Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1349 - 727: Questioning the Treasure (Part 2)

The "Soul Cleansing Technique" is a masterpiece of profound wisdom, spanning a mere three thousand words. Each character is as precious as a pearl, containing depths of meaning that are nearly impossible to fully grasp.

After listening to it just once, Zhao Sheng realized that the person who composed this technique was a transcendent figure. They were surely a scholar of heaven and earth with expertise across the Hundred Arts; their mastery over Artifact Refining was far beyond his own capabilities.

As the Chun Jun Youth finished his recitation, Zhao Sheng felt compelled to ask, "Where did you acquire this 'Soul Cleansing Technique'? Who is its creator?"

The Chun Jun Youth instinctively rubbed his chin, his brow furrowing in deep concentration for a long moment, yet he was unable to recall the origin of the method at all.

"Never mind, I was simply curious. If you cannot remember, do not strain yourself," Zhao Sheng remarked.

"I appreciate your patience, sir. I truly cannot recall the creator. It feels as though I heard it by chance when my spiritual wisdom first began to awaken."

"By chance? Haha..." Zhao Sheng let out a soft laugh. He found it impossible to believe that a technique this profound was merely overheard. It must have been deliberately bestowed by a benefactor.

Imagine teaching a specialized spell for refining and purifying a True Spirit to the spirit of a Magical Treasure itself.

Zhao Sheng mused that whoever did this must be a truly mysterious individual with unfathomable motives.

With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Sheng caused the Red God Banner to vanish instantly.

"I have more questions for you. By what process does a Spiritual Treasure reach the True Form stage? What are the paths for a True Form Spiritual Treasure to ascend to Primordial Yang? Furthermore, how does one attain the rank of a Heavenly Spirit Treasure?"

The Chun Jun Youth’s eyes darted around, clearly hesitant to answer. However, when Zhao Sheng fixed him with a sharp, menacing look, the spirit began to tremble with fear.

"Those are profound questions, sir. I am unsure where to begin. Perhaps we should discuss the nature of Magical Treasures first?"

"Cut the nonsense! Speak quickly; if I detect any lies, I will smash your lid!" Zhao Sheng threatened, his eyes glaring fiercely.

He had identified the Chun Jun Youth's weakness. Despite being an ancient recluse and a drunken spirit, the creature was cowardly to his core—a "loser" among Primordial Yang Spirit Treasures.

Terrified by the threat, the Chun Jun Youth hurriedly shared everything he knew: "As you likely know, sir, Magical Treasures possess Treasure Restrictions. They can have up to nine, and when nine Restrictions merge, they form a spirit prohibition. The 'spirit' in 'spirit prohibition' refers to being spiritual. Treasures are prized for their spirituality, and only by nurturing a spark of it can they become Spiritual Treasures..."

He continued, "Spiritual Treasures can protect their masters on their own, but this is an instinctive reaction rather than actual wisdom. True Form Spiritual Treasures, however, have developed spiritual wisdom and can independently manifest a unique True Form, just as I have."

"How do Spiritual Treasures progress? The number of spirit prohibitions isn't the key; it is 'harmonization.' This refers to the spirit prohibitions within the treasure forming a complete, self-consistent Law Spiritual Light. Once this light is established and blessed with a trace of Innate Creation Power, it generates spirit light and awakens a basic consciousness."

"A True Form Spiritual Treasure does not necessarily need nine spirit prohibitions. If 'harmonization' is achieved, even two prohibitions can allow it to evolve into a True Form. For instance, my body only contains six spirit prohibitions in total."

As the Chun Jun Youth spoke, his confidence returned, and the terror on his face began to fade.

"Consider the Red God Banner. This treasure reached the peak of the True Form stage long ago. Unfortunately, its Primordial Yang Fire is slightly lacking in intensity, leaving it trapped between True Form and Primordial Yang for seven millennia."

"The secret to becoming a Primordial Yang Spiritual Treasure is found in the name. What is Primordial Yang? In the terms of your Human Clan, it is Kidney Yang, also called True Yang or Child’s Essence. To me, however, Primordial Yang is the formless fire of growth, transformation, and emotion! It is the Innate Primordial Fire born from the depths of the True Spirit Consciousness, and it cannot be reached without a miraculous stroke of luck!"

"Look at me. I was stuck at the True Form Realm for forty-seven thousand years. It was only after I witnessed the True Spirit of the Exquisite Tower—a Heavenly Spirit Treasure—being destroyed by the Ninety-nine Thunder Tribulations that everything changed. A spark of sorrow was born in my consciousness, acting as a catalyst. It ignited the Primordial Yang I had gathered over tens of thousands of years, allowing me to join the ranks of Primordial Yang Spiritual Treasures."

