Chapter 855: Chapter 855: She Is My Artifact Spirit!

Sulei Sect, forbidden area in the back mountain.

Within the forbidden area, there is a stone cave, a place for the Master of Falling Thunder to retreat.

Outside the cave, more than twenty strong members of Sulei Sect guard the place, all the guarding disciples possess cultivations above Divinity Transformation.

The three Void Refinement Realm guards, sitting in a pavilion nearby, discussing current affairs while brewing plum wine, feeling quite relaxed.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, have you heard, friends? The Extreme Lightning Realm (Level 10) and the seven adjacent Ninth Grade Lightning Realms have all entered a state of martial law. It’s said that these eight great lightning realms have descended into chaos. I wonder what has happened to cause those powerful cultivators to panic so much…”

“I’ve heard a little about this. Apparently, something has gone wrong at Jilei Palace, and now they are searching for someone, but even they don’t know exactly who they are looking for… It’s quite laughable!”

“Hehe, those powerful cultivators must have encountered some big trouble, but what’s it to us? We Void Refinement Realm cultivators just need to eat, drink, and live leisurely, don’t bother with other matters, don’t bother…”

“That’s right, drink, drink! Guarding this rocky seclusion cave is really a leisurely task!”

The three of them were enjoying their drinks when suddenly, a sharp reprimanding voice entered their ears, carrying with it a vast prestige that shattered their wine cups, leaving them severely injured and vomiting blood.

“Hmph! Is this how you guard the seclusion for the Master?”

Upon hearing this voice, the three Mountain Guarding Commanders turned pale with fright, not daring to wipe their blood, they immediately rushed out of the pavilion in panic and bowed upon seeing the newcomer.

“Commander Zhou Wen, Lu Bing, Yu Chou, greet the Law Enforcement Elder!”

Four people arrived, aside from three Human Profound Elders, there was a silver-haired cultivator wearing a ghost face, it was Ning Fan.

The one reprimanding them was the brown-clad Human Profound Elder, who was the strict Law Enforcement Elder of Sulei Sect, feared by everyone within the sect.

Other guarding disciples showed fear upon seeing their commanders being punished, worried they might also be reprimanded by the Law Enforcement Elder.

“Hmph! You are lucky, today I have no time to punish you! Enough, you may step down!”

The brown-clad elder snorted coldly and dismissed the disciples.

The disciples guarding the mountain were relieved as if pardoned from a severe punishment, quickly retreating, but before leaving, each glanced at Ning Fan with curiosity.

The brown-clad elder was always cold and merciless, but towards Ning Fan, he wore a smile full of respect.

They were very curious about who Ning Fan was, capable of causing the Law Enforcement Elder to treat him so deferentially.

Ning Fan’s gaze slightly flickered, as he had heard all the words spoken by the three Mountain Guarding Commanders.

Something significant seemed to have happened in the Three Thousand Thunder Realm, leading to martial law… But it appeared to have no connection to him…

“Elder Xu is in the secluded cave for retreat, Daoist friend may enter by yourself, we will wait outside.”

The brown-clad elder finished speaking, took out a token, and activated a technique towards the stone cave.

Immediately, the stone door of the cave rumbled open, revealing a dark pathway within.

Ning Fan hesitated slightly, but ultimately stepped into the stone door alone. As he entered the cave, the stone door automatically closed.

The two copper lamps on the stone wall spontaneously ignited, casting flickering shadows across the pathway.

“Young friend, I’ve been expecting you for a long time… you have finally come…”

Deep within the cave, a hoarse old voice suddenly echoed, carrying a tone of consolation.

Ning Fan’s gaze slightly focused, the voice belonged to a Late Stage of Ghost Mystery Practitioner, the aura was filled with dense death energy, close to passing away…

This person was the only surviving disciple of Lightning Emperor Tai Su… Xu Yanzong!

If the information from the little demoness was correct, this person should have lived for more than fifty million years… Could his cultivation really be only Ghost Profound?

Feeling a bit wary, Ning Fan walked towards the depths of the secluded cave.

The end of the cave was a stone chamber, dimly lit, with a small frail figure sitting cross-legged on a mat.

The elder’s eye sockets were deeply sunken, his gaze turbid and dissociated, his spirit exhausted.

He exuded a strong death aura, difficult to believe he was still living.

Upon seeing the elder, Ning Fan’s forehead sensed a scorching heat from the Thunder Star as if detecting something from the elder.

In an instant, Ning Fan understood how this seemingly Ghost Profound Elder had survived fifty million years of long history.

