The Ancient Treasure Recognizes Its Master

Chapter 61

As soon as the strange flower appeared, one of Li Changmeng's clones rushed over at top speed, eager to retrieve it and figure out what it was. At the same time, the clone accompanied by Heixing began to search for the remaining disciples of the Feilai Sword Sect, hoping to prevent them from meeting a tragic end. Otherwise, if he were the only outsider Foundation Establishment deacon to return alive, his days in the Feilai Sword Sect would surely come to an unpleasant end.

When Li Changmeng reached the entrance of the cave where the flower was located, he caught a faint whiff of its scent. Fortunately, he had arrived in time; otherwise, this alluring smell might have attracted a lot of people.

Upon entering the cave and facing the flower directly, Li Changmeng felt a primal urge welling up within him.

"This flower..."

[Flower of Desire] [Juvenile Form] [Lacking Nutrients]

Under the scrutiny of the Hundred Eyes Divine Ability, the flower revealed its immense potential. Just being in its presence could disrupt the concentration of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, an effect comparable to that of some special elixirs and cultivation techniques. Presumably, this was due to its inheritance of the effects of He Zichan's cultivation method.

What would happen if it continued to grow...? It was almost beyond imagination. But in any case, it was better to put it away for now.

The flower was quite large, but fortunately, this clone was carrying a storage bag obtained from Qi Shu. He was about to put the flower away when suddenly, a somewhat childish voice rang out.

A childish voice? This was crazy. How could there be such a voice here? The moment the voice sounded, Li Changmeng immediately released his spiritual consciousness to investigate.

To his surprise, everything seemed normal. But precisely this apparent normality was the most abnormal thing.

Li Changmeng paused in his action of collecting the flower. He activated the Three Lives Protection Spell to shield himself and readied the Mysterious Change Spirit Technique of Incense, prepared to unleash it at any moment.

"Little cultivator, why are you so nervous? I'm doing this for your own good."

The voice sounded again. Then, a jade pendant floated into view.

"What? Didn't you come here looking for me? Now that you've found me, why are you backing away?"

Following that, Li Changmeng felt as if the surrounding space had been imprisoned.

"You... are you the ancient treasure?"

Li Changmeng hadn't expected that the ancient treasure that everyone had been desperately seeking would actually appear in front of him on its own initiative.

Isn't that obvious? And don't call me 'ancient treasure'. I have a name—the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele. It's a sixth-rank spiritual artifact!"

It wasn't a fifth-rank but a sixth-rank!

A sixth-rank spiritual artifact could unleash the power equivalent to that of a Core Formation cultivator even without anyone to wield it.

"I see. So it's Senior Primordial Spirit Source. What did you mean just now? If you have your eyes on this flower, Senior, I wouldn't dare to have any other thoughts. Please feel free to take it," Li Changmeng immediately showed his deference. This clone had the cultivation base of a Foundation Establishment cultivator and was also carrying a storage bag. Among all his clones, it was one of the more important ones. It was best to avoid any trouble.

As for that flower, if this spiritual artifact wanted it, even if he were to sacrifice this clone, he wouldn't be able to compete for it. He had to prioritize his own interests.

"I told you not to take it because there are still three Nascent Soul cultivators above your head. If you take it, they will definitely notice. This thing emits a mysterious Dao rhyme when it was born, and its value is probably even higher than mine. The reason why no one has come to claim it yet is just that those three up there are still vying for it among themselves," the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele explained.

Upon hearing this, Li Changmeng understood why the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele had stopped him. If he didn't take the flower, it would be fine. But once he did, it was highly likely that the three Nascent Soul cultivators above would attack him immediately.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Li Changmeng gave up the idea of taking the flower.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior."

"Don't thank me. I'm reminding you because I want to recognize you as my master."

?!

Li Changmeng almost thought he had misheard. The idea of this spiritual artifact recognizing him as its master—he didn't think he had the charm to make a sixth-rank spiritual artifact submit to him.

