Chapter 1373: Saint Silver

Jin Luo Guzun and Cang Yuan were not surprised by Zhou Yuan's acceptance of the mission. They were, after all, very familiar with his past; he hailed from Cangxuan Heaven and the Cangxuan Sect. Given his character, it was impossible for him to stand idly by when Cangxuan Heaven faced such difficulties.

"The team destined for Cangxuan Heaven has been chosen for you and will assemble in All-Heavens City tomorrow," Jin Luo Guzun stated. "Due to the turbulent laws of heaven and earth within Cangxuan Heaven, it is currently in a somewhat isolated state, making it impossible to send too many people in. However, with this contingent and your strength, you should be able to contend even if the Sacred Palace has further contingencies."

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly, then hesitated before asking, "Can Yaoyao not go to Cangxuan Heaven?"

A subtle ripple appeared in Yaoyao's eyes. Cangxuan Heaven held many memories for her too. It was where she had spent the most time with Zhou Yuan, and those memories were as rich and fragrant as fine wine, making them unforgettable.

The small Great Zhou City, the Saint Vestige Place, and the Purple Cloud Cave Dwelling in the Cangxuan Sect, which was not large but exceptionally warm and peaceful...

"It would be best if Your Excellency, the Goddess, did not go to Cangxuan Heaven," Jin Luo Guzun urged upon hearing her question. "Your previous actions have undoubtedly drawn the Sacred Race's attention. Given their ruthlessness, they might have prepared some inconceivable tactics. Currently, Your Excellency is under the protection of the Primal Chaos Saint-Slaying Array, which leaves the Sacred Race no opening."

"However, the situation in Cangxuan Heaven is uncertain, and the Primal Chaos Saint-Slaying Array there is incomplete. If Your Excellency were to appear, unforeseen complications are inevitable." Jin Luo Guzun's expression was grave. Yaoyao had not yet fully recovered, and if anything were to happen to her, it would be far more devastating to the All-Heavens than even the loss of Cangxuan Heaven itself.

Zhou Yuan gently nodded as well, taking Yaoyao's small hand. "There's no need to rush this," he said. "Once I stabilize Cangxuan Heaven and the Primal Chaos Saint-Slaying Array covers it again, we can go back together."

Yaoyao nodded, though a hint of regret lingered in her eyes.

Seeing this, both Jin Luo Guzun and Cang Yuan secretly exhaled in relief. It was fortunate that there was still someone in this world whose words the Goddess would heed.

"Oh, that reminds me," Jin Luo Guzun said with a smile towards Zhou Yuan. "You previously asked my Gui Xu Divine Hall to refine the 'Silver Shadow' for you. After half a year, it's finally complete, just in time for your departure to Cangxuan Heaven." With a flick of his sleeve, a burst of silver light appeared. It was like a radiant moon, emanating a chilling aura that caused the flow of Genesis Qi within one's body to momentarily stagnate.

Zhou Yuan's gaze was drawn to the converging silver light, where a silver sphere silently hovered. Silver Shadow seemed largely unchanged from before, yet Zhou Yuan's expression grew steadily more solemn.

He could sense the immense and boundless power contained within that silver sphere, a power that far exceeded the previous Silver Shadow.

Sacred runes swirled in Zhou Yuan's eyes, and through their vision, he saw countless ancient Genesis Runes seemingly embedded on the silver sphere's surface. These runes appeared to possess life, constantly merging and reorganizing in a truly wondrous fashion.

The current Silver Shadow now emanated an indescribable essence—the essence of power, a quality only found in true Sacred Objects.

"Hmm?" Zhou Yuan softly exclaimed as he gazed at Silver Shadow. Using the power of the Obstruction-Breaking Sacred Rune, he vaguely perceived a shadow deep within it. Though blurry, he could just about make out that this shadow possessed eight arms...

"Looks like you've discovered it," Jin Luo Guzun said with a smile, noting Zhou Yuan's expression. "Your 'Silver Shadow', strictly speaking, is a puppet. The one who refined it with such exquisite craftsmanship truly possessed ingenious ideas. Even some of the Saint-level refiners in our Gui Xu Divine Hall marvel at it."

