Chapter 975: Puppet Mastery Complete

Volume Three, Chapter Six: Spirit Treasures of Heaven

"Have you heard of 'Clay of Transformation'?" Grandmaster Dayan asked in a deep voice.

"Of course I have," Han Li replied, surprised. Staring at the fragmented steles, he asked in astonishment, "The Clay of Transformation, also known as the 'Phantom Form Paste,' is said to be able to transform and be refined into any shape, and it possesses the unique ability to self-repair after damage. It's a rare material for crafting complex magical artifacts. Is this really it? But I heard the Clay of Transformation is white, like fine jade. How can it look so unremarkable?"

"Han brat, there's no need to be surprised," Grandmaster Dayan said. "These are indeed the Clay of Transformation, but they were specially refined by ancient cultivators who mixed them with other substances. In ancient times, they were known as 'Spirit-Chasing Soft Jade.' Fewer than ten cultivators in the world could recognize them. I myself only saw some related information in an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling years ago and had long since forgotten about it. If it weren't for something I recently recalled that was related to this material, I wouldn't be able to identify it even now."

"Spirit-Chasing Soft Jade? How is it different from ordinary Clay of Transformation?" Han Li pondered.

"Didn't you notice it yourself back then?" Grandmaster Dayan explained. "After being refined, this clay can not only maximize its transformation and self-repairing properties but also absorb cultivators' magical attacks. A full-force spiritual attack can be weakened by more than half upon contact with it. Its only drawback is its vulnerability to direct physical attacks from artifacts, as it possesses no defensive capabilities of its own. But even with that limitation, the value of this clay is not much less than that of Geng Gold."

"I see. So, Senior, what part of the puppet do you intend to craft with this divine clay?" Han Li's face lit up with joy upon hearing of the Spirit-Chasing Soft Jade's extraordinary effects, and he couldn't help but press for more information.

"Do you even need to ask!" Grandmaster Dayan said proudly. "This divine clay, combined with your Vajra Silver, is naturally an excellent material for crafting the puppet's shell. A shell made from these two materials, even without any defensive magical artifacts, would be difficult for most people in the human world to easily destroy."

"As Senior wishes," Han Li agreed without hesitation.

"Hmm, don't touch these for now. Let's craft the other components first. I estimate it will take another year to complete the refinement of all the parts, and then we'll merge them into the complete puppet. Continue refining the components now."

"Understood," Han Li replied. He flicked his sleeve, and a wave of green light swept past, causing the materials on the ground to vanish instantly.

He then patted his storage pouch, and seven or eight jade boxes containing other materials appeared before him.

Han Li began refining the next puppet component.

Spring turned to autumn, and days passed quickly. More than a year, to a cultivator, felt almost like the blink of an eye.

During this time, besides his secluded work on refining the puppet, Han Li's twelve Six-Winged Frost Centipedes unexpectedly advanced. Stimulated by a Snow Essence Pill each month, these centipedes underwent a round of molting. Their bodies grew twice as large as before, and finally, a pair of snow-white wings emerged from their backs. Their flight speed greatly increased, and they became exceptionally lively. This was indeed a pleasant surprise.

However, after this advancement, the effectiveness of the Snow Essence Pills on the Six-Winged Frost Centipedes significantly diminished. The pills were nowhere near as potent as they had been before the advancement.

On this particular day, Han Li stood in the center of the secret chamber, eyes closed. Before him, a shimmering, silver humanoid figure floated in mid-air.

His ten fingers twitched incessantly, sending out ten golden threads that directly pierced various parts of the puppet's body. His expression was solemn.

About a foot above the silver puppet's head, a bamboo slip glowed with a faint green spiritual light, slowly rotating.

After an unknown period, Han Li's expression shifted, his fingers stilled, and he finally opened his eyes.

"It looks like there are no problems. The puppet's parts have merged perfectly. It truly exceeds my expectations that all the components could be assembled so smoothly," Han Li said with a hint of delight, gazing at the object before him.

"This puppet is a result of my research. Under my guidance, you naturally wouldn't make any mistakes in its refinement," Grandmaster Dayan's voice faintly drifted from the embroidered tube. "Since everything is fine, it seems we can begin the soul integration."

"Senior, are you truly determined to do this? Won't you reconsider?" Han Li asked with a grave expression, his earlier joy fading. "This is the first time you've used the Soul Splitting Technique. There might be unforeseen complications that could greatly affect your reincarnation. Moreover, once your soul is split, your remnant soul will surely dissipate and be unable to persist."

"Heh heh, the better part of my life's efforts has been spent on puppetry. To have my soul become one with this puppet is my original aspiration," Grandmaster Dayan chuckled softly, utterly unconcerned. "Besides, even if I don't perform the Soul Splitting Technique, my time is almost up. What is there to hesitate about? You don't need to persuade me further. However, I have already imparted the remaining Dayan Arts to you. I hope you will inherit them and not let this legacy be broken."

Han Li listened, his brows furrowed. After a long moment, he let out a sigh.

"Since Senior's resolve is so firm, this junior will say no more. I wish Senior good fortune."

Grandmaster Dayan burst into laughter. The bamboo slip suddenly split in half from the middle with a flash of green light, and a shimmering golden miniature figure abruptly appeared there.

