CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 382 SUBDUING, REFINING_1

"BUZZ!"

"BUZZZ~~~"

A layer of hard bone material covered Shen Mo’s palm as he fiercely gripped the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle. This spiritual needle still hummed ceaselessly, trying to break free from his restraint.

Sensing the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle’s resistance growing stronger, Shen Mo’s expression darkened. "Once the scar heals, one forgets the pain. It seems my methods were still too lenient!"

Tian Zhiyu, the owner of this spiritual needle, had clearly recovered considerably. He was continuously channeling Mana into the needle through their spiritual connection.

However, during their previous battle, even when the Soul Snatching Needle had penetrated Shen Mo’s body, he had still managed to suppress it. Now that the needle had fallen into his hands, it was even less of a threat.

Tian Zhiyu’s attempt to recall the needle was pure wishful thinking.

However, it would not be an easy task for Shen Mo to forcibly refine the Soul Snatching Needle either.

The most precious aspect of a spiritual-level artifact was the strand of gnosis it developed, transforming it into a true living creature.

For instance, the Demon-corrupting Skill of Heavenly Demons could not affect profound-level artifacts, but it could Demon-corrupt the spirit within an artifact, transforming it into a mutated Heavenly Demon.

It was precisely this strand of gnosis that made it quite difficult for outsiders to refine Spiritual Artifacts.

Even if the original master perished, if the Artifact Spirit refused to compromise and submit, it would be difficult to claim a spiritual-level artifact as one’s own.

If one tried to force it, there was a high probability that the Artifact Spirit’s gnosis would be extinguished, causing the magic treasure to regress to the profound level.

"If it cannot serve me, then destroying it is of no consequence," Shen Mo said calmly.

Following that, he activated his Special Destiny, Luminous Eyes. Gazing intently, he saw an invisible, blood-red thread extending from the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle, faintly stretching into an unknown direction.

Shen Mo understood that this was the Blood Sacrifice connection between the Soul Snatching Needle and Tian Zhiyu.

The instant the thought arose, his Carefree sword intent, like a sharp treasured sword, repeatedly slashed at the blood-red thread.

To an outsider, it would appear as if Shen Mo was enveloped in an ethereal sword intent, continuously using it to wear down and sever the qi connection linking the Soul Snatching Needle to its original owner.

「Some time later.」

Shen Mo suddenly perceived a "POP" within his Divine Sense, like a golden thread snapping or a silver bottle shattering.

The Soul Snatching Needle, which had been darting about wildly, suddenly drooped as if it were a fish yanked out of water.

Meanwhile, in a back room of the Affairs Hall, Tian Zhiyu, who had already recovered from most of his injuries, grunted. Dark red blood trickled from his eyes and nostrils.

He haphazardly wiped away the blood, his face contorting into a hideous expression.

"Good! What a fine Shen Mo!"

"First, he seized my core disciple seat, and now he steals my magic treasure... I will remember this grudge. You had better not give me an opportunity in the future..."

"Otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead!"

In reality, even if Shen Mo had heard these venomous words directly, he would not have taken them to heart. The resentment of a defeated opponent was not worth dwelling on.

However, if Tian Zhiyu ever dared to act on these words, Shen Mo would not hesitate due to any "fellow disciple sentiment," nor would he be stingy with lethal measures.

At this moment, Shen Mo had summoned the Nether Fire, heating the Soul Snatching Needle until it glowed red hot.

The connection between this needle-type magic artifact and Tian Zhiyu had been "severed" by his Carefree sword intent. Now, all Shen Mo needed to do was make it submit, which naturally involved a mix of coercion and inducement.

The Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle had already lost one-third of its main body. For the needle’s Artifact Spirit, this was akin to a cultivator having a significant portion of their body severed.

Already somewhat weakened, and with its connection to the original owner now severed, it had lost its Mana reinforcement and possessed no strength left to resist.

Under the merciless licking of the Nether Fire, the needle’s body trembled slightly, emitting a mournful, humming sound.

"If you acknowledge me as your master, I will immediately withdraw this spirit flame."

