Chapter 974: Rending Soul

Han Li had already purchased a map of this sea area in advance. Following a rarely traveled path, after half a month of flying, he finally landed on an unnamed small island.

The island was not large, only about forty square *li*, but it contained an inconspicuous, low-grade spiritual vein approximately seven or eight *li* long. If it were in the mainland, it would have long been occupied by some unknown minor family. But in this monster-infested sea, how could a family without considerable strength dare to relocate here? Furthermore, small to medium-sized families with high-level cultivators wouldn't find such an ordinary spiritual vein appealing. Moreover, this island was not located on a main sea route and its position was very remote, so it had remained desolate until now.

Han Li, however, was very satisfied with this place. Immediately, inside the belly of a small mountain on the island, he released his flying swords, cleared a large open space, and then unleashed the Heavenly Secret Mansion. Instantly, an exquisite small cave dwelling appeared before his eyes.

To be cautious, Han Li not only activated the restrictions inherent to the cave dwelling but also set up a concealment array outside the small mountain, summoning a vast expanse of white mist that enveloped an area of over ten *li*, including the peak, making it difficult for others to discover the cave dwelling's location.

After completing these preparations, Han Li transferred the spirit insects and spirit herbs he carried with him to the insect chamber and medicine garden within the cave dwelling. The Earth Armored Dragon was also subjected to a restriction and casually tossed into a beast room. He then carried a large batch of materials into a secret chamber.

"These materials are only enough for one attempt at refinement. If a critical part is refined incorrectly, there won't be time to find a replacement. I truly have no confidence in the chances of success. After all, I am refining it on behalf of Senior; even a slight misunderstanding could lead to failure," Han Li said calmly as he entered the secret chamber, pulling down the embroidered tube from his back and setting it upright before him.

"I am naturally aware of this. Before the refinement, I will explain the method to you in great detail, and I will repeatedly question your understanding until you have truly grasped it without error before allowing you to begin. Before I explain, first take a look at this jade slip. It contains general information about my puppet refining. First, comprehend it as a whole."

Grand Immortal Dayan's voice emanated from the embroidered tube. He seemed to have considered this matter long ago, appearing quite confident. Then, with a soft "thump," the bamboo tube's lid opened, and a white jade slip shot out, which Han Li caught.

"Since Senior is aware of this, I feel at ease," Han Li nodded. Without further words, he immediately sat cross-legged and immersed his spiritual sense into the jade slip.

Time passed little by little. The expression on Han Li's face constantly shifted: surprise, excitement, and finally, awe. After an unknown period, he exhaled a long breath and finally withdrew his spiritual sense from the jade slip. However, he did not speak immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and quietly pondered on the ground.

After a full quarter of an hour, Han Li opened his eyes, and his expression returned to calm.

"Indeed. If this puppet is successfully refined, its power will truly be unparalleled. As long as there are enough spirit stones, it should not fall into a disadvantageous position even when directly confronting a late Nascent Soul cultivator. However, there is one point I still don't quite understand. I hope Senior can enlighten me a bit first." After a slight contemplation, Han Li finally spoke.

"Since I intend to fully impart this puppetry art to you, I will naturally hold nothing back. Feel free to ask anything you wish," Grand Immortal Dayan said without hesitation.

"Since Senior has said so, I won't be polite. According to the puppetry arts I've learned previously, the higher the grade of the puppet, the higher the required spirit soul for integration. For this puppet of yours, Senior, I truly cannot imagine what kind of monster spirit soul should be integrated to fully unleash its power. Even the soul of the Level 8 Redfire Flood Dragon I just captured might not be suitable. And before this, Senior never mentioned the matter of the spirit soul, which leaves me somewhat confused. Does Senior have some other arrangement?" Han Li asked gravely after frowning.

"Oh, what problem? So it's about this. As for the spirit soul, I already had a solution when I researched the refining method. Even if you hadn't asked, I had planned to explain it clearly to you first. Otherwise, you probably wouldn't be able to refine it with peace of mind, right?" Grand Immortal Dayan chuckled.

"Senior jests. However, to truly unleash the full power of the puppet, at least a Level 9 monster spirit soul is required. I'm truly puzzled as to how Senior plans to resolve this matter," Han Li said with a dry laugh, feigning indifference. Before being given a reasonable explanation, driven by his usual caution, a hint of wariness indeed arose in his heart. Although his relationship with Grand Immortal Dayan over the years was like that of a half-teacher, half-friend, Han Li would never casually discard necessary vigilance.

"There's no need for any monster spirit soul. At that time, simply integrate my spirit soul directly with the puppet," Grand Immortal Dayan said calmly, his voice sinking, as if speaking of a trivial matter.

"Use Senior's spirit soul?" Han Li's expression immediately changed drastically, filled with shock.

"What, do you think the strength of my spirit soul is inferior to that of a Level 9 monster?" Grand Immortal Dayan said lightly.

