Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Then how can it be refined?”

Yun Xiao followed Yun Changtian’s finger with his eyes. He already had some guesses in his mind but still asked, perhaps subconsciously wanting to talk a bit more with this father he had only recently met.

A gleam flashed in Yun Changtian’s eyes. Without moving his finger, he continued, ”Do you see it? That mountain peak is the Array Core of the Refining Treasure Hall. You just need to refine it, and you’ll have preliminary control over this Space Divine Artifact!”

”Then what was the danger you just mentioned?”

Instead of immediately approaching the mountain, Yun Xiao asked again. He wasn’t going to act recklessly with something even this powerful figure considered dangerous.

”Why don’t you go see for yourself?”

This time, however, Yun Changtian did not give Yun Xiao a definite answer. A faint, enigmatic smile appeared on his illusory face, as if he was anticipating a spectacle.

”But I must tell you, I’m just a Clone Projection and can’t offer you much help. If you encounter danger, you’re on your own!”

As Yun Xiao’s body barely moved, Yun Changtian reminded him again. After he spoke, his teasing expression disappeared, replaced by a solemn look.

”I know what to do!”

While Yun Xiao took Yun Changtian’s warning seriously, facing such an opportunity now, there was no way he’d back down timidly.

”Truly worthy of being my son, Yun Changtian!”

Even though Yun Changtian didn’t say this out loud as he watched Yun Xiao stride towards the Array Core on the mountain peak, there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

If Yun Xiao lacked the courage to face this danger, Yun Changtian would have been tremendously disappointed and might never appear before Yun Xiao again.

In that case, Yun Xiao might as well stay in these lower planes, where it would be safer, and living a peaceful life wouldn’t be a bad thing.

But now, with Yun Xiao pressing forward without much hesitation, Yun Changtian felt both gratified and slightly melancholic.

After all, someone with Yun Xiao’s temperament would face more dangers in the future, and life-threatening situations could arise. Not to mention, the Star-picking Tower in the Li Yuan Realm is a colossal force.

Back when Yun Changtian was at the Moon God Palace, they’d rarely provoke the Star-picking Tower openly, yet the Star-picking Tower has now abducted Yun Xiao’s mother, marking an inevitable conflict between the two sides.

Fortunately, these matters are still distant from Yun Xiao. After his initial musings, Yun Changtian calmed himself, finding current Yun Xiao to be quite satisfactory.

”What danger does this so-called Array Core really hold?”

Yun Xiao wasn’t concerned with Yun Changtian’s thoughts. He focused entirely on refining the Array Core of the Refining Treasure Hall, eager to significantly enhance his own power upon obtaining this Space Divine Artifact.

Yun Xiao had some understanding of the so-called Array Core. It is said that when reaching the level of a Holy Rank weapon or rare Holy Rank artifacts, these seemingly lifeless objects begin to develop an Artifact Heart.

The Artifact Heart contains a latent subconscious, responding according to the owner’s mindset, thereby maximizing the power of the weapon or artifact.

Furthermore, if the subconscious truly evolves into Spiritual Wisdom, it becomes what is known as a Strange Spirit.

In Yun Xiao’s past life as the Long Xiao Battle God, he had repeatedly witnessed powerful Holy Rank weapons developing Spiritual Wisdom, transforming into terrifying Strange Spirits that wreaked havoc.

Hence, even though Yun Xiao hadn’t sensed any danger from the Artifact Heart, he remained on full alert, knowing that if even Yun Changtian had mentioned danger, the situation definitely wouldn’t be simple.

Swoosh!

As Yun Xiao approached within ten feet of the mountain peak, a whistling sound pierced the air, and a phantom of a white-bearded old man appeared before him.

In terms of physique, this old man bore a slight resemblance to the earlier Yun Changtian. Both figures were phantasmal, as if this white-bearded old man were also a Clone Projection.

Upon the old man’s appearance, Yun Changtian’s distant gaze sharply focused. He knew precisely what this entity was and recognized the immense challenge it posed for Yun Xiao.

”Are you the Artifact Spirit of this Refining Treasure Hall?”

Yun Xiao reacted swiftly, identifying the old man’s identity almost instantly. His face turned serious, his voice grave.

”Human kid, I’ve seen you before, you’re called Yun Xiao, right?”

When Yun Xiao asked the question, the white-bearded old man replied with something unrelated, prompting Yun Xiao to ponder about the situation years ago when he entered the Refining Treasure Hall.

Clearly, the Artifact Spirit of the Refining Treasure Hall had already developed Spiritual Wisdom back then, becoming a special Strange Spirit, but it hadn’t revealed itself until today when Yun Xiao actively approached the Array Core mountain.