This person indeed only had the cultivation level of Late Stage Ghost Mystery, yet he was not alive… Thus, never perished…

“So it’s… a puppet…” Ning Fan murmured to himself.

This frail elder was Xu Yanzong, a puppet personally crafted by Lightning Emperor Tai Su.

This puppet might not possess strong power, but because it was made by an Immortal Emperor, it contained the lightning power left by Tai Su, allowing it to conceal its identity from some high-level Shedding Void Stage cultivators and mumblings practitioners.

Ning Fan could see through this person’s identity at a glance due to the Thunder Star on his forehead which enabled him to perceive the lightning power concealment within the elder.

“Hehe… Young friend truly deserves to be the possessor of the Thunder Star, you could see through my identity at first glance… As you’ve seen, I am indeed a puppet, crafted by the hand of the Lightning Emperor… Puppets are not living entities, hence they have no lifespan limit, nor are they troubled by lightning tribulations. Yet all things in the world cannot escape the erosion of time… I’ve done everything to delay the decay of the puppet body, yet it’s still destined to decay… My final moments have arrived, but fortunately, you’ve come…”

“I know you have many questions in your mind, I will answer them for you one by one…”

“The reason I know you come from the Rain Immortal World is because someone told me that once the Lightning Emperor’s Dao perished, you would arrive…”

“Who is that person? There’s no need for you to ask me, young friend. Asking would be in vain… I do not know that person’s identity either, only that they are incredibly mysterious, with a terrifying cultivation level. Even the Lightning Emperor regards them as a predecessor…”

Xu Yanzong coughed a few times, the aura of death in his eyes growing heavier, and saying these words seemed to almost exhaust his energy.

Ning Fan didn’t interject, he was contemplating the identity of the mysterious strong figure Xu Yanzong mentioned.

A mysterious strong figure had once told Xu Yanzong that there would be a Rain World cultivator who would come to find him after the Dao annihilation of Lightning Emperor Tai Su…

That mysterious figure was a person even Lightning Emperor Tai Su regarded as a predecessor… Who could that person be… Among the Four Heavens, is there such a terrifying figure?

Even if this person were a Quasi-Saint, it seems it wouldn’t be enough to be considered a predecessor by Lightning Emperor Tai Su, right…

“Two hundred years ago, the Lightning Emperor’s Dao annihilation occurred, and the Way of Heaven and Earth lost its master… At that time, countless old monsters from the Four Heavens traveled thousands of miles to the Three Thousand Thunder Realm, searching for the Palm Position Dao Fruit, but they couldn’t find it… Hehe, naturally, they couldn’t find it because the lightning emperor’s Dao annihilation did not form a Palm Position Dao Fruit… But since then, I’ve known, young friend, you would come… I deliberately spread some information in the Eastern Heaven, I thought with your abilities, you would naturally find a way to obtain the information and come to find me…”

“I know your intentions, young friend… Inside my puppet body is an Inlaid Star Compass that indicates the location of the True Thunder World… However, this Inlaid Star Compass is somewhat special, before the Lightning Emperor placed this compass into my puppet body, its artifact spirit had already been extracted…”

“An ordinary Inlaid Star Compass naturally doesn’t need an artifact spirit, but the True Thunder World’s Inlaid Star Compass requires an artifact spirit to operate… because the location of the True Thunder World is too special, not in the ordinary starry sky…”

“The artifact spirit… is… my… disciple…”

“That artifact spirit, after all, had a mentor-disciple relationship with me… Recently, it seems she encountered some troubles… I hope, young friend, you will treat her kindly… If you can avoid killing, then don’t kill… If you could look after her a little, I would die without regret…”

“Young friend… I hope you can fulfill the Lightning Emperor’s trust… save the True Thunder World… and unlock the True Thunder World’s seals…”

Xu Yanzong seemed to have completed the most important task of his life. He had waited fifty million years, finally waiting for Ning Fan and telling him everything.

His eyes were full of relief, he could finally rest in peace, and go to follow his old master—Lightning Emperor Tai Su. These fifty million years had been too lonely and exhausting for him.

His gaze gradually dimmed, the aura of death he had been suppressing for so long, finally unchecked.

He could find liberation…

The aura of death spread, his puppet body made of Spirit Wood began to decay bit by bit, eventually turning into a pile of ashes.

From the ashes, an ancient Inlaid Star Compass made of Red Jade fell out.

Ning Fan watched silently, powerless to prevent it… Even a Ghost Profound cultivation level puppet would find it extremely difficult to survive fifty million enduring years… This puppet, enduring up to now, had long reached its limit; to continue existing would be a torment…

His initial wariness transformed into melancholy, transformed into a few moments of reflection.

