139: The spirit of the weapon took over the body, and the Gao family came to an end

High Evil fell silent.

He had to admit that with the opponent's strength and weapon, he truly didn't have a guaranteed victory.

"What is a pseudo-emperor artifact? Is it different from an Emperor Weapon?"

Lin Yuan couldn't help but ask.

Shen Mingzhu explained, "A Soul Connection Treasure initially develops sentience but hasn't fully formed. Once it fully forms a Weapon Spirit, it becomes a pseudo-emperor artifact. At this stage, the Weapon Spirit's consciousness is as naive as an infant's. Only when it possesses mature sentience can it be considered a true Emperor Weapon."

Lin Yuan pondered, "So that's how it is. Is there a big difference between a pseudo-emperor artifact and an Emperor Weapon?"

"It's quite significant. A true Emperor Weapon, with the assistance of its Weapon Spirit, can greatly enhance its power and even launch attacks autonomously. In terms of might, it's at least twice that of a pseudo-emperor artifact."

Twice!

Lin Yuan's eyes flickered. It seemed the difference between the two was indeed substantial.

In mid-air, Yun Qiying held her bow and coldly said, "High Evil, I'm still saying the same thing: if you retreat now, my Cloud Ripple Sect will no longer pursue your crimes."

Having reached this point, how could High Evil bear to retreat?

He raised his giant hammer and said indifferently, "A fake's power is far inferior to the real thing. You are certainly not my opponent. Although I might also get injured, your fate will definitely be worse than mine. Is it necessary to pay such a price for two people who are about to die?"

Yun Qiying firmly stated, "Since War Heaven City respects my Cloud Ripple Sect as its master, I will protect them no matter what!"

High Evil's expression darkened, "Since that's the case, then I, Gao, can only offend you."

With that, he raised his hand and swung the hammer, injecting Origin Qi into it. Immediately, the winds and clouds changed color, and thunder boomed incessantly!

Seeing this, Yun Qiying reluctantly raised her long bow, preparing to meet the enemy.

Had it not been for the pressing circumstances, she wouldn't have wanted to offend such an enemy.

But as things stood, for the dignity of the Cloud Ripple Sect, she could only fight with all her might.

Just as the battle was about to erupt, Senior Gao roared, "High Evil! Do you know why our Old Ancestor sealed the Zhan Tian Hammer?"

High Evil's movements paused, and he frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

Senior Gao said directly, "In the past, during his later years, our Old Ancestor was backlashed by the Zhan Tian Hammer's Weapon Spirit, causing him to perish with resentment. Before his death, he used his lifelong power to Seal the war hammer and warned future generations in the ancestral teachings that without Saint Realm cultivation, one must not use the Zhan Tian Hammer, otherwise, their Soul Sea would be invaded and possessed by the Weapon Spirit, leading to a complete loss of self."

Possession!

High Evil's face changed drastically, and he gritted his teeth, pressing, "Impossible! If the Weapon Spirit had such ability, why am I still safe and sound now?"

Senior Gao sneered, "Since you obtained the Zhan Tian Hammer, have you made the Emperor Weapon recognize you as its master?"

High Evil's heart tightened. Indeed, as the other party said, he hadn't performed the recognition ritual yet and hadn't communicated with the Weapon Spirit. However, he was able to activate the Emperor Weapon's power, which was clearly unreasonable.

Due to his excessive excitement upon obtaining the Emperor Weapon and his eagerness for revenge, he hadn't noticed this point until now, when the other party reminded him.

So, he immediately released his spiritual sense, attempting to communicate with the Weapon Spirit.

Immediately, wisps of blue smoke emanated from the giant hammer, accompanied by a hoarse laugh: "Hehe, I originally intended to watch this good show before acting, but unfortunately, you old fellow exposed me. So, I'll just have to act early. Little fellow surnamed Gao, don't blame me for being ruthless; blame yourself for being foolish."

With that said, the blue smoke rapidly flowed into High Evil's head, making his entire expression contort hideously.

"Ah!"

The man dropped the giant hammer, clutched his head with both hands, and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone.

The Weapon Spirit could actually invade a person's Soul Sea?

This was too terrifying!

Lin Yuan's eyes also showed a flicker of alarm. An Emperor Weapon actively attacking humans was indeed somewhat frightening.

According to the last words of the Gao Family's Old Ancestor, perhaps only a Saint Realm Cultivator could resist the Weapon Spirit's erosion.

And High Evil, being only in the Dao Platform Realm, naturally couldn't resist.

"Ah ah ah ah!"

High Evil continued to cry out in pain, even his facial features began to twist.

Seizing this opportunity, Yun Qiying decisively drew her long bow, and endless Heaven and Earth Origin Qi condensed on the bowstring. A translucent energy arrow formed, its tip pointing directly at the man in green!

"Whoosh!"

As she released her delicate hand, the arrow shot out, piercing through layers of Qi waves, roaring with sonic booms, tearing through the Void Realm along its path, and directly striking the enemy!

"Boom!"

When the two collided, there was a loud bang, and smoke and residual power furiously poured out, surging in all directions!

Everyone's pupils constricted, and they all raised their arms, releasing Origin Qi to protect themselves.

Soon after.

The thick smoke gradually dispersed, and High Evil's figure was no longer visible. A wide spatial rift appeared in everyone's line of sight.

"Did he escape by breaking through the Void Realm?"

Yun Qiying murmured softly, her tightly furrowed brows not relaxing.

Although the enemy had retreated, this was forced by the Weapon Spirit, and there was still a possibility of him returning in the future.

"Sect Master!"

Yun Wei flew forward, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"

Taking out a Medicinal Pill and consuming it, Yun Qiying shook her head, "I'm fine, but that fellow got away, and it might be disadvantageous to us in the future."

Senior Gao interjected, "High Evil, with his mere Dao Platform Realm cultivation, will surely be devoured by the Weapon Spirit. Given this entity's nature, it might not come to trouble us."

Gao Hong, however, said, "My Gao Family sealed him for tens of thousands of years; he must hate us to death, right?"

"Not necessarily. Weapon Spirits think differently from humans. We only sealed it; we never actively harmed it, so there's no enmity with it. Moreover, after this incident, my Gao Family doesn't have many Family members left."

Yun Qiying sighed softly, "No matter what, we still need to be careful. Now that War Heaven City has fallen and you have no place to stay, come back to the Sect with me to recuperate."

Senior Gao refused, "No need. I don't have much time left anyway, and I was severely injured fighting High Evil just now. Let me pass away here; it can be considered returning to my homeland."

Gao Hong's eyes widened, "Old Ancestor, you..."

"Say no more. I know my own situation better than anyone. You don't need to waste resources on me. Also, there are a few surviving Gao Family members below; gather and protect them to continue the Gao Family's Legacy, and then I can die without worries."

Interrupting the other party, Senior Gao flew down to the edge of the giant hole, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes as if sleeping.

Gao Hong still wanted to say something, but Yun Qiying stopped him, "This is Senior Gao's own choice; we should respect it."

Upon hearing this, Gao Hong's figure paused, and he finally sighed, turning to search for his Family members below.

At this, everyone's expressions were complex, filled with emotion.

To think that the Gao Family, which had been passed down for tens of thousands of years, would meet such a fate was truly regrettable and lamentable.

Yun Qiying flashed to everyone's side and commanded, "I hope you all will not disclose what happened today to outsiders."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

"Alright, everyone, you may disperse."

She waved her hand, and everyone scattered.

Lin Yuan, Shen Mingzhu, and the others walked together, returning to the Sect.