It’s worth mentioning that even with Yun Xiao’s Soul Sensing, he hadn’t immediately sensed the level of this Artifact Heart Strange Spirit. Was it a Silver Grade Heavenly Spirit or a Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit?

If the opponent were merely a Silver Grade Heavenly Spirit, even an Advanced Silver Grade Heavenly Spirit, Yun Xiao, with his current Floating Life Realm Late Stage cultivation, would have no fear at all.

However, if this Artifact Heart Strange Spirit had reached the level of a Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit, Yun Xiao’s chances of victory would be extremely slim, as it would equate to a human expert at the Lingyun Realm level.

”Young Yun Xiao, I know what you’re trying to do, but unfortunately, your current strength isn’t enough. To refine me, you’d better go back and cultivate for another thirty years!”

The Artifact Heart Strange Spirit seemed to have guessed Yun Xiao’s intentions. Seeing him, it sneered, then cast a slightly apprehensive glance at the equally illusory figure nearby before turning its attention back.

It seems this Artifact Heart Strange Spirit possesses considerable intelligence. In the presence of Yun Changtian’s true form, it wouldn’t dare cause any trouble, but now that Yun Changtian is clearly just a projection, it poses no threat to it.

And the young man before it, with only the meager strength of the Floating Life Realm Late Stage, poses no real danger. If not for some reservations, the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit might have already devoured this young human completely.

In any case, the Refining Treasure Hall is nominally still Yun Changtian’s, and despite his absence for many years, the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit, having suffered consequences before, retains a small measure of apprehension.

If Yun Changtian were present, the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit wouldn’t dare emerge at all, preferring to hide within the Artifact Heart. But for someone like Yun Xiao, at the Floating Life Realm Late Stage, it’s not afraid at all.

”Hehe, how would you know if you don’t try?”

Unexpectedly, just as the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit thought Yun Xiao would give up, a light chuckle came from the young man before it, instantly enraging it.

Not far away, Yun Changtian, seeing Yun Xiao’s demeanor, nodded slightly, thinking that his precious son had indeed not disappointed him, having already taken the first step toward success.

”Kid, I know that person is your biggest support, but don’t forget, he’s just a clone projection now and can’t help you much!”

The Artifact Heart Strange Spirit, clearly frustrated, pointed at Yun Changtian in the distance, roaring, revealing a fact.

”To refine you, I don’t need anyone else’s help.”

Yun Xiao maintained his calm demeanor, and with these words, the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit was incensed, its body trembling as it released a majestic aura.

”Thankfully, it hasn’t reached the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit level. It should be... a Half-step Golden Grade Heavenly Spirit!”

Only when the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit’s overwhelming aura burst forth did Yun Xiao, with his formidable Soul Power, finally sense its true cultivation level.

A Half-step Golden Grade Heavenly Spirit is equivalent to a human cultivator at the Half-step Lingyun Realm level, with strength surpassing ordinary Peak of Floating Life Realm Cultivators.

This is a necessary step between the Floating Life Realm and the Lingyun Realm, not everyone is as fortunate as Qingmu Wu, who, with the Seven Thunders Life-Breaking Pill, directly crossed this level and reached the true Lingyun Realm.

Initially, Yun Xiao was worried the Artifact Heart Strange Spirit might be a Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit, but it seems it’s not as difficult to deal with. If it hasn’t achieved the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit, he doesn’t have much fear.

However, regarding Yun Xiao’s reincarnated body, even Yun Changtian didn’t know much. During their meeting in the Boundary Tower, he’d never witnessed Yun Xiao’s combat ability.

Therefore, in Yun Changtian’s mind, Yun Xiao, at the Floating Life Realm Late Stage, facing a Strange Spirit expert at the Half-step Golden Grade Heavenly Spirit level, is quite dangerous, explaining his earlier remark about potential life-threatening risks.

Yun Changtian is assured of allowing Yun Xiao to battle this Array Heart Strange Spirit because, as the Refining Treasure Hall’s owner, he knows the Strange Spirit cannot leave its position near the Array Core.

If Yun Xiao truly cannot defeat it, fleeing should still be possible, and even as a clone projection, Yun Changtian is not without ability to help.

Should Yun Xiao face a fatal moment, Yun Changtian wouldn’t stand by and watch his precious son perish. However, until the outcome is clear, he absolutely won’t intervene to assist.

All this is part of Yun Changtian’s training for Yun Xiao. Knowing his limitations, Yun Changtian can’t help Yun Xiao much himself, so he can only rely on Yun Xiao’s own strength to continue improving.

All thoughts paused as, in that instant, when Yun Changtian’s mind was active, the Half-step Golden Grade Heavenly Spirit Artifact Heart Strange Spirit was less than a yard away from Yun Xiao.