Luo Lianxin's expression flickered subtly. "Do not even consider laying claim to this treasure!" She usually maintained an icy demeanor, but the concern in her voice now was entirely genuine.

Feng Zikang merely smiled slightly. He hadn't truly intended to seize the item; it was merely a probe to gauge her limits.

Seeing how protective she was, his curiosity about the treasure’s function only sharpened. Luo Lianxin seemed to realize her tone had been a bit sharp, lowering her voice.

"This treasure is a relic left by my late mother. I have carried it since childhood, and I still have yet to fully decipher its mysteries.

I cannot simply give it to you!" She reached into her Qiankun Bag and produced a dull, spindle-shaped object, placing it into Feng Zikang’s hand with immense reverence. Feng Zikang felt an immediate chill upon touching it.

Examining it closely, he perceived faint, glittering starlight hidden beneath its obscure exterior—it was utterly strange. The object was unimpressive in appearance, yet it contained an indescribable, immense power.

The surface restrictions were as intricate as a spider's web; without them, it seemed a mere flick of a finger could unleash the earth-shattering destructive force held within. "This...

this is a Spirit Treasure without a formal rank!" Feng Zikang gasped in shock, finally understanding why Luo Lianxin had consistently referred to it as a 'treasure.' Any artifact refined by a cultivator, regardless of quality, possessed a rank. The lowest were merely common grade, unworthy of note, though perhaps still considered formidable weapons in the mortal realm—the curved saber Feng Zikang recently used fell into this category.

Slightly better artifacts were graded according to the principles of Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, suitable for different stages of cultivation. Disciples in the Qi Induction stage could only use Yellow-grade, low-tier artifacts; the Fifth Grade represented the absolute limit for Qi Induction.

Artifacts of higher grade were unusable for them. The Foundation Establishment stage could utilize Yellow-grade, high-tier artifacts, while those in the Core Condensation stage could employ Profound-grade, low-tier ones.

By extension, higher-level cultivators could wield correspondingly superior artifacts, with perfect correlation. Legends spoke of certain specialized methods among demons and devils that allowed for the slight reduction of an artifact’s required usage level.

However, there was only one type of treasure completely devoid of ranking, usable even by mortals. A Spirit Treasure!

The artifact possessed its own inherent spirit, capable of communicating with heaven and earth, displaying divine abilities without relying on the user’s cultivation base. Such items were exceedingly rare.

Even his master, Ye Tiansheng, had admitted to never having seen one. To think that this female disciple from the Water Moon Pavilion held such a rare and precious Spirit Treasure!

If this object were to fall into the wrong hands, its immense value would surely incite bloodshed and chaos. He was surprised that this woman would lend it to him so casually.

Wasn't she afraid he would murder her and steal it? Feng Zikang turned to look back at Luo Lianxin.

He saw no hint of worry in her eyes, nor the smugness of someone supremely confident in their own strength. Instead, there was pure trust.

She believed this junior apprentice-brother, whom she’d barely spoken to, would neither keep her treasure nor spread the news that she possessed a Spirit Treasure. Feng Zikang sighed.

Her cultivation talent was frighteningly high, yet her master's method of instruction seemed flawed; perhaps her mind had been twisted somewhat. Fortunately, his ultimate goal was to become the Great Heavenly Demon, looking down upon the Three Realms.

He cared little for such a mere Spirit Treasure. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a Spirit Treasure mattered most.

If its only function was to extend life, while an unsurpassed treasure to mortals, it was little more than dirt to cultivators. "Senior Sister, may I ask the purpose of this Spirit Treasure?

And how should this junior brother use it?" Feng Zikang reminded himself not to appear overly calm. After all, Spirit Treasures were rarely seen.

He intentionally injected a degree of excitement into his tone. Luo Lianxin paid no heed to his reaction, merely shaking her head and sighing softly.

"This item is called the 'Star River Shuttle.' I have studied it since I was small, but after more than a decade, I have only managed to break through the first layer of restrictions. Apart from continuously replenishing the True Qi within my body, this treasure possesses only two auxiliary divine abilities, which are perfectly suited for distracting the Earth Elemental Giant..." 'Only' two divine abilities...

Feng Zikang could only smile wryly. A Spirit Treasure that granted two abilities after breaking only the first restriction—even as the incarnation of the Formless Heavenly Demon, he couldn't help but feel a touch of avarice, already calculating how to discreetly keep the item for himself.

Any ordinary cultivating disciple hearing this would likely have their eyes turn red instantly, perhaps even gathering allies to slay her and seize the treasure. "One ability is 'Shadow Dissolution and Invisibility,' which conceals one's form and aura.

The other ability is somewhat bizarre, named 'To Make the World’s Laughable Ones Laugh.' Whenever this ability is activated, all demons, ghosts, and monsters in the vicinity go into a frenzied rage, determined to carve you into eighteen pieces before their hatred can subside..." What a strange ability... The first, the invisibility skill, was certainly useful.

But the second ability was rather useless, though it might indeed prove highly effective in drawing away the Earth Elemental Giant. "...When you activate the ability, even I will be affected.

Therefore, you must quickly burn a Heart-Calming Talisman to stabilize my mind, or I too will end up chasing you..." Luo Lianxin handed him a Heart-Calming Talisman. It was only a Yellow-grade, first-tier talisman, yet it could counteract spells that confused the mind.

She had naturally tested it and confirmed its effectiveness against that strange 'To Make the World’s Laughable Ones Laugh' ability. With this Spirit Treasure, the task of drawing away the Earth Elemental Giant and slaying the Ghost-General was no longer impossible.

Since Feng Zikang was coveting the Spirit Treasure, he naturally agreed without hesitation. He needed time to return and study the mysteries of this object first.

"Since that is settled, and the hour is late today, let us meet at the Earth Elemental Core Cave entrance tomorrow evening at the hour of Si. Midday is the optimal time to eliminate the Ghost-General." Seeing him agree to help, Luo Lianxin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Midday, when the Yang energy was intense, was certainly best for dealing with spectral entities. After all, the Ghost-General was formidable; Liang Si'an, already established in the Foundation Establishment stage, would need to bring his cronies to gang up on it.

Although Luo Lianxin was confident in a one-on-one fight, she needed to be fully prepared. "Return to the Small Bamboo Grove and familiarize yourself with the usage of this Spirit Treasure." Luo Lianxin transmitted the incantation required to activate the first layer of restrictions on the Spirit Treasure.

Feng Zikang found the phrasing convoluted and extremely peculiar, sounding nothing like human language, which deepened the mystery surrounding the artifact and Luo Lianxin’s background. Just as he was about to take his leave, he remembered one last thing.

"Senior Sister, if I use that 'To Make the World’s Laughable Ones Laugh' ability, won't the Ghost-General also be affected, and then it will chase after me as well...?" "This... you will simply have to provide it with another Heart-Calming Talisman..." Luo Lianxin hadn't considered this initially.

Now that it was raised, it seemed that before killing the ghost, they would first have to restore its sanity. Among all the Ghost-Generals who had benefited from Heart-Calming Talismans since the military sect established itself on Dragon Tiger Mountain, this one would likely be unique—dying with a strange sort of honor.

Luo Lianxin retrieved another Heart-Calming Talisman and handed it to Feng Zikang. He accepted it with ease; although the item was cheap, why pay for it himself if she offered?