767 Nine Levels of the Golden Core (2/2)

”I knew it. The one who created the Yuntian Palace had to be a Nascent Soul level Grand Cultivator that surely had powerful Spirit Treasures. You are an Artifact Spirit, and the fact that you can form an apparition means that you are a superior-grade Artifact Spirit.”

Chen Fan nodded.

”My master's name is Heaven's Equal.”

The Artifact Spirit's voice grew cold and distant. ”What do you want to know? Mind you that I wouldn't tell you everything.”

”I only have one question: where are the ancient cultivators and where is the Path of Heaven?” Chen Fan asked.

”I am sorry, my master ordered me to guard the Path of Heaven. I will not disclose its location even if you annihilate the entire Kunxu. It's not personal. Its location needs to be kept away from our powerful foes,” the Artifact Spirit refused.

”That's what I thought.”

Chen Fan wasn't surprised.

He had noticed that the Artifact Spirit cared very little for the people of Kunxu. Although Cloud Heaven Thearch could tap into the energy inside the palace, he could only scrape the surface. The Artifact Spirit had remained hidden even when Chen Fan killed Yunxiao.

”Aren't you worried about me razing the Yuntian Palace to the ground and doing away with you?”

Chen Fan's gaze grew icy.

The Artifact Spirit scoffed.

Suddenly, countless golden inscriptions lit up on the Palace wall as a belligerent wave of energy was shot out from deep under the ground. The pulse of energy was much stronger and forceful than that of the Perfected Cultivator Yunxiao.

It was the power of the Nascent Soul's Dharma Treasure.

The Yuntian Palace turned out to be the most powerful being in Kunxu.

”Haha.”

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes.

A wave of energy no less aggressive gushed out from Chen Fan's body. Energy inside of Chen Fan surged and he quickly surpassed the Core Formation, reaching the Golden Core level.

There was a terrifying bundle of energy thrashing inside of his system, struggling to get out. Chen Fan took his time and unleashed the energy slowly, letting it seep into the structures that supported the Yuntian Palace.

”When did you reach the Golden Core realm?”

The Artifact Spirit jumped in utter surprise.

He noticed that Chen Fan had just attained the Golden Core. Although the Artifact Spirit possessed more raw energy than Chen Fan, it wouldn't be a match against him.

”My power is beyond your imagination,” Chen Fan said lightly.

Unknown to the Artifact Spirit, Chen Fan had used a secret art to tap into Yunxiao's Golden Core to create the illusion of himself reaching the Golden Core. Such art was unheard of since most people regarded the Golden Core as a useless paper weight.

”Tell me where the Path of Heaven is. I will not only spare your life, I can also teach you the art of transcendence.” Chen Fan used the age-old tactic of carrot and stick.

”Really?”

The Artifact Spirit became quiet as the glow from the palace wall dimmed.

He had lived thousands of years as an Artifact Spirit, bound to the palace. He was eager to gain freedom even at the cost of diminishing his power. What use was power if he couldn't even go anywhere?

Chen Fan fulfilled part of his promise and told the Artifact Spirit a portion of the Art of Transcendence. The Artifact Spirit's face grew soft and nodded.

”Very well, we have a deal.”

The Artifact Spirit filled Chen Fan in on the secrets he wanted to know and Chen Fan also fulfilled his end of the bargain.

A light came up in Chen Fan's eyes as he exclaimed, ”So that's what had happened. I would never have thought that the Path of Heaven could exist in such a strange form.”