Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1401 - 747: Golden Rainbow

Li Shiming had braced himself for the grimmest outcome, ensuring he was thoroughly prepared.

His Divine Sense extended cautiously toward the center of the Cave Heaven Gold Rules core, penetrating the internal space hidden within.

The interior was meticulously structured, dominated by a massive golden Longsword that stood vertically, serving as a pillar to support the entire dimension.

A figure sat positioned right next to that gigantic golden Longsword.

Calling it a corpse would be more precise; however, even in death, the aura radiating from the flesh was so intense that Li Shiming’s Divine Sense was barred from drawing near.

"Do not disturb my master; let my master rest in peace!" As Li Shiming’s Divine Sense made another attempt to approach the remains, a faint thread of consciousness vibrated from the golden Longsword.

He was momentarily startled, realizing that the golden Longsword itself was the authentic Cave Heaven Core. Because he had utilized the Forbidden Spirit Talisman to seal the external heart, the golden Longsword remained relatively unaffected, permitting its Artifact Spirit to maintain a flickering consciousness.

This consciousness was unable to communicate with the outside world due to the Forbidden Spirit Talisman, but it could not help but plead once his Divine Sense breached this inner space.

Li Shiming ceased his attempt to approach the corpse and began to observe the surroundings instead.

The deceased was likely Langcai Great Power, a supreme being who once stood at the zenith of the Cultivation World but had failed to ascend, meeting his end here.

"I will not interrupt the slumber of Langcai Great Power, but I require your assistance in managing the Gold Rules outside the Cave Heaven!" Li Shiming transmitted his thoughts to the golden Longsword via Divine Sense.

"I accept your terms, provided you do not disturb my master's rest!" The Artifact Spirit gave its consent without hesitation.

A hint of regret flickered in Li Shiming's mind. He wondered if Li Yuanba could have truly mastered the Cave Heaven and prevented its destruction if he had used Langcai Great Power’s physical remains as leverage while inside.

However, this was mere speculation. Considering the safeguards Langcai Great Power likely left behind, it was more probable that Li Yuanba would have been severely harmed or annihilated by such defenses.

"I shall seal this space to ensure Langcai Great Power’s peace is maintained, but you must depart from here and reside in the outer space!" Li Shiming spoke to the Artifact Spirit, choosing persuasion over force.

The Artifact Spirit remained loyal to Langcai Great Power; if he tried to subjugate it by force, it might resort to extreme measures.

Furthermore, using the body of Langcai Great Power as a bargaining chip was a desperate strategy. While it might coerce the Artifact Spirit, there was an equal chance the spirit would choose self-destruction instead.

Ultimately, an Artifact Spirit is not a true living soul; its Wisdom has inherent boundaries.

Once Li Shiming removed the Forbidden Spirit Talisman from the exterior, the golden Longsword began to glow with a pulsing light.

The golden Longsword shrank until it was the size of a small flying sword. It circled the seated figure of Langcai Great Power once before taking the initiative to contact Li Shiming’s Divine Sense, revealing its Master Recognition Technique.

Li Shiming acted immediately, casting a Master Recognition Technique that merged with the golden flying sword.

He sensed a brief moment of resistance from the sword, but it was likely just an instinctive reaction, and the weapon soon surrendered to the process.

As the Master Recognition Technique bonded with the rune, a connection formed between Li Shiming and the golden flying sword.

"A Spiritual Treasure Level Flying Sword!" Li Shiming was stunned. He hadn't anticipated that the Cave Heaven Core would be a Spiritual Treasure Level Flying Sword, perhaps even the life-bound artifact of Langcai Great Power.

"New master, I have agreed to oversee the Gold Rules for the Cave Heaven, but I refuse to be used as your weapon for combat!" The Artifact Spirit communicated through the master mark.

Li Shiming’s amazement grew; he had never encountered an artifact that retained its own will and negotiated terms with its owner after the recognition process was complete.

He inspected the master mark and confirmed that the bond was successfully established.

Furthermore, his perception told him that he had one hundred percent control over this Spiritual Treasure Flying Sword, unlike a stolen life-bound artifact which usually only provides half its potential power.

This indicated only one thing: Langcai Great Power had nurtured the Artifact Spirit of this Spiritual Treasure Flying Sword to possess a remarkably high level of independent Wisdom and self-thought.

"That is acceptable; I will honor my promise!" Li Shiming sent back his confirmation.

He had no intention of bothering Langcai Great Power’s remains. Not only was his Divine Sense unable to get close to the body, but he also lacked any way to actually use it.

The physical form of a Great Power was far too potent, exceeding anything he could hope to handle at his current level.

Moreover, if he attempted to use the body for something like Corpse Refining, he risked being hunted down by other powerful cultivators who might have been allies of Langcai Great Power.

He could not be certain that there weren't surviving peers of the Great Power who would seek vengeance for such a desecration.

In the end, his primary goal was simply to acquire the Gold Rules core.

The golden flying sword exited the heart space. Keeping his word, Li Shiming resealed that inner chamber with the Forbidden Spirit Talisman and placed it inside a Forbidden Spirit Jade Box.

This Forbidden Spirit Jade Box was buried in the earth beneath the Divine Tree, where the Artifact Spirit within the golden flying sword could keep watch over it at all times.

Observing Li Shiming’s honorable behavior, the Artifact Spirit of the golden flying sword felt satisfied. It began to activate the sword, radiating threads of Gold Rules from the blade to fulfill its duty.