"I found this in the ruins of a sect in Cangxuan Heaven, which I believe was called the Battle Puppet Sect," Zhou Yuan slowly explained. "Unfortunately, they were ultimately destroyed by the Sacred Race's divine punishment, with all life within eighty thousand miles obliterated."

Jin Luo Guzun and Cang Yuan also fell silent. They naturally knew that Cangxuan Heaven had once suffered a period under the Sacred Race's dominion. During that time, the beings of Cangxuan Heaven were treated like livestock, utterly powerless against the Sacred Race's slaughter. That so-called Battle Puppet Sect must have belonged to that grim era.

Zhou Yuan gazed at the brightly shimmering Silver Shadow, his eyes deep. Cangxuan Heaven's past could not be altered, but no matter what, he would not allow that history to repeat itself there, for his family and friends now resided in Cangxuan Heaven.

"Several Saint-level experts from our Gui Xu Divine Hall, integrating their knowledge with Silver Shadow's characteristics, enabled it to condense a Saint Spirit as it was elevated to a Sacred Object. You can familiarize yourself with more information about it later."

"A Saint Spirit..." Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered. A Saint Spirit meant that an artifact genuinely possessed sentience, not just ordinary intelligence, but the very spirit of a Sacred Object. The current Silver Shadow could even be regarded as a unique life form.

Zhou Yuan extended his palm, and Silver Shadow immediately approached, landing in his hand. It transformed into a flowing silver liquid, playfully and joyfully swirling around his fingertips like a fish.

Clearly, Silver Shadow had recognized his familiar aura.

"Congratulations," Zhou Yuan said with a faint smile. "After all these years, you've finally evolved to this stage. Perhaps this was the highest expectation the Battle Puppet Sect had when they created you."

Cang Yuan suggested, "Now that it's a true Sacred Object, having ascended from the mundane to the sacred, it represents a new beginning. Its name could also be changed..."

Zhou Yuan nodded in agreement, his fingers caressing the flowing silver liquid. After a slight pause, he said, "Your new name shall be... Holy Silver."

The silver liquid surged, conveying a wave of joyful and exultant emotions.

Zhou Yuan smiled and pressed his palm down. The silver liquid then flowed into his body through his pores, swiftly disappearing.

"Thank you very much," Zhou Yuan said to Jin Luo Guzun.

"It's merely payment for your refinement of the Ancestral Dragon Pill," Jin Luo Guzun said, waving his hand. He glanced at the silent Yaoyao beside him, cleared his throat, and added, "We won't linger any longer. We wish you a triumphant victory in advance, that you sweep away the dark clouds from Cangxuan Heaven and restore its peace and tranquility."

Having said this, he and Cang Yuan turned and departed.

Zhou Yuan didn't try to stop them. Only after they had left did he look at Yaoyao and whisper, "I'm sorry, we'll have to be apart for a while again, and I still can't take you back to Cangxuan Heaven."

He could sense Yaoyao's feelings; she indeed harbored deep affection for certain places in Cangxuan Heaven.

"Once I've dealt with the Sacred Palace, I'll definitely take you back right away. Then... we'll go see my father and mother, and I'll tell them that this is the daughter-in-law I found for them." Zhou Yuan gazed at Yaoyao with fervent eyes.

A faint smile touched Yaoyao's lips. She leaned her cheek against Zhou Yuan's chest, her gaze fixed on the cool moonlight that filtered into the courtyard, illuminating the flowers.

She truly longed to return to Cangxuan Heaven, especially that small cave dwelling filled with so many memories of them both. It was a little home she had meticulously cultivated for them, pouring much time and effort into it.

Every plant and tree there had been planted by her own hands.

There was a spring, bluestones, a medicinal garden, and a peach tree. Most importantly, beneath that peach tree, a pot of Taoyao brew was buried.

She worried whether, if she returned there in the future, she would still feel such intense, wine-like emotions as she did now.