Artifact Chapter 72: Unpredictable Variables

Chapter 72: Unpredictable Variables

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

The greatest effect of the Clear Spirit Energy was to break the first layer of the secret treasure’s barrier from the He family. However, the second layer of the barrier required the strength of the clan leader to break. The clan leader’s strength needed to be inherited from the previous clan leader, but since He Yuanqi had already died, the power was not fully passed down. The only hope was to rely on the Clear Spirit Energy, which, together with the continuous infusion of spiritual energy, had a chance to open the He family’s treasure. This was the reason why Lu Ming had intentionally revealed the treasure’s location to others that day.

The group slowly approached the giant door, and the closer they got, the colder the eerie aura seemed to greet them. The giant door before them became clearer, and when they looked closely, they saw it was made from the indestructible Luotian Divine Stone. It emitted a dark glow and an oppressive chill. When they placed their hands on the door, it felt as if they were touching a block of ice.

Lu Ming spoke, “Please, gather your spiritual energy in your palms and transfer it to me.”

Everyone immediately nodded and complied. They all poured their spiritual energy into their palms, murmuring a few incantations. The energy flowed like a breeze toward Lu Ming, wrapping around his body and swirling around him, creating a beautiful sight.

But Lu Ming had no time to admire it. Frowning, he directed the flowing spiritual energy, combining it with the Clear Spirit Energy, and continuously injected it into the milky-white crystal in the center of the door. Under the effect of the spiritual energy, the crystal shone with a dazzling glow, but the giant door remained unchanged, still tightly sealed without a hint of loosening.

Sweat appeared on Lu Ming’s forehead. He was originally of the pure Water Spiritual Root, and now, with various attributes of spiritual energy gathering around him, his body instinctively began to reject them. Fortunately, the Clear Spirit Energy alleviated some of the pain. Otherwise, he might not have been able to stand.

Sang Wusheng, standing beside him, looked worried. He took a white pill from his interspatial ring and handed it to Lu Ming, softly saying, “Brother, take this. It’ll make you feel better.”

Lu Ming obediently opened his mouth and swallowed the pill. It melted instantly, and a warm flow spread through his body, easing his pain and gradually restoring his strength.

Lu Ming gritted his teeth, “It’s still not enough.”

Everyone had no choice but to continue pouring out their spiritual energy. After a short while, they were all drenched in cold sweat, their faces pale, showing clear signs of imminent exhaustion.

An hour passed, and with a loud rumble, the giant door finally reacted. The crystal began to change from milky white to murky, and eventually, it turned transparent. After a blinding flash of light, the crystal cracked, and the door creaked open.

The group hurriedly withdrew their spiritual energy, breathing heavily, and sat down on the ground, ignoring their image as they began taking various pills to recover their energy. Just then, a faint wind suddenly blew from inside the giant door, carrying a pleasant floral fragrance. Soon, the fragrance spread throughout the area.

Lu Ming sniffed a few times and suddenly turned pale. He immediately covered his mouth and nose, shouting loudly, “Seal your five senses and cover your mouth and nose. It’s poison gas!”

Panic spread among the group. Everyone quickly stood up, chanting a few incantations to seal their five senses. But it was still too late. The flower scent was too potent, and everyone felt as if their bodies were being bitten by insects, both numb and itchy, with countless red bumps appearing on their skin.

Sang Wusheng was mostly immune to this kind of poison. His demonic energy made him nearly invulnerable to toxins. Seeing that his brother had been poisoned, he hurriedly fumbled around, immediately taking out a Hundred Poisons Pill and giving it to Lu Ming. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. The flower scent’s poison was too strong, and even the finest pills couldn’t suppress it.

Lu Ming took a deep breath, trying to suppress the intense itch and pain spreading through his body. Just then, the air suddenly grew cold. Lu Ming’s expression hardened, and he quickly looked toward the source of the chill.

From the other side of the giant door, a dark figure slowly approached. The figure was surrounded by black energy, with only two red eyes visible, coldly staring at the group. Everyone couldn’t help but shudder, as if they had been locked in the gaze of a venomous snake.

Lu Ming’s heart sank with a bad premonition. If the He family’s treasure had been sealed for so many years and someone had now come out, this person could only be someone he despised more than anyone else in the world.

The figure coldly laughed a few times, and his eyes fixed on Lu Ming. He sneered, his voice hoarse as if scratched by sandpaper, “Qingci, you’ve finally come.”

Lu Ming’s heart dropped when he heard the voice.

This was He Yuanqi, the long-lost clan leader of the He family. Or rather, the former clan leader.

