Chapter 372: Xi Er's Identity

"Artifact spirit?"

Jiang Feng cried out in shock, his eyes wide as saucers.

He stared fixedly at Yao Lao, as if trying to see through the old figure before him.

This unfathomably powerful Yao Lao was actually the artifact spirit incarnation born from the ancient artifact, the Medicine God Cauldron?

This answer completely overturned everything he knew.

No wonder Yao Lao could move freely within the secret realm inside the Medicine God Cauldron and control everything in it at will.

It turned out he himself was part of the divine artifact, and this secret realm was his home ground.

Suddenly, Kun Long's voice rang out in Jiang Feng's mind.

"So that's it! No wonder I always felt this old fellow's aura was somewhat familiar, yet I couldn't recall where I'd seen it before! He's the artifact spirit of the Medicine God Cauldron, inheriting the aura of the Divine Farmer Emperor. I once saw the Divine Farmer Emperor's divine might from afar back then, so naturally I'd find this aura familiar!"

Kun Long's tone was full of emotion.

"The Medicine God Cauldron is a primordial divine artifact. For its artifact spirit to possess such intelligence and power is truly rare. But I never expected this legendary artifact to be hidden in such a tiny Taoyuan Village."

Jiang Feng understood now—no wonder Kun Long felt familiar with Yao Lao's aura; this was the reason.

Kun Long had lived through the Ancient Years, seen countless Great Beings and divine artifacts, so it was only natural he could sense the ancient aura on the Medicine God Cauldron's artifact spirit.

Yao Lao looked at Jiang Feng's shocked expression and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"I know your identity is no ordinary one either. Young as you are, you've already reached the Heavenly Human Realm, and you've got an ancient cursed dragon hidden inside you..."

At this point, his gaze turned somewhat complicated.

"Although... I don't know whether this dragon's intentions toward you are good or bad, at least for now, he hasn't harmed you."

As he said this, a trace of barely concealed sorrow flashed in Yao Lao's eyes.

"From the end of the Ancient Era, when I first gained sentience, until now, I don't know how many tens of thousands of years have passed. In these long years, I've seen too many rises and falls, too many familiar companions fall."

"So seeing this cursed dragon, sensing that familiar ancient aura on him, it makes me a bit sad."

Yao Lao sighed softly, his tone full of vicissitude.

"Familiar faces are getting fewer and fewer..."

Jiang Feng remained silent, saying nothing.

He could feel the sorrow in Yao Lao's tone—a loneliness and solitude spanning countless ages that ordinary people could never understand.

Yao Lao quickly composed himself, his gaze falling back on Jiang Feng.

"And the cultivation technique on you—if this old man isn't mistaken, it should be the orthodox sect-guarding technique of Kunlun. Kunlun is the foremost of all immortal mountains under heaven, its heritage spanning ten thousand years. For you to cultivate Kunlun's technique and carry Kunlun's fortune blessing on you... it means your master's lineage is at least Kunlun orthodox."

"Although Zuo Liangchen is a descendant of the Wang Sect and protected by Taoyuan Village's fortune, he is narrow-minded and utterly unworthy of controlling a treasure like the Medicine God Cauldron. You are indeed more suited to take over the Medicine God Cauldron than he is."

Yao Lao's tone was extremely solemn.

"Therefore, this old man has chosen you to become the new master of the Medicine God Cauldron."

"New master?"

Jiang Feng was stunned, and a doubt suddenly arose in his heart.

He frowned and couldn't help asking.

"Yao Lao, logically speaking, you are the artifact spirit of the Medicine God Cauldron. Artifact spirits are inherently free and autonomous—why would you need to find a master to bind yourself? Why are you doing this?"

Hearing this question, the smile on Yao Lao's face gradually faded, replaced by a bitter expression.

He gently shook his head and let out a long sigh.

"If I could, this old man would naturally wish to continue being carefree like this, unbound by anyone. But reality leaves me no choice."

His gaze looked into the depths of the secret realm, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"Although the Medicine God Cauldron is an ancient divine artifact, it suffered severe damage during the battle within the Medicine God Hall back then. Its body was harmed, and much of its Original Source Power was lost. Over the years, my strength has been constantly worn away. If it weren't for that Ancient Formation under Da Qing Shan continuously drawing true qi from heaven and earth to nourish the artifact's origin, this old man might have long since perished, completely dissipated between heaven and earth."

"Moreover, in a thousand years, people's hearts change."

Yao Lao's tone grew heavy.

"The people of Taoyuan Village, especially the Zuo Family, have coveted the Medicine God Cauldron for several hundred years."

"But after all, I am only an artifact spirit, my strength diminished, and I cannot stray too far from the Medicine God Cauldron. As the Zuo Family's power grows and Village Chief Zuo Laogui's cultivation deepens, the time I can suppress them is running out."

There was a trace of weariness in Yao Lao's voice.

"I had no choice but to make concessions. Using the pretext of recruiting apprentices for the Yao Lu, I agreed to select one person from the village to take over the Medicine God Cauldron, in order to appease the Zuo Family and the other families in the village and buy some time."

"But now, this old man has chosen you, an outsider. The Zuo Family will absolutely not accept the artifact changing hands so easily."

Yao Lao looked at Jiang Feng and spoke in a grave tone.

Jiang Feng's heart sank; he knew Yao Lao was telling the truth.

Zuo Liangchen hated him to the bone, and the old village chief was extremely powerful.

Thinking of this, Jiang Feng suddenly remembered Xi Er.

He couldn't help asking.

"By the way, Yao Lao, what does this have to do with Xi Er? I heard Zuo Liangchen say that Xi Er is his fiancée?"

Hearing Xi Er's name, Yao Lao's expression immediately became extremely serious, and his gaze grew profound.

He didn't answer Jiang Feng's question right away. Instead, he stared fixedly at Jiang Feng and asked solemnly.

"Jiang Feng, what are your feelings toward Xi Er?"

Jiang Feng was taken aback, not expecting Yao Lao to suddenly ask this question.

He answered instinctively.

"Gratitude, naturally. If Xi Er hadn't saved me at the foot of the mountain back then and taken such good care of me, I might have died long ago."

Hearing this answer, Yao Lao gently shook his head, seemingly unsatisfied.

"I don't want gratitude, nor simple fondness. I'm asking you—are you willing to protect Xi Er for the rest of your life?"

Jiang Feng was completely stunned, a bewildered expression on his face.

Yao Lao gave Jiang Feng no time to think, and continued speaking.

"Xi Er's identity is far more important than you imagine, even more important than the Yao Divine Cauldron itself! Therefore, I need you to tell me clearly whether you are willing to protect Xi Er for a lifetime, even at the cost of your life?"

But Jiang Feng hadn't had time to open his mouth to answer.

Yao Lao, however, took the initiative again, Tone more solemnly said.

"Think it through before you answer!"

Jiang Feng looked at Yao Lao, nodded slowly, and already had an answer in his heart.