Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Treasures

To inscribe a talisman on an artificial object, accumulate Spiritual Qi over time, and, when necessary, immediately activate it with a mantra and heart method to unleash the power of Immortal Techniques and Daoist Skills, this object is usually called a Magic Artifact.

But over time, by harnessing the wonders of the world, or through unspeakable secret techniques, carefully crafted and refined, eventually manifesting an Artifact Spirit that can communicate with humans through Divine Sense, or even cultivate into a human-like sprite, these are called magic treasures, treasures, or simply ‘items’.

Originally nonexistent between heaven and earth, created later by humans using heavenly materials and treasures, these objects were made.

This is the secret technique not passed down by the Immortal Palace.

Artifact Refining.

The path of Artifact Refining is too complex to discuss momentarily, but when it comes to magic treasures, a common misconception among Loose Cultivators is believing that magic treasures, being powerful and able to ward off disasters, should be numerous.

In actuality, it is not so.

Although when fighting with others, having a handy and powerful magic treasure is undeniably advantageous, achieving more with less effort. Moreover, during breakthroughs in cultivation, one can use their Lifebound Magic Artifact to withstand the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, avoiding doom.

Thus, throughout history, the wealthy spend lavishly to create fine treasures and repeatedly refine them, while collecting heavenly materials and treasures to upgrade these artifacts. Flying swords are the extreme end of this type of combat magic treasure. The less wealthy risk their lives fighting for various Ancient Divine Artifacts, leading to endless bloodshed.

However,

Once an Artifact Spirit is born, capable of warding off tribulations, it signifies that these ‘items’ too can undergo the tribulation and cultivate.

Indeed, in this Taiji Realm, items with born Artifact Spirits can cultivate and ascend themselves as well.

In truth, when it comes down to it, of all the miraculous treasures that history records, that are vied for and revered by various sects, hardly any have truly achieved sainthood.

So ultimately, is it the cultivators using the magic treasures to traverse tribulations, or are the magic treasures utilizing the cultivators to ward off calamity?

Clearly, when one cultivates with a partner, there will be a main and subordinate.

If a cultivator has the capacity and surplus materials, they can cultivate themselves while upgrading the magic treasure, acting as Daoist companions, cultivating together, sharing hardships, is naturally the best positive cycle.

However, if there’s no equality, or if the magic treasure is overly powerful, it might secretly orchestrate, using a Primordial Spirit Secret Technique to influence the cultivator’s mind, making them a mere puppet to eagerly gather heavenly treasures and reinforce the treasure. Particularly those combat weapons, like bloodthirsty demonic blades or murderous divine swords, often seduce the wielder to perpetrate violence, indiscriminately killing for blood drinking.

Of course, esteemed cultivators from prominent sects, look down upon these trashy magic treasures, outright obliterating their Spiritual Sense, recasting them, or sealing them with restrictions, making them common tools handed to disciples for self-defense.

Therefore, Tie Dan knows full well, as someone impoverished with no resources for his cultivation, what qualifications does he have to wield a proper magic treasure?

If that golden pot were an ordinary magic artifact, or a spiritless unrefined item, it would be fine. A quality gold material might be deemed a stroke of fortune, worthwhile to use, refine, or trade for other resources with the sect.

Yet unbelievably, this wine pot had already developed an intelligence akin to a mature human!

And not a juvenile consciousness! From its statements, it was like a grown man, a fully developed Artifact Soul!

Bear in mind, the intelligence growth of a magic treasure is extremely slow, incomparable to humans. It might take four to five hundred years to mature from refining, often remaining with childlike intelligence.

Thus, those with clear logic and complete awareness capable of perceiving the external world, selecting their masters independently, likely come from countless years, ancient divine objects! Old monsters of the Jianghu!

Even possibly, these might be deceased demonic figures! Utilizing their Primordial Spirits to dwell within the magic treasure, waiting for a ‘fated person to recognize them,’ intending to use them to ward off disaster, or even plan a body seizing!

Indeed, the scheme of masking as a magic treasure to seize youths of noble clans or sects is the most typical ‘Immortal Treasure Trap’ plot.

After all, few possessing such divine treasures would present them to elders in the sect for examination, usually keeping it hidden until they unknowingly change, perishing unbeknownst.

For such reasons, Tie Dan has no power to resist, naturally avoiding it! How could he dare further entangle with that thing?

Even touching it a second time is greedy.

Additionally, there’s another possibility.

That the Artifact Spirit or Primordial Spirit within the magic treasure is like in the novels, perhaps a kind-hearted grandfather, a quirky young girl, or a righteous ally of few words.

It might lead you into the Dao, aid in your cultivation, at least befriend you, accompanying you throughout…

Yet whenever Tie Dan thought so, Lady Yuan’s voice would echo in his ear,

“Give up. No one will be kind to you in this world.”

