Chapter 181
Chapter 181: You Shattered a Demi-God Rank Magic Artifact?!
Two pairs of captivating, melancholic peach blossom eyes glimmered with a chilling coldness.
Ye He Qi and Shi Zi Chu both saw the deep resentment in each other’s eyes.
“It’s like the clashing of a snipe and a clam, with the fisherman benefiting.” Shi Zi Chu suddenly sighed, her gaze as sharp as ice.
She had thought that if Ye He Qi could soul contract the demi-god rank magic artifact, it would be fine—worst case, they could later extort something from it. But unexpectedly, the artifact had its own spirit and rejected Ye He Qi.
Since that was the case, there was no need for the demi-god rank magic artifact to exist anymore!
Ye He Qi raised his hand.
The demi-god rank magic artifact, in the shape of a hairpin, shimmered with brilliant light, its beauty unmatched.
“Daoist Shi, would you like to give it a try?” a warm voice echoed.
The moment Shi Zi Chu took a step forward, she felt the artifact spirit’s rejection toward her.
Very well.
Ye He Qi smiled, “Daoist Shi, would you let others benefit?”
It neither recognized him nor Shi Zi Chu, meaning it likely only acknowledged Chu Zhi Rou.
If that was the case, the demi-god rank magic artifact had no more reason to exist!
Shi Zi Chu smiled and took out Ziyuan.
The hairpin-shaped magic artifact was tossed into the air by Ye He Qi.
A sword light as soft as water flashed.
With a sharp crack, the shimmering hairpin shattered into several pieces, falling to the ground, its broken fragments quickly losing their radiance.
Ye He Qi and Shi Zi Chu both smiled at the same time, their expressions full of satisfaction.
“What have you done?! You shattered a demi-god rank magic artifact?! This is a demi-god rank artifact!!!”
The spirit’s voice shrieked in anger, its faint glow flickering as though it were deeply agitated.
Shi Zi Chu smiled lightly.
Would she leave it intact for Chu Zhi Rou?
Did she seem like the kind of kind-hearted person who would do such a thing?
Ye He Qi crouched down slowly and began collecting the shattered pieces.
After wrapping them in a cloth, he stood and looked at Shi Zi Chu. “Why didn’t you shatter the Azure Luan Sword back then?”
The growing immortal rank spirit sword, if compared, was far more valuable than this demi-god rank magic artifact.
Shi Zi Chu flicked her wrist, transforming the spirit sword into a fan, then waved it leisurely. “What’s important about a growing immortal rank magic artifact?”
Ye He Qi’s smile deepened by two points. “Growth.”
Shi Zi Chu also smiled.
Their laughter, clear and melodic, sounded like an enchanting tune.
Ye He Qi divided the shards in half and handed them to Shi Zi Chu, his voice playful. “Your thoughts on keeping the Azure Luan Sword are not pure.”
Shi Zi Chu grinned, “I can’t use the storage space. Clan Chief Ye, please take care of it for me.”
Without resources to supply it, the Azure Luan Sword remained an immortal rank, but if one wanted it to grow to demi-god rank or god rank, it would take an immense amount of resources.
Did Chu Zhi Rou have such resources?
No.
Since Chu Zhi Rou didn’t have the resources to grow the Azure Luan Sword, the plot would surely find a way to supply her with them.
Once the resources appeared, the first to claim them would own them!
This was why she hadn’t shattered the Azure Luan Sword—it was a long-term plan to catch a big fish!
Ye He Qi put the shards away, then turned toward the gate.
“Clan Chief Ye~” the playful tone echoed, as Shi Zi Chu twisted the spirit’s body, rubbing it gently. “What will we do without a demi-god rank magic artifact inside~?”
Two pairs of soft, affectionate peach blossom eyes met once more, devoid of emotion, only filled with cunning calculations.
After restoring everything to its original state, they erased all traces and quickly departed.
In the palace hall, on the thirty-ninth floor.
Having descended from the top, the two of them rested on this floor.
A small bridge, flowing water, and grassy fields—setting aside the illusion mirrors, this place was incredibly peaceful and beautiful, ideal for a rest.