Fifty million years of waiting… This puppet had faithfully completed its task; perhaps it could die without regret…

“Rest assured, Senior, I will make it my life’s mission to break the seals of the True Thunder World!”

Ning Fan clasped his hands in salute towards the pile of ashes and picked up the Red Jade Star Compass from the ash heap.

After some thought, he finally erected a tomb within the rocky seclusion cave, burying Xu Yanzong’s ashes within.

On the tombstone, there were still only four words… “A Death to See You Off.”

Having done all this, Ning Fan took time to carefully examine the Inlaid Star Compass.

This Red Jade Star Compass was vastly different from ordinary Inlaid Star Compasses, not only in appearance but in essence as well.

Ning Fan couldn’t articulate what that difference was.

The Red Jade Star Compass gave Ning Fan an eerie feeling. It felt as if the starry sky indicated by this Red Jade Star Compass was a completely different starry sky, existing in the Eastern Heaven, yet not part of it…

“Hmm? There are even lightning power seals on this compass, it seems it needs to be unsealed before it can be used…”

Ning Fan pondered for a moment, not leaving the rocky seclusion cave, and directly began to unseal the lightning power seals on the Star Compass there.

Ten days later, Ning Fan finally completed the unsealing of the Star Compass. After putting away the Red Jade Star Compass, Ning Fan left the rocky seclusion cave.

Outside the rocky seclusion cave, the three Human Profound Elders were still waiting, but at this moment, more or less each of them had some injuries…

“The Domain Master has finally passed…”

At the moment the rocky seclusion cave opened, the three immediately sensed the dense aura of death inside, their expressions darkened, and they sighed softly.

The three had long known that Xu Yanzong was near the Lost World Palace, and he had been hanging on by a thread, waiting for Ning Fan’s arrival. Now knowing Xu Yanzong had passed away, they were not too surprised.

But Ning Fan was surprised to find the three injured. He was slightly puzzled but did not ask the reason for their injuries, instead inquiring about other matters.

“How many disciples did Lord Xu have?” Ning Fan’s question was somewhat abrupt, but he had no choice but to ask.

The Red Jade Star Compass was very special; it needed an artifact spirit to indicate the location of the True Thunder World.

According to Xu Yanzong, his disciple was the artifact spirit of the Red Jade Star Compass… Ning Fan naturally needed to obtain it.

Upon hearing Ning Fan’s question, the expressions of all three Human Profound Elders turned unnatural.

The brown-robed elder hesitated for a long time, his face somewhat unnatural as he replied, “Lord Xu had only one disciple, who is our current Sect Master of the Sulei Sect… Liu Yan…”

“Only one? Then it must be her… Let Liu Yan come to see me.” In Ning Fan’s mind, he couldn’t help but recall the woman he saw at the Sulei Sect’s great hall that day.

That woman had once given Ning Fan a peculiar feeling, within her was a trace of Lightning Emperor Tai Su’s aura… Now that he thought about it, the woman should be Liu Yan, the artifact spirit of the Red Jade Star Compass without a doubt.

“This…” The brown-robed elder immediately showed a look of difficulty.

Beside him, another Human Profound Elder bitterly smiled and asked, “I wonder why you are looking for Liu Yan, Daoist Friend? Could it be… you have taken a fancy to this girl?”

“No. I have another important matter to discuss with her.”

“Haha, I see… as long as you are not interested in her…” The Human Profound Elder slightly breathed a sigh of relief.

The brown-robed elder also came to his senses and said with a bitter smile to Ning Fan, “Daoist friend, I’m afraid it’s difficult for you to see Liu Yan. A few days ago, the Lord of the Profound Thunder Realm forcibly took her to the Profound Thunder Realm… We wanted to stop it, but we were too weak and suffered some injuries… Now, I’m afraid she is close to the Profound Thunder Realm.”

“What do you mean!” Ning Fan’s eyebrows furrowed, questioning why his artifact spirit had been abducted by someone else!

“Ah, Liu Yan was destined for misfortune… She was unfortunate to be fancied by the disciple of the Profound Thunder Realm’s Lord, Yujizi. This trip is like a sheep entering a wolf’s den, hardly escaping death… Those women who were preyed upon by Yujizi rarely survive the second day… Alas, Liu Yan has no hope of returning, and our sect’s master should appoint someone new.”

The few Human Profound Elders sighed, not noticing Ning Fan’s darkened expression.

He cared not for how the elders of the Sulei Sect disregarded Liu Yan’s life and death.

But ever since he took charge of the Red Jade Star Plate, Liu Yan had been his artifact spirit, the assurance for going to the True Lightning World…

No one was qualified to intervene with his artifact spirit!

