Chapter 496

Chapter 496: Spiritual Artifact Level Body

Facing Zhou Luo’s teasing words, Shu Hongliu smiled helplessly.

"Friend Zhou is willing to help me, I am already extremely grateful."

"As for worrying that you might trick me? Anyway, I am already a person with not long to live, so why worry about it?"

"Moreover, the dual cultivation technique you showed me indeed is useful to me."

She had indeed thought in her mind that the other party might trick her.

But after thinking it over, when the other party absorbed the Pure Yang Energy within her body, the one who needed to bear the risks was not herself, but the other party.

Moreover, things like repairing her meridians and dantian were all done by the other party; she only needed to wait for everything to be arranged and perform dual cultivation with the other party.

Throughout the entire process, the risks she faced were no lower than if not higher than his.

Under such circumstances, he still appeared so calm, so she shouldn’t harbor petty suspicions about his honorable character.

Taking a step back, before that, she certainly would sign a contract with the other party.

If the other party really killed her during this process, he wouldn’t be able to obtain her property and other things.

"Since Friend Shu has made a decision, let’s just sign this contract," Zhou Luo said.

Just when Shu Hongliu let go of her concerns, unexpectedly, Zhou Luo actively proposed signing the contract.

This made her greatly surprised.

Gazing into his bright and clear eyes, she suddenly felt that she had truly thought too much.

His character was more honorable and straightforward than she had imagined.

"Mm," Shu Hongliu responded softly.

Instantly, her fondness for Zhou Luo skyrocketed, with no more worries in her heart.

Zhou Luo took out an already prepared spiritual contract from his storage ring.

Before coming, he had already known that the other party would definitely agree; moreover, he was absolutely confident of success.

This spiritual contract was nothing more than to reassure the other party.

"Friend Shu, take a look. If there is anything you need to add, you can add it now," Zhou Luo handed the spiritual contract over.

Upon seeing this spiritual contract, Shu Hongliu felt a slight tremor in her heart.

Because it was a Second Level peak spiritual contract, possessing extraordinarily strong binding power.

Once one violates the contract’s terms, not only will they suffer the backlash to their mana and soul, but they will also be implanted with a Heart Demon.

His way of handling things was indeed comprehensive and honorable.

"It’s better to call me Hongliu; I will also call you Zhou Lang from now on," she said softly.

At this moment, her feelings toward the other party clearly underwent a tremendous transformation.

Zhou Luo gave a faint smile.

If she could become his wife wholeheartedly, that would be best of all.

That way, it also saved him the need for various defenses against her.

Just the way of calling him Zhou Lang seemed somewhat inauspicious.

"You may call me husband, or simply use my given name. Let’s avoid calling me Zhou Lang."

As a practitioner of cultivation, one inevitably harbors some superstitions about such matters—

better to believe something exists than dismiss it as nothing.

It’s much like naming: without tremendous fortune, no one could withstand bearing names signifying vast concepts like heaven or earth.

Thus he voiced this concern.

Shu Hongliu didn’t know the historical allusion behind "Zhou Lang," but she paid it little mind.

"Very well, husband." Shu Hongliu softly pursed her lips, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, unexpectedly flushed with bashfulness.

Though their spiritual contract hadn’t been formally signed yet, Zhou Luo’s earlier actions already convinced her she’d made the right choice.

Now casting aside reserve, she openly addressed him this way.

Immediately after, each infused a sliver of their consciousness into the spiritual contract.

"Hongliu, before we proceed, I still require some improvement. We must wait a little longer."

Now that the pact was sealed, Zhou Luo took the moment to explain his situation.

After all, he alone must endure the impact of that immense extreme Yang energy. Achieving a body tempered to spiritual artifact quality would be ideal.

"Husband, is there anything I can assist with?" Shu Hongliu inquired with care.

Bound by the spiritual contract, though not physically wed, they instinctively treated each other as kindred.

Zhou Luo initially intended to refuse, but then remembered her status as a Second Level weapon refiner. His eyes instantly gleamed.

"There is indeed something you could help with."

He then shared selective information about the Ten Thousand Refining Spirit Body Technique.

Upon hearing the description of this Body Refinement Technique, Shu Hongliu gasped in awe.

She never imagined he possessed such a powerful Body Refinement Technique—no wonder he felt confident facing the Pure Yang Energy’s assault.

What shocked her more was the staggering amount of resources this technique consumed.

She couldn’t fathom how he had refined himself to this stage, making him suddenly appear deeper and more enigmatic than she’d ever perceived.

"If it requires magical artifacts, regardless of quantity, I can supply them," Shu Hongliu declared unreservedly.

To save her life, material possessions held far less value than imagined.

"No excessive amounts are needed; I’m nearing a breakthrough." Witnessing her generosity, Zhou Luo felt a twinge of embarrassment.

After all, her wealth would soon be his—if she wasn’t frugal, he certainly would be!

"Very well, give me a list; I’ll have it prepared," Shu Hongliu assented.

Shortly after, Zhou Luo provided an approximate inventory for her to gather the required magical artifacts.

Having a weapon refiner as a spouse truly saved considerable time.

Approximately an hour later, Shu Hongliu arrived before Zhou Luo, presenting a storage ring abundantly full of magical artifacts.

As precaution, she’d prepared extras.

Magical artifacts were hardly scarce in her domain.

Without ceremony, Zhou Luo took the artifacts, remaining at Shu Hongliu’s residence, and simultaneously handed her the remaining sections of the Technique of the Phoenix and the Luan for review.

Studying this dual cultivation technique, Shu Hongliu grew increasingly awed by its profound roots in the ancient Hehuan true path. Her confidence for their imminent dual cultivation steadily mounted.

Three months later…

Within a secret chamber, seated cross-legged on the Dao platform, Zhou Luo abruptly opened his eyes. His starry eyes blazed with intense light, his face bursting with elation.

"It’s finally complete!"

A smile touched his lips as he gazed down at his own form.

Crystalline skin now revealed layers of radiant patterns—exquisitely intricate lines pulsing with terrifying power. Every inch shimmered with pinpoint brilliance, refined yet formidable.

As he clenched a fist, surging blood and vital energy roared within him. Overwhelming physical strength poured forth, his entire frame emitting deep, resonant hums.

After three months of tempering, his body had truly attained spiritual artifact quality.

Now, even if struck by the full-force attack of a Golden Core master, though injured, he would not lose the ability to fight.

With proper defense, only minor harm might result.

Reflecting on this, he rose decisively, glancing sideways at the mountainous pile of magical artifacts nearby.

These artifacts had now turned into scrap metal, mere stepping stones beneath his feet.

Utterly pleased, Zhou Luo exited the secret chamber…