A Loose Cultivator's Path to Longevity

”No matter where you came from, it’s time to return this Incarnation to me.”

Lü Zhong said, his voice cold.

”The Incarnation? I... Can’t I just... not return it?” the mask’s Artifact Spirit asked feebly, letting out a flustered gasp after hearing his words.

”You don’t have to return it. In that case, what will you offer in its place?” Lü Zhong’s brows knitted, the very air around him seeming to twist as his voice dropped low. ”It cost me two million Spirit Stones to create this Incarnation. If you don’t give it back, who’s going to cover that loss?”

”...” The mask’s Artifact Spirit recoiled.

Another series of frantic gasps could be heard.

He glanced at her, not understanding what this thing meant by the gasping sounds it always made.

’But if I had to guess, the gasping is probably a habit. Like how people’s hands can’t help but tremble when they’re nervous, or their voices quiver.’

”If...” The mask’s Artifact Spirit peeked at Lü Zhong, her demeanor that of a timid little girl. Having apparently made a decision, she said in a weak, reedy voice, ”’I mean, if... if you could help me get out of this mask, then... would it be okay if Baiyi used it as an exchange...?”

”Help you get out?” Lü Zhong was perplexed that the Artifact Spirit calling herself ”Baiyi” actually wanted to give up Longevity. ’She probably doesn’t understand how precious Longevity is,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, she’d never say something like that.’

Still, he gave it serious thought. Cupping his chin, he said, ”It’s not entirely impossible. There is a certain Secret Skill that might work, but I can’t be sure it can actually free you from the Spirit Treasure.”

At these words, Baiyi’s emotions surged.

”Please, I’m begging you! You have to get me out of this mask!”

She had been trapped in the mask for countless ages.

Dull. Tedious.

It was comparable to an endless torture!

If Lü Zhong hadn’t appeared, allowing the mask to attach itself to the Incarnation that had stumbled upon it, she feared she would have remained trapped in the Sacrificial Hall until the moment of her final release.

”Are you sure?” Lü Zhong asked, wanting to be absolutely certain.

He then proceeded to explain the concept of Longevity to Baiyi in great detail.

Unsurprisingly, she remained adamant. She was determined to shed her identity as an Artifact Spirit, preferring to let her Divine Soul decay inside the Incarnation rather than continue her ”Longevity.”

”Very well. As you wish!”

Seeing her resolve, Lü Zhong didn’t press the matter; in fact, he was pleased with this outcome. He formed a complex Finger Mantra and began to perform a Secret Skill from his Outer Body Incarnation arts.

With careful coaxing, he actually managed to tear Baiyi’s Divine Soul from the golden mask. Without a moment’s hesitation, he shoved it directly into the Incarnation’s body.

At the same time, he didn’t forget to remove his own split soul from the Incarnation’s body.

A moment later, ”Baiyi” slowly opened her eyes. Seeing that she had a body again, she let out a series of excited gasps. She couldn’t resist the urge to run, but since she wasn’t accustomed to the body, she took a single step and immediately fell to the ground with a pained grunt.

Lü Zhong had no time for her.

Right now, his full attention was focused on the chunk of golden-yellow rock in his hand.

After losing its Artifact Spirit, Baiyi, the mask had begun to change for some unknown reason. It first emitted an earthy-yellow glow, which then contracted and condensed until it became what he now held.

Carefully sensing the chunk of golden-yellow rock, he discovered a faint consciousness slumbering within. This sleeping spirit was the Spirit Treasure’s true, original Artifact Spirit.

Lü Zhong attempted to refine the treasure.

But no matter which Refining Method he tried, there was no effect whatsoever.

’It’s just as the old records say. To refine a Spirit Treasure, you have to use the Spirit Communication Mantra!’ Realizing this, Lü Zhong’s expression soured.

The purpose of the Spirit Communication Mantra could be described as a ”synchronizer.”

It synchronizes a cultivator’s thoughts, turning them into operational commands for the Spirit Treasure.

But with the Artifact Spirit dormant, he had no way to obtain the Spirit Communication Mantra.

”Forget it. I’ll figure it out later.” Lü Zhong put the rock into his Storage Ring. He then looked toward Baiyi, who was still tentatively exploring her new body. The thought of her potential research value prompted him to ask, ”I’m leaving. Are you staying here, or coming with me?”

”I can?” Baiyi asked, her face lighting up with surprise and delight.

”Of course. But your... current appearance...” Lü Zhong trailed off, hesitating.

The Incarnations he carried were essentially consumables, so he simplified every possible detail during their creation. Not only were things like pores and hair omitted, but even the facial features were rudimentary at best.

As a result, Baiyi’s current appearance was rather horrifying.

She looked almost like a paper doll.

After a moment’s thought, Lü Zhong channeled a stream of Magical Power and began sculpting Baiyi’s face. He then conjured more than a dozen Water Mirrors, each displaying the image of a different woman from the Human Race. ”Have you decided what you want to look like?” he asked. ”If not, pick one of these.”

”I think I’m fine right...” Baiyi started to say, but then she caught sight of her current reflection in one of the Water Mirrors. After comparing it to the other images, she immediately changed her tune. ”I’ll pick this one!” she said hastily. ”Wait, can you combine this part... and this part here too?”

After he was done sculpting her face, Baiyi finally looked normal.

She had the plain, unremarkable appearance of a village girl.

...

Retracing his steps, Lü Zhong soon arrived back at Niyang Immortal City.

He had intended to visit Flowing Sword and ask if he knew a way to awaken the Artifact Spirit, but Flowing Sword had already gone into seclusion to recover from his injuries. Lü Zhong had no choice but to abandon the idea.

Instead, Lü Zhong turned his attention to trade.

After all, he hadn’t come back from the Western Realm empty-handed.