Chapter 19: Crafting the Sky Demon Puppet (Part 1)
Outside the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Secret Realm.
As soon as Xiao Tiance and his group exited the secret realm, the entrance behind them began to collapse violently. Had they delayed even slightly, they might have been swept into the spatial turbulence a perilous phenomenon capable of tearing even Dou Sheng powerhouses into fragments, leaving no remains.
"Whew!"
"That was close!"
Xiao Tiance and Xiao Qing exchanged glances, relief evident in their eyes. This journey had yielded an extraordinary harvest, but the risks had been equally great.
After taking a brief moment to recover, Xiao Tiance turned to Xiao Qing and said, "Qing'er, instruct the guards to return to Xiao Realm. We will head directly back to Tianwaitian."
"Aren't we going back to Xiao Realm first, Third Uncle?" Xiao Qing asked, puzzled.
"No, we'll go to Tianwaitian first and settle Senior Huang there," Xiao Tiance explained thoughtfully.
"That works too."
Xiao Qing nodded and relayed instructions to the guards stationed near the entrance. Once done, he returned to Xiao Tiance's side and waved his hand, stirring the space around them. Moments later, they stepped into the rift and disappeared.
One day later, Tianwaitian.
Upon arrival, Huang Jiuji's soul form emerged from the spatial ring. His mid Heavenly Realm soul power swept across the expanse of Tianwaitian, allowing him to grasp its layout and features instantly.
"Tiance, so this is the Tianwaitian you mentioned?" Huang Jiuji asked. He noted the emptiness of the space, realizing no other Dou Shengs were present.
"Senior, this realm is newly created. Our clan members have not yet moved here, so it remains unpopulated. I'll construct a palace for you shortly. Unless necessary, no one will disturb you," Xiao Tiance said respectfully.
After some thought, Huang Jiuji nodded. "Very well. By the way, here's my spatial ring. I've removed the restrictions. Use it to find materials to restore soul power. During the power transfer, a slight issue weakened my soul."
Xiao Tiance accepted the ring with gratitude and waved his hand. Under his manipulation of spatial power, a grand palace rose from the ground. Three gilded characters appeared over the entrance: Heavenly Phoenix Palace.
"Senior, please rest here. I'll deliver the refined pill to you shortly," Xiao Tiance said warmly.
"Alright."
Huang Jiuji's soul form shot toward the newly created palace.
After Huang Jiuji left, Xiao Qing excitedly said, "Third Uncle, this trip was incredible! By the way, my master asked me to give you his physical body."
With those words, Huang Jiuji's crystal encased body appeared before them.
"Senior Huang is indeed generous. Few would be willing to offer such a gift," Xiao Tiance marveled. Not only had Huang Jiuji handed over the secret realm's treasures, but even his body had been entrusted to them.
After storing the body, Xiao Tiance instructed, "Qing'er, stay here for now. Once I finish refining the soul restoration pill, deliver it to your master. Also, ask him whether he would allow me to use his body to craft a Sky Demon Puppet."
"A Sky Demon Puppet?" Xiao Qing's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes," Xiao Tiance confirmed. "If Senior Huang's body were used to craft a Beast Puppet, it could only retain the strength of a Five Star Dou Sheng. However, as a Sky Demon Puppet, it could maintain the power of a mid Eight Star Dou Sheng. With that, our clan's high end combat strength would greatly improve."
The Sky Demon Puppet required three key components: a body, a soul, and a magic core. The body served as the vessel, the soul as the guide, and the magic core as the heart. Additional rare materials would bind it all together into a formidable puppet.
The body was already secured, and the magic cores obtained from the secret realm were abundant. The only missing element was a fragment of soul power.
Unlike the incomplete Sky Demon Puppet recipe from the original story, which required a full soul, Xiao Tiance had inherited the complete method from Xiao Xuan. This version only needed a wisp of soul power, which could come from any source.
"Understood, Third Uncle. I'll ask Master about it immediately," Xiao Qing replied respectfully.
"No rush. If Senior Huang is unwilling, I'll provide the soul fragment myself," Xiao Tiance assured him.
"Yes!" Xiao Qing bowed and left for the Heavenly Phoenix Palace.
Shortly after, Xiao Qing returned with an answer. "Third Uncle, Master said he doesn't wish to embed his soul into the puppet. He feels it would be akin to being controlled."
"I understand. You may go," Xiao Tiance said, nodding thoughtfully.
Once Xiao Qing departed, Xiao Tiance began his preparations. Using his own soul fragment, he intended to complete the puppet.
He first arranged a suitable workspace, summoning Huang Jiuji's body, a ninth tier Heavenly Phoenix magic core, rare metals, and various herbs.
To ensure success, he decided to soak Huang Jiuji's body in medicinal liquids, enhancing its compatibility with the other materials. With a wave of his hand, a massive iron cauldron appeared. He shattered the crystal encasing Huang Jiuji's body, carefully lowering it into the cauldron.
Adding water and a selection of rare herbs, Xiao Tiance ignited the mixture with the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.
Soon, the cauldron glowed red hot, the liquid inside bubbling furiously like a boiling stew.
To Be Continued...
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