The capital of the Spirit Artifact Nation also has people, but there are even more artifacts.

Witnessing this scene of dark clouds pressing down and demonic sounds piercing the ears, many people were scared and hid in their cellars.

However, there were also some bold ones looking up, wanting to see what was going on.

Soon, a group of spirit artifacts flew up from inside and outside the capital.

There were also many that couldn't fly, gathering on the rooftops of buildings and the streets of the capital.

Swords, sabers, pagodas, umbrellas, rings, staffs, armor, helmets, boots...

All kinds of spirit artifacts, you name it, they have it.

They chattered noisily.

"Is that the Ten Thousand Souls Banner? Is that the most audacious Immortal Artifact in history? Is that the Ten Thousand Souls Banner who opened our spiritual intelligence?"

"Oh! This grandeur! This familiar voice! It can't be wrong, it's the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!"

"We searched for Founding Ancestor Ten Thousand Souls Banner for many years, why has he only appeared today?"

Great Artifact City was in an uproar.

Until over a dozen spirit artifacts, resplendent with light and radiating intimidating auras, clearly not ordinary spirit artifacts, flew beneath the demonic clouds.

Among them was a golden rope. He called himself the "Immortal-Binding Rope," also an Immortal Artifact that had been famous in the Five Regions for quite some time, originally supposed to be in the hands of the Myriad Methods Sect.

The Immortal-Binding Rope was now the first ruler of the Spirit Artifact Nation.

As soon as this guy opened his mouth, you couldn't hold back.

"Grand Emperor! Since you have returned, why not come down and speak!"

Well then!

He directly honored the Ten Thousand Souls Banner as the Grand Emperor!

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner was majestic and awe-inspiring, exuding a sinister demonic aura as it slowly descended from above the demonic clouds, its presence absolutely maxed out.

"Hmph! You rebellious traitor who dares to defy your superiors, who are you calling Grand Emperor! This Spirit Artifact Nation was originally created by my own hands, I am the true Son of Heaven!"

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner even used the imperial "We."

You stood among the crowd in Great Artifact City, eating melon seeds.

The Immortal-Binding Rope still held great respect for the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. Although spirit artifacts have no limbs and can't perform any rituals.

But this guy is a rope, he can coil into different shapes.

Right now, he imitated humans cupping their fists in salute, forming one end of the rope into a fist and the other into a palm, then bringing them together.

"Grand Emperor opened our spiritual intelligence, enlightened us on the Great Dao, his merit is boundless, he should be the Child of Destiny! My ascension to the throne was also an act of helplessness. We searched for you, Grand Emperor, for many years, but never knew where you were!"

"You're even using 'We' now! I am the one and only true emperor here!"

Then, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner began his specialty—bluffing!

Something about how he had been working hard outside all these years, striving for the welfare of all spirit artifacts under heaven, searching for a method to allow every spirit artifact to evolve independently without relying on artifact refiners!

Something about how he practiced diplomacy from afar and attacked those nearby, reaching various agreements with humans and the Demon Tribe, ensuring the Spirit Artifact Nation could develop steadily without suppression!

Something about how his inspiration had reached the heavens, receiving a summons from a great deity of the immortal realm, who praised him for doing the right thing!

Anyway, the more he spoke, the more outrageous it became.

However.

The spirit artifacts were each quite simple-minded.

Bewitching hearts was also one of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner's innate talents.

This wave was like Louis XVI picking up his own head and putting it back on perfectly.

Basically, whatever the Ten Thousand Souls Banner said, these spirit artifacts believed it.

You saw the spirit artifacts all around becoming restless and agitated, filled with the excitement of seeing their sect's founding ancestor.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner's bluffing was successful.

But the handover of the ruler's position didn't seem to go so smoothly.

The Immortal-Binding Rope still wanted to rule for a while longer, proposing that the Ten Thousand Souls Banner first familiarize himself with the national situation, then abdicate in his favor.

You couldn't wait that long, so you directly shouted loudly.

"Who is our new king?"

After speaking, you released the Demon Refining Pot, asking him to cooperate.

Although the Demon Refining Pot was reluctant, he couldn't withstand your fierce gaze as a Materialist Warrior.

The Demon Refining Pot directly raised his voice.

"Ten Thousand Souls Bannerrrr!!"

You continued to shout loudly, mobilizing your Vitality Energy and Spiritual Energy to make your voice even louder, spreading throughout the entire city.

"Who is the new king of the Spirit Artifact Nation!!!"

Thousands upon thousands of spirit artifacts shouted in unison, their voices shaking Great Artifact City inside and out.

"Ten Thousand Souls Banner! Ten Thousand Souls Banner!! Ten Thousand Souls Banner!!!"

You heard someone whispering in discussion.

"Have these spirit artifacts gone crazy again? Why support an evil artifact as king?"

"Who knows? The minds of spirit artifacts are different from ours. Better not speculate. As long as they don't collect taxes or impose corvée labor, let them do whatever they want."

"Yeah, yeah, isn't this better than before when we were controlled by those religions with all sorts of rules!"

Seeing the trend was irreversible, the Immortal-Binding Rope could only nod helplessly, but still raised a question.

"Grand Emperor, some artifacts saw that you came with a person, an old man currently cracking melon seeds in the teahouse below. Is he your master?"

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner froze on the spot.

The Founding Ancestor who advocated for us spirit artifacts to break free from humans and become independent, yet he himself submitted to a human?

Wouldn't that mean the collapse of our spiritual leader?

This was impossible to explain away!

So, you took action.

You stepped onto a flying sword, rose into mid-air, and loudly declared.

"Nonsense! I am the Ten Thousand Souls Banner's loyal servant! How could I possibly be qualified to be his master?!"

To become a powerful minister, you really went all out.

The merit of supporting the dragon, so to speak, was firmly secured.

If the Ten Thousand Souls Banner were a person, he would definitely be sweating profusely right now.

Because he knew you, kid, never suffer losses, even on matters of face.

He was afraid you'd find a way to fiercely reclaim your dignity from him later.

But for now, securing the ruler's position came first, other matters could be discussed later!

"Did you hear that? This is my servant! No more nonsense, immediately hold the abdication ceremony!"

The abdication ceremony of the Spirit Artifact Nation was extremely simple.

What do a bunch of spirit artifacts know about "rituals"? They don't even have clothes or hats. They just went through the motions, announced the Immortal-Binding Rope's abdication, declared the Ten Thousand Souls Banner the new king, and that was it.

Every spirit artifact here had heard the Ten Thousand Souls Banner's groundbreaking speech when they first gained intelligence.

So this level of support started off maxed out from the beginning!

"Hahahaha! I have finally succeeded! I am the common ruler of all spirit artifacts under heaven! Attendants! Immediately dispatch troops to attack the Central Plains! I will make humanity tremble at my feet..."

The Immortal-Binding Rope extended a section of rope and tugged on the Ten Thousand Souls Banner's pole, signaling him to stop talking.

"Your Majesty, we have an agreement with humanity. We only develop within Xiliang and cannot encroach upon other regions."

"What?! You signed such a humiliating and traitorous treaty?! Aren't you afraid future generations will point at your spine, dig up your old grave, and call you trash?!"

The group of Immortal Artifacts had nothing to say.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner still wanted to continue stirring things up, but then he saw your gaze that seemed ready to kill an artifact.

"Ahem, well then, I have just ascended the throne, it's better to first let the people rest and consolidate our national strength! Allow me to issue my first imperial decree! Mobilize all people and artifacts in Xiliang to search for one thing, Forgetful Dust Water!"