Chapter 1773: The Spirit's Amazing Identity

Meng Tianzheng, Liu Ruyi, and Gongsun Yang were visibly excited. This was the first time the artifact spirit had appeared; their opportunity had arrived.

"Are you the artifact spirit of the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda? Why have you never appeared before?" Liu Ruyi asked, somewhat puzzled. Previous supreme elders of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had tried to communicate with the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda's artifact spirit on multiple occasions, but all attempts had failed.

"Who's hiding there? If you want to listen, come out. Do you think I haven't noticed you skulking about?" The artifact spirit's expression turned cold. With two fingers, it flicked, and a golden beam shot forth. Wherever it passed, a piercing sonic boom erupted, causing the void to vibrate and distort.

Boom!

The golden light vanished into the seabed, stirring up colossal waves hundreds of feet high. A blue light then shot out from beneath the ocean, revealing Jiao Lin. He had a terrifying, profusely bleeding wound on his left chest.

Wang Changsheng and the other three were utterly shocked. The artifact spirit had injured Jiao Lin with a casual strike; its power was simply terrifying! Jiao Lin's face was slightly pale, and his eyes were filled with apprehension. The artifact spirit's single blow had wounded him; the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda was truly formidable.

"Listen, I need to collect various top-tier refining materials. Do not bring out any spirit wood under ten thousand years old. Spread the word: whoever presents enough rare materials will be able to exchange them for a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, on a first-come, first-served basis. Here is the list." The artifact spirit flicked its sleeve, and five golden jade slips flew out, landing on Wang Changsheng and the other four respectively.

Wang Changsheng's divine sense permeated his slip, and his brows furrowed. Many items listed were unknown to him, and every single one was a rare treasure. Top-grade spirit stones, Sun God Jade, Skyflame Jade, and so on—these materials were only seen in ancient texts.

"A hundred years from now, the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda will reappear in the Coral Sea. Spread this message: future challengers should bring rare materials. If the materials are rare enough, they can obtain a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure without even having to clear the thirty-sixth level, on a first-come, first-served basis." The artifact spirit said slowly. It had been severely wounded in the past, making it unable to leave the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda. After years of recuperation, it could now temporarily depart.

Wang Changsheng and the five others exchanged glances and all agreed.

The artifact spirit's lips moved slightly. Liu Ruyi first froze, then her face lit up with joy. The artifact spirit flicked its sleeve, and a cyan jade slip flew out, landing in front of Liu Ruyi. She thanked it profusely and accepted the jade slip. It then took out a golden jade box and tossed it to Meng Tianzheng. Its lips moved a few times, and Meng Tianzheng's expression became agitated as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

"True Monarch Taihao and Gongsun Yang, remain. Everyone else, depart. I have something to say to you," the artifact spirit commanded, its tone cold.

Having witnessed the artifact spirit's divine abilities, Liu Ruyi and the other two dared not linger and promptly left.

"Gongsun Yang, you've nurtured that spirit beast to the fourth tier, haven't you? Nurture it well. If you wish for it to advance to the fifth tier, find most of the items listed on this jade slip, and I can give you a Myriad Beast Pill to aid its advancement to the fifth tier." Gongsun Yang's expression was excited, and he readily agreed.

"Alright, you may go. I have something to discuss with True Monarch Taihao." Gongsun Yang dared not delay and quickly departed.

Wang Changsheng felt a golden light flash before his eyes, and the artifact spirit suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Did you also escape from the Spirit Realm?" Wang Changsheng was stunned by the artifact spirit's words.

Could it be that the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda escaped from the Spirit Realm? This was incredible. If the artifact spirit was a powerful being from the Spirit Realm who used the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda to flee to the lower realm, then it would make sense. Otherwise, how could the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda have automatically escaped to the lower realm?

"Junior does not know what Senior is referring to." Wang Changsheng was utterly bewildered, his expression somewhat tense.

"I want to know where you obtained the Seafaring Profound Water Medallion. Don't worry, this will also be beneficial for you," the artifact spirit asked gently.

Wang Changsheng deliberated repeatedly, then briefly explained, merely stating that he had obtained it in the Flying Immortal Ruins.

"The Flying Immortal Ruins, no wonder!" The artifact spirit suddenly understood, a pensive expression on its face. It looked at Wang Changsheng and said: "If you still desire a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure, then go collect the items listed on the jade slip. Once I regain my freedom, I have a way to return to the Spirit Realm. For the sake of Old Devil Lin, I can take you with me, provided I regain my freedom. The more rare refining materials there are, the faster I will regain my freedom."

"Yes, junior will obey." Wang Changsheng readily agreed. From the artifact spirit's words, Wang Changsheng's conjecture was correct: this artifact spirit had a personal connection with the owner of the Seafaring Profound Water Medallion. If they were enemies, it would have simply killed him without so much talk.

"The Nine Dragon Drum is one of the more powerful spirit treasures I forged, but its maximum power can only be unleashed by body cultivators. For the sake of Old Devil Lin, I'll give it to you. Gather the items I require as quickly as possible; my treasures are not so easily acquired."

After saying this, the artifact spirit transformed into specks of golden light and vanished. The Immortal Suppressing Pagoda blurred and disappeared, as if it had never been there.

"Spirit Treasure? Isn't it a Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure? Does this mean Spirit Realm treasures are more powerful? Or that Spirit Realm treasures are considered Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures in the lower realm? Or perhaps its standards are just very high?" Wang Changsheng muttered to himself, an incredulous look on his face. He felt as if he had just experienced a dream.

From the artifact spirit's words, Wang Changsheng deduced that it must be a powerful being from the Spirit Realm, and that it had some connection with the owner of the Seafaring Profound Water Medallion. Most importantly, it had a way to return to the Spirit Realm. This meant that if Wang Changsheng wanted to ascend to the Spirit Realm, he would need to help the artifact spirit regain its freedom. The souls of demonic beasts or cultivators can be refined into artifact spirits, thereby possessing incredible divine abilities. The artifact spirit was likely in such a state.

Wang Changsheng transformed into a blue escape light and flew towards the northwest.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Wang Changsheng reunited with his clansmen, among whom were Meng Tianzheng, Gongsun Yang, and Liu Ruyi.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, why did you talk for so long? What did the artifact spirit tell you?" Liu Ruyi asked curiously.

"Fairy Liu, what did the artifact spirit give you?" Wang Changsheng did not answer, but instead posed a question.

"I apologize, the artifact spirit forbade me from speaking about it." Liu Ruyi shook her head.

Wang Changsheng looked at Meng Tianzheng, who also shook his head directly. "Same here. It said it needs rare materials that can be exchanged for Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures. Our Wang family's foundation is shallow, so we can't count on ourselves; we'll have to rely on you all."

Wang Changsheng shook his head and said that if what the artifact spirit said was true, he hoped it would regain its freedom soon.

Liu Ruyi, Meng Tianzheng, and Gongsun Yang all simultaneously showed expressions of disappointment. Everyone wanted to know what the artifact spirit had told the others, but no one was willing to disclose it, as exclusive information was the most valuable.

"This time, our opportunity has arrived. Since the artifact spirit asked us to spread the word about the Immortal Suppressing Pagoda collecting rare materials, let's do as it instructed!" After saying this, Liu Ruyi departed with her disciples. Meng Tianzheng and Gongsun Yang also left with their own disciples.

"Let's go! We're heading back to Green Lotus Island." Wang Changsheng conjured the Soaring Dragon Heavenly Diagram and led his clansmen away from the area.