"That's naturally not the case. Even a late Nascent Soul cultivator, after cultivating the Great Evolution Art, has a spiritual sense and spirit soul that is probably not inferior to a Spirit Transformation cultivator in the slightest. But Senior, are you not planning to undergo reincarnation? Once a spirit soul is integrated into a puppet, it immediately loses its self," Han Li said hesitantly.

"Of course, I intend to enter the cycle of reincarnation! After rebirth, this Grand Immortal might even embark on the path of cultivation again!" After a chuckle, Grand Immortal Dayan said this without hesitation.

"What does that mean? If I heard correctly, Senior intends to integrate your spirit soul with the puppet, yet you don't wish to lose the chance of reincarnation. Does Senior perhaps possess some other secret technique that can achieve this?" Han Li was stunned by these words, but being no ordinary cultivator, his mind quickly raced, and he speculated.

"Han brat, you are indeed exceptionally clever; that's exactly what I mean. Back then, I was trapped within a puppet due to the Soul-Lodging Art, so naturally, I wouldn't do nothing. I spent thousands of years researching a method to transfer my spirit soul out of the puppet without relying on spiritual power. This method proved too difficult and was unsuccessful, but I unexpectedly discovered a secret art for splitting the spirit soul. This Soul Splitting Art is vastly different from ordinary divine sense division; it is a genuine method for splitting a cultivator's soul. When the time comes, I will split my spirit soul into two: one part, carrying the greater portion of my spirit soul's power, will integrate into the puppet, while the other part, containing emotions, memories, and other things, will dissipate and return to the cycle of reincarnation." Grand Immortal Dayan had no intention of concealing it and explained candidly.

"But is such a method truly possible? Splitting a soul is probably not so easy, is it?" Han Li said in astonishment upon hearing of this secret art.

"Rest assured, what I'm splitting off is merely a portion of my spirit soul's power; it won't significantly hinder my reincarnation. These spirit soul powers would simply dissipate upon my demise anyway," Grand Immortal Dayan said indifferently.

"So that's how it is. Then I am relieved." Han Li pondered for a moment, found no major issues, and nodded, easing his mind.

"Good. Since there are no more questions, I will now begin explaining the refining methods for each component and the points requiring attention. Let's start with the puppet's body. The entire body is composed of over a dozen core components, and the required materials are..." Grand Immortal Dayan wasted no time and began explaining directly.

Han Li's spirits lifted, and he naturally listened with rapt attention.

Days passed, and Han Li rarely emerged from the secret chamber. Most of the time, he controlled a few giant ape puppets with his spiritual sense to move around the cave dwelling, accelerating the growth of some spirit herbs and cultivating his spirit insects.

As for the twelve six-winged frost centipedes, besides nurturing them with Rainbow Garment Grass, a sudden idea struck him: he fed each of them a Snow Soul Pellet to see the effects after they refined it. After all, these pellets were very useful for his Violet-Azure Extreme Flame, so they should also be beneficial for the extremely yin and cold six-winged frost centipedes.

Han Li discovered that while it took him three to four months to refine a single Snow Soul Pellet, these centipedes could refine one completely within a month. Moreover, the cold mist they spewed also noticeably increased in power. As a result, Han Li, delighted, kept only the Snow Soul Pellets he absolutely needed and handed the rest over to the giant apes to feed the spirit insects.

As for the Gold Devouring Beetles, although continuously consuming the accelerated Rainbow Garment Grass showed some changes, reaching the mature stage was still a distant prospect. Han Li could only patiently proceed step by step.

Half a year passed in a flash. On this day, Han Li had just finished refining a puppet component in the secret chamber. Following Grand Immortal Dayan's instructions, he took out several materials and placed them before him, a strange look on his face.

"You mean all these items can be added to the puppet?" Han Li asked with a slight frown.

"Precisely. I only recently thought of the uses for these items. They will absolutely allow this puppet's power to reach another level," Grand Immortal Dayan said calmly.

"That last Demonic Marrow Drill is one thing; perhaps Senior has another method to refine it into a sharp weapon for the puppet. But what exactly are these other items? I haven't been able to understand their purpose, nor have I seen any use for them," Han Li said, slightly raising his hand and pointing at the two materials on the ground, somewhat confused.

The items he pointed to were none other than the slender silver chain that had once bound the Corpse Ghoul, and the inconspicuous grayish fragments of the stele material found in the Demonic Qi Abyss that day.

"As for the Demonic Marrow Drill, as you mentioned, when you acquired it that day, I was already considering what to refine it into. Although it is said to be the only material for refining the Demonic Dragon Blade, if used to refine other demonic treasures, it can still possess considerable power. I have decided to refine it into a treasure to be used as one of the puppet's trump cards. Regarding this chain, when I heard you say that it could withstand the strikes of a Geng-Gold Flying Sword, I immediately had an idea. Although I don't know what material it's made of, combined with some Vajra Silver, it can be refined into a protective shield for the puppet. As for these fragmented steles, I only remembered what they were a few days ago," Grand Immortal Dayan paused here, a solemn expression on his face.