Chapter 1671: Return to Position

Wuxia and Xianxia

As time passed, the Tianhao Ancient Mirror no longer rested on the seal's surface; instead, it fully embedded itself and continued to sink inward. This process occurred without causing any ripples or counterattacks from the seal, proceeding as subtly as water nourishing plants, which speaks to the profound mystical power of the ancient mirror.

When the Tianhao Ancient Mirror penetrated the seal, the scene inside was unexpected. It wasn't the vibrant, multicolored landscape anticipated, but rather a world devoid of light. It was dark and oppressive. This sensation, conveyed through the Tianhao Ancient Mirror, made Old Demon Fan inwardly solemn.

Soon, the Tianhao Ancient Mirror revealed that it wasn't pure darkness after all; there was indeed a light source. At the center of the darkness, a point of light flickered, displaying five distinct colors that resonated with the seal. The Tianhao Ancient Mirror promptly moved towards it, reflecting a five-colored crown.

The ancient mirror paused beside the five-colored crown. The ethereal lotus within its surface slowly drifted out. As it moved, its closed petals gradually unfolded layer by layer, returning to its myriad-illusion form. At the lotus's core, a mass of black mist undulated, gradually coalescing into a human silhouette—it was Old Demon Fan!

At this moment, Old Demon Fan's state was peculiar. He hadn't entered directly with his true body. Instead, he had used a secret art to transform into an illusionary demon body, possessing the treasure mirror and using the Tianhao Treasure Mirror as a vessel to bring his illusionary demon body inside. Although not his true body, which imposed certain limitations, many of his divine powers could still be wielded by this illusionary demon form.

*Swoosh!*

Old Demon Fan opened his eyes. They were completely black, and within his pupils seemed to be two ethereal lotuses. "Is this that spiritual treasure?"

His black pupils rotated, and a hint of doubt appeared in Old Demon Fan's gaze. The five elements converged here, and the aura was chaotic. His eyes fell upon the five-colored crown. Just as he was about to meticulously analyze its intricate patterns, the five-colored crown suddenly vibrated.

Five-colored divine light instantly illuminated the surroundings. Old Demon Fan had a sensation that although the crown's appearance hadn't changed, it was fundamentally different from before; a peerless supreme treasure was awakening. In fact, Old Demon Fan genuinely felt something awakening within the five-colored crown... This "something" seemed to be... an awareness!

An awareness... awakening?

A never-before-felt sensation caused Old Demon Fan to freeze on the spot. Then, the feeling grew even clearer, unmistakably not an illusion. In an instant, perhaps even less, a more tangible sensation emerged: the feeling of being watched! The source of this 'gaze' was precisely the five-colored crown.

His illusionary demon body was impervious to heat and cold, yet at this moment, he shivered violently. A chill pierced straight through his head, and he nearly cried out in surprise, "A spirit artifact!"

A spirit artifact! The five-colored crown had actually given birth to a spirit artifact!

In fact, the Tianhao Ancient Mirror of Tianhao Tower and the Eight-Scene Palace Lamp of Eight-Scene View were both spirit artifacts. Whether a sect possessed a spirit artifact to suppress its destiny was also one of the hallmarks of a top-tier sect, and naturally, Ganlu Zen Temple also had one. However, spirit artifacts differed not only in their power but also in their strength.

When distinguishing the strength of spirit artifacts, their spirituality is an undeniable factor. When spirituality cultivates to its peak and a spirit artifact is born, it signifies another transformation for the spirit artifact. The Tianhao Ancient Mirror and the Eight-Scene Palace Lamp had never directly confronted each other, and neither sect would proactively reveal their secrets, but it was certain that they were still a long way from giving birth to spirit artifacts.

The time span for this is difficult to quantify; it could be hundreds or thousands of years, or perhaps a spirit artifact might never be born. Even if spirituality cultivates to its zenith, it remains in a chaotic state and might not necessarily birth a spirit, a stage known as the Spirit-Shaping Tribulation. Its difficulty is no less than a cultivator breaking through a major realm bottleneck, and perhaps even harder!

