Chapter 27: Spiritual Space
There was no special sensation as his soul passed through the Gate to the World. He closed his eyes and opened them again, finding himself standing on a high platform of an array. Looking up, he saw the canopy of the long-lost World Tree blocking out the sun.
Only the skeleton of the pale dragon remained, its majestic head held high, and its bony torso embedded in the center of the tree trunk. Amidst the lingering blue fire, the dragon girl in a star-shaped skirt with cloud-gray hair was still sleeping on the throne, her eyes half-closed.
"Gulp—"
Xia Feng swallowed subconsciously, and the hunger that had been suppressed for a long time rose again.
[Activity remaining: 5 days and 6 hours]
The limit for a first-level spiritual master's single consumption is seven days. After seven days, he would feel full and could no longer consume. The cooldown time was one day, meaning he could return to feed every other day.
Swoosh—
Noticing the movement, the black crow on the branch suddenly opened its eyes, its beak emitting a soft, mature voice with a hint of amusement.
"Little human brat, I didn't expect you to come back so soon~"
Boom! Boom! Boom! His heart pounded like a wild horse, racing uncontrollably. Xia Feng covered his chest and looked at the woman on the throne, his breathing slightly uneven.
It seemed that after tasting her once, he had become even more greedy, craving more.
Thinking this, he took a step forward.
Seeing Xia Feng so eager, Black Crow sighed helplessly, "It seems you're really eager to unlock your psychic power. Well, come forward, and I'll teach you how to communicate with it."
"..." Xia Feng paused, forcing himself to look away from the dragon girl. He raised his eyes to Black Crow, his expression twitching slightly.
What a buzzkill! Can't I eat first before studying?
Considering he shouldn't reveal too much desire for her, he suppressed his hunger and nodded reluctantly, deciding to address the issue first.
Psychic unlocking, also known as soul unlocking, refers to the process of releasing the mysterious psychic power hidden within one's soul. This power can only be harnessed through special methods and condensed into a "spiritual weapon."
This is why even ordinary people have the potential to awaken spiritual weapons, though the probability is relatively low.
If an ordinary person awakens a spiritual weapon and it functions well, they might even defeat an apprentice or even a first-level spiritual master!
Thus, spiritual weapons are crucial for spiritual masters. They provide an excellent way to enhance combat effectiveness without delving into the complexities of spiritual particles.
Of course, just like Spirit Clothes, spiritual weapons are divided into different levels, ranging from N, D, C, B, A, to S, with N being the lowest and S the highest.
N-level weapons are the weakest but can excel in specific areas.
For example, the "Chef's Gloves." Any food cooked while wearing these gloves, even if it's garbage, will taste like chocolate.
It's said that this chef deity first appeared on a variety show, becoming an internet sensation with his infamous dish, "Pig Intestines Retaining Their Original Flavor."
Another example is the "No-Sleep Glasses," which allow the wearer to stay awake indefinitely, and the "Weight Loss Belt," which prevents weight gain but only reduces fat.
At D-level, some combat-useful spiritual tools appear, though they are limited in their impact and can't decisively influence battles.
Only C-level and above spiritual weapons produce bizarre effects that can overturn battle situations, allowing low-level spiritual masters to defeat higher-level ones.
"Normally, there are two situations in which a spiritual weapon can be awakened," Black Crow explained, perched on a branch. "First, when emotions fluctuate violently, and second, when death is imminent. In both cases, it's possible to sense the 'spiritual weapon' and release it, though it heavily depends on luck.
Some ordinary people awaken C-level spiritual tools, while some third-level or even super-level spiritual masters fail to sense theirs."
"Ms. Black Crow, I understand. But can you get to the point? Why did you say earlier that you could guarantee a 100% success rate?"
Black Crow chuckled. "Of course, it's because of my spiritual weapon—'Spiritual Space.' It's designed to help people awaken the psychic power hidden deep within themselves."
"Ah, I see."
Using a spiritual weapon to awaken another spiritual weapon—now that's a magical tool!
"May I ask, what level is your spiritual weapon?"
"A-level."
Xia Feng's eyes lit up. "Is it easy to awaken an A-level weapon?"
"What do you think?" Black Crow rolled her eyes in a very human-like manner.
"Little human, I advise you not to get your hopes up. Based on my experience helping countless humans awaken their spiritual weapons, even if you're extremely lucky, you might reach C-level at best. B-level is a dream, and A-level? Forget it."
"Do you really need to be so discouraging?" Xia Feng muttered, then boldly asked, "What about S-level?"
