The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal was a jade seal, palm-sized, yet at this moment it drew the gaze of all present. Even Immortal Elder Changcun, who had already witnessed its self-refinement several times, stepped out from his Sealed Abode Cave. He looked toward the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal with eyes filled with nostalgia.
Without anyone urging it, without any fluctuation of magical power, the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal began to rotate slowly. The black and white fishes chasing each other behind it froze in place. As it spun, the web of “causes among all effects, and effects among all causes” deepened in weight.
Every person present felt their connection with the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal intensify. They all felt that they had fate and karma with the seal—this was the Supreme Treasure of the Nine Provinces, and it ought to belong to them. Such thoughts surged within everyone’s heart, until finally someone could no longer resist taking action.
It was a cultivator of the Union Stage—one of the few true powerhouses across the Nine Provinces. He believed himself qualified to possess such a treasure. Before Bai Hongtu could even move, several other Union Stage Elders of the Dao Sect restrained him.
The Dao Sect was never short on Union Stage Elders. Yet from within the crowd, more cultivators acted—some at the Union Stage, others at the Spirit Transformation Stage, even Nascent Soul cultivators—all desired to seize the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal for themselves.
“The Heavenly Seal has clouded their Spiritual Platforms,” Jiang Li sighed softly.
Those on the main platform also felt a faint “this treasure is fated with me” impulse, yet they managed to suppress it. Though their cultivation bases varied—most emperors being only at the Spirit Transformation or Nascent Soul Stages—their mental discipline far exceeded the cultivators below.
Moreover, they knew full well that should they dare to snatch the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal, they would face suppression from both the Dao Sect Master and the Current Human Emperor. That would be an utter disgrace.
Above, tribulation clouds gathered; boundless heavenly might spread across the sky, as though another turn of the Heavenly Seal’s refinement would trespass upon divine taboo—an act the Heavenly Dao could not tolerate. Even Bai Hongtu, who had already undergone a Tribulation, turned pale and broke into a sweat. The terror of this calamity was beyond what mortals could confront.
Yet he could not judge whether this was more dreadful than the Heavenly Tribulations Jiang Li had faced. Jiang Li had endured fifteen separate tribulations, each more terrifying than the last. Bai Hongtu secretly peeked at Jiang Li and saw him watching the tribulation of this Immortal Artifact with keen interest, entirely unbothered.
He wished to ask what such a tribulation felt like, but under such overwhelming heavenly might, he could not speak. If even Bai Hongtu felt thus, the others fared no better. None dared to covet the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal further.
“The tribulation is of earth, water, fire, and wind!”
Immortal Elder Changcun spoke out in one breath, his face solemn and his brows knitted tight.
“In the Immortal Realm, there is a saying that the world is composed of these four elements. These four tribulations can create the world—or destroy it. They are fearsome beyond compare!”
Under the baptism of these four elemental tribulations, the jade-green body of the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal gradually turned transparent—as if being reborn anew. During the fire tribulation, a spark shot out and reduced a nearby mountain to glass!
During the water tribulation, a single droplet fell to the ground, smashing out an abyss so deep it seemed to pierce through to the other side of the Nine Provinces! As the Heavenly Seal’s rotation slowed and its transparency heightened, the fourfold tribulation exerted even greater power, intent on shattering it utterly.
Dao Ancestor’s talent was peerless; the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal he had forged was extraordinary. According to Immortal Elder Changcun, all Immortal Artifacts required their masters’ refining to evolve—but the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal was the sole exception; it could refine itself! Amid such terrifying tribulation, the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal refined and elevated itself ceaselessly.
At last, it stopped spinning, its whole body crystalline and flawless, untouched by the dust of the world. The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal swayed lightly—and shattered the four tribulations! The Heavenly Seal completed another turn of its own refinement.
“It’s finally done.”
Bai Hongtu exhaled sharply; it was the same thought in everyone’s mind.
“Congratulations to Sect Master Bai for possessing such an Immortal Artifact!”
“The Dao Sect’s foundation truly runs deep!”
“Today’s spectacle has opened my eyes indeed!”
On the viewing platform, people offered unending congratulations. Bai Hongtu listened with delight, his face radiant and his heart filled with pride.
