Free Web NovelChapter 49: Chapter 32: A Lotus Throne Rises from the Moon Pool, a Dragon Pearl Appears at the Treasure Assembly (Part 1)
Magical Artifacts in this world are generally divided into two types: Celestial Spirit and Earth Demon. This distinction is not about quality, but rather the type of restrictions they contain.
Celestial Spirit artifacts have thirty-six layers of restrictions, and Earth Demon artifacts have seventy-two. Regardless of the type, as long as an artifact is refined to completion, there is a sliver of a chance it can nurture its own Spiritual Sense and transform from a Magical Artifact into a Magical Treasure. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Yet, this step was far from simple.
Refining a Magical Artifact’s restrictions to completion is certainly not easy. However, within some Cultivator Clans, it’s possible to succeed after several generations of diligent practice. In the great Profound Sects, with their Celestial Craft Daoists, Artifact Refining Masters, and powerful cultivators, refining a Magical Artifact is not considered difficult at all. The real issue is that the process is costly and laborious, and there’s no guarantee one will recoup the investment.
This is because even for a Magical Artifact with fully refined restrictions, the probability of it giving birth to a Spiritual Sense—despite continuous refinement—is less than one in ten thousand.
Once it gives birth to a Spiritual Sense, the Magical Artifact is elevated to a Magical Treasure, its power instantly increasing by hundreds or even thousands of times. Its might can almost be compared to the Divine Techniques of a Primordial Spirit True Man. Some powerful Magical Treasures are considered sect-guarding treasures even in the great Profound Sects. If an expert from the Upper Profound Sect traveled beyond the heavens and chanced upon a Magical Treasure, the sect could potentially derive an entirely new True Inheritance Dao Skill from it.
Thus, the value of a Magical Treasure was indisputable.
Xuzhuang gripped the Jade Pendant, and a jolt went through him. ’This is a Magical Treasure?’
"A Magical Treasure?!" Zhang Ji’s eyes were fixed on the Jade Pendant, his gaze filled with immense shock.
"It’s just a damaged artifact," Fairy Shi said.
"Damaged?" Xuzhuang swept his Spiritual Sense over it and discovered that the treasure-level restrictions within the Jade Pendant, formed from completed base restrictions, were indeed broken and battered. Its spirituality also seemed rather inactive. But no matter what, it was still a Magical Treasure.
Fairy Shi said, "Sir, please listen carefully. With this incantation, you can gain simple control over this treasure." She then condensed her voice into a fine thread and transmitted the incantation directly into Xuzhuang’s ear.
Xuzhuang knew that a Magical Treasure, having given birth to its own Spiritual Sense, would not allow just anyone to refine it at will. Other than the treasure’s original owner, one needed either a Sacrificial Refining Skill or a control incantation to gain the treasure’s acknowledgment.
It went without saying that Fairy Shi would not give the Sacrificial Refining Skill to Xuzhuang, only the control incantation.
Xuzhuang listened carefully to the transmission, held the Jade Pendant in his hand, silently recited the incantation, and channeled his Magical Power into it. Sure enough, he felt the treasure-restrictions flicker. Xuzhuang probed it briefly and knew he could only control a portion of its functions.
Xuzhuang did not hesitate and activated the treasure-restrictions. There was no sound or light, but suddenly, his body and mind felt cleansed, and a sense of weightlessness spread throughout his being.
Even the world around him, which Xuzhuang had not felt was wrong in any way before, now felt as if a layer of gloom had been swept away.
The Magical Treasure had dispelled the dark clouds of demonic evil shrouding him. Only at this moment did Xuzhuang realize with a start just how exhilarating it was to be free from the demonic disturbance. He had to resist the urge to throw his head back and roar at the sky.
Xuzhuang suppressed the impulse. A smile was just about to form on his face when his expression suddenly stiffened. Within his mind, the bizarre characters of the Great Freedom Profound Monarch Six Marvelous Jade Muddy Heavenly Son were now veiled by a hazy, clear light, making them indistinct. But they were still there, without a doubt!
Xuzhuang frowned and asked, "Lady, it seems this Magical Treasure cannot help me thoroughly remove the demonic disturbance?"
"Of course," Fairy Shi said calmly. "Outer Celestial Demon Lords are terrifyingly powerful. The methods of such an existence cannot be countered by a mere damaged artifact. Sir, you need not worry. With this treasure, you will be shielded from the demonic evil’s interference and can cultivate in peace."
"Oh?" Xuzhuang said. "Surely you don’t mean to give this treasure to me, Lady?"
"I can’t do that." Fairy Shi’s lips curved into a smile, and she added with a hint of a pout, "Magical Treasures are undeniably precious. If it were up to me, I would simply give it to you, Sir. Unfortunately, I don’t have that authority. I can only lend it to you."
’Lend it to me? It can’t completely sever the Celestial Demon’s summons, but just warding off its interference is good enough. Still, this is someone else’s Magical Treasure. How could I possibly trust a mere verbal promise to lend it?’
Xuzhuang toyed with the Jade Pendant in his fingers and asked with a smile, "That doesn’t seem quite appropriate, does it?"
"How is it not appropriate?" Fairy Shi laughed. "As long as you cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm, or even attain the Primordial Spirit, you will naturally be able to remove the Celestial Demon’s summons. If not, should my own Dao skills improve one day, I could also resolve this worry for you, Sir."
Hearing this string of nonsense, Xuzhuang sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he said, "In that case, how can I cultivate with a peaceful mind? Do you have any other solutions, Lady?"
"This is truly vexing." Fairy Shi pondered for a moment. Suddenly, she clapped her slender hands together, a look of pleasant surprise on her face, though her eyes revealed an undisguised cunning. "Ah! If I had another Magical Treasure to take back and report, then I could make the decision myself to give this treasure, along with its Sacrificial Refining Skill, to you, Sir."
"..." Xuzhuang said, "You must be joking, Lady. Where would I find a Magical Treasure to trade with you?"
"Do not worry, Sir. I will think of a way to find this other Magical Treasure myself," Fairy Shi said with a smile. "Of course, if you could lend me a hand, it would save me a great deal of effort." freewebnøvel.com
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The painted barge passed through the rising water mists, gradually sailing toward the center of the lake.
By this point, the scenery of the shore was no longer visible. All around were shifting colors of white and purple, as if they were in a palace on the moon.
Passing through the water mists, the surrounding scenery suddenly cleared. This stretch of water repelled all the hazy fog. Even the surface of the water was without a single ripple, truly like a round mirror or the disc of the moon.
The painted barge gradually slowed until it stopped. Zhang Ji led Xuzhuang and Fairy Shi out onto the deck and to the side of the boat. Suddenly, the water’s surface stirred. A flash of blue-green broke through the water, rapidly unfurling floating leaves, growing upright leaves, and revealing a flower bud... Within a few short seconds, a tall, blue-green lotus stood gracefully before them. Its leaves swayed gently in the wind, and like a person, it bowed its stem, unfolding to reveal its seed pod.
