Feng Qinxue’s expression was grave as she cast a questioning glance at her.

Qin Ruqing nodded slightly, smiling calmly to reassure everyone.

She turned around, clapped her hands, and after drawing everyone’s attention, she raised her voice and said, “I think nothing is more convincing than having the artifact spirit come out directly. Let’s have the artifact spirit show itself to everyone.”

With that, she snapped her fingers intentionally.

Some of the older members of the Lu Clan found her gesture a bit showy, but the artifact spirit’s appearance was far more important at this moment, so they couldn’t be bothered to comment on her behavior.

Following the direction of Qin Ruqing’s pointed finger, everyone’s gaze turned toward the center of the lotus pond.

After concentrating on it for a while, they weren’t sure if it was just their imagination, but the once-budding lotus, which had been closed for ages, slowly began to open its petals, blooming fully under the moonlight.

When the lotus petals had completely unfolded, something appeared to be moving on the stamen in the center.

Upon closer inspection, it was a small, cloud-like white spirit body.

Seeing everyone looking at it, the spirit body rose into the air and floated toward the shore.

Such a tiny thing, yet it made everyone hold their breath—everyone except Qin Ruqing.

She was busy communicating with the artifact spirit, “You haven’t forgotten the lines we went over, have you?”

The artifact spirit replied, “Don’t worry, I remember them!”

The artifact spirit deliberately stopped in the middle of the crowd, allowing everyone to observe it for a while before it spoke.

“I am the artifact spirit,” it said, its white, formless body standing as upright as it could. “I have fully awakened.”

The Lu Clan’s patriarch almost couldn’t hold onto her cane.

Leaning forward slightly, her throat moved as if she had a thousand things to say at once.

“You—you really are the artifact spirit…” After a long moment, all she could manage was this one sentence.

The artifact spirit turned to look at the patriarch. “I remember you. When I first arrived at the lotus pond, you used to try to communicate with me almost every day, though in recent years, you’ve only come once a month.”

The patriarch’s visits to the lotus pond were highly private matters, and now the artifact spirit had casually exposed them.

The patriarch’s eyes closed tightly; there was no longer any doubt about the spirit’s identity.

Gripping her cane tightly, as if using it to support herself, the Lu Clan patriarch finally and firmly declared, “It is indeed the artifact spirit.”

Standing beside her, Feng Qinxue sensed that Qin Ruqing was likely about to put on quite a show today.

She chimed in at the right moment and asked, “Artifact spirit, how did you awaken?”

This question jolted everyone, pulling them back to their senses from the thrill they’d just experienced.

This was indeed the second most crucial question of the day.

The artifact spirit had been in a state of confusion for over a decade.

Even the Lu Clan, who had tried countless methods to awaken it, had made little progress.

Without a clear cause, why would it suddenly wake up now?

The artifact spirit didn’t disappoint Qin Ruqing.

It slowly and deliberately turned towards her, extending a hand that formed out of its misty body, and pointed directly at her, declaring brightly, “It was her!”

“She is the one who awakened me.”

The two Lu Clan members who had been guarding the lotus pond exchanged horrified glances and swallowed nervously.

So, it really was her! They hadn’t misheard before.

The Lu Clan’s upper echelons frowned in unison, clearly struggling to accept this outcome.

Even the Feng Clan members were visibly surprised by this revelation.

All those present were practitioners of the most orthodox Xuanming lineage, and this artifact spirit was the most authentic Xuanming artifact spirit.

Yet it had been awakened by someone who did not practice Xuanming Dao.

No matter how they thought about it, it just didn’t make sense.

“Fairy Ruqing, could you explain how you awakened the artifact spirit? It has been asleep for so long… Based on our clan’s speculation, its gradual weakening might be due to the laws of the Great Dao not allowing the existence of such a high-level artifact spirit. That’s why, despite all our efforts, we couldn’t prevent it from falling into slumber!” A Lu Clan priest couldn’t help but speak up.

At this point, the truth that the Lu Clan had been desperately trying to hide no longer needed to be concealed.

Yes, their confidence stemmed from the historical records left by the spirit caretakers—indicating that the artifact spirit’s weakening and prolonged slumber were likely due to restrictions imposed by the laws of Heaven.

If Heaven did not permit its existence, what could anyone do?

As a result, Qin Ruqing managed to awaken the artifact spirit in less than a day without any fuss.

This was completely contrary to their previous understanding.

Qin Ruqing was also a bit surprised.

She knew the Lu family was confident, but she hadn’t anticipated it being for this reason.

The constraints of the Great Dao’s rules? No wonder.

She remained composed and even smiled slightly, saying mysteriously, “Of course, I have my methods. Some things are confidential; I can’t reveal all my tricks to everyone, can I?”

In the world of cultivation, it’s taboo to ask directly about matters related to inheritance, lineage, special physiques, or unique skills.

If someone refuses to answer, it’s considered impolite to press further, and it could even lead to conflict.

This is an unspoken “rule,” and these old-timers were clearly more aware of it than Qin Ruqing.