"Young man, don't sell yourself short. Although I'm a sixth-rank spiritual artifact, I'm just one step away from becoming a seventh-rank Dao artifact, and I have a very keen perception of the Dao. You've already reached the fourth realm of understanding the Dao, haven't you? With such talent, you're worthy of being my master," the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele explained. It had been waiting in this Lishan Mountain Range for its destined person for a long time.

During this period, it wasn't that no one had discovered it; otherwise, the map wouldn't have spread out. It was just that those people had too low talent.

Its former master was a Deity Transformation True Lord. Ordinary cultivators simply didn't catch its eye.

But the strange events that had occurred in this cave had caught its attention. After being attracted by the Dao rhyme of this strange flower, it had unexpectedly discovered a genius like Li Changmeng, who had reached the fourth realm of understanding the Dao at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Wasn't this fate? So, after lying dormant for who knew how long, it felt that the opportunity for it to emerge had finally arrived.

In fact, there had originally been another candidate. But in that other cave, the person with the black monkey had talent no less than the one in front of it. However, that person was too evil in nature. Even it didn't want to entrust itself to such a person.

"I see... So that's how it is," Li Changmeng said after understanding the situation. It seemed that he was indeed far superior to other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The understanding of the Dao that the strange insect had instilled in him meant that he wouldn't have to worry about his comprehension of the Dao for a long time in the future.

However, he didn't want to have any connection with this ancient treasure. If others found out that the ancient treasure was with him...

"Are you a casual cultivator? It doesn't matter. I'm a sixth-rank spiritual artifact. I can hide myself, and even Nascent Soul cultivators won't be able to detect me," as if seeing Li Changmeng's hesitation, the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele continued to reassure him.

Since it had come to this, and such a fortuitous opportunity had presented itself, Li Changmeng didn't want to decline it anymore.

Besides, this was just one of his clones. The biggest loss would be the cultivation base of this clone and the storage bag. But what he might gain was a sixth-rank spiritual treasure comparable to the power of a Core Formation cultivator.

"Alright. Thank you, Senior, for your recognition. What should I do?"

"First, find another place. This place is being watched by Nascent Soul cultivators, and the process of recognizing you as the master might be discovered," the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele transformed into a jade pendant and hung around Li Changmeng's neck.

Taking one last look at the flower, Li Changmeng turned and left without a backward glance.

As for whether his action of initially wanting to take the flower but ultimately not doing so would attract the attention of those Nascent Soul cultivators, since the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele hadn't mentioned it, he figured it wasn't something for a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him to worry about.

With the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele in tow, Li Changmeng made his way towards the outer area of the Lishan Mountain Range.

The outer area was much larger compared to the inner area.

Moreover, most cultivators would think to search in the inner area. Even if they couldn't find the ancient treasure, without the presence of third-rank and fourth-rank demonic beasts, searching for spiritual items between heaven and earth there was still a good option. So, the outer area was more suitable for Li Changmeng to hide.

When he reached a small gully in the outer area, Li Changmeng finally spoke up, "Senior, how about this place?"

"Good. Sit cross-legged and don't move. Leave the rest to me," the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele instructed.

Li Changmeng followed the instructions and sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Soon, he felt a slight warmth in his chest, and a powerful spiritual consciousness appeared in front of his own.

"Separate a wisp of your spiritual consciousness and merge it with mine," the voice of the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele said.

Li Changmeng separated a wisp of his spiritual consciousness and merged it with the powerful spiritual consciousness. There was no obstacle, and in an instant, Li Changmeng felt a connection form between himself and the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele.

"Alright. Our souls are now bound. Unless you die, no one else can make me recognize them as the master. So, if you need me to take action, make sure not to leave any traces, or else..."

"Okay, I understand," Li Changmeng replied.

The process of him being recognized as the master by the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele was just a preliminary form of the master-servant relationship. After all, the gap in their cultivation realms was too large.

If he were a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could directly impose a soul restriction on the Primordial Spirit Source Celestial Opening Stele. What could the spiritual artifact do about it?

When one was weak in strength, there was no equality. Li Changmeng once again realized the importance of power.