Lu Ming vaguely felt that something had been off about the events of that time. Back then, he had exhausted his spiritual energy and had no ability to fight back. At that time, Sang Wusheng, disguised as Jing Mo, had quietly knocked him out when he wasn’t paying attention. When he woke up, He Yuanqi had disappeared, and Jing Mo had explained that He Yuanqi had suddenly gone mad and died. Lu Ming hadn’t wanted to believe it back then, but he had been blind at the time and had been immersed in sadness, unable to think through the key details. Or perhaps, he had chosen not to think about it, knowing things weren’t that simple, but fearing betrayal once again and choosing to ignore it. Everyone had weaknesses, and Lu Ming’s biggest weakness was his selective ignorance.

If he didn’t touch something, then he wouldn’t be hurt. That was what he thought, even though he knew it was wrong, but still couldn’t change.

Lu Ming gazed at him coldly without saying a word.

He Yuanqi sneered, but his gaze was full of fanaticism. The black energy around him dissipated, revealing a man in black clothing. His cheeks and arms were covered in countless purple-black marks, looking terrifying, and there was no trace left of the immortal aura he once had.

He licked his cracked lips and continued, “It’s been so many years, and Qingci, you’re still so indifferent. It makes me want you even more.”

Lu Ming remained expressionless, silent. But Sang Wusheng, who had silently been standing beside him, suddenly acted. His eyes turned icy cold, and a terrifying killing intent radiated from him, showing that he was utterly furious. Before Lu Ming could stop him, Sang Wusheng swiftly drew his sword and lunged at He Yuanqi’s heart, his moves vicious and lethal, clearly intending to kill him.

He Yuanqi snorted coldly, and when the sword tip was about to reach him, he raised his hand and swung his sleeve. A surge of black energy immediately shot out from his sleeve and collided with the sword, sending it flying back and dispersing the powerful sword aura.

Daoist Zi Yang, witnessing this, immediately spoke in a deep voice, “It’s the power of the Demon Race!”

Sang Wusheng, his face darkening, prepared to continue the fight. But Lu Ming, weakened by the poison, couldn’t move. He secretly transmitted a message, “Don’t let him discover your true identity as Jing Mo, retreat now.”

Sang Wusheng immediately obeyed, stepping back behind Lu Ming, though inside, he was filled with excitement. His brother still cared for him like this. Did that mean one day, he would be able to break open his brother’s heart and have him accept him?

Lu Ming didn’t have the time to think about that. He coldly addressed He Yuanqi, “You’ve fallen into the Demon Path?”

He Yuanqi threw his head back and laughed, gazing obsessively at the black energy in his palm. He spoke, “If I can possess such powerful strength, then what’s the harm in falling into the Demon Path? Of course, if I can have your body, this power will reach its peak.”

He Yuanqi paused for a moment, then looked at Sang Wusheng with a half-smile, continuing, “Don’t you think so, Demon King?”

Lu Ming’s heart skipped a beat. He Yuanqi had actually discovered Jing Mo’s identity!

Lu Ming quickly regained his composure and said calmly, “He Yuanqi, you’ve fallen into the Demon Path and still speak such nonsense. You’re utterly shameless. Back then, you tried to possess my body. When I was a child, you used tricks to prevent me from cultivating, intending to turn me into the perfect vessel for possession, then find the right moment to force out my three souls and seven spirits for your use. As they say, even a tiger won’t eat its cubs. You pushed me to the brink for your selfish desires, and now you dare to appear before me?”

He Yuanqi smiled faintly, and his face, covered in blue veins, looked extremely terrifying. He said, “You are my son. Of course, you are meant to be used by me. Otherwise, what use are you?”

The group around them was stunned, unsure how to process the revelation. To think that He Yuanqi had planned to possess his own son’s body and had schemed from the time Lu Ming was a child—such ruthlessness was rare even in the most twisted tales.

He Yuanqi continued, his voice dark and filled with obsession. “That day, when I was nearly killed by the Demon King, I was left with no choice but to rely on the He family’s treasure vault to regain my strength. I spent over ten years waiting for someone to open the vault. Fortunately, you didn’t make me wait too long.”

Lu Ming’s gaze sharpened, and he spoke coldly, “Do you really think you alone can stand against me? You overestimate yourself.”

He Yuanqi scoffed, “Your Nascent Soul late stage is nothing to fear.”

Lu Ming’s lips curled into a faint smile as he suddenly stood, brushing off the dust from his hands. A torrent of spiritual energy surged within him, and it quickly transformed into a powerful aura that swept across the area. The very air seemed to grow heavy with pressure as dark clouds formed overhead, casting a cold, oppressive shadow over them.

The atmosphere was thick with tension as Lu Ming’s aura reached its peak. The final stage of the Dividing Spirit!

 

 

 

 

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