Observing the growth state of the Time-Space Spirit Lotus, Li Mu had a plan in mind. His Divine Sense once again sank into the tianxuan ring, and after a search, he took out dozens of time-space spirit crystals that emitted a faint blue light and contained endless time-space mysteries.
Complex time-space patterns flowed across the surface of the spirit crystals, as if they contained a microcosm of the entire Universe, and flashes of light were accompanied by slight distortions of space-time.
Li Mu, with his Divine Sense supporting the time-space spirit crystals, slowly walked towards the boundary wall where the Time-Space Spirit Lotus was located; as he approached, the Time-Space Spirit Lotuses, which had been slightly trembling due to sensing unfamiliar Qi, seemed to feel the power of the same origin contained in the spirit crystals. Their light gradually softened, and their Law cover quietly dissipated.
With a gentle wave of his hands, dozens of time-space spirit crystals were drawn by an invisible force, one by one, floating in the air and arranging into a complex pattern. The next moment, the Time-Space Law Formation hidden in the boundary wall emerged, engulfing the dozens of time-space spirit crystals. The Time-Space Law Formation released powerful time-space power, corresponding to the location of the Time-Space Spirit Lotus, forming a bridge that connected heaven and earth and communicated with space-time.
As Li Mu chanted a low incantation, pure and powerful time-space power surged forth from the Time-Space Law Formation, like trickles converging into a river, finally gathering at the core of the Time-Space Formation. There, a tiny time-space vortex was slowly forming; it was both a connecting portal and the source from which time-space power surged.
The Time-Space Spirit Lotuses felt the nourishment of this powerful time-space power. The time-space patterns on their leaves began to flow faster, and their light became even more brilliant. Greedily absorbing the time-space power, their growth rate increased at a visible speed. Their volume gradually expanded, their branches and leaves became plump, and their color gradually deepened.
Li Mu did not stop; he continued to urge his Divine Sense, guiding the time-space power deep into the roots of each spirit lotus, nourishing their leaf veins and branches.
As time passed, the time-space Law within the entire boundary wall seemed to become active due to the infusion of this power. Time-space fluctuations rose and fell, forming magnificent time-space paintings. Li Mu was immersed in this painting, his gaze sweeping across it. As each Time-Space Spirit Lotus returned to its growing state, a happy smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
Just then, Li Mu sensed a strange spiritual energy fluctuation, and his expression slightly froze. Immediately, he realized that this spiritual energy fluctuation was caused by Mingyue refining a Puppet. It not only contained Mingyue's special Puppet refining techniques but also vaguely revealed an unprecedented innovation and Breakthrough.
Li Mu's heart stirred, realizing that Mingyue might be attempting a completely new Puppet refining method, a method that was very likely to break through the existing Puppet Art Bottleneck.
Li Mu's figure flickered, disappearing from his original spot and reappearing beside Mingyue.
He saw Mingyue intently gazing at a refined humanoid Puppet, her face overflowing with unconcealed excitement. This rank 6 Puppet had bright, intelligent eyes and exuded a powerful Qi.
“Master, you’re here!” Mingyue sensed Li Mu’s arrival and immediately introduced excitedly, “Master, look quickly, this is the Battle Puppet I just refined—the qingteng battle puppet! What do you think? It’s refined in imitation of the method Master used to refine the Dragon Guard before.”
Li Mu carefully examined the “qingteng battle puppet” before him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
Under his Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, all the attributes of the qingteng battle puppet were displayed before Li Mu’s eyes.
【qingteng battle puppet】
【Rank: Rank 6 Spirit Puppet】
【Characteristics: Entangling Restraint, Wood Elemental Absorption, Perception Amplification, Weaving Domain with Vines, Vine Domain Illusion, Summoning Vine Demons.】
【Status: Battle Puppet Rebirth, Puppet Spirit Full.】
【The qingteng battle puppet is meticulously carved from the main trunk of the Myriad Ancient Green Vine Lord as its body, the essence of a thousand-year-old ancient wood as its limbs, and fused with rank 6 Netherworld Spirit Soil and rank 6 Morning Dew Jade Bamboo. Its Puppet Core is condensed with Puppet Spirit power, allowing it to transform into various vine techniques with the rhythm of battle. It can restrain opponents, absorb Life Qi, amplify its own perception, create a Thousand Vine Spirit Domain woven with vines, generate spirit vines to bind opponents, and summon thousands of demon vines with vine techniques.】
Li Mu nodded repeatedly and praised Mingyue with a smile: “Well done. This Battle Puppet not only perfectly integrates the agility and toughness of wood attributes but also, under your unique innovation, displays a vitality and combat potential that surpasses previous Puppets. Especially the Puppet’s Law Domain, it’s simply ingenious and truly eye-opening.”
