You're wasting a lot of Qi, Ling observed dryly. Let me guide you before you blow through your reserves.
Under her instruction, Xuefeng focused, pulling his erratic Qi into a tight shield around his body. The change was immediate. The black void seemed to shiver, and the lights intensified, their glow sharpening as they approached. When they reached him, they hovered in front of him, their forms solidifying.
Four artifacts emerged: a sword, a spear, a ring, and something that looked like a plate. Xuefeng's brow furrowed as he studied the latter, its intricate etchings catching the faint light.
Ling, what's this plate? he asked, curiosity piqued. It doesn't look like a weapon.
That's because it isn't, Ling replied. It's a formation plate. Not all Spirit Artifacts come from Spirit Beasts. Some are crafted by formation masters, skilled artisans who imbue objects with Spirit Qi. This plate emits a protective barrier when activated. It's rare, but don't get too excited—it's only Rank 1.
That's still impressive, isn't it? Xuefeng asked, intrigued.
Not really, Ling countered, her tone blunt. It can protect you from Rank 1 beasts, but against anything stronger, it's about as useful as a paper shield. You'll find better plates deeper in this space.
Xuefeng shifted his attention to the ring, its surface adorned with faintly glowing runes. And this?
Also crafted by a formation master, Ling explained. It creates a Rank 1 spell when you pour Spirit Qi into it. A simple tool for beginners, but it's good for practice.
Xuefeng carefully slipped the ring onto his middle finger. Its weight was surprisingly light, almost as if it were part of him. He directed a stream of Spirit Qi into it, and the runes flared to life, casting a warm red glow over his hand.
Now make a fist and extend your arm in the direction you want to fire the spell, Ling instructed.
Xuefeng followed her guidance, and with a faint hiss, a small red fireball shot from his fist, streaking through the void before vanishing into the darkness. The attack left a faint trail of light that dissipated almost instantly.
"Wow…" Xuefeng murmured, his eyes wide with excitement. For a moment, he felt like a wizard from the stories he used to read, wielding magic in the palm of his hand.
Ling's voice cut through his awe, cold and pragmatic. Don't get too carried away. That was a Rank 1 Fireball. A Spirit Grandmaster could swat it away without breaking a sweat. It's useful against small beasts, but against cultivators? Laughable.
Go further, and we'll find better artifacts, Ling urged, her tone calm but resolute.
Xuefeng slipped the ring off his finger and placed it gently back among the others. As if on cue, the four artifacts dissolved into glowing stars, floating back to their original positions in the vast void.
He pressed onward, each step a beacon drawing more lights toward him. The sheer number of artifacts responding to his Spirit Qi was staggering. The Liu Clan's wealth was on full display, each artifact a testament to centuries of power and dominance. The illuminated path stretched on, revealing treasures unimaginable, but Xuefeng's focus remained razor-sharp.
After roughly a hundred steps, the energy around him shifted. The stars that gathered now burned brighter, their intensity unmistakable. This must be it, he thought as he entered a section where Rank 4 and Rank 5 artifacts floated in solemn reverence.
Ling, I'll need your help here, he admitted, his inexperience humbling him before the sheer variety of treasures.
Without hesitation, Ling tapped into her Fate Qi, mixing it seamlessly with his Black Spirit Qi. The effect was instantaneous. The void seemed to awaken, stars pulsing and converging around him like a cosmic tide. The sheer weight of the gathered artifacts was almost suffocating.
Within moments, thirty artifacts hovered around him, their presence vibrating with latent power. The majority were Rank 4, but a few Rank 5 artifacts shimmered like rare jewels in the darkness.
Let's narrow this down, Ling said, her voice decisive. There are two Rank 5 swords of exceptional quality—choose one. There's also a Rank 4 Storage Ring, Rank 5 Spirit Armor, and a Rank 5 Defense Spirit Aura. These will form the foundation of your arsenal.
Xuefeng's gaze locked onto the red sword, its black flames writhing like living shadows along the blade. It seemed to hum as he reached for it, the weapon resonating with his Spirit Qi in a way that felt almost personal. Without hesitation, he chose it.
He selected the Storage Ring, Spirit Armor, and Defense Aura, feeling the artifacts grow lighter in his grasp as they accepted him as their master.
So, I've got the four I need, he thought. But how do I store them in my dantian? Do I just carry them by hand?
Ling's laugh echoed in his mind, dry and amused. Hardly. The artifacts have already acknowledged you. Just will them into your dantian, and they'll follow.
Xuefeng closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation of the artifacts in his hands. Slowly, he imagined them sinking into his dantian. One by one, they vanished, their energy merging with his. He staggered slightly as he felt his Spirit Qi drain, the artifacts drawing from him like thirsty creatures.
Is this normal? he asked, a twinge of panic in his voice. At this rate, they'll drain me dry in a day!
Ling's tone turned firm. Did you think handling Rank 5 artifacts was easy? These are nearly conscious beings. Most cultivators acquire their first Rank 5 artifact as Spirit Kings. You're leagues ahead, but it comes at a cost. Be glad you have me. Without my space, you wouldn't manage even half of this haul.
I get it, Xuefeng sighed, rubbing his temple. So, what next? Are we done here, or do we grab more?
Take what you'll need for the future, Ling suggested, scanning the area. The Clan Leader gave you his blessing—use it. Opportunities like this don't come twice.
With Ling's guidance, Xuefeng selected a few more artifacts: a Rank 3 sword for practice, a Rank 4 Movement Spirit Aura, an Endurance Spirit Aura, a Rank 4 Formation Plate, and a Rank 3 Formation Plate. He also picked out two necklaces, their delicate designs betraying the immense power they contained.
These will make excellent gifts, he thought, picturing Wuying and Princess Shan. The necklaces would not only serve as tokens of goodwill but also enhance their cultivation speed. A perfect way to smooth over tensions—and perhaps edge closer to the Fate Fragment.
On his way back to the arrival point, Xuefeng grabbed several rings of varying ranks, each imbued with spell formations. The sheer volume of artifacts felt almost obscene, yet Ling reassured him at every step.
Each token allows ten minutes in this space, she reminded him. We've already stretched that to thirty. No one else will be able to take what you've gathered.
Still feels like stealing, Xuefeng muttered, glancing at the glowing tokens in his hand. So many people are waiting their turn, and I've cleaned the place out.
Ling's voice was unyielding. You're the Young Master of the Liu Clan. Privilege is part of the package. Don't second-guess it.
Xuefeng sighed but said nothing. The tokens began to glow, enveloping him in a white light that immobilized him. A strange energy swept over him, probing his dantian like invisible fingers searching for contraband. Finding nothing amiss, the energy released him, and in a flash, he was back in the real world.
The courtyard buzzed with activity as he reappeared, artifacts now safely stored within him. But what Xuefeng couldn't see—what he didn't know—was that every step, every choice, had been observed.
From afar, Liu Xiaobei sat in quiet contemplation, his gaze distant yet piercing. Through the Spirit Treasury's connection to his dantian, he had watched everything. The sheer audacity of Xuefeng's haul was almost laughable, yet his expression remained unreadable.
"To think his master would be this powerful..." Liu Xiaobei murmured, his voice carrying a weight of expectation and wonder. "Is this finally the time for the Liu Clan to take over the world?"