Star Chaser Divine Monarch's condition was very similar to Returning Origin Sword Immortal's. Both had become existences akin to artifact spirits, yet there were major differences between them.
Before Returning Origin Sword Immortal became an artifact spirit, his soul should have been basically intact, completely replacing the unformed artifact spirit within the eighth-tier Returning Origin Sword.
But before Star Chaser Divine Monarch became an artifact spirit, his soul had already been severely fragmented.
He relied on the artifact spirit within the Soul Nurturing Pearl to mend his own soul.
Unfortunately, his soul could not completely replace the artifact spirit either.
Thus, he had become what he was now—like a remnant soul, yet also like an artifact spirit.
If this continued, then given enough time, he might completely merge with the Soul Nurturing Pearl's artifact spirit and become a true artifact spirit.
Yet there were still risks. If he suffered intense external interference before the fusion was complete, his remnant soul would vanish into ashes and smoke.
Wang Daoyuan sighed. "What a pity. The Soul Nurturing Wood in Shennong Pavilion was moved away by cultivators from the Spirit Taming Sect and is no longer here.
"Otherwise, I could have helped you refine a soul-nurturing artifact.
"By the way, I have some Soul Stones and Yellow Springs Willow Wood. I wonder whether they can help you, Senior Brother?"
Star Chaser Divine Monarch shook his head. "It's useless. The Soul Nurturing Pearl in which my remnant soul resides was refined from Soul Stones.
"But Soul Stones can only preserve my soul; they have no restorative effect.
"As for Yellow Springs Willow Wood, if I had obtained it before becoming a ghost cultivator, it might have helped me escape the Ghost Cultivation Tribulation.
"Now, everything is too late.
"Unless I find Soul Nurturing Wood