A Name Shakes the Region — Master, Servant, and Artifact Spirit

Chapter 625: A Name Shakes the Region — Master, Servant, and Artifact Spirit

“Given the cultivation technique and abilities you displayed today, when I captured you in the Void Heaven Palace while I was at early Core Formation, did you deliberately let me obtain the Jade Ruyi?” Han Li did not directly answer the young woman. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and questioned her.

Silvermoon was momentarily stunned by these words, but then her eyes rippled, and she smiled.

“As the artifact spirit of the Jade Ruyi, I cannot control the vessel artifact to fly for long periods. To leave that Void Heaven Palace, a cultivator had to carry the Ruyi on their person. When you captured me that day, on one hand, I truly did not resist with full force. On the other hand, breaking through that Void Heaven Cauldron had already greatly depleted my cultivation. Even if I had truly fought to the death back then, I would have eventually fallen into the hands of those Nascent Soul cultivators. If that were the case, it was better to end up in the hands of a Core Formation cultivator.” Silvermoon explained with a smile.

“There was more than one Core Formation cultivator back then. There were two others. Why did you choose me?” Han Li pondered for a moment, his voice heavy without any sign of relaxation.

“You mean those two who fought over the Void Heaven Cauldron and subsequently perished—that young man with the surname Wu, and that fellow who practiced the ghost path techniques?” Silvermoon’s expression shifted slightly as she asked in return.

“Correct.”

“Them? I found them displeasing to the eye. One was gloomy, reeking of ghostly energy. The other was a dried-up bag of bones, hideously ugly. You, sir, may not be jade-like in bearing, but you are at least passable to look at. I wonder if this reason suffices?” Silvermoon pressed her lips together, smiling gracefully, as if her words were both sincere and in jest.

Han Li was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

“Since Fellow Daoist is unwilling to speak, I will not press you. Let me ask the most important question instead. After I brought the Jade Ruyi out of the Void Heaven Palace, did you, in my storage pouch, observe all my actions over these past years?” When he reached this matter, Han Li’s voice suddenly turned icy, and even the temperature in the room seemed to drop by three degrees.

“Correct. Regardless of your techniques or your magical treasures, I have seen every detail, large or small. I am even fully aware of that mysterious, heaven-defying little vial.” The young woman’s smile receded, and her face also took on a grave expression.

Although he had vaguely guessed as much, hearing the young woman’s words confirmed it, and Han Li’s expression drastically changed, his face instantly darkening. He stared coldly at the young woman opposite him, falling silent as if contemplating countermeasures.

“Could Fellow Daoist Han be thinking of killing me to silence me? After all, if one of those great immortal sects were to learn of the existence of such a heaven-defying treasure, I am afraid you would truly have no place to be buried.” Silvermoon was completely unperturbed by Han Li’s icy expression, continuing to speak with a faint smile.

Hearing these words, Han Li’s eyes narrowed, his gaze becoming as sharp as a blade.

“Since Fellow Daoist Silvermoon is so clear-headed, daring to say this so openly, aren’t you afraid I will destroy the vessel artifact in which you reside? If you were to meet your utter annihilation, you would naturally not be able to leak anything. Could it be that you have some other means and believe I lack the power to kill you?” Han Li said, a murderous aura appearing on his face.

“With Fellow Daoist Han’s current magical treasures and abilities, even I, before I used possession, would likely not be your match. Now, after using Soul Devouring, the majority of my artifact spirit body’s cultivation has been lost following the possession. If the two of us were to fight, I would consider it good fortune to have a three-in-ten chance of victory. Moreover, my vessel artifact is in your hands. Causing me to vanish into thin air is merely a thought away for you.” Silvermoon shook her head and calmly spoke of matters concerning her own life and death, appearing utterly composed.

Han Li let out a cold snort but said nothing. The young woman, unconcerned, continued:

“Fellow Daoist Han’s ability to endure until now without suddenly striking me down has already satisfied me. You, sir, may not be a gentleman of exemplary virtue, but you clearly see the distinction between kindness and grievance. If I had not blocked that attack from the demon fox earlier, I imagine you would not have given me this chance to speak so much.” Her lips curled slightly, revealing a faint smile.

“Even if I give you this chance, if you cannot convince me, I will still act. I will not allow anyone who knows of the small bottle’s existence to remain beyond my control.” Han Li did not deny her words, but instead admitted them coldly and frankly.

“Good. This very sentiment suits my own intentions. If you were not a decisive and ruthless individual, you would not get far in the world of cultivation. I would not have stepped in to save you just now. After all, I would not want to take a master as my lord, only to have him die on me shortly after.” Silvermoon said with an expression of appreciation.