Of course, Old Demon Fan gleaned this information from ancient texts collected by his sect. Cultivators in Zhongzhou were as numerous as carps crossing a river, and many powerful cultivators had reached the Nascent Soul stage, but there was no clear record of a spirit artifact shaping a spirit. Few cultivators in this world possessed spirit artifacts. Those at the late Nascent Soul stage like him were still using various secret arts to elevate their Natal Artifacts to pseudo-spirit artifacts, striving towards the realm of spirit artifacts. Who would dare to dream of the unreachable spirit artifact?

At this moment, amidst his shock, Old Demon Fan suddenly understood what the Wuxiang Immortal Sect's seal on Emperor's Decree Mountain was meant to suppress. It was a spirit artifact! Spirit artifacts would proactively choose their masters and required the "Tongbao Art" to control them. Since the spirit artifact was present, how could it willingly be enslaved by cultivators?

Back then, the Wuxiang Immortal Sect had used this treasure several times during the demonic tribulation, always accompanied by large formations. Thinking back, each formation was different yet subtly aligned with the Way of Five Elements. It was likely for two purposes: first, to wield this treasure, and second, to suppress the spirit artifact and prevent it from causing chaos.

In an instant, various thoughts raced through his mind. Old Demon Fan believed he had grasped the truth, yet his mind remained taut, feeling the spirit artifact's gaze. A furious emotion was clearly discernible. This was the accumulated rage from multiple failed schemes and being exploited, from the spirit artifact realizing something was amiss and discovering that its home had been invaded, all these unfavorable factors compounding!

Under the gaze of such extreme fury, Old Demon Fan's heart pounded. He then saw the jade pieces on the five-colored crown burst forth with brilliant light, and a sudden sense of danger arose. Without time to think, he instinctively swung his right hand, and a dark green stream of light shot forth.

Within the stream of light, tiny, glistening dark green grains of sand were faintly visible. A green glow shimmered on the surface of these sands, like scattered phosphorescent lights, radiating an icy, bone-chilling aura. This was a treasure refined by Old Demon Fan from various venomous substances, called the "Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand," specifically used to contaminate other cultivators' magical treasures.

When manifesting his Illusionary Demon Body, he could temporarily transform one deeply connected treasure into a divine ability and bring it in. Old Demon Fan's goal was to contend for the spirit artifact and prevent it from being controlled by the Pathless Immortals, which would greatly enhance their strength. Naturally, the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand was his first choice. Although he hadn't expected to encounter a spirit artifact, it was a fortunate coincidence; the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand was perfectly suited for this situation. However, Old Demon Fan was unsure how much effect the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand would have on a spirit artifact. He was even less clear about how strong a five-colored crown that had birthed a spirit artifact would be.

He coveted the five-colored crown greatly, but he also understood the principle of acting within one's means and dared not seize the treasure directly; he had to proceed gradually. Therefore, as the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand shot out, Old Demon Fan swiftly retreated towards the Myriad-Illusion Ethereal Lotus. He had no desire to lose this illusionary demon body here.

*Swoosh!*

Old Demon Fan was very close to the five-colored crown. The Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand instantly enveloped the five-colored crown. The fine sand transformed into specks of contaminated phosphorescent fire, clinging to the surface of the five-colored crown, suddenly attaching unsightly blotches. The luster of the five-colored crown was veiled in a dim haze, tainted by the dark green evil light.

But at this moment, Old Demon Fan's expression drastically changed. Just as the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand was about to strike the five-colored crown, a black tide, long hidden, suddenly erupted from beneath it. The black tide surged, carrying a terrifying demonic intent that made even Old Demon Fan, a great demon, tremble with fear, wildly impacting the five-colored crown. It was this冲击 that caused the five-colored crown to vibrate violently, its five-colored spiritual light flickering. The spirit artifact, caught off guard, couldn't react in time and was struck by the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand.