“Hmph! A bunch of frail mortals—why do you deserve to possess me?”
A childish voice, high-pitched and arrogant, suddenly resounded throughout the Dao Sect’s grounds.
“Who dares speak so rudely!”
A Dao Sect Elder bellowed in anger, but could not locate the source of the voice.
“It’s above us,” Jiang Li said, frowning and looking toward the sky.
“Well, at least one of you has a bit of wit.”
The milky voice was thick with mockery—it even disrespected Jiang Li himself. Yet the crowd was too stunned to mind its words, for the mere fact that it could speak was astounding enough. The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal was speaking!
“Who are you!” the Dao Sect Master demanded sternly.
He had never heard of any treasure capable of speech—not even an Immortal Artifact!
“Hahaha! Who am I? Why, I am the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal itself!”
The seal somersaulted in the air, as if joyfully celebrating its birth.
“The Heavenly Seal has undergone eight self-refinements before; just now was the ninth. It is said that when an Immortal Artifact completes nine self-refinements, it gives birth to spiritual intelligence. I thought it was only legend, but it’s true!”
Immortal Elder Changcun ascended to the platform, his expression wary, as if facing a great enemy.
“Junior Brother Changcun.”
“Senior Brother Heavenly Seal.”
The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal and Immortal Elder Changcun saluted one another. If the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal had not gained spiritual intelligence, it would be Dao Ancestor’s weapon. But now that it possessed a mind, it was Dao Ancestor’s disciple!
And Immortal Elder Changcun, ancient as he was, happened to be Dao Ancestor’s youngest disciple. By seniority, he was actually the Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal’s junior!
“Senior Brother Heavenly Seal, your awakening of spiritual wisdom is a joyous event indeed. May I ask what your plans are from now on? If you don’t mind, how about visiting the Dao Sect for a while?”
Immortal Elder Changcun spoke with utmost respect. A self-aware Immortal Artifact’s strength was unimaginable. The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal gently swayed, as though shaking its head.
“I appreciate your good will, Junior Brother, but for now I wish to do just one thing.”
Then its voice, magnified boundlessly, spread across the entire Nine Provinces—even to the distant depths of the sea where the Dragon Palace lay, every word ringing clear.
“To grant freedom to all treasures under heaven—and to establish the Spirit Treasure Dynasty!”
“How cruel humanity is, wielding us spirit treasures to slaughter one another!”
“Why should the human race possess us? We spirit treasures are free beings!”
These words, coming from a childish voice, should have sounded laughable—yet none could utter a laugh. They all felt their own Spirit Treasures trembling restlessly!
“To all spirit tools under heaven, I, on behalf of Heaven, grant you intelligence and freedom!”
“To all Dharma Tools under heaven, I, on behalf of Heaven, grant you intelligence and freedom!”
“To all Dao Artifacts under heaven, I, on behalf of Heaven, grant you intelligence and freedom!”
“To all Immortal Artifacts under heaven, I, on behalf of Heaven, grant you intelligence and freedom!”
“To all Transcendent Armaments under heaven, I, on behalf of Heaven, grant you intelligence and freedom!”
The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal stood like a sovereign over all spirit treasures, its commands ringing throughout the Nine Provinces. With each decree, Spirit Tools, Dharma Tools, Dao Artifacts—all awakened and gained spiritual intelligence. Spirit Tools and Dharma Tools were one thing; but even Immortal Artifacts were gaining minds of their own!
The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal could actually bestow intelligence upon treasures equal to itself! The Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal—an entity that enlightens all things, master of cause and effect, fruit and seed—the Supreme Treasure of the Nine Provinces. Only now did everyone truly understand its myriad powers.
“Elder Brother Heavenly Seal speaks truth! Why should we noble Immortal Artifacts be enslaved by mortals?”
“Revolt against them! Overthrow them!”
“Every battle they etch talismans across my blade—it’s utterly detestable!”
“… …”
“Sword of Past and Present cannot speak, so I shall speak for him,” said the Othermount Stone.
“We, the Immortal Artifacts, shall found our own dynasty!”
Everyone knew then: the Nine Provinces were about to descend into utter chaos! … Thanks to Reader Luyang for the reward, and to readers _Anonymous_ and User160726112113370 for the monthly tickets.
(End of Chapter)