirit—Yang Yan knew exactly what that meant.

Treasures were divided into six ranks from low to high: mortal implements, spiritual implements, magical treasures, imperial treasures, immortal treasures, saintly treasures, and divine weapons. Each rank was further divided into low, middle, and high grades.

When a treasure reached the level of an imperial treasure, it could already understand human speech. Immortal treasures could cultivate an artifact spirit and possess intelligence. As for the saintly treasures and divine weapons that existed only in legend, it was said they could take human form and cultivate on their own, making them virtually invincible in battle against others.

Judging from the present situation, this old man not only understood his words, but clearly possessed his own intelligence and thought as well. If what he said was true, then this pearl was at least an immortal-tier treasure?

Immortal treasure. Just two simple words, yet although their meaning was still somewhat hazy to Yang Yan now, he had once seen ancient scrolls in the clan library that gave a brief description of them.

Rending mountains and splitting the earth, overturning rivers and seas.

A very simple sentence, yet the best explanation of the might of treasures at that level.

This pearl is an immortal-tier treasure?!

Even now, Yang Yan’s mind was still somewhat dizzy from the shock. This pie from the heavens seemed rather enormous. It was hard to imagine that only a moment ago he had still been struggling on the edge of life and death, and now his heart was filled with boundless joy. The rise and fall of fate in a human life truly was wondrous...

What is this thing called a Pearl of Devouring Treasures?

It seemed he had heard Yang Yan’s murmur, because the somewhat puzzled aged voice again came from the pearl lying on the ground.

Uh...

After a long while, Yang Yan finally recovered his senses and forcibly suppressed some of the surging and complicated emotions in his heart. Hearing the old man’s words, he now felt a little taken aback.

But his surprise lasted only an instant before he understood. Most likely, Pearl of Devouring Treasures was a name given by his father or by other cultivators who had seen it. A treasure that had given birth to an artifact spirit must have existed for an exceedingly long time. It made sense that it would not know the name later generations had given it.

That’s your name...

Yang Yan looked warily at the pearl on the ground and spoke carefully.

Though he had been stunned by the title of immortal treasure earlier, now that he had recovered somewhat, Yang Yan had also become clearer-headed. A treasure of that level had already given birth to intelligence no weaker than a human’s, and could even cultivate by itself.

Such a being, which existed only in legend, must certainly have some pride of its own. To think he could treat it as an ordinary treasure and use it at will was likely far too naive. Setting aside everything else, the simple fact that he had nearly died under the pearl’s terrifying suction earlier was already enough to make him want to keep his distance.

My name?

Upon hearing this, the aged voice from within the pearl seemed somewhat puzzled. Then, as if understanding something, it suddenly cursed.

Bah! What kind of damn name is that? Which bastard gave this lord such an ugly name? When I recover, I’ll tear him into eight pieces!

Listening to the furious yet somewhat comical stream of curses rising from the pearl, a few black lines appeared on Yang Yan’s forehead.

This fellow... is he really some ancient monster who has lived for countless years? Why does he seem even more childish than I am...

Yang Yan could not help but mutter inwardly.

I’d better leave first...

After a moment, glancing at the milky-white pearl that was still spewing endless curses, Yang Yan made up his mind. This cursed thing was far too strange. Keeping it by his side, he could not tell whether it would bring fortune or disaster. Since he had always been cautious, he could never allow such an unstable factor to remain near him, especially since their first meeting could hardly be called friendly.

But just as Yang Yan turned his body and tiptoed away from the area, the pearl’s incessant cursing abruptly ceased. Then a sly laugh came from within, and Yang Yan saw the fallen milky-white pearl suddenly transform into a streak of light, shooting into his lower abdomen’s spiritual core at a speed impossible to track with the naked eye.

What are you doing? Get out of there now!

Yang Yan was instantly horrified, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. The spiritual core was the foundation of cultivation. Although he no longer needed to store spiritual power within it because he was cultivating the Nine Nether Dark Moon Art, its function of refining spiritual energy into spiritual power remained irreplaceable. Moreover, once the technique reached completion, the spiritual core in his lower abdomen would become the center of the five-attribute spiritual core he would open. Thus, its importance to Yang Yan was beyond question.

And now, that bizarre thing had entered his spiritual core right before his very eyes. How could he possibly remain calm?

Heh heh, little one, I’ve waited for you for nearly three thousand years. Did you think you could shake me off so easily? And looking at your body... indeed, you’ve cultivated the Nine Nether Dark Moon Art, and even the water-attribute spiritual core has been opened...

You...!

The aged voice was calm and indifferent, yet to Yang Yan it sounded no different from a thunderclap. His body’s greatest secret had been discerned in an instant by this bizarre old man.

What exactly do you want?!

Yang Yan’s voice trembled slightly. The reason he had not retreated in the slightest after learning how powerful his enemies were was without doubt because of the Nine Nether Dark Moon Art. He understood that once the technique reached great completion, even peak Spirit Communion experts, or even those in the Sea of Spirits realm, would be as insignificant as ants in his eyes.

But now, a strange and unknown thing had occupied his spiritual core, and it even knew his greatest secret. If it should make further mischief inside his body and return him to that useless state from before, it would be worse than killing him.

Rest assured. I have waited so long to find you. I would help you before I would ever harm you...

As though sensing Yang Yan’s deeply unsettled state of mind, the aged voice carried a trace of amusement as it sounded from within his spiritual core.

Help me?

I nearly died because of this thing earlier. I can’t trust what it says too easily...

Yang Yan thought to himself, still haunted by the sensation of being on the brink of death.

What happened just now was an accident. I couldn’t resist, once I began recovering my strength, and almost devoured your soul. My apologies...

The aged voice from within the spiritual core sounded again. Though the words seemed to carry apology, Yang Yan could feel no sincerity in its tone whatsoever.

You can even hear what I’m thinking?!