Chapter Nine: Shifts in Space

“Damn it! After all this, I’m nothing more than a vessel for some medicine—someone else even forced this child into me! This is insane! I thought having a farming space was already extraordinary, but I never imagined there could be something even stranger.” Tang Wei lay on the ground, swearing in frustration. “Heavens! Why don’t you just let me die and be done with it? Now I’ve fallen into the hands of people like this, and I’ll be stuck between life and death, unable to live or die!”

“That won’t happen, Mistress! You’re now the true master of this space. Since your resurrection array has succeeded, you are the rightful owner here. In fact, this space can now become a part of your soul,” a voice suddenly spoke from nearby.

Tang Wei shot up with a start at the sound, looking towards where it came from, only to see herself standing opposite her. She jumped in fright. “What kind of spirit are you? Why do you look like me?”

The other Tang Wei replied earnestly, “Mistress, I am no spirit. I am the artifact spirit born from this space. I simply didn’t know what form to take when appearing before you. Since you are my mistress, the person I respect most, I took on your appearance. If you dislike it, I can change to another form. What would you like me to become?”

Realizing it wasn’t a ghost, Tang Wei let out a breath and replied offhandedly, “As long as you’re not me, it doesn’t matter—be a cat or a dog for all I care!”

“But I don’t know what a cat or a dog looks like,” the artifact spirit said, sounding aggrieved.

Tang Wei rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Forget it. Next time, I’ll bring a picture, and you can change then. By the way, what’s your name? I can’t just keep calling you ‘hey’ forever.”

The artifact spirit looked confused. “I don’t have a name. The previous master just called me ‘Artifact Spirit’.”

“Alright, I’ll call you Ling from now on,” Tang Wei said, not wanting to dwell on it further. She was more concerned about her situation and asked, “What’s with all the chaotic information in my mind?”

Ling replied, “Since you were able to activate the Five Elements Resurrection Array, it means you are now a Five Elements Spiritual Body. The male master, after his soul recovers, will awaken as well. This space will then be owned by the two of you jointly, and you will share both life and death. Both of you can cultivate the Chaos Technique to eventually become Chaos Spiritual Bodies. The previous master stored cultivation techniques from all realms in the main hall for your reference, as well as pills, spirit stones, and artifacts of various levels. You only need to focus your consciousness to perceive the entire space, and moving anywhere within it is as simple as a thought.”

Following Ling’s instructions, Tang Wei closed her eyes and focused, marveling, “Wow, Ling, this space is enormous!”

Ling replied cheerfully, “Yes, Mistress. This space is as large as the Earth you’re currently on, except Earth is on the outside of a sphere, while this space is inside the sphere.”

Tang Wei, curious, asked, “But why is this space divided into different regions? First there’s a plain, then a barren stone mountain, next to that a vast sea, then stretches of primeval forest, then a sea of fire, which connects back to the plain. Is there a reason for this?”

Ling responded obediently, “Yes, Mistress. It follows the cycle: earth generates metal, metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, and fire returns to earth. At the junctions between these regions, the five elemental spiritual energies merge to create chaos energy. Right now, you are standing at one of those junctions; the other is where the main hall is located. Mistress, shall we go to the main hall? That’s where your future cultivation techniques are stored. Once the male master awakens, this spot will become the entrance to another space.”

Hearing about another space, Tang Wei asked eagerly, “There’s another space? Where is it? Can we go and take a look now? Just a look?”

Ling shook her head. “No, the entrance hasn’t opened yet, and your cultivation isn’t sufficient. Even if you went in now, it would do you no good—the spiritual energy inside is too dense, and you would be overwhelmed and perish.”

Tang Wei asked in disappointment, “So what level do I need to reach to enter?”

Ling replied with a smile, “Once you’ve formed a Golden Core, you can enter. So you should hurry and cultivate! The fruits there are delicious—true immortal fruits from the Celestial Realm! Why don’t we go to the main hall now? The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll reach the core-forming stage.” Without waiting for Tang Wei’s response, Ling pulled her along, and in a flash, they arrived at the entrance of a grand palace.

Tang Wei stood dumbfounded before the palace doors, murmuring, “How beautiful… I wonder if I can bring my sisters here to see this!” Quickly regaining her senses, she asked, “Ling, can my family cultivate? And can they come in here?”

Ling replied cheerfully, “As long as you find the right technique, anyone can cultivate—even without spiritual roots, they can take the martial path. The previous master included sword cultivation techniques as well! Others can come in, but only into the area you used to occupy—the center of the plain. To protect you both, the previous master set up a barrier so no one with ulterior motives could use you. To break this barrier would require someone with the same level of cultivation as the previous master. If you’re ever in danger, just enter this space—even a Celestial Lord couldn’t find you. But if several Celestial Lords attacked the spot where you vanished, you’d still be doomed. That’s why the previous master wanted you to focus on cultivation first; once you’re strong enough, he’ll help you further.”

“Oh,” Tang Wei replied absentmindedly, her eyes still on the palace. Seeing this, Ling pulled her straight into the study. There were no books in the study, only rows of jade slips on the shelves. Ling took a single slip from a separate box and placed it in Tang Wei’s hand, saying, “This is the Chaos Technique you should cultivate. Mistress, close your eyes and press the jade slip to your forehead, and you’ll see it!”

Tang Wei did as instructed, and after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she opened her eyes. “So that’s all there is? I wonder what the other techniques are like?” Turning to Ling, she asked, “Ling, if my family wants to cultivate, what technique should they use?” Before Ling could reply, another thought struck her and she asked urgently, “Ling, how long have I been in here?”

Ling thought for a moment. “By the time outside, almost ten hours.”

Tang Wei panicked. “Ah, that’s twenty hours! I can’t stay any longer—my family will be worried sick! Next time, you can tell me more. I have to go!” She turned to leave, then looked back at Ling and said, “Oh, and don’t call me Mistress anymore. Call me Sister next time! I’m off!” With that, she vanished.