“Kid, where have you been these past days?”

Tie Dan snapped back, looking up to see Senior Brother Yue leaping down from the treetop where his iron sword and Daoist robe were hidden, clearly waiting here for him.

“Senior Brother, good morning.”

Seeing the bright daylight, Tie Dan straightened, brushing the dust from his hands.

“How was it, any fortuitous encounter, found some great treasure…”

Yue Peng squinted, finding Tie Dan in tatters, blood and dirt all over, looking like a battered beggar, casually pressed a hand on his shoulder, pulsing his energy to check, sensing his Qi sunk into oblivion, with an empty inner scene and depleted True Qi.

Upon further assessment, his left arm hung limply, with obstructed meridians, fractured bones, and a clearly defined fist mark on his shoulder. That punch was aimed at the heart, narrowly avoiding breaking his entire body. Clearly a battle narrowly survived, Yue’s voice turned cold.

“What happened?”

“It’s nothing, I snuck into the Shi family, got beaten, and tossed into the burial mound.”

Tie Dan didn’t want his brother to worry, casually explained, wiped his face, and changed into his Daoist robe.

Yue Peng also knew his junior was reticent, getting beaten this badly without a word.

But as he’d also been in town, heard some rumors, guessing the scenario upon hearing of the Shi family. Squinting his big and small eyes, he pulled out a lotus leaf package from his bosom and handed it over.

“That fire the other night… forget it, was it the Shi family harassing you?”

“It’s nothing.”

Opening the package, Tie Dan found two cold buns inside, hungrily biting into them.

Yue Peng laughed,

“Alright, the Shi family. Let’s go.”

Nibbling the bun, Tie Dan instinctively followed, suddenly realizing the way was wrong, looking up abruptly, discovering the imposing gate ahead.

Why are we back here…

“Is it this place?”

Yue Peng pointed at the Shi family’s plaque.

Tie Dan nodded.

Seeing these two beggars gesturing wildly, the steward at the entrance scrunched his brows and rolled up his sleeves, leading two armed guards over. Before they could speak, Yue Peng already drew the sword from his bosom.

“Bro…”

Tie Dan tried to grab his brother’s sleeve, failing as Yue Peng unleashed the wooden sword with a flick, forming a dazzling Purple Crystal Treasure Sword mid-air, like thunder, like a Mysterious Mirror, reflecting sunlight, casting a span of sword light.

The steward at the gate, death soldiers atop the turrets, sword-wielding house servants, and bowmen, couldn’t react before the Purple Lightning Sword Shadow shone upon their throats, in a flash of bloodlines, rows of heads rolled off necks, and the next moment, a cascade of blood erupted, like a sunset unfurling from the horizon.

Tie Dan was stunned.

Yue Peng pinched the sword technique, flicked his finger,

“Kill them all.”

The Purple Crystal Flying Sword, swift as if commanded like a hound, flashed purple electricity, transforming into an arc light darting into the mansion, with energized brilliance, heads dropped silently as blood vapor wafted, spreading slowly.

Yue Peng wastes no time, stepping over bodies, trekking past the blood pond, advancing through the main gates of the Shi Mansion.

Tie Dan, realizing, followed munching the cold bun, and the two stepped through Han White Jade tiles, leaving a blood trail.

“Killing is simple; tell your sword where to go and how many to kill, it will sever heads for you.”

Knowing his junior’s stubborn independence, Yue Peng instructed as they paced,

“Yet wielding a blade, beheading is the lowest form of swordsmanship.

In our Beichen Sword Sect, we observe Nine Luminaries, refine Seven Stars, prioritize the Sword Control Skill, with true Sword Scripture comprising four transformations: Aurora, Rainbow, Light, and Shadow. What I’m employing now is the ‘Age Star Sword Shadow,’ the First Level of the Nine Luminaries Sword Scripture Purple Mist Divine Sword.

The essence of this technique is using the sword as the foundation, Refining as the mirror, borrowing Nine Star Power to reflect the Age Star’s shadow through the Purple Mist Sword, fortifying with Heavenly Star, naturally manifesting true sword might, evoking retreating demons, gods, and Buddhas.

Of course, you cultivate Divine Gang Sword Qi, waiting for a proper sword technique until the master’s teaching. But this Sword Shadow Secret Technique is quite similar and not difficult, and likely accessible to you since you can forge and wield swords.

Next time you face a formidable foe, simply borrow Taibai Star Power.”

Stopping, Yue Peng pointed to the eastern skies, to the Venus star high above.

“That one, called Taibai in the morning, Changgeng in the evening, easy to find.

As long as you wield a sword, the star shines above, no one in this world is a match for our Sword Sect.”

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