Li Chengfeng believed that after these two years of preparation and training, he would become stronger and more than capable of facing future challenges.
Li Chengfeng issued a concise and forceful command to the substitute puppet: "Head south and don't look back."
However, his actual actions went in the opposite direction, heading north at full speed, a decision that undoubtedly added many variables to his future.
Everyone's eyes were focused on Li Chengfeng's figure as he rode his sword, his speed slow but his demeanor calm and unhurried.
At this moment, the Blood Demon Sect Master unleashed an astonishing secret technique, launching a spell that instantly enveloped Li Chengfeng's substitute puppet in a blood-colored light, sending it speeding away.
Surprisingly, the puppet sensed that this power was exceptionally gentle, with no intention of harm, filling it with a sense of gratitude.
When the substitute puppet successfully escaped the Martial Demon Sect's territory, it arrived at the border between the Southern Leaving Kingdom and the Heavenly Sea Sword Sect.
This was the location of the Grand Yin Sect, known alongside the Heavenly Sea Sword Sect as one of the two great righteous sects.
However, just as the puppet had gained its footing, a sinister voice suddenly rang out: "Haha, long time no see, little friend."
It turned out to be Lou Xueyun, the Supreme Elder of the Blood Clan, also known as Lou Lan's true form.
He said with a smile: "My true body has been lurking near the Blood Demon Sect, spying on Xue Qingchen's movements. I didn't expect him to actually protect you and send you out, but unfortunately, he still couldn't keep you safe."
"Now that you've fallen into my hands, you must not only hand over the secret technique for condensing the nine great blood shadows, but also the substitute puppet technique, all of which must be given to me."
Li Chengfeng's substitute puppet looked at this late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and asked calmly: "Do you know why you always lose to Xue Qingchen?"
Lou Xueyun was taken aback, then smiled and said: "I'd like to hear the details."
Li Chengfeng smiled and said: "Xue Qingchen has vision, is meticulous, and is good at nurturing new talent.
But what about you Blood Clan? You only know how to suppress talent.
Even if I didn't personally experience that past, I can guess a thing or two.
Xue Qingchen established his own sect precisely because he was suppressed too harshly by you. Now it seems he's indeed more far-sighted than you."
"Now that you understand all this, why not come to the Blood Clan with me? I guarantee you'll enjoy unimaginable wealth and glory," Lou Xueyun coaxed.
Li Chengfeng's substitute puppet smiled slightly in front of Lou Lan's true form, then suddenly erupted, transforming into a cloud of blood mist and dissipating.
Lou Xueyun was shocked, muttering in disbelief: "This is also a substitute puppet, how is that possible?
Substitute puppets can only achieve this effect at the moment of substitution, so how can his substitute puppet wander around like a true clone, attracting fire?"
A greedy glint flashed in his eyes as he said in a deep voice: "I must obtain this secret technique! No matter where you hide, I will find you!"
He roared angrily, his voice echoing in the air, then his figure disappeared from the spot.
In another space, Li Chengfeng felt the moment of the substitute puppet's death, and he immediately moved his mind, letting out a breath.
He sensed a strong hostility, and although he couldn't perceive the specific situation due to the distance, the vague image transmitted by the substitute puppet before its death made him realize that someone was targeting his true body.
He carefully deduced and immediately understood, gnashing his teeth and saying: "It's Lou Xueyun of the Blood Clan!"
Lou Lan laughed, looking at Li Chengfeng and saying: "Li Chengfeng, did you see that? My true body has already set his sights on you.
He's a stubborn person who won't give up until he achieves his goal. He will definitely try to intercept you at every turn, and you'll probably have no way to escape then."
He continued: "I've already taught you the cultivation method for the Eye of Divine Perception, so why haven't you found me a body to restore my freedom?
You promised me this, and you even made a heart demon oath."
Li Chengfeng glanced at him and said indifferently: "Of course, it's your true body. Your true body wants to harm me, so it seems you're still useful to me. Maybe you can save my life."
Hearing this, Lou Lan's expression changed, and he knew that Li Chengfeng was deliberately stalling for time.
He shouted angrily: "Li Chengfeng! What are your true intentions? Why don't you tell me!"
Li Chengfeng smiled and looked at him, saying: "Of course, it's to use you.
Since your true body wants to harm me, then you are a very good bargaining chip in my hands. Perhaps at a critical moment, you can become my lifeline."
Hearing this, Lou Lan roared angrily, but he also knew that he couldn't do anything to Li Chengfeng now. He could only glare at Li Chengfeng hatefully, waiting for an opportunity to arrive.
Li Chengfeng immersed himself in his cultivation, ignoring Lou Lan beside him.
He re-examined his Daoist techniques and methods, summarized the various shortcomings of the Ghost Valley Secret Realm trip, and found many alternatives.
He decided to let the substitute puppet control the space for him and head to the Wind Spirit Kingdom, while he himself would focus on studying the mysterious seed.
He was full of longing for the Spirit Realm, believing that things from the Spirit Realm must be extraordinary.
However, no matter how he studied it, he couldn't open the seed's portal and had to give up temporarily.
Lou Lan, who was beside him, was also surprised as he watched Li Chengfeng's busy figure.
He didn't expect that Li Chengfeng could reassemble such a powerful puppet in such a short period of time.
This time, Li Chengfeng not only used his lost puppet parts, but also added new designs and materials, making these puppets even more powerful in combat.
At the same time, the demonic cultivators he killed in the secret realm also brought him a lot of gains, obtaining many precious storage bags and treasures.
Li Chengfeng packed up the treasures he didn't need and put them aside, only leaving behind the items that could improve his cultivation.
He combined these items and found that they reached an astonishing number—1,000 high-grade spirit stones, 100,000 medium-grade spirit stones, and millions of low-grade spirit stones.
Such a harvest made him ecstatic, but he also knew that these items contained great danger.
He thought that this time he had angered the Blood Clan and the Four Great Demonic Sects, and they would definitely search for him all over the world.
Therefore, he decided to stay in the space for the next year to reduce the risk of being discovered. Although moving this way would be slower, the risk was relatively small.
During the cultivation process, Li Chengfeng began to synthesize the Nine Nether Earth Fiend.
He put the Earth Fiend Blood Crystal and the Nine Desires Heavenly Flower into the alchemy furnace and added various rare materials. He carefully controlled the heat, not daring to be careless.
After forty-nine days of hard work, and replenishing his mana several times, he finally completed the synthesis of the Nine Nether Earth Fiend.
At the moment when the furnace lid was opened, a nine-colored black light shot out from the furnace, and the evil aura in the halo was surging and turbulent.
Looking at the Nine Nether Earth Fiend of the highest quality in front of him, Li Chengfeng's heart was full of excitement and joy.
He knew that this was the biggest key to his advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Now, he had finally broken through this bottleneck and was moving towards a higher realm.
