Chapter 225: Spirit Artifact and Spirit Treasure

"Brother knows well enough—as long as this Little Mist Cloud Banner remains unfurled, we can rest easy on our journey." From the empty space ahead came Ximen Mei's light laugh.

No sooner had she spoken than a blue ripple surged forward, and the yellow-robed palace lady and the white jade flying vessel flickered into view.

Ximen Mei gazed at Wang Yu with a smile, still clutching the phantom little banner in her hand.

"Sister didn't deceive me—yet such a powerful talisman treasure, and you still say this Little Mist Cloud Banner isn't a true treasure, only a spirit artifact? What do you mean?"

"I recall reading in ancient texts that talisman treasures are special talismans that seal the power of a treasure." Wang Yu asked curiously again.

"You've got so many questions. First, get on the flying vessel—we'll talk while we travel." Ximen Mei gave Wang Yu a look, then flickered back onto the white jade flying vessel, still holding the phantom banner.

Wang Yu naturally had no objection; he agreed and flew aboard as well.

At that moment, Ximen Mei waved the banner once more, and a blue aura rolled outward, enveloping the entire vessel and both of them.

Wang Yu looked outside curiously—the scenery beyond the vessel appeared unchanged, yet everything inside had taken on a faint bluish tint.

Ximen Mei gripped the phantom banner with one hand and lightly tapped the vessel with her foot; the white jade flying vessel instantly shot through the air.

She walked two steps to Wang Yu's side and smiled.

"It's only been a few years since we last met, yet your transformation is so great I can hardly believe it."

"Not only have you grown immensely powerful—now considered the top Qi Condensation cultivator in the sect—but I've heard you've also become a formal Artificer."

"I owe my status as a formal Artificer entirely to Master Sun's meticulous guidance—he taught me nearly all of his Artificing techniques." Wang Yu naturally attributed all credit to Master Sun.

"Master Sun's Artificing skill is only average within the sect, yet he clearly knows how to teach disciples."

"Since you're an Artificer, you must know much about artifacts and treasures—I can save myself a lot of explanation." Ximen Mei spoke without hesitation.

"I humbly ask for Sister's guidance," Wang Yu bowed, his expression solemn.

Since joining the Four Symbols Sect, he had asked the Yin family to gather many books, including some on Artificing—but the texts they obtained were all ordinary ones.

Although the sect's Scripture Library did hold some Artificing texts, records concerning high-grade artifacts were scarce.

Ximen Mei was different—she was not only a descendant of a Jin Dan Ancestor but also a rare outside-world Artificer apprentice; her understanding of high-grade artifacts far surpassed that of ordinary disciples.

Indeed, the yellow-robed palace lady slowly poured spiritual energy into the banner as she pondered, then spoke slowly:

"The texts you've read aren't wrong about talisman treasures—but as an Artificer, you should know better: first-grade artifacts are merely ordinary weapons like swords or blades infused with simple first-grade spells, sometimes with minor size alterations."

"Second-grade artifacts are much the same—inscribed with stronger second-grade spell patterns."

"But third-grade artifacts are entirely different."

"Third-grade artifacts can change size at will, shift between solid and ethereal forms, and even be nurtured within the spiritual consciousness. Only when they develop independent sentience do they become the legendary treasures."

"Yet the process of nurturing sentience in a third-grade artifact is extremely long—most Jin Dan Ancestors never live long enough to see it happen."

"So when Jin Dan Ancestors speak of 'treasures,' they usually mean artifacts that have begun nurturing sentience but haven't yet developed true independent consciousness—what we call 'spirit artifacts.' True artifacts that have gained sentience are called 'spirit treasures' by Jin Dan Ancestors."

"But whether spirit artifact or spirit treasure, to lower-level cultivators they all appear as immensely powerful, unpredictable 'treasures'—so calling a spirit artifact a treasure isn't wrong to ordinary cultivators."

"So that's it—so the talisman treasures described in those texts, sealing the power of a treasure into a talisman, are mostly those sealing the power of spirit artifacts." Wang Yu suddenly understood.

"You're clever, Wang Yu—once explained, you grasp it instantly."

"Not to mention true spirit treasures—even spirit artifacts, or even ordinary third-grade artifacts without nurtured sentience, are rare even among Jin Dan Ancestors."

"Most Jin Dan Ancestors possess only one artifact under nurturing, plus a handful of ordinary third-grade artifacts."

"The original body of this Little Mist Cloud Banner isn't an artifact nurtured by my ancestor—it was exchanged from another Jin Dan Ancestor as a talisman treasure."

"According to my ancestor, the power difference between a spirit artifact and a spirit treasure is vast—they're no longer even on the same level."

"And sects that possess spirit treasures often enjoy enduring prosperity—so spirit treasures are typically used by great sects to stabilize their inner fortune." Ximen Mei nodded.

"Then our Four Symbols Sect must also have a true spirit treasure," Wang Yu said, filled with longing, and asked again.

"Our sect has existed for over a thousand years—of course we have one spirit treasure to stabilize our sect's fortune." Ximen Mei hesitated, then revealed a hint of the sect's secret.

"Our sect truly has a spirit treasure—but I wonder…"

Wang Yu's spirits lifted, eager to ask more—but Ximen Mei cut him off directly.

"Brother, don't ask further—I don't know the specifics. Only the three Ancestors are likely to know."

"Of course—such information is certainly beyond the reach of ordinary disciples," Wang Yu nodded in understanding.

"Wang Yu, ever since we met, you've bombarded me with questions—shouldn't it be my turn to ask you something now?" Ximen Mei suddenly smiled.

"Whatever Sister wants to ask, I'll answer without reservation," Wang Yu replied at once with a smile.

"Good, then tell me—how many true disciples of demonic sects did you kill inside the secret realm? Which sects were they from? With your current strength, you must have some impressive accomplishments." Ximen Mei's eyes flickered as she asked.

"You want to ask about this?" Wang Yu paused.

"Is there something you can't say? With your ability to fight that madman, your record can't be poor." Ximen Mei grinned.

"There's nothing to hide—I fought several battles after entering the secret realm. I killed three demonic true disciples: two from the Demon Luo Sect, one from the Black Soul Sect." Wang Yu thought for a moment, then answered frankly.

(Only one chapter tonight, fellow cultivators—goodnight and rest well.)