Chapter 986: The Artifact Emperor (Requesting Monthly Votes)

“Star Spirit!”

Lin Qi chose to summon the Star Spirit directly whenever he needed help.

“Hum!”

In the next instant, the Star Spirit clad in golden robes appeared.

“Member Lin Qi, how may I assist you?”

Lin Qi asked:

“I want to upgrade the Taixing, what options are available?”

“Not just the exterior, but also the interior and all functions—comprehensive upgrades are needed.”

The Star Spirit replied without hesitation:

“Member Lin Qi, to maximize the performance of your standard Taixing-class starship, you need to add 700 million cultivation points.”

“That will complete Upgrade Plan One.”

Lin Qi nodded; he knew Plan One—it pushed the Taixing to its absolute limits, squeezing every possible performance from its tiny hull.

He had once coveted it desperately, back when he didn’t have enough cultivation points.

Now that he had the funds, he could finally upgrade.

So he said: “Proceed with Plan One.”

The Star Spirit nodded: “No problem.”

“Member Lin Qi, after implementing Plan One, your Taixing-class starship will meet the minimum usage standard for a Universe Level Five being.”

Lin Qi considered: this was merely the minimum standard.

If he were a Universe Level Five being—even just newly ascended—he’d use a far superior starship, one that improved speed and offered better protection.

Even with upgraded performance, the current Taixing was still too small—it needed to be enlarged.

So he asked again:

“Can it be modified further? The Taixing is still too small.”

The Star Spirit replied: “Of course. There is still tremendous room for improvement in size and all functions.”

“As long as you have sufficient cultivation points, you can keep upgrading indefinitely.”

“Here are 36 upgrade plans available to you, each with a different price.”

As he spoke, the Star Spirit projected a large screen displaying 36 upgrade options.

Lin Qi quickly scanned them.

These plans had been fully upgraded, especially in size—expanded several times over.

The original Taixing was only a hundred meters long; now, the smallest option was over two hundred meters.

The cheapest one required 3 billion cultivation points.

But Lin Qi wasn’t interested—he wanted better. He turned to examine other starship blueprints and models.

He carefully studied the direction of functional enhancements, exterior design, and finally, the price.

After careful consideration, he made his decision.

“Star Spirit, I choose Plan Eight!”

The golden-robed Star Spirit nodded:

“Understood, Member Lin Qi!”

“Plan Eight: Your Taixing-class starship will be 320 meters long, 120 meters wide, and equipped with a Level Five scanning system.”

“Seventy percent of the hull is constructed from Class A titanium-kr alloy, thirty percent from Class S metal...”

“The ship is armed with Class S laser cannons capable of inflicting damage on a Class-Numbered Universe Level Five being.”

“The energy shield has been upgraded three tiers, though energy consumption will increase substantially...”

“Finally, implementing Plan Nine will require 12 billion cultivation points!”

Lin Qi exhaled—he knew this upgrade was at his limit.

It would serve him for a long time; many Universe Level Five beings used starships of this caliber.

And 12 billion cultivation points was acceptable—he already included Plan One in this total.

The subsequent plans merely built upon this foundation.

Effectively, it was a double upgrade.

So he chose to pay.

【Ding!】

【Payment successful. You have paid 12 billion cultivation points!】

The Star Spirit smiled:

“Member Lin Qi, this upgrade will take ten years.”

“We must comprehensively modify your starship.”

“If you wish to accelerate progress, you may spend an additional 1 billion cultivation points.”

“Then we can complete it in five years.”

“If you’re willing to pay 5 billion cultivation points, we’ll finish in one year.”

Lin Qi shook his head: “No need. This pace is fine.”

He had no intention of spending cultivation points just to speed things up.

He needed time to prepare thoroughly anyway—ten years was more than enough.

Besides, he felt this speed was already fast enough.

Artifact crafting might take even longer.

So this time frame wasn’t significant at all.

…

Soon, several hours later, Suolan and a group of staff arrived.

Suolan’s granddaughter had entered the Tai Chu Sacred Land; technically, he no longer needed to work.

He could return home and enjoy retirement.

Yet he still hadn’t left—he chose to remain within the Sacred Land.

Lin Qi suspected it was for his own reasons.

To stay close and cultivate a relationship with him.

After all, Lin Qi was a legendary prodigy; becoming a Sovereign was merely a matter of time.

He might even become a disciple of the Supreme Being.

Then everything would change completely.

If Suolan left now, their connection would fade.

But Lin Qi had no objection—he and Suolan had a mutual understanding.

Suddenly replacing staff would make him uncomfortable.

After his Taixing was taken away,

a few days later, his Master Lei Zun contacted him again.

He had already arrived at the entrance.

“Hum!”

The gates of Tianhai Residence slid open silently.

Lei Zun, clad in a purple robe and radiating authority, appeared at the entrance.

Seeing Lin Qi, he greeted:

“Let’s go!”

“Today I’m taking you to meet a master armorer.”

The two floated upward and drifted slowly toward the distance.

Lei Zun flew ahead and said:

“Since core members live for eons, when visiting friends, they rarely use instantaneous teleportation.”

“Instead, they fly slowly, to relax.”

“And perhaps they’ll encounter someone from Meng Hong Lou and chat for a while.”

“Unless there’s an emergency, no one chooses teleportation.”

“Speaking of teleportation, there’s something else you should know.”

Lin Qi became curious and asked:

“What’s that?”

Lei Zun explained simply:

“If you want to kill the Terror King, buy a relic—the Spatial Seal Ring!”

“Once activated, it seals the space in an area; anyone who hasn’t mastered the True Meaning of Spatial Law cannot teleport.”

“It effectively prevents enemies from escaping via teleportation.”

“It’s extremely effective for hunting Universe Level Five beings.”

“And it’s among the cheapest relics available.”

Lin Qi replied: “The Spatial Seal Ring?”

Lin Qi heard and said, “An air-sealing ring?”

I understand.

I will buy it.