Chapter 6 - Chapter 6 Cultivation Farce

Since the artifact spirit emerged, Jack's daily cultivation routine had completely changed. One early morning, just as Jack assumed his cultivation posture, the artifact spirit emerged from the sword, yawning, "All you do every day is cultivate. Don't you know how to have some fun? I'm bored to death!"​Jack opened his eyes helplessly. "How else can I improve my realm if I don't cultivate? If you're bored, help me keep an eye on the spiritual monkey and don't let it steal the master's immortal herbs again." As soon as he finished speaking, a roar came from afar, "Which little rascal is it this time! My Nine - Revolving Resurrection Grass!" Jack and the artifact spirit looked at each other and shouted in unison, "It must be that monkey!"​The two ran towards the sound and indeed saw the spiritual monkey hugging a large golden - glowing herb, being chased around the yard by the master. The artifact spirit suddenly grinned mischievously and turned into a stream of light, wrapping around the spiritual monkey's tail. "Little furball, where do you think you're going!" The spiritual monkey stumbled, and the herb flew out, landing right in Jack's arms.​The master caught up, panting. Looking at the three of them in a sorry state, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "When the three of you get together, nothing ever goes smoothly!" Jack scratched his head sheepishly, while the artifact spirit muttered, "If it weren't for this gluttonous monkey, this wouldn't have happened..." The spiritual monkey understood and bared its teeth at the artifact spirit, making a face.​After this incident, Jack wanted to resume his cultivation, but the artifact spirit suddenly said, "Practicing swordsmanship alone is too boring. I'll teach you something fun!" Before Jack could react, the artifact spirit waved his hand, and the surrounding stones actually floated up, forming a huge maze. "Break through the maze with your sword qi, and you win. If you lose... heh heh, you'll make me a hundred spiritual rice pastries!"​Jack didn't know whether to laugh or cry but still picked up the bronze sword and charged in. However, the maze was filled with traps set by the artifact spirit. Smoke suddenly billowed out to block his vision, and the ground cracked open to reveal spikes. Just as Jack split open a stone door, a huge boulder crashed down from above. He rolled aside clumsily, shouting angrily, "This is cheating!"​The artifact spirit was laughing so hard he was bent over above the maze. "All's fair in love and war! Catch me if you can!" Jack gritted his teeth, calmed down, and activated the "Heavenly Gang Sword Technique." Sword shadows swept through the entire maze like a tempest. The stones exploded one after another. Sensing the danger, the artifact spirit tried to escape but was caught by a sword qi from Jack, pulling him down.​"A bet's a bet!" Jack said triumphantly. The artifact spirit curled his lips. "It's just a hundred spiritual rice pastries. No big deal... But if they taste as bad as last time, I won't eat a single bite!" Jack and the spiritual monkey laughed again. Amidst the frolic, Jack's state of mind became even more lucid, and his understanding of the "Heavenly Gang Sword Technique" deepened.​As night fell, Jack was studying the sword techniques in the jade slip in his room when the artifact spirit suddenly appeared, holding something strange. "Look what I found! That mysterious fruit we found in the mysterious realm last time. It's said to enhance cultivation!" Jack was skeptical. "You're not trying to play a trick on me again, are you?"​"This time, it's definitely a good thing!" The artifact spirit stuffed the fruit into Jack's mouth before he could protest. The next second, Jack's face turned beet - red, and his whole body felt as if it was on fire. He rolled on the ground. "You liar! This isn't a cultivation - enhancing fruit at all. It's clearly... argh!" Jack's words were interrupted by a sharp pain.​The artifact spirit, however, was laughing heartily. "Hahaha! This is the 'Body - Exploding Fruit.' Although it won't actually make your body explode, it can make you experience excruciating pain, which is good for breaking through your state of mind! How do you feel? Isn't your mind clearer?" Jack gave him a weak glare. Just as he was about to speak, he felt the spiritual energy in his body start to surge wildly, and there were actually signs of a breakthrough.​"I guess you didn't screw me over this time..." Jack said weakly. The artifact spirit leaned in, looking ingratiating. "So, can you make those hundred spiritual rice pastries in advance?" Jack and the artifact spirit started another round of bickering. Moonlight streamed through the window, adding a touch of warmth and fun to this cultivation farce.