“Profound Thunder Realm… I’ll make a trip there for Liu Yan.”

With a flash in his eyes, Ning Fan’s figure shook, instantly transforming into an Escape Rainbow, leaving the Sulei Sect in the direction of the Profound Thunder Realm.

The three Human Profound Elders’ eyes trembled immediately, thinking perhaps Ning Fan intended to go to the Profound Thunder Realm to fight for Liu Yan!

“This person is at most a Fate Immortal. If he angers the Lord of the Profound Thunder Realm, it will surely end in death… For one Liu Yan, provoking the Profound Thunder Realm is truly unwise!”

“Ah, I just hope his venture won’t anger the Profound Thunder Realm and direct their wrath onto us…” The three thought cowardly.

In the Thunderfall Realm, a thousand miles from the Sulei Sect.

In a certain deserted mountain, a barefoot little girl, with silver hair and dressed in white, around six or seven years old, picks wildflowers, weaves wreaths, and hums sweet songs while slowly heading towards the Sulei Sect.

She doesn’t walk fast, and there isn’t even a trace of cultivation aura flowing from her, yet the fierce beasts of the deserted mountain fear the little girl as if she’s a tiger.

This innocent little girl once smilingly defeated all the mountain’s fierce beasts, displaying terrifying power…

“Little Qianqian is too fierce, Little Youyou too verbose, Little Qingqing too stern, Little Rourou too pretentious… It’s more fun to play alone…”

“Hmm… What was this lightning realm called… Hmm… Thunderfall Realm… It seems that’s the name… Eh? Such a nice fragrance! I’m so hungry! I want to eat! What smell is this!”

The little girl suddenly lifted her little head, looking in the direction Ning Fan was escaping, drooling came out, with lightning slightly flashing in her big eyes.

“Let’s follow quietly!”

With a point of her toe, the little girl’s body instantly transformed into a flash of lightning and disappeared from the place!

Although there was no sign of cultivation, her escape speed was comparable to the Initiate Realm of Shekong! This went unnoticed by everyone.

Seventh Level Thunder Realm, Profound Thunder Realm, Tianyue Sect.

Within the Tianyue Sect, red silk and colorful banners were hung everywhere, and the sound of musical instruments filled the air.

Today is a grand day for the Tianyue Sect. Sect Master Yujizi is marrying his 252nd concubine today.

For ordinary cultivators, marrying a few concubines is a trivial matter in the cultivation world and hardly requires a grand banquet.

But Yujizi is different. He enjoys a big show. Even marrying a concubine must be known to the world, inviting Daoist friends from all around to congratulate.

He is a direct disciple of the Lord of the Profound Thunder Realm, and everyone must give him face, and the gifts shouldn’t be too sparse.

One escape light after another swiftly arrived, all guests coming to offer congratulatory wishes.

Inside the main hall of Tianyue Sect, Yujizi, dressed in red festive attire, with a glowing face, entertained guest after guest.

Yujizi is a cultivator of the Ghost Profound Early Stage, and those invited must at least be Fate Immortals.

Almost all sect masters with status in the Profound Thunder Realm have been invited by Yujizi.

In the main hall, most of the old monsters pride themselves on their status, attending only because of Yujizi’s identity, lacking the intention to flatter him.

But there were also some opportunistic cultivators who, with any chance, immediately put on smiling faces to flatter Yujizi.

“Haha, today is a happy day for Brother Yu. I have nothing valuable to offer, just some Ninghan Marrow to express my feelings, hoping Brother Yu will accept!”

“Congratulations, congratulations! I’ve heard Brother Yu’s new concubine is a sect master from the Sixth Level Thunder Realm… Tsk, Brother Yu’s charm is admirable, I’m impressed!”

“Speaking of which, how come Brother Yu’s concubine hasn’t shown up yet? We’d like to see what kind of beauty has caught Brother Yu’s favor.”

Ears full of compliments made Yujizi beam, filled with exceptional pride.

Thinking about finally enjoying Liu Yan’s delightful form after today, a certain part of Yujizi’s body immediately heated up.

The only regret is that the cultivators sent to abduct Liu Yan were slow, yet to return.

No rush. Calculating the time, those people will probably return with Liu Yan soon.

Rumble! Rumble!

Suddenly, deafening thunder rolled from outside the Tianyue Sect.

After hearing this thunder, Yujizi clapped his hands with laughter. This thunder sound was too familiar – it was the sound of the Thunder Chariot!

The Thunder Chariot is a unique escape magical treasure of the Three Thousand Thunder Realm, with exceptionally fast speed, only possessed by Masters of high status.

