The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Chapter 116: Coercion

Seeing Li Lang’s expression sour, Blue quickly stepped forward and explained.

“These two are Green and Orange. Like me, they’re also artifact spirits of this pocket realm.”

Li Lang alternated glances between them. They appeared to be normal teenagers, no different from all the cultivators he had encountered within the mountain. If it wasn’t for Ruby telling him about Blue’s identity, he would’ve never suspected her to be an artifact spirit at all.

“Then why are they unconscious? Don’t tell me they’re sleeping.”

“That’s likely because we are connected. They probably received the same…backlash from earlier. They should wake up if you channel some Qi into them, just like you did with me.”

Li Lang remained silent for a moment. He thought about various scenarios to evaluate if the risk was worth it. They may be artifact spirits, but that didn’t mean they meant no harm. However, Ruby had inadvertently already knocked them down once, so it was too late to act as if nothing had happened. If he wanted a cordial relationship with them, he would have to act.

That was why he decided to go along with Blue for now.

He crouched down and placed a hand on each of their backs. After channeling some Qi into them, it didn’t even take a few breaths of time before their eyes opened.

Hmm, so Blue over here woke up earlier due to the Qi in the Recovery Pill and not due to the effects of the pill itself? Maybe I should’ve used a Qi Replenishment Pill instead, then.

When the two artifact spirits came to their senses, they swiftly huddled around Blue and stared in the unfamiliar party’s direction with wide eyes. Green took a step forward to shield his companions and questioned his ally, who had been conscious, about their situation.

“Blue, is that the Origin artifact spirit you came into contact with?”

“The master of it.”

“...Why did you bring him here?” Orange timidly interjected.

“He wanted to talk. So calm down.”

“But that’s—”

Green began to raise his voice but was quickly shut down.

“There are no buts. We’re not in a position to do anything.”

The three spirits made no attempts to hide their conversation from Li Lang. It gave him many hints on how the discussion would proceed, but also raised several questions.

Are they scared of Ruby that much? Well, I guess it did knock them out, but I don’t think it can do that on its own initiative.

While the spirits continued to argue, Li Lang spoke to the all-menacing artifact itself.

“Ruby, are these spirits rightfully so afraid of you? Can you really do anything against them?”

“Hmm, not really, Master. I’m too weak right now to do anything not in my immediate vicinity, but they can’t do anything to us either. They have complete control of everything in the pocket realm except us. The moment they try to exert any of their power on us without my permission, they should be overwhelmed by my presence again.”

“You’re saying they fainted just from your presence?”

“Probably? Would you like me to put that to the test? I’m too weak to even reach them right now, but you can bring me near them.”

“No, no. Let’s not try to antagonize them any further. If what you’re saying is correct, we’re still technically at their mercy. They may not be able to do anything directly to us, but they do have a forest full of Qi beasts. They can still set those against us.”

“Master, they won’t dare! I doubt they have that level of control over this place without an owner to take their reins.”

“No owner? Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent, Master!”

“Well, I guess it would be more surprising if they did have one. This place is supposed to be a relic of the past. Their previous owners should’ve all died out by now. Thanks, Ruby. I’ll go talk to them now, so sit tight.”

“Master, wait! Let me join the conversation too. It should give you more leverage over them.”

“Ruby…I don’t think we can talk if they’re knocked out.”

“Master, I said that would only happen if I want it to. My aura is something that I can control. It won’t activate just cause I approached them. Otherwise, the artifact you went into last time would’ve been incapacitated and noticed you.”

“Then it’s okay. One second, I’ll get them to place a hand near you.”

Li Lang directed his attention back to the three spirits, who were still conversing with each other.

“They’re obviously the source of our issues. We need to do something before we collapse!”

“And what exactly should we do? If you want, you can go negotiate with them yourself.”

“Guys, stop arguing. They’re right there.”

Taking advantage of the gap in their discussion, Li Lang cleared his throat.

“Excuse me. I see you guys have some disagreements, but why don’t you talk things out with me first? Maybe we can help each other once we get to know what we each want.”

