Chapter 43: That Person!
Chapter 43: That Person!
“Innate Spiritual Treasure!”
“An Innate Spiritual Treasure!”
“It’s actually an Innate Spiritual Treasure with Soul-Merging properties!”
When the Elders witnessed Tang Yilin’s figure becoming part illusory and part real, their expressions turned horrified. In the blink of an eye, they recognized it. That Bronze Mirror wasn’t just an Innate Spiritual Treasure; it was one that allowed its user to merge with the void.
Merging with the void; what did that concept even mean?
It was as if during any confrontation, no matter what attack came your way, you could simply merge your body into the void. Then, the most powerful attacks would pass through harmlessly, finding nothing to strike against. It rendered you virtually invincible! Only Tribulation Transcendents, those standing at the pinnacle of this continent and capable of shattering the void, could contend with it!
“Innate Spiritual Treasure! It really is an Innate Spiritual Treasure!”
Tang Shan saw Tang Yilin’s figure flickering between illusion and reality, his face turning pale. He had thought that with the Acquired Spiritual Treasure gifted by his father, victory in today’s contest was almost guaranteed. But he had never imagined that in the very first match, he would encounter Tang Yilin. While he knew he would eventually face her, he never expected she would possess an Innate Spiritual Treasure – and moreover, the most elusive Soul-Merging kind.
“Hehe, Brother Shan, little sister thinks this match is rather unnecessary, wouldn’t you agree? Continuing will yield no result. Why not just step down from the Platform Stage and admit defeat?”
Tang Yilin, appearing both real and illusory, wore a sweet smile as she spoke softly.
“No! Impossible! That can’t be! Even the Great Elder doesn’t have an Innate Spiritual Treasure! You, a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator, how could you possess one? This must be a trick, an illusion! Yes, it has to be an illusion!”
After a moment of stunned silence, a fierce expression contorted Tang Shan’s face, and he roared loudly.
“Spiritual Treasure, manifest!”
Tang Shan refused to believe Tang Yilin possessed an Innate Spiritual Treasure. He absolutely refused to believe it was the kind capable of merging with the void.
Buzzzzzz!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Pfft!
Tang Shan roared manically. Simultaneously, he viciously bit the tip of his tongue and spat a mouthful of vital blood directly onto the sword sheath. The sheath rapidly absorbed the crimson liquid and began to tremble violently, emitting sharp cracking sounds.
“Humph. Overly confident. I stand right here. Attack me if you dare. Let’s see what you can actually do to me?”
A trace of mockery appeared at the corner of Tang Yilin’s mouth as she spoke indifferently.
She had originally thought that if Tang Shan conceded, she would spare him humiliation. She hadn’t expected him to be so relentlessly stubborn. If necessary, she wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the Flying Sword Spiritual Treasure erupted with intense radiance. A dazzling golden light instantly burst forth, transforming into a brilliant sun! Its searing brightness stabbed painfully into the eyes of everyone present.
“Ah!”
“Bad!”
“Close your eyes!”
Stung by the sudden, blinding glare, the people in the arena snapped their eyes shut. Even the Elders on the Platform Stage narrowed their eyes, their faces twitching involuntarily.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
While everyone was blinded, they couldn’t see what was happening on the Platform Stage. However, they could clearly hear the sharp, whooshing sound of flying swords tearing through the air. The piercing sounds continued for over ten full breaths before finally stopping. Simultaneously, the blinding light completely faded away.
“Impossible! Impossible! This can’t be real! This absolutely isn’t real! It’s another illusion, a trick! Ha! Yes… yes, it must be!”
Tang Shan was slumped exhaustively on the Platform Stage, his hair disheveled, roaring these words with an impossible-to-mask incredulity and despair.
“Hmph, I told you long ago that you lacked even the chance to wound me, let alone defeat me. This happened solely because you were too arrogant. So now, I won’t hold back either!” Tang Yilin, still a wavering illusion standing upon the bronze mirror, revealed a trace of derision on her face. She lifted her hand slightly, and a wave of spiritual energy instantly coalesced into a gigantic hand, violently smashing Tang Shan away.
Boom!
“Ah!”
Crashing to the ground heavily after being flung away, Tang Shan let out a groan of pain. Yet, he continued to murmur, seemingly unable to accept this reality even now.
Swoosh!
The moment Tang Shan was knocked off the platform stage, the Great Elder’s figure flickered strangely, appearing atop it instantly. He stared at Tang Yilin with a dark expression, his thoughts utterly inscrutable.
“Heheh, your grandchild greets the Great Elder!”
Seeing the Great Elder ascend, Tang Yilin hopped down from the bronze mirror. Her white palace attire fluttered in the breeze like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm. She spoke with a radiant smile.
“Mmm, not bad, not bad. Unexpected that our Tang Family still has a member capable of such fortune. Although my eyes covet your Spiritual Treasure, I have no intention of seizing it. While within the family, you needn’t fear; no one will dare act against you. However… I fear your journey to the Divine Wind Academy will not be safe!” The Great Elder scrutinized Tang Yilin intently, then glanced up at the winnowing basket-sized jade disc in the air. He spoke, and as soon as he reached the platform stage, with a casual wave, a thin layer of restriction enveloped the two, preventing anyone from hearing their conversation.
