"Thank you for forging this Divine Thunder Pestle for me, and even elevating its quality to the level of a top-grade divine artifact. It truly surprises me."

Shi Shanshan sincerely praised.

Xu Nian smiled. This was also his first time crafting a top-grade divine artifact.

Since his Soul Power had been enhanced, he hadn’t had the chance to refine artifacts.

Only now, during this attempt, did Xu Nian realize that his artifact refining skill had reached a new height.

"But I’ve never seen your artifact refining method before. My Master said that his Artifact Refining Technique was taught to him by a great power from the Divine World, and the methods circulated in the Divine World are the ones he uses. What kind of refining method is yours?" Shi Shanshan curiously asked.

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian laughed.

"My method is an exclusive Secret Technique from my Master, one that she created by herself. So it’s different from the method used in the Divine World," Xu Nian replied.

Shi Shanshan nodded.

So it’s an original creation.

But Xu Nian’s method seems to be more advanced than hers.

Although his refining speed might be slightly slower than hers,

in terms of the quality of the weapon and the control over Soul Power, it far surpasses her own.

"Alright, now that the divine artifact is complete, we should leave." Xu Nian said.

Shi Shanshan nodded. Having obtained the Divine Thunder Pestle, there was no longer any reason to stay here.

"Boom!"

Just as the two were about to leave,

a terrifying sound seemed to emerge from the depths of the valley.

"No, it’s a thunderstorm!"

Shi Shanshan’s face changed dramatically, wanting to pull Xu Nian away to escape.

But she realized it was already too late.

Rolling Divine Thunder, like a tidal wave, rushed toward Xu Nian and Shi Shanshan.

The intensity of this thunderstorm was extremely large and swift.

Without time to dodge, Xu Nian and Shi Shanshan were engulfed by this terrifying thunderstorm.

"Boom!"

In an instant, countless terrifying lightning serpents swam all over Xu Nian’s and Shi Shanshan’s bodies.

In the next instant, Xu Nian felt his soul body become instantly paralyzed, unable to move as the terrifying thunderstorm raged on.

On the other side, Shi Shanshan was in even greater danger, as the terrifying Divine Thunder struck her, instantly shattering her soul body into pieces.

She was on the verge of being engulfed by this thunderstorm.

Clearly, her body was utterly incapable of withstanding the onslaught of this Divine Thunder Storm.

In just ten more breaths, Shi Shanshan would be completely annihilated by this divine thunder, leaving her soul obliterated.

Xu Nian shook his head helplessly.

He could only release his true body once more.

At this moment, his true body, though somewhat numb under the terrifying Divine Thunder, could still move.

Xu Nian withdrew his Soul Avatar, then quickly carried Shi Shanshan out of the thunderstorm.

Shi Shanshan had already fallen into a deep coma.

The damage she sustained from the Divine Thunder Storm was not insignificant.

Xu Nian frowned deeply.

Shi Shanshan’s soul origin power was continuously dissipating. Even if they escaped the Divine Thunder Storm, her life might not be saved.

"Master, is there any way to save her?" Xu Nian communicated with Emperor Ye Tian.

"Her soul origin is severely damaged, and to revive her, a Divine-level expert’s Soul Power is needed to restore her soul origin power. But even then, the cost is extremely high, and such experts rarely act unless for their close ones." Emperor Ye Tian said.

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.

Does this mean Shi Shanshan is doomed?

Xu Nian had been moved by her filial piety, which is why he had helped her all along.

But he hadn’t expected such an outcome in the end.

All his previous efforts seemed to have been in vain.

"Forget it, we are neither family nor friends, and since it’s her fate, I am powerless to change it," Xu Nian sighed.

His relationship with Shi Shanshan wasn’t even close to that of friends.

He had helped as much as he could, but there was nothing more he could do.

"There is actually another way to save her." Emperor Ye Tian suddenly said.

"What way?" Xu Nian, who had already given up, was surprised to hear there was another way from Emperor Ye Tian.

"It’s actually quite simple: turn her into an Artifact Spirit." Emperor Ye Tian said.

"Turn her into an Artifact Spirit?" Xu Nian was shocked.

He never thought Emperor Ye Tian would propose such a method.

Turning her into an Artifact Spirit, isn’t that as good as killing her?

"If you don’t make her an Artifact Spirit, she is bound to die. If you do, you can at least preserve her soul origin and memory. In the future, when your power is sufficient, you can fully revive her without any cost to yourself." Emperor Ye Tian said.

"But..." Xu Nian was still hesitant.

"This is the technique for crafting an Artifact Spirit, and it’s up to you to decide whether to use it or not." Emperor Ye Tian said.

With that, a technique for crafting an Artifact Spirit appeared in Xu Nian’s mind.

Xu Nian fell into contemplation.

Watching Shi Shanshan’s soul origin power continue to dissipate, Xu Nian, with no other choice, decided to turn her into an Artifact Spirit.

Thus, Xu Nian took out the God Sword.

Of the three Chaos Treasures, only the Supreme Dragon Robe lacked an Artifact Spirit, while the Chaos Divine Palace and Star Axe both had one.

The Supreme Dragon Robe’s Artifact Spirit must be from the Dragon Clan, so it couldn’t be used to craft the Supreme Dragon Robe’s Artifact Spirit.

Thus, the God Sword he frequently used was the best choice at present.

"Buzz!"

Having made the decision, Xu Nian did not hesitate and began the process of crafting an Artifact Spirit.

As Xu Nian cast divine seals upon the God Sword, it suddenly emitted a powerful suction force.

Soon, it absorbed Shi Shanshan’s soul origin into the God Sword.

As Shi Shanshan’s soul fused with the God Sword, a powerful light erupted from it.

"Buzz!"

The God Sword seemed to become more intelligent, rapidly darting through the air.

"Buzz!"

The sword finally stopped in front of Xu Nian.

A graceful figure appeared before him.

Yes, this figure was Shi Shanshan. At this moment, her soul origin was no longer dissipating, and she awakened from her coma.

"What is this..." Shi Shanshan seemed a bit puzzled, looking at her ethereal body with eyes full of startled confusion.

"I have turned you into an Artifact Spirit," Xu Nian said.

"An Artifact Spirit?" Shi Shanshan was filled with astonishment.

To think she had become an Artifact Spirit?

"I had no choice. Your soul origin was severely damaged, and with my current power, I couldn’t preserve it, so I had to resort to this method." Xu Nian said with some regret.

The expression on Shi Shanshan’s face became extremely complex.

Clearly, she still mourned her transformation into an Artifact Spirit.

"Forget it; you did it to save me. Regardless, I must thank you for sparing my life. Henceforth, I shall be the sword in your hand," Shi Shanshan took a deep breath and said, looking at Xu Nian with resolute eyes.