Chapter 64: Artifact Spirit

Chapter 64: Artifact Spirit

What happened to the last cultivator that tried to seize this artifact by force? Yao Shens words echoed in the sealed chamber, his tone unprecedentedly grave. His gaze remained trained upon the contents of the unsealed cauldron, a bead of sweat inadvertently running down his chin.

The records are spotty on the matter, Wenjun Long answered, the surprise in his words evident. But there was at least one Elder in the distant past that tried to seek dominion over this artifact.

The artifact consumed his psyche, Kang Long interrupted. Corrupted his will, leaving behind a demon that knew only how to wreak terror on the world. The Patriarch of the Sect was powerful enough to slay the cultivator but Yao Shen, if the same were to happen today He trailed off, not willing to besmirch Yao Shens reputation.

Do not underestimate a Soul Emperor, Yao Shen calmly responded, his words devoid of any pride. Rest assured, I may not be able to conquer the artifact but it does not have the capability to devour my psyche.

Kang Long nodded, his expression relaxing.

Leave and shut the door behind you. Until my attempt is concluded, I shall consider any attempt to encroach upon this chamber as an attack on my person. Do so at your own peril, Yao Shen warned, his expression conveying the severity of his threat.

Very well, Wenjun Long acknowledged without any argument. .

The sound of the chambers door clicking back into place echoed out, leaving Yao Shen alone in the darkness. He observed the luminescence leave the Heavens Veilstone, the fleeting rare material that had been brimming with life merely moments ago, sinking back into the calm solitude it was used to.

Then, Yao Shens left knee buckled under the invisible pressure that was assailing him, forcing him down to one knee.

Nestled in the center of the cauldron was the seemingly inert artifact that had brought a Soul Emperor to his knees, both its design and the sheer intricacies of its make unlike any Yao Shen had witnessed before. N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

....I would say that your hatred is simply very human.

Those words seemed to serve as the catalyst for Yao Shens counter-offensive. If he wanted to, he could deactivate his Human Sight and free himself from the stifling pressure that seemed to want to crush him like a vise.

But no.

I want to see who you are, Yao Shen declared between gritted teeth as he stood back onto two feet in defiance of what he suspected to be an artifact spirit. A very powerful artifact spirit, at that.

One step.

Two steps.

A third.

And then a fourth.

Show yourself to me, Vondar the Scholar. Tell me your story, Yao Shen bellowed as his right hand wrapped around the hammers hilt, giving voice to his suspicions without holding anything back. From one Soul Emperor to another, Yao Shen had recognized the vestiges of power contained within the artifact, a Soul that matched, if not surpassed, his own in potency.

For a long moment, there was no response from the seemingly inert artifact.

Then, Yao Shen realized that his reality had been upended by an infinite landscape of red.