Relying on the fact that his master is the Lord Xuanlei, Yujizi managed to acquire a low grade Thunder Chariot.

In order to quickly bring Liu Yan back, Yujizi specially handed the Thunder Chariot temporarily to a few subordinates for use.

The long sky outside the Tianyue Sect is currently overcast, with dense black clouds and occasional muffled thunder explosions.

Amid the flashing thunder, four old monsters of the Late Stage of Ghost Mystery, drove a dazzling Thunder Chariot swiftly toward the Tianyue Sect.

Inside the Thunder Chariot, sat a woman with a despairing gaze, she was Liu Yan.

At this moment, her charming face was pale, dressed in a bright red wedding attire prepared for her by the three Elders of the Sulei Sect…

“If my Master knows that I have been abducted by wicked men, he would not sit by idly. Even knowing the other party is a Seventh Level Force, my Master would not be afraid… However, this time Yujizi sent people to abduct me, yet my Master has not stepped out of the rocky seclusion cave, paying no heed to my plight. This can only be for one reason… My Master must have grown too weak to leave it…”

“Master…he is the only person in this world who cares about me…”

“Apart from Master, within the Sulei Sect, there is no one who cares whether I live or die… If Master cannot save me, then there is no one else in this world who will… No one will care about me…”

Boom!

The Thunder Chariot landed heavily outside the main hall of the Tianyue Sect, stirring up countless stones.

Four Late Stage Profound Ghost monsters descended from the Thunder Chariot, opened the door, and let Liu Yan out.

Their eyes were cold, fixed on Liu Yan, should she have any intention of escape, they would surely stop her.

How could a mere woman of the Fourth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm escape their grasp.

“In! The Sect Master is waiting for you! Dare to resist, anger the Sect Master, and the Sulei Sect shall perish! Dare to take your own life, your Master will surely die with you!” The four old monsters said coldly.

Liu Yan unwillingly clenched her pink fists, unaware her Master had already died.

Were it only herself, she’d rather die than marry Yujizi.

But these four old monsters threatened, if she dared resist or commit suicide, the Sulei Sect and her Master would bear the wrath of the Profound Thunder Realm…

She was unwilling… Yet, dared not disobey…

Entering this main hall door might mean that she could never escape Yujizi’s clutches, lucky if merely toyed with and surviving; unfortunate if toyed with to death or gifted to a servant…

“No escape… Must accept fate…”

Liu Yan closed her eyes, tears silently streaming down as she stepped into the main hall.

She appeared delicate and lovely, her figure like a young willow in the wind, most captivating in her seemingly fragile form yet with a stubborn look in her eyes.

Once she entered the main hall, many old monsters’ gazes immediately shone.

Yujizi’s gaze was intense, as if ignited with flames.

If not for the unsuitable occasion, he’d be eager to strip Liu Yan bare and ravish her.

Suppressing lustful thoughts, Yujizi licked his lips and signaled to a ceremonial elder nearby.

The elder understood, cleared his throat, and bowed to the old monsters in the hall,

“Today is a day of great joy for our Tianyue Sect Master, all the way here to congratulate, on behalf of our Sect Master, I offer a toast!”

This elder was one of the four protectors beside the Lord Xuanlei, a Mid Stage Enlightenment Master sent to protect Yujizi.

The elder raised his glass, naturally the old monsters present didn’t dare slack, they raised their glasses and gestured in return.

Liu Yan smiled bitterly; other’s great joy was her great sorrow and misfortune.

A maid beside handed her a glass of wine, with a glance she knew, the drink was spiked…

Without refusal, without resistance, she merely closed her eyes and drank the glass in one gulp.

Once the wine entered her stomach, a warmth burst forth, surging within her delicate body, turning her pale cheeks into an unusual flush, her body began to soften…

Sure enough, the wine was drugged…

Liu Yan closed her eyes bitterly, while the old monsters beside drank their wine with content.

The elder nodded with satisfaction, set down his glass, and was about to speak, when suddenly, the mountain peak housing the Tianyue Sect trembled violently!

The Sect Protection Array of the Tianyue Sect, in this instant, was crushed by someone with a single palm!

Outside the main hall, a silver-haired, cold-eyed white-robed youth walked step by step!

Upon seeing this white-robed youth, Liu Yan’s previously despairing heart suddenly held a glimmer of hope…

Upon hearing the youth’s words, she knew this person came to rescue her, tears of grievance immediately flowed…

“Apologies, she is my Artifact Spirit! I…am taking her away!”

(2/2) No more updates, wash and rest! (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) for recommendations and votes, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)

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