Shen Mo conveyed this thought to the Soul Snatching Needle’s Artifact Spirit using his Divine Sense, while also gently persuading, "Furthermore, I am proficient in the Forging Path and can restore you to your original condition!"

This needle was a low-grade spiritual-level magic artifact. Its Artifact Spirit was rather muddled and dull-witted, but the feedback it sent clearly expressed resistance.

Shen Mo was not discouraged. He continued to burn the Soul Snatching Needle with the Nether Fire.

It was the same principle: if it could not serve him, it would be no loss even if its gnosis was completely extinguished and it regressed to a profound artifact.

He had also considered capturing a peak Class II Minor Heavenly Demon Soul General from the Soul Refining Flag and having it Demon-corrupt the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle’s Artifact Spirit.

However, after careful consideration, he abandoned this plan.

If he were to do so, he would be unable to perform a Blood Sacrifice to refine the Soul Snatching Needle. He could only control this Spiritual Artifact indirectly through the Soul Refining Flag.

Moreover, when using this needle-shaped magic treasure against enemies, it would inevitably penetrate their flesh and blood. If the demon spirit within it were to seize the entire flesh, blood, and soul of a powerful expert, it could even transform into a terrifying demonic artifact that he could neither control nor suppress.

The risks and rewards were not proportional; it simply wasn’t worth it.

「A day and a night passed.」

The Soul Snatching Needle’s Artifact Spirit was on the verge of annihilation. Just as Shen Mo sighed, a faint intention of submission emanated from within the needle.

A hint of joy flashed in Shen Mo’s eyes, and he immediately withdrew the Nether Fire into his Dantian.

Simultaneously, a crimson drop of blood oozed from his fingertip and fell onto the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle. He formed a hand seal and began the refining process.

With the Artifact Spirit actively cooperating, the refining proceeded very smoothly.

"Success!"

Before long, Shen Mo had refined this treasure, establishing an imperceptible qi connection with it.

"BUZZ!"

The Soul Snatching Needle hovered before Shen Mo’s eyes, continuously wailing and trembling.

Shen Mo understood its intent. He retrieved over ten types of high-class Forging materials from his Universe Bag. Most of these had been exchanged for merits of slaying demons at the Demon Slaying Hall in Dingbo City, while a smaller portion had been gathered with Shopkeeper Qian’s help.

He released the spirit flame that he had previously withdrawn into his Dantian.

However, this time it was not to scorch the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle, but to smelt spirit gold ores and repair the Soul Snatching Needle’s damaged body.

The furnace fire illuminated heaven and earth; red sparks danced amidst purple smoke.

Pieces of high-quality spirit gold ore were continuously smelted into molten liquid.

Then, under Shen Mo’s Forging skill, the process of repairing the Soul Snatching Needle’s damaged body began...

"[You have glimpsed the Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle’s mysteries. You have gained some insight, deepening your understanding of the Forging Path. Forging Experience +80.]"

"[You have repaired the low-grade spiritual-level Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle. During the repair process, you gained much Forging experience and many insights. Your understanding of the Forging Path has deepened. Forging Experience +240.]"

"[During this process, you unexpectedly received a fortuitous opportunity. Destiny Points +1.]"

Shen Mo glanced at the panel feedback and paid it no further attention.

Then, with a mere thought, the fully repaired Ruyi Soul Stealing Needle went "SWOOSH!" It shot through the multiple Prohibitions in the Forge Room and flew out of the Riverside Sect.

"PFFT!"

A hard boulder was pierced through by the Soul Snatching Needle.

A moment later, this needle-shaped magic artifact reappeared within the Linjiang Mountain Range. It found a thick-skinned Class III demonic beast and plunged into its flesh.

The unlucky demonic beast shrieked and began to flee wildly.

Even from hundreds of miles away, I can control it as if it were an extension of my own arm. Not bad!

Shen Mo carefully assessed the feedback from the Soul Snatching Needle’s Artifact Spirit and the rate of Mana consumption in his body.

Once he had mastered its control, he directed the Soul Snatching Needle to drill out of the demonic beast’s body. It circled once, trailing a thin, bright thread of light, before returning to Lake Heart Cottage.