Chapter 56: Magical Artifact Set
Chapter 56: Magical Artifact Set
Nangong Jun’s name being on the redeployment list already made Chen Ji’s heart ache as if bleeding. He wished he could go in her place. Fortunately, Lu Hangzhi and Xiong Qi both won spots to become True Disciples in the Inner Sect Competition, which made him feel a little better. However, he never expected to see Lu Hangzhi step forward in response to Supreme Elder Mo Li’s call. Lu Hangzhi seemed to be volunteering to go to Two Realms Mountain for redeployment, which nearly exploded Chen Ji’s chest with anger. He immediately rushed to the front, ignoring whether it was proper or not, wanting to scold this foolish boy back.
“You brat! What do you think Two Realms Mountain is? Some place for playing house? Get back right now!”
Chen Ji shouted angrily while secretly sending a mental message.
Seeing his Master Chen Ji’s furious scolding and deep concern, Lu Hangzhi immediately understood his teacher’s anxiety and unease. A warm feeling flowed through his heart, but he dared not tell the truth.
He knew that if he said he was unwilling, his Master might really refuse to obey in front of all the Elders and Revered Qin.
So, following the Sect Master’s provided lines, he said:
“Your disciple Lu Hangzhi is willing to go with Supreme Elder to Two Realms Mountain for redeployment.”
Although he didn’t know what agreement the Sect Master and the Venerable One had reached, reason told him he couldn’t resist the decisions of the Xuanxin Sect’s Sect Master and Supreme Elder.
“…”
Chen Ji had managed Xuanxin Sect’s affairs for many years and wasn’t foolish. Seeing Lu Hangzhi’s behavior, he quickly calmed down and turned his gaze to the high platform, fixing his eyes on his Sect Master Senior Brother.
“This guy is really cunning…”
The Sect Master immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
“Sect Master Senior Brother, was it you who encouraged my inexperienced disciple to go to Two Realms Mountain?”
Chen Ji’s tone turned cold, his magical robe fluttering without wind, as if he might explode on the spot.
Nangong Jun, Lü Liang, and Xiong Qi were all startled.
Lu Hangzhi quickly said:
“Master, please calm your anger. Your disciple wishes to voluntarily follow Supreme Elder to learn and receive his guidance. Please grant your permission.”
“Shut up!”
Chen Ji frostily scolded: “What do you know? Even your senior True Disciple brothers and sisters who trained for years struggle to stay safe there, let alone you.”
“With me watching over him, Chen Ji, are you not reassured?”
As soon as Mo Li spoke, Chen Ji instantly deflated like a punctured ball, his aura completely vanishing. He mumbled:
“Master?”
His tone instantly softened, as if he had become a different person.
“I ask you, as the Supreme Elder, as your Master, am I not allowed to take my own disciple’s disciple to Two Realms Mountain? Are you not going to let him go?”
Mo Li looked down at Chen Ji from above.
Lu Hangzhi was stunned!
Chen Ji was actually Supreme Elder Mo Li’s disciple?
Why had his Master never mentioned it before?
“…”
There’s always someone better.
As soon as Mo Li spoke, Chen Ji couldn’t voice any dissatisfaction. Since his Master had personally spoken, it seemed this matter was settled.
Seeing his Master’s lost and confused expression, Lu Hangzhi felt a bit guilty.
Bah.
I’m the one who’s going to risk my life here. Why should I feel guilty?
Lu Hangzhi was speechless.
At this time, after personally suppressing Chen Ji, Mo Li turned to face the crowd and announced expressionlessly: “Newly advanced True Disciple Lu Hangzhi voluntarily requested to go to Two Realms Mountain. His courage is commendable. I grant his request and personally bestow upon him one Magical Artifact, one Sixth Rank peak Demon Beast Inner Core, and one volume of high-grade spell manual as rewards.”
“During this Inner Sect Competition, Lu Hangzhi advanced as the top ranker and received two Magical Artifacts as rewards. Counting this one, he can exchange for one Medium Grade Artifact. I will select a set of Flying Swords from the sect treasury for you, Hangzhi. I hope you use them well and do not disgrace our Xuanxin Sect’s reputation at Two Realms Mountain!”
“Hangzhi thanks Supreme Elder!”
Lu Hangzhi hurriedly respectfully performed a kowtow. This was the Ancestral Master; he had to curry favor properly.
Mo Li then showed a satisfied smile and continued announcing the remaining three personnel.
After the episode of Lu Hangzhi’s voluntary request, the True Disciples who stepped forward were clearly not as heavy-hearted as before. Those who came out later also walked much more lightly, as if freed from an invisible demonic obstacle, regaining the calm composure of True Disciples.
After announcing the list of thirty people, Mo Li said clearly:
“The top ten disciples have already received their respective Magical Artifacts and spiritual pills. The remaining twenty temporarily added personnel may go to the treasury to choose one Magical Artifact each. Hmm… Hangzhi, aside from that Medium Grade Artifact Flying Sword set, you may choose another Magical Artifact.”
All the True Disciples showed envy, but no jealousy—they didn’t know Lu Hangzhi was forced out, so they naturally thought it normal for the sect to show him some extra care.
But Lü Liang, Xiong Qi, Leng Wuya, and Yun Yi were extremely anxious.
“This foolish boy.”
“How could he…”
“He makes me so angry!!”
The three were frantic but helpless. They watched as Lu Hangzhi left with the team and said bitterly:
“Who knows when he’ll return after going to Two Realms Mountain? But at least Sister Jun will have company.”
“My abilities are meager, but thanks to Junior Brother, I advanced to True Disciple early. I’ll take care of Junior Brother’s residence from now on, and look after his maidservants Lü’e and Cong Fang…”
“That’s all we can do.”
