Chapter 1624: Mother Talisman Recognizes Its Master

"What are you saying? I don't understand. I'm just an artifact spirit left here by an ancient sage, responsible for guiding you all..."The stone statue child was taken aback, then gave an awkward smile.Luo Ruoxi and Wu Chen also looked puzzled.They had seen this child as soon as they entered; it was just a stone statue, at most possessing some spirituality. How could it be an Inherited Heavenly Amulet?If it truly was, why hadn't the previous four, who possessed so many ancient sage treasures, discovered it?

"Oh? An artifact spirit? What kind of artifact spirit, exactly? Could you elaborate?" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, ignoring its excuse."I am an artifact spirit born from a stone statue..." the stone statue child explained.

"An artifact spirit born from a stone statue?" Zhang Xuan's lips curled into a smile. With his hands behind his back, he circled the statue, speaking as he walked, "The stone you were carved from is called Witch Spirit Stone. It originates from Mount Luxu in the southeasternmost part of the continent, forming only after undergoing continental shifts, collisions of land and water, and even volcanic scorching. There aren't many of these stones on the entire continent, certainly no more than ten.""The greatest benefit of this material is its ability to nourish the soul, making any soul that enters it stronger. However... it also has a significant flaw: its spirituality is too abundant and volatile, making it impossible to gather. This means... no matter how skilled an Enspiritment Master is, they cannot successfully awaken a spirit within it! You claim to be the spirit of this stone statue, so I ask you, who gave you life?"

"I..." The stone statue child was stunned, not expecting this person to recognize even such a rare stone. It involuntarily took a step back and said, "It was Ancient Sage Ran Qiu... The ancient sages possess incredible abilities; just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't!"

"Heh!"Zhang Xuan's lips curved upward. "As one of the Ten Sages, Ancient Sage Ran Qiu possessed countless incredible techniques, which later generations dare not speculate upon. However... any item that has been ensouled naturally develops a special affection for its enspiriter and can easily acknowledge them as its master... Since the Ancient Sage entrusted this place to you and had you lead his descendants, he would surely have subdued you to feel at ease... Yet, why have you always referred to him as 'Ancient Sage Ran Qiu' instead of... 'Master'?"

Any ensouled item develops unique emotions toward its enspiriter and is easily tamed. Just like the stone statue he ensouled earlier, it wouldn't listen to anyone else, only him.A chick, upon hatching, assumes the first living thing it sees is its mother.Spirituality is much the same; it's very difficult to alter.Since Ancient Sage Ran Qiu intended for this entity to manage the place, and he successfully ensouled it, he would certainly have subdued it. Yet, the other party never once referred to him as "Master."Nor did it show much respect.

"I..." The stone statue child was speechless. After a moment, it said, "Even if I haven't acknowledged a master, I couldn't possibly be an Inherited Heavenly Amulet! Your deduction has no basis..."

"It seems you won't admit it unless I explain clearly!"His eyes glinted, and Zhang Xuan looked at it again. "When we first entered, I fought two golden armored soldiers alone and used spatial sealing. You said, 'So it's a descendant of Qiu Wuzi, please be merciful!'""That's right, what about it?" the stone statue child asked, confused.It had indeed said that, so it wasn't a big deal."Although Ancient Sage Qiu Wu was a subordinate of Master Kong, he was older than him and treated as an equal. Ancient Sage Ran Qiu, on the other hand, was Master Kong's disciple. According to seniority, even if he met Qiu Wu, he would have to bow respectfully and not dare to be presumptuous!" Zhang Xuan stated.Just like Sun Qiang, though his subordinate, Zheng Yang and the others still had to address him as "Uncle Sun," not daring to overstep their bounds.Ancient Sage Qiu Wu, despite being Master Kong's subordinate, was older than him. Even Master Kong showed him respect, so as a student, one would be even less likely to overstep proper etiquette."But you... directly referred to him as 'Qiu Wuzi,' a form of address only appropriate between peers!" Zhang Xuan continued, "An item ensouled by Ancient Sage Ran Qiu speaking like that... don't you find it strange?"

"You, you..." The stone statue child froze, then took several steps back, looking as if it had seen a ghost.The other party had deduced it was an Inherited Heavenly Amulet based solely on a form of address... Wasn't that terrifyingly astute?"When did you figure it out?"After its astonishment, realizing there was no point in continuing to hide, the stone statue child looked up, full of confusion.It had been confident its disguise was flawless, so perfect that even an Ancient Sage would not necessarily see through it. When exactly had the other party discovered the truth?

"Before entering the passage, I patted your shoulder. I was actually trying to determine your material, and that's when my suspicions were aroused!" Zhang Xuan explained.Before entering the passage, he had approached it and patted it, using the Library of Heaven's Path to examine the stone's material. He learned that this material was difficult to gather spirits into. However, the passage was dangerous, leaving no time for further thought. Now that the Otherworldly Demonic Tribesmen had escaped, combined with the previous address, he would truly be foolish not to understand.The Inherited Heavenly Amulet, being a treasure refined by Master Kong, would have no issue addressing Qiu Wuzi. Even if it were impolite to Ancient Sage Ran Qiu, the latter wouldn't say much.Most importantly... on this heavenly amulet, he sensed an aura somewhat similar to his own.The other six heavenly amulets were formed by Master Kong collecting the blood of special constitutions and refining them. As for this so-called 'mother amulet'... if his guess was correct, it should have been condensed from Master Kong's own blood. The similarity he sensed was precisely... the Heaven's Recognition of a Master Teacher!With that feeling, it became effortless to determine the other party's true identity.

"So that's it... As expected of a descendant of Qiu Wuzi, who controls the True Art of Sealing and has even tamed the Dragon Bone Divine Spear... This discernment is indeed beyond ordinary people's reach..." After listening to his explanation, the stone statue child nodded, no longer denying it. "That's right, I am indeed the Inherited Mother Amulet refined by Master Kong. The one they took was merely a fake!"With a soft chuckle, the stone statue remained still as a beam of light flew out from its head, slowly converging in the air. In the blink of an eye, it formed a talisman.It was identical to the one the fair-skinned young man had snatched earlier."I am the Mother Amulet refined by Master Kong. Only with me can one enter the main hall of the Confucius Temple... However, I was refined to obey only Master Kong's commands. I won't submit to just anyone. Let alone a mere descendant of Qiu Wuzi; even if Qiu Wuzi himself were to come, he couldn't make me submit!"With a slight tremor, the amulet's voice continued.

Zhang Xuan looked at it, smiling. "You can't submit to me?""Of course not!"The amulet's voice was filled with disdain and arrogance."Alright then, I'll show you something. After you see it, the choice is yours!"Extending a finger, Zhang Xuan gently tapped the amulet."It's useless no matter what you show me. I was refined by Master Kong; how could I submit to later generations, generations, generations..."Just as it was speaking proudly, the amulet suddenly shuddered, then curled up in the air as if it had seen a ghost. Immediately after, it straightened abruptly, like a hovering playing card, its tone now filled with respect and flattery: "Little Amulet greets Master!"