“Thank you for the Master’s praise. I was actually inspired by the Master’s refining of the Dragon Guard to think of such a refining method. Moreover, I also tried to add a trace of my own spiritual power to the Puppet Core, hoping that it can be more in tune with me and more flexible in combat,” Mingyue said, her eyes sparkling with intelligent light, clearly full of confidence in this work.
“Hmm, this Puppet’s combat power is indeed good!” Li Mu nodded, agreeing with Mingyue’s words.
“Master, next, I can refine more qingteng battle puppets to form a Puppet army, to help Master solve problems,” Mingyue looked up at Li Mu, smiling brightly.
All along, Mingyue had longed for Li Mu's recognition, and this recognition was like the sweetest fruit, making her content.
However, Li Mu gently shook his head and politely declined, “Mingyue, I appreciate your intentions, but I don’t want you to over-consume your Puppet Spirit power for refining Puppets. Puppet Spirit power is your foundation; once over-consumed, it will not only affect your Cultivation progress but may also cause irreversible damage to you.”
Upon hearing this, the smile on Mingyue's face froze slightly, then she showed an understanding smile: “Master, I was too impatient. I will pay attention and not let myself over-consume.”
“Hmm, refining this kind of Puppet consumes a lot of your energy, so don’t refine them anymore!” Li Mu smiled, then with a thought, he hinted: “How about you help refine a batch of rank 5 ordinary Puppets!”
“Uh! Master, rank 5 Puppets are too weak in combat. Can they stand alone?” Mingyue was slightly stunned, clearly a little surprised by Li Mu’s suggestion.
In Mingyue’s opinion, the combat power of a rank 5 Puppet had a considerable gap compared to the qingteng battle puppet. Although it was only one rank lower, the combat power was vastly different. She couldn’t help but wonder, did Master really think that rank 5 Puppets would be enough to cope with future challenges?
“Don’t underestimate the combat power of rank 5 Puppets. If used properly, a single rank 5 Puppet can also create the ability to kill a Void Refining Cultivator,” Li Mu smiled slightly, mysteriously.
“That’s impossible!” Mingyue exclaimed, her face full of disbelief.
In her opinion, there was an insurmountable gulf between a rank 5 Puppet and a Void Refining Cultivator. A Void Refining Cultivator, someone who could control a Law Domain and unleash various Divine Abilities and secret techniques, how could they be matched by a mere rank 5 Puppet?
Li Mu seemed to see through her thoughts and explained with a smile: “Mingyue, you don’t know. The combat power of a Puppet does not entirely depend on its rank. A meticulously refined rank 5 Puppet, if combined with appropriate Formations, Talismans, and combat strategies, can completely create the miracle of killing a Void Refining Cultivator.”
“Formations, Talismans, and combat strategies?” Upon hearing this, a hint of realization flashed in Mingyue’s eyes. She understood that what Li Mu was talking about were all things he was extremely good at, and they were important means to enhance the Puppet’s combat power.
Mingyue couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled. After all, the gap between a rank 5 Puppet and a Void Refining Cultivator was simply too great. It was difficult to even get close, let alone cause fatal damage to a Void Refining Cultivator?
Seeing this, Li Mu said no more. Instead, with a thought, he took out a blank Jade Slip from his tianxuan ring.
Li Mu’s Divine Thought moved slightly, and the true essence in his hand condensed onto the blank Jade Slip, carving within it the detailed diagram for refining a rank 5 Puppet, as well as the key points for the internal Formation.
Immediately, Li Mu handed the Jade Slip to Mingyue, motioning: “This is a rank 5 Puppet combat plan I’ve recently researched. Take a look. Perhaps you’ll gain a new understanding of the rank 5 Puppet’s combat power.”
Mingyue eagerly took the Jade Slip and immersed her Divine Sense into it.
A moment later, Mingyue’s face showed shock. What was recorded in the Jade Slip was precisely a plan that utilized rank 5 Puppets in conjunction with Formations, Talismans, and combat strategies to create the possibility of killing a Void Refining Cultivator.
The ingenuity of this plan made even Mingyue sigh in admiration.
“Master, this… this plan is truly terrifying!” Mingyue exclaimed in amazement, finally understanding why Li Mu would have her refine rank 5 Puppets.
It turned out that this kind of rank 5 Puppet, in Li Mu’s hands, could indeed unleash such astonishing combat power.
Within the Jade Slip, a special rank 5 Puppet was recorded, called the ‘Puppet Spider’. This Puppet used rank 5 star wood as its body. star wood is inherently incredibly hard and contains the power of stars, making it an excellent Material for refining Advanced Puppets.
