Chapter 128: Chapter 127: Refining a Puppet, Subsequent Plans

The third attempt at crafting the Vine Snake Puppet went so smoothly it surprised even Lu Zhao himself. The problems that had plagued him during his first two exploratory attempts—the sluggish fusion of Spiritual Materials and Spirit Patterns, the minute deviations caused by exhaustion—seemed to have been silently swept away by an invisible hand, vanishing without a trace.

During the third attempt, the only sound in the wooden cabin was the distinct rustle of the Carving Knife dancing between Lu Zhao’s fingertips. He was completely focused, his Heart Spirit and Magical Power as one. Piece by piece, plates of Snake Scale Wood Armor—their edges naturally serrated and gleaming with a cold, hard, bluish-black luster—were positioned and fitted like living things under his precise guidance.

Whenever the Carving Knife touched the meticulously engraved miniature Runes at the joints, the instant Spiritual Power made contact, a tiny point of light would flare up, followed by a faint CLICK, like gold striking stone, heralding the unbreakable nature of each connection.

The Spirit Patterns flowed, and the serpentine torso slowly extended under his guidance. Driven by the Core Spirit Pattern, the wooden structure unexpectedly developed a strange, flexible curve. Inside, hidden vine-like conduits, like invisible blood vessels, silently channeled the flowing Spiritual Power beneath each menacing piece of Scale Armor.

「Three days later.」

When the last glimmer of light within the ferocious snake head’s eyes—a pair of orbs polished as smooth as Obsidian—suddenly flared and then slowly faded, a low, almost inaudible hiss seemed to reverberate through the quiet room.

Success!

A Vine Snake Puppet, bluish-black from head to tail and with Scale Armor as menacing as iron, had taken form! Standing nearly two zhang tall, it coiled in the center of the cabin’s already cramped floor, its winding serpentine body casting a heavy shadow.

From the gaps between each tightly interlocked scale, a cold, violent aura silently emanated, instantly transforming the simple cabin’s lonely silence into a heavy, heart-pounding pressure.

Lu Zhao’s burning gaze swept over the creation born from his blood, sweat, and tears, his fingertips tightening slightly. After a long moment, he slowly exhaled, releasing a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The tension in his chest finally eased.

His fingertips brushed across the cold Scale Armor. After confirming its flawless structure, he carefully placed the fearsome Vine Snake Puppet into his Storage Bag.

After storing the Puppet in his Storage Bag, amidst his joy, an uncontrollable thought suddenly surfaced: ’Tier One High-Grade puppet master... when can I truly reach that Realm? Should I return to the Bixia Sect immediately and try to break through?’

Lu Zhao sat on his bed and did a quick mental calculation. He had been at this desolate outpost in Lingze County for nearly half a year. It wasn’t a short amount of time.

Of the dozen or so Outer Sect Stewards who had arrived in the same batch, most had left within that half-year, unable to endure the pervasive Blood Spirit Worms and the suffocating boredom. Including himself, only three from the original group remained.

Even Feng Dao, his shift partner and a man with whom he got along reasonably well, had finally been broken two months ago. The endless harassment from the Blood Spirit Worms and the mind-numbing tedium had shattered his morale, and he had sheepishly applied for a transfer back to the Mountain Sect.

The night before he left, Feng Dao had clapped Lu Zhao on the shoulder, his loneliness plain to see. He told Lu Zhao the location of his secluded cave abode in the Outer Sect, repeatedly urging, "Junior Brother Lu, if you ever return to the sect and have the time, you must come visit me... Sipping tea and discussing the Dao is far better than wasting away in this godforsaken place..."

He then spoke with sudden intensity, as if venting all his pent-up frustrations, "I stayed for a full eight months! Eight months! It’s not a matter of fortitude. I’m not the type to shrink from a challenge. It’s really not that I’m afraid of this place..."

Lu Zhao didn’t know what to say. Seeing the deep-seated exhaustion etched on Feng Dao’s face, he could only nod along. "Senior Brother, your Dao Heart is resilient. Of course you’re going back for the sake of better cultivation..." ’But a faint ripple stirred in his heart. For all his complaining, Feng Dao had been a rare spark of humanity during the difficult days at this desolate outpost, a welcome relief in these lonely, bleak times.’

Lu Zhao shook the lingering irritation from his mind, his hand subconsciously going to the heavy Storage Bag at his waist. Inside were the rare Spiritual Materials he had prepared for his attempt to become a Tier One High-Grade puppet master. However, the pitiful quantity he possessed was nowhere near enough to cover the immense cost of several failed attempts. At that thought, the idea of returning to the Bixia Sect rose again, pervasive as mist over a swamp.

’Return to the Sect?’

’If I returned to the Sect now? With the convenience of exchanging materials at the Merit Hall and the relatively stable environment of a cave abode, I could probably gain experience faster and break through to the Realm I desire. But the price... a new mandatory mission would soon fall upon me like an unshakable curse, mercilessly shattering my precious time for cultivation and Puppetry research.’

’On the other hand, if I stay here at the Lingze County outpost, grit my teeth and endure for another half-year-plus, I’ll complete a significant portion of my service term. Then, for two full years after that, I won’t have to accept any mandatory missions!’

Two whole years of freedom! The thought instantly scattered Lu Zhao’s hesitation. It meant he would have ample time for closed-door training to steadily push his Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. It meant he could immerse himself in the mysteries of Puppetry without distraction, using his accumulated Spirit Stones and Merit to trade for vast amounts of materials, calmly honing his skills time and again to break through to the Tier One High-Grade Realm!

On one hand, a chance to advance sooner, but with his time constantly fragmented. On the other, sacrificing the present for two precious years of complete freedom in the future.

Lu Zhao’s gaze swept slowly from the remaining Vine Snake Puppet materials to the simple walls of his cabin. Finally, his restlessness subsided completely, replaced by a rock-solid determination.

"A little impatience can ruin a great plan," he muttered to himself, his decision made.

Becoming a Tier One High-Grade puppet master was a crucial step on his path, not something to be rushed. It required a massive amount of materials to practice with, long periods of quiet contemplation, and most importantly, an undisturbed environment.

Staying at the Lingze County outpost for another half-year would provide that two-year "shield," allowing him to avoid the constant interruptions of mandatory missions from the General Affairs Hall.

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Zhao’s eyes. ’I’ll endure it here for another half-year! When my service term is complete, I will return to the Sect with two years of freedom and all my accumulated Merit. Then, with no other distractions, I will devote everything to breaking through to Tier One High-Grade!’

His decision made, he no longer hesitated. Lu Zhao didn’t attempt to use his final set of Vine Snake Puppet materials. Instead, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began circulating his Cultivation Technique to restore his depleted Divine Sense and Magical Power.

Outside the cabin, the buzzing of the Blood Spirit Worms droned on, but Lu Zhao’s Heart Spirit was as still as the water in a deep, ancient well. All that remained was a profound sense of anticipation for the two years of freedom to come.

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