Countless mysteries and subtleties of Puppet Art surged in Li Mu's mind, and before long, he accepted the Legacy of The Heavenly Puppet Crafting Dao Scripture.
Li Mu opened his eyes, a starlight flashing in them, revealing a wisdom that saw through the essence of all things.
"Congratulations, Pavilion Master, on acquiring a supreme Dao Artifact!"
Feeling the extraordinary nature of the eight-faced suppressing puppet token, Liu Yalan looked at Li Mu with envy and congratulated him sincerely.
At this moment, Liu Yalan finally realized that there were so many Tian Kui Jade Plates, and that they were fragments of a Dao Artifact, which Li Mu had actually managed to collect. This achievement was not just due to luck, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration in her heart.
"Haha, Shopkeeper Liu, you have made an indispensable contribution to this matter." Li Mu laughed heartily, and with a thought, he took out several exquisite pill bottles from his tianxuan ring and handed them to Liu Yalan.
"These few bottles of Spirit Pills are your reward. I hope they can help you cross the threshold of the Soul Transformation realm." Li Mu said with a smile, and then introduced them in detail: "This bottle is called the sixth-tier 'Azure Firmament Condensing Spirit Pill'. It is refined from Azure Firmament Grass as the main Material, fused with rare Materials such as deep-sea sunken sand and cloud mist spiritual dew. Taking this pill can condense the spirit and calm the Qi, stabilize the mind, effectively alleviate the restlessness and anxiety caused by turbulent spiritual power during the Cultivation process, make your state of mind more peaceful, and be conducive to a deeper understanding of the Heavenly Dao, laying a solid mental Foundation for advancing to Soul Transformation."
As he spoke, Li Mu gently turned and picked up another bottle: "This bottle is the 'Purple Thunder Pill'. This pill is specially designed to strengthen the Physical Body. It contains the power of thunder. After taking it, the power of thunder will gently temper your Physical Body, remove Impurities, and enhance your physique, making your Physical Body strength match your spiritual power Cultivation, preparing your Physical Body for transformation when Undergoing Tribulation to Soul Transformation."
Immediately after, Li Mu pointed to the third green pill bottle, indicating: "This bottle is the sixth-tier 'Profound Origin Pill'. Its medicinal properties are mild, and it is an excellent medicine for stabilizing the Foundation and nourishing the Primordial Spirit. It is refined with Profound Origin Fruit as the core, supplemented by various precious medicinal Materials such as thousand-year-old ganoderma and geocentric spiritual milk. After taking it, it can penetrate deep into the bone marrow, nourish your Primordial Spirit and Foundation, make your Cultivation more stable, reduce the risk during Breakthrough, and pave a smooth Dao for your path to Soul Transformation."
As Li Mu introduced them, the three bottles of Spirit Pills were successively displayed before Liu Yalan, emitting an enticing medicinal fragrance, containing endless vitality and power. Her eyes sparkled with shock and gratitude, and her hands trembled slightly, almost unable to believe everything before her.
"Pavilion Master, this... this is too valuable!" Liu Yalan's voice was tinged with a choke, deeply aware of the value of these Spirit Pills, and even more so of Li Mu's expectations and trust in her. She had never imagined that she would receive such a precious reward.
"Haha, Shopkeeper Liu, there is no need to be polite. There are still many such Spirit Pills. You will need to sell them later to exchange for more spiritual Materials." Li Mu laughed heartily, then took out a storage ring from his embrace and handed it to Liu Yalan, indicating: "These spiritual items, especially the Puppet Artifacts, can be sold as soon as possible. There are quite a lot of them. If there is still demand, just come again."
Liu Yalan nodded knowingly, took the storage ring, and when her Divine Sense probed inside, she was immediately stunned.
The space within the storage ring was vast, with a dazzling array of spiritual items and Puppet Artifacts neatly arranged. Each item emitted a powerful spiritual light, including several Dao Artifacts, hundreds of bottles of Spirit Pills, and thousands of high-tier spiritual talismans. Their value was immeasurable. Such a grand gesture made even the Treasure Mansion's treasury seem somewhat inferior in comparison. An indescribable excitement and shock surged in Liu Yalan's heart.
Each time Liu Yalan brought a large quantity of high-tier spiritual Materials to trade with the Pavilion Master, she would experience some shock. The Dao Artifacts refined by the Pavilion Master, or various high-tier spiritual talismans, gradually increased to include Spirit Pills, and also high-tier Puppets.
However, this time was particularly different. A significant portion of the space in the storage ring was occupied by high-quality Puppet Artifacts. They varied in form; some were as lifelike as real people, while others had a strong mechanical feel, yet all exuded an extraordinary aura. Not only were there many Puppets, including both fifth-tier and sixth-tier, but there were also as many as three thousand of them. Each one was meticulously refined, reaching an extremely high standard in both Material selection and Puppet array patterns.
"Pavilion Master, the number of these Puppets is truly astonishing!" Liu Yalan couldn't help but ask Li Mu curiously, "With such a large quantity and high quality, how many Puppet Masters capable of refining sixth-tier Puppets did the Sect recruit?"