"?" A question mark seemed to light up on Black Crow's forehead, her confused eyes seeming to say, "Are you kidding me? How dare you even think that."
"Let me put it this way. I've helped countless humans and even members of other races. There have been a few A-level awakenings, but S-level? Zero."
"Alright."
Xia Feng roughly understood. A-level is like an SSR card in a game, while S-level is a UR card. There are only a handful of UR cards in the entire game, and pulling one would require unimaginable luck.
Given his past of never drawing an SSR in games, he could only hope for a B-level spiritual weapon.
No, a C-level! Xia Feng clasped his hands together and prayed, "A C-level spiritual weapon will do!"
"You understand, right? If so, look up and meet my eyes."
Xia Feng obeyed, looking up to see the deep gray pupils of Black Crow lit with golden dots, her beak slightly parting:
"Once you enter the spiritual weapon space, defeat your spiritual weapon's incarnation, and you'll gain psychic power."
"Ah?" Xia Feng was stunned. "I thought you said it was a 100% guarantee?"
Black Crow's gray eyes seemed to smile. "If you can't defeat the incarnation, you can't leave the spiritual weapon space. But if you win, you'll awaken it 100%."
"Hiss!! Why didn't you mention this earlier, you stinky crow—" His voice cut off abruptly.
"Heh~~~" Her youthful yet mature laughter carried a hint of pride at her successful prank.
As the world spun, Xia Feng felt her teasing voice grow distant. "Don't worry, if you die in the spiritual weapon space, you'll be resurrected. Also, ten hours there is only one hour outside. Go ahead. Though the tests vary for each person's spiritual weapon incarnation, I believe you won't be stuck for hundreds of years. Good luck~~"
Swoosh—
Dazzling light flooded his vision before fading quickly. Xia Feng narrowed his eyes.
The world was white.
Beneath his feet was a layer of clear water less than a finger's width deep, stretching infinitely in all directions with no end in sight.
Splash, splash—
Xia Feng took a few steps forward on the water, his reflection twisting and disintegrating.
He looked around. The spiritual weapon space seemed endless and eerily quiet.
Black Crow had said he needed to defeat the incarnation of his spiritual weapon, but where was it?
"Hello, is anyone there?" he called out.
As he spoke, ripples suddenly appeared on the water's surface. Xia Feng sensed something was off and instinctively stepped back, only to find his reflection remained fixed in place, unmoving.
Before he could react, a two-square-meter section of the water surface tilted up 90 degrees, forming an ultra-clear water mirror standing quietly before him.
Xia Feng frowned, staring at his reflection. Their eyes met.
In the vast emptiness, Xia Feng stared at himself for three full minutes. Suddenly, the corners of his reflection's lips curled into a strange smile. "You're quite interesting~"
Xia Feng blinked and nodded in satisfaction. "Yeah, I think so too."
"Not just interesting, but handsome too~"
"Yeah, yeah!" Xia Feng nodded repeatedly, giving a thumbs up. "As expected of me, I have great taste!"
The reflection was momentarily stunned, then grinned and gave a thumbs up. "As expected of me, I'm so narcissistic~"
"Who are you calling narcissistic?" Xia Feng frowned.
"I'm calling myself narcissistic. Got a problem with that?" The reflection raised his chin, looking arrogantly punchable. "I'm just an idiot!"
"You little—" Xia Feng suddenly drew his sword, and three terrifying blood waves surged toward the reflection. Bang!
The mirror shattered into droplets, splashing and creating countless ripples on the water's surface.
"Is this me? I really have no sense of honor."
A cold snort came from behind. Xia Feng turned to see another water mirror standing five meters away.
"Is this me? I really have no sense of honor."
Another cold snort, and Xia Feng turned again to find yet another water mirror standing five meters away.
"Is this me? I really have no sense of honor."
Right.
"It's not about honor."
Left.
"It's not about honor."
"No honor!"
"No honor!!" More and more water mirrors rose in all directions, extending infinitely. The reflections, all wearing the same annoying expression, chanted in unison.
"No honor, no honor, no honor..."
Their voices overlapped chaotically, surrounding Xia Feng like a cacophony of chanting monks. His eye twitched, and he felt a headache coming on.
He never realized he could be so annoying.
Xia Feng sighed helplessly. "Alright, hurry up. Can I just kill you?"
The chanting stopped. After a moment of silence, their voices unified, resonating like a massive bell. "We are you, and you are us. Why do you want to kill yourself?"
