Honglan paced back and forth outside the cave, looking unusually restless.

It had been nearly a full day since Chen Xuan entered the cave, and the moment he stepped inside, an invisible force surged across the entrance and sealed it.

Not only did it block sound and perception, but it also prevented Honglan from entering altogether.

She knew that, even in her injured state, she could forcefully tear through the barrier if she truly wanted to.

However, Honglan didn’t. She refrained from doing so.

In her mind, Chen Xuan was likely helping Tang Yuechen recover and simply wanted privacy. If she interrupted him, she would likely get scolded.

Yet, as the seconds turned into minutes and those minutes into hours, her unease gradually grew stronger.

’Could something have happened to that bad guy?’ she couldn’t help but worry, getting ready to shatter the barrier and rush inside.

However, halfway through summoning her real body and getting ready to attack, Honglan suddenly froze in place.

’Wait! Why should I care about him at all? Shouldn’t I be hoping something terrible happens to that guy? If he dies, I’ll be free!’ Honglan thought.

Her eyes brightened instantly.

A vivid image surfaced in her mind of Tang Yuechen devouring Chen Xuan alive.

Only in such a way would she be able to regain her freedom!

Unfortunately for Honglan, reality was destined to disappoint her. Though what happened was not far from what she was hoping for, the devouring happened in another way.

Moments after the thought crossed her mind, the barrier at the cave entrance dissipated, and a figure slowly walked out.

The moment she saw Chen Xuan emerge unharmed, Honglan snorted coldly.

Her cheeks puffed up like a balloon as she stomped against the ground, clearly trying to showcase her inner displeasure.

Chen Xuan, who had just stepped out of the cave, became speechless at the sight.

He had no idea why she suddenly looked so angry, as if she were ready to murder him.

’Moreover, you’re a thousand-year-old hag! Can’t you act your age for once?’ he complained in his heart, though he knew better than to voice these thoughts aloud.

Ignoring her hostile glare, Chen Xuan found a nearby seat and stretched out his hand.

His divine sense erupted, tracing along the connection between him and Honglan.

The next moment, a golden sword shot across the air and landed in his grasp.

Intricate golden patterns covered the slightly curved blade, while a majestic and sacred aura radiated from its body.

If anyone did not know any better, they would very well be mistaken that it was the treasure of the Holy Cult Sect.

Yet, as Chen Xuan examined it more carefully, he noticed twelve long, deep cracks spreading across its surface.

He frowned.

"Were you injured this badly?" he asked in surprise.

"I thought your strength would be much greater. How could you end up like this from a single attack by my Master?"

"Are you a Spirit Weapon?"

Hearing his question, the anger in Honglan’s gaze intensified.

She gritted her teeth, as if threatening to bite him.

"Idiot! I spent thousands of years suppressing the Blood Essence! And right before that woman attacked me, I exhausted all my strength sealing it inside your body!"

"If not for that, how could I have ended up in such a miserable state?" she snapped.

Seemingly noticing the disbelief in Chen Xuan’s eyes, she lifted her chin with pride.

"Hmph!" she snorted, "Do you think that my actual body is just some ordinary Holy Weapon? Hehe."

A smug smile tugged on her lips.

"Haven’t you wondered how I’m able to function as though I’m a real human?"

"That’s because I’m not actually considered a magic weapon. In truth, I’m a rare Artifact!"

Her tone was filled with pride, fully expecting Chen Xuan to gasp in awe and immediately kneel down to worship her as "Master".

Unfortunately, the reaction she received was the complete opposite.

A trace of disappointment flashed in Chen Xuan’s eyes, and he looked at her with faint pity.

"What’s with that look?" Honglan bared her teeth, her hands flexing as if preparing to gouge his eyes out.

Chen Xuan ignored her barely concealed threats.

He softly exhaled.

"I originally thought I had obtained some incredible treasure. Now, it seems that you’re barely useful at all." he shook his head.

"According to my observation, your strength at your peak probably wasn’t that impressive. At most, you reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm."

"All in all, you’re simply slightly more intelligent and human-like than ordinary weapons. What good does that do for me?"

By now, Chen Xuan had already seen through her act.

Since Honglan kept boasting about how lifelike she was instead of her strength, the answer was clear.

At the very least, she was weaker than a true Holy Weapon.

His words left Honglan speechless.

She wanted to refute him, but Chen Xuan had actually guessed correctly.

Indeed! Even at her peak, her combat strength was slightly inferior to that of a Holy Weapon, much less now that she was heavily damaged.

This was why she had cracked upon Mu Xuanyin’s slightest touch.

If she were a Holy Weapon, her current condition wouldn’t have been nearly as severe.

Under Chen Xuan’s pitying gaze, who appeared to be considering whether to abandon her like trash, Honglan nearly burst into tears.

Wanting freedom was one thing, but being discarded because her new owner found her useless was another matter entirely.

One was her choice, the other was people looking down at her!

"I—I..." Honglan tried to speak, preparing to defend herself.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

"Cough, cough," she cleared her throat, "You’re right that my current strength is slightly weaker than a Holy Weapon. However, you’ve forgotten about the properties of Artifacts," she said, slapping her fist on top of her palm.

"Although my current strength is limited, my potential is limitless! Given enough resources, I can not only heal my injuries, but evolve even further."

"Let alone a Holy Weapon, becoming an Immortal Weapon isn’t impossible!" she said, looking at Chen Xuan expectantly as if afraid he would abandon her.