Chapter 87: Monunt of Heroic Souls
The strength of Anxi Prefecture was never reliant on any single person.
Just like Fan Kang — greatness born from ordinariness — such people were the true foundation of Anxi’s prosperity.
Watching that streak of blue fortune on the Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror gradually dim and extinguish,
Jiang Zhaoming gazed at the familiar spot on the desk below and could not help but let out a long sigh.
He remained silent for a long ti.
Thinking of the soldiers who had sacrificed themselves for Anxi, and of devoted officials like Prefect Fan, Jiang Zhaoming felt he must do sothing for these most ordinary yet greatest people of Anxi Prefecture.
His consciousness sank into the River of Fortune. Guiding his fad vessel, Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze fell upon the flowing current below.
After an unknown amount of ti, a divine artifact appeared within his sight.
【Divine Artifact · Monunt of Heroic Souls】: A monunt commorating immortality. It can receive and harbor souls, consuming Spirit Crystals to nurture them. The souls within may freely enter and exit, though doing so depletes soul power.
Looking at this Fortune Blessing glowing with a strong red radiance, Jiang Zhaoming took a deep breath.
He had found it!
With this monunt, not only could Fan Kang’s soul enter within, but all the fallen soldiers of Anxi could be enshrined and nurtured.
Even if they never fought again, they would one day witness the grand prosperity forged by their sacrifice.
However, this Fortune Blessing required red fortune. Jiang Zhaoming hardened his resolve—he would exchange it!
He knew that divine artifacts such as the Lunar Soldier Altar could bring greater aid to Anxi.
Yet artifacts like that could always be fished again soday.
But the heroic souls of those who had given their lives for Anxi Prefecture—once scattered—could never be summoned back.
Thus, Jiang Zhaoming began several rounds of fortune elevation, until his remaining fortunes beca:
【Remaining Fortune: Red ×2, Purple ×3, Blue ×8, Green ×23, White ×6】
He hung a strand of red fortune upon the hook. The Fortune Blessing representing the Monunt of Heroic Souls imdiately surged toward him.
Because this blessing had no strong competitors, Jiang Zhaoming directly cast his fortune into the water.
Soon, the red blessing bit the hook.
Unlike the easy catch of Yue Fei last ti, this ti a trendous force surged through the line, nearly pulling him off balance.
Steadying himself, the embryonic form of his Myriad Phenona Foundation manifested behind him. Boundless strength burst forth from his body.
With a powerful lift, the Fortune Blessing transford from the Monunt of Heroic Souls was gradually drawn to the surface.
Finally, with a flash of red light, a palm-sized stone monunt appeared in Jiang Zhaoming’s hand.
He then glanced at his last remaining red fortune, pondering its use.
He had two plans in mind: one, to exchange it for a Grand Archmage from the Arcane Plane;
the other, to exchange it for the Lunar Soldier Altar.
The forr would allow Jiang Zhaoming to touch the laws of other planes, developing more wondrous techniques and technologies.
With a Grand Archmage’s knowledge, his gain would be far more than a single golden-body-level power.
The latter—the Lunar Soldier Altar—could allow him to amass a trendous force in these tis of constant warfare.
After long contemplation, Jiang Zhaoming still made no decision.
After all, Great Jin’s intent remained uncertain, and the situation west of the Prefecture was unclear.
His greatest trump card was this red fortune—it was best to wait until things beca clearer.
In reality, night had silently fallen.
He slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and extended his palm.
At his thought, the ancient, mysterious, palm-sized monunt silently appeared in his hand.
The small monunt felt smooth and warm to the touch, exuding a profound sense of weight and spirituality.
Without hesitation, Jiang Zhaoming mobilized his spiritual power and began refining the monunt.
As his power flowed into it, the profound patterns on its surface seed to co alive, glowing faintly.
Yet just as the refinent was about to complete, a sudden change occurred.
“Weng!”
The monunt emitted a deep, resonant hum, its body trembling slightly in Jiang Zhaoming’s hand.
Then, a hazy, ancient figure composed of countless light particles slowly rose from the top of the monunt.
Its outline was unclear, yet it radiated an aura of vast age and solemnity.
“Through endless ages, at last a new master—”
A gentle voice echoed directly within Jiang Zhaoming’s consciousness—ancient, calm, transcending ti itself.
Jiang Zhaoming’s heart tightened as he focused on the spectral figure. “You are the Artifact Spirit?”