Indeed, the Lu family members immediately fell silent, though their faces still showed some reluctance.

Qin Ruqing didn’t care about their discontent.

She turned to Feng Qinxue and said, “I have completed my task. The next steps will depend on Aunt Feng’s communication with the artifact spirit.”

The Lu family members exchanged glances and finally realized what was at stake.

Yes!

According to their previous agreement, as long as the Feng family could awaken the artifact spirit, it would belong to the Feng family.

Although Qin Ruqing was the one who awakened it, she bore the Feng family’s celestial-grade guest token and was there with the Lu family’s permission.

But who could have predicted that the nearly dead artifact spirit could actually be awakened?

This was something their ancient spirit-feeding clan couldn’t achieve!

The high-ranking members of the Lu family, having exchanged glances, had already come up with various schemes in their minds.

The Lu family patriarch, striking her staff on the ground to gather everyone’s attention, said calmly:

“Although we had discussed this matter before, we still need to consult the artifact spirit’s opinion.”

The Lu family’s intention was clear. “Consulting the artifact spirit” implied that if the spirit disagreed, the previous agreement would be null and void.

Even in a celestial-grade clan, if the artifact spirit did not wish to stay, there was no way to force it.

And the Lu family had cared for the artifact spirit for a long time; perhaps the spirit had developed some attachment and reluctance to leave?

“Great Spirit, we are the Lu family who discovered and brought you back to the lotus pond. This place is where you chose and have lived for a long time. Moving to a new residence might be uncomfortable. Moreover, our spirit-feeding clan has treated you with great care so far!” The Lu family patriarch spoke earnestly to the artifact spirit.

Qin Ruqing smirked slightly.

The clan leader was quick to react.

Although the previous agreement existed, the actual implementation would still depend on the artifact spirit’s attitude.

Playing the emotional card might be disgraceful, but it was indeed effective!

The Feng family members understood this principle as well, and their expressions darkened instantly.

Even Feng Qinxue’s tone grew cold. “Does the patriarch intend to breach the agreement?”

“Isn’t it just asking the artifact spirit’s opinion? How is that a breach of the agreement? Besides, the Feng family’s inclusion of an outsider was a breach of the agreement to begin with!” a priest countered.

Hearing valid arguments from both sides, the situation became tense.

Qin Ruqing had appeared as if she was stepping off the stage, allowing the others to perform.

Now, she stood with her arms crossed and calmly proposed:

“Why don’t both sides discuss it with the artifact spirit, and let it decide in the end?”

This suggestion sounded fair, but, “How do we know if you haven’t played any tricks on the artifact spirit? You awakened it, and we don’t know what you might have said to it!”

Qin Ruqing sneered and looked at the speaker disdainfully. “If I had the power to manipulate the artifact spirit, what would you have to do? Just take the spirit away directly!”

The person was taken aback and at a loss for words.

The Lu family patriarch glanced at Qin Ruqing and finally said coldly:

“Let’s do as Fairy Qin suggests. Director Feng, what do you think?”

Feng Qinxue replied, “Agreed.”

How they discussed with the artifact spirit was unknown to Qin Ruqing, nor did she care.

She was only concerned with the final outcome.

The result was that the artifact spirit remained with the Lu family.

The Lu family had extensive experience in feeding spirits, and the lotus pond was familiar to the spirit.

Even the Feng family might not provide a better environment for the spirit.

However, this obviously did not align with their previous agreement, so the Feng family demanded compensation elsewhere.

In the future, the Feng family would not only be able to access the trial grounds but also receive preferential resources from it.

In summary, they reached a compromise that both sides could reluctantly accept. Everyone was (more or less) satisfied.

This time, the agreement was formal and different from the previous verbal arrangements.

Both families signed a contract, with the artifact spirit even leaving its aura on the document.

Once the contract was signed, Feng Qinxue gave Qin Ruqing a look, indicating she wanted to say something.

But Qin Ruqing pretended not to notice, her gaze passing over Feng Qinxue to the Lu family patriarch.

She smiled and addressed him publicly:

“Patriarch, I have a matter to discuss with you. Do you have time?”

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

The matter was almost settled. Why was Qin Ruqing seeking out the Lu family?

What business could she have with the patriarch?

Only the Lu family patriarch and Feng Qinxue’s eyes moved slightly, seemingly having some understanding.

The Lu family patriarch nodded, leaning on his staff and giving Qin Ruqing a look. “Then please come in. Everyone else, step back.”

With that, he turned and entered the room.

Qin Ruqing smiled, ignoring the curious gazes around her, and followed him into the private chamber.

Inside, the Lu family patriarch was warmly seated, but Qin Ruqing remained standing, her face smiling but her bright eyes gleaming coldly.

Seeing her eyes, the Lu family patriarch was reminded of a phrase: “the plot is revealed.”

She sighed inwardly.

As soon as Qin Ruqing called her, she was startled but quickly understood her intentions.

Qin Ruqing was young but exceptionally shrewd. Her visit to the Feng family was likely premeditated.

With the Feng family alliance established and the artifact spirit awakened, the next step was likely to target the Fang family.