Chapter 27: Puppet

"Alchemy requires patience, and one must thoroughly know the medicinal properties of every Spirit Herb..."

When Luo Yao arrived at Ju Dan Peak, Xu Zhanglao was instructing Fang Qingyan in alchemy. Upon detecting Luo Yao with his Divine Sense, Xu Zhanglao called Luo Yao into the Alchemy Room as well, letting her listen in.

Luo Yao felt somewhat honored by the unexpected attention, but since this was a rare opportunity, she naturally would not give it up; she perked up her ears and listened with a calm mind.

"This is the formula for the Grain-Avoiding Pill, the simplest formula of all. Once you can achieve a success rate of over 80%, you won't need to practice it anymore."

After Xu Zhanglao explained the basics of alchemy and techniques, and answered Fang Qingyan's doubts, he tossed her a new formula and told her to practice.

Afterwards, Xu Zhanglao left; as for Luo Yao, he paid her no mind.

Fang Qingyan said dejectedly that it was said that experts specializing in Puppet Arts could control over a dozen puppets in battle, yet she found it difficult to control even one, let alone make it move as naturally as her own limbs.

However, Zixuan Market was too small, and Luo Yao felt there wasn't much hope of finding them there.

In the end, Luo Yao emerged victorious.

"Forget it, I can't stop you from doing what you want," Xu Zhanglao suddenly waved his hand. "Cold Ice Jade can only be found in extremely frigid lands or frigid mountain ranges, and Star Frost Sand appears only during the full moon each month. With your current strength, it is impossible for you to go to such production sites to search..."

After all, many people were worried about breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, not knowing if they could achieve it in this lifetime. If they could not break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, planning for a personal Dharma Treasure for that stage right now would simply be futile effort.

Ding ding ding!

Luo Yao's Sword Qi slammed into the Puppet, producing the sound of clashing metal, yet it failed to harm it in the slightest.

Whoosh!

Although the Puppet had no consciousness, it was controlled by Fang Qingyan, so its fighting style naturally wasn't as stiff as a real puppet's.

"Xiao Yao, be careful; I have a Puppet with a master."

A few hours later, the Puppet was covered in scars, and Luo Yao was panting, her Spirit Power completely exhausted.

"I will keep an eye out for you."

But Luo Yao was different; with her Golden Finger, she had no need to worry about being unable to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the future.

Some Puppets could even assist in alchemy and forging, and in battle, they could help fight enemies, so countless people longed for such Puppets.

Moreover, Puppets would not betray; they were more loyal than servants one might recruit.

This reassured Luo Yao considerably; at least she didn't need to worry about destroying the Puppet. In this way, she didn't need to hold back and could exert her full strength.

The Puppet was about the same size as a human, had no facial features, and looked more like a wooden doll.

Hearing this, Luo Yao's eyes lit up; she had never fought a Puppet before, and besides, she hadn't dared to use her full strength against Fang Qingyan with her sword moves, but the Puppet was different.

Pausing for a moment, Xu Zhanglao added, "I recall that Ziguang Sect has Cold Ice Jade, but it is in the hands of the Ziguang Sect Sect Master; you cannot obtain it, and moreover, the relationship between the two sects is terrible..."

Regarding the Ruoshui Sword Technique, Luo Yao had only mastered the first move—Flowing Water Silent.

Luo Yao felt extremely awkward and didn't know how to explain.

To be honest, with her current strength, she didn't even have a say among the Inner Sect Disciples, let alone compared to figures of the Sect Master level in her own sect; more importantly, the relationship between the two sects was poor.

Furthermore, having learned the Ruoshui Sword Technique, her strength had increased considerably, especially her close-combat ability.

Moreover, she had to thank Zhao Lili; without Zhao Lili's Flying Sword, she wouldn't have mastered this move so quickly.

"I can only go to the Market and take a look."

Luo Yao hurriedly called out to him and asked him for clues regarding Cold Ice Jade and Star Frost Sand.