Shi Zi Chu sat on the wooden bridge, dipping her legs into the cool stream. The refreshing water brushed against her feet, and she sighed contentedly.
Ye He Qi sat cross-legged nearby, gazing at the distant green meadow, watching wildflowers sway in the wind, his thoughts slowly drifting.
After a while, he turned to look at Shi Zi Chu, who was playing with the water. “How did the pattern change?”
If she could have entered, Shi Zi Chu would have charged in immediately, but she remained outside, confirming that her earlier speculation had been right.
“Soul force.”
Ye He Qi withdrew his gaze and, after a moment of silence, asked, “That tear on your cloak is so obvious—what pattern do you plan to use to cover it?”
Upon hearing this, Shi Zi Chu feigned surprise. “Can I choose?”
Ye He Qi, knowing all too well her little schemes, chuckled. “Don’t even think about messing with my cloak.”
Shi Zi Chu sighed in mock regret, then straightened up seriously. “Clan Chief Ye, do as you please. I trust your embroidery skills.”
Ye He Qi nodded in acknowledgment.
The only sounds were the gentle flow of the water as Ye He Qi embroidered the pattern over the tear, while Shi Zi Chu studied the spirit.
Compared to the female villain system, the soul spirit was much easier to manipulate. Shi Zi Chu almost effortlessly infiltrated the soul spirit’s core.
After surveying the entire situation, Shi Zi Chu couldn’t help but voice her admiration. “The eighty-first floor of the Ascending Towers Island—aren’t we impressive?”
At this moment, the fastest Chu Zhi Rou and her group had only reached the thirty-fourth floor, while they were already descending from the top.
Ye He Qi raised his eyes, looking at Shi Zi Chu’s expression of ‘I’ve worked so hard.’ After a brief pause, he asked, “Did we skip some levels?”
As impressive as they were, they didn’t come by it without using shortcuts—Shi Zi Chu’s soul force was simply too formidable.
“Of course,” Shi Zi Chu replied, her eyes closed as she continued to use her soul force for mischief.
After a while, her soft, warm voice rang out, “Clan Chief Ye, do you want an immortal rank magic artifact?”
No wonder the ruins had demi-god rank magic artifacts—there were abundant resources, almost as if they wanted to supplement the resources needed for the Azure Luan Sword to grow.
Since that was the case, she wouldn’t hold back!
Without lifting his head, Ye He Qi continued his needlework. “Can I trust you?”
“What kind of talk is this!” Shi Zi Chu scolded, feigning indignation. “When have I ever lied to you?”
Ye He Qi smiled faintly.
When had she not lied to him?
Shi Zi Chu, in a serious tone, said, “I can explain the pattern—it’s just a kind gesture to cover things up.”
Ye He Qi sighed. “Daoist Shi, instead of deceiving me, you might as well give me some spirit stones in compensation.”
If his guard had been lower, he might have truly been fooled.
“That won’t do.”
Shi Zi Chu quickly rejected, then stood up, pulling her legs out of the water.
Ye He Qi stood up and collected his cloak, but was soon urged by Shi Zi Chu, “Hurry, hurry! I’ve found a dharmic robe I like!”
“You just want me to help you carry things, don’t you?” Ye He Qi said, strolling leisurely behind her.
Though Shi Zi Chu couldn’t use spiritual power, she was capable of wielding soul force. She could deal with spirit beasts, destroy array formations, and shatter illusion mirrors without a problem.
When she called on him, it was simply because she couldn’t use the storage space and needed him to help her carry things.
Shi Zi Chu didn’t respond but smiled slyly, her peach blossom eyes confirming Ye He Qi’s words.
“You have all the soul spirits, so why not release the suppression on them?” Ye He Qi asked as they walked. “Pretending to be weak?”
“How else would anyone fall for it?” Shi Zi Chu retorted confidently, then led Ye He Qi down to the next floor.
Thirty-eighth floor.
On the vast plain, there were numerous golden core stage spirit beasts, of all kinds, making the entire floor resemble a spirit beast garden.