The figure nodded slightly. “I am the spirit of this monunt—you may call Monunt Spirit. Congratulations, new master, you have begun to refine the Monunt of Heroic Souls.”
“This monunt is no common treasure. Since I have awakened, I shall answer your doubts and assist you in mastering it.”
As the Monunt Spirit spoke, clear information about the monunt’s usage naturally imprinted itself into Jiang Zhaoming’s mind.
By channeling spiritual power, he could enlarge or shrink the monunt, or absorb and release heroic souls.
To nurture souls within it, Jiang Zhaoming needed to regularly infuse Spirit Crystals.
The amount required depended on the number and strength of the souls.
Once a soul entered the monunt, it could choose to slumber, never awakening unless summoned by the master— or remain conscious, wandering within the monunt’s inner world, though for now, that inner world was empty.
After explaining, the hazy light form rippled faintly, as if confirming Jiang Zhaoming’s understanding.
He absorbed the knowledge swiftly and nodded solemnly.
“Thank you for your guidance. I understand.”
The Monunt Spirit’s light gradually faded, sinking back into the monunt.
Only the ancient stone monunt remained, quietly resting in Jiang Zhaoming’s palm.
“It’s ti to bring Prefect Fan back.”
Jiang Zhaoming smiled gently.
Stepping out from the royal mansion, his figure turned into a gust of wind, instantly arriving above the Fan residence.
From the mourning hall below ca muffled sobs, echoing painfully in the still night.
Without revealing himself, Jiang Zhaoming hovered in the air and flipped his palm, summoning the ancient Monunt of Heroic Souls.
Infusing it with spiritual power, its surface began to glow softly as the inner space silently opened.
At the sa ti, a gentle, serene energy flowed from the monunt into Jiang Zhaoming’s eyes— the Monunt Spirit guiding him, granting the Sight Beyond the Veil.
In that instant, the world before him changed completely.
The entire city of Anxi appeared shrouded in a faint mist. Countless light forms—so bright, so dim—drifted about the streets and courtyards.
So appeared solid, almost lifelike; others were faint shadows, as if a breeze could scatter them at any mont.
Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze swept toward the Fan residence—yet the familiar soul was nowhere to be found.
“Hmm? Where has Prefect Fan gone?” he wondered.
With a thought, Jiang Zhaoming flew beyond the city, soon reaching the place where Fan Kang had gone on his morning stroll.
Under the cool moonlight, the familiar stream flowed quietly.
By the bank stood a slightly translucent but clear figure, staring at the flowing water in silence.
It was Fan Kang’s soul.
He no longer appeared as the frail old man, but as a young scholar in blue robes, his features bright and spirited— as if ti had reversed, returning him to his youthful pri.
Jiang Zhaoming landed silently.
Sensing the presence of a living person and an inexplicable pull, Fan Kang slowly turned around.
When he recognized the newcor, his faintly shimring face showed visible surprise.
“Your Majesty?”
Fan Kang’s voice did not pass through air, but resounded directly within Jiang Zhaoming’s mind—clear and vivid.
He instinctively stepped aside, assuming Jiang Zhaoming had co to view the streamside scenery.
Yet when their gazes t, Fan Kang realized—those deep eyes were fixed precisely upon him.
Puzzled, he glanced behind himself—nothing there.
Turning back, that gaze was still locked upon him.
In that instant, Fan Kang understood.
He bowed deeply toward Jiang Zhaoming, performing the full salute of a loyal subject.
“Your servant Fan Kang pays respects to Your Majesty!”
Jiang Zhaoming looked at the soul before him and gently shook his head.
“Fan Kang, the realms of life and death now stand between us. There is no need for such mortal courtesies. Just call Zhaoming.”
“Your Majesty’s kindness, I shall rember. Yet the rites of lord and subject are engraved in my heart— I dare not forget them. Besides—”
He paused, his tone calm and free of regret.
“This remnant soul of mine will not last long.”
Jiang Zhaoming did not press further. Smiling softly, he extended the Monunt of Heroic Souls before him.
“This monunt can preserve true souls from dispersing. Within it dwells the Monunt Spirit, who will care for you. Prefect Fan, would you be willing to dwell within it for now, and be spared from fading away?”
Fan Kang hesitated briefly.
Jiang Zhaoming smiled helplessly and explained the monunt’s workings to him.
Upon hearing that his wife and children could also enter one day—and that he could freely erge to see Anxi’s future— Fan Kang no longer hesitated, stepping gracefully into the monunt.
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