“I’m assuming you guys have made a decision?”
Upon hearing Li Lang’s questions, the three lifted their heads and made direct eye contact.
Each of them had many things going through their minds, but a consensus had been formed before they arrived. They had to swallow down any lingering regrets.
“That’s right,” Blue declared as she stepped forward. “We have run out of time. Our realm will collapse in a month’s time, so we’ve made a decision.”
“Hold on one moment. Ruby would like to join the conversation as well. Please place your hand here again.”
As Li Lang held out his hat, Green and Orange wore bitter expressions. To them, Ruby was a supreme existence they couldn’t defy. If they did, they would need the resolve to forfeit their lives.
“You three! About time, you’ve decided.”
“Esteemed Ruby, thank you for your patience,” Blue respectfully replied with a curtsy before urging her companions to speak as well.
“Umm, sorry for the delay. I hope you can forgive us?”
Green shook his head at Orange’s pathetic display. Determined to have a better showing, he puffed out his chest.
“I appreciate you for being so accommodating. We have thought long and hard about your proposal and have come to a conclusion. We have decided to accept and submit to your master on one condition.”
“Conditions? You want to talk about conditions with us?” Ruby’s displeasure grew as she spoke.
“Please calm down,” Blue interjected. “Our condition isn’t anything that would make you lose out. We simply ask that you swear not to replace us.”
At the artifact sprit’s words, Li Lang frowned. He wasn’t entirely sure what they were talking about, and he couldn’t ask Ruby when they were also in contact with her, or so he thought.
“Master, what do you think?”
“Ruby? Can’t they hear us?”
“Oh Master, didn’t I tell you? I can do simple tasks, like controlling who I talk to.”
“I see… I wanted to ask you what their deal is anyway. What do they mean by replacing them? Can you do that?”
“Not exactly. If I was in better condition, I could likely erase their existence, but I can’t create new artifact spirits or anything like that.”
“So they’re simply afraid of something we can’t do?”
“Yes. Once Master grows more powerful and learns how to create artifact spirits, we could replace them if you want. It’ll take some time though, it’s not easy to make any changes to Spirit-grade artifacts.”
“As long as they submit to me, I don’t see why I’d want to replace them. I don’t think we even threatened them about this either, so why did they bring this up? Hmm, perhaps they’re trying to get this promise because they’re thinking ahead into the future.”
“The future?” Ruby parroted.
“As spirits who have lived for a long time, they might simply be waiting out my lifespan. They don’t think they can resist us right now, so they can only submit for the moment.”
“They dare?! I’ll go teach them a lesson right away!”
“Wait, stop! It’s fine. Their intentions aren’t exactly malicious, and it doesn’t change that they’ll be submitting to me.”
While Li Lang and his Origin artifact conversed, the three artifact spirits of The Great Trial of Water Crest were internally panicking. They had stated their intentions to submit but received nothing in response.
It made them think the other party had some issues with their terms, which in turn meant they were planning on replacing them!
Through their connection, the three conveyed their emotion to each other. It added to their alarm. Thankfully, Li Lang finally broke the silence.
“We accept your conditions. How shall I proceed to take ownership of you guys?”
“Esteemed Ruby? Do we have your word?” Blue didn’t fail to confirm with their object of fear first.
It was a rude gesture to bypass their soon-to-be owner, but it couldn’t be helped, as Li Lang really was just too weak. The disparity between a sixth stage Energy Gatherer and a Spirit artifact was just too vast. It wasn’t an exaggeration when they said most people around his level would often go about their entire lives without ever coming into contact with such a powerful artifact.
“My Master has spoken! Whatever he says, I listen, so of course you have my word! I hope you never doubt our master again!”
Ruby’s aggression had made Orange take a step back, but Blue didn’t falter. She nodded with a relieved expression.
With the matter decided, the group soon found themselves back at the summit of the mountain again. The three spirits used their power to teleport them up there, allowing them access to the lone hut once more.
The outside world had calmed down somewhat, but the sky was still dark. There was enough visibility to see, but the dreary atmosphere was ever-present.
That all changed when they stepped into the hut.
Thrust into the world of yellow clouds and purple skies, Li Lang stared around curiously, waiting to see what would happen next. With Ruby, he took ownership when it absorbed his Qi Stone and blood. It was easy to imagine how it worked when the artifact was a small item that one could hold. in regard to the pocket realm, it was hard to make heads or tails of it.
“So the artifact you represent is this entire pocket realm, right?” Li Lang asked.
“Hmm, sort of?” Orange answered without hesitation. “We’re three, but one at the same time.”
His explanation didn’t clarify anything, and Blue knew that, so she elaborated.
“We aren’t a single artifact in the traditional sense at all. A single Spirit-grade artifact wouldn’t have the power to sustain such a large realm. Our progenitor tried many times but failed at creating a Divine-grade artifact, so he combined us three Spirit-grade artifacts together instead.”
“Interesting!” Li Lang exclaimed.
He hadn’t even gotten started in artificing yet he was already intrigued.
“So,” he continued, “where can I see your real bodies? It has to be somewhere here if you’re taking me here, right?”
Instead of using words, the three artifact spirits used action to respond.
The clouds began to part, and a large looming shadow approached. It closed the distance silently. It appeared slow, but in the blink of an eye, it suddenly appeared right before Li Lang.
It was an island. A floating island.
It was large enough to hold three football fields and had a modest dwelling at the center of it. Other than the lone structure, there was only grass and a small field at the center of it next to the house.
Before Li Lang could get a good look at the dwelling, the three spirits urged him to follow them.
“It’s just inside here.”
Entering the house, Li Lang was a little taken aback at the modest sight. There wasn’t anything special inside. It was just a simple room, like any mortal would live in, except larger. There were no interior walls, and the entire building was like a giant studio apartment.
Various things were messily scattered about. However, the things weren’t covered in a thick layer of dust or anything. Despite the mess, it added credence to the theory that someone actively lived there.
“Do you guys live here?”
“Hmph, of course not,” Green grunted. “This place belonged to our previous master. We kept it the same way he left it.”
The group continued their way toward the bed in the corner. Once they got there, the three sprits closed their eyes and the wall beside the bed began to shake. Three flashes of light abruptly shot out from the wall and fell onto the bed.
Li Lang leaned in and examined the object that had newly appeared. It was a strange item made of three large balls, made with pearl-like material. They were stuck together, forming a triangle.
Just as he was about to speak out, he noticed the melancholic expression the three spirits wore.
Li Lang knew the three were still attached to their old master, so he allowed them a brief moment to reminisce. They only agreed to serve him for the sake of self-preservation. He felt a little guilty inside, but the deal was just too good to pass on.
For Li Lang, it was a huge step toward gaining some sense of security
He may not have vocalized it, but he was constantly on edge ever since he got into this world. A lot had happened. His foster family was torn apart, and he was left to fend for himself in an unfamiliar place. He couldn’t even fully lose himself in research, as he knew he had to be on guard at all times and plan for his uncertain future.
With a powerful Spirit artifact on his side and one that contained an entire miniature world, he fancied the prospect of having a safe haven to fall back on.
If none of the large organizations outside can claim this pocket realm, it means this place is a natural fortress, right?