Chapter 316: Nano Liquid Robot · Model 25

A few days later.

A computer-sized square parcel was delivered by an elite kingfisher, landing on the ground of the mining area and smashing out a deep pit, nearly burying itself.

After Jiang Ding signed for the elite kingfisher, he examined the square parcel.

Dug it out, opened it.

Inside was a computer-sized silvery-white metal block, a regular square, perfectly smooth, with no seams, looking exactly like a steel ingot.

An item card appeared before his eyes.

【Nano Liquid Puppet Robot · Model 25】

【Grade: Second Grade (Cultivator Personal Use Version)】

【Function: After activation with magic power, divine sense, and a drop of fresh blood, it can simulate the vast majority of the host's information, possessing peak Foundation Establishment combat power, immune to third-grade physical damage, immune to second-grade spell damage. Ten nano liquid puppet robots can aggregate to form third-grade combat power — one of the future directions for the Immortal Sect's close-quarters Dao soldiers.】

【Issue Conditions: Relevant authorized personnel, testers, need to write a test report every three years.】

"Sounds pretty good."

Jiang Ding, curious, channeled magic power and divine sense into it, and casually pricked his finger to give it an ordinary drop of fresh blood.

"Beep! Beep!"

There were urgent flashes of red light, followed by a voice resembling an array spirit.

"Binding permissions, please wait…"

A moment later, streaks of array patterns flickered, the square steel ingot collapsed, melted, turning into a thin silvery-white layer that nearly seeped into the ground.

Then, it deformed, writhed, gradually rose, lifting to the same height as Jiang Ding, the silvery-white metallic glow faded, revealing a handsome youth in blue robes, his gaze calm and indifferent.

"A strange yet familiar feeling."

Jiang Ding closed his eyes and felt for a moment, gaining a concrete understanding of what the so-called cultivator personal version on the item card meant.

It was like a clone, with a faint connection on the divine soul level — a single thought could make it perform corresponding actions.

Additionally, there was an AFK function: given some time to gather data, it could spontaneously handle various matters in the manner of its master's behavioral patterns.

In AFK mode, it possessed a faint artificial simulated divine sense, capable of cultivator-specific behaviors such as receiving voice transmissions and opening storage bags.

He tested each one in turn.

Indeed, as the manual stated, no corners were cut.

"Good, security has gone up another level."

"Only missing a teleportation array."

Jiang Ding nodded with satisfaction.

He searched online — in this area the Immortal Sect's immortal Dao technology was advanced, with many types available, all sorts of functions.

He picked and chose,

finally selecting six small teleportation arrays with a transmission range of three thousand kilometers, enhanced with spatial concealment and transmission wave encryption capabilities — even Nascent Soul cultivators skilled in space would not be able to crack them within dozens of breaths.

Very expensive.

Moreover, low-grade spirit stones alone could not cover the full purchase — spatial-attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures were required for the transaction.

"Over two hundred kilograms of Void Dark Crystal Copper, all gone, plus over three million low-grade spirit stones thrown in."

"I'm completely broke now."

Jiang Ding rummaged through his pockets, unable to help but sigh in lament.

Aside from the dozen-plus tons of Electromagnetic Spirit Gold and the strategic-grade spirit ore Quicksilver Spirit Gold that he would still need in the future, he now only had some two hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones left — no spare money at all.

If some urgent need arose, he wouldn't be able to pull anything out.

"If only I could run into the lone Bai Gui Laozu again."

Jiang Ding fell into reverie, deeply impressed by Bai Gui Laozu.

The clone alone had made him a fortune, lavishly spent over several decades before running out.

What about the main body?

Would the next hundred years be secure?

"Calm down."

"Don't go planning any fishing schemes."

Jiang Ding took a deep breath, forcibly cutting off the beautiful fantasies in his mind — he had even involuntarily worked out a detailed plan.

"I don't need to get rich, bro. Steady progress is enough to reach Jin Dan, we'll talk after Jin Dan."

He closed his eyes and entered cultivation state beneath the blue-gold great tree.

Cultivation, classes.

Every half month he would spend several hours piloting the Sky Fighter home, cook, clean, visit his maternal grandparents, using magic power to clear the meridians of the elderly and eliminate ailments such as cancer.