Li Mu smiled slightly and glanced at the seventh-tier Puppet, Mingyue, beside him. At this moment, she was staring intently at the eight-faced suppressing puppet token, her eyes filled with longing.
"No, the origin of this batch of Puppets indeed has a special Destiny. However, I cannot tell you about it for now." Li Mu smiled apologetically, indicating: "You should sell them as soon as possible. If possible, exchange them for more high-tier spiritual wood and spiritual ore suitable for refining high-tier Puppets."
"Yes, Pavilion Master, I will handle it as soon as possible and do my best to find the high-tier spiritual wood and spiritual ore you need." Liu Yalan nodded knowingly, without any displeasure.
"Mm, you go get busy. On your way, call that boy Maoshan in." Li Mu smiled, indicating.
Liu Yalan responded and retreated. Although she had many questions in her heart, she also understood that Li Mu had his own considerations and it was not convenient to ask too much.
After seeing Liu Yalan off, Li Mu turned to look at Mingyue and asked with a smile, "What, do you want this?"
"Mm! Master, can you give it to me!" Mingyue nodded, her voice soft as she pleaded with Li Mu. Her gaze was fixed on the eight-faced suppressing puppet token, as if it were not just a spiritual item, but a key to an unknown world.
Li Mu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he hesitated for a moment. The value of The Heavenly Puppet Crafting Dao Scripture contained within the eight-faced suppressing puppet token had already been inherited by him. It was not impossible to give the eight-faced suppressing puppet token to Mingyue to control. However, giving an eighth-tier Puppet Dao Artifact with a powerful Artifact Spirit to Mingyue to use might actually harm her, as she might not be able to fully control it and could instead suffer from its backlash.
Mingyue is a seventh-tier Puppet Spirit that Li Mu spent a large amount of high-tier spiritual Materials and combined with 1,500 Divine Runes to refine. Her wisdom and spirituality are extraordinary. She is not only proficient in combat techniques but also demonstrates astonishing talent in Puppet construction and spiritual power control. Her existence has long transcended the scope of ordinary Puppets, making her Li Mu's most trusted and capable assistant, especially in assisting with the refinement of fifth-tier and sixth-tier Puppets.
For a hundred years, Li Mu had been preparing for the impending Spiritual Qi depletion and the Age of Dharma Decline, and the birth of the Puppet Dao Mingyue was one of those preparations.
Li Mu combined the technological civilization of his previous life with the Puppet Art of this world, achieving an unprecedented Fusion and innovation, elevating Puppet refining techniques to a new height. By integrating the power of Divine Runes, he incorporated the concept of intelligence into Puppets, allowing Puppet Spirits like Mingyue to possess more complex and flexible thinking and decision-making abilities.
Under Li Mu's meticulous design and guidance, Mingyue not only mastered traditional Puppet combat techniques but also learned to utilize modern technological methods such as data analysis and strategic planning to optimize combat processes and improve combat efficiency. She could quickly analyze enemy weaknesses, formulate the most effective attack plans, and flexibly adjust strategies during combat to achieve the greatest victory with the least cost.
Furthermore, Mingyue also demonstrated outstanding ability in assisting with the refinement of high-tier Puppets. She could precisely control the flow of spiritual power, ensuring that every Divine Rune was perfectly integrated into the Puppet's body, making the refined Puppets not only of superior quality but also possessing more unique performance and characteristics.
The eight-faced suppressing puppet token, an eighth-tier Dao Artifact, had an Artifact Spirit that was still awakening. It contained both power and danger. Not only did it hold immense Puppet power, but it also had the potential to trigger unforeseen changes.
However, looking at Mingyue's eyes, filled with anticipation and longing, Li Mu's heart softened.
"Master, with it, I can refine more Puppets for you, and I can also control a larger Puppet army!" Mingyue seemed to see Li Mu's hesitation, her eyes sparkling with endless enthusiasm and longing for the eight-faced suppressing puppet token. She eagerly added: "Moreover, I will also Cultivate even harder, not to disappoint Master's expectations, and allow this spiritual token to exert its maximum value in my hands, and even use its power to advance earlier."
"Its Artifact has just fused, and the Artifact Spirit has not fully awakened. If you clash with it, I'm afraid it will harm you." Li Mu's brows furrowed, and he said worriedly.
Although Mingyue was strong, she was only a seventh-tier Puppet Spirit. Facing an eighth-tier Dao Artifact Spirit that had not yet fully awakened, the danger was immeasurable.
"No, Master, both it and I are Puppet Dao Spirits. We are of the same Dao and will be compatible. It will not only not harm me, but will help me." Mingyue's words carried an undeniable confidence, her bright eyes seeming to see through everything, and she said seriously: "I will use my Puppet heart to sense its pulsation, and use my wisdom to guide it, making it a sharp sword in my hand, not a hidden danger."
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's eyes flickered, and he pondered inwardly. He knew that although Mingyue was a Puppet Spirit, her wisdom and spirituality far surpassed the ordinary, and she had unique insights and talent in the Dao of Puppets. Perhaps, just as Mingyue said, there truly existed some special connection between her and the eight-faced suppressing puppet token, which would allow her to control this power more effortlessly.
