Chapter 183: Private Customization

"Are the Formless Puppets made by Professor Che Yucheng?" Chen Mobai, however, caught the key detail in Chai Lun's words.

"The theoretical framework was a collaborative effort between Professor Che and Master Xinji of Jumang Daoist Academy. Unfortunately, Master Xinji passed away twenty years ago, and since then, Professor Che has stopped making Formless Puppets."

"That's why these things are not available for purchase anywhere else."

"Since Professor Che no longer makes them, the thirty-six existing units are one-of-a-kind."

There are only thirty-six Formless Puppets in the entire Immortal Gate. The Weapon Dance Daoist Academy has eighteen, and Che Yucheng also sent eighteen to the Jumang Daoist Academy.

"Don't Kunpeng Daoist Academy and Butian Daoist Academy have any?" Chen Mobai looked surprised. Were these Formless Puppets an exclusive benefit for just their two Daoist Academies?

"They do, actually. Professor Che publicized the method for making Formless Puppets, and the master puppeteers at Kunpeng Daoist Academy and Butian Daoist Academy created dolls with similar functions. However, those two academies call them 'Boundless Puppets'."

"What about the Ten Great Academies?" Chen Mobai asked again.

"They probably don't. At any rate, the Pure Yang Academy applies to our academy every year to borrow Formless Puppets."

Hearing this, Chen Mobai felt even more certain that entering the Daoist Academy was the correct decision. If he had gone to an academy, he wouldn't have had access to such benefits.

"These three can only simulate cultivation up to the ninth layer of the Qi Refinement Stage; they cannot simulate the Foundation Establishment process. That's precisely why they are cheaper." Chai Lun then began to introduce the three one-eyed puppets hanging on the wall.

"If I use them multiple times, can I get a discount?" Chen Mobai certainly couldn't afford to buy them, but ten thousand Merit Points per use also felt a bit expensive.

"Each use consumes all the spirit stones. Although they are only low-grade spirit stones, my spirit-charging equipment is rudimentary, and the spiritual ley line here is only of average quality. It takes a month to fully recharge them. Charging you ten thousand per use is already at cost." Chai Lun shook his head, unwilling to lower the price.

"Can this replica Formless Puppet deduce all my Qi Refinement cultivation methods and identify all my issues and perplexities in one go?" If it could, Chen Mobai decided he would grit his teeth and rent it twice. He just wasn't sure if the dual-mode function could be used for deduction.

"Junior, I won't hide anything from you. The current simulation results from this replica Formless Puppet are definitely the most suitable for you."

"But everyone is constantly changing. For instance, for us cultivators, each time we break through a realm, it's actually an evolution and a metamorphosis. At that point, it's best to adjust the previous simulation results."

"Generally, it's recommended to update your body model data and perform a new simulation each time you break through a minor realm. In your case, I think it would be better to commission a custom-made divination puppet." Since Chen Mobai was his junior and had been introduced by Professor Che Yucheng, Chai Lun's words were very sincere.

"How many Merit Points would it cost to commission a custom divination puppet?"

"This one's cheap, only two hundred thousand Merit Points."

Chen Mobai was speechless for a moment after hearing that. This price is cheap? However, he had attended many courses in the Automaton Department these past few days and knew that this technology required such a significant investment. Each automaton is essentially a collection of precise and intricate components of a large magical artifact. Furthermore, divination puppets are custom-made, requiring many parts to be handcrafted, which is even more time-consuming.

Chen Mobai checked the balance on his card. After various miscellaneous expenses, the two hundred thousand from Shen Juanxiu had dwindled to just over one hundred ninety thousand. He simply couldn't afford the full price.

"Can it be cheaper? I can install the automaton's power source myself; you just need to leave a slot for the spirit stones."

Chai Lun heard this and had no doubt. After all, Chen Mobai was a freshman in the Automaton Department at the Weapon Dance Daoist Academy and had attended many of Professor Che Yucheng's classes. He possessed extraordinary talent, and this amount of time was certainly enough to get started in automatons.

"In that case, one hundred ninety thousand Merit Points."

"You also don't need to include the spirit stone charging device; I have an old set that I can install myself." Chen Mobai had no intention of using the Immortal Gate's spirit stones that required repeated recharging. Instead, he planned to use raw spirit stones from the Celestial River Realm, as he had recently earned a good amount from chopping firewood.

Chai Lun's mouth twitched slightly upon hearing this, but he still lowered the price a bit. "One hundred eighty-five thousand."

"I'll handle all subsequent maintenance and upkeep myself; no after-sales service needed."

"Final price, one hundred eighty thousand Merit Points, junior. This really is the lowest I can go." Chai Lun did some mental calculations, and after confirming that he could still earn a satisfactory profit, he gave his final bottom price.

"Alright, when can this divination puppet be delivered?" Chen Mobai knew when to stop pushing; his main concern was his own cultivation progress. During this time, Ming Yihua had also gotten started with cultivating the Pure Yang Scroll, and two students in the Soul Transformation class who chose to cultivate the *Can Tong Qi* had also sensed their inherent companion artifacts.

"That might take a month. One of my studio partners graduated last year, and another junior is at a critical point in his realm breakthrough and can't come out of seclusion. We're short-handed right now." Chai Lun wanted to extend the delivery time in the contract, but Chen Mobai was in a hurry.

"Can it be any faster?"

"There's no way, but I'll try to finish it a few days early."

Chen Mobai could only nod in agreement. Chai Lun immediately printed out a custom order contract. Since it was a custom order, an 80% down payment was required. Chen Mobai was willing to spend generously for the sake of his cultivation.

After signing the contract, he immediately transferred the Merit Points to Chai Lun. Upon receiving the payment, Chai Lun was instantly motivated to take Chen Mobai to the hospital for a full body examination to collect body model data.

"I've previously been scanned by the Crimson Heart Mirror. Professor Che has my data; you can ask him for it." A physical examination also costs money, and Chen Mobai preferred to save wherever he could.

Chai Lun thought that made sense; the data reflected by the Crimson Heart Mirror would certainly be more precise than what a hospital could provide. Che Yucheng had called Chen Mobai before, and he happened to have his number saved.

After calling, he explained the situation to Che Yucheng, who was very understanding. However, he required Chen Mobai to go to his office and write an application himself, and the data could only be handed directly to him.

Chai Lun had nothing urgent to do, so he went along with Chen Mobai. Before leaving, he even bought a basket of spirit fruits, as this business deal had, after all, been introduced by Professor Che.

"Keep it safe, don't lose it." In his office in Building One, after Chen Mobai finished writing the application, Che Yucheng took out a pre-prepared USB drive from his drawer.

"Thank you, Professor Che."

Che Yucheng nodded, then suddenly asked Chai Lun a question. "Gan Tao has graduated, so your studio must be short-handed, right?"

"Yes, Professor Che." Although Chai Lun didn't know what Che Yucheng meant, he respectfully replied.

"It just so happens to be his own divination puppet. You can mentor him."