A shadow of grief crossed the youth's eyes as if he were reliving that ancient memory.

"An emotional catalyst?!" Zhao Sheng whispered, a sudden realization dawning on him.

He understood now. While True Form Spiritual Treasures possessed intelligence, it was a cold, pure logic devoid of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires.

Without desire, there is no true ambition or impulsive spark.

Consequently, the actions of True Form Spiritual Treasures were dictated by logic and reason, which prevented them from sparking their own Primordial Yang and crossing that vital threshold.

"Wait, that isn't right! Why is the Red God Banner different?" Zhao Sheng asked, suddenly remembering the banner.

The Chun Jun Youth paused, then replied casually, "The Red God Banner is an anomaly, sir. Its True Spirit is tainted; it holds a Returning to Void Divine Soul. Because of that soul's constant presence, the banner could never ignite its own emotional fire. It likely never will."

"Of course, sir, if you were to intervene and thoroughly purge its consciousness before cultivating it from scratch, it might have a chance to advance."

Zhao Sheng offered no comment on that, instead asking, "And how is a Heavenly Spirit Treasure created?"

"A Heavenly Spirit Treasure! As the name implies, 'Heavenly Spirit' connects to the Heavenly Dao. We know the Heavenly Dao manifests as the laws of a world. A Primordial Yang Spiritual Treasure will develop a Magic Domain. To become a Heavenly Spirit, this domain must evolve into a genuine world, survive the trials of eight or nine thunders, and finally, the True Spirit must transform into something resembling the Heavenly Dao. That is the birth of a Heavenly Spirit Treasure."

Zhao Sheng felt another flash of insight and asked, "What is the difference between an Immortal Artifact and a Heavenly Spirit Treasure? Which one is superior?"

The Chun Jun Youth answered immediately, "In terms of raw power, Immortal Artifacts are supreme. However, regarding future potential, Heavenly Spirit Treasures possess more depth than typical Immortal Artifacts. Standard Immortal Artifacts are forged by True Immortals and are limited to the Nine-layered True Immortal level; they can never reach the Constant Sun Heaven level."

"The Constant Sun Dao Artifact is the final evolution of a Heavenly Spirit Treasure, a type of Postnatal Dao Artifact. Dao Artifacts are the ultimate end for all of us. As for the legendary Innate Dao Artifacts, they existed before the Tao itself. They transcend all universes and are untouched by Cause and Effect; even a Taoist Ancestor cannot find them."

"I have heard that the fifth heaven of the Void Realm is called Constant Sun Heaven. Is this heaven..."

"Your guess is correct; the fifth heaven takes its name from this," the Chun Jun Youth confirmed with a proud nod.

Zhao Sheng pondered this deeply. He then opened his right hand, and the Immortal Awakening Tripod—a small, ancient vessel with three legs and six ears—appeared instantly.

"Chun Jun, does this tripod have the potential to become a Primordial Yang Spiritual Treasure?"

Curiosity lit up the youth's eyes. He reached out his hands and said seriously, "Sir, may I inspect the tripod closely?"

"Take it," Zhao Sheng replied, handing over the Immortal Awakening Tripod.

The Chun Jun Youth grasped the vessel. His pale hands suddenly turned into two rays of white light that dove deep into the tripod.

The Immortal Awakening Tripod floated into the air, glowing with a soft azure light that mingled with threads of white radiance.

The white light moved rhythmically, following the azure glow into the tripod's outer walls and illuminating ancient symbols one by one.

Buzz! Buzz!

The tripod began to rotate, letting out clear humming sounds. The azure light condensed into clusters of twelve-petaled azure lotus flames that circled the vessel.

Upon closer look, the petals of these flames were etched with dense, ancient symbols.

Thirty minutes passed in an instant.

By now, the Chun Jun Youth's spirit body had grown faint, as if he had drained his energy reserves.

Zhao Sheng watched the process with a contemplative look in his eyes.

"Phew, it is finally finished! I am completely drained," the Chun Jun Youth sighed as the half-hour concluded.

His spirit form was now translucent, having used a massive amount of strength.

Zhao Sheng remained focused, his expression thoughtful.

"Phew, done at last! I am exhausted," the Chun Jun Youth suddenly exhaled a spark of light, pulled back his hands, and clutched the Treasure Tripod to his chest, not missing the chance to complain.