“Take you as master? What do you mean by that? Do you think I will spare you just because you verbally acknowledge me as your master?” Han Li was taken aback, but then let out a cold laugh.

“Of course, it is not so simple. As far as I know, your Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords do not yet possess an artifact spirit, do they? I can move my primary soul out of this ancient treasure, the Ruyi, and temporarily act as the spirit of your flying swords. In this way, not only will your intrinsic magical treasure’s power greatly increase, but my life and death will truly be in your hands. This should set your mind at ease, should it not? As your artifact spirit, if I harbor even the slightest thought of harming you, you will be able to sense it. Furthermore, even if I obtain a physical body, I cannot stray too far from you. You need not fear that I might suddenly leave without notice.” The young woman’s bright eyes shimmered with radiance as she spoke words that left Han Li stunned.

Upon hearing this, Han Li furrowed his brow deeply. After pondering for a good while, he asked noncommittally:

“Can an artifact spirit truly detach from its vessel artifact? Even if it can, may I ask why you are willing to become my artifact spirit? Do not tell me it is out of gratitude for my bringing you out of the Void Heaven Palace.”

“Other artifact spirits are dull and muddled; naturally, they cannot detach from their vessels. But I am different. With my willing cooperation, and with your assistance, it can be done. Of course, separating the spirit from the vessel will cause me great suffering. But that cannot be helped. As for my purpose, it is naturally because, after possessing this body, I do not wish to remain an artifact spirit forever. Do not think my words contradictory. My willingness to be your artifact spirit now is solely to achieve true freedom in the future.” The young woman sighed softly before speaking slowly.

“What do you mean? Can you be a bit more detailed?” Han Li’s heart stirred, and his expression softened slightly.

“I do not know the specifics. Only some fragmented memories vaguely tell me that if I can regain a body and cultivate a certain secret technique, on the day my master of the vessel artifact cultivates to the legendary Spirit Transformation stage and enters another realm, it seems I can be granted my freedom. Until then, I will serve you as you command. Of course, if you meet an untimely end or your lifespan expires naturally, I will naturally seek another cultivator. However, in my view, possessing a supreme treasure like that small bottle, you are the cultivator most likely to fulfill this wish of mine. So, even if you had not raised the matter, I would have volunteered to become your artifact spirit.”

Han Li’s face flickered with uncertainty. After a long while, he finally let out a long breath and said:

“I do not know if what you say is true or false. However, aside from this method, I truly have no better means of controlling you. Since you are willing to serve as my artifact spirit, I will not refuse. But first, I must place a temporary restriction on you. The ritual to refine an artifact spirit cannot be completed hastily. I need to make some preparations first. By the way, now that you have possessed this body, how far can you stray from your vessel artifact without incident?”

Han Li seemed to remember something else.

“Currently, I can only move within a hundred li of you. However, as this demon fox’s body cultivates and its power grows over time, this range should be able to expand.” Seeing that Han Li had agreed to her request, joy appeared in Silvermoon’s eyes as she answered him with great obedience.

“If you exceed this range, what would happen?” Han Li asked with a serious expression, wanting every detail.

“If I exceed it, my primary soul, being summoned by the vessel artifact, will automatically fly back to it. However, you need not worry about the inconvenience of carrying me. I know a secret technique that allows me to temporarily seal this physical body into a spirit beast pouch without harm. It only needs to be released when I am cultivating or when you order me to do something. As for ordinary combat, I can appear in my artifact spirit form, or I can use this demon fox’s body to assist you in battle. I can decide based on the situation.”

Han Li’s face showed satisfaction at Silvermoon’s answer. After a moment, he nodded and said:

“Good. In that case, I will first…”

“Not good. My spiritual power is exhausted. I can no longer maintain my human form.” Silvermoon’s face changed as she abruptly interrupted Han Li’s words.

Immediately, a silver light flowed around her body, and her form rapidly shrank before Han Li’s eyes. In the blink of an eye, she had transformed back into that small white fox, now wrapped in Han Li’s robes which looked enormous on her.

Seeing this, Han Li gave a wry smile inwardly.

But without any hesitation, his hands formed a hand seal. Several streaks of azure light flashed briefly and disappeared into the white fox’s body, temporarily placing a restriction on her.

“In a moment, I will carry you out and leave you temporarily in the care of those disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect. However, once we part ways, you will have to slip away on your own. Escaping from a few Qi Condensation disciples should be effortless for you. I will be waiting for you on the road.” Han Li grabbed the scruff of the small white fox’s neck and spoke to her unhurriedly.

(That’s all for today’s chapter. I need to rest. Hehe! With all kinds of things piling up these past few days, I’m really exhausted!)