Chapter 46: Spiritual Artifact [Luwu Bell]

While he had a moment, Song Changsheng returned to the array hub. With a wave of his hand, a set of Array Banners and a dark-yellow Copper Bell emerged from the ground.

After stowing the Array Banners, he finally had a chance to properly examine the High-Grade Spiritual Artifact that had served as the array hub.

In its shrunken state, it resembled a small bell. Its surface was engraved with an Exotic Beast: it had a human face, tiger claws, the body of a fierce tiger, and nine majestic tails.

It was the very image of the Ancient Divine Beast, Luwu.

"Luwu Bell, how about you come with me from now on?"

Song Changsheng whispered, gently stroking the Copper Bell.

A layer of light appeared on the Luwu Bell’s surface. The engraved Luwu seemed to come to life, radiating a sense of joy.

"It seems you agree. I’ll be sure to do you justice." Song Changsheng smiled faintly and placed it into his Qiankun Bag. ’The value of a High-Grade Spiritual Artifact is in no way less than the legacy of the cave’s master.’

However, he was a bit puzzled. All signs indicated that the cave’s master had been a Sword Dao Cultivator proficient in both array formation and artifact forging; the three inheritances in the Qiankun Bag proved as much.

’Would a Sword Dao Cultivator’s Lifebound Spiritual Artifact be a Copper Bell? That’s obviously impossible. This Luwu Bell seems more like a tool he used for Array Formation.’

’So, the question is, where is this Sword Cultivator’s Lifebound Spirit Sword? Or rather... who has it now?’

Song Changsheng suddenly remembered the stone chamber he hadn’t entered, and his eyes subconsciously shifted to Xu Yunhe not far away. ’Did it fall into his hands?’

’The chances were quite high.’

’But that’s a thought I’ll have to keep to myself. If there really was a Spiritual Artifact in that stone chamber stronger than the Luwu Bell, it just proves it wasn’t fated to be mine.’

Just as he was lost in thought, Zhu Yiqun came over, cursing and grumbling. "These Blood Demons are unbelievable! I went through everything, and their Qiankun Bags are cleaner than my wok—nothing but Demon Artifacts. I didn’t see a Qiankun Bag on that Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator at all. Don’t know if he didn’t bring one or if that Elder Niu already took it."

"You didn’t secretly pocket it all, did you?" Song Changsheng teased with a laugh.

"How can you tarnish my good name out of nowhere? Am I that kind of person?" Zhu Yiqun shouted with an exaggerated expression, making them both burst out laughing.

Once the laughter died down, Zhu Yiqun tossed a pile of bloodstained Demon Artifacts on the ground and said, "Thirty-one Demon Artifacts in total. Let’s split them."

"It won’t be easy for us to sell off these Demon Artifacts," Song Changsheng said, frowning. Even though they were all low-quality, Tier One Demon Artifacts, they were still worth a fair number of Spirit Stones.

’The key problem is that Demon Artifacts are hard to get rid of. I still haven’t found a proper way to deal with the ones I got last time. If all else fails, I’ll just have to melt them down.’

Hearing this, Zhu Yiqun thumped his chest so hard it rang. "That’s a minor problem! I have my channels. How about this? If you trust me, let me handle them. We’ll split the proceeds evenly."

"I, for one, trust Fellow Daoist Zhu," Xu Yunhe stated first.

Song Changsheng nodded. "That couldn’t be better. A batch of Demon Artifacts this large would be a real headache for us."

"Don’t worry, Old Zhu here will get it done for you, no problem." Zhu Yiqun grinned and gathered the Demon Artifacts from the ground.

"These Blood Demons are organized; there’s no way they’re this poor," Song Changsheng said with some regret. "Their nest must be nearby. It’s a pity we didn’t leave anyone alive to question."

"What’s fated is fated. We’ve already gained more than enough," Zhu Yiqun said, looking on the bright side.

Song Changsheng nodded, his worries easing. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "Right, what do we do with the elder’s remains? We can’t just leave them here."

"We’ve benefited from the elder’s grace, so we must lay his remains to rest properly, lest they be defiled by Evil Demons. We also need to take care of the remains and belongings of the other Daoists who came with us."

For once, Zhu Yiqun was completely serious. As he spoke of their fallen companions, his eyes reddened.

"I’ll take care of the elder’s remains," Xu Yunhe, who had been silent until now, suddenly said.

Song Changsheng and Zhu Yiqun exchanged a look, then nodded in agreement.

As Xu Yunhe entered the cave to retrieve the remains, Zhu Yiqun watched him go and said with envy, "Fellow Daoist Xu is the one who gained the most on this trip. Even though he lost an arm, his Sword Qi is becoming more refined, its true edge just starting to show. Once he breaks through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, he’ll probably be another famous figure whose name will shake the world."

"Everyone has their own destiny. We all made significant gains this time; we should be content."

"True enough. Huh, someone’s coming?" Zhu Yiqun said, pointing toward the distant horizon.

Song Changsheng gazed into the distance and saw a small black dot on the horizon gradually growing larger. As it drew closer, he recognized Wang Wanzhou, arriving by Sword Control.

Wang Wanzhou surveyed the signs of a great battle, and his heart grew heavy. ’I can sense that two Cultivators, with strength at least on par with my own, fought here,’ he thought. ’It’s very likely I’m a step too late.’

His weathered eyes scanned the surroundings, finally spotting Song Changsheng amidst the chaos. He instantly breathed a sigh of relief, guiding his sword down in front of Song Changsheng. "I came a step too late. It’s a good thing you’re unharmed, or else your grandfather might have come storming my Garrison Mansion."

Song Changsheng hurriedly bowed with his hands clasped. "You’re too kind, Grand-uncle. The fact that you came at all is more than I could ask for. I will report this matter to Grandfather and will be sure to remember your kind assistance."

"Hahaha, saying all that makes us sound like strangers! By the way, did you run into Demon Cultivators? I sense the aura of Blood Demons," Wang Wanzhou said, his expression turning grave as he scanned the surroundings.

Song Changsheng recounted the entire sequence of events from start to finish, leaving out no detail except for what he had obtained inside the cave mansion.

"So that’s what happened. As the saying goes, ’Heaven protects the worthy.’ It couldn’t be more fitting for you all," Wang Wanzhou said with feeling.

Song Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then steeled his resolve and asked, "Grand-uncle, you and my grandfather have been friends for generations. Do you know if there’s some sort of grudge between our family and Luoxia City?"

Wang Wanzhou stared at him for a moment, then finally sighed. "I knew you would ask. But it’s not my place to tell you about this. You should ask your grandfather yourself when you get the chance."

"This involves Grandfather?" Song Changsheng frowned slightly. ’Why has he never mentioned it?’

"Hah, let’s drop it. If you’re finished here, then come back to the Marketplace with me. The Earth Fire Sect was acting up when I was on my way over."

Song Changsheng looked at Zhu Yiqun. "Brother Zhu, are you and Xu Yunhe coming with me, or?"

Zhu Yiqun held up his hands. "I already sent a signal to my old man. He’ll be here to get me soon, and he’ll throw a fit if he can’t find me. You and the elder go on ahead. Yunhe and I will leave together."

Seeing this, Song Changsheng didn’t insist. He clasped his hands in a farewell salute, then leaped onto Wang Wanzhou’s flying sword, beginning the journey back...