This miniature figure, several inches tall, was a puppet crafted from neither gold nor wood, exquisitely intricate. It vaguely resembled a man scaled down a hundredfold, with a scholarly and refined appearance.

At that moment, the miniature figure's eyes flashed with green light, and it directly sat cross-legged.

Seeing this, Han Li's lips moved slightly, but no words escaped them.

As the incantation grew more rapid, the green light became increasingly dazzling, almost unbearable to look at directly.

Han Li's eyes narrowed, his pupils constricting slightly, and then a blue glow flickered within them.

Following this, Grandmaster Dayan let out a pained cry that caused the entire secret chamber to hum.

As Han Li's expression changed, the green light abruptly split into two. The larger portion floated directly towards the silver puppet, while the smaller portion flashed, re-entered the miniature figure's mouth, and reappeared as the miniature puppet's form.

However, at this moment, the miniature figure's head was slightly lowered, and its eyes were dim and lifeless.

Seeing this, Han Li did not dare to delay. He pointed his fingers at the silver puppet several times. Immediately, the humanoid puppet opened its mouth, and over ten slender silver threads shot out, instantly coiling around the split light cluster and pulling it into its body. The entire puppet then glowed brightly with silver light, and its form began to tremble continuously.

Han Li's face darkened. Without a word, he opened his mouth, and a stream of purple flame erupted, striking the puppet's body.

A sizzling sound arose as a thick layer of ice rapidly spread over the puppet, instantly freezing the entire puppet and transforming it into a massive block of ice.

Only then did Han Li let out a breath of relief. He looked up at the miniature figure in mid-air, a hint of worry appearing on his face.

"So this is what it feels like to split one's soul—truly marvelous beyond words. Perhaps I am the only cultivator in this world who has experienced such a sensation," Grandmaster Dayan's voice, though clearly weak and lacking stamina as if recovering from a severe illness, suddenly came from the miniature figure, accompanied by a bout of wild laughter.

"Senior, are you alright?" Han Li couldn't help but ask upon hearing the voice.

"Don't worry. Although I won't last much longer after splitting my soul, I can remain safe for another ten days to half a month," Grandmaster Dayan urged with an excited tone. "Hurry and complete the integration of this puppet's soul so that I can witness its true power before my divine sense dissipates."

"Of course. However, before that, this junior will first use a Soul-Stabilizing Talisman to help steady Senior's remnant soul, just in case of any accidents," Han Li said, raising an eyebrow. He flicked his sleeve, and a blood-red talisman flew into his hand.

"A Soul-Stabilizing Talisman? That's a very rare talisman. Isn't it a bit wasteful to use it on someone who is about to die?" Grandmaster Dayan's voice held a hint of surprise.

"This talisman was found in the storage pouch of a Nascent Soul cultivator I eliminated last time," Han Li said calmly. "Even if it's precious, it was obtained for free, so there's nothing to regret." With a flick of his wrist, the blood-colored talisman suddenly transformed into a streak of crimson light, striking the miniature puppet. A cloud of blood mist erupted and was swiftly absorbed by the miniature figure's body.

"Good, I feel much better," Grandmaster Dayan's voice immediately became a few shades louder, carrying a hint of peculiar gratitude. "However, you used this talisman of your own accord, so don't expect me to owe you any favors, understand?"

"It's nothing," Han Li replied calmly after a moment of silence. "Consider it a small interest payment for Senior's previous help."

Grandmaster Dayan grunted a few times. Suddenly, he waved both hands at the two halves of the bamboo slip on the ground. With two whooshing sounds, the two pieces of the embroidered tube flew over, instantly enclosing the miniature figure within them, restoring the embroidered tube to its complete form. The tube then drifted down from the air and stood upright before Han Li.

At this point, Han Li didn't wait for Grandmaster Dayan to say anything. He waved a single hand at the massive ice block.

Purple light flickered within the ice, and the humanoid puppet, along with the ice encasing it, began to melt away bit by bit.

Han Li then sat down cross-legged again. He abruptly slapped the top of his head with one hand, and after a burst of green light erupted from his crown, a green Nascent Soul appeared, flying directly towards the humanoid puppet…

Three months later, on the nameless desolate island where Han Li resided, a green rainbow suddenly shot into the sky, then pierced through the air and vanished.

Bitter Bamboo Island, a small, inconspicuous island in the seas adjacent to the Great Jin, was perpetually shrouded in blue mist.

The island's master, Old Man Bitter Bamboo, was unknown in the inland cultivation world. However, many mid to late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in the interior knew of him, and most of them harbored unusual apprehension towards the Bitter Bamboo Island Master.

Among overseas cultivators, Old Man Bitter Bamboo was even more renowned. Despite his mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, relying on his three hundred and sixty-five Cold Bamboo Flying Swords and a Heavenly Mulberry Divine Tree on Bitter Bamboo Island, he was long regarded by overseas cultivators as an existence on par with the Three Overseas Immortals.

On Bitter Bamboo Island, the Myriad Woods Grand Array, arranged with the Heavenly Mulberry Divine Tree as its core, was exceptionally profound. It had awed countless overseas cultivators for tens of thousands of years and was one of the few well-known ancient miraculous arrays overseas. Even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator entering the array would have their magical abilities weakened by a third.

But on this day, an uninvited, malevolent guest arrived above the island.