Leng Wuya sighed.
No one expected such a drastic change after the Sect Grand Competition. It was completely unforeseen.
Everyone sighed.
……
On the other side.
Lu Hangzhi followed the True Disciple team into the sect treasury.
Nangong Jun, having already received bestowed Magical Artifacts, wasn’t eligible to choose, but she came with the team and approached her Junior Brother.
“Junior Brother.”
“Sister.”
“Why were you so foolish?”
Nangong Jun chided with some reproach.
Lu Hangzhi smiled wryly:
“I thought Sister would be too lonely at Two Realms Mountain alone, so I wanted to come keep you company.”
“What nonsense are you saying, you little schemer? Trying to fool your Sister?”
Nangong Jun’s pretty face rarely showed a hint of blush, then returned to normal: “If that’s really what you thought, why did you prepare a farewell gift for me in advance? Hmph! Master wouldn’t have gotten so angry in public then… Tell me the truth.”
He was caught.
She was really sharp.
Helpless, Lu Hangzhi quietly sent a mental message, telling his Sister everything about Revered Qin and Supreme Elder’s decision.
Nangong Jun was dumbfounded.
“It was actually Revered Qin who personally named you… Junior Brother, I don’t know if this is a misfortune or a blessing, but at least the Ancestral Master is there, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.”
“Hmm.”
Lu Hangzhi thought to himself, I hope so.
“By the way, Senior Sister, why haven’t I heard Master mention the Ancestral Master before?”
“I am not sure about that.”
Nangong Jun instinctively glanced ahead.
Lu Hangzhi saw it but didn’t press further.
Senior Sister must have her reasons for not saying.
The treasure vault was a huge storeroom, empty all around, not at all like the glittering treasure cave Lu Hangzhi had imagined.
“Each of you decide the type of Magical Artifact you want, and I will provide artifacts of the same type for you to choose from.”
Mo Li turned and stopped, speaking.
The group of True Disciples spoke up one after another:
“Reporting to Supreme Elder, I want a defensive type Magical Artifact.”
“I want an attack type.”
“I want a Magical Artifact that enhances spatial movement.”
“…A recovery type Magical Artifact.”
Different True Disciples had different cultivation directions and weaknesses, so their requests were mostly to cover their weaknesses and improve their survival chances at Two Realms Mountain.
Soon, all the other True Disciples had picked their Magical Artifacts, leaving only Lu Hangzhi.
Mo Li walked over, took a flat wooden box from his Storage Ring, and pushed it into Hangzhi’s hands:
“This is a set of Medium Grade Artifacts I chose for you—seven high-quality Flying Swords with different attributes. After Blood Binding Recognition, they will be easier and faster to control, and each sword can unleash power one level higher than its grade, perfectly suited for the ‘Seven-Seven Sword Formation’ you are practicing.”
“Thank you, Supreme Elder.”
Lu Hangzhi solemnly accepted it, then under Nangong Jun’s envious gaze, was urged to perform Blood Binding Recognition.
Nangong Jun transmitted her voice:
“High-quality Flying Swords each have different attributes, already almost reaching the level of Low Grade Artifacts. Little Junior Brother, the Ancestral Master is really good to you.”
“……”
Lu Hangzhi knew this was a form of compensation.
If he died at Two Realms Mountain, what use would these artifacts be?
But…
a set of Flying Swords equivalent to Low Grade Artifacts was indeed an extremely luxurious top-tier Divine Artifact for him at this stage.
And!
After Blood Binding Recognition, Lu Hangzhi quickly discovered with delight that the wooden box was also a Magical Artifact—a spatial artifact serving as the shared scabbard for the seven swords, with separate compartments so the seven different-attribute Flying Swords did not interfere with each other.
“What type of Magical Artifact do you want to pick next?”
Mo Li reminded him.
Only then did Lu Hangzhi remember he could choose one additional Low Grade Artifact, and he fell into thought.
He already had four Magical Artifacts:
The Sleeve Storage Ring could store one Sixth Rank or three Fifth Grade Art Techniques, usable for both attack and defense, a complex type;
The Lotus Bracelet was a defensive Magical Artifact, but its defense was likely weak for Two Realms Mountain;
The Honeycomb was a support-type Magical Artifact, providing a steady supply of Spirit Honey, so consumption shouldn’t be a problem.
Lastly, this set of Flying Swords, Medium Grade Artifacts, with great power, strongly made up for his lack in attack…
It seemed the only thing still lacking was… defense.
After he told the Supreme Elder, the latter thought for a moment and took out a Heartguard Mirror, saying: “This Heartguard Mirror was obtained during my travels in my youth. When filled with Magic Power, it can automatically release a Defensive Barrier upon enemy attack, capable of withstanding up to five High Insight Stage Art Technique attacks. Once the Barrier breaks, it needs simple repairs and recharging with Magic Power.”
Lu Hangzhi respectfully received it, tucked it close to his body, and thought oddly:
“Just one more piece, and I’ll have a full set of six Divine Artifacts.”
Leaving the treasure vault, they found Revered Qin at the entrance, his expression serious. Lu Hangzhi and the other True Disciples immediately felt an overwhelming pressure.
“Ready to go?”
Mo Li glanced back at the sect and nodded:
“Troubling you, Revered Qin.”
“It’s my duty.”
Revered Qin replied indifferently, turned around, and in front of Lu Hangzhi, took out a small, all-black handcrafted boat…
Huh?
Before Lu Hangzhi could get a clear look, Revered Qin threw it out.
The black boat glowed brightly, swelled in the wind, and quickly turned into a golden three-masted ship floating in the air, its sails moving without wind, gathering a strong gale.
Revered Qin soared into the air, looked down at everyone, and said: “Board the ship.”