The black tide was the true master of the seal! He had been exploited! Old Demon Fan was shocked and furious. It was too late to retrieve the Filth-Yin Phosphor Sand. Many questions arose in his mind. What was the relationship between the spirit artifact and the black tide? If the five-colored crown was part of the seal, why didn't the spirit artifact counterattack or warn him when he delved deeper into the seal?

On Emperor's Decree Mountain.

Qin Sang's plan to mislead and draw away the Poison King was successful, while his true body relentlessly pursued Daoist Kun. The Solar Divine Tree and the Four-Chariot Teng Snake Seal combined to unleash several powerful blows. Although there was a barrier to cushion the impact, Daoist Kun was still injured, exacerbating her wounds. Simultaneously, Daoist Kun had to divert her attention to expel the sword intent Qin Sang had left within her body, leaving her with little ability to fight back, only to desperately flee.

Even without his avatar by his side, Qin Sang held the absolute advantage, even without needing to deliberately maintain the Fiery Aura Shield, acting with ease. From outside the mountain, one could see fireworks, both red and black, periodically blooming down the slopes of Emperor's Decree Mountain. The Golden Sun Sword hung inverted above Qin Sang's head, its sword intent continuously accumulating but held in reserve. Qin Sang held the Solar Divine Tree in one hand, while a demonic fiery dragon coiled around his other, unleashing attacks in turns.

Daoist Kun disregarded her internal injuries, fully suppressing and expelling the sword intent within her body. Finally, just before Qin Sang forced her true form out, she successfully expelled the last trace of Qin Sang's sword intent. She unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Daoist Kun suddenly shifted dozens of feet horizontally within the barrier, then froze as the demonic fiery dragon followed closely.

*Boom!*

A violent impact, transmitted through the barrier, struck Daoist Kun's body, further wounding her already riddled flesh. It wasn't sword intent! How did he even find me? Daoist Kun was on the verge of madness, but Qin Sang gave her no time to think. The demonic fiery dragon clung to her like a shadow, and her increasingly severe injuries reminded her that this physical body was quickly giving out.

"It's about time." Qin Sang had been evaluating Daoist Kun's condition. With a thought, sword light surged like a dragon. Wherever the Golden Sun Sword reached, a sword array was instantly reformed.

Just then, an unexpected scene unfolded. An utterly furious roar suddenly erupted from the barrier. Then, a figure flashed, and Daoist Kun plummeted down, her eyes tightly closed, completely devoid of vital signs. Qin Sang was caught off guard and almost cleaved Daoist Kun into pieces. He hurriedly diverted the demonic fire and reined in his sword qi.

*Swoosh!*

Sword threads wrapped around Daoist Kun's body, floating before Qin Sang. "She's really dead..." Qin Sang briefly sensed that Daoist Kun's body was devoid of life, already deceased, and couldn't help but feel greatly puzzled. He hadn't expected Daoist Kun to be so resolute, committing suicide directly when she saw the situation was dire. He had patiently pursued her so far because he wanted to capture her alive.

Regardless, the most important objective had been achieved. Qin Sang looked at Daoist Kun's waist, tore off the crimson immortal pendant, and instantly felt a scorching yang aura entering his body, making him hot all over. Its power was comparable to the chilling Yin energy of the mysterious ice plate.

"What a treasure!" Qin Sang exclaimed, feeling greatly pleased. With this, the two most important treasures for the Tribulation Transcension Array were complete.

Immediately after, Qin Sang's divine sense swept over Daoist Kun's entire body, but he found no storage artifacts like a mustard seed bag. Had she gained nothing in the medicine garden? Considering the various illogical details and connecting them, Qin Sang's doubts multiplied, and he felt Daoist Kun's suicide was even more abnormal.

Just then, a furious roar suddenly came. The origin of the roar was unknown. It seemed to come from the mountaintop, yet also from the barrier itself. It wasn't loud, but it was impossible to ignore, carrying immense fury that struck fear into the listener's heart. Qin Sang looked around, his brows tightly furrowed.

