Sovereign Artifact

A year?

Upon suddenly hearing the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture's words, Ailin was instinctively startled. Only after communicating with his Main Body in the Material Plane did he confirm that a full year had indeed passed.

After entering enlightenment, the clone in that state could barely perceive the passage of time. To him, the process had felt extremely short, so he had no idea how much time had actually gone by.

However, enlightenment was different from cultivation. Though the duration of enlightenment varied, it generally did not last too long. More than a month was already considered quite lengthy.

A year?

Even over the million years he had cultivated before this, all his periods of enlightenment combined had not lasted nearly this long.

"What would I gain from lying to you?"

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture rolled her eyes at Ailin. Still, she was clearly curious about his enlightenment as well, and there was even a hint of appreciation in her tone. "A year. You spent an entire year in enlightenment. I imagine you made a major breakthrough?"

Enlightenment was not limited to comprehending the Profound Mysteries of Laws. Sometimes, one could also gain enlightenment regarding techniques and such.

"I improved somewhat."

Ailin did not elaborate, but neither did he try to conceal his increase in strength.

Although he had not directly reached the Paragon realm, his strength had still increased by roughly threefold compared to a year ago. Even with an ordinary bloodline, he now ranked above average among peak Asuras.

He might not be a match for those Overgod Envoys, but as long as he was not surrounded by such experts, keeping himself alive would not be much of a problem.

"I truly don't understand how you suddenly entered enlightenment. And for it to last so long too. Tsk, tsk."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture stood and circled Ailin once, examining him for quite a while before she finally could not help saying it.

Over the past year, she had watched Ailin the entire time while carefully recalling every encounter she had had with him. There had been neither battle nor discussion of Profound Mystery insights, yet Ailin had somehow entered enlightenment for no apparent reason.

It could not have been because she told Ailin that the Overgods of the Four Divine Beasts might be tracking him, could it?

"Enlightenment has never had any real warning signs. I merely gained a new understanding of some of my previous insights."

Ailin smiled and casually made up an excuse.

Just the fact that the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had guarded him for an entire year made his impression of her much better. Whatever her intentions were, she had at least not disturbed his enlightenment. If she had truly awakened him during that time, then even if he could have continued comprehending, he could not possibly have reached his current level.

Had that happened, whether he could reach the Paragon realm in the future would have been uncertain.

"Tsk, tsk, you..."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture did not believe him at all, but she could not be bothered to investigate further. Everyone had their own secrets. "Fine. Now that your strength has improved, are you confident in dealing with Hamusi?"

"Hamusi?"

Ailin frowned slightly.

"Hamusi is an Envoy of the Azure Dragon Overgod. He is also the expert the Four Divine Beast Family hired this time to deal with you."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture explained, "Like you, he is a supreme expert who cultivates the Water Law. Moreover, he possesses an offensive Sovereign Artifact. His strength is extremely terrifying."

Rather than answering immediately, Ailin asked curiously, "What grudge do you have against the Four Divine Beast Family?"

The Four Divine Beast Family had many enemies. Otherwise, they would not have been surrounded by the Eight Great Families in the Heavenly Sacrifice Mountain Range in the future. Many of those families had even pursued them across planes.

Yet among those besieging the Four Divine Beast Family, there had been no Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture.

If the grudge between them was truly deep, why had the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture not kicked them while they were down? Even if she would not relocate her entire clan, it would have been entirely possible for her to go there alone and slaughter a few people.

Of course, perhaps she had gone, and the original work simply had not recorded it.

However, recalling what the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had said earlier—that it was inconvenient for her to act against the Four Divine Beast Family—Ailin concluded that she most likely had not done anything to them. She had a grudge, yet would not act personally...

"You don't need to concern yourself with that. In any case, as long as it is something the Four Divine Beast Family wants to do, I will stop it."

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture had no intention of saying more. She looked at Ailin, her expression turning more solemn as she directly transmitted her voice, Although I cannot directly act against those from the Four Divine Beast Family, there is no problem with supporting you in fighting Hamusi.

Supporting me?

Ailin was slightly puzzled. Even before his enlightenment, he had found the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture's purpose rather strange. He had never been certain why she had come. Supporting him? Did she mean watching his battle and cheering him on?

Had the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture said this before he killed Bensgodo, he would certainly have suspected that she was trying to incite him against the Four Divine Beast Family. But now, he had already become enemies with them, so he naturally felt no resistance.

Although making enemies with the Four Divine Beast Family had not been wise, he was actually quite grateful now for that past foolishness. If not for it, there would not have been the current situation, and he might not have had the chance to enter enlightenment. Without that enlightenment, who knew when he would have gained his current insights?

Heh heh.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture smiled, her expression unreadable. As far as I know, you are not an Overgod Envoy, are you?

Ailin frowned slightly. That's right.

His strength was not bad, but when Overgods selected Envoys, they generally chose beings whose comprehension of the Profound Mysteries of Laws was no weaker than his, yet whose bloodline talents were stronger. Thus, even if an Overgod noticed him, they would not choose him as an Envoy.

Besides, Ailin had never intended to become an Overgod Envoy. After all, he would become an Overgod in the future.

Then, without a Sovereign Artifact, you will most likely be inferior to Hamusi.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture stated it directly, as though it were only natural.

Ailin raised his brows but did not respond. Although the words were somewhat unpleasant to hear, they were still true. At the God-level, the gap between possessing a Sovereign Artifact and not possessing one was simply enormous. Even a Seven-star Demon who obtained a Sovereign Artifact could be classified at the Asura level.

That was precisely why, even though his strength had improved, he had merely gained more ability to deal with Hamusi. He could struggle with Hamusi for a while, and even if he ultimately chose to leave, Hamusi might not be able to stop him.

But defeating Hamusi, who possessed a Sovereign Artifact—even merely gaining the upper hand—was unrealistic.

If he did not flee, or if Hamusi truly fought him to the death in an endless pursuit, Hamusi, with his Sovereign Artifact, might even be able to kill him.

That was assuming Hamusi was willing to risk his life.

Seeing that Ailin did not deny it, the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture extended her right hand. With a flick of her jade-white wrist, a Crimson Longspear burning with Golden Flame appeared in her palm.

The moment the longspear appeared, the surrounding space faintly trembled even though it did nothing. At the same time, the entire spear radiated an incomparably terrifying aura that shook the soul.

"A Sovereign Artifact!"

Though he had never seen a Sovereign Artifact before, Ailin recognized it with a single glance. That longspear was absolutely a Sovereign Artifact!

"You're an Overgod Envoy?!"

Ailin looked at the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture, a trace of surprise in his voice.

The information he had obtained was already the most detailed available regarding the Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture, yet it had never mentioned that she was an Overgod Envoy! Such information could not possibly have been concealed.

The Prefect of Blood Phantom Prefecture smiled and glanced at Ailin. "What? Are Sovereign Artifacts only for Overgod Envoys?"

Uh.

Hearing that, Ailin calmed down. True, although Sovereign Artifacts were precious, they were not weapons exclusive to Overgod Envoys.

Aside from becoming an Overgod Envoy, one could also have a chance to obtain a Sovereign Artifact by participating in the Plane Battlefield.