Then he would return to continue cultivation and classes, occasionally entering the Mist Spirit Pearl to cultivate during Master Dinghai Master Dinghai Zhenjun's class — every single time he would, without any warning, free-fall from the sky.

Every single time he was defeated in one sword strike by Taiyin Sword Sect's Yin Wu Master Dinghai Zhenjun, who was at peak Jin Dan.

The only gain was that his Destruction Sword Intent had strengthened by a tiny bit.

Every day he would also set aside time to extract a wisp of Fusion Magnetic Crystal Core and merge it into the Taiqing Flying Sword.

Busy, busy.

Before he felt much time had passed, a year had gone by just like that.

Jin Ling Mountain.

Jiang Ding opened his eyes, transformed into a gray-blue stream of escape light and flew into the distance — an extremely rare instance of him taking the initiative to go out.

Today,

was the day the Nine-Orifice Golden Core Fruit matured.

Streaks of Foundation Establishment escape light flew over, converging at the sect's great hall; many eyes carried greed and longing, wishing all surrounding Foundation Establishment cultivators would vanish so they could have it all to themselves.

However, when the Thunder Vein's Sect Master, Thunder Spirit Crane, and a red-haired elder walked into Rudadian, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators instantly despaired.

Fire Vein's Foundation Establishment peak, Zhou Zhou Kunlong!

Twenty-five years ago, he failed to discipline his subordinates strictly, and they assassinated an elder of the sect. He was punished by the Grand Elder to reflect on his mistakes at Reflection Cliff for twenty-five years. Today, he has finally been freed.

His aura, tempered by twenty-five years of Reflection Cliff's gale winds, had grown even more violent and scorching, making everyone dare not look him in the eye.

"Hehe!"

"No matter how strong you are, what of it?"

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators who had past grudges with Zhou Zhou Kunlong sneered coldly in their hearts.

Li Li Qingyun had also come. As a disciple of the Grand Elder and the future helmsman of the sect, he had to attend such occasions. He glanced at Zhou Zhou Kunlong and thought with a hint of pity.

"Elder Zhou, born in the wrong era."

This man was indeed a prodigy, cunning and far-sighted. Over thirty years ago, he had foreseen this day and had used all his connections to make a desperate bid.

Unfortunately, he ultimately missed the chance to nip the threat in the bud.

No, perhaps it wasn't a miss.

Unless he could foresee the future, the moment the sect's Jin Dan discovered that person in their youth, he had no chance left. The second-grade supreme-grade formation of Jin Ling Mountain was not something he could break through silently.

That person absolutely would not leave their residence before they had the power to protect themselves.

A streak of grey-blue escape light.

It flew in from outside unhurriedly, nothing remarkable about it at all. Even the faint edge that could once be sensed years ago had now completely vanished.

Even without casting any spell, it was easy to be overlooked.

"Mid Foundation Establishment!"

Zhou Zhou Kunlong's eyes lit up, as if he saw hope.

A gap of two minor realms!

"Greetings!"

"Junior Uncle-Master!"

Sect Master Thunder Spirit Crane led the way, followed by Li Li Qingyun and all the Foundation Establishment cultivators below. Their faces showed reverence as they saluted in perfect unison, their voices shaking the entire sect hall.

'A mere twenty-five years, why does this person have such prestige?'

'Even the disciples of my Zhou clan are the same!'

Zhou Zhou Kunlong was horrified. He fixed a cold, sinister gaze on several collateral disciples of the Zhou clan who had been close to him in the past and had received his strong support.

The several Zhou clan collateral disciples felt somewhat uneasy, not daring to meet his gaze.

Among the many Foundation Establishment cultivators bowing with hands clasped, only one person stood with a straight back, standing out like a crane among chickens.

A gaze was drawn over and fell upon Zhou Zhou Kunlong.

Ice-cold, sharp, scorching.

There was also a faint, inexplicable air about it, as if engaged in some dangerous deliberation.

"Greetings, Junior Uncle-Master."

Zhou Zhou Kunlong was unwilling, yet he did not dare commit any breach of etiquette within the sect hall. He saluted with meticulous precision.

(End of Chapter)