The meaning behind his words was crystal clear; even a fool could grasp the implications.
The Great Elder had never anticipated that the seemingly ordinary bronze mirror could transform into such a terrifying object after Tang Yilin employed her magic. In her earlier state, even he had doubted his ability to land an attack on her. Though he was a Soul Refinement Cultivator, the dream of countless cultivators, he still fell hopelessly short of shattering the void itself—the fundamental difference separating Soul Refinement Cultivators from Tribulation Transcendents.
“Heheh, Great Elder, rest assured. Your grandchild only brought out this treasure because she has her own support. Originally, I intended to give some items to the Elders after this affair concluded, but now that the opportunity arises, I might as well present them directly!”
Tang Yilin let out a soft laugh. She patted her storage pouch gently, and with several swishing sounds, six or seven azure bronze tiny swords flew out.
“Hmmm?”
Seeing these tiny swords, the Great Elder frowned slightly. He could discern nothing special about them; they seemed indistinguishable from common Spirit Artifacts, and Tang Yilin’s statement left him puzzled.
“Heheh, Great Elder, no need for doubt. All these things were entrusted to me by that person for transfer before he left. And he gave a specific order…” Tang Yilin smiled lightly as she spoke. But mid-sentence, her audible voice ceased. Only her lips moved faintly. Clearly, she still felt some apprehension and had switched to sound transmission.
“Hey, Ah Hu! What is that crazy woman saying to the old man? And what exactly is that ‘Spiritual Treasure’ thing you guys were shouting about earlier?”
The people below all seemed somewhat dazed. Tang Jinbiao, in particular, was completely unfamiliar with the concept of a “Spiritual Treasure.”
“Brother Biao!”
Tang Hu turned his head, glancing at Tang Jinbiao with a hint of confusion. Why did his boss always ask such foolish questions? Nonetheless, he answered with a trace of impatience: “I don’t know what Sister Yilin is saying to the Great Elder either, but I assume it’s some secret matter. As for the Spiritual Treasure… well, that’s a long story. First, Body Refiners focus solely on tempering the physical body, aiming to become as sharp and powerful as a magic treasure. Cultivators’ bodies simply can’t achieve this, so they rely on external artifacts. For example, Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators lack inner Core Fire and cannot forge their own treasures. They can only use artifacts crafted by others. These are very simple to use; you just infuse them with spiritual energy. Artifacts of this sort are called Spirit Artifacts. More powerful treasures are those forged by Core Formation Cultivators themselves…”
Tang Hu began to slowly explain the distinctions and hierarchies among these different artifacts to Tang Jinbiao.
However, once Tang Hu finished, an expression of utter shock spread across Tang Jinbiao’s face. “What? Are you saying that madwoman possesses an Innate Spiritual Treasure? One of the most terrifying types coveted by countless powerful cultivators?”
“Mmm!”
Tang Hu nodded firmly.
…
“What? You’re saying he has already…?”
On the platform stage, the Great Elder’s face also registered shock after listening to Tang Yilin’s narration. He stared at the six or seven tiny swords before him with disbelief.
“Heheh, Great Elder, the message from that person has been delivered. Before leaving, he visited the Divine Wind Academy. He has already secured an agreement with those old monsters there: his two younger brothers must study within the academy. No excuses. As for the remaining slot… well, the decision is practically made already, isn’t it? There’s little need for further competition. Of course, formalities must still be observed, but those are just ceremonial. Ultimately, the decision still rests in the hands of you old fellows. Surely, no one would dare raise an objection to whatever you collectively decide?”
Tang Yilin maintained her charming smile, speaking lightly.
“This… this requires me to confer with the other old fellows first. But I suspect there will be no issue. Let the competition proceed as scheduled!” The Great Elder hesitated briefly but clearly saw no problem with the arrangement.
“Mmm, sort that out among yourselves. Though that person is hailed as our Tang Family’s, even the entire Divine Wind Continent’s genius, the people he truly cares about are his parents and brothers. Isn’t that precisely why his father was made Family Head? Despite being only a Core Formation Cultivator and merely a Master Alchemist? Honestly, that level of cultivation is barely respectable even within Wuzhou, let alone across the entire Divine Wind Continent! That person’s meaning is likely clearer to you than to me. Moreover, he undoubtedly left behind hidden safeguards we know nothing about. Even without such safeguards, I suspect it won’t be long before his return isn’t difficult at all! Heheh, anyway, I’ve placed the items in your hands and conveyed the message. Your decisions now will determine whether the Tang Family fades into obscurity or rises to glory! Heheh, well… it’s about time to announce the competition results. Otherwise, those people down there are starting to get impatient.”
Tang Yilin glanced towards the Tang Family disciples below who seemed restless, and spoke nonchalantly.