Chapter 33: The Exquisite Ring

"Then when will I be able to practice? When will the timing be right?" Luo Qingyao asked, unable to wait any longer.

"Don't worry, it won't be long. You are my precious disciple; how could your master not create opportunities for you? Just remember, from now on, as long as you listen to everything your master says, you will be fine," Yun Yi replied with a solemn face.

"Oh, I'll remember that! From now on, I will listen to everything Master says!" The clever and perceptive little Yaoyao was thus hoodwinked by the cunning Yun Yi, all for the sake of learning spiritual arts.

However, Yun Yi was not deceiving her in vain, as his goal was indeed for Luo Qingyao to master all the spiritual arts within the text. Yet, there were a few additional conditions attached...

Handing the Hunyuan Heart Sutra back to Luo Qingyao, Yun Yi produced another item and held it out to her. "Wear this. Consider it a gift from your master."

Luo Qingyao looked up at the object in her master's hand. It was a ring, though unlike any ordinary ring—she couldn't quite put her finger on what made it different.

"Is this a storage ring?" Luo Qingyao asked as she took it.

"Half right," Yun Yi smiled as he watched her put the ring on. He then reached out and pressed his palm against the finger wearing the ring. Bursts of white light emerged, flowing entirely into the band. By the time the light faded, the ring on Luo Qingyao's finger had vanished, leaving only a faint, subtle mark.

"What is this?" Luo Qingyao asked, staring at her hand in astonishment.

"The Exquisite Ring," Yun Yi replied calmly as he withdrew his hand.

"The Exquisite Ring? Ah, I know! Is that one of the ten great artifacts of the world? The legendary treasure capable of containing all things, right?" Luo Qingyao exclaimed. She never expected to see such a legendary treasure in her lifetime.

"You are quite clever. Indeed, it is that very ring. But your understanding is not yet thorough enough. It doesn't just contain all things; if refined to its ultimate state, it can contain an entire world, or even evolve into a realm of its own!"

"Master, you actually have such a precious item! And you are giving it to me so generously?" Luo Qingyao could not describe her excitement. This was truly a treasure that money could not buy!

However, she soon grew worried. "Master, this is a storage treasure that requires spiritual power to activate. I have no spiritual power, so how am I supposed to use it? Giving it to me is no different than giving me a regular ring, is it?"

"Silly girl!" Yun Yi chuckled and tapped her head, patiently explaining, "If that were the case, why would I give it to you? The world knows the Exquisite Ring is one of the top ten artifacts and everyone covets it, but they don't realize that even if they obtained it, it would be no different from an ordinary ring to them!"

"Why?"

"Because this Exquisite Ring was tailor-made for those without spiritual power. Only because you lack a spiritual root and cannot condense spiritual energy can the ring truly merge with your body." Yun Yi was quite satisfied with the adoration and reliance Luo Qingyao showed him, and he continued to smile as he answered her questions. "And most importantly, once the Exquisite Ring has completely merged with your body, you will be one step closer to being able to practice magic!"

"Really?" Upon hearing this, Luo Qingyao could no longer contain her joy, her face beaming with surprise.