Qin Sang wasn't the only one startled by the roar. Behind Qin Sang's true body, the Poison King pursued the avatar, quickly realizing he had been tricked. Sensing the commotion Qin Sang's true body was creating in the distance, he turned to leave. However, the avatar was more than just bait.

As soon as the Poison King made a move, he suddenly felt an icy chill. Turning his head, he saw a Teng Snake, enveloped in layers of cold flames, baring its fangs and claws, tearing through the wind element and lunging at him. "Hmph!" The Poison King's face darkened. He waved his palm, and the toxic cloud encircling him gathered above his head, meeting the Teng Snake.

Upon contact, the Poison King immediately sensed something was wrong. He quickly unleashed his poison sands, shooting them into the toxic cloud. The toxic cloud abruptly contracted but became several times denser than before.

*Puff!*

The Teng Snake collided head-on with the toxic cloud. The toxic cloud vibrated incessantly, almost torn apart by the Teng Snake. However, supported by the poison sands, its structure held together and did not shatter. Only the surface mist was corroded by the cold flames, forming toxic ice of various colors.

*Bang!*

The toxic ice shattered, and the poison sands, along with the remaining toxic cloud, shot back. The Poison King elegantly retreated several dozen feet, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, seeing the avatar returning from deep within the wind element.

"A spirit artifact?" The Poison King's first observation was the Four-Chariot Teng Snake Seal above the avatar's head. Spirit artifacts in Zhongzhou were few in number. The Poison King counted them mentally but didn't recognize this one, and there were no records of this spirit artifact in the texts related to the Wuxiang Immortal Sect. Although the opponent was only at the Mid-Nascent Soul stage, wielding a spirit artifact meant he could not be underestimated.

However, why would a Mid-Nascent Soul stage helper suddenly appear beside Qin Sang? Recalling the sudden fluctuation he had just sensed from Qin Sang's side, the Poison King's expression shifted. "This is... your clone? No, it's an external avatar!" Furthermore, the avatar's aura was perfectly integrated, incomparably superior to mere clones. With this, all questions were answered. This person not only possessed extraordinary true body strength but also an avatar wielding a spirit artifact. Only this could explain why the rebel had fallen into his hands.

"First a late Nascent Soul puppet, now an external avatar. This place truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers..." The Poison King sighed with a smile, "Does Daoist believe that a mere avatar can stop me?"

Having his identity exposed, the avatar no longer bothered with futile concealment. He was also happy to converse with the Poison King, buying time for his true self, and said calmly, "Why must the Poison King be so aggressive?"

"I only hope Daoist will give me a reply..." The Poison King repeated his previous offer, promising great benefits.

"Once this matter is concluded and my true self is free, I will naturally contact Daoist..." The avatar's words were cut short by the Poison King. "Since the avatar cannot make decisions, I shall directly consult Daoist's true self," the Poison King roared, suddenly transforming into a streak of light and darting away.

The Poison King had already realized that the other party had little intention of returning the Gu King. Stopping now would be a joke, waiting for the opponent to resolve his troubles, return fully laden, and then leisurely refine the Gu King? Or begging for charity from the opponent? Only by creating more trouble for the opponent could he seize the initiative!

*Whoosh!*

As soon as the遁光 appeared, the Teng Snake plunged down rapidly. Unexpectedly, the Poison King abruptly stopped, feigning escape, then turned to face the avatar, rushing forward with even greater speed. The avatar was already prepared. Its eyes turned stark white, and a bone-chilling white light swept down from in front of it, while its figure flew backward.

The Ice Soul Cold Light acted like a wall of ice, sweeping down without hesitation, regardless of danger, forming a barrier. The avatar was extremely cautious, not giving the Poison King a chance to use that worm-like Gu, only moving around from a distance, harassing with the spirit artifact and the Ice Soul Divine Light in turns, never getting close. Although he couldn't stop the Poison King, he could certainly delay him.

It was not until the roar echoed that both sides stopped in surprise.