And most crucially, Li Mu embedded a Time-Space Law Formation inside this Puppet. This Formation could drive the rank 5 Puppet Spider to perform short-duration time-space shuttles, achieving instantaneous movement across distances. Its eight legs were engraved with Puppet Formation patterns such as swift wind, quick shadow, and illusory body, enabling this rank 5 Puppet to rapidly approach any target at an extremely terrifying speed.
More importantly, this Time-Space Law Formation instantly compressed the internal energy of the Puppet to its limit. Once it approached an enemy, embraced the target, and then detonated itself, it would release an energy fluctuation equivalent to a full-force strike from a Void Refining Cultivator.
Even more terrifying, the Puppet blueprint also marked Talisman slots, allowing for the addition of instantaneously activated Talismans within this Puppet, such as explosive Talismans, binding Talismans, etc. These Talismans could be released before or during the Puppet’s self-destruction, further increasing the diversity and suddenness of the attack.
For example, an explosive Talisman could detonate after the Puppet approached the target, increasing its lethality… a binding Talisman, on the other hand, could tightly bind the enemy before the Puppet self-destructed, ensuring that the full power of the self-destruction would be completely applied to the target.
“Master, the design of this Puppet Spider is truly ingenious, perfectly integrating Puppet Art, Formation, and the Dao of Talismans! It’s simply a killing machine on the battlefield!” Mingyue praised, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and her gaze towards Li Mu was filled with adoration.
Li Mu smiled slightly and said, “Although the Puppet Spider is powerful, refining it is also extremely complex, requiring extremely high skill and patience. Moreover, due to its self-detonating characteristic, once used, it cannot be recovered. It must be used cautiously, ensuring that every Puppet Spider can maximize its value.”
“I understand, Master.” Mingyue nodded solemnly, “I will definitely go all out and meticulously refine every Puppet Spider, making them our strongest trump card.”
Li Mu nodded with satisfaction, taking out the rank 5 star wood, time-space Formation Plates, and various rare Materials he had prepared earlier from his storage ring, arranging them one by one on the table.
“Alright, then let’s begin. Remember, be extra careful during the refining process. The embedding of the Time-Space Law Formation is particularly crucial; a slight mistake could render the entire Puppet useless.” Li Mu smiled at Mingyue, signaling: “The Puppet’s body will be refined by you, and I will carve the Puppet’s core and its internal miniature Time-Space Law Formation.”
Upon hearing this, Mingyue immediately composed herself and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the refining work. She extended her slender jade-like hands, placing them on the star wood on the table, feeling the power of the stars contained within it, and assessing the texture of the star wood.
The next moment, a powerful Puppet power was released from Mingyue’s hand. Wherever it passed, pieces of star wood shavings flew down.
In just a moment, a large section of star wood gradually transformed into the body of a Puppet Spider, with eight agile legs, and the Puppet spirit patterns on them were lifelike, as if they had grown naturally.
When Li Mu saw this scene, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes, filled with envy.
This was Mingyue’s Heavenly Talent as a rank 7 Puppet Spirit, capable of refining the Puppet’s body with astonishing precision and efficiency in a short period. On Materials suitable for refining Puppets, she could bestow Puppet spirit patterns. This ability was beyond even his reach.
At this time, Li Mu also began his work, multitasking. While paying attention to Mingyue, he held a small, exquisite time-space crystal and a small golden carving knife, beginning to carve the miniature Time-Space Law Formation. This Formation was the core of the Puppet Spider, and it was also the key to its ability to achieve time-space shuttling and self-detonation.
Li Mu’s technique was skilled and precise. His hands seemed to contain endless power. While carving, he exchanged refining insights with Mingyue. The two cooperated tacitly, as if they were engaged in a silent competition.
As time passed, the refining of the Puppet Spider gradually approached its end.
Mingyue completed all the carving work on the Puppet’s body first, and Li Mu also carved a core, successfully embedding the miniature Time-Space Law Formation into the core.
“Alright, next is to assemble all the components.” Li Mu smiled at Mingyue, signaling her to prepare for the final step.
Mingyue nodded, picked up the Puppet core and various components, and began to assemble them one by one. Her hands seemed to possess magic, and the various components of the Puppet Spider seemed to be endowed with Life Qi in her hands, gradually combining into a complete individual. As the last component was embedded, the Puppet Spider’s body trembled slightly, and a rich Puppet power flowed across its surface.
The next moment, Mingyue injected a burst of Puppet power, successfully activating the Puppet’s original core. The Puppet Spider stood up completely, and a gleam of light shot out from its spider eyes.
Finally, after all components were perfectly assembled, a lifelike Puppet Spider appeared before the two of them. Its eight legs were agile, and its body was nimble, as if it could leap up and attack the enemy at any moment.
“Success!” Mingyue cheered excitedly, her face beaming with satisfaction and pride. (End of Chapter)