"What's it to you? I'll kill whoever I want!" Xia Feng raised his sword again, unwilling to listen to their nonsense.
Splash—
He stepped hard on the water, charging toward the nearest mirror with his sword.
But the mirror shook, and the reflection stepped out, sword in hand, breaking free from the mirror!
The two figures, both in white martial arts uniforms, shot toward each other like arrows.
Clang— The swords collided with a crisp sound, and after half a second, both figures were flung backward in the same posture.
As they landed simultaneously, their forms vanished.
"Where did you go?"
"Where did you go?"
"Where did you go? Where did you go? Where did you go?"
The surrounding mirrors began chanting again, their voices overlapping in a chaotic chorus.
But within five seconds, three terrifying blood waves materialized on both sides of the battlefield. Bang, bang, bang! The shockwaves from the collisions sent the water surface soaring into the air, creating a heavy rain.
Two translucent figures flickered in the rain, standing on single water mirrors twenty meters apart.
Xia Feng shook his sword, emerging from stealth, and frowned at his reflection.
"Now you understand," the reflection said seriously. "I am you, and you are me. Even if you're the best in the world, you can't defeat yourself."
Xia Feng's frown deepened.
Black Crow had said that defeating the spiritual weapon's incarnation would unlock his psychic power.
She also mentioned that the tests varied for each person's spiritual weapon.
Clearly, his test was bizarre and absurd.
Defeat himself?
Right, who in this world could defeat him?
"So, if you understand, just give up."
"Yeah, give up."
"Give it up."
The reflections began their chanting again.
"Give up?" Xia Feng rolled his eyes. "Then how do I leave this damn place?"
"Leave?"
"Why do you want to leave?"
"Yeah, isn't it nice to talk to all these versions of yourself?"
What a joke! Xia Feng couldn't help but facepalm. He didn't want to talk.
Seeing Xia Feng's silence, the reflections seemed to realize something.
"I understand."
"Yes, we understnad!"
As they spoke, the scene around Xia Feng distorted and changed. He found himself lying on a large bed.
Looking around, he saw a dressing table, wardrobe, and bedside table—it looked like a married couple's bedroom.
The TV in front of him was playing a popular suspense drama. A folding table sat on the bed, laden with snacks and soda.
As he wondered what was happening, a woman in silk pajamas walked in, her face blurred. She carried a basin of water to the bedside.
But as Xia Feng looked closer, the woman's face shifted into Mu Qingtong's cold smile. She raised her beautiful eyes, her brows curving softly as she whispered, "Husband, let me wash your feet~"
Xia Feng: "..."
Seeing his dazed expression, Mu Qingtong frowned worriedly. "What's wrong, husband? Are you tired from sitting?" She climbed onto the bed, coming behind him, and whispered, "Let me give you a massage~"
Feeling her slender hands gently massaging his shoulders and neck, and her soft whispers in his ear, Xia Feng felt a trance come over him. Two words escaped his lips: "What the—"
"Ah? Now?" Mu Qingtong's ears reddened as she turned away. "It's not even night yet~"
"..." Xia Feng's eye twitched, and he was about to speak when—
BANG!!
On the TV, a bus exploded on a cross-river bridge. Xia Feng's attention was drawn to it. In a daze, he picked up a bag of chips from the table, tore it open, and began eating while watching.
"Honey, how can you do this yourself? Let me help~" Mu Qingtong snatched the bag, picking up a chip and feeding it to him. "Ah~~"
Xia Feng ate the chip, feeling thirsty, and reached for the soda.
"Hubby! I've told you so many times, you shouldn't do this!"
Mu Qingtong grabbed the soda, unscrewed it, and carefully held it to his lips. "Ah~~~~"
Xia Feng opened his mouth, his eyes glued to the TV. The suspense drama featured a protagonist repeatedly reborn on a bus, trying to prevent its inevitable explosion.
It seemed the protagonist could never stop the explosion or escape the cycle. Xia Feng leaned into Mu Qingtong's embrace, opening his mouth automatically as he watched.
He would never be able to kill himself, nor leave the spiritual weapon space.
Maybe it wasn't so bad to stay here, with food, warmth, and a soft back to lean on.
Well, it wasn't bad at all.
It would be strange if it were! Xia Feng jolted awake and stood up abruptly.
"Hey, husband, what are you doing—"
Xia Feng drew a massive sword from nowhere and swung it. The beautiful head flew into the air, blood splattering across the white bed.
The headless body slowly toppled over.
(End of Chapter)