"These aren't materials for alchemy, are they?" Xu Zhanglao frowned. "Are you going to forge? These two materials are extremely rare even for Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators; with your current cultivation, you probably don't need them, right?"

The battle was not intense; Luo Yao was merely honing her sword moves, while Fang Qingyan was familiarizing herself with Puppet control.

Most cultivators focus only on magical power; once their Spirit Power is exhausted, they have no means to fight back.

Boom!

The Sword Qi slammed the Puppet flying again, smashing it onto the ground, causing cracks to appear on its surface. Clearly, under the full-force explosion of Luo Yao's move, the Puppet could barely withstand it.

"Xiao Yao, be careful; this Puppet of mine has the strength of Qi Refining Stage 5."

As Fang Qingyan was now a disciple of Xu Zhanglao, her connections in the future would naturally be broader than Luo Yao's.

Fang Qingyan added, "I have to study alchemy every day, and then find time to learn how to forge Puppets. Once I master these, whatever kind of Pill or Puppet you want, Xiao Yao, I will forge it for you..."

So, since it was possible to know that one could break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, why not seize the opportunity and prepare in advance?

Having an extra trump card meant life had an extra layer of security.

Moreover, this move consumed a lot of Spirit Power; it should be cultivators in the late Qi Refining Stage who could fully master it.

If she said she was preparing to forge a personal Dharma Treasure for the Foundation Establishment Stage now, she would probably be considered to have unrealistic ambitions.

"Senior Xu..."

Neither of them struck with lethal intent; this was a friendly match, yet both still fought with their full strength.

While reminding her, Fang Qingyan took out a Puppet from her Storage Bag.

Come to think of it, since Luo Yao obtained the Ruoshui Sword Technique, she hadn't cultivated it yet; this was a perfect opportunity to hone it.

"That kind of Puppet is too precious; where could I afford to buy one? Besides, there's nowhere to buy such things."

Moreover, since Puppets were hard, Fang Qingyan controlled the Puppet to engage in close combat, while what Luo Yao needed most was close-combat experience.

The Ruoshui Sword Technique featured light and graceful moves, overcoming hardness with softness, and excelling at neutralizing attacks; every move was like ripples skimming across the water's surface, swift and fluid.

Although it was her first practice, Luo Yao felt this sword technique suited her perfectly.

But for Luo Yao at present, this move could fully serve as a trump card.

It was said that skilled Puppet Masters could forge Puppets identical to real humans, possessing not only self-awareness but also the ability to cultivate independently, making them even more powerful than Dharma Treasures.

As for the Ruoshui Sword Technique, even without using Spirit Power, its power was astonishing; when using Spirit Power, every move was comparable to Luo Yao's full-force strike.

It could attack when advancing and defend when retreating.

"Thank you, Senior."

Although she knew the whereabouts of Cold Ice Jade, just as Xu Zhanglao said, she could not obtain it.

"You can post a task at the Task Hall, or take a look around the Market."

Luo Yao nodded; the two exchanged thoughts on alchemy, then found a suitable place and began their duel.

But such Puppets are extremely precious.

"The Dao of Puppets is actually very strong; if that Puppet just now had consciousness, I might not have been able to win."

Boom!

Invisible Sword Qi swept toward the Puppet like flowing water. The Puppet neither dodged nor flinched, raised a hand toward Luo Yao, and blasted Spirit Power from its palm.

"Yan Jie, don't be discouraged." Luo Yao walked over. "If we spar a few more times when we have free time, we'll get used to it."

Seeming to see Luo Yao's worry, Fang Qingyan added, "Don't worry, Xiao Yao. Even if it breaks, it doesn't matter; we can repair it and use it again. It's just right for me to familiarize myself with controlling the Puppet through this opportunity."

…………

"Controlling a Puppet is still too difficult."

Speaking of Puppets, Luo Yao suddenly thought of something. "Yan Jie, do you have any more Puppets on you? I want to buy one."

PS: Requesting monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and support.

(End of this chapter)