Jian Dan waited for five breaths, but the artifact spirit still didn't show. She wasn't in a hurry. With a wave of her hand, she put away the cushion and rose into the air, standing above the Rubik's Cube Realm.
As soon as she steadied herself, a shadow appeared nearby, slowly taking form. From mist to substance, it became a youth in black and purple robes. His black hair was tied half up, a crown shaped like a small cube sat on his head, and his lively face carried a trace of arrogance.
"What's this? I've been nourishing you every day, yet when I want to see you, you act so reluctant?"
Jian Dan gave him a sidelong glance, her tone flat.
"Xiao Meng wouldn't dare. I hadn't fully awakened before. It's only in the last couple of days that I've come to." The artifact spirit, Xiao Meng, bowed politely before answering. His voice was crisp, carrying the unique timbre of a youth.
"Is that so? Looks like I blamed you wrongly then." She didn't sound convinced, but she moved on.
"I'll keep nourishing you for another fifteen days. After that, I'll be leaving the sect for a while. I'll ask the sect master to lay down Five Element spirit veins in advance. Now that you're awake, you should be able to nourish yourself. That won't be a problem, will it?"
Xiao Meng's pale face scrunched slightly before he spoke.
"Could you extend the nourishment a bit longer? Maintaining the trial spaces inside the Rubik's Cube Realm takes quite a toll."
"Then give me a headcount limit. I'll have the Operations Hall control how many can enter." Jian Dan's answer came sharp and direct. She knew exactly how taxing the higher-level trial realms inside her creation could be.
"That would be more appropriate. My thanks, Zūnshàng."
"Mm. Still, because of certain… changes made during tribulation, you never recognized a master. That's why things stand as they do." She paused, watching his expression shift, then continued.
"You should know better than me what's coming for Lingyun Continent. When that time arrives, what do you plan to do?"
"What does Zūnshàng mean by this?" The artifact spirit was clearly stunned, not sure why she was asking this.
"As an immortal artifact, would you be willing to fight? If you are, you may choose your own master. After the war ends, you're free to stay or go.
If you're not, you'll remain as the Heavenly Sword Sect's trial realm. When the fighting starts, I'll arrange for you to be kept safe. But once the war ends, you'll continue serving the sect for a thousand years."
"I'm only a pseudo-immortal artifact." Xiao Meng's clear voice rose again, correcting her.
"You're one I forged." That was all Jian Dan said. She didn't bother explaining more. "Think it over. Just give me your answer before I leave."
She didn't press him further, simply vanished from the air above the realm. Xiao Meng watched her departing figure, eyes shining, before retreating back into the Rubik's Cube Realm.
This time, Jian Dan went straight to meet Sect Master Jian Chong.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
The guards outside the main hall bowed respectfully.
"Is the sect master in? I've matters to discuss."
"He is, Zūnshàng, please come inside."
She entered the vast hall. Jian Chong was there as usual, diligently reviewing the latest jade slips. After Jian Dan sat down, she explained.
"The Rubik's Cube Realm's spirit woke today after my nourishment."
Jian Chong's eyes lit up. That was great news—it meant the Rubik's Cube Realm had truly become an immortal artifact.
"He told me the daily number of entrants needs to be restricted. He's only just awakened, so he requires more strength to sustain himself."
"Understood. I'll have the Operations Hall handle it."
"I also told him about the sect's current situation. He'll have to decide whether to fight alongside us in the coming war, or remain a trial realm. I believe he'll give me an answer before I leave."
"Zūnshàng, you're leaving again?"
"Hey, I don't want to either. I've already discussed it with Senior Brother Jian Li. I'll attend the Heavenly Demon Palace's succession ceremony, and while I'm there, trade a blood insect with the Beast Taming Sect. I've accepted a covert mission." She didn't hide anything, laying it all out.
"You've worked hard, Zūnshàng." Jian Chong knew he couldn't change Jian Lu Zūnshàng's decisions, so he turned the talk back to the Rubik's Cube Realm.
"What conditions did he set?"
"He wants me to keep nourishing him."
"And your opinion?"
He wanted to hear her stance first, since the Rubik's Cube Realm wasn't like other artifacts.
"If he's willing to advance and retreat with the Heavenly Sword Sect and join the battle, I'll gladly keep nourishing him. If he chooses to stand aside, just give him a few spirit veins to sustain the trial realm. Beyond that, his fate is his own."
"But Zūnshàng, the Rubik's Cube Realm hasn't recognized a master. What if—"
Jian Chong's doubts spilled out openly.
"Relax. The artifact was tampered with during tribulation. He's bound by a mission of his own. Until the war ends, he can't leave the Heavenly Sword Sect. If he tries to undermine the sect, I'll erase him outright. The Rubik's Cube Realm would drop from immortal grade, but so be it." Jian Dan smiled brightly as she spoke.
"No fortune is ever free. As an artifact, if he can't fulfill his purpose, he's lost his right to exist. You don't need to worry."
That reassured Jian Chong, and also deepened his respect for her methods.
"Then I'll wait for your good news, Zūnshàng. Also, Qi Hong Zūnshàng's second request to re-enter the Rubik's Cube Realm wasn't approved by the Zhēnzūn. I expect he'll leave the sect soon."
"I already know. But given his temperament, he won't leave so quietly."
"Qi Hong Zūnshàng will likely come bother you. Please bear with it."
Jian Chong chuckled. He knew the man wouldn't give up pestering Jian Lu Zūnshàng.
"Let him. He won't be a nuisance for long anyway."
With that, she bid farewell and returned to her cave abode.
As expected, Qi Hong was already there. He'd been waiting a while, sipping tea under a banyan tree outside. Lü Se sat with him, while the other four had already been sent into the Rubik's Cube Realm for trials.
"Jian Lu Daoyou, you really are a busy one. Every time I come, you're never around." Qi Hong's phoenix eyes curved as he spoke with a too-familiar tone.
"Forgive me, Daoyou. I didn't know you were visiting today. If I had, I'd have prepared to welcome you properly." Her words implied it was his own fault for dropping by unannounced, not hers for being absent.
"Jian Lu Daoyou, you're too polite. I only wanted to exchange some insights on artifact forging." His tone was earnest, gaze fixed on her, clearly intent on having a real discussion.
"The little I know of forging can hardly be shown in front of a master like you."
Jian Dan gave a modest smile.
"It doesn't matter. There are thousands of ways to forge artifacts, each with their strengths. Sharing knowledge is just a way to learn from each other."
Jian Dan knew he wouldn't leave without getting something out of this talk. She cut straight to the point.
"Which area does Daoyou want to discuss?"
"Which area does Jian Lu Daoyou excel in?"
"I'm best at smelting and tempering materials, and at balancing the fusion ratios between different components."
The moment she spoke, Qi Hong knew he was talking to a true expert. Those two areas were fundamental to forging, and also key to pushing an artifact's grade higher.