"Since you are so confident, then I will say no more." Li Mu finally relented, nodding and indicating: "This eight-faced suppressing puppet token is not only an auxiliary Dao Artifact, but also the essence of the Puppet Dao. What I worry about is not that its value will be wasted by you, but whether you can truly control it and prevent it from becoming a burden to you."
"Master, I!" Mingyue still wanted to say something.
Li Mu waved his hand, signaling her not to say more. Then, he grabbed the eight-faced suppressing puppet token, infused a trace of his Divine Sense, and branded a wisp of his Divine Soul within the Artifact array, just in case.
Li Mu passed the eight-faced suppressing puppet token to Mingyue, admonishing, "This eight-faced suppressing puppet token is now yours, but remember, everything must be done within your capabilities. Do not be overly eager for success. If anything goes wrong, I will take it back."
"Thank you, Master, I will use it carefully."
Mingyue took the eight-faced suppressing puppet token with both hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and she thanked him repeatedly with joy.
After speaking, Mingyue tightly gripped the eight-faced suppressing puppet token, closed her eyes and concentrated, eager to refine the eight-faced suppressing puppet token. As spiritual power slowly infused, the surface of the eight-faced suppressing puppet token began to glow faintly, as if activated. Ancient spiritual patterns emerged, gradually becoming vivid, releasing endless power.
Li Mu's mind stirred, discovering something. With a wave of his large hand, he brought Mingyue and the eight-faced suppressing puppet token into the Painting World Treasure Mansion together.
Just then, Lin Maoshan took small steps and respectfully approached Li Mu, kneeling and solemnly bowing, "Disciple, greets Master!"
"Mm! Rise!" Li Mu smiled and nodded.
Lin Maoshan quickly stood up, feeling a bit nervous under Li Mu's scrutinizing gaze. The words he had prepared earlier, he suddenly didn't know how to say them.
His Master had a gentle nature and was not overly strict with them. However, their opportunities to meet were very few. Unconsciously, their last meeting was ten years ago.
During these ten years, Lin Maoshan had explored the path of Cultivation on his own. Although he had made progress, he also knew that he was still far from his Master's expectations. At this moment, facing his Master's familiar yet slightly unfamiliar face, his heart was filled with mixed emotions, both the joy of reunion and the shame of his stagnant Cultivation.
Seeing this, Li Mu smiled gently, as if he had seen through Lin Maoshan's thoughts, and said kindly with a smile, "Maoshan, there's no need to be nervous. You've done well managing the Seven Profound Sect. As for your Cultivation progress, cultivating all Five Elements is inherently slow. Your current Cultivation is enough to prove your diligence. As your Master, I have also been negligent in teaching, so I will naturally not be harsh on you."
"Master! Disciple is unworthy." Lin Maoshan hurriedly bowed, his tone full of humility and gratitude, "Disciple deeply knows that my Cultivation is still shallow, and there are many shortcomings in managing the Sect. Fortunately, the entire Sect worked together, allowing the Sect to maintain stability. Disciple truly feels unworthy of Master's praise."
"No need for formalities. I already know your intention, but I'm afraid I cannot satisfy you." Li Mu smiled slightly, looking at Lin Maoshan with profound meaning and exposing him.
A hint of disappointment flashed across Lin Maoshan's face, but he still respectfully tried to say something.
Li Mu waved his hand, and a five-colored ring Artifact was summoned by him. He smiled and indicated, "This Artifact is for you. With this Artifact assisting your Cultivation, the effect should not be too bad."
"Master, this..." Lin Maoshan looked at the five-colored ring Artifact suspended in the air, a hint of shock and disbelief flashing in his eyes. The ring Artifact shimmered with colorful light, and each color contained a powerful Five Elements force, clearly an extremely precious Dao Artifact.
"This is the 'five elements spiritual ring', a protective treasure of mine. Although it is not a top-tier Magical Artifact, it can help you gather the power of the Five Elements and accelerate your Cultivation process. Since you are already cultivating all Five Elements, this ring is the most suitable auxiliary item for you." Li Mu explained with a smile, encouraging him.
Lin Maoshan's hands trembled as he took the five elements spiritual ring, feeling the immense Five Elements power contained within it. His heart surged with incomparable excitement and gratitude: "Master's great kindness, Disciple will never forget! I will surely live up to Master's expectations, Cultivate diligently, and strive to advance as soon as possible!"
Li Mu nodded with satisfaction, reminding him, "The path of Cultivation is long and arduous. Remember not to be overly eager for quick success. Although cultivating all Five Elements is difficult, once Major Achievement is reached, its power is by no means comparable to a single attribute. Since you have this determination and talent, you should persevere to make a name for yourself in the Cultivation world."
"Disciple will keep Master's teachings in mind!" Lin Maoshan bowed again in salute, carefully putting away the five elements spiritual ring.
"Go, the Sect still needs your careful attention. If you have any doubts, you can come to me." Li Mu waved his hand, indicating that Lin Maoshan could leave.
"Thank you, Master!" Lin Maoshan bowed again to Li Mu in thanks, then turned and slowly departed. (End of chapter)