The three exchanged glances before Blue stepped forth and nodded.

“Good,” Li Lang smiled and took off his hat. “In that case, can you place your hands here?”

The casual gesture from Li Lang caused a violent reaction from the spirits. They jumped back at the sight of the hat drawing closer.

“Calm down, you guys. Ruby here wants to join in on the conversation. We mean no harm.”

“Don’t. He may be trying to eliminate us,” Green warned.

“As if they can’t do that already,” Blue snapped. “They’re already inside the realm. It’d be a different story if they were still outside, but it’s too late now.”

Li Lang chose not to correct their misconception, nor did he rush them.

The three gingerly moved forward at Blue’s urging and carefully stuck their hand out.

“You three, you may address me as Ruby!” the red gem’s artifact spirit proudly declared. “State your names!”

It was a tone of voice Li Lang had never heard from Ruby before. It sounded like a king talking to some peasants, expecting them to be honored to have a chance to speak with someone of a higher status.

“Esteemed Origin spirit, I am the artifact spirit of a humble Spirit-grade artifact named Blue. I am partly responsible for overseeing this pocket realm, alongside my two companions here.”

“Likewise. My name is Green.”

“Umm, greetings. I am the same as well, except I’m called Orange.”

“Is that a proper name your previous master gave you? Oh, I’m Li Lang by the way, but you should know already if you control the pocket realm.”

“That’s right! Our esteemed master named us many years ago.” The three nodded in unison.

I guess they’re proud of their names? Whatever.

“So, why did you suddenly approach me today? Did you want something?” Li Lang directed his gaze to Blue.

Her brows furrowed before she cautiously answered.

“We were alerted to your existence since you passed your brushweaver trial with your modest cultivation. I didn’t expect to find…you to be the master of the honorable Ruby here. I apologize if I have offended you.”

Before Li Lang responded, Ruby jumped in.

“Hmph, you better be. You should know better than to run your senses over me and my master. I hope you don’t do that with anyone else too.”

“That…”

It was a given that running Qi senses over someone was severely intrusive. Doing so could easily offend the other party. The only exception was when the disparity between both parties was too far. No one would dare to complain about it when an expert in the Spirit Divide realm inspected you. At the same time, few were likely to detect such an action when the gulf in power was so high.

That was why the three artifact spirits had gotten used to running their senses over everyone they saw. As Spirit-grade artifacts, they were in a realm comparable to Spirit Divide, even if they were masterless. All the youngsters who entered their realm were much weaker than them.

“Sorry, but it’s because we have an emergency!” Orange yelled. “Our realm is losing Qi at an abnormal rate, and we had to find the source soon or we’ll go dormant forever!”

“What? So you believe it’s one of the human cultivators who caused this? More specifically, me?” Li Lang replied.

“It has to! It started the moment you people entered.”

“And now, we can say with certainty it’s because of your esteemed Origin artifact,” Green added.

Li Lang almost asked Ruby if it was true, but stopped as he knew the three artifact spirits would be able to hear their conversation. Still, hearing no denial from Ruby practically confirmed their words.

He had always wondered how it was possible for him to have powered an artifact like Ruby when he wasn’t even a cultivator when he had first come across it.

I’ll have to ask Ruby about it after this.

“Now that you know of our situation, I hope you won’t blame me for asking you guys to leave,” Green continued with gritted teeth. “Unfortunately, we cannot support the presence of a powerful Origin artifact for such a long duration. With your permission, we can transport you out immediately.”

“That…I want to continue my stay. There is much for me to learn here. Can you provide me with access to your knowledge repository in exchange if I leave?”

“That’s…impossible. We can’t access it without a master controlling us. Only when one passes the corresponding trial, can they peruse a small part of the contents within.”

Hearing their denial, Ruby interjected with a tint of anger in her voice.

“I still expect compensation for your transgressions. It just so happens my master is in need of resources and techniques to help him rise up, and you guys can provide that.” Based on Ruby’s tone alone, Li Lang knew what came next would be unreasonable, to say the least. “You guys will do. Submit to my master now!”

As expected, the three spirits balked at the sudden demand.