Chapter 1621: Emperor Cauldron

It wasn't until all the soul flames on the colossal cauldron's main body had completely vanished, replaced by Xu Yang's soul imprint slowly surfacing upon it, that the change was complete.

The crowd below finally realized that this unparalleled, most powerful divine artifact had, at last, become Xu Yang's personal property.

"Congratulations, boss, on acquiring another peerless divine weapon!" This voice came, surprisingly, from the artifact spirit of the Ice Emperor Pagoda. The previous sight of the cauldron being consumed by soul flames was so astonishing that all the artifact spirits throughout the Tomb of Divine Weapons had simultaneously awakened.

They had all gathered to witness Xu Yang's complete conquest of this peerless divine weapon. As one of Xu Yang's primary divine artifacts, the Ice Emperor Pagoda's spirit felt genuine excitement for its master at that very moment.

Everyone who had followed Xu Yang understood that while his achievements were extraordinary, and his cultivation and soul realm made him an unparalleled genius among humanity, he had one weakness. Despite possessing some of the most powerful magical artifacts in existence, none of them had been personally nurtured or crafted by him; instead, they were inherited from other powerful figures. This fact had always been a lingering concern for Xu Yang.

Now, having acquired this most perfect Primal Artifact Refining Treasure, this colossal cauldron would undoubtedly accompany Xu Yang for countless years, helping him to create powerful divine artifacts that were truly his own, one after another.

As the saying goes, no matter how precious a treasure, what belongs to others will always remain theirs. Even if acquired through force or inheritance, it may never feel perfectly suited. But now, Xu Yang no longer had to worry about such an issue. As his soul seamlessly merged back with his physical form, Xu Yang contentedly cradled the magnificent, radiant halo-totem of the colossal cauldron in his left palm, feeling utterly captivated by it.

"Finally, I have you," Xu Yang murmured. "You were forged from miraculous essence, nurtured for countless years within the Kunlun Divine Path. You can perfectly integrate any type of divine artifact, whether offensive or defensive—a saber, spear, sword, halberd, axe, battle-axe, hook, or fork. Any divine artifact template that exists within my spiritual world can be nurtured and completed through you. What's more, through your inherent artifact spirit attributes, you can cultivate my own exclusive artifact spirits! The only minor drawback is that I haven't given you a name yet."

As Xu Yang softly mumbled, Xiao Hui, the little creature, had, at some unknown moment, darted onto his shoulder, persistently licking his wrist as if trying to curry favor. "Little one," Xu Yang said, "I'm entrusting this important task to you. Give this precious item a name."

Xiao Hui's large eyes blinked as it walked, clearly a creature of many ingenious ideas. The little one already had the perfect answer.

"Master's achievements defy creation; you are unparalleled in the world," Xiao Hui began. "And this is your first personal natal divine artifact, capable of incorporating all other artifact spirits. It perfectly matches your status, Master, like the supreme ruler among divine artifacts. Why not call it the 'Emperor's Cauldron'?" Xiao Hui continued, "That way, from this day forward, all divine artifacts refined by Master through it will carry the imperial lineage of the world's divine artifacts, to be revered and honored by countless generations of cultivators in this grand world."

Hearing Xiao Hui's words, Xu Yang couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, his unbridled demeanor exuding the aura of an emperor surveying his domain. An emperor paired with the Emperor's Cauldron – that was truly an invincible combination. "Very well," Xu Yang declared, "Emperor's Cauldron it is, as you suggested."

This colossal divine artifact, now perfectly fused with Xu Yang's bloodline and soul, seemed to approve of the name as well. It suddenly expanded several times its size, appearing before Xu Yang and gently nuzzling his face, seemingly attempting to please its master. As the Emperor's Cauldron's light dimmed once more, the entire Tomb of Divine Weapons began to collapse from its formerly stable state.

Like the former domain of the Great Emperor of Death, this place, once deprived of the soul's fundamental law sustained by an Unbounded Realm master, saw its corresponding illusory space rapidly approaching collapse. Now that all the artifact spirit essence within the Tomb of Divine Weapons had been devoured by Xu Yang's Emperor's Cauldron and absorbed into him, the place naturally lost all its value.

However, Xu Yang did not break his promise. He had pledged to his beast warrior subordinates that if they reached the peak of Kunlun and overthrew the Supreme God's will to establish new laws for the beast world, he would reward each beast warrior with a unique divine artifact.

Although Xu Yang himself didn't possess such a vast reserve of divine artifacts, he knew very well that the Supreme God's will had unified the Kunlun Divine Path for countless millennia. The innumerable generations of magical treasures offered by the prodigies of the human cultivation world had all eventually been collected into the Supreme God's treasure vaults at the peak of Kunlun.

As long as they achieved ultimate victory in this battle, divine artifacts, various heavenly treasures, and spoils of war would undoubtedly be abundant. After completing this battle, Xu Yang led his beast race warriors to witness the collapse of the Tomb of Divine Weapons, signifying the destruction of the second forbidden zone on the Path to Heaven.

Just as Xu Yang began to ponder the direction of the third forbidden zone, a sudden aura swiftly descended from the distant skies towards them.

Soon, two auras, imbued with the radiance of heroic companions, descended to the ground, instantly transforming into two children. They skipped toward Xu Yang and the beast army behind him.

"Big brother, your name is Xu Yang, isn't it? The unparalleled, peerless prodigy of humanity."

The child's words were quite pleasing, and Xu Yang naturally lowered his guard when facing them. Of course, even if they harbored any ill intent, they couldn't possibly harm Xu Yang in the slightest through insidious means. What truly interested Xu Yang was the origin of these two little ones, though he guessed they were most likely unrelated to the third forbidden zone.

"That's right, I am Xu Yang. What brings you two little ones to me?"

The little one suddenly pulled out a piece of candy from its bib. "Our master said that if you eat this candy, you will hear the answer you most desire to know."

Xu Yang had no other thoughts, simply finding the scene amusing, and without hesitation took the candy and placed it into his mouth.

The candy melted instantly in his mouth, bringing a long-lost smile to Xu Yang's face. He affectionately stroked the child's head, but in an instant, a faint yet undeniably beautiful female silhouette appeared within his mind.

"Esteemed Xu Yang, I have been waiting for you in this forbidden zone for a long time. Welcome. As long as you can complete the three trials I have left for you, you may pass through this third forbidden zone."