Chapter Fifty-Five: Foes Meet Face to Face

It was indeed a spirit crystal artifact, meaning it was powered by spirit crystals rather than relying on the cultivator's own true energy. The array of talismanic runes on the spirit crystal artifact required tapping into the power within the crystal itself, making the inscription process far more difficult than with ordinary magical tools—something only a true artifact crafter could accomplish. Thus, only artifacts of the fourth grade or higher could be made into spirit crystal artifacts, and such items were exceedingly rare.

"Where did this come from?" Li Mu asked with some curiosity.

The young attendant pointed at the ancient spirit lamp and replied, "It seems a young artifact crafter sold it here. I don’t know the details myself. As soon as our shop saw this spirit crystal artifact, we acquired it immediately. I had a feeling you’d be interested."

"When was this, and from which artifact shop?" Li Mu pressed.

Shaking his head, the young man said, "About six months ago, I think the seller was a rogue cultivator. He’s probably no longer in Deyang City."

"Ah, what a pity," Li Mu said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Sensing his interest, the attendant continued, "Shopkeeper Li, take a look. Though this spirit lamp contains only a single spell, its effect is quite impressive. What’s more, it uses no true energy at all, so you can’t go wrong with it."

"And what spell does it hold?"

"Illusory Circle—an excellent defensive spell. It’s ineffective against sword attacks, but it offers superb protection against miasma, smoke, and mental assaults. For those who often face spiritual attacks from Buddhist cultivators, it’s extremely useful. Moreover, it provides resistance against soul-capturing arts favored by demonic practitioners."

The young man’s words were subtly enticing. "Shopkeeper Li, if your next opponent is a Buddhist cultivator, having this spirit lamp could make all the difference."

Li Mu couldn’t help but smile. "Very well, I’ll take it. How many spirit crystals?"

He had to admit, Buddhist practitioners had their own peculiar methods—like Lion-Tiger Techniques that shattered the will, difficult to guard against—so it was wise to be prepared.

"One thousand medium-grade spirit crystals," the attendant replied cheerfully.

"But this lamp has been sitting here for over six months. If it’s so useful, why hasn’t anyone bought it?" Li Mu asked, chuckling as he looked at the young man.

"Heh, heh. This sort of item is really only suited to someone like you, Shopkeeper Li," the attendant replied, handing the ancient spirit lamp over. "Each use requires only thirty medium-grade spirit crystals."

Li Mu was momentarily stunned. Thirty medium-grade spirit crystals per use—that was a hefty price. Most cultivators at the Foundation-building stage couldn’t afford it, and even he found it a bit steep.

"If that artifact crafter ever returns, be sure to let me know," he said.

Leaving the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Li Mu found his stock of spirit crystals much depleted. He also bought a pair of second-grade Windstride Boots, which could temporarily boost his speed—something that might come in handy.

He hadn’t bought the spirit lamp solely as a precaution against Buddhist cultivators; he was also intrigued by the artifact crafter who’d made it. If fate allowed, perhaps the lamp would prove useful.

"But I do hope I actually get to face a Buddhist cultivator," he thought.

Though he wished for it, reality seldom played along. When Li Mu received the name of his next opponent, his brow furrowed deeply. His adversary for the fourth round was Wang Qi.

Immediately, his thoughts turned to Alchemist Shen. Wang Qi had entered the Jade-Iron Tournament as though nothing had happened, which meant Shen’s plan had not succeeded, and the internal strife at Flowergrove Sect had ended in Wang Qi’s favor. What, then, had become of Alchemist Shen?

A detailed and costly jade slip of information lay before Li Mu.

“Wang Qi, senior brother of Flowergrove Sect. After the sect leader vanished, he assumed actual control. Foundation-building, late stage, half a step from the Meridian-tempering stage. Based on his cultivation speed, he could have advanced two months ago, but for some reason, he halted his progress—perhaps deliberately, to participate in this tournament. He cultivates the Five Elements Thunder Manual, favors thunder spells, and won his last three rounds using ‘Thunderburst.’ He possesses four second-grade magical artifacts, all of exceptional quality… Pay particular attention to the Thunder Conductor Rod, which he hasn’t used in competition yet. Its attached spell, ‘Lightning Spear,’ is likely his trump card. Also, he wears a jet-black ring, which resembles the soul-binding rings favored by demonic cultivators, though there’s no confirmation.”

The jade slip contained clear and hard-won intelligence. Beyond what was inscribed there, no one knew that Wang Qi might indeed be a demonic practitioner—not one of the low-tier ones who cultivated with blood, but a high-level soul-cultivator, a method almost impossible to detect. If Li Mu hadn’t unconsciously discovered the Soul-Capturing Pearl, no one would have known, even now.

A formidable foe—no, an enemy.

Li Mu understood perfectly well that, given the enmity between them, Wang Qi would stop at nothing in this match.

But this battle was unavoidable.

A wild, arrogant voice echoed in a secluded cultivation chamber in Deyang City.

"Who would have thought I’d actually be matched against Li Mu? It’s as if the heavens favored me," Wang Qi growled, clutching the slip bearing his opponent’s name, his face twisted with malice. "Die! You killed my follower, you humiliated me before my junior sister, and I could never find a chance for revenge—until now. This time, before everyone’s eyes, I’ll destroy you!"

His body trembled with delight, the effects of soul-cultivation subtly warping his mind.

"Ah, once I win this round and break through to the Meridian-tempering stage, I’ll be able to use that technique. Junior sister, even if you resist, you’ll lose your mind and become my slave. Ah, but I truly wish it hadn’t come to this," Wang Qi chuckled darkly, wisps of black energy slowly drifting from his body.

Cultivating with the soul brought great risks, but outwardly, nothing seemed amiss. Unless a late-stage cultivator probed him with spiritual sense, he was almost impossible to detect. Furthermore, he had never used demonic arts in public, so no one suspected him.

Meanwhile, the proprietors and staff at Anxing Shop were deeply distressed.

They had hoped to recoup their losses over three rounds of betting, but instead, they’d been ruined by Li Mu’s opponent.

"To think we lost—Huang San, you coward."

"And it’s odd—why are so many people betting heavily on Li Mu lately? Could it be someone leaked information?"

Just days before, several cultivators had, without warning, placed enormous wagers on Li Mu. The shopkeeper thought he’d make a fortune, but ended up losing everything.

"I’m removing all bets on Li Mu from now on. From this day forward, no wagers on any of his matches," the shopkeeper growled, glaring at the tally board.

The assistant asked cautiously, "Even now? But his opponent is Wang Qi—he won all three previous rounds decisively. Surely Li Mu can’t win?"

"Remove them. I’d rather die than keep them," the shopkeeper roared. "And you—do you want to lose your job?"

The assistant lowered his head and hurried away.

Two days later, on the arena grounds within the city, a highly anticipated match was about to begin.