Chapter 66: Three Rules for Spiritual Treasures

Jiang Li tried, but he couldn’t bring the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal back to the Nine Provinces through the system’s teleportation channel.

Fortunately, both he and the seal had sturdy bodies that could withstand the chaotic void currents. With the system providing coordinate points, Jiang Li shattered space and returned to the Nine Provinces through the void.

Then they were blocked outside by the grand formation.

The door he installed himself—he couldn’t open it.

“An Outer World Demon… Oh, it’s Brother Jiang.” The Desolate Heaven Halberd, acting as the formation’s core, almost shouted in alarm before stopping midway.

Seeing the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal by Jiang Li’s side, the Desolate Heaven Halberd felt very uncomfortable, as if it had been betrayed.

I was here first.

Jiang Li brought the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal back to the Dao Sect. After this experience, the seal no longer harbored thoughts of the Spirit Treasure Empire and instead chose to guard the Nine Provinces.

“My master was harmed by Outer World Demons. If I don’t avenge this, I am unworthy of being an Immortal Artifact!”

In the Nine Provinces, there would be no shortage of Outer World Demons to kill!

Jiang Li recounted the entire course of events to Bai Hongtu and Immortal Elder Changcun.

Although they had already seen the Dao Ancestor’s immortal corpse through the Remote Communication Talisman, hearing Jiang Li narrate the story was an entirely different experience.

“Can you sense the karmic ties of those who ascended?”

The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal shook itself. “No. It’s as if they completely vanished.”

Jiang Li crossed his hands under his chin, deep in thought.

The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal had sensed the Dao Ancestor’s karmic ties on that continent, proving its karmic sensing ability was not useless. The fact that it couldn’t sense A’Qing’s karma might mean she had been transformed by the Outer World Demons.

If this hypothesis was correct, then could it be that all those who ascended…

But no, that didn’t make sense. Why couldn’t it see its own karmic ties? Jiang Li had been a native of the Nine Provinces since he was eighteen.

It couldn’t possibly mean his past life was an Outer World Demon, right?

“Should we erase the sentience of all spiritual treasures?” The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal sat obediently on the table, looking as if it would follow whatever decision they made.

It added, “Let me make this clear—I can’t erase the sentience of Immortal Artifacts. By now, they must have developed souls. But all other spiritual treasures are fair game; they don’t develop souls as quickly as Immortal Artifacts.”

“Erase them, though it’s a bit of a shame,” Bai Hongtu said with regret.

“Jiang Li, didn’t you once say that everything is a double-edged sword? I believe that the sentience of spiritual treasures is also a double-edged sword. We worry that they might harm people, but they can also enhance a cultivator’s combat power.”

“I recently held a spontaneous competition in the Dao Sect, allowing disciples with good relationships with their spiritual treasures to participate and use them freely.”

“The results were unexpected. The treasures and their owners moved as if their minds were linked, wielding them with incredible ease. Some treasures even took the initiative to assist their owners in combat, significantly boosting overall strength. It was common for outer sect disciples to defeat inner sect disciples, and inner sect disciples to triumph over core disciples.”

Bai Hongtu took out his Falling Rain Sword. “This is my sword. I’ve been teaching it sword techniques, and it’s improving rapidly.”

With that, the Falling Rain Sword twirled itself, displaying a sword flourish that captured the essence of Bai Hongtu’s technique to nearly thirty percent perfection!

“I’m not bragging, but everyone knows I’m called the Sword Immortal! Compared to some people who only know one move—Heart Sword—my techniques are leagues ahead!”

“This is what my Falling Rain Sword learned in just a few days!” Bai Hongtu showcased the benefits of sentient spiritual treasures.

Jiang Li felt personally attacked.

“No, we don’t need to erase their sentience for now,” Jiang Li said, surprising both the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal and Immortal Elder Changcun.

Bai Hongtu looked at Jiang Li with anticipation. He knew Jiang Li would come up with a solution.

Jiang Li found inspiration in Ming Zhong’s world.

“Let’s run an experiment, starting with Great Zhou. I’ll convince Ji Zhi.”

“Specifically, Great Zhou will enact a law stating that spiritual treasures are not Immortal Artifacts and cannot sustain themselves. We can grant them certain rights, such as aiding in quality enhancement and regular maintenance, while also imposing restrictions on them.”

“First, a treasure cannot harm its owner;”

“Second, a treasure must obey its owner’s commands, except when such a command conflicts with the first rule;”

“Third, a treasure must prioritize its own survival, as long as it does not violate the first two rules;”

“And an additional rule: all three of these regulations must operate under the fundamental principle of protecting the overall interests of the Nine Provinces’ human race.”

“Considering Great Zhou’s uniqueness, even if this succeeds, other dynasties may not achieve the same results by enacting similar laws.”

“I recall that someone in the Dao Sect cultivates the rare Path of Contracts. We can attempt to inscribe these three rules, along with the additional principle, onto contract papers and have spiritual treasure owners sign binding agreements with their treasures.”

Bai Hongtu and Immortal Elder Changcun ran through the logic in their minds and found no loopholes. They marveled at Jiang Li’s ingenuity—if this plan succeeded, the Nine Provinces’ strength would see a significant leap. Naturally, they supported it.

As for the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal, even if there were loopholes, it wouldn’t be able to spot them.

“What’s your next move? Heading to other worlds to find Immortal Artifacts?” Bai Hongtu asked, clearly giving Jiang Li no time to rest.

“No, I have a new idea I want to test.”

The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal stayed in the Dao Sect while Jiang Li, before trying his new idea, planned to visit Great Zhou.

At this moment, Ji Zhi was engaged in a heated debate with his ministers.

“I believe spiritual treasures should be bound by law! Since they have developed sentience, they are akin to demonic beasts entering Great Zhou. They should abandon the law of the jungle and fall under legal jurisdiction—granted rights, but also obligated to fulfill duties!” The Left Minister cupped his hands and stated.

“Left Minister, you are mistaken. Spiritual treasures have always been considered objects. How can we grant them rights? This contradicts tradition and common beliefs. We should continue treating them like livestock—acknowledging their life, but retaining the freedom to kill, seize, or plunder them as we wish,” the Right Minister rebutted.

“The sentience of spiritual treasures is an unprecedented change in ten thousand years! How can we reject it just because it doesn’t fit tradition? If the law cannot adapt to the times, then what will be abandoned is not only the law, but also Great Zhou itself!”

“Minister of Justice, stop fear-mongering!”

“Fear-mongering?” The Minister of Justice sneered. “Stating the truth is fear-mongering now?”

“The Great Ancestor could roam the River of Time and must have foreseen this change. Yet, he only legislated the rights and obligations of humans and demons, without mentioning spiritual treasures—proving that they don’t need special treatment!”

“If the Great Ancestor foresaw everything, why didn’t he tell us when the Outer World Demons would invade?”

“How dare you question the Great Ancestor!”

“Right Minister! We are all having an honest discussion, yet you are the only one throwing baseless accusations!” Ji Zhi was furious.

“Spiritual treasures will be incorporated into Great Zhou’s legal system,” Ji Zhi declared, making the final decision.